Peter Jackson receives knighthood

Peter Jackson arrives for his investiture. Photo / NZPA

New Zealand's first lord of film was invested as a knight today and he accepted the honour on behalf of "thousands of people".

Sir Peter Jackson, along with 13 other New Zealanders involved in the arts, health, scientific and public sectors, was honoured at an investiture at Premier House this morning.

It was wonderful New Zealand was honouring the arts industry, he said.

"I feel incredibly humbled and the truth is making movies is not a solo effort - it involves hundreds of people, thousands of people, so I feel as though I'm accepting it on behalf of the industry."

Sir Peter said the honour was different to winning an Oscar, and meant a lot more in some respects, The Dominion Post reported.

The honour was announced in the New Year list.

After Sir Peter was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2002, the final instalment of his Lord of the Rings trilogy won 11 Academy Awards, he remade King Kong, produced District 9 and has released his latest film The Lovely Bones.

In 2003 he opened Park Road Post Production in Miramar, Wellington, which includes Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, establishing New Zealand as a place where major films projects can be undertaken.

- NZPA