Once Were Warriors: Alan Duff in his own words

Author Alan Duff

Once Were Warriors the movie was based on the novel written by Rotorua-born Alan Duff who reflects on his time growing up in Rotorua, his short stint on the movie's set and the work he continues to do.

Growing up in Rotorua was both miserable and a joy.

I loved rugby, athletics, was pretty good at school and we had a father who did his best, especially when it came to reading, our house full of books. And I particularly loved Whaka[rewarewa] and still follow the senior rugby A team's progress.

Contrary to popular belief, I did not grow up in Ford Block. But I did go there to relations' homes and knew exactly what went on. Fordlands, as it's known now, was Pine Block in the novel.

I wrote the original screenplay but the director and I disliked each other on sight - I don't think he's a rugby type person, as events later told.

So the producer got rid of me. With hindsight, I don't blame them. I would have wanted the movie to be a lot closer to the book as the story was vastly more complex and layered and deserved more respect. Still, they did a terrific job with it.

As a general rule I don't think writers and film people have much in common. Writers are solo players who create original material. Film people hunt in packs, have bigger egos, are visual and often derivative.

Though the irony is I am so influenced by the game of rugby, the team-work. So maybe I'm just a cranky novelist.

The movie's power owes a lot to the original story that was told.

I'm happy that the key actors went on to good careers and that three of us are from Rotorua.

As well as proud that the seeds for our nationwide literacy programme, Duffy Books in Homes, were planted in the book's first few pages.

We've just celebrated 20 years and our 10 millionth book given out. To think that the idea came from a wild boy from Glenholme Primary and Rotorua Intermediate and a few months of Rotorua Boys' High School.

And now over 100,000 children nationwide get the joy of owning their own books, not least thanks to our main sponsor and supporter, Mainfreight.

Though I live in France, I remain at heart a Rotorua boy with strong Whaka connections.