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After starting life as a child actor aged 9, over the next 15 years I acted in films, plays, and television. However, in order to be a working artist in Aotearoa New Zealand you have to also learn the other jobs. So I have worked in lighting and sound and I have been a director, as well.
I moved to stand up comedy and set up tours for myself and others around the country for about 6 years. In this time helped start the careers of a number of Aotearoa New Zealand's top comics today.
I currently work as a stage and site manager on some of the biggest events and productions in the Country. Which I have done with my partner for a number of years now.
During all of this I have worked in tourism, as well. Conducting tours all over the country from chocolate to nature to film, t his has given me all kinds of funny, crazy and interesting stories I’d like to share on tour with you today.
Kia ora
Ko Robbie tōku ingoa / My name is Robbie. Wellington is my home (my tūrangawaewae -
my "place of belonging") and I have been privileged to have been showing people around my home for ten years. I started after returning to NZ from working on cruise ships and I love what I do: I get to share stories of this beautiful land, this amazing city. I love to point out some of the hidden secrets of Wellington, delve into our history, and share some of our Māori culture with our wonderful visitors. I also get to share my experiences of what it was like to be an extra on one of the biggest film series ever made - LotR.
Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Welcome to Wellington. I look forward to
meeting you.
A photographer by trade and tour guide for enjoyment. As a photographer I have
travelled the world extensively and to every continent many times over. It is then
when I also grew a passion for travel which in turn was providing me with life long
memories. These experiences also allowed me to work in the UK and Europe as a
tour guide. My season's in Antarctica as a photographer also provided me the
opportunity to work for one season as a member of their Antarctic Expedition Team
as a Zodiac Driver and Field Guide. Upon returning home to Wellington I decided I
would like a change so I bought a local cafe and worked my butt off for 4 years
before selling the business to one of my regular customers. I'm now back where my
passion lies with travel and tour guiding. The best part of this job is seeing people /
tourists with smiles that will also become their life long memories. Of course all of
this is made easy in Wellington which, given all my travel destinations, is definitely
one of the loveliest cities in the world for many reasons.
Grant has been a The Lord of the Rings fanatic since Middle Earth fever gripped his
home town of Wellington in 2000.
Grant is an avid history buff, completing a BA Hons (First Class) in history at Victoria
University in the 1990s. After a twenty-five year side trip in government policy he has
wandered back onto the road to his true passion of story-telling in the last few years.
Grant is very proud and passionate about Wellington City, and the homegrown
success of the Wellywood film industry on the global stage. He is keen to share his
passion with Middle Earth pilgrims from all over the globe.Grant also works for the national museum (Te Papa Tongarewa) as a host and is a
guide at Wellington's world-first urban-based ecosanctuary Zealandia.
A keen runner, Grant has managed to combine his passions, being referred to as
"New Zealand's fastest hobbit" after placing fifth overall and the highest-placed
fully-dressed hobbit at the inaugural Halfling Marathon at Hobbiton in 2021.
"A hobbit is never late either".
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Looking after our finances and assets.
Originally from Sheffield in the UK, I first came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2009 as a backpacker. I
was only here for 2 months, but this country definitely made an impression on me and I returned at
the end of 2012 armed with little more than a toothbrush and Working Holiday Visa.
Having studied Film and TV Design at University, I thought Wellington would be a great place to
come to perhaps rekindle my desire to get into the industry, being after all the home of my favourite
film – The Lord of the Rings. That hasn’t quite worked out, although I have done some bits and
pieces of film work here and there. Instead, the opportunity arose to spend my takes talking about
films and sharing my knowledge and passion for Middle-earth with people from all over the world.
A little hiatus due to Covid aside, I have been in the industry for 10 years. Though, even the enforced
change in career allowed to work for Predator Free Wellington and build some connections in the
Conservation field as well as expand my appreciation for the native bird species in this country. It’s
difficult not to become enamoured with the unique birds in this country, and to say that I’ve helped
play a small part in their resurrection in Wellington makes me very proud.
