Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher was reported to have told the Ahuriri Community Board on August 27 the council had inquired about the set being left behind, referencing Hobbiton, in Matamata.
This week he clarified the comments.
``Any comments about the set being retained were purely speculative. Production representatives tell us the normal practice is taking everything away, returning the site to exactly how it was.''
The unconfirmed minutes of the community board meeting, published on the council website, show the film set was discussed.
Chairman Graham Sullivan, along with board members Vicky Munro and Tony Chapman, visited the set in late June.
According to the minutes of the meeting, it was described as ``amazing''.
Mr Kircher reportedly ``echoed'' the board members' views on the set, and commended the council officers who had ``facilitated the processes''.
But the minutes do not refer to Hobbiton or the set of Mulan being left behind.
Filming of the $300 million live-action remake of the 1998 animated classic Mulan is understood to be under way.
