Mahana the movie premieres tonight and character Simeon Mahana is described as a boy coming of age.
While the movie is set in the 1960's, Akuhata Keefe who is Coastie bred, where the storyline is based says Simeon's characteristics were very similar to his characteristics in real life.
Akuhata says "He's like me, he's a 14-year-old boy but he speaks his mind and I don't, I'm not a man of many words but yeah Simeon speaks his mind, he's cheeky, he's hard working."
The 15-year-old also hopes reviewers and critics will steer clear of comparing his performance to that of James Rolleston.
Akuhata says "That's probably why they're going to compare us together cause we're both Maori, we're both boys, young from a little town and we're in a movie. But yeah, hope to work with him one day."
But as to the reasoning as to why director Lee Tamahori chose Keefe to play Simeon, Mahana producer Robin Scholes says he hadn't been influenced heavily from the city life.
Robin says "When you see the film you'll see exactly why he chose Augs because he has an innocence about him and a lot of 14-year-olds that we auditioned we're from the city and they are quite sophisticated and quite well built, they're into sports they're actually look much older than a 14-year-old."
Now, Akuhata will head home to Tolaga Bay with the expectations of his people on his shoulders.
"People are going to ask heaps of questions but Tem was preparing me for that and just giving me tips on being humble and go back home otherwise people won’t like you when the movie comes out."
Te Kaea will be broadcasting live from the Mahana premiere in Auckland, 5:30pm tonight.