PremiumJenni MortimerChief Lifestyle & Entertainment Reporter·NZ Herald·17 Jul, 2026 08:00 PM5 mins to read‌Rena Owen, John Tui and Frankie Adams star in the new Moana film, which premiered at number one in New Zealand. Video / DisneyBefore filming started on Hollywood blockbuster Moana, two of its New Zealand stars were excited to use their own accents.

One was looking back to Dame Whina Cooper for inspiration, the other to Temuera Morrison. But only one of them made the cut – and the other quickly realised Disney