Wētā Workshop Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Richard Taylor was honoured at the 2024 China Business Awards, winning the New Zealand China Council Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand – China Business Relationship.

The award recognises the achievements of an individual or organisation that has demonstrated long-term contribution through areas such as vision, commitment and/or success to either their organisation, industry or the overall New Zealand and China relationship.

The award was collected on behalf of Taylor by Wētā Workshop Chief Operating Officer Dave Wilks at the event in Auckland, alongside Wētā Workshop Chief Executive Officer Tania Rodger.

Wētā Workshop has had a long history in China, working on a variety of projects including specialty props, replicas (including 10 full-sized Lancaster Bombers) and collectible lines, as well as large-scale immersive visitor experiences. Most recently, the company scooped an international THEA Award for Aura: The Forest at the Edge of the Sky, a groundbreaking immersive retail experience in Hainan, and delved into the ‘future-verse’ with pop star, Jay Chou, on the J-Verse.