Looks like The Hobbit has gone

[MikeL]

Did you read the second paragraph Mike or are you selectively ignoring that one to bolster your own PoV?

Not deliberately ignoring it. You are right to criticise the union for its handling of this whole affair, but you seem to think that the undesirable consequences of this blunder are inevitable. Having been manipulated into a situation in which there is no win-win scenario, what should the taxpayers of this country, via their elected representatives, salvage from the mess? Either self-respect, with the refusal to rush into ill-considered legislation and further tax concessions, which will create a precedent and ongoing pressures, or the short-term economic benefit of capitulating to overseas interests? People who think that autonomy and sovereignty are a luxury which NZ can't afford have already consigned us to the third world.

[Bald Eagle]

People who think that autonomy and sovereignty are a luxury which NZ can't afford have already consigned us to the third world.

We have been third world for some time now in case you hadn't noticed.

[mashman]

@ the union bashing... aye, it's all their fault... PJ himself understands that it's the Ozzy mob trying to impose its will using their Ozzy union as a medium to control NZ actors. NZ Equity (may as well call them MEAANZ) are saying that only their members can act in the film... WTF!!! Surely it should be the right person for the right job, irrespective of union allegiances, nationality or any other twisted reason for that matter... apparantly not

The Ozzy meddling have scared off Warner Bros, no more no less. I'd be seeking "compensation" from Oz, not a subsidy from the NZ public... your leaders are fucking you in the ass and you're asking to swallow it afterwards absolutely priceless...

What a bunch of spoiled jumped up fuckwits... where's my money, i want my cut, money money money and that's not even a request from NZ'ers, it's a request from HorseTrailer... or did you miss that FACT!

Fortunately though, JK spend your money to make it right...

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

From what I can ascertain:

1) The unionists (NZ, OZ or otherwise) tried to use the disruption of a singular production (The Hobbit) to acheive their aims.

2) The opening gambit of using their strongest tactic (black balling) is what seems to have caused the main issue (of NZ losing the Hobbit).

The first bit seems distinctly unfair on those assocaited with the targetted production.

The second seems distinctly unprofessional in their approach.

The outcome, of both, seems to be that the union actions created the opening for the studios to move the production of the film.

The studios do only care about money. They are profit geared organisations with no interest in public good, just the returns to their financial backers.

I actually think that the National government has been put in a shitty situation. They are damned if they do make a deal (giving away tax payers hard earned money) or don't make a deal (forever labeled as the government that doomed the NZ film industry).

[SPman]

I actually think that the National government has been put in a shitty situation. They are damned if they do make a deal (giving away tax payers hard earned money) or don't make a deal (forever labeled as the government that doomed the NZ film industry).

But you can be sure they are looking for a way to turn it to their political advantage....wouldn't be surprised if they try and utilise this event to pillage and burn labour laws to the ultimate disadvantage of more than just actors......

[Winston001]

....but it made me cringe to see John Key begging and scraping to the studio execs (despite his posturing to the media). There should have been a minister who could do that, it is humiliating for a country's leader to be prostituting our tax laws and employment legislation for a big corporation that has allegiances only to the biggest profit.

Funny old world. My perception of John Key was quite different from the bits I saw on the news. He said that if there was a bidding war, NZ was out of it. That is exactly what I hoped he would say. Keep our dignity.

I think the PM met with Warners partly to flatter them - not many heads of state would do that - and to reassure them the union issue has settled down. He was also under the gun because of the public distress and had to be seen to be doing something.

Realistically, Key knows this movie is small beer in terms of the total economy. Yes we want it made here, but the sky won't fall if it moves to London. I'll be saddened because Tolkien's saga has come to be identified with this country and we are the richer for it.

[Bald Eagle]

There should have been a minister who could do that, it is humiliating for a country's leader to be prostituting our tax laws and employment legislation for a big corporation that has allegiances only to the biggest profit.

Totally expected as JK is profit driven and not that long removed from being 'one of them' . So it's the game he's used to playing.

[JimO]

Totally expected as JK is profit driven and not that long removed from being 'one of them' . So it's the game he's used to playing.

being one of them is way better than being some greenie /labour / bludger / politician

[Maki]

The film industry is all about smoke and mirrors. They created a fantasy where they are being bullied so the will just have to throw their toys and leave New Zealand. Of course they will stay in the end but be in a better negotiating position with respect to employees and the government. Sir Peter will be laughing all the way to the bank.


PS
I have been in and out of a large NZ union. When I found out that they are more interested in earning $ than they are in representing their members I departed. Now I represent myself and use the money otherwise spent on the union to fill my bike up with fuel...

I have to congratulate myself for being proved 100% right.

[James Deuce]

OK the argument is moot.

The Hobbit is being filmed in NZ.

Wheee!

[spacemonkey]

Aaand corporate welfare was the winner on the day.

Thanks to the morons at actors inequity for the pointless shitstir, the tax payer now gets to fork out more to rich hollywood exec's.

[Paul in NZ]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10683486

Good oh....

Basically - I'm over the whole fucking thing. The govt of the day has destroyed a bunch of other domestic industries in the past (like mine) so its nice to see them saving one but frankly -I'll read the bloody book again, its more interesting and far less stressful..

[SPman]

being one of them is way better than being some greenie /labour / bludger / politician

Oh well, 2 out of 4 ain't bad.......

[James Deuce]

Aaand corporate welfare was the winner on the day.

Thanks to the morons at actors inequity for the pointless shitstir, the tax payer now gets to fork out more to rich hollywood exec's.

Indeed. Tax people for watching Outrageous Fortune to claw the money back.

[Woodman]

I wonder how Jennifer Ward-British-Leyland feels now??