Home and Away newcomer Cantona Stewart had spoken about his real-life friendship with his now co-star Ethan Browne.

The actor has joined the Australian soap as new character Perri Hayes, who is paired with Browne’s character Tane Parata through a youth mentoring programme, although it doesn’t go smoothly at first.

Unlike on TV, the two got along pretty much from the get-go.

Speaking to New Zealand outlet The Post, Stewart said of Browne: “I can’t speak more highly of him. He’s very disciplined, he’s dedicated, humble and he’s someone that you want in your corner.

“To be able to walk on the set every day and shake his hand, give him a cuddle − it’s insane.”

Talking about how his character takes time to warm up to Tane, Stewart explained that Perri has “been faced with so much adversity and so many challenges in his teenage years and he kind of wants to do a 180 on his life, so he wants to better himself”.

“[The relationship is] quite rocky to be honest,” he continued. “With Perri being so vulnerable, he has these trust issues.

“He’s kind of like a lost puppy dog, in a sense. He’s just kind of edging his nose towards the water bowl, trying to figure out his surroundings and see where he can fit in.”

Part of the way Tane manages to bond with Perri is by teaching the youngster about Māori culture, a heritage they both share.

“He didn’t have the upbringing that Tane had back in New Zealand, so when they create this friendship and this bond, Tane also takes him on this cultural journey and he introduces him to things like the taiaha,” Stewart added.