Blog
This is a place to be inspired and have your imagination and the realm of possibilities challenged. Weta has always encompassed a feeling of escapism from the real world and this new Auckland experience will truly allow your creative side to fly
Weta Workshop Unleashed
The wonderful world of Weta Workshop has unleashed on Auckland City.
This is a place to be inspired and have your imagination and the realm of possibilities challenged. Weta has always encompassed a feeling of escapism from the real world and this new Auckland experience will truly allow your creative side to fly free.
Weta Workshop Unleashed is an extension of their creative work and reflects all the talented people who work with, and are guided by, their creative leaders Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodgers. It was a wonderful bonus to meet with Sir Richard Taylor on our early Tour of the experience before it opened to the public. It was a great chance to get a personalised account of all the hard work that has gone into this new Weta experience.
 |
So what can you expect to see at Weta Workshop Unleashed?
Some of Weta’s new creations of miniatures, bigatures, sci fi environments, digital interactive games, creatures, prosthetics, animatronics and the odd bit of horror and jump scares! This will definitely get your creative side buzzing and just maybe you will leave this experience feeling empowered to become the next amazing artist or digital designer to work with the extraordinary team at Weta.
Come without any pre conceived ideas or expectations. Prepare to be wowed and totally absorbed in your surroundings. Take in as much as possible in each environment you are guided through. Weta Workshop Unleashed will be our first stop on our 14 Day Tours. In no way does it replace our Weta Workshop Wellington activities, which is totally focused on all things Lord of the Rings and Hobbit - our core passion. However, it adds a fantastic and immersive experience that any Lord of the Rings fan will appreciate and love. The retail space at Auckland Unleashed is more focused on the Weta creative aspect, whereas the Wellington Weta Cave is still our holy shrine of shopping for all things Rings and Hobbit film related.
We also visited Auckland’s new All Blacks Experience, situated in the same building as Weta Unleashed. This activity is completely based around the world famous mighty ‘All Blacks’, New Zealand’s national Rugby team. This experience includes a 45 minute guided experience, 4 interactive zones and an awesome New Zealand Haka experience, with excellent Maori and Kiwi guides. They also have a great retail space with all things All Blacks related, including the option to buy a personalised famous All Blacks representative shirt to take home. This is a fun optional activity we can arrange for you to do before or after your Red Carpet Tour with us.
What’s happening in 2021?
It’s with great excitement and relief that we see the world start to roll out their COVID-19 vaccines, which will hopefully lead to herd immunity and the return to semi-normal life. Future travel in 2021 to New Zealand is looking positive and will most likely involve a health passport for our borders to open to international tourists again. We are keeping up to date with all travel updates and information regarding border openings. Requirements will be clearly advised to our passengers as soon as our government releases them. Please check our Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions on our website for our Covid-19 policies and procedures. Your safety and comfort is paramount to us here at Red Carpet Tours.
We are really looking forward to guiding you on new adventures in 2021 and 2022, all booking dates are available on our website.
Stay safe, we can’t wait to see you here again in Middle-earth. Have a very happy New Year!
From the team at Red Carpet Tours
What people have said
My second tour through Middle Earth (New Zealand) was just as wonderful as the first, the locations you are taken to are just amazing. Best suited for people with interest in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, you make so many friends throughout your journey that you become your own...
Lisa S
Passion has been forged into the Red Carpet tours. Years of relationships with the artists, land owners, and businesses has created an unforgettable experience. The Red Carpet team guide you on a journey that is not just visiting locations, but creating a sense of joy and wonder for New Zealand....
Joshua W
Red Carpet Tours truly delivered something special. From the moment it began, everything felt smooth and easy. I never had to worry about logistics or timing, which let me fully enjoy the experience. Julie guided us through the North Island with incredible knowledge of Aotearoa and Māori...
Bradley S
I will start my review by saying it was the best trip I’ve ever had. The Red Carpet Tours can offer you the best about Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. Julie is so knowledgeable and passionate about the movies and that makes our experience unforgettable. I loved listening to her talk...
Isabele P
This is the best and ONLY way for a LOtR/Hobbit fan to experience New Zealand. Julie and her team are fantastic, knowledgeable people who, you can tell, put so much time and effort into making sure your experience with them is an amazing one! You will not regret choosing them as your guides...
Stephanie B
There is a reason that this company is the premier in its field. I’ve been home for almost a week now and I’m still struggling to comprehend how incredible my experience with Red Carpet Tours was. This was hands down one of the best things I ever have, and likely ever will do in my...
Taylor K
One Tour to Rule Them All – Red Carpet Tours is Middle-earth Made Real This was not just a holiday. It was a quest, and our Fellowship—36 true Lord of the Rings fans from around the globe—was led by none other than Julie, our gracious Gandalf. Wise, hilarious, full of...
Matt J
"Exceptional! Marvellous! Outstanding! Just a few of the words I could use to describe how fabulous the Red Carpet Tours winter Lord of the Rings tour was. The organisation from beginning to end couldn’t be faulted. Hotels were carefully selected for location and quality. The days...
Judith S
From first contact with the James family, and the Lord of the Rings-Red Carpet Tours, you are in the best of hands. You expect so much on the tour but you receive so much more. I came back from my first tour believing I'd never have a better, truly satisfying experience, and they could...
Barbara S
Red Carpet Tours is a fabulous company - been with them 3 times. I agree with others posted here that it is the BEST way to see New Zealand, especially if you are a "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" fan - and even if you're not! From all the Magnificent New Zealand...
John N