Evergreen

2017 EVERGREEN 87
In one scene, Laya Raki
speared a fish.
signed autographs when
not filming, while
Laya Raki lived up to
public expectations of a
gorgeous film star when
she emerged wearing a
skimpy bikini.
The weather at
Otarawairere Bay brought
hours of waiting for the
right light, an experience
locals working as
extras found not such a
glamorous aspect of their
job.
Crowds lined the rope
barriers on either side of
the camera trolley when
the sun reappeared. Small
boys with a fishing line
and a dog were reported as walking
into a shot at the wrong moment, and
getting chased out of the camera’s
range by spear-wielding Maori extras
emitting bloodcurdling oaths.
Scenes were photographed from
different angles, and were of short
duration. Assistant director Peter
Manley was heard saying “that
was grand, just grand, ladies and
gentlemen, but we’ll have to do
it again” so often that his words
developed into a catchphrase for
those watching from the beach.
Weeks of searching for props in the
Whakatane area preceded the actual
filming. The three Maori war canoes
were refurbished and repainted in the
local army drill hall — one was found
used as a culvert on a dusty farm road.
Costume designer Julie Harris
solved the problem of too few
piupius — the flax skirts worn
by Maori women — by stringing
together drinking straws painted
with black highlights. While they
looked real through the camera lens,
they lacked the swishing sound of
actual piupius when in motion.
Cameraman Peter Hennessy said
he had been to New Zealand before,
visiting his father who lived in
Christchurch. He praised the new
Eastman colour for the softer, more