Wellington has been revealed as the production hub for the two newly announced Lord of the Rings films.

The first one, The Hunt for Gollum, is in the early stages of development for a 2026 release, with Andy Serkis returning in both a starring and directing role.

Screen Wellington's Head of Attraction Mark Westerby says this will offer lots of employment opportunities.

"It's what we do best - making swords and armour and using our beautiful locations and the crafts of our skilled filmmakers, which is awesome."

LISTEN ABOVE

Wellington has been revealed as the production hub for the two newly announced Lord of the Rings films.
The first one, The Hunt for Gollum, is in the early stages of development for a 2026 release, with Andy Serkis returning in both a starring and directing role.
Screen Wellington's Head of Attraction Mark Westerby says this will offer lots of employment opportunities.
"It's what we do best - making swords and armour and using our beautiful locations and the crafts of our skilled filmmakers, which is awesome."
LISTEN ABOVE

News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Mark Westerby: Screen Wellington Head of Attraction on Wellington becoming the production hub for Lord of the Rings movies

As technology advances, more parents have their reservations about giving their children smartphones.

The rise of violent or explicit content online and the harmful impact of social media is enough to cause concern among parents and caregivers.

The founder of Safe Surfer, Rory Birkbeck, has worked out a way around these issues by teaming up with Samsung to introduce a kid-friendly device.

He says parents will be able to call and text their children - and pick and choose the apps available to them.

LISTEN ABOVE

As technology advances, more parents have their reservations about giving their children smartphones.
The rise of violent or explicit content online and the harmful impact of social media is enough to cause concern among parents and caregivers.
The founder of Safe Surfer, Rory Birkbeck, has worked out a way around these issues by teaming up with Samsung to introduce a kid-friendly device.
He says parents will be able to call and text their children - and pick and choose the apps available to them.
LISTEN ABOVE

Rory Birkbeck: Safe Surfer CEO on the company striking a deal with Samsung to produce a kid-safe smartphone

There's assurances from the Health Minister that he'll deliver on the promised cancer drug funding this term.

The Government had pledged to put $280 million towards funding 13 life saving cancer treatments under Pharmac.

But they didn't make the cut on Thursday's Budget, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying it hadn't been possible.

Health Minister Shane Reti says he's sorry about the uncertainty it is causing cancer patients and their families.

"We will fund those cancer drugs, and we'll be making more announcements soon on that. But we'll absolutely maintain our commitment to those people - who saw that expectation and what we campaigned on."

LISTEN ABOVE

There's assurances from the Health Minister that he'll deliver on the promised cancer drug funding this term.
The Government had pledged to put $280 million towards funding 13 life saving cancer treatments under Pharmac.
But they didn't make the cut on Thursday's Budget, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying it hadn't been possible.
Health Minister Shane Reti says he's sorry about the uncertainty it is causing cancer patients and their families.
"We will fund those cancer drugs, and we'll be making more announcements soon on that. But we'll absolutely maintain our commitment to those people - who saw that expectation and what we campaigned on."
LISTEN ABOVE

Shane Reti: Health Minister assures Kiwis he'll deliver on promised cancer drugs this term

The 2024 Budget appeared to receive a solid response from voters, according to an early poll.

A Taxpayers’ Union-Curia snap poll, released exclusively to the NZ Herald, found that 48 percent of voters thought the Budget was 'okay'.

ZB political editor Jason Walls says the goal of the Budget wasn't to impress voters - so a lukewarm response was the best-case scenario.

LISTEN ABOVE

The 2024 Budget appeared to receive a solid response from voters, according to an early poll.
A Taxpayers’ Union-Curia snap poll, released exclusively to the NZ Herald, found that 48 percent of voters thought the Budget was 'okay'.
ZB political editor Jason Walls says the goal of the Budget wasn't to impress voters - so a lukewarm response was the best-case scenario.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mark Westerby: Screen Wellington Head of Attraction on Wellington becoming the production hub for Lord of the Rings movies

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