Features

Christmas plays out somewhat differently in the southern hemisphere summer where long sunny days season the festive mix.

It was a normal Saturday afternoon in 1998 on the Alexander family farm near Matamata when there was a knock on the door that was to change lives forever.

When New Zealand cinemas first screen 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' at one minute past midnight on 12 December, the audience will be full of fervent film fans with more than just a vested interest in the plot.

High flying, high tech and highly important to the New Zealand economy, film-making has not only turned the capital city into the Hollywood of the south but has also had some unexpected spin-offs for the nation’s business community.

New Zealand's screen industry has risen to become one of the country’s most lucrative – and 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' is set to put New Zealand’s film-making capability at the forefront of the global film industry.

When Sir Peter Jackson went looking for the ideal place to film his blockbuster trilogies, he didn’t have to travel far - in fact the world-famous director reckons his country, New Zealand, is the perfect Middle-earth.

New Zealand’s film-making industry experienced a resurgence in the late 1970s, with Roger Donaldson’s 'Sleeping Dogs' (1977) one of a series of features that helped revitalise the industry.

Martin Bosley is one of New Zealand’s finest chefs. His award-winning restaurant on Wellington's waterfront is a must-visit for discerning foodies looking for an outstanding New Zealand cuisine experience.

New Zealand has converted the success of 'The Lord of the Rings' Trilogy into an on-going international screen industry of substantial scale, with a reputation for excellence in screen production.

Wellington-based textiles company Stansborough has a story with enough discoveries, twists and turning points to rival the films in which its products now star.