Behind the 2010 Hobbit dealings

5/03/2013 10:42:27 a.m.

Cathy wrote:

MIKE. While your comments are somewhat over the top, no-one can deny these Hollywood people are business orientated and play hard-ball in any negotiations. However, they met their match in Key who cleverly negotiated a deal that not only gave a huge present and ongoing advantaged to NZ as detailed by both Dave and Paul below, but Hollywood also went away satisfied. That's why these arrangements are a Win Win Win to all involved and only able to be achieved through a skilful negotiator, in this instance it was thankfully John Key.

5/03/2013 8:28:21 a.m.

Jay wrote:

A humiliating chapter in NZ history. NZ gov being dictated to by foreign business and the public being used to crush the actors union. All because of our ego being wrapped up in these films.

4/03/2013 7:43:20 p.m.

mike wrote:

the people that jackson deals with in hollywood are some of the greeediest most shocking personal character people on the planet.you talk about the greeed of these multi billionares who put up the money for these hollywood movies is un surpassed .their greed knows no bounds.

4/03/2013 6:57:56 p.m.

Campergirl wrote:

From a fan's point of view: I have been to several LOTR tours (also The Hobbit is talked about and some filming locations shown). There are people on the tours who haven't seen the films, haven't read the books... it's a phenomenon like no other movie in the sense that it really has put NZ on the spotlight. I havr never heard one negative thing said about the LOTR. I have heard a few negative comments regarding The Hobbit, but nothing really negative. The movies have lifted my spirit up and I have grown as a person to appreciate the world we live in, the nature, taken actions to protect it etc. The impact of these movies in my life has been incalculable. That said, I am not a fan of war scenes. And not a fan of the war that goes behind the scenes. How could it be a win win for all when one of the most well known story is put on screen? I do, however, appreciate honesty, and communications in all directions should be direct and honest. Film industry seems to be full of snakes because so much is about money :(. But if I have understood right, this movie has created jobs in NZ and tourism has increased (and NZ gets dollars and fame) who knows how much? NZ is a country that is almost too beautiful to my eyes. Main reason for watching the LOTR and The Hobbit is not just to get hope but to look at nature and the world with a new understanding and respect. I am a better person because of these films and I am very very grateful. It is so easy to poiny fingers or highlight any negative. Could this all be solved in a peaceful manner. Surely NZ has proved its ability to film and create movies etc... now all is needed is some great stories that will have an even greater impact on the world. To look ahead, to take a broader view and to focus on the positive and good. Let's not create yet another ring...

2/03/2013 10:43:32 a.m.

Paul wrote:

KINGI. What Dave says are the simple facts. If you don't agree too bad. Any blockade lifting was intended as typical 'Union delaying tactics' to try to minimise the effects of the general public march against the unions who most agree live in the dark ages. The organising Union officials only stir up trouble to try to look important in an attempt to keep their cushy but meaningless jobs. Even if what you say happened the way you describe, it made absolutely no difference to the reason the public chose to vent their anger against the unions for interfering in the first place, which if successful could have denied NZers more than 3000 new or saved jobs, denied Wellington and the rest of the country the positiveness of the amount of world exposure achieved, and denied NZ the endless free promotion of this country that will enhance tourism to NZ in the most positive way. Only someone with their head in the sand and a dinosaur mentality could possible see the union action as good for NZ.

1/03/2013 12:18:44 p.m.

kingi wrote:

Dave, the "yah boo, sucks to you" mentality evident in your post does you or your argument no credit. The facts are that the blockade was lifted prior to the protest march, yet Warners and the goverenment intentionally witheld this information from the public. We deserve better behaviour from those in power. It is divisive, arrogant and disturbing, and in no way can it be seen as a "win" for the public to be treated in this manner.

1/03/2013 8:37:10 a.m.

Dave wrote:

KATUBALDY. Seems you overlooked the most important item that emerged from the agreement. THE UNIONS LOST. NZ and everyone else won. No matter how you look at the incident, well over three thousand NZ jobs were created or saved regardless of the Australian union's meddling in NZ affairs. Ooh dear! How sad! Too bad! Get over it. PS: More importantly, because of the filming here, the NZ Tourism industry will gain ongoing international exposure with every screening of the Hobbit and as a result NZ will gain additional millions of ongoing tourist dollars as well, which wouldn't have happened without the agreement achieved by Key.

28/02/2013 3:08:05 p.m.

katubaldy wrote:

Well the right hasn't had much to crow about lately so little wonder they're giving this issue all the fanfare they can. Behind all the cheerleading though as usual with this bent govt, there was a few law changes done to impress their wealthy friends. What all the win win winners ignore is it's 3rd world politics to abruptly make changes to your legal system to accommodate commercial interests no matter how much they're waving in front of your nose. Also the union had clearly already signed the Hobbit deal and were told to hold off any announcement for a few days and leave it to Warner Bros to do so. In the interim enter the movie star himself Joe Key, changing the labour laws that disadvantaged the kiwi movie workers involved, using the smoke screen that Warner Bros would leave that was put out there. A smoke screen some still trying to cling to....hello! The deal was already signed several days previous. Jackson got what he wanted, Warner Bros got what they wanted,even Joe Key,closet camera hog got some great publicity in the deal...trouble is NZ workers got ripped off and no one on the right even think its worth talking about....really. The general public should just wait in line for the govt to get to them with a good reason to hammer them down...wow... Make all the wahoo while you can on the right...Parata got totally booed in public over the weekend and not long before more of the same is happening in NZ, the more this govt rips the country off.

27/02/2013 5:14:32 p.m.

eddie wrote:

@ Ruz...if the movies were made off shore..anywhere off shore, then the tax concession given would have been money saved I agree (be aware a tax consession is not money given, but less tax taken... that fact is lost on alot of thick lefties that don't wish to know facts). But a %age of nothing is still nothing, the workers on this production (3,000ish?) were paid over a 3yr period and tax was paid on the salary to NZ Govt. Please don't forget Clarke/Cullen also gave a tax concession for the LOTR trilogy also, and agree 1 (ONE) contractor decided he was/wanted to be an employee and took Jackson/Weta to employment court...this all comesabout from one man/worker...why no one following him up and asking his opinion, why? as he knows he would rather remain incognito for being a greedy fool.

27/02/2013 5:11:32 p.m.

Dave wrote:

RUZ. Fortunately there are very few people who view things the way you do. Most people according to the latest opinion polls believe Key negotiated to keep the Hobbit filming here to mainly advantage NZ as a whole and not for any so called 'wealthy mates'.