Wētā Workshop, a creative services company combining artistry and innovation, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Arabian creative organisation Rukun at the New Zealand Trade Delegation Partnership event, hosted at the New Zealand Official Residence in Riyadh and attended by NZ Minister of Trade and Investment Hon Todd McClay.
The MOU aims to establish a foundation for robust creative and cultural exchange between the companies prior to Expo 2030.
McClay says: “This agreement not only solidifies our commitment to mutual growth, but opens up a myriad of future opportunities in Saudi Arabia for New Zealand companies. It’s a welcome boost for our creative industry, building on New Zealand’s reputation for creativity and innovation.”
Founded in Riyadh by HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Rukun is a respected creative exchange that champions creativity, personal development, and social impact.
A key aspect of this new partnership will involve joint training, skills development, and knowledge sharing, enabling both teams to grow together and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s creative economy.
Global expertise meets local insight
Wētā Workshop co-CEO and chief operating officer David Wilks says, “Our focus is to create world-class cultural and experiential destinations that embody Saudi Arabia’s heritage while projecting a bold vision for the future with Saudi Vision 2030.
“By pairing Wētā Workshop’s global expertise in storytelling and immersive design with Rukun’s local insight and networks, we can deliver projects that resonate deeply with Saudi audience.”
Founded over a decade ago as a creative design studio, Rukun has quickly become a pioneer in the creative industry. The organisation has become adept at bringing together local and international stakeholders to drive creative and cultural growth, resulting in significant benefits for the creative sector.
HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, founder and CEO, Rukun Creative Exchange, says: “We see this MOU as the beginning of shared work that will contribute to cultural knowledge and open new pathways for exchange.
“At Rukun, we believe that these partnerships are not only about sharing resources but also about shaping the cultural landscape in ways that endure. This MOU is a step toward that vision.”
Wētā Workshop is rapidly establishing itself as a key player in the global immersive experience market, having delivered major projects in China and the Middle East over the past few years. The Alif Mobility Pavilion, created for Expo 2020 Dubai, marked Wētā Workshop’s first project in the Middle East and has since become a permanent fixture in the Emirate.
The company’s latest project, a five-storey, 36,000 sqm Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Center, opened in China earlier this year.
