It seems the New Zealand government actually had to pass formal legislation to keep Peter Jackson's The Hobbitwithin its shores. Not surprisingly, many local critics feel demeaned by the news that, to placate a film production, a nation has had to amend its labour laws.

Charles Chauvel, an opposition MP, commented: “What is the government going to do next – give in to any multinational that asks for a labour standard to be diluted in return for some form of investment?”

Fair question.