A sign of success for Wellywood hills
By DAVE BURGESS - The Dominion Post
ARTIST'S IMPRESSION: Wellington Airport, which is off to the right, will construct a Hollywood-style sign above Miramar Wharf to celebrate the heart of New Zealand's film industry.
What do you think of the new 'Wellywood' sign for the capital?
Related Links
Relevant offers
Film
A massive Wellywood sign celebrating Wellington's success in the film industry will greet tourists as they fly into the capital.
But not everyone agrees on the sign, which will sit on a cutting above Miramar wharf in the seaside eastern suburbs.
Only 44 percent of nearly 9000 respondents to a Stuff online survey were positive about the idea.
Two Facebook pages opposing the sign have been set up, the "A WELLYWOOD sign on the Miramar Cutting hill is a STUPID idea" page has 118 fans, while the "Hey, let's NOT have a "WELLYWOOD" sign in Wellington" group has 447 members.
The sign, which will mimic the famous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, will be 28m long and 3.5m tall. This pales in comparison to the size of the Los Angeles sign, the letters of which are 14m high and 10m wide.
Wellington Airport will pay for the construction of the sign on the Miramar site which it owns.
The project has already received resource consent and final installation is expected to happen in June.
Wellington Airport chief executive Steve Fitzgerald said the link between the airport and the film industry had grown during the past 17 years.
"The sign will help cement Wellywood's place as an international tourism landmark." He would not say how much the sign will cost.
Sir Peter Jackson said that despite the gloomy economy it was good to see there was still room for some "cheeky fun".
"It's Kiwi tongue-in-cheek humour at its very best, but beneath the leg-pulling is genuine pride.
"Several of the most popular films ever made were born in Miramar. Within a mile of the sign is the birth place of Middle-earth and Pandora."
Wellington City Council owns 34 per cent of the airport.
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said the giant sign would capture the essence of the capital.
"The sign will be one of the first things people will see when they arrive in Wellington. They will be left in no doubt that this is the heart and soul of New Zealand's film industry."
Tours of film-related facilities in Miramar are emerging as one of the city's prime tourist attractions, with about 100,000 people last year visiting the Weta Cave – Weta's mini-museum, theatrette and shop.
The film industry pumps an estimated $285 million a year into Wellington.
Positively Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks said the city benefited through the international exposure that films generated and the visitors they attracted.
"Stars like Elijah Wood tell the world they love this place. You can't buy that kind of endorsement."
Hataitai resident Phil Greig, a lab technician on Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, is not a fan of the Wellywood sign, despite buying himself a personalised number plate – "philmn" – which also has Wellywood written across it.
"Wellywood is a positive thing for Wellington, without a doubt, but there is a bit of conflict there in making a serious industry in Wellington too gimmicky."
Mainzeal and Beca will construct the sign off-site and installation is scheduled for June.
- with NZPA
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
What a Joke, come on this is New Zealand home to many a great and famous Kiwi. As a country we can come up with something far better than Wellywood! Gezz the "Home of Weta" is better than Wellywood.
Tacky. Anyway on that hill the sign should be "WELLYGORSE".
Can't we spend that money on something more useful then a tacky idea that was probberly thought up by some tacky aucklander????
What a lame idea - can't somebody employed to do this stuff think of something a little more unique/interesting/not just copying hollywood?
Wellywood sign? REALLY unoriginal - a pathetic, pale imitation of the Hollywood sign without any of the history behind it. I like the idea of one of my mates: Do a King Kong statue and attach it to the Beehive - MUCH more relevant!
I hope they realize that it will be vandalized very quickly. I mean i would even be tempted to do so, I don't want to have to see it everyday on my commute home.
More PC would be: Whelliwhood
This was a while ago but the word is out and those who dont agree with this sign has risen.This is the worse thing you could do to my beautiful city! I agree we have done well In the movie industry, But surely we can think of something better then this, Let the people vote not just a few.
Its amazing how all of sudden there is enough cash floating round to spend on this sign after companies are laying off people due to "lack of funds"
Minister accuses Kiwis of racism
Justice system 'failing Kiwis'
Mystery 'arms firm' director revealed
Bowler's ban for flopping out his 'old fella' overturned
Gareth Kean the accidental swimmer
Big shake-up on cards for child support
Fishermen ready for set-net battle
Couple lose $15,000 in cunning car scam
Tree stumps old Alpine Fault theories
Partner in Brooklyn Rise deal went to jail for fraud
Gang fence still up despite Laws' promise
Social networking expert banned in US
Manila victims' bodies sent to wrong families
Word 'gay' banned from classic Aussie song
God did not create the universe, says Hawking
Bowler's ban for flopping out his 'old fella' overturned
Drink-driver killed on 18th offence
Lover died of asphyxiation in boyfriend's chimney
Top 10 fashion purchase regrets
Should smoking in films be banned?
Very Cheesy!