Central Otago residents starring as themselves in a television commercial are more than happy to be upstaged by their co-star - a piglet.
''I'm certainly getting a lot of stick and a few pig jokes are coming my way,'' said mechanic and Omakau Auto Centre co-owner Tony Herbert, one of nine Central Otago people featuring in the latest Vodafone commercial.
The advertisement, which was launched this week, was shot in the district and stars a lost piglet named Piggy Sue.
A postman finds the animal and phones around, trying to find the piglet's owner.
The only two professional actors in the production are Stevie Rodgers, who plays the postman, and Bronwyn Bradley as the pig farmer.
Mr Herbert was asked in advance about filming in his workshop.
''I said it's a bit of a pigsty, I could tidy it up, but they said, no, just leave it exactly like it is.''
He had a brief ''audition'' for his role, but really just had to be himself.
''I said don't make me remember lines - I can't remember what I did yesterday, let alone learn lines, but they let me ad lib, so that was good.''
It was interesting how much effort went into filming something that ended up being ''90 seconds'' on screen.
Omakau, Lauder, Poolburn and Millers Flat were all used as locations and a Vodafone spokeswoman said the aim was to target the rural community and highlight the strength of the company's network.
Millers Flat resident Margaret Paterson was now the ''poster girl'' for Faigans Community Store, manager Linda Moir joked. Mrs Paterson, a shop assistant in the store for 14 years, featured in the advert.
''I tried to back out after getting the role, but I think they needed an old tart, so they wanted me to be in it,'' Mrs Paterson said.
She was ''fielding a few comments'' from locals who recognised her and the store and she also got an inside scoop on the piglet star.
''I can report it liked milk arrowroot biscuits.''
Lauder publican Derek ''Knobby'' Clarke enjoyed his brief brush with fame but is expecting '' a bit of ribbing by the locals''.
''The film crew were very professional but quite laid-back too, so it wasn't too stressful.''
Another local star, Ida Valley farmer Michael Fridd, is out on his tractor when he gets a call asking about Piggy Sue.
Tourism Central Otago marketing and product development manager Pam Broadhead said the commercial was ''distinctly Central Otago'' and it was good to see it featuring local residents.
