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January, 2011 Puzzling World has lodged $2.5 million plans to expand the popular, tricksy tourist attraction near Wanaka.Plans for an illusion hall and landscaped garden were announced last year, when Puzzling World's manager Duncan Spear said negotiations had started with Weta Workshop. Weta Workshop is renowned for its special effects and creature creations, and has worked on Sir Peter Jackson's Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong and sci-fi hit District 9. As a first step designers have built a life-size silicone dummy of Puzzling World's founder Stu Landsborough. Mr Spear, Mr Landsborough's son-in-law, said the firm aimed to open the new 536-square-metre indoor-outdoor attraction before the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The upgrade plans, which include an illusion hall with 20 new sculptures and a landscaped garden, were delayed when the recession was in full swing, Mr Spear said. A resource consent application was lodged with Lakes Environmental last month and the team hoped to start earthworks by Easter, he said. Plants will be grown in a "living wall" designed by Natural Habitats Landscapes in Queenstown. "We feel we're ready to grow the business," Mr Spear said. "We just turned 37 recently and we've been working hard to get all the sculpture ideas in place." Weta Workshop general manager Tim Launder said the team was excited to be part of the project and wished Puzzling World all the best. Puzzling World's attractions include leaning towers, a forced perspective room, a maze and a hologram hall. The attraction, opened by Mr Landsborough in 1973, welcomes about 160,000 visitors each year. Source: The Southland Times
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