The Middle of Middle Earth: New Zealand’s Capital Set to Get a Name Change for The Hobbit Premiere

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is taking its hosting duties for The Hobbit premiere very, very seriously. In fact, the capital city is planning on changing its name to “The Middle of Middle Earth.”

Yes, Wellington will change its name for a week in homage to the new Lord of the Rings film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. With just over 50 days to go until the world premiere, the mayor, Celia Wade-Brown, has confirmed that the city will be renamed and that $1.1million New Zealand dollars will be spent on the premiere itself and the events leading up to it on November 28th.

 Visitors flying into Wellington airport will be greeted by Hobbit art “the size of a small jet plane” and the will be 500 metres of red carpet running through the city to the theatre where the premiere is taking place. During the premiere, director Sir Peter Jackson and the cast of the film will be walking along the red carpet over a period of two hours.

“Wellington sits at the very heart of New Zealand’s innovative and thriving film industry,” said Ms Wade-Brown, speaking about the decision to rename the city.

Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy.

But what does Peter Jackson think about all of this? Apparently he is overjoyed that the film is premiering in Wellington.

“It’s special showing any film to an audience for the first time, but even more so when it’s in your home town,” said Peter, speaking recently.

The director is said to be “incredibly supportive” of Wellington changing its name in celebration of the film but he is remaining tight-lipped about which of the cast members will be walking the red carpet with him on the big night.

“It’s obviously a huge cast and they’re from all around the world and I know if they could be here in Wellington they will be,” he said.

Are you excited for The Hobbit or are you more of a Harry Potter lady?