The Diary: Vampire stars Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi want your cash

Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement want money to launch their film in the US.

A Kickstarter campaign by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi to raise $400,000 to self-distribute their movie What We Do In the Shadows in the US has been criticised by some who recall Waititi's problems three years ago crowd-funding for the US release of his movie Boy.

Many donors were left frustrated at Waititi's failure to deliver rewards on time.

The latest campaign, launched last week, has been initiated by Clement.

It has already raised over $17,177 from 346 backers, with 21 more days of the online appeal to go.

Fans are being asked to donate anything from $10 to $10,000-plus, in return for prizes ranging from clothing merchandise, autographed DVDs and posters, a Skype chat, or being an extra in their next directorial project.

"We want money for distribution to get the film into cinemas, this involves advertising, press, trailers, posters. We want to get the film to 70 cities throughout America. With your help we can get it to the screens," Clement pleads on the accompanying video.

But some in the Reddit community this week questioned the rewards process and Waititi's audacity in fundraising through Kickstarter again.

At that time, Waititi acknowledged he was late in sending prize packs. Last night, he told The Diary Clement is running this new campaign, and he is taking a backseat because he is busy with other projects.

"We need money to release the film in cinemas. It has a vid and DVD release which will happen after that. But it's frikken expensive and we still want to retain some control of the process which is why we're hitting the crowd funding thing.

"I'm not posting or promoting it just yet as I want to make sure the US producers have done a good job of coming up with decent rewards."

The pair will now need to ensure they are as adept at administration as they are at asking for public handouts.

Wannabe Cinderellas note: Prince in town for racing

Ferdinand Habsburg's titles include Archduke of Austria and Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia.

Aspiring Kiwi princesses or fans of the fairytale Cinderella should head to the track at Teretonga Park in Invercargill today if they fancy catching the eye of a real life Prince Charming.

One of Europe's most eligible royal princes, the heir to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, has jetted in to the country via private jet.

Ferdinand Habsburg - formally known as Ferdinand Zvonimir Habsburg-Lothringen, Imperial Prince and Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia - is one of the super-rich drivers competing in the Toyota Racing Series, which takes place around the country over the next four weeks. He has already scored a podium finish in Christchurch.

This week, the 17-year-old Habsburg and his fellow competitors have been enjoying the sights of Queenstown where they have been heli-fishing, luging and rafting. Gulfstreams lined the local runway.

A student at the private and prestigious Danube International School, Habsburg is heir to what was one of the most important and longest-reigning royal houses in Europe. He is the great-grandson of Charles I, the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

But he's not the richest kid on the track. That honour goes to 16-year-old Lance Stroll from Quebec, who sits in pole position in the Toyota Racing Series. His father, Lawrence, is the Canadian billionaire fashion magnate behind the Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors brands.

The family have jetted in for the series and shipped over an enormous $1 million-plus Schuler motorhome from Germany, which has been their working pad as they tour the country. The luxury home-on-wheels comes with its own living area and physio and relaxation zones.

Stroll Snr is said to own more than 20 Ferraris, and is reportedly looking to buy the Sauber F1 team. Forbes says he is worth US$2.2 billion ($2.9 billion).

SBW mobbed at airport

Fans crowded superstar athlete Sonny Bill Williams at Auckland Airport on Wednesday as he jetted out of the country with his wife Alana and 2-month-old daughter Imaan.

"Sonny and his wife were pushing their child's buggy through the departures area and he was getting recognised by everyone," said a passenger in the terminal.

"But he generously took the time to pose for selfies, while Alana stayed in the background to let the fans in. They were really gracious."

The family are now back in Sydney as Sonny prepares for his bout at the Footy Show Fight Night on January 31.

5 best social media duets

1. Miss Universe NZ and Donald Trump

The combover may be covered, and he looks to be short a fanny-pack and a golfing convention, but there's no mistaking the ruddy face of self-declared billionaire Donald Trump, co-owner of the Miss Universe competition. He poses with Miss New Zealand Rachel Millns in Miami, and gives an endorsing thumbs-up. Let's hope he's this assertive when it comes to judging the pageant on Sunday.

2. Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn

Any All Black can pick you up in a Ford, but only skipper Richie McCaw will pick you up in his own personal glider. Girlfriend Gemma looks to be thrilled, or perhaps that's the face of someone relieved to be back on solid ground.

3. Keisha Castle-Hughes and Rose McIver

Kiwi thesps hook up in Vancouver, where Keisha is shooting the TV pilot Roadies, directed by Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) and starring Christina Hendricks, while Rose is filming scenes for her TV series Zombie.

4. Joseph Parker and Evander Holyfield

His coach Kevin Barry battled him at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, but Joseph Parker was happy to pose with four-time world heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this week.

5. Max Key and Amelia Finlayson

Summer loving happened so fast, sang Olivia Newton-John. And she'd be right. First Kid Max Key was snapped this week lip-locking girlfriend Amelia Finlayson, an aspiring TV presenter, at the Kitekite Falls, Piha.