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National Park Besieged by Goblins
Herald Reporter

Filming for Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" is about to get underway in Tongariro National Park today.

A cast and production crew of between four to five hundred people, boosted by around 200 extras, will be filming battle scenes in and around the park and the ski field.

Publicist Clare Raskin says finding accommodation for everyone has been a huge logistical exercise, but luckily it's the off-season.

She says people have been booked into motels and rented accommodation between Ohakune and Turangi.

DOC gave them permission to use vehicles in the park but use of helicopters has been banned.