Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan makes knife with Northland artisan

Pierce Brosnan stopped in to visit artisan knife maker A.J. Prime during his trip to Northland. Photo / Prime Artisan Knives

Pierce Brosnan‘s New Zealand holiday has continued, with the former star of the James Bond films recently crafting a knife blade with a Northland artisan bladesmith.

Prime Artisan Knives founder and bladesmith A.J. Prime, based in Cable Bay, hosted the Irish actor, alongside photographer Matt Draper, on Friday.

Prime said in a Facebook post the day of creativity was a “unique privilege and pleasure”.

“We talked about painting, whakairo [carving], wood block prints, photography, pottery and, of course, fire and steel.”

Prime said he guided Brosnan through making a blade from an old file.

“My darling kept Pierce’s sugar levels up with randomly foraged fruits and chocolate thins.

“After caffeinating, we shared some good, warm hugs and said our farewells.”

Despite his level of fame, the A-lister was humble and down to earth, Prime said.

The Herald contacted Prime to ask more about the visit, however he said “out of respect for Mr Brosnan’s privacy, all I will say is that he is a true artist and absolute gentleman”.

The celebrity visit sparked excitement in the comments, with many people expressing how “cool” it was that the Hollywood actor had stopped by.

Brosnan has been seen at several popular spots around the country in the past week, part of what is thought to be a low-profile family holiday.

Pierce Brosnan visited Northland fish and shop Fresh & Tasty as he continued his travels around the North Island. Photo / Fresh & Tasty

During his time in Northland, Brosnan got a taste of the local cuisine at Fresh & Tasty Mangōnui.

The takeaway shop posted pictures of the 72-year-old with staff and wrote that it was “a real treat to have Pierce come and dine with us”.

On Tuesday, the actor was seen eating out at Soul Bar & Bistro on Auckland’s Viaduct.

He has also been sighted at several art galleries in the North Island, including Auckland’s Gow Langsford Gallery.

Gallery director Anna Jackson told the Herald that Brosnan had been a “thoughtful and genuinely curious” visitor to the Onehunga gallery.

“[Brosnan] spent time with our current exhibition, Brett Graham’s Doorway to Night, and also enjoyed viewing a broader selection of works by other artists across the gallery,” Jackson said.

Brosnan starred as James Bond in four films in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He is also known for other Hollywood classics such as Mrs. Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair, the Mamma Mia! film series and more recently The Thursday Murder Club.