Stars arrive for Hobbit world premiere

A very expected journey for Tolkien fans - the cast of the Hobbit arrived in New Zealand for the film's world premiere.

Assembled on the steps of a special Hobbit plane, the stars, new boy, Martin Freeman and old-hand hobbit, Elijah Wood, along with director, Peter Jackson, greeted the rest of the team.

Fans, dressed in middle earth attire, were treated to a surprise appearance from Jackson and Wood, who's back playing Frodo, ten years on from the Lord of the Rings.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR ELIJAH WOOD, SAYING:

"It's wonderful. It always feels like coming home, genuinely, so I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be celebrating The Hobbit. It's a wonderful film."

The production of the Hobbit has been at the centre of several controversies, including a dispute with unions over labour contracts.

That resulted in the government stepping in to change employment laws and giving Warner Brothers increased incentives to keep the production in New Zealand.

It won't be the last time the red carpet's rolled out for the stars in Wellington on Wednesday - there's still two more to go after An Unexpected Journey. The second movie is out in December next year, closely followed by the third in the summer of 2014.