1 Dec 2017

Actor's plea for return of ashes

4:41 pm on 1 December 2017

An actor who was walking the length of the country to take his father's and brother's ashes home to Stewart Island is pleading for their return after losing them.

Bruce Hopkins with the urns of ashes at Cape Reinga, at the start of his journey

Bruce Hopkins with the urns of ashes at Cape Reinga, at the start of his journey Photo: Supplied / Bruce Hopkins

Bruce Hopkins, who is chronicling his journey along the Te Araroa walkway for RNZ podcast The Long Way Home, was on a rest day in Auckland when he lost the red waterproof pouch containing the small urns of ashes.

The red waterproof pouch contained both urns of ashes and a red Olympus camera

The red waterproof pouch contained both urns of ashes and a red Olympus camera Photo: Supplied / Bruce Hopkins

RNZ series producer Justin Gregory said Hopkins was "distraught" over losing the ashes and hoped a member of the public may have found them.

The pouch, which also contained a red Olympus camera, may have been left at Cornwall Park, at Richmond Rd Countdown in Grey Lynn, or at Cafe 121 in Ponsonby.

Hopkins, who is best known for his role as Gamling in The Lord of the Rings, has been walking Te Araroa since mid-October.

The loss of the ashes is the second major setback on his journey - he was forced to take a two-week break from walking last month after badly injuring his leg falling on some rocks.

A portrait of Bill Hopkins, Bruce's dad.

Bruce Hopkins' father Bill Hopkins Photo: Bruce Hopkins

If anyone has found the ashes or the pouch, or has seen them, they can contact Hopkins at thelongwayhome@radionz.co.nz, on Twitter at @BruceHop or on Instagram at @brucehoppy.

Alternatively, Justin Gregory can be reached at justin.gregory@radionz.co.nz.

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