They would have been presented New Zealand lamb and been offered Montana wines, New Zealand boysenberries, Frucor beverages, and New Zealand-made vodka.
Montana has pourage rights for its wine to be served at every international premiere in major cities in the next month.
Trade New Zealand's London office worked with five New Zealand companies to supply food and beverages for tonight's menu.
But New Zealand efforts to prosper from the high-profile movie go far beyond that party, in scale and scope.
Global interest in the films and their strong connection with New Zealand presented an unparalleled opportunity to showcase trade, tourism and investment opportunities, Investment New Zealand film manager Paul Voigt said.
New Zealand Government representatives were organising events in 14 cities over the next few weeks, in moves additional to Tourism New Zealand initiatives announced by cabinet minister Peter Hodgson last week.
Coinciding with the opening nights in Europe, the United States and Asia, they would offer the chance to promote New Zealand creativity and technical excellence.
Products and services from super yachts and software to biotechnology and telecommunications would lever off the movies, as would the opportunity to promote New Zealand-made films and New Zealand as an outstanding film location.
Trade New Zealand staff in London have noticed an increase in inquiries over the past year from film directors and producers looking to film down under.
In Los Angeles on December 16, the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry and Investment New Zealand would host a pre-cocktail event at an American Film Institute (AFI) fund-raiser.
New York's business and investment community, society people and film industry media would be guests of New Zealand's United States ambassador Jim Bolger and United Nations ambassador Don MacKay at a private screening of The Fellowship of the Ring in Manhattan, New York, next week.
There would be a reception at a nearby restaurant for 250 invited guests, following the screening.
Interest in the movie was also very high in Canada, where trade commissioner Tony O'Brien was involved in a series of activities for business, investment and political contacts.
In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi would be invited to a Rome reception hosted by New Zealand ambassador Peter Bennett and Trade New Zealand at the opening night in mid-January.
New Zealand's film industry already enjoyed a high profile in Italy, Trade Commissioner Charles Barkla said.
The slogan "New Zealand, Home of Middle-earth" represented a lot more than just three extraordinary movies, made in New Zealand by New Zealanders, Mr Voigt said.
Key cast members had helped drive home the connection between the movies and New Zealand.
"They are all great ambassadors for New Zealand -- saying hugely positive things about the country as a film location and a tourism destination."
- NZPA
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