When I left university I was working for a documentary film company for six or seven years to the great relief of my father whose greatest waking fear was that I would become an actor.

This was only Taika Watiti fourth film [Hunt for the Wilderpeople], but I think he brings a very original way of looking at stuff and I think if you look at Boy, for instance, which is a beautiful film, that was his second feature, and it's heartbreakingly sad, but it's also simultaneously very funny. There are not many people who can do that.

You never really know who you're going to be acting with, but that doesn't really matter. 99% of the actors I've worked with, and they number in the thousands, I've liked.

If you want to learn about America, watch The Wire. Its a profound piece of entertainment.

As much as possible, I try to encourage people to use stunt men because that is really their job.

I like being around actors. Imagine not liking actors.

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