Stars hit Wanaka bars

Hollywood stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling have impressed Wanaka locals, dancing up a storm with them.

The trio and about 20 cast and crew working on Disney film A

Wrinkle in Time dined at Francesca’s Italian Kitchen in Wanaka on Friday night before heading a few doors down to cocktail bar Gin and Raspberry.

A group of Wanaka mums on a rare night out said the three megastars were chatting with patrons and Reese let loose on the dancefloor, singing along to New York by Alicia Keys.

Mum-of-two Kim Knight and friend Deva Jacobsen chatted with Winfrey at Gin and Raspberry and danced alongside Witherspoon.

“We wanted to welcome Oprah to Wanaka, and introduced ourselves as locals,” Knight said.

“She was incredibly warm and humble.”

Knight said the queen of daytime TV was very beautiful, and “had a calm and lovely energy about her”.

Knight said the two security guards looking after the stars allowed the women to mingle.

Owner of both Francesca’s Italian Kitchen and Gin and Raspberry — Wanaka local Francesca Voza — said the group were relaxed, spoke to other diners and posed for photos.

“They were all really lovely and I think they enjoyed just being left to relax and enjoy their evening.”

The film crew had eaten at Voza’s other restaurant Kika earlier in the week.

“We didn’t make a fuss at all which they liked. We just treated them like any other customer.”

Yesterday, Winfrey took to social media to share her love for New Zealand. She posted snippets of a chopper flight over Lake Hawea and cloud-covered mountain peaks.

During one clip she shouts: “It’s a gorgeous day New Zealand, I love you.”