King Kong stunt in Wellington

Residents of Wellington's central business district awoke this morning to find a Japanese-made car lying crushed in the capital's central shopping area wrapped in police tape.

But then locals noticed a trail of giant footprints leading away from the car -- King Kong sized.

A clerk at the nearby convenience store -- who did not wish to be named -- said the vehicle had been towed in overnight, and was clearly a visual teaser for the Peter Jackson movie.

The footprints taper off to the post office, which has just launched a range of envelopes featuring the giant gorilla's image.

The New Zealand-made movie is set to premier in the United States in December, before opening worldwide.

The Jackson directed three-hour-long epic has cost $298 million to produce.

- NZPA