Exploring New Zealand's Top Film Locations

You can’t travel all the way to New Zealand and not visit at least one of The Hobbit filming locations. In fact, it would be rude not to! Unmissable is Hobbiton, which really does feel like the ultimate outdoors movie set. Located in Matamata, it has incredible detail still in place and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations for a reason.

Large chunks of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' were filmed in Piopio, near Waitomo. Hairy Feet Waitomo are the location tour specialists to talk to for an equally as exciting journey, minus being harassed by orcs and trolls!

The famed Peter Jackson, Kiwi director of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit', also directed the 2005 remake of 'King Kong'. The city of Wellington and its surrounds were used to recreate the city of New York and the legendary Skull Island (Shelly Bay), while the famous Weta Workshop worked on special effects. The ship ‘Venture’ from the film was moored at Miramar wharf for 5 years - its remains can now be found on the harbour floor.

The historic Auckland Civic Centre, just a short walk from our Pullman Auckland played host to the legendary King Kong under the guise of a New York Theatre called the Alhambra for the remake. This eccentric building, completed in 1929 now has category-one New Zealand heritage status and is the largest surviving atmospheric cinema in Australasia.

The majority of the three Narnia movies were filmed in New Zealand at some of our most scenic locations. Two outstanding coastal sites in Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula served as key settings for the film. 

Cathedral Cove, located on the eastern shore of the peninsula is where the main characters discover the ruins of "Cair Paravel". A breathtaking spot characterised by a deep river chasm book-ended by cascading waterfalls.

The films also featured the serene Woodhill Forest, just northwest of Auckland, that were transformed into the dreaded camp of the White Witch of Narnia. The forest also houses a network of mountain biking trails and is a popular destination for riders of all levels.

'Avatar' wasn’t shot in New Zealand as such but its special effect work, props, conceptual design and costume were the work of the incredible, award-winning Weta Workshop and Weta Digital. 

'The Lord of the Rings' was filmed entirely in New Zealand, a fact many Kiwis are very proud of. The trilogy serves as an unofficial Tourism New Zealand campaign, awash with ruggedly beautiful locales and spectacular views. 

Fellow Kiwi, Jane Campion’s extraordinary film 'The Piano' (1993), was filmed in Karekare - a popular surf beach just 40-minutes out of Auckland.