Here is a quote from Peter Jackson courtesy of Stuff.co:
"The damage inflicted on our film industry by [the actors unions] is long since done. The move has undermined Warner Brothers confidence in the industry and they are now, quite rightly, very concerned about the security of their $500m investment. Next week Warners are coming down to New Zealand to make arrangements to move the production offshore. It appears we cannot make films in our own country even when substantial financing is available."
Jackson was also quoted as saying he would have loved to stay in New Zealand, but the studio made the final decision to move locations. These movies just cant seem to get on the right track. And to think we got are hopes up after a green light from the studio and a potential release date. Hopefully this movie gets back on track soon because the fans,myself included, are going nuts in anticipation.
It seems the Australian actors union is getting the blame for any recent trouble after starting a boycott of the film. New Zealand minister of economics, Gerry Brownlee, advised New Zealand actors not to associate with Australian others because their influence was “destroying them”.