Scarlett Johansson’s candid NZ snap

Scarlett Johansson kept a low profile while she was filming in Wellington over four months last year.

But a candid snap of the Ghost in the Shell star has been revealed, showing her enjoying the views from Seatoun Wharf during some rare down time.

The actress also revealed the city quickly became one of her favourite filming locations.

“It has an outdoorsy vibe and it is so nice on your days off to be able to walk by the harbour, drive to the mountains or go hiking in the bush,” she says in a press release issued by Tourism NZ.

Scarlett filming in NZ. Photo / Supplied

Johansson also became a big fan of the city’s zoo, spending time there with her daughter, Rose.

“We are big fans of the Wellington Zoo. It is an awesome zoo and they have a great conservation programme. You can get really hands-on, there are really cool animal encounters, and you can support the conservation programme."

The big budget sci-fi film, which opens today, stars Johansson as a cyborg assassin on the hunt for her origins. It was filmed in Wellington between February and June last year.

Another star of the film, Game of Thrones’ Pilou Asbæk, says he spent plenty of time taking in the sights and sounds of Rotorua with his family.

“We had a wonderful time luging, visiting the geothermal area and zip lining through the beautiful native bush,” he said.

Juliette Binoche also spent time in Canterbury.

“It was just beautiful. Just to be amongst the elements, the sea, the air, the earth, the animals, the plants, the minerals,” she said.

“It is sort of the essence of creation and it was wonderful to just breathe in and take some time feeling the sun.

“It is so necessary, especially when you work so hard and travel a lot.”