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Tom Cruise - Source: Reuters
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The internet is abuzz this morning with rumours a certain celebrity is in town.
Apparently, Mr Tom Cruise arrived in New Zealand this morning aboard a commercial flight.
The sole basis of this rumour is an anonymous text message, sent by a passenger who claims to have been on the same plane as Cruise, and whose phone is now turned off. How convenient.
The fact Tom Cruise owns three private jets (and is top of the eco-lobby's hit list, dubbed "emissions impossible" because he never flies commercial) has done nothing to curb these rumours.
Nor has the fact nobody else on the flight - of which we can reasonably assume there were in excess of 300 people - saw hide nor hair of the star.
He may be little but the man's not invisible.
Still, that's no deterrent. Instead, Twits everywhere have been re-Tweeting the messages and seeking further sightings.
Some are suggesting he may in town for the V48 Hour Furious Filmmaking final tonight. After all, Peter Jackson is involved.
Except, Peter Jackson does actually live in New Zealand. And has long been a supporter of grass roots film making - and organiser Ant Timpson (who is also the man behind the Incredibly Strange film festival, a genre close to Jackson's heart).
It's a fabulous competition that showcases the exceptional talent and ingenuity of Kiwi filmmakers. But let's not get carried away. If Mr Cruise is going to endorse a cause, it's probably going to have slightly broader appeal than New Zealand's aspiring film making community.
One excited follower suggested drink brand V may have flown Mr Cruise out for the final.
Er, no. He's not Kim Kardashian. You can't hire him by the hour. He may not be Maverick anymore but he hasn't sunk that low.
Rather, this is the perfect example of the speed and power of social media.
One text message, one radio announcement and suddenly the internet is aflame with rumour. Rumour that quickly becomes regarded as fact.
But before you get caught, hook, line and sinker, take a minute to remember the case of poor Richard Wilkins - the Australian entertainment correspondent who reported Jeff Goldblum's death live on national television .
Only, he wasn't dead. As he went on to prove in this brilliant Colbert Report appearance .
Moral of the story, don't believe everything you read on the internet. Shocking, I know.
Read more Joanna Hunkin opinion.
So... we have to ask - have you seen him? Email news@tvnz.co.nz
