16 December 2005
Wellington Wins Over Actors
Cate Blanchett loves Wellington! An interview in the travel section of the December 2005 issue of Australia’s OK
Magazine has Cate Blanchett singling Wellington out as her favourite place. The actress, well known for movies like Lord
of the Rings, Missing, and the recent Little Fish, says she and her husband wanted to move to Wellington after spending
a few short hours in the city. Cate says she can’t wait to return to Wellington.
“This kind of word-of-mouth is incredibly valuable,” says Tim Cossar, CEO of Positively Wellington Tourism.
Wellington has a history of winning over the actors and crews who spend time here. Lord of the Rings and King Kong stars
have sung Wellington’s praises in the international media, specifically citing the city’s hospitality, energy, landscape
and eateries. The Chocolate Fish, Chow, Logan Brown and Maria Pia’s are repeatedly-mentioned favourites, while local
watering holes Motel and Good Luck top the after-hours list.
“Wellington has a lot to offer any visitor,” Mr Cossar says. “I think the actors, actresses, cast and crews who spend
time in Wellington during film productions get to know the city at a street-level view: they interact with
Wellingtonians, they enjoy coffee and a newspaper at a café, they have a favourite restaurant. Wellington, in a way,
becomes a surrogate home for them. I think, as a city, Wellington is aware of that and tries its best to make them feel
comfortable. Wellington is easy to fall in love with – it’s a great city.”
ENDS