By ROCHELLE WEST

Prime Minister Helen Clark this week paid Hollywood's highest-paid actor, Tom Cruise, a flying visit when she was flown on to the Upper Pitone Rd set near Oakura while visiting Taranaki for the arts festival.

New Zealand's leading lady was one of the lucky few outsiders allowed on to the remote site, where up to 1000 cast and crew gather each day for filming of what are believed to be intricately choreographed battle scenes.

The film set is closed to the public and media in order to allow the actors and extras to perfect their scenes without distraction.

As well as spending time chatting with Cruise between takes, Miss Clark was invited to watch some snippets of The Last Samurai movie inside Cruise's trailer.

About 500 Japanese extras, as well as other cast and crew members, arrive at the farm by the busload each day.

The usually peaceful country lane has been turned into a virtual highway as countless buses, cars and trucks make their way to the set each morning.

Signs have been placed on Upper Pitone Rd warning Samurai drivers to slow down and keep left.

And the booms and bangs of cannon and artillery fire of the mock battle have reverberated around the surrounding hills.

Filming at Upper Pitone Rd is expected to last at least a fortnight.

"I haven't had time to go out for a beer yet," he joked.

"I'm very happy. It's beautiful here. It's a beautiful place to work, and I'm hoping to get some time to do a little climbing, some hiking, and maybe a little surfing."

Cruise, the film's producer Marshall Herskovitz and director Edward Zwick received a rousing Maori welcome as they entered New Plymouth's Theatre Royal for the conference.

Cruise then reached into his pocket, pulled out a small piece of paper with notes on it, and surprised many by making an attempt to speak some lines of Maori.

He had also been briefed on the art of the hongi, and moved immediately toward the noses of those who welcomed him.

The world's highest paid actor laughed and joked his way through most questions from the media.

He repeatedly praised Taranaki's "stunning and breathtaking" scenery, and the warmth of the New Zealanders he had met.

He said he had always hoped to get to New Zealand but during past visits to Australia had always run out of time.

"New Zealanders are known for their warmth and hospitality and generosity and I certainly have seen every bit of that since I've been here," he said.

Cruise even maintained an amiable manner when the inevitable question arose about his partner, actress Penelope Cruz, and when she would be visiting.

"You're very interested in Penelope - is this question for everybody or just you?" he joked to a male reporter.

But he did become serious when discussing the fact that his children would visit.

Cruise asked that people respect his privacy when that time came.

"That's our time, and that's important. I'm always happy to sign autographs, but when I'm with my children I don't. That's because it's their time, and it's my time with them."

In general, he found the attention of the public flattering, he said, and accepted it was part of his life.

"It's something I have lived with for two decades. I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do. It's just something that you live with. I enjoy people. I enjoy having a chat, and I'm interested in what people's lives are like."

Security at Cruise's appearance was tight.

The lights in the theatre were put out for a short film trailer of The Last Samurai, depicting a bearded Cruise wielding a sword.

But those lucky enough to see it were made to sign an agreement that they would not record or use any images from it.

Cruise said that from a production point of view, The Last Samurai was the largest movie he had worked on in his career.

He described his role as tough and said he had worked hard to get in physical shape for it.

He had learned to speak Japanese, how to handle a sword, trained in martial arts, and learned to fight while riding a horse.

Asked if he would be trimming his beard when filming was over or if he would keep it as a fashion statement, Cruise laughed.

"I'm not Mr Fashion Statement guy. The beard, it took a little getting used to, but yeah, I'm looking forward to cutting the beard and the hair when it's over."

Cruise said he would be working 14 hour days on set.

He had visited the sets and described them as stunning.

"I can't wait to get it on film. Everytime I go out there it's breathtaking.

"How can anyone not want to be here. I've been working the whole time, and it's a comfortable place to be. Here, I find people ask you, and they really mean it, they say; how is your day going? It's stunning. I can't wait to get it on film. Every time I walk out there it's breathtaking."

By PETER WATT

Your mission, Tom Cruise, should you choose to accept it, is to fix that flatty.

Yes, Tom Cruise can change a tyre but, incredibly, it wasn't even his own.

When New Plymouth couple Anne and Eifion Williams' car slumped to a halt just west of Oakura a few days ago, they and their two boys, Rhys (9) and Rhodri (8), piled out to start the roadside chore.

But a few moments later a trio of four-wheel-drive vehicles pulled up and out of one stepped the Hollywood superstar, who offered to help.

The family stood gobsmacked as Cruise was joined by another American on The Last Samurai film project, then partner and fellow screen star Penelope Cruz, Cruise's children Connor and Isabella, and finally his sister.

While Tom and his movie mate set to work on the wheel, the groups chatted about their day – the Cruise convoy had been to the beach – and generally got to know each other, with Rhys and Rhodri hitting it off with the Cruise kids.

Anne admits she was star struck, while her husband had trouble getting any words out, what with his jaw almost touching the tarmac as Hollywood's highest-paid actor played handyman on his behalf.

The Williams had a camera, but in what seems typical Taranaki style, chose not to use it for the photo opportunity of a lifetime.

"It just seemed like it would have invaded his privacy," said Anne. "Especially as he had his children with him, but we did get his autograph."