Wellington

With the Gladiator, a selection of Hobbits and Gandalf defending the wickets, a Sunday cricket game in Wellington, New Zealand, is about to pitch Hollywood against Wellywood.

Roll up … roll up… the world’s most talented bartenders will be visiting New Zealand’s ultimate playground Queenstown, this month for a week of extreme cocktail making, parties and adrenalin-charged activities.

Rugby World Cup will leave an ongoing heritage in New Zealand long after this year’s event is over – thanks to a native tree planting project involving some of the country’s legendary rugby players.

Romance is in the air, and New Zealand has some top spots to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Talented Kiwi film-makers have been showcasing the beauty of New Zealand this week, at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (4 - 12 February 2011).

Award winning New Zealand director Sir Peter Jackson’s much awaited movie 'The Hobbit' will begin shooting in Middle-earth - New Zealand next month (March 2011).

A New Zealand actor has been crowned with the lead role in an eagerly awaited movie about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s fairytale romance.

New Zealand boat builders are the toast of the international sailing community with the successful launch of the new AC45 catamaran – a scaled-down version of the boats to race in the next America’s Cup.

Tourism in New Zealand stands to benefit from the spin off of another multi-million dollar Bollywood movie – an Indian remake of The Italian Job that is currently being filmed in Wellington.

As Valentine’s Day – February 14 – approaches, Hobbit hearts are a-flutter with talk that filming of the much anticipated 'Lord of the Rings' film prequel is likely to begin that day in New Zealand.