The Government wants to offer better incentives to get more foreign TV shows filmed in New Zealand.

All reviews of The Hobbit are under embargo, but that hasn't stopped those at the premiere from sharing their thoughts on social media website Twitter.

A media of many accents pleaded with minders for soundbites as the great and good headed down the 600m red carpet in order of ascending fabulousness, writes Russell Baillie.

The stars turned up in their best dresses and suits, the city turned on the weather and 100,000 fans lined the red carpet.

Tens of thousands of Hobbit fans greeted the stars walking the red carpet this afternoon ahead of the premiere of Sir Peter Jackson's new film.

Tens of thousands of Hobbit fans have now packed into downtown Wellington ahead of tonight's world premiere.

Peter Jackson took a swipe at Australians and talked about filming The Hobbit in a press conference today.

Hobbit fans line the red carpet as they wait to see stars arriving for the world premiere of the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, in Wellington.

Our guide to all the characters and locations in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, ahead of its premiere today in Wellington.

Newstalk ZB's Kim Savage is at The Hobbit Red Carpet and previews what's happening this afternoon along Wellington's Courtenay Place in Middle-earth.

Peter Jackson won't be the only person on the red carpet at today's Hobbit world premiere who should be addressed as "Sir".

The road to today's The Hobbit premiere has been marked by legal battles, industrial disputes and a swap of directors.

Members of the cast have been flown into Wellington on Air New Zealand's Hobbit-inspired 777 - they had a chat to Newstalk ZB's Edward Swift mid-flight

Arriving back in New Zealand feels like landing in Middle-earth for Royd Tolkien.

What's your actual height and did you lie about it to get the part?

Final preparations are under way in Wellington for tonight's world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey as Middle-earth mania grips the capital.

Cast and crew of The Hobbit arrive at Wellington International Airport after flying on the Hobbit-themed Air NZ boeing 777 - 300ER aircraft.

Movie blogger Dominic Corry looks at the influence of the Lord of the Rings trilogy on the movie world.

Three Labour MPs will attend the red-carpet premiere of The Hobbit tomorrow despite strong criticism over the deal to appease the movie's makers.

Peter Jackson says he was sent a box of scouted locations showing where The Hobbit could be filmed in the UK.

Peter Jackson and Elijah Wood surprised hundreds of Hobbit fans by turning up to a pre-premiere party in Wellington.

What's your actual height and did you lie about it to get the part?

Peter Jackson and star Elijah Wood surprised the 700 fans and special guests tonight's TheOneRing.net World Premiere party for The Hobbit, held in the Amora Hotel Ballroom.

Hobbits, elves, wizards and all manner of Middle-earth creatures were part of a crowd of thousands that gathered in downtown Wellington in November 2012 ahead of the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Hugh Sundae, Entertainment Editor was on the 500-metre red carpet to catch a glimpse of the cast & to ask some of the hard hitting questions. Shot on a Canon C300 supplied by A2Z Technologies.

The Hobbit stars met the media in a press conference before it's World Premiere, Sir Peter Jackson had press from around the world laughing as he revealed how Barry Humphries nabbed the part. Comedy is something that's more evident in JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, which was written as a children's book, unlike the much darker tale of The Lord of the Rings. Jackson said the lightness and the comedy in The Hobbit was a joy.

Sir Peter Jackson and the Cast and crew of The Hobbit arrived at Wellington International Airport after flying on the Hobbit-themed Air NZ boeing 777 - 300ER aircraft.

Footage shot at 48fps on a Canon C300 thanks to A2Z Technologies

Peter Jackson has finished his final cut of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, just days out from the film's premiere in Wellington.

What's your actual height and did you lie about it to get the part?