Tribal Trouble For Cruises' 'The Last Samurai'

Others claimed they should be paid compensation for the use of images of their sacred mountain, Mount Taranaki, which will feature in the film.

In tribal legend, Mount Taranaki is regarded as an ancestor of Maori who live in the region.

But the New Zealand film industry body is playing down any dispute, calling the row "a storm in a teacup".

Although the film is set in Japan the majority of scenes will be shot in New Zealand, including using Mount Taranaki on the west coast of the North Island as Mount Fujiyama.