Whakatane plays a small part in Steven Spielbergs new TV Series. Steven Spielberg is behind America's ABC film productions who have been filming a new TV series in Hawaii called 'The River'. An adventure mystery set in the Amazon Jungle. When they needed a 'Toki' (Maori Greenstone) for the main actress they searched the internet and manged to find a couple of them here in Whakatane! Producer Johhny Foam who has ties with Spartarcus actors was in touch with Sue from Seabreeze Souvenirs. He sent his contacts including 3 of the 'Spartacus' actors to Whakatane to shop around. Look closely at the main actress to see the 'Whakatane Toki' around her neck. For more information about the Toki go to the Seabreeze website. To view the trailer to 'The River' Click here. (It looks great!)