Morrison hits write note

Temuera Morrison is doing the write thing and hopes his autobiography will inspire others to reach for the stars.

The Once Were Warriors legend is penning a book about his rise from teen Maori culture performer to big screen pin-up.

Tentatively titled How the Haka Got Me To Hollywood, the former Shortland Street star's memoirs are being ghost-written by Paul Little the award-winning author behind Willie Apiata VC: The Reluctant Hero.

"I'm just going to talk a lot and Paul is going to try and make something out of it," said Temuera, who has been immortalised as Once Were Warriors' Jake "the Muss" Heke and had an action figure made out of his Star Wars character, Jango Fett.

"Part of it will look at my humble haka beginnings.

"Before moving to Auckland I used to perform professionally in my Maori culture groups.

"I believe there's a formula to getting to the top and by talking in this book I might reveal how the haka (heck) I got to Hollywood."

Temuera, who gained sex-symbol status as Shortland Street's Dr Hone Ropata, worried that relating every last detail of his life in his autobiography might be "boring". But he has pledged to lay himself bare.

"Everything about my background was kind of beautiful New Zealand," said Temuera, who is dad to son James, 17, by pop star Kim Willoughby, and four-year-old daughter Aiorangi, by broadcaster Peata Melbourne.

"I want to speak a lot about the King Country and the farm upbringing we had in the school holidays. I should be revealing a lot that people don't know about me.

"It will be funny. There will probably be too much humour in there."

The 48-year-old, whose uncle is iconic Kiwi entertainer Sir Howard Morrison, hopes his book will hit the shelves in time for Christmas and will encourage others to strive for success.

"I'd love people to put down the book and feel inspired," Temuera told Sunday News.

"I want them to say, `Man, that's how he got to Hollywood, I now feel like I can achieve my goal this year I want to go out and do something with my life'."

The Rotorua-born star believes that with the right upbringing and guidance people can achieve their dreams.

He told Sunday News he is concerned Maori waste their talents because they lack the drive to further themselves.

"I was lucky in certain areas," Temuera said.

"I got trained to become a TV journalist, I trained to be a radio announcer and then I did acting on the side.

"I always kind of thought I had it in me, an inquisitive nature to go out and explore these things."

Temuera has signed a one-book deal with Penguin, but is open to the idea of writing more if his debut is a success.

- © Fairfax NZ News