New Plymouth to host Last Samurai NZ premiere
17 December 2003

New Plymouth is to host the New Zealand premiere of the Taranaki-filmed movie The Last Samurai, but don't expect any of the stars to be there.

After months of lobbying Warner Brothers and Roadshow Film Distributors, Venture Taranaki yesterday announced Taranaki people would get to see the film before it opened in the cinemas.

In what is being dubbed a glittering, red-carpet occasion, about 350 people will get to see The Last Samurai simultaneously in two theatres at Toptown Cinema 5 on Monday, January 12.

The movie does not officially open in New Zealand until January 15.

Venture Taranaki chief executive Stuart Trundle said that while a small number of the seats at the New Plymouth screening would be reserved for invited guests, the majority would be on sale for the public to attend.

"It will be a great opportunity for people who worked on the movie, who supported the movie makers while they were here, and the wider community to see the movie a few days before the public release," he said.

Hundreds of Taranaki people worked on the movie or befriended the crew while they filmed The Last Samurai earlier this year.
None of the film's stars or crew were, however, expected to fly to New Zealand for the event, Mr Trundle said.

The Last Samurai official premieres took place in Japan in late November and in Los Angeles early this month. It is regarded as an Oscar contender, particularly for lead actor Tom Cruise and supporting actor Ken Watanabe.

New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent congratulated Venture Film Taranaki, which had worked hard to get the screening.

"It will be a superb event and will be well supported by those attending the screening and the community. It's a thrill the big night will be here in New Plymouth. We can sit back and admire that magnificent scenery showing around the world," Mr Tennent said.
Tom Cruise In New Zealand
Welcome To New Zealand, Tom

11/01/2003 07:58 PM

Hollywood's highest paid actor has spoken publicly for the first time since arriving in New Zealand.

Tom Cruise is shooting his latest movie The Last Samurai in Taranaki.

Around 80 media representatives were present at the conference along with Cruise, director Ed Zwick and producer Marshall Horowitz.

Security was tight with ninety minutes taken to check the media's accreditation.

There were also strict rules over the taking of photographs.
Tom Cruise is greeted with a hongi by Alice Pomare, a member of Taranaki Iwi Maori performance group - Reuters

Cruise expressed his admiration for the natural beauty of the Taranaki and the hospitality of its people.

He says the making of the Lord of the Rings trilogy wetted his appetite for New Zealand and The Last Samurai will be his strongest and most challenging film yet.

Scientology gets a star-studded boost
10 January, 2003

Press Release: Church of Scientology

The Church of Scientology in Auckland has been getting an influx of calls, e-mails and other correspondence from people interested in the religion over the past week.

With actor Tom Cruise in the country and his well-publicised adherence to Scientology plus the recent charitable status accorded by Inland Revenue seems to have brought about an increased interest in the subject, said the Church's spokesperson, Mike Ferriss.

We have been directing people to the Scientology books in libraries around New Zealand, including the volume "What is Scientology?" to help answer people's questions on the subject. This same volume can be found on-line at www.whatisscientology.org/ , Mr Ferriss said.

Scientology began with the popular book "Dianetics: Modern Science of Mental Health" by it's founder L.Ron Hubbard in 1950 and it became an established religion in 1954. The Church in Auckland was established in January of 1955, making it the second oldest in the world.
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