Wētā Workshop 'There and Back Again' Tour (9.15am)

Step behind the silver screen and get a unique look at the making of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies on a guided tour of Wellington’s famous Wētā Workshop.

Founded in 1987, Wētā Workshop has created the unique special effects, costumes, creatures, props and makeup effects for dozens of TV and movie productions, including Sir Peter Jackson’s award-winning Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Set off in the morning to the suburb of Miramar where it all began and take a guided tour through a dedicated area of Wētā Workshop, where crew members will tell the story of the innovative Wētā creative process and show the props and models they have crafted from movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

During your tour you’ll see Wētā artists at work, watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes film featuring movie secrets and interviews with Wētā’s founders, and visit the famous Wētā Cave shop with its huge range of unique collectibles and movie merchandise. You ‘ll have the opportunity to walk freely though different departments of the manufacturing floor, interacting with examples of Wētā Workshop’s artistry and tools. Take photos with full-sized film sculptures and meet Wētā Workshop crew and see their work in action!

At the end of your Wētā Workshop experience, travel back along the Miramar Peninsula and Wellington harbour to downtown Wellington, arriving at 12.30pm.