The Otago Daily Times
October 2, 2000

Movie Benefits Methven
Staff Reporter

Methven has undergone a boom to its economy during filming of the Lord of the Rings in the Mid-Canterbury town.

Methven community board chairman Philip Wareing said the movie had had a positive effect on the entire business community.

Filming had started at a time when low snowfall had meant the local skifield was not as busy as it otherwise would normally have been.

It had helped alleviate the pressures local businesses had been feeling with fewer people than normal in town for the ski season.

He said he would look into the possibility of marketing the town and its attributes directly to people interested in making movies in New Zealand.

"We would love it if more movies decided to film here."

A secrecy deal signed by Mr Wareing with the company responsible for the filming of the movie meant he could not disclose any details of what filming in the area had entailed or what the accommodation needs of the cast and crew were.

However, the Ashburton Guardian believes several of the cast and crew were renting private homes in the area for as much as $600 a week, with locals being employed to service them on a daily basis. - NZPA