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![[Peter Jackson photo via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Peter-Jackson-via-Shutterstock-230x105.jpg "Peter Jackson via Shutterstock")
![[Image via Flickr user Man Alive!, Creative Commons licensed]](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Sir-Ian-McKellen-via-Flickr-user-Man-Alive-230x105.jpg "Sir Ian McKellen via Flickr user Man Alive")
Freak tornado kills three in New Zealand: reports
A freak storm described by police as a tornado hit New Zealand’s largest city Auckland Thursday causing “utter devastation”, with three people reportedly killed in ferocious winds. The storm, which officials said packed wind gusts of up to 110 kilometres (70 miles) per hour, struck suburban Hobsonville in the afternoon,…
Tourists flood New Zealand for The Hobbit debut
WELLINGTON — Huge crowds swarmed into central Wellington for the world premiere of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”, an event that has sparked Middle Earth mania in New Zealand. Presenters on national radio greeted listeners in the fictional language elvish on Wednesday morning, while newspapers came with complimentary Hobbit posters, and…
‘The Hobbit’ was almost filmed in UK, director Peter Jackson reveals
“The Hobbit” director Peter Jackson on Tuesday said the low point making his Tolkien epic was when the production almost moved from his native New Zealand to Britain because of a union dispute. Jackson, who will host the world premiere of the first instalment of his trilogy in Wellington on…
Catholic brother accused of sex crimes flees
A former Catholic brother wanted in Australia on more than 250 child sex charges was reported Monday to have fled New Zealand for Sri Lanka before his extradition could be secured. Bernard McGrath is facing 252 child sex charges in Australia relating to his time in church-run institutions in the…
Stormclouds gather over The Hobbit premiere amid animal care scandal
British actor Martin Freeman is close to becoming an official mascot for New Zealand, thanks to his role in the new Hobbit film and this weekend’s unveiling of a giant image of his face on the side of a Boeing jet at Auckland airport. And suddenly it looks as if…
More eruptions expected as N. Zealand ‘Lord of the Rings’ volcano disrupts flights
Lingering ash from a volcanic eruption in New Zealand disrupted flights across parts of the North Island on Thursday, as scientists warned the mountain could blow again at any time. Mount Tongariro, in the centre of the North Island, erupted for the second time in four months on Wednesday after…
Gandalf actor Ian McKellan chides New Zealand PM over gay ‘joke’
WELLINGTON — British actor Ian McKellan has criticised New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for using the word “gay” to mock a radio host’s attire, saying the term should not be casually used as an insult. In a radio interview last week, Key said told talkback host Jamie Mackay he…
Hobbits take to the air in Air New Zealand safety video
Air New Zealand has set out to take passengers on a flight of fantasy in its latest in-flight safety video, enlisting hobbits, orcs and elves to urge passengers to fasten their seatbelts. The video, a tie-in with Peter Jackson’s upcoming movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”, features special effects from…
Hobbit tourism scatters more of Tolkien’s magic across New Zealand
For millions, the Lord of the Rings films turned the country into Middle-earth. As the premiere of a second trilogy approaches, tour operators are ready for another bonanza This time last year, New Zealand was under the spell of the Rugby World Cup, with host nation enthusiasm going a long…
Hobbit coins to become legal tender in New Zealand
New Zealand will release commemorative “The Hobbit” coins worth thousands of dollars ahead of next month’s premier of director Peter Jackson’s latest Tolkien epic. The coins featuring characters such as Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the wizard will be legal tender in the country, New Zealand Post said, although their face…
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