From 1930s New York to Skull Island, Wellington stood in for virtually every location in ‘King Kong’. The range and versatility of the region’s locations, plus the world-class special effects facilities made Wellington an ideal base for the production.

A still from the movie ‘King Kong’. The giant black gorilla opens its mouth in a roar.

Oscar-winning Kiwi director Peter Jackson used stunning local landscapes and locations in his 2005 remake of the classic film ‘King Kong’ — the movie that inspired him to become a filmmaker.

Based in Miramar, Wellington, the production used the world world-class facilities of Stone Street Studios, Wētā Workshop, Wētā FX, and Park Road Post Production.

1930s New York

A vacant plot of land in the industrial area of Lower Hutt became New York, just 20 minutes from central Wellington. Filming for scenes set in the Broadway theatre from which ‘King Kong’ makes his escape took place in Wellington’s historic Opera House. One of the largest proscenium arch theatres of its kind in Australasia. Extra filming was at the Auckland Civic Theatre, an hour’s flight from Wellington.

Ocean scenes

Ocean scenes aboard the steamship Venture were filmed on the Kāpiti Coast, 45 minutes from Wellington city centre, and the Cook Strait, a stretch of water between Wellington and the South Island. Meanwhile, Miramar Wharf stood in for scenes at the pier, just around the corner from the film production facilities.

Cost-effective

Similarly, a large-scale set built above Shelly Bay included the native village and giant wall which separated Kong from the rest of the island — a minute’s drive from the production facilities. Filming for the Skull Island “dinosaur run” scene took place at nearby Lyall Bay.

Creating movie magic

From motion capture to making miniatures, all visual effects took place in Wellington. Wellington companies brought the world of ‘King Kong’ to life. Including Wētā FX and Wētā Workshop, which built detailed miniature models for the 800 or so miniature shots in the film. Wētā FX won an Academy Award® for its work on the epic movie.

Looking for more?

At start of items
Actors Jim Moriarty and Korban Knock while filming ’Secrets at Red Rocks‘.

Winter on Wellington’s moody south coast brings the drama

A beloved youth-adult novel and Wellington’s wild south coast come to life in a new drama series that brings Celtic myth to a New Zealand setting.

Charlie Faulks, animator of 'Bloke of the Apocolypse' wears a brown tee-shirt, jacket and khaki pants, smiles and sits on a living room couch.

Dreams become reality for young Wellington animator

Charlie Faulks is a self-taught Wellington animator and has received $500,000 in funding to produce his own web series.

Head and shoulders of actress/director/writer Awa Puna. She is looking directly at the camera and posing against a plain brown background.

Screen siren – in front of and behind the camera

The lure of film has been strong since childhood for Awa Puna. Whether editing, directing, or acting it feeds her need to tell stories. One such story is showing at the 2024 Māoriland Film Festival.

Accelerator Project’s Jon Kroll and Melissa Conway are behind the scenes with ‘Extreme Cake Sports’ producer Bevin Linkhorn.

Screen project launches producer onto international stage

As part of Wellington’s Screen Accelerator Project, ‘Extreme Cake Sports’ producer Bevin Linkhorn has interest from a Hollywood producer.

Four people standing at a podium on stage at the New Zealand Youth Film Festival.

Wellington celebrates creative screen talent

Wellington is living up to its coveted title as a UNESCO City of Film hosting a celebration of creative screen talent at the New Zealand Youth Film Festival awards.

A production still from the series After the Party filmed in Wellington. Penny (played by Robyn Malcolm), wearing a helmet and a beige blouse, rides a bicycle on a road with a blurry seagull taking flight in the foreground.

Wellington impresses ‘After the Party’ producer

New Zealand’s latest drama ‘After The Party’ is the very first series leading Australian producer Helen Bowden has made in Wellington.

An iconic scene from the Lord of the Rings Film where Frodo Baggins is lying on the ground, reaching upward and the ring is falling onto his finger.

‘Lord of the Rings’ — creating the impossible

Sir Peter Jackson’s blockbuster trilogy ‘The Lord of the Rings’ put Wellington on the map as a major film-making destination.

A still of Bilbo Baggins from 'The Hobbit' film.

The Hobbit — the middle of Middle-earth

With easy access to dramatic locations and home to world-leading special effects, and the acclaimed producer of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Peter Jackson. Where else would you make ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy but Wellington?

A still from the film 'Avatar' from 2009.

‘Avatar’ — a technological revolution

James Cameron’s film ‘Avatar’ — the highest-grossing of all time — was largely created in Wellington’s world-class facilities.

Two preteens sit in a blanket fort in the middle of a wood-panneled room looking at each other and another person sits in a chair cross-legged to the right of the fort.

New Kiwi kids’ series a first for rainbow community

Supernatural comedy ‘Little Apocalypse’ is New Zealand’s first scripted children’s series by, for and about rainbow young people.