The Hobbit must not be Lost to New Zealand

The Employers' Chamber of Commerce Central has called for common sense to prevail over the industrial dispute surrounding the filming of The Hobbit and pointed to the huge economic loss if filming does not take place in New Zealand.

"Now that we have had confirmation from the Hollywood studios that production of The Hobbit is to go ahead, it would be a tragedy if filming was relocated outside of New Zealand," said Chamber President Jo Bransgrove.

"The filming of The Hobbit provides an opportunity for the creation of thousands of jobs and the injection of millions of dollars into the local economy.

"The economic momentum generated from the success of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy would be lost if it does not go ahead.

"It would be disastrous if Middle Earth was lost to New Zealand because of this disagreement.

"The stakes are high. The film industry is crucial to both the Wellington and New Zealand economies. But our reputation as a good place to make films is at risk.

"We are also disappointed that it is an overseas union that has instigated the dispute.

"We urge the New Zealand film community to look at the bigger picture and to reach for a solution that is in the best interests of themselves and the future of the industry," Ms Bransgrove concluded.

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