Here are some of the awards we've won, with the help of lots of clever people.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Here are some of the awards we’ve won, with the help of lots of clever people. We have won over 30 national and international awards for our work in the creative industries and the greater community.
Two decades ago, Wētā Workshop – then a young design studio and physical manufacturing facility – was invited to join director Peter Jackson on an incredible adventure that would go on to define the company and write an important chapter in the history of our country, New Zealand.
Across concept design, miniatures and bigatures, weapons and armour, prosthetics, props, creatures and costumes, the Workshop crew rose to the challenge and went on to help win five Academy Awards® for their efforts. This enduring project is the foundation on which the Workshop is built.
Themed Entertainment Association (Thea) Award, 2021
Outstanding Achievement – Brand Experience, Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Wētā Workshop Unleashed is an immersive experience in Auckland, New Zealand. To show guests how we make films for the entertainment industry, we invented three original film concepts from the genres that we love – horror, fantasy and sci-fi. It is filled to the brim with interactive experiences, remarkable displays and surprises to delight.
Visual Effects Society Award, 2018
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project, Blade Runner 2049
For Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed film, Wētā Workshop created three expansive miniature environments. Crew members Alex Funke, Christopher Menges, Steven Saunders, and Joaquin Loyzaga received the VES Award for the enormous LAPD tower.
Themed Entertainment Association Award for Outstanding Achievement (Immersive Mall Experience)
Haikou - Aura "Forest at the Edge of the Sky"
Blooloop Innovation Award for Themed Entertainment
Haikou - Aura "Forest at the Edge of the Sky"
Concept Art Award for Live Action Film: Keyframe
Dune
Best Award for Lighting Design
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Themed Entertainment Association Award for Outstanding Achievement (Brand Experience)
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Blooloop Innovation Award for Storytelling
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Wellington Gold Award
Dr.Grordbort's Boosters
VES Award for Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project
Blade Runner 2049
Themed Entertainment Association Award for Outstanding Achievement
Gallipoli : The scale of our war
King Vidor Award (San Luis Obispo International Film Festival) For Career Achievement in Film
Richard Taylor
Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
Richard Taylor
Queen's Honours, Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit
Richard Taylor
Wellington Institute of Technology Honorary Bachelor of Creative Technologies
Richard Taylor
World Class NZ Awards Supreme Winner
Richard Taylor
BFCA Critics Choice Award Best Make-Up
District 9
New Zealander of the Year
Richard Taylor
Export Year Honorary Award
Richard Taylor
Ernest & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year
Richard Taylor
Massey University Hall of Fame
Richard Taylor
Academy Award for achievement in Visual Effects
King Kong
BAFTA Award for Achievement in Special Visual Effects
King Kong
VES Award for Best Miniatures
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
VES Award for Best Miniatures
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Designers Institute of New Zealand
John Britten Award
Academy Award for Best Costume
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Academy Award for Best Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Hollywood Hair & Make-up Society Award for Best Special Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Hollywood Hair & Make-up Society Award for Best Special Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Las Vegas Film Critics' Society Award for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Las Vegas Film Critics' Society Award for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Wellington Regional Gold Awards
Academy Award for Best Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
BAFTA Award for Best Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
BAFTA Award for Best Visual Effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Catalonian International Film Festival Award for Best Model / Miniature
The Frighteners
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
Forgotten Silver
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
The Ugly
Catalonian International Film Festival Award for Best Special Effects
for Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
Portuguese Film Festival Award for Best Special Effects
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
Silver Screen (Holland) Award for Best Special Effects
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
Heavenly Creatures
Avoriaz Festival Award for Best Special Effects
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
Fantasy Film Awards (Italy) Award for Best Physical Effects
Meet the Feebles
Sitges Festival Award for best Special Effects
Braindead
Fantasy Film Awards (Italy) Best Physical Effects
Meet the Feebles