Peter Jackson is our New Zealander of the Year for 2001. The name was as irresistible as it was predictable. His "exceptional achievement" was far more than a long, expensive and critically acclaimed movie version of The Lord of the Rings.
It straddled numerous categories of endeavour, from entertainment, to "getting us ahead", to the advancement of New Zealand's film, technology and tourism industries.
The feat of simultaneously making three blockbuster movies was rare. But in a proudly New Zealand setting, employing local talent and ingenuity and with the director retaining the humility we would like to think Kiwis are blessed with, it was remarkable.
It provided benefits in jobs, foreign exchange and intangible, priceless publicity.
Peter Jackson was the New Zealander who made it happen. He is the virtuoso whose brilliance and determination helped lift spirits in a year of repeated, inexplicable tragedy. The choice was all but unanimous for our selection panel.
