Wētā Workshop signs MOU with leading Saudi organisation Rukun ahead of Expo 2030

Wētā Workshop has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabian creative organisation Rukun at the New Zealand Trade Delegation Partnership event held at the New Zealand Official Residence in Riyadh with NZ Minister of Trade and Investment Hon Todd McClay. The MOU aims to set up a foundation for strong creative and cultural exchange between the companies ahead of Expo 2030. 

Minister for Trade and Investment, Hon Todd McClay, says, “this agreement not only solidifies our commitment to mutual growth, but opens up a myriad of future opportunities in Saudi Arabia for New Zealand companies. It’s a welcome boost for our creative industry, building on New Zealand’s reputation for creativity and innovation.”

Rukun is a renowned creative exchange founded in Riyadh by HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which focuses on promoting creativity, personal development, and social impact.  A key part of this new partnership will include mutual training, skills development, and knowledge exchange, ensuring both teams grow together and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s creative economy.   

Wētā Workshop Co-CEO and Chief Operating Officer David Wilks says, “Our focus is to create world-class cultural and experiential destinations that embody Saudi Arabia’s heritage while projecting a bold vision for the future with Saudi Vision 2030.

“By pairing Wētā Workshop’s global expertise in storytelling and immersive design with Rukun’s local insight and networks, we can deliver projects that resonate deeply with Saudi audience,” Wilks adds.   

While Rukun began more than ten years ago as a creative design studio, it has fast established itself as a leading light in the creative industry.  The organisation has become adept at bringing together local and international stakeholders to foster creative and cultural development, achieving valuable impacts for the creative sector.

HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Founder and CEO, Rukun Creative Exchange says, “We see this MOU as the beginning of shared work that will contribute to cultural knowledge and open new pathways for exchange. 

“At Rukun, we believe that these partnerships are not only about sharing resources but also about shaping the cultural landscape in ways that endure. This MOU is a step toward that vision,” HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud adds. 

Wētā Workshop is fast establishing itself in the global immersive experience space, having delivered major projects in both China and the Middle East over the last few years. The Alif Mobility Pavilion, created for Expo 2020 Dubai, was Wētā Workshop’s first project in the Middle East, and it has since remained a permanent attraction for the Emirate. Wētā Workshop’s latest project, a five-storey high, 36,000 sqm Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Center, opened in China earlier this year.

Find out more about our Immersive Experiences work here.