Cruise praises New Zealand scenery, people

2.30pm - By PAULA OLIVER

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise emerged from his Taranaki hideaway this morning to praise the region and charm his way through a packed international press conference.

Cruise, who had been elusive since arriving on Monday, said he had been working on scenes and getting himself physically prepared for filming of the Japanese period epic The Last Samurai.

"I haven't had time to go out for a beer yet," he joked.

"I'm very happy. It's beautiful here. It's a beautiful place to work, and I'm hoping to get some time to do a little climbing, some hiking, and maybe a little surfing."

Cruise, the film's producer Marshall Herskovitz and director Edward Zwick received a rousing Maori welcome as they entered New Plymouth's Theatre Royal for the conference.

Cruise then reached into his pocket, pulled out a small piece of paper with notes on it, and surprised many by making an attempt to speak some lines of Maori.

He had also been briefed on the art of the hongi, and moved immediately toward the noses of those who welcomed him.

The world's highest paid actor laughed and joked his way through most questions from the media.

He repeatedly praised Taranaki's "stunning and breathtaking" scenery, and the warmth of the New Zealanders he had met.

He said he had always hoped to get to New Zealand but during past visits to Australia had always run out of time.


"New Zealanders are known for their warmth and hospitality and generosity and I certainly have seen every bit of that since I've been here," he said.

Cruise even maintained an amiable manner when the inevitable question arose about his partner, actress Penelope Cruz, and when she would be visiting.

"You're very interested in Penelope - is this question for everybody or just you?" he joked to a male reporter.

But he did become serious when discussing the fact that his children would visit.

Cruise asked that people respect his privacy when that time came.

"That's our time, and that's important. I'm always happy to sign autographs, but when I'm with my children I don't. That's because it's their time, and it's my time with them."

In general, he found the attention of the public flattering, he said, and accepted it was part of his life.

"It's something I have lived with for two decades. I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do. It's just something that you live with. I enjoy people. I enjoy having a chat, and I'm interested in what people's lives are like."

Security at Cruise's appearance was tight.

The lights in the theatre were put out for a short film trailer of The Last Samurai, depicting a bearded Cruise wielding a sword.

But those lucky enough to see it were made to sign an agreement that they would not record or use any images from it.

Cruise said that from a production point of view, The Last Samurai was the largest movie he had worked on in his career.

He described his role as tough and said he had worked hard to get in physical shape for it.

He had learned to speak Japanese, how to handle a sword, trained in martial arts, and learned to fight while riding a horse.

Asked if he would be trimming his beard when filming was over or if he would keep it as a fashion statement, Cruise laughed.

"I'm not Mr Fashion Statement guy. The beard, it took a little getting used to, but yeah, I'm looking forward to cutting the beard and the hair when it's over."

Cruise said he would be working 14 hour days on set.

He had visited the sets and described them as stunning.

"I can't wait to get it on film. Everytime I go out there it's breathtaking.

"How can anyone not want to be here. I've been working the whole time, and it's a comfortable place to be. Here, I find people ask you, and they really mean it, they say; how is your day going? It's stunning. I can't wait to get it on film. Every time I walk out there it's breathtaking."