Wellington Branch Annual Dinner and Emerging Director winner announcement

Networking

Speaker(s): David Wilks, Phil Royal
Date: 6:00pm — 9:30pm, 15 October 2026
Venue: Public Trust Hall
Location: 131-135 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Price members: $150.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $170.00 incl GST

Overview

At a time when many Wellingtonians are facing uncertainty and change, this year's Annual Dinner celebrates the resilience, innovation and optimism that continue to define our region.

Hear from Wētā Workshop CEO David Wilks and Chair Phil Royal as they share the story of one of Wellington's greatest success stories. From its beginnings nearly 40 years ago to becoming a globally recognised creative company, they'll explore the board's role in supporting ambition, navigating challenges and creating the conditions for growth.

A highlight of the evening will be announcing the 2026 Wellington Branch Emerging Director Award winner, recognising an outstanding emerging governance leader and celebrating the next generation of directors shaping Wellington's future.

Join fellow directors for an inspiring evening exploring what boards can learn from organisations where adaptability, informed risk-taking and realistic optimism are key to success.

David Wilks

David is the co-CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Wētā Workshop, an internationally award-winning design and manufacturing facility co-founded by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger. Wētā Workshop is renowned for its work on films such as The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and Dune, and for delivering world-class immersive experiences including the Dubai Expo Mobility Pavilion, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Centre, and Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War. Together with Richard and Tania, David has driven the company’s expansion into consumer products, video games, and a rapidly growing tourism division.

He also serves on the boards of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and WellingtonNZ. He has previously held governance roles as a trustee or director of i-SITE NZ, Destination Great Lake Taupō, BNZ Save the Kiwi, and Qualmark.

Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.

Branch event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.