Latest from Ministry of Economic Development
Actors' Equity <Hobbit> meeting in Auckland cancelled
An Actors' Equity meeting to be held in Auckland tonight has been canned over fears technicians and other workers in the film would picket.
NZ actors 'feeling misrepresented' by union
A filmmaker and actor who worked on LOTR and Avatar says union demands to standardise pay rates could cripple dozens of NZ films.
<i>Hobbit</i> co-writer: 'We've had it'
The Hobbit is slipping away from New Zealand despite the best efforts of its producers, the film's co-writer Philippa Boyens says.
Wingnut and union statements on <i>The Hobbit</i>
Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh's statement on The Hobbit and a release from the Council of Trade Unions in response.
<i>Hobbit</i> loss 'potential tragedy for NZ film'
The loss of The Hobbit film overseas is a "potential tragedy for the New Zealand film industry", Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Chris Finlayson said this morning.
Filming of <i>The Hobbit</i> moving overseas
The producers of The Hobbit say production is being moved off-shore after industrial action 'undermined Warner Bro's confidence in NZ'.
NZ's film industry 'in peril' over risk of losing <i>The Hobbit</i>
Weta Workshop's boss Sir Richard Taylor last night said the New Zealand film industry was "at some level of peril".
Hobbit films in 'peril', says Weta chief
Two Hobbit films, expected to cost about $669m to make, are in danger of being moved away from NZ because of "the actions of a very limited few", says Weta Workshop's Sir Richard Taylor.
Course set for bumper cruise season
What's expected to be a bumper cruise industry season begins tomorrow with the arrival of the 116,000 tonne Sapphire Princess.
Telecom needs broadband terms 'within weeks'
Telecom says it needs to conclude terms with the Govt in the next few weeks if it is to be its partner in an ultra-fast broadband network.
RWC hospitality providers told to use words carefully
Hospitality providers - even people renting out their home - could risk a $150,000 fine for using forbidden words in their RWC advertising.
Aussie MP wades into <i>Hobbit</i> row
Australian MP Eric Abetz is accusing the actors' union advocating a boycott of the film The Hobbit of threatening thousands of jobs on both sides of the Tasman.
Ministers meet <i>Hobbit</i> filmmakers
Two senior ministers have made themselves available to mediate in the industrial dispute surrounding The Hobbit after meeting with Fran Walsh and Sir Peter Jackson today.
Beefed-up Crown Minerals to chase deepsea gas
NZ oil and gas exploration will get a substantial boost in government resources, including funding to chase deep-sea methane hydrates that have yet to be commercially exploited anywhere in the world.