Miramar is Wellington’s eastern film hub — a peninsula suburb that has become internationally known as the home of Wētā Workshop, Wētā FX, Park Road Post Production and the broader network of creative companies associated with director Peter Jackson. The nickname “Wellywood” refers specifically to Miramar’s place in world cinema since the late 1990s. Beyond the film industry, Miramar is a substantial, long-established residential suburb on the Miramar Peninsula, with a commercial centre, good schools, and easy access to the eastern bays.
About Miramar
| Location | Miramar Peninsula, eastern Wellington |
| Character | Established residential suburb, international film industry hub |
| Key attraction | Wētā Workshop Experiences, Wētā Cave |
| Peninsula history | Miramar Borough Council formed 1904; electric trams arrived 1907 |
History of the Peninsula
The Miramar Peninsula was separated from the mainland as an island until an earthquake around 1460 AD raised the land, joining it to the mainland at the Rongotai isthmus. European settlement began in earnest in the 1840s; by the 1890s almost all the peninsula was farmland. Urbanisation began in 1902 with the auction of 132 residential sections, the Miramar Borough Council was formed in 1904, and the first electric tram reached the peninsula in 1907. The borough was incorporated into Wellington City in 1921.
The Film Industry
Wētā Workshop, founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger, is headquartered in Miramar. The workshop produced special effects, creatures and props for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, District 9 and many other major productions. Visitors can experience the Wētā Workshop Experiences (including guided tours with viewing windows into the workshop) and the Wētā Cave gift store and exhibition.
Wētā FX (formerly Weta Digital) and Park Road Post Production are also based in Miramar, making the suburb a genuine world-class centre for visual effects and post-production work.
What Visitors Say
“The Weta Workshop tour is one of the best things to do in Wellington — you get to see real props from major films and watch craftspeople at work. Completely worth it.” — TripAdvisor
“Miramar is more than just the film stuff — it’s a proper neighbourhood with good cafes, family-friendly parks and easy access to the beautiful eastern bays.” — Lonely Planet
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Miramar, New Zealand covers the suburb’s history and character.
Wētā Workshop Experiences has information about guided tours of the famous special effects studio in Miramar.
Enterprise Miramar Peninsula — History has a detailed history of the Miramar Peninsula from pre-European times to the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Miramar?
On the Miramar Peninsula, east of Wellington’s city centre. The suburb is about 6km from the CBD.
What is Wētā Workshop?
A world-leading special effects and prop-making studio founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger, known for the Lord of the Rings, Hobbit and Avatar films. Guided tours are available.
What is “Wellywood”?
A nickname for Wellington (particularly Miramar) as a film-making hub, a play on “Hollywood.” The term reflects the international reputation of Wellington’s film industry.
Can you visit Wētā Workshop?
Yes — Wētā Workshop Experiences offers guided tours that include viewing windows into the active workshop, plus the Wētā Cave gift store and exhibition. Book in advance.
What other film companies are in Miramar?
Wētā FX (visual effects) and Park Road Post Production are also based in Miramar, making it a comprehensive hub for film post-production.
What is Miramar like as a residential suburb?
Established, family-oriented and practical, with a local shopping centre, schools, parks and easy access to the Miramar Peninsula’s coastline.
When was Miramar Borough formed?
In 1904. It was incorporated into Wellington City in 1921.
What beaches are near Miramar?
The suburb is surrounded by the Miramar Peninsula’s coastline — Scorching Bay, Karaka Bay and Evans Bay are all accessible from the suburb.
The Wellington Suburbs hub covers all Wellington suburbs. Seatoun is at the eastern tip of the Miramar Peninsula, one of Wellington’s most affluent coastal suburbs. Kilbirnie is the main hub suburb immediately to the west of Miramar.
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