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AUCKLAND - Star Wars actor Temuera Morrison joined Commerce Minister Simon Power and senior representatives from the creative industries on May 6 at an event in celebration of World Intellectual Property Day.

The Minister and the well-known Kiwi actor were special guests at a prize-giving presentation for the Intellectual Property Design Competition, held at Hutt International Boys' School (HIBS) in Upper Hutt.

The day was co-sponsored by three intellectual copyright agencies, including the New Zealand Federation Against Copyright Theft (NZFACT), the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) and the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA).

Speaking at the presentation, Minister Power said: "As we can see by the talents of the prize winners today, there are capable young people out there who will be our next chart-topping musicians, world-famous creators, and prize-winning inventors. Their work is truly inspirational and provides a great showcase for the next generation of creative New Zealanders."

Special guest Temuera Morrison said: "Movies are a great example of intellectual property. They are the result of brilliant ideas transformed over time by highly creative people into wonderful screen experiences for everyone to enjoy. New Zealanders should be very proud of the films we make and the talented people who make them."

The winning entries were designed by Stephen Hedges, HIBS (1st Prize of an Apple laptop, books, DVDS and a 1-year Gold Pass from Sky Cinemas), Meg Howie, Nelson College for Girls (2nd Prize of an Apple iPod, DVD movies and movies passes from Sky Cinemas) and Jason Felderhof, HIBS, (3rd Prize of an Apple iPod, DVD movies and movies passes from Sky Cinemas).

World IP Day is an initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and has been celebrated annually on April 26 since its inception in 2001.