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Peter Jackson ends lease on Wellington’s historic Submarine Barracks, forcing Chocolate Fish Cafe to close, sparking controversy as owners seek talks with Jackson and Fran Walsh.
Peter Jackson is the filmmaker behind both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson has found himself at the centre of a public dispute in New Zealand after the owners of a much-loved local café revealed they are being forced to shut down next year. The Chocolate Fish Café, located on Wellington’s scenic peninsula, said it has been asked to vacate the historic site owned by Jackson and his partner, filmmaker Fran Walsh.
According to reports, Jackson and Walsh purchased the former Submarine Barracks property in 2023, announcing their intention to restore the location’s “natural beauty.” However, the popular seaside café that currently occupies the site said it received notice this week that its lease will end in January 2026, a decision that has left staff and patrons heartbroken.
Calling the news a “devastating blow,” the café released a statement expressing its disappointment and requesting a chance to speak directly with the Oscar-winning director and his partner.
“Despite our requests, we haven’t yet been given the opportunity to speak with Peter and Fran directly, and we are asking for that chance,” the café stated on social media. “We don’t want to be forced to close. We don’t want to be shut down.”
The eatery, which has long been a favourite among Wellington locals and tourists alike, has urged its supporters to help convince the property owners to reconsider.
WingNut PM, the property division of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s WingNut Group, has responded to the controversy, clarifying that conversations with the café about the site’s future have been ongoing for some time.
The company said there had been “occupancy discussions” with the café’s owners since 2024, though it did not comment on whether the closure could be delayed or avoided.
Peter Jackson, often hailed as one of cinema’s most visionary directors, began his career with the cult classic Bad Taste (1987). He rose to global prominence with Heavenly Creatures (1994), which earned him an Oscar nomination. His monumental success came with The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), which grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide and won 17 Academy Awards.
Jackson later directed King Kong (2005) and revisited J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe with The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014), which collected over $2.9 billion globally.
(With inputs from AFP)
October 05, 2025, 12:26 IST
