In September 1998, Sir Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema stumbled upon the Alexander's 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm during an aerial search for suitable film sites. Construction began in March 1999.

Avatar is moving in next door to the Hobbit. Successful U.S. film director James Cameron has snapped up more farmland near the New Zealand capital, Wellington, not far from Oscar-winning colleague ...

There are hobbits about in the land, once again. Big, noisy, clumsy folks like you and me can’t usually see them, but they’re there, I assure you. Some of you will call me a major loon, I realize, but ...

In New Zealand, even a nondescript cutting in the woods can lead somewhere extraordinary. That magnetic pull to see what’s around the next bend, whether sparkling glacier or primeval forest, is my ...

The year-end school holidays are around the corner and among the top destinations on travellers' lists is a country known for its spectacular scenery as well as food and wine. New Zealand has emerged ...

Hollywood stars including Elijah Wood have praised an Italian Lord of the Rings fanatic who now lives as a hobbit and is turning his land into a Middle Earth 'Shire'. Wood was yesterday joined by ...