Before I moved to Wellington, I would visit the Weta Cave in Miramar every time I was in town. It was always a different experience, with new sculptures and figurines on display, and there is a short movie that is shown with an insight into the creative back rooms and different department.
These days there are also tours – for the workshop, miniatures, and various hands-on experiences for make-up and sculpting.
The Weta Cave itself is free. I recommend a visit, whether you’re a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan, have an interest in Peter Jackson’s older works like Bad Taste, or just want to learn more about the world of film.
If you do want a tour, book in advance. They have an online website for shopping various replicas but the Weta Cave has so much more (and starting from much lower prices).