When I started in films, it never really occurred to me that I could make a career out of acting.

Because I was familiar with Taika's Watiti work and there's a very subversive, funny streak amongst all of them. I don't think he turned [Hunt for the Wilderpeople] into a sort of drama, there's too much dark material underneath it for it to be a comedy; it wasn't designed to be a comedy. I think it's a comedy... I think it's a drama that's funny; which is different.

You don't necessarily have to go a long way in New Zealand to be in some pretty dense and scary bush.

I think it took us all by surprise. I mean, I knew that people in New Zealand would like [Hunt for the Wilderpeople], but no one really anticipated how much they would embrace it as it is. And it's playing widely in Australia now; they're running it as well. It's going to be interesting to see how it does it in the States, but I think if Sundance was any indication, I imagine it could do well.

Try and fit in in a New Zealand playground with an Armagh accent - it doesn't work.

I like being around actors. Imagine not liking actors.

I like actors. I like their insecurities, their humor and their intelligence.