Korban Knock debuts in 'Secrets at Red Rocks' screening in hometown Waitara

Fifteen-year-old Korban Knock (Te Atiawa, Taranaki), star of the eight-part TV series -Secrets at Red Rocks-, recently debuted the show to his hometown of Waitara, New Zealand. Adapted from Rachael King’s novel, the series follows 12-year-old Jake’s mystical adventures after discovering a sealskin.

The nationwide search for the lead role landed on Korban, who impressed director David Stubb with his talent, humor, and resilience throughout the demanding eight-week shoot. A special screening was organized by Te Atiawa iwi for roughly 200 family, friends, and community members at Ōwae Marae.

Korban played Jake, a boy who’s sent to his dad’s for the holidays and unearths a sealskin that sets off a chain of mythical events. Director David Stubb described the eight-week filming schedule as “a really demanding job, almost every day. Long hours and swimming in cold water, and lots of lines to learn.” Stubb highlighted Korban's acting skills, natural humor, and stamina as key factors in his selection for the role.


“It was really a demanding job, eight weeks, almost every day. Long hours and swimming in cold water, and lots of lines to learn – so he was smart, he was kind of confident, he had a cheeky sense of humour and a really nice guy, you know, a really nice kid.”

Korban admitted the experience was different from his expectations, stating, “It was definitely not what I thought it would be. There are some things that are totally different from what you'd expect, but it was really cool.”

He found the stunt work, particularly the water scenes, to be the most challenging aspect of filming, noting, “But it wasn't too bad, it's just the coldness got to me.” His favorite scenes involved food, explaining, “Everything was good, but I most liked the scenes where I ate stuff because I love food, and also the food was really good.”

“But it wasn't too bad, it's just the coldness got to me. Everything was good, but I most liked the scenes where I ate stuff because I love food, and also the food was really good.”

Korban’s mother, Hinenui Wano-Bryant, accompanied him on set daily.