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 2011



Wellington Opera House
Master of Ceremonies
Emma Kinane
Artistic Producer & Director
Tim Gordon, assisted by Sophie Hambleton & Kate McGill
Judges
Laurie Atkinson - The Dominion Post
Uther Dean - Salient
Lynn Freeman - Capital Times
Elspeth Sandys - New Zealand Listener
John Smythe - Theatreview
Arbiters
Michael Wray
Sharon Wray
Critics' Wild Card Award
Johann Nortje for his body of work as an AV Designer on Hear to See, When the Rain Stops Falling, and Wake Less
Downstage Theatre Award for the Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year
Simon K Leary - Mates & Lovers
Also nominated:
James Tito - Awhi Tapu
Anthony Young - The Motor Camp
Circa Award Donated by TACT for the Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year
Lauren Gibson - August: Osage County
Also nominated:
Chelsea Bognuda - Eight
Florence Mulheron - The Motor Camp
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School & Victoria University of Wellington Award for Most Promising Director of the Year
Jason Te Kare - I, George Nepia
Also nominated:
Hannah Smith - The Engine Room
Alison Walls - Fuddy Meers
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year Sponsored by Bats Theatre & Taki Rua Productions
Ralph McCubbin Howell - The Engine Room
Also nominated:
Paul Baker - Meet the Churchills
Sophie Roberts and Chelsie Preston-Crayford - Broken China
Grouse Lighting Award for Lighting Designer of the Year
Marcus McShane - When the Rain Stops Falling
Also nominated:
Jennifer Lal - Crossing Lines
Nathan McKendry - Awhi Tapu
Weta Workshop Award for Set Designer of the Year
Andrew Foster - The Lead Wait
Also nominated:
John Hodgkins - When the Rain Stops Falling
Tony Rabbit - On the Upside-Down of the World
Brancott Estate Award for Costume Designer of the Year
Gillie Coxill - The Spy Who Wouldn't Die Again
Also nominated:
Dawa Devereux - The Engine Room
Sheila Horton - When the Rain Stops Falling
Park Road Post Production Sound Designer of the Year
Chris Ward - The Lead Wait
Also nominated:
Thomas Press - Awhi Tapu
Tane Upjohn-Beatson - The Engine Room
The Mayor's Award for Excellence
Jim Moriarty
Constance Scott Kirkcaldie Award for Outstanding Composer of Music
Richard Nunns - Hear to See
Also nominated:
Miriama Ketu-McKenzie - I, George Nepia
Gareth Hobbs - When the Rain Stops Falling
Absolutely Positive Award for Most Original Production of the Year
Hear to See - Capital E National Theatre for Children
Also nominated:
The Spy Who Wouldn't Die Again - SEEyD Theatre Company in partnership with Downstage
This Rugged Beauty - Binge Culture Collective
The Playmarket / Capital E National Theatre for Children - Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year
Slouching Toward Bethlehem - Dean Parker
Also nominated:
I, George Nepia - Hone Kouka
Joseph and Mahina - Thomas Sainsbury
Whitierea Performing Arts and Chapman Tripp Award for Supporting Actor of the Year
Christopher Brougham - When the Rain Stops Falling
Also nominated:
Simon Vincent - Our Man in Havana
Jason Whyte - August: Osage County
The Orbit Corporate Travel Award for Supporting Actress of the Year
Erin Banks - The Engine Room
Also nominated:
Sophie Hambleton - When the Rain Stops Falling
Jane Waddell - August: Osage County
For the following four categories there are seven nominees:
Michelle Amas - August: Osage County
Laurel Devenie - On the Upside-Down of the World
Alex Greig - The Engine Room
Phil Grieve - Slouching Toward Bethlehem
Jennifer Ludlam - August: Osage County
Jarod Rawiri - I, George Nepia
Jason Whyte - When the Rain Stops Falling
Emerging Arts Trust Wellington Accolade for Outstanding Performance
Michelle Amas - August: Osage County
eCaster Accolade for Outstanding Performance
Phil Grieve - Slouching Toward Bethlehem
Chapman Tripp Award for Actress of the Year
Jennifer Ludlam - August: Osage County
The ProActors and Gail Cowan Management Award for Actor of the Year
Jarod Rawiri - I, George Nepia
The Museum Hotel Award for Director of the Year
Jason Te Kare - I, George Nepia
Also nominated:
David Lawrence - Slouching Toward Bethlehem
Leo Gene Peters - Ahwi Tapu
Chapman Tripp Award for Production of the Year
I, George Nepia - Tawata Productions
Also nominated:
Awhi Tapu - Taki Rua Productions
When the Rain Stops Falling - Circa Theatre
