| Picture: PCL |
NEW Zealand’s stunning landscapes and mile upon mile
of wide-open spaces have played an integral part in the
country’s appeal to backpackers and lovers of the great
outdoors. But a string of new movies being filmed across the
country has brought New Zealand’s spectacular scenery to a
wider audience – and the tourism industry is reaping the
benefits.
Wellington-born film director Peter Jackson paved the way by
using New Zealand’s various terrains as backdrops for his
Lord of the Rings trilogy.
A recent survey by Tourism New Zealand revealed that among
visitors aware of the country’s film links, 7% said movies
were the motivating factors in choosing New Zealand as a holiday
destination.
Tourism New Zealand regional manager UK and Europe Barry
Eddington said: “Studios large and small are currently preparing
movies for release this year. Tourism New Zealand is working
closely with publicists to support media interest and ensure the
dramatic scenery, which entices film makers to New Zealand, also
attracts holidaymakers.”
Travel Weekly takes a look at a selection of the movies being
filmed across New Zealand.
| The World’s Fastest Indian |
What? Starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, the film
was inspired by kiwi Burt Munro, who spent decades constructing a
1920s Indian motorcycle before setting a land speed record in the
1970s.
Directed by: Roger Donaldson.
Due for release: this year.
On location: cameras are rolling across South
Island, and in particular in Invercargill where Munro was born.
Invercargill rarely features on tourists’ itineraries,
possibly because it is New Zealand’s southernmost city.
However, it is the gateway to some of the country’s most
unspoilt scenery and serves as a departure point for visitors
catching the ferry to New Zealand’s nearby third island,
Stewart Island.
The country’s most shy resident – the kiwi –
can be found in this region as can Catlins, a pristine area
featuring native forests, scenic walkways and rugged beaches.
Follow that star: visitors don’t need a
motorcycle to explore the Southern Scenic Route. Instead they can
follow it from the comfort of a rental car, camper van or coach, as
it winds along the southern coast to the Catlins.
A piece of the action: Travel 2’s 10-day
Best of the South Island self-drive tour starts at £422
twin-share and follows the Southern Scenic Route. It includes
accommodation and car hire and visits Invercargill and the
Catlins.
| King Kong |
What? Hollywood celebs Naomi Watts, Adrien
Brody and Jack Black star in this big-budget revamp of the
1930’s blockbuster.
Directed by: Peter Jackson, of Lord of the
Rings fame.
Due for release: this year.
On location: Jackson has used his hometown of
Wellington as the backdrop for his revamp of this classic horror
flick.
New Zealand’s capital city is home to the national museum
Te Papa – a hands-on museum which is great fun for adults and
children alike. Wellington has a lively urban café scene where
the cast of King Kong could often be spotted getting a caffeine
fix. Wellington is just over a mile wide so can easily be explored
on foot and, within a 30-minute drive of the city centre, visitors
will find pristine beaches and a seal colony. Some of the cast were
rumoured to have been given mountain bikes to encourage them to
explore the area.
Follow that star: some of the scenes were shot
at Wellington’s 90-year-old Opera House, where extras were
spied in their 1930’s costumes. Meanwhile, 1930’s
downtown New York is being recreated in Lower Hutt, complete with
Macy’s department store and Times Square.
Jackson is rumoured to be spending around £75 million on
recreating the gorilla movie but visitors can spend considerably
less and see monkeys, baboons and chimps at Wellington Zoo.
A piece of the action: Travel 2 offers a range
of hotel options in Wellington. Visitors can stay at the three-star
Mercure Wellington from £27 per person per night
twin-share.
| The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe |
What? An adaptation of the CS Lewis
classic.
Directed by: Andrew Adamson (the brains behind
Shrek).
Due for release: Christmas.
On location: The Chronicles of Narnia promises
to be the big film for Christmas. Film crews are busy transforming
Middle Earth into Narnia as they prepare sets in Auckland,
Canterbury and Queenstown.
The rugged landscape of Flock Hill, in the heart of
Canterbury’s high country, is being used as a backdrop for
one of the sets. The area is a 75-minute drive by car to
Christchurch and offers a wealth of activities, from trout fishing
to four-wheel-drive tours.
In contrast to the vast tussock-covered landscapes of
Canterbury’s hill and high country is the alpine environment
of the Southern Alps, where the White Witch would be more at home.
The area is characterised by turquoise glacial lakes, New
Zealand’s highest peak Mount Cook and the icy wonderland of
the West Coast glaciers, Franz-Josef and Fox. Some of the only
glaciers in the world to reach sea level, they are a playground for
tourists.
Helicopters offer scenic flights, glacier walking is popular and
more adventurous tourists can try heli-hiking or ice-climbing.
Follow that star: the crew is being transported
to Flock Hill by 4WD vehicles and ANZCRO offers driven tours
through Canterbury’s high country.
A piece of the action: Mount Cook Line offers a
helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier and a guided walk among
the ice caves from £115 per person.
| River Queen |
What? A love story set during the 1860’s
land wars, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Samantha Morton.
Directed by: Vincent Ward, executive producer
on The Last Samurai.
Due for release: this year.
On location: filming began in the Bay of
Plenty, before moving on to the Whanganui region in the lower west
corner of North Island. The area doesn’t usually feature on
the tourist trail – but this film looks set to change
that.
One of the biggest stars of the movie is the Whanganui River
– New Zealand’s longest navigable river. The 130-mile
river winds from the mountains to the Tasman Sea and has been
dubbed the Rhine of Maoriland. For visitors it offers a wealth of
outdoor activities including jet-boating, kayaking, fly-fishing and
tramping. It is also steeped in Maori legend, as every significant
bend of the river is said to have its own mythical guardian
controlling its life force.
Follow that star: Kiefer Sutherland, Samantha Morton and the
crew of River Queen were given a traditional welcome, or powhire,
at Putiki Marae in Wanganui. When they were not enjoying local
culture, the crew often used jet-boats to zip up the river and
access more remote filming locations. But you don’t need to
be a Hollywood celeb to speed along the river, as there are a
variety of local jet-boat tours.
A piece of the action: Go Kiwi offers a night at the three-star
Wanganui Avenue Hotel and Conference Centre from £23 per
person, based on a studio room.
