devopsdays Auckland – Auckland – 21 – 22 October 2019

What

Come share, learn, laugh and be encouraged by the many great things happening in the technology sector over two days at the newly refurbished Aotea Centre, located in the heart of Auckland city. DevOpsDays Auckland includes contributors from across the software delivery, QA, security, operations and management spectrum.

Celebrating diversity and inclusiveness is important to us. Free tickets are available for those from minority groups and unwaged/students who do not have funds to attend. Fill out this form to apply for the scholarship.

When and Where

8am – 5pm
Monday, 21 October 2019
Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Aotea Centre
Queen Street
Auckland CBD

How Much

Earlybird $249
Standard $299

More

DevopsDays Auckland 2019
Registration

Stargazing 101: Sundays – Wellington – 14 April – 12 May 2019

What

Due to popular demand Museums Wellington are running a second Stargazing Workshop on Sunday nights.

New Zealand has some of the absolute best skies for stargazing in the world. This five-week Sunday night course is for people who look up at our skies and wonder which stars are twinkling back at them. No prior knowledge is required – just a desire to know more about the skies and how they are used in everyday life including navigation. The course has limited numbers so bookings are essential. It is suitable for ages 10 and up. Take the opportunity to walk through the gardens or Tournament parking is available at the top of the Cable Car.

When and Where

4pm – 6pm
Sundays, 14 April – 12 MAy 2019

Space Place at Carter Observatory
40 Salamanca Road,
Botanic Gardens
Wellington

How Much

$100 per person for the 5 nights

More

Webpage on the Stargazing 101 course

Play by Play conference – Wellington – 26-27 April 2019

What

Play by Play is a New Zealand games conference with a difference, run mid-April each year in the beating cultural heart of the country – Wellington. Since our inception in 2016, we’ve grown exponentially, proving that there’s a vibrant community of gamers, enthusiasts and curious folk in the play sphere. Further to our flagship conference, we host networking events and professional development workshops for industry players.

A game development summit like no other, the Play By Play conference brings game developers of all skill levels together for two days of low-pressure learning and sharing. We aim to engage delegates with a fun, light-hearted atmosphere and a playful approach to improving our craft.

This year’s theme is “The Power of Many” and reflects our strength in community, diversity and the impact our craft can make when we work together.

With Play by Play now being under the NZ Games Festival banner, we’ve made some changes to the structure of our industry events:

  • As the perfect accompaniment to our conference, we’re bringing back Treat and Greet, a networking event for all of our sweet conference attendees <3
  • For our last course, we’re serving up the delicious Pavs! Our new and improved Awards evening!

These are just some of the many amazing events happening around New Zealand Games Festival. For more events, including workshops, our NZ games exhibition, tabletop sessions and the wildly popular quiz night, please check out our website: nzgamesfest.com

When and Where

Main Conference
10am – 4:30pm 26-27 April 2019
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, Wellington

Treat and Greet:
6:30pm Onwards, 26 April 2019
Our networking event will be held at Prefab Hall.

The Pavs
7pm Onwards, 27 April 2019
The awards ceremony location will be advertised shortly.

How Much

Earlybird Pricing – Ends 12 March

All Access, all events $95
Student, all events $65
The Pavs awards only $25

More

Play by Play Conference Website
Registration for Play by Play



2019 NZ Meccano Convention – Inglewood – 19 – 21 April 2019

What

Meccano is a model construction system created in 1898. The system consists of reusable metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles and gears, and plastic parts that are connected together using nuts and bolts. It enables the building of working models and mechanical devices.

The New Zealand Federation of Meccano Modellers is a communication network to establish a magazine and to hold national meetings from time to time to enable modellers to show off their skills to fellow modellers and to be able to display to the public what MECCANO was / is all about.

The biennial convention/exhibition of the NZFMM is held over the Easter weekend at different locations around New Zealand in odd numbered years, and is generally hosted by one of the major New Zealand Meccano clubs on behalf of the NZFMM

Registrations for exhibitors close 15 March 2019. The Convention Displays will probably be open to the public, dates and hours to be advised.

When and Where

Easter Weekend
19 April – 21 April 2019
Exact times to be advised

Iglewood Town Hall,
34 Cutfield St.
Inglewood,
Taranak

How Much

Registration $25

Public access price TBA

More

2019 Convention Registration form
The New Zealand Federation of Maccano Modellers

Board Games by the Bay – Christchurch – 23 -24 March 2019

What

Board Games By The Bay (BGBTB) is a series of epic tabletop gaming events run each year in New Zealand. Since 2011, these weekend events have brought together the community to learn and play modern board, card and dice games in a friendly, social environment.

These events bring together enthusiasts and players new to the scene in a relaxed, fun environment.  Participants enjoy catching up with old friends and making new ones, trying out different games or relaxing with familiar ones, and entering the free competitions. Numbers are growing with each event, and we’re expecting to fill our venues to the brim in 2018.  It’s always great to see so many old friends and newcomers, experienced gamers and families showing up, and we’re looking forward to seeing YOU this time around.

There will be a library stocked with all kinds of games for you to try, and many people bring their own games and invite others to join them.  You are most welcome to bring your own games along.  We have a team of great volunteers (our friendly RedShirts) who are experts at teaching a wide variety of games to new players.

Spot prizes to be won!
Food available for purchase.
Free parking on site.
Cash and Eftpos accepted at the venue (no credit cards, sorry).

When and Where

10am – 10pm Saturday 23 March 2019
10am – 6pm Sunday 24 March 2019

Christchurch Bridge Club
19 Nova Place
Christchurch Central
Christchurch

How Much

Pre-Registration Prices

One Day Pass $13
Weekend Pass $24
Annual Pass (all events in 2019) $68

Door Price

One Day Pass $15
Weekend Pass $30

More

Board Games by The Bay Website
Registration for the Match Christchurch Event

GeyserCon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention – Rotorua – 31 May – 3 June 2019

What

GeyserCon 2019 is New Zealand’s 40th National Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention! We hope you’ll join us in Rotorua on Queen’s Birthday weekend (May 31st to June 3rd 2019) for awesome fandom discussions, panels and presentations, a huge bookstore open every day including Monday, a raffle with amazing prizes, the Young Writers’ Workshop, the Costume Masquerade competition, the prestigious Sir Julius Vogel Awards, and so much more!

Young Writers’ Day out – Friday

The Young NZ Writers’ Day Out (on Friday 31st May 2019) will have a full day of writing workshops aimed at intermediate and secondary school students. To warm up to the day we invite young NZ writers to enter into our 2019 annual writing competitions for intermediate and secondary students (opens 1st of February and closes midnight on 15th March – check our website out for more details). Finalists will be awarded prizes at the book launch at the end of the day.
For the first time there will even be a special writing event for our youngest writers in years 5 and 6 (only open to local Rotorua Primary schools) and PD opportunities for teachers who attend.

Main Program

3-5 Streams From Friday evening to Monday Morning.

Sample Events:

  • Radio-play STAR WRECK
  • International Guests: Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Alan Baxter, & Kaaron Warren
  • Sir Julius Vogel Award Presentations
  • Talks: History of SFF in NZ
  • Panel: High Fantasy Futures
  • GeyserCon Book Expo

When and Where

Holiday Inn
10 Tryon St
Whakarewarewa
Rotorua

Main Event
4pm Friday 31 May 2019
Noon Monday 3 June 2019

Young Writers’ Day Out
All Day Friday 31 May 2019

How Much

EarlyBird 3 until 28 February $60
Standard (Friday evening till Monday) $65
Friday Youth Workshop (under 18s) $20

Various other tickets options available.

More

Geysercon Website with Full programme and Registration
Young NZ Writers Website

Board Games by the Bay – Hamilton 23 -24 February 2019

What

Board Games By The Bay (BGBTB) is a series of epic tabletop gaming events run each year in New Zealand. Since 2011, these weekend events have brought together the community to learn and play modern board, card and dice games in a friendly, social environment.

These events bring together enthusiasts and players new to the scene in a relaxed, fun environment.  Participants enjoy catching up with old friends and making new ones, trying out different games or relaxing with familiar ones, and entering the free competitions. Numbers are growing with each event, and we’re expecting to fill our venues to the brim in 2018.  It’s always great to see so many old friends and newcomers, experienced gamers and families showing up, and we’re looking forward to seeing YOU this time around.

There will be a library stocked with all kinds of games for you to try, and many people bring their own games and invite others to join them.  You are most welcome to bring your own games along.  We have a team of great volunteers (our friendly RedShirts) who are experts at teaching a wide variety of games to new players.

When and Where

10am – 10pm Saturday 23 February 2019
10am – 6pm Sunday 24 February 2019

Hamilton Bridge Club
20 Richmond St
Hamilton

How Much

Pre-Registration Prices

One Day Pass $13
Weekend Pass $24
Annual Pass (all events in 2019) $68

Door Price

One Day Pass $15
Weekend Pass $30

More

Board Games by The Bay Website
Registration for the February Hamilton Event

Codemania – Auckland – 15 – 17 May 2019

What

Now in its eighth year, Codemania is Auckland’s premier conference for software developers, with fantastic speakers from New Zealand and around the world. Join us on Wednesday May 15th, 2019 at the luxurious Cordis Hotel for a full day of information and inspiration from software practitioners at the top of their game.

If one day is not enough for you, you can also join our world-class speakers and an exclusive gathering of your Codemania friends for two further days after the conference. Codemania Conversations returns to the Waitakere Estate, deep in the heart of one of Auckland’s most picturesque bush settings. This two-day unconference is an opportunity for you to create your own agenda, and spend quality time with our speakers.

When and Where

Codemania

Wednesday 15 May 2019
9am – 5pm

The Cordis Hotel,
83 Symonds Street,
Auckland

Codemania Conversations

9am Thursday 16 May 2019 –
6pm Friday 17 May 2019

573 Scenic Dr,
Waiatarua,
Auckland

How Much

Earlybird Pricing (ends 3rd March 2019)
Conference $450
Conversations $700
Conference + Conversations $950

More

Codemania Website

Multicore World – Wellington – 12-14 February 2019

What

Multicore World is a unique international forum dedicated to the technology design and business applications of big data, deep learning, edge computing, IoT, AI, HPC and exascale computing, operating systems, cybersecurity and more.

How these technologies apply to a diverse range of industries is showcased by world leaders in the field and discussed at peer level in a limited audience conference.

At Multicore World conversations are as important as sessions. Every presentation has a flexible Q&A period, and if we are enjoying a great discussion, we just continue with it. On its 8th consecutive edition, Multicore World 2019 participants are invited as world experts in their speciality. In a limited audience environment you will find that the person sitting besides you has a wealth of experience similar to the speaker that both are listening to.

When and Where

8am – 5pm Wednesday 12 February 2019
8am – 5pm Thursday 13 February 2019
8am – 5pm Friday 14 February 2019
Drinks and Networking light Dinner each evening

Harbourside Function Venue,
Above Mac’s Brewery,
4 Taranaki Street,
Te Aro,
Wellington

How Much

Standard Ticket $1260

Run on a non-profit, limited audience model, we offer only 90 tickets for sale.

More

Multicore World Website
Multicore World Registration

Global Game Jam 2019 – Christchurch – 25-27 January 2019

What

Innovation – Experimentation – Collaboration

The Global Game Jam® (GGJ) is the world’s largest game jam event (game creation) taking place around the world at physical locations. Think of it as a hackathon focused on game development. It is the growth of an idea that in today’s heavily connected world, we could come together, be creative, share experiences and express ourselves in a multitude of ways using video games – it is very universal. The weekend stirs a global creative buzz in games, while at the same time exploring the process of development, be it programming, iterative design, narrative exploration or artistic expression. It is all condensed into a 48 hour development cycle. The GGJ encourages people with all kinds of backgrounds to participate and contribute to this global spread of game development and creativity.

The structure of a jam is usually that everyone gathers on Friday late afternoon, watches a short video keynote with advice from leading game developers, and then a secret theme is announced. All sites worldwide are then challenged to make games based on that same theme, with games to be completed by Sunday afternoon. In January 2018, we had 803 locations in 108 countries create 8,606 games in one weekend! GGJ 2019 is January 25-27 at a location near you… if not you can make one of your own. The jam is known for helping foster new friendships, increase confidence and opportunities within the community. The jam is always an intellectual challenge. People are invited to explore new technology tools, trying on new roles in development and testing their skills to do something that requires them to design, develop create, test and make a new game in the time span of 48 hours.

The GGJ stimulates collaboration and is not a competition.

Check out some of the games submitted around the world from 2018.

More details and faq found at the meetup event and event’s webpage.

When and Where

Friday, January 25, 2019, 6:00 PM to Sunday, January 27, 2019, 5:00 PM

School of Product Design,
University Of Canterbury,
Len Lye Building,
1 Engineering Road, Christchurch

Doors will Open at 5:30pm on Friday the 25th, the theme will be announced nationwide at about 6pm and ‘Pencils down’ is at 5pm on Sunday the 27th!

How Much

Free but you have to register here.

Age Restrictions: 18+.
Inclusiveness Policy and Code of Conduct.

More

Registration and meetup event. Christchurch Game Jam webpage.
Note: There are other NZ sites. This is the info and meetup event page is for the Christchurch site.

Global Game Jam and Event FAQ. #GGJ19

Christchurch Game Developers: web, meetup, @CHCHGameDev on facebook and twitter.