Russell Alexander shares his favourite things about the Waikato
Russell Alexander behind the bar at The Green Dragon Inn at Hobbiton.
It’s the end of October in Hinuera, and a quiet day at The Green Dragon Inn at Hobbiton, according to Russell Alexander.
For the uninitiated, however, it appears to be thronging with tourists soaking up The Lord of the Rings atmosphere, fooling about for photos, mopping up the establishment’s iconic pub grub and craft beer.
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At the height of the season, however, it can host 3000 enthusiasts a day, says Alexander, general manager of Hobbiton Movie Set Tours. “On our biggest day we went through 32 kegs of beer.”
We sit in a corner of the Green Dragon, Alexander sipping on a beer especially brewed for the inn. Authenticity is the keynote: flagstone floors, curved timber-framed lead-light windows, the open fires, and wooden furniture.
The hill behind the inn’s glorious facade was excavated after filming of the last movie, and an interior created, replicating the sets in Wellington where the internal scenes were shot.
They’re taking advantage of time now, before the silly season gears up, to upgrade roading, and construct new behind-the-scenes facilities.
The workshops are a hive of activity too. The oak tree central to the set is having its branches strengthened, new bark and leaves applied; doors, window frames, and furniture for new buildings are being crafted.
The Alexander family farm has come a long way since Peter Jackson came a-knocking, location scouting for his first Lord of the Rings movie. The farm still functions as such, with Hobbiton Movie Set Tours operating alongside. And business is thriving.
It’s Alexander’s workplace, his passion, his baby. He may laugh off the Lord of the Shire title, but there’s no doubting his pride in the magical world of Middle Earth he’s been instrumental in constructing.
Establishing and maintaining The Shire and Hobbiton Movie Set Tours “has been a life-changing experience. It’s been a huge journey”.
Alexander came to Hinuera, aged 10, from Taranaki when his father and uncle bought the sheep and beef property in 1978. Growing up here was “typical of any New Zealand farm kid. I got to experience the workings of the farm and the tools. It was fun – chasing sheep, shearing, and haymaking, hoeing weeds, cutting thistle. We worked hard but it was a good upbringing. Docking was always a highlight, and riding the motorbikes and learning to drive”.
He read The Hobbit at school, he claims. “I’m sure I read some of it … probably the first chapter and the last,” he says with a sly grin. “But I know the movies and books backwards now.”
School complete, he took off for Hamilton and a BMS at Waikato University. He kicked up his heels with the best of the rest, worked for accounting firms, and by 1994 was back in Matamata operating in his own right. Soon, he was branching out into dairy conversions in Southland.
His life took an unforeseen turn when the temporary movie set opened for tours in December 2002. “There was a lot of interest, a cumulative effect. I never dreamed of it getting this big.”
In 2008, with the temporary attraction already set up, Jackson approached Alexander about building The Shire in permanent materials, making Hobbiton Movie Set Tours a joint venture.
Staffing’s blossomed from 17 in 2010, to 220, mostly locals. Key to success is getting the right passionate people, Alexander says.
He’s proud of the positive effects the business has had on the district. “We like to think we are contributors to the town. We get a lot of support from them, and I’m still treated as just local. They’re a friendly bunch, Matamata people.
“I love living here. It’s a typical rural environment with very down-to-earth, helpful people.”
Has success and recognition changed him? “No. Er, perhaps you should ask my wife that. It’s fair to say there’s a lot on my plate, but it’s a team effort by a massive group of people.
“It will be here beyond me; I’m only the caretaker, and I like to think it will be here for a long time after me. Life’s all about experiences, isn’t it, and this has been a wonderful one.”
Best of the Waikato
Favourite coffee shop? How do you take your coffee?
I’m not a coffee connoisseur, I don’t really drink it.
Favourite brunch spot? What would you order?
Flat white at Waihi Beach. I would order a big breakfast.
Best park?
The Hamilton Gardens, it’s the best in the world!
Best watering hole – what’s your poison?
The Green Dragon Inn. The Hobbit Southfarthing Amber Ale is my drink of choice.
Best date spot?
An escape is good.
Best view?
The view from the Shire’s Rest Cafe balcony
Where would you take tourists?
Hobbiton Movie Set.
A fond food memory from the region?
Home-cooked meals.
Favourite weekend/holiday getaway in the Waikato?
Waihi Beach, because it’s beautiful, quiet, and relaxing.
What are you drinking?
Good George amber ales . . . or anything Good George for that matter.
What Waikato product/produce can you not do without this season?
Good George beer.
Favourite day trip with the kids?
Waihi Beach, it’s great for families.
Waikato’s best-kept secret?
Deep Spring Putaruru.