From Film Studies to Film Tourism

I'm the tour and events specialist here at Wētā Workshop. I look after operations, maintain the spaces where our tours take place and also lead events and our hands-on workshops.

I studied film and theatre at Victoria University, which is appropriate for where I am now; and I am also a performer outside of work, where I met and made friends with some people from Wētā. After university I needed a job and, considering my interests, there’s no cooler or better place to work than Wētā Workshop! I managed to get in and from that point on I fell in love with what we do and what we offer.

When I first started with Wētā, it was a dream come true to step through these doors. As the years went on, it seems like a blur because I’ve had so much fun, but I managed to secure more responsibilities in the event space and helping out with the launch of our Unleashed experience up in Auckland. I was able to flourish with this team. I’m very happy and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Seeing people appreciate something they love in a whole new way. We get so many film fans come here and they get to see the amount of work and detail into the pieces right in front of them and they fall in love with the films all over again.

I was a part of the Hobbit Day celebrations over at Hobbiton Movie Set. I was an Orc for the festivities, so I got to run around scaring people, performing - doing what I love and making memories for the guests.

I really love the idea that we're helping to make memories every single day. It’s really rewarding to see the childhood wonder that fills our guests.

Give it a go! It’s a diverse workforce where, a lot of the time, you can use the skills you know and love. It’s an industry that can cater to what you’re already good at. As a performer, it serves me well giving tours and speaking to a lot of people; that being said, I’ve seen a lot of shy and introverted people gain that skill and knowledge working here and then take that talent elsewhere. If you want to progress and build your skills, there’s so many opportunities in tourism.