New Zealand knights Peter Jackson

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- The government of New Zealand has knighted movie director Peter Jackson for his contributions to the entertainment industry and for his charity work.

Jackson, who was born in Pukerua Bay, New Zealand, has been promoting his film "The Lovely Bones" in recent weeks. His other movies include "Heavenly Creatures," "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "King Kong."

"I didn't think anything would surpass the 2004 Academy Awards, but I was wrong," the BBC quoted the 48-year-old filmmaker Thursday as saying about his knighthood. "The feeling of gratitude and pride I have in accepting this honor from my home country is profound."