Just how big a deal is ”The Lord of the Rings” in New Zealand, where native-son director Peter Jackson shot the three movies back-to-back? In September, the government created a cabinet-level position to help the tiny country piggyback on the films’ presumed success to lure more tourists and filmmakers. The first ”Minister of Lord of the Rings” — as the Kiwi press has dubbed him — is Pete Hodgson, 51, who also serves as minister of energy and of science, research, and technology. ”This film will really put us on the map,” says Hodgson, who boasts his own wizardly white beard. ”Not many people knew that ‘Star Wars’ was in Morocco, but everyone will know that Middle Earth is in New Zealand.”