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WELLINGTON - No rift exists between New Zealanders and Americans on the set of The Lord of the Rings, says a spokeswoman for the US-backed project, Claire Raskind.
Last week, New Zealand producer Tim Sanders stepped down from running operations on the $360 million trilogy being directed by his friend and fellow New Zealander Peter Jackson.
Mr Sanders helped get the project started by using his local contacts to coordinate the New Zealand film crews.
Ms Raskind said yesterday that speculation about a clash between Mr Sanders and representatives of the United States production company New Line Cinema, which is financing the project, was untrue.
"His departure has nothing to do with being over-budget or over-schedule," she said.
"There is no sense of division between Kiwis and Americans."
Sources say some of the New Zealand crew are unhappy with the pay they are getting in comparison with their American counterparts.
Whether this had any bearing on Mr Sanders' decision to step down is unknown.
He was not available for comment yesterday, but reportedly said he was resigning for personal reasons.
Filming on the project resumed yesterday on Haywards Hill in Wellington and at the rural set in the Waikato.
The Wellington scenes are being filmed at night. - NZPA
One big happy family in Hobbit-land
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