Black is back

Kyle Gass (L) and jack Black make up Tenacious D.

Jack Black is going ape in New Zealand again. The King Kong star - who's on our movie screens in Nacho Libre - is returning as part of his musical comedy duo Tenacious D for two concerts in January.

The first show, on January 11 at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre, is on the same day that the first Tenacious D movie, Pick of Destiny, opens here.

Black and comedy partner Kyle Gass will also play the Christchurch Town Hall on January 9.

The movie, which follows the pair's quest to become the greatest band in the world by stealing a magical guitar-pick housed in a rock'n'roll museum, also stars Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller and Kong co-star Colin Hanks.

The D also have a soundtrack album - their second LP after 2001's self-titled debut - to the movie released in November.

The duo last played in New Zealand in late 2004 when Black was here making King Kong.