Hollywood heavyweight Jason Momoa says he’s planning a more permanent move to New Zealand.
“I’m just waiting for you guys to let me in,” Momoa told 1News. “I saw in one of your newspapers we brought in like $1.3 billion in the last year and a half so like, well! If that doesn’t get you citizenship, I don’t know what does!”
The 45-year-old actor has spent a lot of time in New Zealand in recent years, working on projects like A Minecraft Movie, The Wrecking Crew, and his new series Chief of War.
According to the New Zealand Film Commission, the Minecraft film alone generated over $194 million in local economic activity and created more than 1000 jobs.
“I’ve been working with a couple of my film buddies and I’m trying to develop all of my projects to be coming to Aotearoa and Hawaii,” Momoa said.
“For me to be able to put a very circular home for Polynesia, being able to work between the two is kind of the goal. I don’t want to work anywhere else but those two spots.”
The Hawaiian-born actor said he first came to New Zealand when he was around 20 years old.
“I knew the moment that I landed there, I don’t know what it is, it’s just something in your body that’s just like this is the place you’re meant to be. It’s the most diverse ecosystem. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the greatest rugby team in the world,” he said.
“I love to be able to be in the ocean. I love to be up in the mountains. I love that the culture is embraced. I love that the people who are Kiwis and Māori, that they still embrace each other’s language.”
In a statement, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said Momoa would be warmly welcomed here.
“Mr Momoa must apply for citizenship through the appropriate channel, which is the Citizenship Office in the Department of Internal Affairs,” she said.
“I’m sure his significant fan-base in New Zealand would be thrilled to see him settle here.”
The Hawaiian born actor is currently promoting his new series Chief of War, about the unification of Hawaii at the turn of the 18th century.
The show – which was partly filmed in New Zealand – launches on Apple TV+ next month.
“I’m really proud for our crew, time and time again, and all the productions, from Wrecking Crew to Minecraft to Chief of War, to two commercials being shot there.
“Just the crew, everyone that’s put in the hard work, from the north to the south, all the iwi that I’ve met, like this is our story. You helped us tell our Polynesian story.”
