The 58-year-old, who helped redefine New Zealand as Middle-earth, passed away on Christmas Day after suffering a rare form of cancer.

With his love for photography and the Fiordland, he was instrumental in selecting some of the most breath-taking locations for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. In fact, some consider him to be New Zealand’s first film location scout. In addition to his contribution to ‘discover’ Middle-earth, he was involved in numerous Kiwi and overseas commercials and was the director of celebrated Fiordland film Ata Whenua – Shadowland.

In a post on Facebook, Peter Jackson payed his last respects to the deceased:

Share and Enjoy

Author: Maria When Maria watched the Fellowship the very first time in cinemas, she fell hopelessly in love with Tolkien’s work. Up to the point where she lost herself in Middle Earth entirely. When not occupied with studying, she likes to draw, hoard books, travel around (if her bank account allows it), and pretending to be a hobbit that is attending Hogwarts in order to become a jedi knight.