The Hobbit Trilogy

Anna Humphries 

DOC, Wakatipu

Anna knew her stuff when it came to film crews working in one of the most popular filming and tourist destinations in NZ. She did a brilliant job safeguarding the environment while allowing filmmakers access to New Zealand’s beautiful wilderness. 

Aaron Bradcock

Digger Driver, Piopio, King Country

Aaron built roads and laid film unit bases in some of the steepest, toughest country in New Zealand. Aaron's skill with his digger meant that filming could take place in some of the most difficult terrain out there. A true family business.

Bex (and Emily) Gibbons

Motogrill, Queenstown

Bex and Emily often supplied perfect coffee and fantastic lunches on the run for all the prep crew as they headed out for the day. No order or request was ever a problem for them, and they've always been big supporters of the film industry.

Craig McIntosh

Area Manager, Hirepool, Wellington

Craig always went over, above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that the right equipment was supplied on time and ready for the film crew, across the length and breadth of the country. No matter how remote the location or unusual the request.

Ella Bacher

Cheals Consultants, Taupo

Ella played a vital role helping out with multiple resource consent applications and negotiations across the North Island for location filming. She lives in Whakatane, but would drive hours across the island for a 20 minute site meeting with Iwi representatives or a land owner.

Hannibal Hayes

Pilot, Heliworks Queenstown

Hannibal's cool head and steady hand ensured heavy (and expensive) film equipment was heli-lifted safely every time. He's one of the most highly - regarded chopper pilots in the country and a master of precision heavy lifts.

Glenorchy Fire Brigade

Sometimes water is hard to get when filming in remote places. The fantastic team of experts from the Glenorchy Fire Brigade were on hand with their gear to make sure that there was always a plentiful supply of it for the film crew.

Jason McKinney & Peter Smith

North Harbour Rentals, Auckland

Peter and Jason make sure films made in New Zealand have the best film equipment trucks possible. The cast were particularly grateful for the soft comfy seating in the make-up trucks during those long prosthetics sessions every morning

John Birkett

California Sushi, Wellington

A film crew needs plenty of energy. Starting at 2am, John was responsible for producing no fewer than 1000 pieces of sushi for the crew every single Monday morning at tea- break. John is famous for creating the finest and freshest sushi.

Khan Aronsen

Life Eco Water, Wellington

The production had a number of green policy initiatives, and Khan's company, Life Eco Water, made 100% compostable bottles specially for The Hobbit. There are lots of compostable bottles out there, but this is the first that can be composted right here in NZ.

Ken Sue

Location Owner, Ohakune

Ken comes from a famous family of market gardeners. At the first meeting he turned up with a 10kg sack of carrots, fresh out of the ground, for the crew to snack on when they were checking out his farm as a location. A great relationship went on from there.

Sam Manu

Hiremaster, Wellington

Sam followed the film crew across the country, putting up marquees and making sure they never blew down when the weather picked up. Rain or shine, near or far, Sam was there and he was always available 24/7.

Syd Workman

Workman's Cafe, Matamata

Syd runs Workman's Café in Matamata. For crew on The Hobbit, nothing would beat sitting down after a long day on set at Hobbiton to enjoy a cold ale and a first-class steak while chatting to Syd and catching up on the local news.

Tony Trewinnard

Blue Skies, Christchurch

When you are on location filming, nothing's more important than the weather. The crew knew what to expect from up above, thanks to some highly calculated crystal ball gazing by Tony. Whatever the weather, rain or shine, the film crew had the best weather forecast possible available each morning.

Vanessa Chin

Miramar Fruit Shop

Vanessa was the go-to girl when it came to providing the freshest fruit and flowers at the studio. Her family business, the Miramar Fruit Shop, was the main fruit supplier to the entire shooting crew and office staff at Stone Street Studios throughout the production.

Everyone in Naseby

2000 ft above worry level. The community of Naseby warmly welcomed the location crew, and made their rare days off truly relaxing. Whether that meant a cold beer in the garden bar, an afternoon of curling, or a quick pedal on a mountain bike trail.