Hollywood star Jason Momoa has been filming a new series in New Zealand. Photo / Apple TV
By Brodie Stone, NZ Herald
A fight scene for Jason Momoa’s new series Chief of War was set to be filmed at Kauri Mountain (Nukurārangi) this month, but the plug has been pulled, much to the dismay of many in the Whangārei Heads community.
The Northern Advocate understands confusion around consultation between local iwi and hapū groups resulted in the eventual cancellation of filming at the location.
Canning the shoot is understood to have taken away tens of thousands of dollars from the economy, denying hundreds of Northland extras the chance to appear in a major production and curbing international exposure the district would have received.
A Northland Regional Council spokesman said the producers did apply to the council for consent to construct part of the set on Kauri Mountain Beach, which was approved in January.
Structures had been erected on-site. However, they were promptly removed.