Oscar-winning costume designer, Ngila Dickson, has been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage announced today.

Ngila Dickson is well known to New Zealanders having won multiple awards and accolades. She will provide the New Zealand Film Commission with a unique perspective through her technical practitioner lens and expansive experience of the industry said Pou Mataaho o Te Aka Deputy Chief Executive, Policy and Sector Performance, Emily Fabling. 

“In addition to her expertise and knowledge of filmmaking, Ngila Dickson understands the pressures and needs of the industry both domestically and internationally.

“I am very excited to welcome Ngila to the New Zealand Film Commission Board. Having such an influential, ground-breaking, wahine toa join the Board is a win for the film industry.”

Ngila Dickson’s appointment for a three-year-term coincides with board member John McCay’s term expiring. Ms Fabling said he had made a significant contribution to the Commission.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of John McCay. He possesses legal expertise combined with an extraordinary knowledge of the workings and nuances of the film industry and his efforts have enabled the New Zealand Film Commission to be in the strong position that it is.”

Biographical notes:

Ngila Dickson ONZM is an internationally renowned award-winning costume designer. She is best known for her work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 2003. She is also winner of a Bafta Award, Arts Foundation Laureate Award, and Costume Designers Guild Award. In 2004 she was awarded to the Order of New Zealand Merit for services to design and the film industry.