Deal propels Wingnut to new markets
Sir Peter Jackson will use his Weta Workshop business to take his passion for aircraft to new heights.
Weta Workshop has acquired the online distribution rights for Wingnut Wings, Jackson’s scale model kitset company, which will make Weta its largest online distributor.
Wingnut Wings, which makes model kitsets of World War I aircraft, was fuelled by Jackson’s interest in modelmaking and vintage aircraft.
‘‘For someone like me, who grew up making World War I models, Wingnut Wings is really a dream company. We’re just a bunch of like-minded people who have been lucky enough to take their hobby to another level,’’ Jackson said.
Staffed by a small team on the Miramar Peninsula, the business has grown from humble beginnings.
It began with an early run of four models in 2009 and now boasts an extensive collection that, in addition to kitsets, includes a small range of hand-crafted miniature soldiers.
Staff consult original factory drawings where possible, along with historical and contemporary photographs before creating models.
They also work closely with industry experts – among them, New Zealand aircraft restoration and manufacturing company The Vintage Aviator.
The business has catered for the specialist collector market, with models previously only sold via its website and a select group of specialist hobby shops in New Zealand and overseas.
Weta Workshop spokesman Erik Hay said partnering with the workshop, which had a larger customer base, would increase international distribution for Wingnut Wings and open it up to new markets.
The agreement coincides with the launch of Weta Workshop’s revamped online store.
Weta boss Sir Richard Taylor’s collectables business has proven to be an important part of the empire, keeping Weta Workshop financially buoyant between movies.
Sales in its collectables range were up 40 per cent on the same time last year, which has been attributed to greater awareness of the Weta Workshop brand, particularly in China.
Fans worldwide snap up figures and miniatures, weapons, jewellery and prints from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogys, as well as children’s entertainment and video games.