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.

Board Gaming Groups

Board game 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!

Whangarei

What: Whangarei Gaming Group
Where: Varies, contact Zak for details
When: Saturday evenings
Who: Zak, [email protected]
Notes: Family and beginner friendly; but also plenty of heavier games being played as well. Come along!

Auckland

What: Manukau City Board Game Group
Where: Manukau City Baptist Church, 9 Lambie Drive, Manukau
When: 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Who: Dan Nickoley, [email protected], (022) 109 6381
Notes: We usually meet in the cafe area. Plenty of table space – bring your friends!

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: New Lynn Library Board Game Group
Where: New Lynn Library, 3 Memorial Drive, New Lynn (Opposite the mall; at the tables in the middle of the ground floor)
When: Every Friday, 6 PM to 8 PM
Who: Nathan at New Lynn Library,  (09) 301 0101
Notes: All welcome – especially beginners.

What: North Shore Strategy Games
Where: East Coast Bays Community Centre, 2 Glen Road, Browns Bay
When: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM
Who: Alistair Stafford, alistairstafford@yahoo.com.au
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 and we have a guild at BoardGameGeek.

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.

Hamilton

What: Waikato Boardgamers
Where: Christian Discovery Center, cnr Peachgrove and Insoll (Thursdays), Anglican Church Hall, 160 Rifle Range Road, Dinsdale, Hamilton, OR Anglican Church Lounge, 6 Hohaia Street, Matamata (Sundays)
When: Every first, third and fourth Thursday, 6 PM to 10 PM, and every second Sunday, 1 PM to 6 PM
Who: Simon Woodward, [email protected]
Notes:  All gamers welcome, from beginners to experts.  Games played are typically Euros – but we are always looking to try new games!  A small donation is appreciated for the use of the venue.  Check out the Waikato-Bay Of Plenty Boardgamers Guild on BGG or our Facebook page for more details!

If you don’t mind a 45 minute drive, gamers from Hamilton and Tauranga often meet up in Matamata – details are below.

Tauranga

What: SeriouslyBoard Games Group
Where: The venue changes depending on babysitting requirements! (Contact David Taylor for the address.)
When: Every 2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Who: David Taylor, [email protected]
Notes: We’re a friendly bunch who will give most games a go at least once.  This is the regular haunt for the SeriouslyBoard crew.  All attendees receive an exclusive discount from SeriouslyBoard.

If you don’t mind a 45 minute drive, gamers from Hamilton and Tauranga often meet up in Matamata – details are below.

Matamata

What: Trans-Kaimai Board Games Binge
Where: All Saints Anglican Church Lounge, cnr Broadway and Hohaia St
When: Every third month on a Sunday, 1 PM to 6 PM
Who: Simon Woodward, [email protected]
Notes: Most communication is done via this BGG guild. Most attendees are from Hamilton and Tauranga, and meet in Matamata to combine numbers. The finish time is usually 5 PM or 6 PM. A small donation is appreciated for the use of the venue. The crew from SeriouslyBoard are regular attendees.

Wellington

What: Forum
Where: Ferrymans on Waterloo, cnr Waterloo Quay and Bunny St
When: Every Monday, 5 PM to 10 PM
Who: Paul Couch
Notes: Ferrymans on Waterloo is located conveniently around the corner from the central Wellington railway station. We don’t have Paul’s details, but would love to get them if we can.

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. (Contact David Taylor for the address.)
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.

Nelson

What: TBA
Where: Victory Community Health Centre, Totara Street, Victory Square
When: Three monthly.
Who: Jim Risner, [email protected]
Notes: TBA

Christchurch

What: Christchurch Board Gaming Irregulars
Where: Various locations.
When: Fridays and other days when the whim takes us.
Who: Sam Fisher, [email protected]
Notes: 150 games, old and new available.  From 3 to 20 people each month.  Emphasis on fun.  Facebook group.

What: Christchurch Euro Gamers
Where: Jason and Beryl’s house. (Contact Jason Brice for the address.)
When: Every Wednesday, 7 PM
Who: Jason Brice, [email protected]
Notes: This group runs this Facebook group to organise stuff and chat. Regulars range in age between mid-20s to mid-50s, with gaming for beginners to experts. Between 10 and 15 people play on an average week. There are 150+ games available to play each week, from old classics to latest releases.

What: SAGA
Where: Rooms KD07 and KD08, Kirkwood Village, University of Canterbury (Directions can be found here)
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 6 PM to 10 PM
Who: Jan-Yves Ruzicka, [email protected]
Notes: This group runs this Facebook group and their main website can be found here.  Locations are subject to change due to aftershocks.  There are currently about a dozen board gamers at sessions with a limited selection of games, again due to the aftershocks. Mainly Uni students but others are welcome. $5 annual fee for joining.

Dunedin

What: Games Night
Where: Laserforce Entertainment Centre, 170 Frederick St
When: Wednesday night 7.30 PM Until Late
Who: Grant Bracey-Brown, enquiries@laserforcedunedin.co.nz
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: NextGen Games
Where: Mark and Ling’s house (Contact Mark Hodge if you would lilke to come along.)
When: Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM
Who: Mark Hodge, [email protected]
Notes: This group uses this website and an email list for announcements (usually games, but also occasional freebie – not always game related, BBQ’s, party’s, and other get-togethers). Regulars range in age from 20′s to 50′s. See the website for an idea of what games are commonly played, house rules, and other advice. Usually we have between half a dozen and a dozen people on the night; occasionally up to around 20 which starts to get a bit crowded. A fire and heatpump keep things nice and cosy in winter.

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 aIf 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!

Christchurch

What: Buckets Of Dice 2012
Where: UCSA Building, University of Canterbury
When: Saturday 21st June to Sunday 22nd June
Who: TBA
Notes: TBA

What: GamesFest
Where: Christchurch
When: TBA
Who: Jason Brice, [email protected]
Notes: TBA

Various Locations

What: Board Games By The Bay – Tauranga
Where: Tauranga Bridge Club, 252 Ngatai Road, Otumoetai, Tauranga
When: 16-17 March, 2013 (10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 6 Pm Sunday)
Who: David and Angela Taylor
Notes: Check out the Board Games By The Bay website for more details.

What: Board Games By The Bay – Auckland
Where: Auckland Bridge Club, 273 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
When: 11-12 May, 2013 (10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday)
Who: David and Angela Taylor
Notes: Check out the Board Games By The Bay website for more details.

What: Board Games By The Bay – Hamilton
Where: Hamilton Contract Bridge Club Inc, 20 Richmond Street, Hamilton
When: 20-21 July, 2013 (10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday)
Who: David and Angela Taylor
Notes: Check out the Board Games By The Bay website for more details.

What: Board Games By The Bay – Palmerston North
Where: Palmerston North Contract Bridge Club, Corner Cook and Cuba Streets, Palmerston North
When: 7-8 September, 2013 (10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday)
Who: David and Angela Taylor
Notes: Check out the Board Games By The Bay website for more details.

What: Board Games By The Bay – Auckland
Where: Auckland Bridge Club, 273 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
When: 23-24 November, 2013 (10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday)
Who: David and Angela Taylor
Notes: Check out the Board Games By The Bay website for more details.

Board Game Manufacturers…

It’s fair to say that board game manufacturers are pretty thin on the ground in New Zealand, but contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t completely extinct…

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.