New Zealand movie star Cliff Curtis will realise a dream when he competes in the IronMaori half-Ironman in Napier on Saturday.
Curtis, 46, will do the 2km swim leg for the three-person Team Mo, put together by singer Moana Maniapoto, in line with the kaupapa of the One Heart Many Lives health project.
Ms Maniopoto will take on the 21km run and the 90km bike ride will be done by George Bradfield, husband of Ngati Kahungunu songstress Hinewehi Mohi.
Curtis (Te Arawa, Ngati Hauiti) had been set to do the run for Ms Maniapoto's Te Arawa Tri-Hards in 2012 but was a late withdrawal because of work commitments in Prague. Mr Bradfield replaced him at the time and reported the actor was "gutted" not to be there.
The Rotorua-born star of Whale Rider, Once Were Warriors and numerous other movies and TV features has harboured the desire ever since and, while unable to be contacted last night by Hawke's Bay Today, his entry was confirmed by event founder and organiser Heather Skipworth.