Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger

In 1987, in the back room of a modest flat in Aotearoa New Zealand, a creative journey began that would forever change the landscape of film, practical effects, and storytelling. Richard Taylor, a young artist with an insatiable imagination, and Tania Rodger, a creative entrepreneur with an eye for detail, started what would eventually become the internationally renowned Wētā Workshop. Together, they laid the foundation of a company that would not only redefine practical effects but also help put New Zealand on the map as a hub for world-class creativity.

At the time, their aspirations were humble. Richard, with his boundless energy and unrelenting drive, had a love for crafting and creating, while Tania had a knack for managing the practicalities that would allow their business to grow. In those early days, the couple worked tirelessly on small projects, often out of the back of their flat, dreaming up possibilities far beyond the constraints of their modest beginnings. With no grand ambitions of global fame, their focus was simply on making things well and making them with heart.

Early in their career they had the good fortune of meeting a young film maker called Peter Jackson. Working with Jackson on his next five films (and a multitude of other projects), Richard and Tania honed their skills and grew the workshop team. This small group of craftspeople would eventually provide services to five of the departments on Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Richard, Tania, and their small team were tasked with creating the special make-up effects, armour, weapons, creatures, and miniatures for this ambitious film project. It was a gargantuan task, but one that would transform Wētā Workshop from a small business into a world-leading creative powerhouse.

‍

‍

Wētā Workshop’s work on The Lord of the Rings, spread over seven and a half years, was nothing short of spectacular. Their attention to detail, innovative problem-solving, and ability to merge art with practical effects captured the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide. The trilogy’s success earned the team four Academy Awards® across special effects makeup, visual effects for their miniatures work, and costume design. More importantly, it showed the world that Aotearoa New Zealand could produce ground-breaking work that would compete with the biggest names in Hollywood.

Richard and Tania’s passion for practical effects and physical craftsmanship was at the heart of their work. Richard was not one to simply oversee projects from a distance. He is often found on the workshop floor, sleeves rolled up, working alongside his team of talented artists, sculptors, engineers, and designers on whatever creation is underway.

Though The Lord of the Rings brought Wētā Workshop to international fame, their expertise soon became sought after for other films. Over the years, Wētā Workshop has played an important role in movies such as The Hobbit and Narnia Trilogy, the Avatar films, King Kong, District 9, Ghost in the Shell, Elysium, Tin Tin, Chappie, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther, Mulan, and a multitude of others. Their expertise in creating world-class concept design, armour, weapons, creatures, miniatures, special makeup effects, props, costumes, and vehicles for the world’s film industry has made them one of the go-to companies for directors looking for highly original and expertly crafted practical solutions and complex visuals.  

While the world of cinema is what brought them global acclaim, Wētā Workshop’s creative ambitions extended far beyond the screen. Over time, they have diversified into a multifaceted creative enterprise including tourist attractions, a game studio, high-end collectibles, cutting edge production work, and immersive experiences, produced for clients all over the world.  

Despite the incredible growth of their business, Richard and Tania have never lost sight of the values that helped them build Wētā Workshop: passion, collaboration, and craftsmanship. They have maintained a hands-on approach, and their deep connection to New Zealand remains at the core of their identity. Both Richard and Tania are committed to nurturing the creative community at home, and they continue to give back through mentorship, employment opportunities, and charitable initiatives.

‍

‍

While Richard has become the face of Wētā Workshop, Tania’s role in shaping the company’s success is equally significant. Behind the scenes, Tania has been responsible for managing much of the day-to-day operations that keep the workshop running smoothly.  

Outside of Wētā Workshop, Richard and Tania have co-founded several other creative endeavours. One such venture is Pukeko Pictures, a children’s IP development and television production company that has produced award-winning shows such as Jane and the Dragon (2005), The Wot Wots (2009), and Thunderbirds Are Go (2015), The Kiddets (2018) and Book Hungry Bears (2020). Pukeko Pictures has also forged co-production relationships with China, resulting in the first-ever children’s television co-production between China and
New Zealand.

Through it all, Richard and Tania remain deeply connected to their home in Wellington, New Zealand. They are active patrons of local charities such as the Little Miracles Trust, a charity that provides free services to the families of babies who require neonatal care. They continue to support initiatives that help their community, as well as the arts, and have created a legacy to be proud of.

Richard’s contributions to the creative industries have earned him numerous accolades over the years. In addition to his five Academy Awards®, he has received four BAFTAs, three THEA Awards, and more than 35 national and international awards. In 2010, Richard was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to film, and in 2012, he was named New Zealander of the Year.