‘Star Trek’ actor Chris Pine charged in New Zealand with drunken driving

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand–Hollywood actor Chris Pine, known for playing Captain Kirk in the “Star Trek” movies, has been charged with drunken driving in New Zealand.

The 33-year-old American is due to make his first court appearance in the case on Monday, court officials said Wednesday.

New Zealand Police said in a statement that a 33-year-old American was charged March 1 with driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit, which in New Zealand is .

08 per cent. Police did not name the man, but said he was stopped during a routine early-morning check near the South Island town of Methven.

Pine’s agent and publicist could not be reached immediately Wednesday for comment.

Pine has been in New Zealand filming the movie “Z for Zachariah,” which is due for release next year.

Much of the filming has taken place on the South Island’s picturesque Banks Peninsula.

Casey Crawford, manager of the Blue Pub, a Methven bar, told Christchurch newspaper The Press that Pine was attending a celebration at the bar on the night of Feb. 28 to mark the end of filming and was accompanied by his Icelandic girlfriend, Iris Bjork Johannesdottir.

Pine was drinking beer and did not appear intoxicated before leaving at about 2:30 a.m., Crawford said, adding that Pine had obliged locals who wanted their photo taken with him.

“He looked like he just wanted to spend time with his partner,” Crawford told the newspaper.

Crawford said the party was well-controlled. “Chris was really good. They were a good crowd, the whole lot of them,” he said.

Crawford said the bar offered patrons transportation home.

In addition to playing Capt. James T. Kirk, Pine also played Jack Ryan in the movie “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.”