Capital First to See Lord of the Rings
Nathan Lindsell

Wellington will be the first place in New Zealand to see hobbits and orcs on the big screen - but whether it will be the first in the world still has to be decided.

The Embassy Theatre Trust has confirmed that the first of Peter Jackson's three films in The Lord Of The Rings series will have its New Zealand premiere at the Embassy in December next year.

Trust chairman Bill Sheat said it had known for some time Mr Jackson, a trust member, wanted to premiere the first film at the Embassy.

"We (the trust) are absolutely delighted about that. We are in the process of refurbishing the (Embassy's) interior, after completing the exterior last year.

"Our target is to have at least the main auditorium refurbished in time for the premiere of The Lord Of The Rings," he said.

The Embassy's screen is 18m wide by 9m high, one of the largest in Australia and New Zealand. The theatre seats 880.

It has premiered at least two of Mr Jackson's other films - Brain Dead and The Frighteners.

Mr Sheat said he didn't know if it would also be the world premiere of The Fellowship Of The Ring, the first Lord Of The Rings film.

The day in December 2001 for the first screening still had to be decided, he said.