The Hobbit: Middle Earth locations in New Zealand – in pictures

A 13m-long sculpture of Gollum diving to catch a fish awaits passengers at Wellington airport. The terminal – and the city itself – has dubbed itself 'Middle of Middle Earth' in honour of the launch of the first film in the Hobbit trilogy Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP

A crew of 18 sculptors, model makers and painters took four months to complete the sculpture made from polystyrene Photograph: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP

A sheep farm near Matamata, two hours' drive from Auckland, doubles as the Shire in both The Lord of the Rings and the new Hobbit trilogy Photograph: PR

After filming of the LOTR trilogy was completed in 2004 the set was dismantled, but it was completely rebuilt for The Hobbit, and is now the setting for a two-hour guided tour. In 2011 Hobbiton movie set and farm tours attracted 30,000 visitors Photograph: PR

The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for the films are all on show at the farm Photograph: Ian Brodie/PR

The 37 hobbit holes vary greatly in size, to accommodate the different heights of the actors playing hobbits
Tours of Hobbiton (hobbitontours.com) cost from £40 adult, £5 child Photograph: PR

Mount Ngauruhoe, on the central plateau of New Zealand's North Island, stands in for Tolkien's Mount Doom volcano Photograph: Steve Clancy Photography/Getty Images/Flickr

The volcano stands in Tongariro national park, which doubled as the Dark Lord Sauron's home, Mordor
Photograph: Josef F Stuefer/Getty/Flickr

The world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will take place at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington, on 28 November. The UK premiere will be held on 12 December, with general release set for 14 December Photograph: PR