The Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Murry McCully in Viet Nam for the 5th East Asia Summit. Day one - scenes from a visit to Ho Chi Minh City. Day two - scenes from Hanoi, where the summit is being held. Meetings include Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The EAS includes the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) together with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

View the photos on Flickr or Facebook.  Here, the PM meets with Australia PM Julia Gillard.

Prime Minister John Key's special press conference to announce the successful outcome of the Government's negotiations with representatives from Warner Brothers aimed at keeping production of The Hobbit in New Zealand.

Prime Minister John Key this evening announced an agreement has been reached between the New Zealand Government and Warner Bros that will enable the two Hobbit movies to be directed by Sir Peter Jackson to be made in New Zealand.

"I am delighted we have achieved this result," Mr Key says. "Making the two Hobbit movies here will not only safeguard work for thousands of New Zealanders, but it will also follow the success of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy in once again promoting NZ on the world stage."

As part of the arrangement the Government will introduce legislation in Parliament tomorrow to clarify the distinction between independent contractors and employees as it relates to the film production industry. It is this clarification that will guarantee the movies are made in New Zealand.

"The industrial issues that have arisen in the past several weeks have highlighted a significant set of concerns for the way in which the international film industry operates," Mr Key says.

"We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give film producers like Warner Bros the confidence they need to produce their movies in this country."

Mr Key confirmed the Government has also moved to widen the qualifying criteria for the Large Budget Screen Production Fund to improve New Zealand's competitiveness as a film destination for large budget films like The Hobbit.

The impact of this will mean an additional rebate for The Hobbit movies of up to US$7.5 million per picture, subject to the success of those movies.

The Government and Warner Bros have agreed to work together in a long-term strategic partnership to promote New Zealand as both a film production and tourism destination.

"My Government is determined to use the opportunity that the Hobbit movies present to highlight New Zealand as a great place to visit, as well as a great place to do business," Mr Key says.

The strategic marketing opportunities for New Zealand from the movies will be worth tens of millions of dollars. The Government will offset US$10 million of Warner Bros marketing costs as part of the strategic partnership.

New Zealand will also host one of the world premieres of the Hobbit movies.

"I'm very pleased that we have been able to ensure that the winning combination of Sir Peter Jackson, New Line, Warner Bros, MGM and New Zealand as a whole will have the opportunity to produce these movies together," Mr Key says.

"It's good to have the uncertainty over, and to have everyone now full steam ahead on this project."

Prime Minister John Key will leave on Thursday to attend the 5^th East Asia Summit in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, on 30 October.

Mr Key will join leaders from the 10 ASEAN countries at the EAS, where they will discuss key regional and international issues with other EAS Heads of Government and Heads of State. 

He will also visit Ho Chi Minh City to strengthen trade and commercial links, and promote New Zealand firms' activity in the region.

"The EAS has an ambitious role including fostering dialogue between states, and promoting cooperation in political and security issues," says Mr Key.

"East Asia is leading the global recovery. For the first time, the major East Asian countries have a political influence which is commensurate with their economic power."

New Zealand also welcomes Russia and the United States, which are attending this year's summit as prospective EAS members and Special Guests of the Chair.

This visit builds on the successful trip by Mr Key to Viet Nam in July, and the later signing of a joint Action Plan by foreign ministers where both countries stated their intention to deepen the bilateral economic, commercial, investment and trade links.

The EAS includes the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) together with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. 

Mr Key will be accompanied on the visit by Foreign Minister Murray McCully.

The Prime Minister returns to New Zealand on Sunday.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key, today unveiled the plans for Queens Wharf for next year's Rugby World Cup celebrations.

"For six weeks next year Queens Wharf will be a hub of activity for our international visitors and New Zealanders.  It will be a place where we watch rugby games, enjoy live music and festival events, wow international guests and media with views of Auckland's stunning harbour, and showcase the best of New Zealand with displays and events."

The redeveloped Queens Wharf will feature landscaped open areas and a multi-purpose temporary facility named The Cloud.   Shed 10 will also be refurbished and remain on site.

The Cloud will be able to hold almost 6,000 people and will be used for concerts and festival events, as a fan zone during RWC matches, and for showcasing and hosting.

The mezzanine space at the harbour end of The Cloud will be used as an international media lounge and for VIP hosting. 

The Cloud will also host a Tourism New Zealand i-Site, where trained staff will help to promote the REAL New Zealand festival and regional and national tourist attractions.

"This is an exciting design, which alongside developments in the Wynyard Quarter will do a great job opening up the Auckland waterfront to the public and the 85,000 overseas visitors that will travel here for the Rugby World Cup.

"Queens Wharf will be at the heart of the celebrations next year. The facilities on the wharf will not only enable the public to enjoy the games in a unique atmosphere, but offer live events and a great venue to showcase the best of New Zealand."

Mr Key says redevelopment work is already underway and on schedule to be finished in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Queens Wharf will be open every day from late morning throughout the 45 days of the Rugby World Cup.

Cloud images available at:

http://beehive.govt.nz/gallery/rwc+artist+conception+0

http://beehive.govt.nz/gallery/rwc+artist+conception+2

http://beehive.govt.nz/gallery/rwc+artist+conception

 Related document:

The Cloud fact sheet (pdf, 24 Kb)