Actor here for film evening

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 549, 16 August 1994, Page 5

Actor here for film evening

Ohakune was buzzing on the weekend with the presence of acclaimed New Zealand actor Rena Owen, here for a special showing of the film 'OnceWereWarriors'. Representatives of Maungarongo Marae and the Waimarino community welcomed Rena Owen, and former Raetihi man, actor SonnyDavis('Nig' inWarriors) onto the Marae, before their appearance at a wine and cheese function

held at the Ohakune Hotel, attended by around 1 60 people. Members of Mr Davis' extended family, including his grandmother Julia Arahanga, exchanged greetings with the large gathering of Tangata Whenua. The group were later powhiried into Ohakune' s King's Theatre for the film premiere, where both actors extended their thanks and aroha to the audience.

Ms Owen told the gatheringthat the film 'OnceWere Warriors' carries a powerful message for both the Maori and Pakeha of this country. Ms Owen said she was overwhelmed by the warm welcome given her by local people and said she felt a strong affinity with the region and its people. The visitors enjoyed a meal at the Alpine Restaurant before joining senior

college pupils at Ruapehu College's senior ball. Ms Owen' s visit finished on somewhat of an anticlimax with her missing her Taupo flight back to Keri Keri and having to commute further north to Rotorua where she was fortunate to find a seat on a later flight.