The Hobbit leaving NZ - readers react

Sir Peter Jackson and Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly. Photos / Mark Mitchell

After a long-running industrial dispute, Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have announced preparations are being made to move production of The Hobbit films overseas.

We asked readers who they thought was to blame for the situation, and found there was very little consensus on the issue.

Many blamed NZ Actors' Equity, the union which, with the backing of the Australian union Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), advocated a boycott of the film after the filmmakers refused to enter into a union-negotiated agreement.

"I hope the extremely selfish and ignorant NZ Actors' Equity are pleased that they have practically destroyed the New Zealand film industry," wrote BJR, while DailyOnlineReader said "NZ Actors Equity are communists living in the dark ages; and no, I am neither an Act nor National voter.

"What kind of 'union' is that when most of the people working in that sector and practically all of the general public are against what they're doing?!"

Linda said: "The unions are bringing NZ to its knees. This is not the time for industrial action about petty things. This is the time to shoulder the burden and get to work."

Odette thought "greedy little actors" were at fault. "What about these actors who through their greed have cost New Zealanders jobs as well as the flow on effect that drives tourism for this country?" she asked.

But Ted supported the union's move: "Peter Jackson, Weta and his movie-maker buddies made fat profits off his first movies made using cheap New Zealand talent, why shouldn't New Zealand talent be paid a bigger slice of pie that they take to their banks in America?"

Scratch agreed. "Peter Jackson is clearly no longer a Kiwi. He lives in Hollywood, flies in a private jet, and is utterly in the pockets of the US film industry. NZ actors just want a fair shake - to get the same deals as the overseas actors they work alongside."

On our Facebook page, James Ruru Irvine Ford said: "If anybody's to blame then it's (sir) Peter Jackson.... I'm sure that if someone can make an award winning movie for less than $10,000 then Jackson can pay his actors a decent wage with a budget of several million."

James Broughton agreed. "Simply, it's Peter Jackson and Weta Productions' cheapskate attitude and lust for money that took the venture off shore."

But Adam thought Warner Brothers, not Sir Peter, were the ones at fault. "First of all the decision was not made by Sir Peter Jackson, so saying he is to blame is clearly wrong. The decision is made by Warner Brothers, who have obviously lost faith in the New Zealand Film market for whatever reason."

Nick Nikora agreed: "Peter Jackson is just a pawn of Warner Brothers and their rich Hollywood mates. Jackson made millions for Warner Brothers and for himself in his earlier movies made with cheap New Zealand acting talent. Just shows where Mr Jackson's loyalties lie."

But Phil was blaming the Government. "If this over-hyped production does go off shore it will be because the government interfered and made a mountain out of a molehill for political gain," he said.

Challenger thought the Australians were at fault. "The Aussies have got what they wanted. Our half wit actors have lost everything and we have too."

Nikkiwi agreed. "I take my hat off to MEAA for successfully persuading nz actors equity to cut their own throats on behalf of the Australian film industry."

Lee Ese said: "Those bloody greedy Aussie unions and dumb greedy kiwis who joined them are to blame for what can only be described as the darkest moment in the NZ film industry."

On our Facebook page, Steve Cousins agreed. "The Aussies just want to pump up their own film industry by ruining ours," he said.

HarryL had his own unique take on the situation. "Who is to blame? I blame Gollum. He has been impossible to live with since all those Oscars."

- NZ Herald staff