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 1995

Presenters
Miranda Harcourt & Jim Moriarty
Script
Dave Armstrong & Danny Mulheron
Judges
Mark Amery - Capital Times
Laurie Atkinson - The Evening Post
Sudan Budd - The Dominion
Patricia Cooke - The Dominion Sunday Time
Denis Welch - New Zealand Listener
New New Zealand Play of the Year
Saving Grace by Duncan Sarkies
Also nominated:
F.I.L.T.H. by Anthony McCarten
Nga Pou Wahine by Briar Grace Smith
Production of the Year
Think of a Garden directed by Nathaniel Lees
Also nominated:
Good Works directed by Cathy Downes
F.I.L.T.H. directed by Ross Jolly
BATS Theatre Production of the Year
The Iron Mistress
Circa Theatre Production of the Year
Arcadia
Downstage Theatre Production of the Year
Takitoru
Taki Rua/Depot Theatre Production of the Year
Think of a Garden
Most Original Production of the Year
Takitoru directed by Jan Bolwell, Keri Kaa, Sunny Amey
Also nominated:
The Iron Mistress directed by Annie Ruth
A Long Undressing performed by Michael Parmenter, directed by Cathy Downes
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year
Simon Ferry
Also nominated:
Craig Muller
Jeremy Scrivener
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year
Rachel House
Also nominated:
Anna Cameron
Blanche Rawiri
Costume Designer of the Year
Donna Jefferis
Also nominated:
Dorita Hannah
John Parker
Lighting Designer of the Year
Phil Blackburn
Also nominated:
Tony Rabbit
Helen Todd
Set Designer of the Year nominees (winner not known)
Dorita Hannah
John Parker
Amanda Yates & Justine Clark
Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Stephen Gledhill
Also nominated:
Peter Hambleton
Roy Ward
Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Sima Urale
Also nominated:
Nancy Brunning
Jennifer Ludlam
Best Short Play of the Year
Nga Pou Wahine by Briar Grace Smith
Also nominated:
Action Replay by Toby Manhire
Fold by Jo Randerson
Significant Contribution to Theatre
Richard Campion
Female Actor of the Year
Katherine McRae
Also nominated:
Miranda Harcourt
Perry Piercy
Male Actor of the Year
Stephen Lovatt
Also nominated:
Jonathon Hendry
Nathaniel Lees
Director of the Year
Nathaniel Lees - Think of a Garden
Also nominated:
Cathy Downes
Ralph McAllister
