I read a disturbing report recently - far more disturbing than all of the literature about glaciers melting due to global warming. Since Peter Jackson's epic production of Lord Of The Rings was filmed in New Zealand, the country has been a mecca for fans of the film, many of whom have taken a piece of rock / gorse etc visible in the film as a keepsake. On the face of it, this seems fairly harmless, but such is the fervour of the Tolkien enthusiasts, that New Zealand is losing its land volume at the rate of 1.2% per annum. This is far greater than the loss of glacial volume (22% over 40 years). Some parts of the country are actually being eroded at a far greater rate - experts predict that by 2050 the North Island will have disappeared entirely.
Some skeptics have argued that the erosion we have seen does not form a long term trend - the interest in LOTR peaked around 2003, and we should expect to see the rate of erosion also decline. However, Peter Jackson has also since filmed the blockbuster King Kong in NZ, and other studios have followed suit (see Narnia, The Last Samurai etc), each with their share of potentially devestating cinema tourism.
We must act now if we are to save New Zealand. Peter Jackson is about to start work on Halo, The Lovely Bones and The Dambusters. Any one of these could be filmed in New Zealand. Please write to Peter Jackson c/o Wingnut Productions and urge him to make his films somewhere else. Like Slough.
The lie police are coming for you.
Posted by: WIFE at November 13, 2006 02:46 PMNew Zealand - deflowered by tourists?
Are you on drugs dear?
Won’t gorse grow back? It is a weed after all (but I bow to your supreme horticulturalness if I am wrong.)
Anyway - I say roger new Zealand - they're just a bunch of sheep shaggin', Maori hatin', in-breeds (and with a population of only 4,035,461 it is more likely to happen than it is in Slough which, unofficially, is about the same.)
Throughout recorded history, Slough has given the world an awful lot: from Henry 3rd to Richard 1st to err… Gerry Halliwel, Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr and Gary Newman.
Slough can also be seen at the cutting edge of architectural development: Europe’s first and still largest biggest council estate is in slough - I think that says something!?!
Does it matter that John Betjeman wrote “Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough. It isn't fit for humans now. There isn't grass to graze a cow. Swarm over, death!” Rumour had it that he had leprosy on his todger when he wrote it, so he was a bit miffed - it is the troof I tells ya!
Slough over New Zealand? It's a lot of effort really and with a little practise, I am sure CGI can be just as good on this side of the world.
I am off to Cyprus tomorrow for a week, so here is a little link to help reduce stress while I away. http://www.aadidesign.com/mousefollow.html
Regards to the family.
R.