Join us at The Hannah on 6 December for the Wellington Theatre Awards, Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai 2026, celebrating excellence in theatre.
We are excited to announce our new creative team for 2026: Co-hosts Maeve O'Connell and Raureti Ormond, and Creative Director, Parekawa Finlay.
For more information, please go to News page.
Photography Credit: Renati Waaka
Nominations open for 2027 Judging Panel
We are seeking expressions of interest for three new judges to join our wonderful judging panel for 2027! This is a volunteer position. For more information, please go to Current Vacancies page. Or submit your nomination here:
Nominations open for 2026 Community &
Backstage Awards
⭐️ Community Awards: We invite you to submit your nominations for individuals or companies that have made a significant and positive impact on our community in their work and practice across the last year for a
Especially those whose efforts are behind the scenes and sometimes go unnoticed - from Ushers, Volunteers, Publicists and all our unsung heroes across Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
⭐️ Backstage Award: We invited you to submit your nominations to recognise the theatre practitioners that work backstage and have demonstrated excellence vital to the success of theatre in Wellington this year. The Backstage Award is open to nominations from the wider sector and the winner is selected by the judges.
The specific roles that are eligible are Operators, Production Managers, Stage Managers. This can be summed up as: Excellence in the fields of Technical Operation (Sound, Lighting, Vision) or Arts Management (Stage, Production or Technical).
Community Award Nominations and Backstage Award Nominations also close at 10pm on Thursday 12th November 2026.
Submit your nomination here:
The 2026 Awards are proudly supported by:
Wellington Theatre Awards 1993
Presenters
Stuart Devenie & Katie Wolfe
Awards Co-host
Sheilah Winn C.B.E.
Judges
Laurie Atkinson - The Evening Post
Susan Budd - The Dominion
Patricia Cooke - The Dominion Sunday Time
Bronwyn Trudgeon - Capital Times
Denis Welch - New Zealand Listener
New New Zealand Play of the Year
Farewell Speech by Cathy Downes, adapted from Rachel McAlpine
Also nominated:
Love Knots by Vivienne Plumb
Ophelia Thinks Harder by Jean Betts
BATS Theatre Production of the Year
Verbatim
Circa Theatre Production of the Year
A Doll's House
Downstage Theatre Production of the Year
Glengarry Glen Ross
Taki Rua/Depot Theatre Production of the Year
Cracks
Most Original Production of the Year
Ophelia Thinks Harder directed by Jean Betts
Also nominated:
The Contest directed by Justine Simei-Barton
The Temptation directed by Ken Duncum
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year
Andrew Scott
Also nominated:
Shimpal Lelesi
Stelios Yiakmis
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year
Lara Matheson
Also nominated:
Bronwyn Bradley
Claire Waldron
Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Jonathon Hendry
Also nominated:
Brian Manasuate
Stephen Lovatt
Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Ellie Smith
Also nominated:
Kate Harcourt
Donna Akersten
Costume Designer of the Year
Kate Hawley
Also nominated:
Jean Betts
Prunella Wilde
Lighting Designer of the Year
Paul O'Brien
Also nominated:
Phil Blackburn
Tony Rabbit
Set Designer of the Year
Prunella Wilde
Also nominated:
Andrew Moyes
Grant Tilly
Mayor's Award for Contribution to Theatre
Michael Haigh
Male Actor of the Year
Grant Tilly
Also nominated:
Michael Haigh
Peter Hambleton
Female Actor of the Year
Miranda Harcourt
Also nominated:
Jennifer Ludlam
Carol Smith
Director of the Year
Colin McColl - A Doll's House
Also nominated:
Stuart Devenie
William Walker
Production of the Year
A Doll's House directed by Colin McColl
Also nominated:
Farewell Speech directed by Stuart Devenie
Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love directed by Ralph McAllister