Quentin Tarantino: No one twisted my arm to come to New Zealand

Acclaimed Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino was joined by Kiwi film stars and TV celebrities for the New Zealand premiere of The Hateful Eight in Auckland last night.

The man behind cult classics Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction said he'd always wanted to visit New Zealand.

Speaking to the Herald on the red carpet at Newmarket's Event Cinemas, he said: "I have friends here, I have friends who have family here and I've been invited quite a few times, personally.

"So I decided that since I was already in Australia, now would be the time I roll over."

Quentin Tarantino on the red carpet of the NZ premiere of The Hateful Eight. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Tarantino attended the premiere with his long-time stunt woman Kiwi Zoe Bell, who he said did not twist his arm to attend. "No she didn't, I brought it up to her. I'm having dinner with her family tomorrow night," he said.

Hundreds of fans eager to get a glimpse of the director waited outside the movie theatre. Loud screams and cheers erupted as Tarantino arrived. One lucky fan received a hug from Tarantino after showing him a cup she had made for him. He signed the cup and gave her a hug resulting in cheers from the crowd.

Tarantino spent time signing autographs and talking to the fans.

One woman dressed as Mia from Pulp Fiction said she was "so excited" after meeting and talking to Tarantino.

"I've been his fan for decades," she said.

"So I'm super excited to see him in person."

He spotted her costume in the crowd.

"He said, 'Oh Mia'."

Zoe Bell arrives at the private after party. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Tanya Law and her husband. Richard Law, also met the film-maker.

Mrs Law said she was "really excited".

"I've liked him for a really long time, my husband's a really big fan.

"I don't think there's a movie of his I don't like."

The director was "really nice", she said.

"Everyone was really nervous because he had to go and do an interview and everyone was like awww [we didn't get to meet him]. But he came back and apologised and he was just really lovely.

"My husband had his hand shook, don't know if he's going to wash it for a while."

Quentin Tarantino arrives at a private after party following the premiere. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Fashion designer Karen Walker attended, as did actors Karl Urban, Lucy Lawless, Keisha Castle Hughes, Oscar Kightley and Teuila Blakely, as well as The Bachelor Art Green and girlfriend Matilda Rice and All Black Malakai Fekitoa.

Bell, in an strapless, shimmery champagne-coloured dress, told the Herald working with Tarantino was "amazing and exhilarating".

She planned to take Tarantino to her home territory of Waiheke Island. They would visit Stonyridge Vineyard, "where it all began".

"That was my first ever job."

Bell said it was important for New Zealand that the premiere was held in Auckland because "New Zealand deserves a little love".

"I'm just really proud to introduce New Zealand to you guys and to introduce you guys to him. It's all warm and fuzzy everywhere for me really."

Lawless said it was "amazing" that The Hateful Eight premiere was happening in Auckland.

"I think it's such a testament to how much he loves and values his friendship and partnership with Zoe Bell, who's one of the best women on the planet, New Zealand should be so proud of her."

Lawless said she was expecting to "go on a wild, white-knuckle roller coaster of a filmic experience" with the acclaimed director's eighth movie, "because no one will take you there quite like Tarantino".