Bejon Haswell/Stuff
Kiwi actor Robyn Malcolm, who stars in This Town and Outrageous Fortune, has been seen in the Far North. (File photo)
Some of New Zealand’s best-known actors have been spotted in the Far North, as filming starts for a TV series about one of New Zealand’s biggest drug busts.
The dark comedy series, called Far North, covers an infamous methamphetamine importation at Ninety Mile Beach (Te One-roa-a-Tōhē) in 2016.
Filming of the six-part series started on location on June 6.
It is being produced by Shortland Street makers South Pacific Pictures and White Balance Pictures, co-written by director David White, who created black comedy feature film This Town.
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Bejon Haswell/Stuff
Director and writer David White worked with Robyn Malcolm in This Town, and the pairing looks set to continue for Far North.
While South Pacific Pictures will not yet confirm the actors in the TV series, it appears a pairing from This Town could be repeating, with actor Robyn Malcolm being spotted in Ahipara.
Temuera Morrison – one of New Zealand’s most successful actors – has also been seen in the area.
The pair have also been frequenting Ahipara cafe North Drift.
Chris Skelton
Temuera Morrison – whose CV ranges from Once Were Warriors, to Star Wars and Aquaman – appears to be acting in the series Far North. (File photo)
Local businesses and marae have been reaping the rewards of the filming, said Te Rarawa chief executive Haami Piripi.
South Pacific Pictures approached the iwi for advice “very early in the piece” to ensure there was good community engagement, he said.
Cultural advisors have also been working with the crew, while locals interested in the industry have been training and working behind the scenes, he said.
“Developing vocations in the industry is something really important to us – it means more people in the industry, and perhaps more potential for other projects like this to occur in the Far North.”
The crew are staying at local marae, which have been compensated with funding that can be used for renovations, Piripi said.
“The relationship [is as such] where we can host them in the marae and it’s very comfortable for everyone concerned. It’s a very mana-enhancing situation.”
While a few locals have complained they were unable to get onto Ninety Mile Beach due to filming, Piripi said it was only for short periods of time.
Eight people were sent to prison for decades for their role in the importation of 501kg of meth to Ninety Mile Beach in 2016.
The brazen story was outlined in a six-week trial in the High Court in Whangārei in 2019, where Stevie Cullen and Selaima Fakaosilea were found guilty of importing meth and participating in an organised criminal gang.
The TV series will focus on a 70-year-old diesel mechanic who helped crack the meth plot, and how the multi-million dollar importation came unstuck.
