Director James Cameron says the Avatar sequels will have a distinct Māori vibe, thanks to the influence of Kiwi star Cliff Curtis. 

Speaking to 1News' Kimberly Downs in Australia on Monday, the director said reo Māori had already influenced the first Avatar film, which came out in 2009. 

"I love the sound of the Maori language, so I introduced some of the sounds into naming the animals and the Na'vi language and so on, hopefully not to the level of cultural appropriation but more of an homage," Cameron said.

A scne from the original Avatar showing the giant blue cat-like people, the Na'vi.

When Cameron wanted the Na'vi to have a haka of their own, he discussed it with his Kiwi cast member, Cliff Curtis.

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"[Cliff] said 'I know exactly what to do' and I said 'is this OK should we check with the iwi on this?' and he said 'I think it's a great idea, lets just do it' so there you have it," Cameron recalled about the scene.

Na'vi culture is influenced by Māori culture.

Curtis will play the leader of a tribe of ocean going Na'vi in the forthcoming sequels. 

According to 1News, Avatar sequels 2 and 3, which are being shot back to back, will move to Wellington in 2019 for post production and special effects work. Cameron will spend a year here, working on the two films. 

 - Stuff