Weta Workshop

We had such a great experience. My son was especially stoked with the foil sculptures and the fact that he got to take home a Dino foil. So happy he “dapped”. He was very inspired and since then we’ve now had to increase our foil purchases. Thanks to our tour guide (so sorry forgot his name) but the cool guy with the dreads. And thanks to Liam who introduced my son to the art of foil sculpturing. You guys are amazing.

At the Weta Workshop we got a great insight how the requisites for movies like Lord of the Rings are made and even saw some of past movies. We really enjoyed it and can recommend it to anyone who is interested in what goes on behind the scenes!

I had such an amazing time at the workshop and I left so inspired and stoked. I really wanted to let you all know how impeccable and incredible your staff was from beginning to end. My tour guide was so knowledgeable and charismatic. The store employees were so friendly, helpful, and just went above and beyond to help me with photos, transportation, and purchasing. I was part of your 10:30 group on Monday and there was a girl with red or blonde hair being super thorough with all my questions on what I should try to do around the area. I was visiting from LA. Another staff member with shorter brown hair was so sweet in helping me print and pick out my favorite photos. Nearly bought them all because I couldn’t decide but he was really fun, helpful and patient. Both he and another staff member hyped up my smolder in the photos haha and lastly there was one man I feel so bad for forgetting his name. He had longer brown hair with such a great smile and bright energy and he made my day. I asked to borrow swords and he ran out to pose me and hype me up in photos with the trolls and went out of his way to take some iPhone shots and Polaroids. (I gave him one as well because he was so cool) he overhead me trying to sort out a ride back and recommended I save money and take the bus since I had ubered before and hadn’t booked transport back with the tour. When I told him I couldn’t because I only had a card and no cash he gave me $5 so I can get back to town safely. (I was planning on walking an hour and 45 minutes) he wouldn’t let me buy him anything as a thank you but was just genuine and hospitable. I really loved my experience there and your staff all went the extra mile to make me feel welcomed. Thank you weta! Really would love to stop by on a future trip and take a workshop! ~Jessica Villoria Hua (Asian girl with the bright jacket, cool nails and bleached buzzcut)

These people have passion for what they do and it shows. My partner isn’t the most enthused about LOTR but still walked away appreciating the ‘art’ and ‘effort’ behind the craft while recognizing WETA so much much more than swords and hobbits feet! The staff are very interactive with their patrons too - making the experience more enjoyable for all

I knew about Weta Workshop because of LOTR but I had no idea what a huge operation it, and Miramar, has become since then, nor how much they had already done on smaller films before that. I wouldn't know where to begin to describe the fun and fascinating elements of this tour. I can only say that it should be at the top of your list when you are in Wellington.

Got a fantastic and in-depth tour of the Weta Productions process; makeup, fabrication, armour making and much more. Don’t let the photos fool you, everything you see is just from the outside and the gift shop, the tour covers a lot more. It was a lot of fun seeing, holding and wearing the various weapons and armour from the Weta catalogue, from Lord of the Rings to District 9 to Black Panther. Our tour Guide, Sully, went above and beyond to give us a fun experience and was fantastic with our toddler. The gift shop is also it’s own mini tour with a lot of merchandise I’ve never seen anywhere else. More than worth the price of admission.

Greatly recommended tour - lots of interesting information plus a feeling of behind the scenes of LOTR and a few other well known movies/series. Very enjoyable and instructive at the same time:-) Only a pity that one cannot take photos to retain the memories...

Excellent tour and exciting stuff to look at. Knowledgeable and friendly staff especially our tour guide. Love that there was storage space for our luggage we had with us.

I have been to both the Weta Workshop in Auckland and Wellington. Although Auckland workshop is bigger with more models, and rooms to go through, the tour is a lot faster (but still enjoyable). Whereas for the Weta Wellington workshop, there are a lot more time allocated in each room discussing details about how its made, and to accommodate more questions from the tour group. We were also allowed to touch and interact with most of the displays! We got to hold the swords, wear helmets, and a much closer look at the crafts! My recommendation is, if you want to see a lot of beautiful models and scenery, go to Auckland Weta, if you wish a more in depth discussion on prosthetic and film making/prop making, go to the one in Wellington. :) Both are great!