
Horiwood.Com is a celebrity and entertainment news website based in Hollywood. The blog is written by a freelance journalist and member of the foreign press based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
The National Business Review says: “Horiwood aka Sam Cruickshank, is an MA(hons) graduate of The Auckland University English Department’s, Film TV&Media Studies Program. Cruickshank is a graduate of Witi Ihimaera’s Creative Writing Course. He is the original screenwriter, television director and current script advisor of the Kai Ora TV Series featured on the Maori Television Service and Sky TV’s Food Channel. The series Sam co-created through his production house Pakiri Productions, is now in pre-production of its fourth season. He has edited American authors novels and is currently in negotiations to assist in the development of a filmic biopic of an American fashion legend.”
The word hori is taken from Horiwood’s cultural heritage of the Maori language and is a humorous, slang term of reference that signifies the indigenous ‘other.’
In Hollywood, everyone is viewed as the ‘other’ until you’ve lived here for a minimum of 3 years. Maybe at that point, you’re not viewed as a transient any longer and you know a little something about what LA is about. Angeleno is a word, one must earn.
Horiwood: the blog, evolved out of Sam’s tongue-in-cheek monthly Hollywood entertainment news column, “Horiwood” written for Tu Mai Magazine over the last two years for the New Zealand audience. Michael Jackson’s death coverage was the last big media moment that Sam covered for Tu Mai. That was a crazy LA moment.
Whether you are meeting the world’s biggest teen superstar, like Miley Cyrus, LA has so much to offer in this city of fame and excess. It’s the only city you’ll step over a homeless person on the way into an Oscar after party, or be wowed as you catch the magic of live outdoor music at The Hollywood Bowl. It’s surreal.
Horiwood shares attention grabbing media moments inside the fame game that anyone who lives in LA is bombarded with each day as stars, celebrities, entertainers, music artists, film actors, comedians, TV stars and big studios all compete for their piece of a media spotlight from The Entertainment Capitol of The World. It’s crazy!
Horiwood is meant to be a light-hearted (never intentionally hurtful) entertaining read 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It’s just one New Zealand guy’s daily view of media moments that capture our attention from someone who just happens to live in Hollywood, California.
I hope you enjoy it, and…
~ Welcome to Horiwood ~
![miley-cyrus-and-sam2 Miley Cyrus & Sam Cruickshank [aka Horiwood]](http://horiwood.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/miley-cyrus-and-sam2.jpg?w=450&h=267)
Miley Cyrus & Sam Cruickshank aka Horiwood

30 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 17, 2009 at 11:40 pm
horiwood
thanks.
miley is so much better in person
if you get the privilege of meeting her
you’ll know for yourself
she’s a nice kid
thanks for reaching out,
rock on!
June 3, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Craig McGill
Sam, just found the site, loved it. Ever in Scotland you’re on some drinks by me.
June 4, 2009 at 10:09 pm
horiwood
hey Craig McGill… when i get to Scotland…
you’re “on” for drinks buddy
thank you
keep rockin!
June 10, 2009 at 11:32 pm
spdbrnr34
Cool blog…my wife will like it, I’ll send her the link. If politics/finance/sports interst you at all, check out my new blog. take care.
http://www.spdbrnr.wordpress.com
June 11, 2009 at 6:02 pm
horiwood
u r welcome. hope your wife has fun on horiwood.com
take care too
June 11, 2009 at 7:20 am
Rhonda Ann Godwin
Hey, do you have Canadian relatives? You look much like someone I know, but not a Cruikshank, though I’ve known them. Good blog, thanks.
June 11, 2009 at 6:03 pm
horiwood
hi Rhonda, i trust Canada is beautiful today.
i don’t know yet if I have Canadian Cruickshank relatives
they could be distant relatives
thanks for sayin hi.
take care
:)
June 21, 2009 at 8:05 pm
innocentbelle
Hey, nice blog. I really enjoyed reading it!
July 15, 2009 at 4:37 am
Andrew Wood
Hi Sam
I was talking with Ata Te Kanawa today and she mentioned you. I work on TVNZ’s Good Morning Show (live every weekday morning TV1) and Ata’s showcasing some new Maori fashion for Maori Language Week July 27 – August 3…
Can you drop me a line to direct to my email address.
Cheers
Andrew
August 12, 2009 at 11:30 pm
anne
love your blog Sam and love you.
kia tupato in the city of angels.
annie
August 21, 2009 at 5:22 am
Kaye-Maree Dunn
Kia ora Sam,
I recently read about you in the latest version of Tumai Magazine, it is awesome the work you are doing, and doing it in a distinctly Maori way – mana enhancing – which I know would go off over in Hollywood.
Have you been approached to do a documentary for Maori TV? I think it would go off a treat.
I’d like to maintain a communication pathway with you from time to time
Just to help in maintaining the hononga – http://www.tangatawhenua.com to keep abreast of the coolest Hori’s in Aotearoa and all their cool mahi
If you end up missing the whenua and want to connect with whanau involved in Permaculture and kaitiaki mahi http://kaitiakitangainaction.ning.com/
To be even cooler – http://www.maori-in-oz.com has the latest in what the Hori’s are up to in Aussie.
Mauriora ki a koe,
Keep up the great work and thank you for being you true self in a world of potential craziness
August 22, 2009 at 6:13 am
TRACEY CHAPMAN AT THE WILTERN LOS ANGELES IS SO PROFOUND « Horiwood’s Blog
[...] ABOUT HORIWOOD [...]
September 9, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Jeff Rivera
Love your blog. And I thought I was a Hollywood buff! I thought you might be interested in including this clip we just shot with Dancing with the Stars celeb, Karina Smirnoff in your blog too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ayLzImBWpA
She was such a sweetheart and I think you’ll love the clip.
October 10, 2009 at 9:23 am
Tim
Call
November 9, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Haylee Putaranui
Kia Ora e te tuakana!!! loving your blog Sam, OMG i loooooooved kourt & Khloe’s show so i cant wait till we get the season of Kardashians and the wedding…..or i might just youtube it this weekend – or tonight, haha, anyways, hope all is O for awesome for you e hoa, the girls are both great, Waiaria is off to kura tuarua next year, were enjoying some beautiful weather so hopefully we are going to have a mean summer, take care e hoa, keep up the rawe work, arohanui Hays me te whanau xoxoxoxoxo ps: V Pacific has cheap cheap fares to LA (via Oz) now so im hoping hubby and I might be in your hood again this time next year (or sooner) xoxoxo
Horiwood: Kia Ora Haylee… time flies. :) nice to know you and whanau are rocking and well. See you in LA, next time you venture out again. xox
November 19, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Jack Schur
I hope this finds you well! As you well know, the New Moon ticket is one of the hottest items this week, and we’ve got front row seats for [NAME] [READERS/VIEWERS/FANS/ETC.] to all the hoopla of the big event this Thursday evening. Members of Indie band Colin Healy & the Jetskis are arriving in style to interact with Twilight fans at the movie’s first public screenings, resulting in exclusive video footage and photos for you Friday morning right after the event. More details follow below.
Please let us know if this is something of interest, and we’ll be sure to add you to our exclusive distribution list this Friday.
Best,
University Chic and Black Water Management
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JetChic TV Presents The First Bite at New Moon
Showcasing ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ midnight screenings through fan interviews conducted by recording artist heartthrobs Colin Healy & the Jetskis. The feature airs on UniversityChic.com, Friday, November 20.
The Twilight Saga is captivating fans all over the world. The phenomenon warrants an investigation, and there’s no better way to get a lay of the land than by sending in a bunch of cute rock stars to see what all the fuss is about, especially if one of them is actually named Cullen!
Indie band, Colin Healy & the Jetskis (http://www.myspace.com/colinhealyandthejetskis) crank up the laughs and heat up the outdoor lines when they hit the sold-out midnight showing of “New Moon” to mix-and-mingle with Twilight fans. The Jetskis will also be channeling their best Edward Cullen impressions, rolling out all the stops and bringing along their brooding good looks (not too mention obscure Twilight trivia questions) offering fans “fang-tastic” prizes if they have what it takes to win.
About Colin Healy & the Jetskis:
Bringing a high energy, feel-good vibe to the world of indie-pop, Colin Healy & the Jetskis are quickly rising up the ranks of the East Coast music scene. The band’s bright sound is prominently displayed in its debut EP “…Or Just Don’t Go”, which powerfully portrays the ins and outs of love and relationships, through the prism of restlessness and vigor. Critics have praised the band’s fresh sound, describing it as “piano-driven, upbeat-but-heartbroken pop nuggets, maneuvering easily from Ben Folds-ish hooks to a youthful racket”.
About University Chic Media:
University Chic Media is a multi-platform media and branding company created exclusively for the college-bound and college-aged women’s audience. From their best selling guide to college for women- U Chic: The College Girl’s Guide to Everything (Sourcebooks 2009) – to their popular online destination at UChic.com, University Chic is the college girl’s #1 source for work, play and everything in between.
Jem Bahaijoub
imaginePR
Phone: +1 202 713 0735
Website: http://www.imaginepr.net
jem@imaginepr.net
November 26, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Tom Baker
Stopped by to say Happy Thanksgiving.
November 30, 2009 at 4:08 am
Awhina Barrett
Hey Sammie
Nga mihi aroha kia koe taku hoa! Thanks for the dedication my friend, you’re such a sweetie!
Hope life is good for you over those ways. Missing you lots and lots, especially lunch! lol
Take care of you!
Awhi
December 3, 2009 at 3:32 pm
John Ryan Recabar
interesting posts here.
December 31, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Tom Baker
I haven’t been here in a while. Don’t know why it’s a great place to visit. I was looking around some of your recent posts and find that people that were at my site have left comments on yours! I guess the honorable mention has been good for both of us.
Wanted to say Happy New Years and good blogging in 2010.
January 16, 2010 at 7:23 pm
simon lambert
too much! tumeke. Blog on bro!
And a PS: Back in the day you would’ve been one of the tipuna who hopped on the first whale boat that turned up off your coast…”So whaling ay, and you call that a harpoon?…how hard can it be!”
January 27, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Amiria Reriti
Hey there Sam, how wonderful to find your site and know that you thrive well over there in the big bad world of make believe. It works best because you know where reality lies back home here in the heartland and those of us here are proud of you honey for making the connection. Love and happiness for a great year for you sweet. Amiria
February 21, 2010 at 9:25 pm
seen
kia ora sam again,the infamous seen corressponding to Americia.i hope every country in the new continent are doing their part for no extinction ok.HE is IT now due to silly circumstances and still my GOD. Men are owing me so pass it on to tehy please.arohanui seen,themgod.
February 21, 2010 at 9:27 pm
seen
my spelling error and s’pose to be they please.
March 8, 2010 at 2:29 pm
bek
hey just wanted to give you the headsup guy sebastian is headed
back to USA (NY and LA) late this month hope you can catch a gig of his once he settles in and starts playing!
March 26, 2010 at 2:20 am
Nakhone
Sam – You’re such a swell guy. Consider me your newest fan! Cheers!
April 22, 2010 at 2:43 am
bek
hey I know you like guy sebastian hes doing a small show in LA
Monday May 10th 2010 @ 7PM – Hotel Café, Los Angeles, USA
be quick for tickets!
May 3, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Selina Marsh
Hey Sam, I set ‘urban iwi: tihei mauri ora!’ for an assignment and my student’s essay led me to this – chur bro! I have a ‘take it to the people’ part of the assignment where they have to put their analysis in a public space. My student created a wikipedia page for you which would have been awesome if the powers that B hadn’t removed it stating that it was ‘self-promotory’!! Ha! All good, I’ve got her writing about that experience and it led to a class chat about censorship, literary gate-keeping and the gorgeous role that anthologies play in the Pacific! Am planning a nationwide Poetry comp for Maori and Pacific poets soon and your Mauri Ola contribution will go towards books as prizes. Thanks! Keep up the lovely work – Selina
May 23, 2010 at 8:48 am
Helena
Kia ora Sam – awesome to see you are doing so well. I came across some of your writings the other day and was inspired again. Working for myself now trying to be entrepreneurial and still committed to the Hinemoa project – it will happen one day! Mauri ora, HB (Helena)
July 5, 2010 at 7:43 am
Louise Sadler
Hi Sam,
You so look the same. Infact you haven’t changed one bit to look at. You probably don’t remember me but you Emily and Cindy made a huge impact in my life over riseup when you guys came thru Kawerau. Mel & I have become really close friends over the years. Thanks for leading her to the Lord way back then. She’s in Epsom now and I live in Aus these days.
Cindy told me where you were and so I am just checking out the blog. Do you have a FB page?
Louise