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 1994
Bruce Phillips
Michelle Amas
Grant Tilly, Ray Henwood
New New Zealand Play of the Year
Nga Tangata Toa by Hone Kouka, Taki Rua/Depot Theatre
BATS Theatre Production of the Year
City of Hands
Circa Theatre Production of the Year
Angels in America
Downstage Theatre Production of the Year
Lovelock's Dream Run
Taki Rua/Depot Theatre Production of the Year
Nga Tangata Toa
Most Original Production of the Year
City of Hands directed by Stephen Bain - BATS Theatre
Most Promising Male Newcomer
Bradley Carroll - Lovelock's Dream Run
Most Promising Female Newcomer
Hera Dunleavy - Beautiful Thing, Circa Theatre
Costume Designer of the Year
Dorita Hannah - Nga Tangata Toa, Taki Rua/Depot Theatre
Lighting Designer of the Year
Phil Blackburn - Angels in America, Circa Theatre
Set Designer of the Year
Andrew Moyes - Angels in America, Circa Theatre
Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Brian Sergent - I Hate Hamlet, Circa Theatre
Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Adele Chapman - Nora
Female Actor of the Year
Denise O'Connell - The Sisters Rosenwig, Circa Theatre
Male Actor of the Year
Grant Tilly - Angels in America
Significant Contribution to Theatre
Circa Theatre Council
Director of the Year
Susan Wilson - Angels in America
Production of the Year
Angels in America - Circa Theatre