Philippa Boyens - BA

Oscar winner Philippa Boyens, is one of New Zealand's most internationally respected screenwriters. She studied part-time for her BA majoring in English and History, and graduated in 1994.

Philippa is best known as principal script-writer, along with Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson, for the screen adaption of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings triology. This is the largest film project to date ever undertaken in New Zealand. The script was honoured with an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

In 2004 Philippa won an Oscar and a BAFTA for The Return of the King (Best Adapted Screenplay) and was nominated for both of these categories in 2002 for The Fellowship of the Ring. Her success in adapting Tolkien's work to the screen has helped bring international recognition for the New Zealand film industry and New Zealand in general. The script has been honoured with multiple screenplay nominations in various international cinema awards.

Philippa has more recently worked on Peter Jackson's script for the much anticipated remake of King Kong, released in December 2005.

Earlier in her career Philippa worked in theatre as a playwright, was a teacher, producer and editor, and was also the Director of the New Zealand Writer's Guild. In 2000 she was named by Variety magazine in its list of "Ten Best Writers to Watch".

Philippa received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006.