Stuff.co.nz go on the hunt for Robert Redford who was filming in the Tokoroa area in 2016.

Tokoroa is fast becoming the stomping ground for Hollywood heavyweights with actor Robert Redford believed to have stopped into the South Waikato town on Monday.

Redford is set to star in the Disney remake of Pete's Dragon, which is being filmed near Tokoroa in Hancock Forest Management forest.

Tokoroa locals are prepared if the Oscar winner does make an appearance.

Radio personality Mark Ahsin, who thought he had seen the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, star was mistaken.

"I thought I might of seen him at lunch time when I went to get some sushi because we have a real popular sushi shop here, but when I looked again, oh nah, it was just a local kaumatua from one of the marae."

Ahsin said if he bumped into Redford he would suggest a number of fun things he could do in Tokoroa.

"I would definitely want him to come and visit me here at Fresh FM. Maybe check out some of the Talking Poles maybe go see our mayor Neil Sinclair because he's a funny joker and maybe check out a couple of the waterways in and around the South Waikato.

"There are some cool things to do in our wonderful town of Tokoroa."

Alberico's Italian Restaurant in Tokoroa has had a taste of the action with the film crew stopping in for a bite.

Annie Asiata who works at the restaurant said a few of the men stopped in late one evening and ordered the restaurant's most popular steak.

"Some of them were the camera crew, they didn't say much and didn't really talk about the movie they were working on."

Asiata said a few days later she saw two transport vehicles carrying about a dozen American police vehicles.

Mayfair Motel owner Janita Poko said the business had been good for the town with an influx of people spending money and boosting the economy.

Poko said if Redford was lucky enough to stay in her motel he would get room 14.

"Because it's the fancy pantsy room. We will also give him a choice between a bottle of Steinlager or Corona if he arrived here."

Rumours circulated that a film crew was staying at the Mayfair Court Motel and Amisfield Motel in Tokoroa

But no one would confirm or deny these allegations.

However a hop, skip and a jump from the motel is Farmlands which has been busy supplying the films outdoor needs.

Manager Wendy Costar said she knew a few of the film crew from the Yogi Bear shoot a couple of years back and saw them dining at the Tokoroa Club.

"They are staying local. They're obviously supporting the local businesses which can only be a bonus for everyone really."

Costar said the men she had been dealing with were part of the construction team and were buying "water tanks" and "water fittings".

"They have spent quite a bit of money with us, so it's good for our company and town."

Small arrow signs around the town with the letters 'TP' on it point those involved with the movie to the set which is based in between Tokoroa and the small village of Whakamaru.

Waikato Times followed the sign only to find security at the front gate with no access being granted to anyone.

Redford, an Academy Award winner, will play one of the lead characters in the remake of the 1977 Disney classic. Lord of The Rings star Karl Urban has also been cast.

The movie blends live action and CGI to tell the story of the bond between an orphaned boy, Pete, and his best friend, Elliott, a dragon.