Latest FromEmployment Relations
![Key defends <i>Hobbit</i> tax deal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Key defends <i>Hobbit</i> tax deal
John Key says his deal to keep The Hobbit in NZ was far less than what Labour paid for LOTR, but Labour says the PM isn't telling the full story.
![<b>Media:</b> Did the Govt save <i>The Hobbit</i> - or lose a game of bluff?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<b>Media:</b> Did the Govt save <i>The Hobbit</i> - or lose a game of bluff?
The Hobbit deal is not the first where New Zealand taxpayers have shelled out extra money to keep a Hollywood studio happy.
![Sparks fly in '<i>Hobbit</i> law' debate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Sparks fly in '<i>Hobbit</i> law' debate
The law change that was part of the deal to clinch The Hobbit for New Zealand was still being heatedly debated when Parliament adjourned last night.
![<i>Hobbit</i> bill passes first reading](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<i>Hobbit</i> bill passes first reading
Parliament was tonight working its way through a labour law change the Government says is essential to ensure The Hobbit movies are made in New Zealand, but was facing stiff opposition from Labour.
![<i>The Hobbit</i> law - what does it mean for workers?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<i>The Hobbit</i> law - what does it mean for workers?
Employment law specialist Jim Roberts explains how the proposed law change spurred by The Hobbit saga will affect film industry workers.
![Fans enthusiastic about <i>Hobbit</i> deal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Fans enthusiastic about <i>Hobbit</i> deal
The announcement The Hobbit will be shot in New Zealand has been greeted enthusiastically by Lord of the Rings fans all over the world.
![CTU: <i>Hobbit</i> labour law changes 'opportunistic'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
CTU: <i>Hobbit</i> labour law changes 'opportunistic'
A union leader has berated the Govt for selling the "fundamental rights" of workers to convince Warner Bros to keep The Hobbit in NZ.
![Govt's <i>Hobbit</i> pact: One deal to rule them all](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Govt's <i>Hobbit</i> pact: One deal to rule them all
Up to $34m in tax breaks and help with marketing costs and a change to labour laws are the price of keeping The Hobbit in NZ.
![Relief all round that <i>Hobbit</i> will stay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Relief all round that <i>Hobbit</i> will stay
Two industry heavyweights on opposing sides of The Hobbit row have welcomed confirmation the movies will be shot in NZ.
![<i>John Armstrong</i>: Mega-money yells, and NZ rolls over](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<i>John Armstrong</i>: Mega-money yells, and NZ rolls over
What kind of a country sells its democratic soul for 30 pieces of silver? The answer is a small one. And one where the economy shows little sign of recovery in the short term.
![<i>Hobbit</i> to stay in NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<i>Hobbit</i> to stay in NZ
Filming of The Hobbit will stay in New Zealand after an agreement was reached between the Government and studio executives at a crisis meeting today.
![Jackson: <i>Hobbit</i> union 'had gun to our head'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Jackson: <i>Hobbit</i> union 'had gun to our head'
Sir Peter Jackson has produced a letter which he says counters claims by NZ Actors' Equity that they sought a meeting with the producer prior to blacklisting The Hobbit.
![Union warns against <i>Hobbit</i> law change](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Union warns against <i>Hobbit</i> law change
A union leader is concerned a precedent could be set which would challenge New Zealand's sovereignty if the Government changes labour laws to entice Warner Brothers to film The Hobbit in the country.
![<i>Brian Rudman:</i> Hobbit folk grovel to feudal movie lords](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<i>Brian Rudman:</i> Hobbit folk grovel to feudal movie lords
Every employee in the land should be concerned at the hammering the actors have got for daring to ask for meaningful negotiations.
![<i>Hobbit</i> needs new law - expert](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
<i>Hobbit</i> needs new law - expert
Only a new law will give Warner Bros the guarantee it wants on labour laws to keep The Hobbit in NZ, an employment law expert says.
![No decision yet in <i>Hobbit</i> talks - Key](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
No decision yet in <i>Hobbit</i> talks - Key
John Key has emerged from crisis talks with Warner Brothers executives over the filming of The Hobbit, saying there is still no decision on where filming will take place.
![No <i>Hobbit</i> 'bidding war' - PM](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
No <i>Hobbit</i> 'bidding war' - PM
John Key says he has made it clear to Warner Bros that the Govt cannot go to extreme lengths to keep The Hobbit films in NZ.
![Union guarantees no <i>Hobbit</i> industrial action](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Union guarantees no <i>Hobbit</i> industrial action
The union behind an actors' boycott of The Hobbit has given an unconditional guarantee that it will not take any more industrial action against the film production.