Martial arts star spotted

"Jackie Chan," Roger Bailey said, as he reflected on his brush with a major star of the martial arts landscape - "but I didn't get a photo", he lamented.

A Napier man who is heavily into martial arts and knows many of the leading proponents of it was in no doubt as to who he saw sightseeing in the central city on Tuesday.

"Jackie Chan," Roger Bailey said, as he reflected on his brush with a major star of the martial arts landscape - "but I didn't get a photo", he lamented.

"I had my phone on me and only thought about it later."

Mr Chan, 61, is a Hong Kong-based actor, director, singer and martial arts exponent who has starred in a string of films during his long international career.

Mr Bailey, who was working in the central city, has long been involved in the martial arts scene and taught it in the UK for 20 years. "It was definitely Jackie Chan - he was crossing Emerson St toward Starbucks - he was with his wife."

Mr Bailey approach him and offered a cheery "Hello, good to see you."

He said Mr Chan smiled and shook his hand.

A couple of other people nearby were also showing a keen interest in the familiar-faced visitor.

"I think they saw who it was as well."

Mr Bailey said Mr Chan may have been a passenger on visiting cruise liner Dawn Princess that day.