Weta Workshop

We had an absolute blast here. Our very knowledgeable tour guide was awesome. There was so much to look at and enjoy. Only number was not being able to take photos in most rooms. I found the processes that were explained really fascinating and loved seeing the details up close. I left with a new appreciation for the hours and hour of work that goes into each component of a movie. I'll be bringing my children back when we're next in wellington. Book in advance - the tickets sell out fast

This was the highlight of our trip to Wellington! As soon as we arrived we checked in and the man at the front desk was lovely! We then wandered around the gift shop and decided to get a photo with the troll outside before our tour, when a lovely man came out with props for our photos! He gave us swords and a staff to pose with and even took the photos for us and told us some fun poses and was altogether delightful but I never caught his name! Our guide was a young man who was really bubbly and funny and went into depth at each part of the tour so we learned a lot of interesting stuff and got to see some truly magical things with someone who clearly had a passion for it! We even got to meet one of the creative model-makers who gave us a little talk about his creations and how he uses things he finds to make them! We passed around some of the things he’d made as he talked us through the process and I can honestly say we left that portion of the tour feeling inspired to continue our own creative pursuits! We also got to meet a lovely lady who made foil sculptures and gave a talk on the process then let us have a go at making some ourselves! She was a completely dynamic host and kept the room engaged while we tried our hand at her craft and we loved it!! We then got our keepsake photo taken at the end of the tour and our guide was really good at making it look good and saying something to make everyone smile when the camera went off! The gift shop was also full of the most gorgeous things and we spent ages walking around deciding what to get! Cannot reccomend this place enough! The space is great alone but the staff absolutely make the experience!! I will be coming back again when my family comes to visit!

Great behind the scenes insights into how Weta has worked on the Lord of the Ring trilogy and the Hobbit but also on around 140 movies and amazing (museum) exhibitions. This is a must do in Wellington. Our guides were fantastic as well.

Absolutely incredible. As a fan of LOTR it was a must visit, learnt during the tour that Weta had worked on other franchises and movies I love. Brandon was an awesome guide you could tell he was passionate about his job and company by the way he spoke about the things in the tour.

So much amazing talent is showcased in the tour. Richard and Tania and their team have an amazing CV of projects. Even if you're not a LOTR fan (do they exist?) this place is absolute must see for a peak behind the scenes as to what goes on artistically to produce anything from an ad to a feature film. Oh my god I have forgotten our guide's name...he was fantastic, full of information and joyous enthusiasm.

Weta Workshop is an iconic Wellington stop for film fans, especially Lord of the Rings, Avatar and Narnia enthusiasts. While we unfortunately missed the actual workshop tour due to it being fully booked(a major lesson learned!), our visit to the Weta Cave mini-museum and gift shop was still a highlight and a must-do for any movie buff visiting the capital. The Weta Cave Experience (No Tour Needed): Even without a tour ticket, the free entry Weta Cave is fantastic! It houses an impressive collection of original props, costumes, and sculptures used in major films. Seeing the intricate detail up close from swords and creatures to character maquettes is truly awe inspiring. The atmosphere is immersive, with behind-the-scenes videos playing and the palpable buzz of creativity nearby. It gave us a real sense of the craftsmanship behind the magic. Luckily, the retail store is a treasure trove.We spent ages browsing and brought home some truly unique, high-quality souvenirs. From stunning miniature collectibles and replica props to art prints, books, and quirky Wellington-specific merch, there's something special for every budget. The staff were knowledgeable and passionate, adding to the experience. Knowing there's also a Weta Workshop in Auckland(which we plan to visit for the tour) was a consolation, but the Wellington store felt like the authentic heart of the operation with a wider, deeper range of exclusive items directly tied to the working studio next door. Essential Tips & Info: BOOK TOURS EXTREMELY EARLY:This is CRUCIAL. Tours often sell out weeks, especially during peak season/weekends. Book online as far in advance as possible. Don't make our mistake! 2Weta Cave is Free & Accessible: No booking needed for the mini-museum/shop. Open daily. Tour Options: Standard tours run frequently. Deluxe tours offer more depth. Both are highly rated. Retail:High-quality, unique items. Prices vary widely (small magnets to premium statues). Great for meaningful gifts. Location:In Miramar (a short drive/bus from central Wellington). Combines well with a visit to nearby Roxy Cinema (also Weta-linked). Auckland vs. Wellington:The Auckland location (Weta Workshop Unleashed) is fantastic and offers tours (which we'll try!), but Wellington is the original home and working studio.The Wellington store feels more connected to the active filmmaking process and often has exclusive items. Even without the tour, Weta Cave delivers a captivating glimpse into movie magic and offers the best souvenir shopping in Wellington for film lovers. The sheer quality and uniqueness of the items we bought salvaged the visit.However, the absolute necessity of booking tours far ahead prevents a full 5 stars this time. We highly recommend the Weta Cave to everyone, but if you want the full workshop tour experience book NOW for Wellington! We'll be back (booked in advance!) and will try Auckland's tour too.

Amazing. Five stars. 10/10. No notes. The geeking out I could do during the tour brought me so much joy. And it was not just matched but exceeded by your lovely staff. Becky was our tour guide and she was delightful. So much enthusiasm, great sense of humour and fun facts galore. Even the person who served me in the gift store brought me joy, complimenting my coat so we could nerd out about sewing. It's clear everyone loves to work there and I wish I could too. Highlight of the holiday.

The staff were amazing, very knowledgeable and seemed genuinely excited to be there, even though they've run the tours a million times before. My tour guide (I can't recall his name but he's the lovely Irish guy) indulged my autistic nerding out with grace and patience which I really appreciated. The content and pacing of the tour was great. I loved the videos for each room, the love and passion clearly shining through in what you all do. You really do seem like a large family which is great to see. My only problem is that I am filled with jealousy that I don't get to work at Wētā Workshop. I definitely missed my calling! You've been part of so many of my favourite films that I feel like I'm a little bit part of the family now too. If I ever am in Wellington again I want to do the sculpture workshop, which looks awesome. The shop was also great. I think the prices are very reasonable even though there wasn't much I could afford. One day I'll own one of your mini dioramas! All in all if I could give you all a 20 star rating I would. Thanks for giving this tired, overwhelmed, delayed-flight guy a really lovely day.