MUMBAI: Writer, director Peter Jackson, whose widely-appreciated Lord of the Rings trilogy bagged as many as 17 Oscars, has been conferred with a knighthood in New Zealand.

He becomes Sir Peter Jackson for what the annual list honoring the country‘s worthy citizens simply calls "services to film."

New Zealand knights and dames, among the nation‘s highest honors, are sanctioned by Britain‘s Queen Elizabeth II, New Zealand‘s head of state.

The Lord of the Rings triology showcased New Zealand‘s unique natural scenery as writer J.R.R. Tolkien‘s fantasy land, filled with sword-swinging warriors, elves, wizards and hairy-footed hobbits.