Temuera Morrison on mend after motorbike crash

By RENEE KIRIONA

New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison recalls the days when his uncles cruised past him on their Harley-Davidson motorbikes.

So when the young man - who became famous after playing Jake the Muss in the film Once Were Warriors - grew up he got one just like theirs.

But a couple of weeks ago a cruise on his prized motorcycle almost cost him his life.

"I don't know how long he's been riding Harleys for, but our uncles rode them so I suppose that's where his interest in them began," the actor's sister Zella Morrison told the Herald.

While driving alone through the Manawatu, en route to the South Island for a holiday, Morrison fell off his Harley. He broke his leg in two places and spent five days in Palmerston North Hospital, where two pins were placed in his leg.

But last weekend the 42-year-old returned to Rotorua to recuperate in the tranquil surrounds of his home at Lake Rotoiti.

"He's very comfortable at the moment, enjoying the support and warmth of whanau and his partner around him," Zella Morrison said.

"Fans don't need to worry, he'll be just fine. It's not going to threaten his career or anything like that."

On Wednesday Morrison's partner, Peata Melbourne, told the Herald he was still in pain and therefore unable to talk. "He's in a lot of pain at the moment but he'll be OK," she said.

Apart from his Harley, Morrison's interests outside acting include performing kapa haka with his family's Ngati Rangiwewehi Cultural Group, water skiing, singing, boxing, rugby and martial arts.

His injury is not expected to affect a new show he is to host this year on the Prime television channel.