A Canadian actors' union has sided with its Kiwi counterparts in a dispute over employment terms on Peter Jackson's The Hobbit films.

Actor Sam Neill says the dispute between the actors' unions and 'The Hobbit' producers could be resolved with a simple cup of tea.

The Hobbit could be released as early as 2012, according to Hollywood sources.

The furore over The Hobbit is the normal process of a union trying to talk to an employer who is refusing to talk back, says actor and director Ian Mune.

Peter Jackson says his actors receive the "most generous" conditions in NZ, rejecting claims that The Hobbit actors need a union deal.

Peter Jackson says he has accepted his knighthood on behalf of "thousands of people".

Gandalf has given the proposed Wellywood sign on a hill above Wellington airport the thumbs down but thinks "Middle Earth" would be a winner.

Inspired by the Lord of the Rings, a Dutch tourist attempted to climb Mt Ngauruhoe - but was ill-prepared for the task.

Peter Jackson's production company has cast doubt on the authenticity of one of the world's largest collections of Lord of the Rings memorabilia.

Watch out Peter Jackson - a Lord of the Rings fan and amateur actress is causing a storm with her cheap prequel to the epic trilogy.