
In elf ears and wizard hats, 'Hobbit' fans rejoice
Wearing elf ears and wizard hats, sitting atop their dad's shoulders or peering from balconies, tens of thousands of New Zealanders watched their ...

Hobbits, superheroes put magic in NZ film industry
A crate full of sushi arrives. Workers wearing wetsuit shirts or in bare feet bustle past with slim laptops. With days to go, a buzzing intensity ...

Tolkien heirs sue moviemakers over merchandizing
The heirs of late author J.R.R. Tolkien are suing the producers of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movie trilogies over alleged exploitative ...

Wranglers say 'Hobbit' animals died on unsafe farm
Animal wranglers involved in the making of "The Hobbit" movie trilogy say the production company is responsible for the deaths of up to 27 animals, ...

Welcome to Wellington, NZ - make that Middle-earth
Call it hobbit fever. New Zealand's capital is preparing for the world premiere of the opening film in "The Hobbit" trilogy by showcasing an artisan ...
Tiny Cook Islands a squeeze for Hillary Clinton
The tiny Cook Islands are proving almost too small for Hillary Clinton. The South Pacific island chain, home to just 10,000 people, is buzzing as it ...