Star Charlize is one of us all right

Charlize Theron on the red carpet in Aotea Square. Picture / Martin Sykes

"She's all right," Niki Caro says, giving her verdict on the Hollywood star she has brought to New Zealand, the land where "she's all right" is the ultimate stamp of approval.

"She's one of us. She doesn't look like any of us. But she's one of us."

Further down the red carpet Charlize Theron definitely does not look like any of us, frocked in slinky gold Elie Saab, as she heads for her umpteenth premiere of North Country.

She has been to Piha, seen a few sights and is now happily signing autographs and yacking to her director's home-town crowd, most of whom also seem to think she's all right.

When the Oscar-winner makes it to the microphones, she gives the Hollywood version of "she's all right".

"I think this was out of the ball park. It was an incredible journey with Niki. She is an incredible, smart, funny, intelligent woman and has an incredible vision."

And then she's off, cameras still flashing, men agape and some women too because Theron is there in the flesh and that takes a bit of beating.

Both Theron and Caro said they were thrilled at the reception from about 1000 people who gathered to see a slice of Hollywood in Aotea Square.

"I was just saying, I feel like Peter Jackson," Caro said.

"For me this is the most special premiere of them all. It is nicer, because over there there are a lot more photo flashes and a lot more people yelling my name in an American accent. But it is scary, because when I do these events anywhere else in the world, nobody gives a rat's about me."

The red carpet also hosted the girl whose name was next to Theron's in the best-actress Oscar nominations in 2004 - Keisha Castle-Hughes.

"I'm really nervous today actually. I haven't been in the red carpet for so long." The young Whale Rider star wore a black and pink satin dress made by her mother, who has started her own label - Huckery Mole.

An outburst of cheers and applause burst out when Prime Minister Helen Clark started her walk, although Cliff Curtis directly behind her could probably take credit for the screams.