Community
Are you looking for a local board gaming group? Do you want to know about gaming conventions? Have you got a design that you want prototyped? Are you searching for a Kiwi publisher? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, you'll find some helpful starting points right here.
Jump to: Board Gaming Conventions
Board Gaming Groups
Boardgame groups are all over the country, and these are some of the ones that openly welcome newcomers. If you're in the area, make sure you say hello, but double-check with the organiser ahead of time that the meeting is still going ahead as scheduled. And if your group isn't here and you want it to be, make sure you contact us and let us know!
Auckland
What: East Auckland Board Gamers
Where: Howick War Memorial Hall, 91 Picton Street, Howick
When: First Saturday of the month, 2 pm to 6 pm. Other events during the month from time to time, promoted on the Facebook page.
Who: Jenny Naley - [email protected]
Notes: It's a new group so we are still working things out.
What: Freemans Bay Board Game Group
Where: Freemans Bay Community Hall, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay
When: Most Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM
Who: Richard Holtzhausen Email: [email protected]
Notes: We meet as part of the Auckland City Guard Games Club in the spacious council hall in Freemans Bay. Cost for board gaming: $2 per person which goes towards hall hire. Newcomers always welcome.
What: Mt Albert Board Games Group
Where: Mt Albert Baptist, 732 New North Road, Mt Albert
When: 2nd, 4th and 5th Tuesdays of each month, 7 PM to 11 PM
Who: Charles Grinter, [email protected]
Notes: Mt Albert Baptist is opposite Rocket Park and the War Memorial Hall. Gaming is held in the lounge which is the room attached on the side of the Church building. A gold coin donation is appreciated for the use of the venue.
What: North Shore Strategy Games
Where: East Coast Bays Community Centre, 2 Glen Road, Browns Bay
When: Every Wednesday, 7:00 PM
Who: Alistair Stafford, [email protected] or
https://www.northshoregamesgroup.com/
Notes: We are usually on the 2nd floor of the building – take a look at the whiteboard in the foyer if you get lost. Gold coin donation to pay for the venue. We also organise impromptu meetings via this Facebook group
What: The America Club
Where: Room 14, Commerce A Building, University of Auckland
When: Every Wednesday, 7 PM to 10:30 PM
Who: Karen Dransfield, [email protected] or http://www.theamericaclub.net.nz/
Notes: The America Club also hold regular role playing gatherings as well as table top meetings and other events.
What: West Auckland Board and Card Games Group
Where: 474 Swanson Road, Ranui (Ranui Community House)
When: Every Friday 3pm - 6:30pm (arrive any time)
Who: Petrik Oud, [email protected]
Notes: At the Ranui Community House, Free to join. There's food available at the premises so bring the family after work and join in the fun. Dinner and games as an evening out. Can't beat it.
Hamilton
What: Waikato Boardgamers
Where: Christian Discovery Center, cnr Peachgrove and Insoll, Fairfield, Hamilton
When: First Thursday of every month, 6 PM to 10 PM
Who: Jason Clague, [email protected]
Notes: All gamers welcome, from beginners to experts. Games played are typically Euros – but we are always looking to try new games! There is a $2 charge to cover the cost of the venue, but your first time is free! Check out the Waikato-Bay Of Plenty Boardgamers Guild on BGG or our Facebook page for more details!
What: Waikato University Boardgaming Club
Where: TX4 (on Hillcrest Road opposite Gate 4) at The University of Waikato, Hamilton.
When: 6:30pm every Tuesday night
Who: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamingclub
Notes: Though we are a student club, anyone is welcome to come along and play. Bring your own games or play those provided by other members. Check out our facebook page to see what games we've been playing!!
Tauranga
What: Bay Board Gamers
Where: Various venues across Tauranga.
When: Every Thursday, 7 PM to 11:30 PM
Who: There's a Facebook group here. Alternatively, contact Kim Artus at [email protected].
Notes: We’re a friendly bunch, mostly aged in our 20s to 50s. We’ll give most games a go at least once and we’re very welcoming to new folk. If you’re in the Tauranga area, be sure to get in touch!
Napier
What: Hawke's Bay Geeks Guild
Where: Dave's House, 51 Riverbend Road · Napier
When: Every week on Mondays, 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Who: email: [email protected]
meetup group https://www.meetup.com/GeeksGuild/
Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hbgeeksguild/
Notes: We normally have between 20 to 30 people and we are child friendly, somewhere between 2 and 7 kids between 9 – 14 years old are usually present. We play a wide range of games, from heavy euro to party games.
Taranaki
What: Taranaki Board Game Club
Where: Meets at Taranaki Miniature Warfare Society @ 131 Vivian Street New Plymouth
When: 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month - 10:00 - 16:00
Who: Contact Nathan: [email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/groups/taranakiboardgames/
Notes:
Palmerston North
What: Board Gaming Palmerston North
Where: Alternating between Alistair & Bethani's, and Thomas's
When: Every Friday night from 7.30 pm onwards
Who: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1395845320637841
Notes:
What: Massey University Board Games Society
Where: The MUSA Lounge, Massey University
When: 12-5pm every Sunday
Who: Gareth Higgs, [email protected]
Notes: You don't need to be a Massey member to join, and you don't need to bring any board games as we have a wide range that we will be able to teach newcomers! We generally get around 7 people at the moment, with the normal age range from 18-40. There's a 5 dollar semester fee but you can come to a few meetings before paying. There's a Facebook group here.
Wellington
What: Victoria University Games Club
Where: Mezzanine Floor, Student Union Building, Kelburn Campus, Victoria University
When: Every Friday during University Term, 12 PM to 10 PM
Who: No contact information available
Notes: We don't have the organiser's details, but would love to get them if we can. We would recommend contacting the Student Union for further information.
What: Wellington On Board
Where: Hosted sessions and public venues, such as pubs.
When: Various, including regular fortnightly Wednesdays, 7 PM onwards
Who: Ceedee Doyle, http://www.meetup.com/WellingtonOnBoard/
Notes: Sessions are many and varied. Wellington On Board is a conduit for all sorts of gaming groups. This is a friendly group with the aim of enjoying meeting people and having fun. Anything to do with gaming - playing, designing, creating, rating, collecting - we're into it. Board games, role playing, table top gaming, wargaming, whatever your favourite flavour - here you can meet people who are into the same things.
What: The Forum
Where: Ferrymans on Waterloo, cnr Waterloo Quay and Bunny St
When: Every Monday, 5 PM to 10 PM
Who: Paul Couch, http://www.meetup.com/WellingtonOnBoard/
Notes: Ferrymans on Waterloo is located conveniently around the corner from the central Wellington railway station.
Blenheim
What: Blenheim Board Games and Battlegrounds
Where: Delicia Cafe
When: Most Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 7pm.
Who: Nick and Alison. Email: [email protected]
Notes: We have a range of games available to play but people are welcome to bring their own. Check out the Facebook group for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/
Greymouth
What: Greymouth Gaming Group
Where: Greymouth RSA
When: Meets 7pm Wednesdays
Who: Jarred, [email protected]
Notes: Facebook Group link here.
Christchurch
What: Christchurch Board Gaming Irregulars
Where: Various locations.
When: Fridays and other days when the whim takes us.
Who: Lisa Stanger (fordescort79 on BGG.com)
Notes: Lots of games available. From 3 to 20 people each week with an emphasis on fun. Find out more in our Facebook group - Facebook group.
What: SAGA Inc. the University of Canterbury's Board Gaming and Role Playing club.
Where: Kirkwood Oval Village, University of Canterbury.
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6pm-10pm
Who: Jaln Rodger, [email protected]
Notes: This group runs this Facebook group and their main website can be found here.
Central Otago
What: New Central Otago Group (looking for members)
Where: Alexandra - specific location to be confirmed
When: TBC - fortnightly or monthly, weekday evening planned.
Who: Amelia or Ben Paterson. Email: [email protected]. Phone (text only): 0211278500
Notes: We want to start up a board game group here in Central Otago. We have a good collection of games (around 40), mostly the popular ones - entry level euros. We are happy to host the group at our place initially, but if we get a decent group we will probably organise a venue in town.
Dunedin
What: Games Night
Where: Laserforce Entertainment Centre, 170 Frederick St
When: Wednesday night 7.30 PM Until Late
Who: Grant Bracey-Brown, [email protected]
Notes: There are currently about 15-30 people each week, normally a Magic: The Gathering presence as well as board gamers, pool players, and war gamers. Large selection of games available to play for free with experienced players happy to teach the rules. Age range from 14-30 normally. There is a bar upstairs for the older ones, as well as a full café downstairs.
What: Dunedin Board Gamers (aka NextGen Games)
Where: 71 Viscount Road
When: Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM. Weekends and other times via email list.
Contact: Mark Hodge, [email protected]
Notes: Visitors are always welcome, from beginners to experts. We have hundreds of modern boardgames available and don't charge any fees. Our emphasis is on fun. Regulars range in age from 20′s to 50′s, and there are usually 15 to 20 people on the night. See http://nextgengames.nz for an idea of what games are commonly played, house rules, and other advice. We also have an email list for announcements (usually for arranging boardgames on other days, but also movies, BBQ’s, party’s and other get-togethers – occasionally even freebies being given away!). Unusually for Dunedin we have full insulation so a heatpump keeps things nice and cosy even on the coldest Dunedin winter evening :-). Contact us if you would like to come along. Rides can often be arranged for visitors.
Board Game Conventions
If your regular board game group just isn't big enough to satisfy your gaming appetite, then board game conventions are ideal. Usually held annually, these events charge a small fee to attend. They're a great way to check out some new games and meet up with some new gamers. Why not check one out this year? And if your event isn't here and you want it to be, make sure you contact us and let us know!
Auckland
Board Games By The Bay Auckland. 10 & 11 Apr 2021, Sir Neil Waters Building, Massey University, University Avenue, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand (Map). Website here.
Board Games By The Bay Auckland. 28 & 29 Aug 2021, Sir Neil Waters Building, Massey University, University Avenue, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand (Map). Website here.
Hamilton
Board Games By The Bay Hamilton. 11 & 12 Jun 2021 Hamilton Contract Bridge Club, 20 Richmond Street, Hamilton. Website here.
Board Games By The Bay Hamilton. 16 & 17 Oct 2021 Hamilton Contract Bridge Club, 20 Richmond Street, Hamilton. Website here.
Morrinsville
Tākaro tahi Tātou - Play Together. 2 Oct 2021 Morrinsville Baptist Church, 56 Moorhouse Street, Morrinsville. Facebook here.
Bay of Plenty
Winter is Passing. 2021. 30 Jul – 02 Aug, Aongatete Lodge, 834 Wright Road, Aongatete. Website here.
Napier
Hawke’s Bay Con. 2021. TBA. Taradale Intermediate School, 7 Murphy Street, Napier. Facebook here.
Palmerston North
Board in Palmy? Taking a break 2020, back in 2021, Palmerston North Bridge Club, Corner Cook & Cuba Streets. Website here.
Wellington
Wellycon 2021. 5th – 7th June 2021(Queens Birthday Weekend), Indian Sports and Cultural Centre in Kilbirnie. Website here.
Mini-Wellycon 2021. 23rd - 25th October 2021 (Labour Weekend), Wellington Bridge Club, Tinakori Road, Wellington. Website here.
Christchurch
Buckets of Dice 2021 – 4th – 7th June 20211, Rehua, New Education Building, University of Canterbury. Website here.
Board Games By The Bay Christchurch – 17 & 18 Jul 2021, Christchurch Bridge Club, 19 Nova Place, Christchurch. Website here.
Dunedin
Board Games By The Bay Dunedin – 15 & 16 May 2021, Otago Bridge Club, 100 Otaki Street, South Dunedin, Dunedin, New Zealand (Map). Website here.
Board Game Designers...
Here are some of New Zealand's talented designers and publishers:
Alayn Clint of Gametime Again
Amanda Milne of SchilMil Games
Julia Schiller of Cheeky Parrot Games
Rhiannon McKinstry of McKinstry Education Games
Shem Phillips of Garphill Games.
Sven Obermaier of Cheap Sheep Games
Want to hook up with fellow New Zealand game designers? Check out Game Artisans of New Zealand on Facebook HERE.
Part of another group?
We'd love to add more gaming groups in here. Please tell us about your group and its contact information here.