Book Of NZ Opens In Tinseltown

They've arrived!
Sir Peter Jackson and the cast of The Hobbit marked their arrival in Hollywood yesterday, by unveiling a giant pop-up book featuring scenes and sets from the new film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
The giant installation, set up at the swanky Beverly Hills Hotel, is the size of two tennis courts (!!!) and features actual set pieces used in the film. It's an innovative walk-through, multi-media installation which brings the kiwi visitor experience to life. Hollywood used to lavish publicity promotions, but locals say they've never seen anything like this!
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug premieres tonight in Los Angeles. The book itself will remain on-site for five days for media interviews, before opening to the public.
The book, part of Tourism NZ's Middle Earth campaign, was made in NZ by The Hobbit's art department, and took two weeks to install in Los Angeles (delayed somewhat by the stay of US Prez Obama at the same hotel). Tourism NZ expects a solid return on the investment, forecasting a $10 return on every dollar spent.

...thanks to Stuff.co.nz

The US market is a key focus for the Middle Earth campaign, which launched last year alongside the release of the first Hobbit film. Since then, US visitor numbers have increased 19% on the same period last year. A survey also found more than 8% of all international visitors say The Hobbit sparked their interest in our country as a destination.
+ ...meanwhile Smaug has taken to the skies! An AirNZ 777-300 sporting a 54m image of the dragon arrives in LA today, in time for the premiere. And over the weekend, a giant eagle from The Hobbit was unveiled in the Wellington Airport terminal, alongside the character Gollum which was put up a year ago for the first premiere.
+ The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens in NZ on 12 Dec.!

The Boys Are Back In Town

Stand aside, Thin Lizzy!

The military returned en masse to central Christchurch last Saturday, for the first time since the Red Zone cordon was removed last June.
It was the traditional Charter Parade of 2/4 Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel says the Charter Parade is part of a proud tradition and a chance for the city to honour the battalion, especially for its support following the February 2011 earthquake:
"I particularly want to acknowledge your efforts in the days and weeks following the earthquake. You were the second wave of response, stepping in to support the emergency services in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. You had our back in Christchurch's time of need."
The battalion was granted the freedom of the city of Christchurch in 1966, as the 2nd Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Battalion. That "freedom" entitles them to march through Christchurch streets with drums beating, band playing, colours flying, bayonets fixed and swords drawn.
Mayor Dalziel says the regiment's contribution following the devastation went well beyond the call of duty, and Christchurch would always be grateful.

Did The Earth Move for You?

The mystery had internet sleuths abuzz for months!
How could a 4,000yr-old Egyptian statue of Neb-Senu turn 180 degrees while in a sealed glass box?

Neb himself was pretty
relaxed about the fuss!

Now a tv investigation has uncovered the truth: tiny vibrations from traffic cause the Manchester Museum artefact to slowly spin on its axis.
The discovery ends frenzied speculation, after video footage showed the 10"-tall stone statue turning without being touched. Suggestions ranged from magnetic fields to an ancient curse of an Egyptian god. The story even hit US breakfast tv!
The real cause was found by vibrations expert Steve Gosling. His specialised three-axis sensor under the glass cabinet revealed that at peak traffic time (such as at 7am and 6pm), vibrations would cause the statue to rotate, while there was no movement overnight.There's a lump at the bottom of the statue, which made it more susceptible to vibrations than others nearby which had a flat base.
The statue (c.1,800 BC) has been in the museum since 1933, and drew huge crowds as visitors tried to crack the riddle.
[Watch the video: see the row of four statuettes? Eyes on the tall dark one at the far end...]