Pop Culture

Auckland Hobbies Fair – Auckland – 15 September 2018

What

The Auckland Hobbies fair is New Zealand’s largest collectors fair for Diecast models, model trains, collectible toys, model train layouts, working models, sci-fi collectibles, and much more. It is held twice a year at Freemans Bay Community Centre.

Including:
Dinky, Corgi, Lledo, Matchbox, Solido, Minichamps, Spot-On, Fun-Ho, Hot-Wheels, Ixo, Diecast models, old tin plate toys, Meccano, model trains and accessories, model boats, toy soldiers, Meccano, kitsets, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Batman, TV themes, McDonalds toys, dolls & bears, miniatures, postcards, DVDs, books, magazines, records, plastic models, planes, vintage tools, military memorabilia, motor racing, and more.

There will be a LEGO display present and Lego for sale, Lego for the kids to play with also.

Free entry after 2pm. Eftpos and cash out facilities available. Drinks and food are available on site to purchase. Sausage sizzle, and ice cream available on site.

When and Where

11am – 3pm
Saturday 15 September 2018

Freeman’s Bay Community Hall,
52 Hepburn Rd,
Freemans Bay,
Auckland

How Much

$5 per person (primary school children free if accompanied by adult)
Free entry after 2pm

Auckland Hobbies Fair Website
EventFinda Page

Overload Manga and Comic Convention – Auckland – 29 September 2018

What

Overload NZ Comic Manga Convention is a community-focused annual event where local indie comic and manga artists can exhibit and sell their work. With food stalls and a range of anime and manga themed stalls, there is something for everyone.

This year Overload will host more than 250 indie artists from all over New Zealand. We are running lots of fun events for attendees to join in, such as a Cosplay Competition, a Character Design Competition and J-POP Karaoke Competition, all with excellent prizes donated by our sponsors. Not only that, Japanese Voice Actress Hiromi Igarashi from ‘THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS’, Anime Director Seiji Izushima from ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ and Cosplay Artist KANAME will attend as our international special guests.

Join this entertaining, fun event to help encourage, promote and support young local comic/manga artists. Overload is a non-profit venture, and we greatly rely on our amazing sponsors, so throughout the whole day at our sponsor booths, the dedicated staff from NZ local art and hobby businesses will sell manga, anime DVDs, and genuine collectible goodies.

When and Where

The CLOUD
89 Quay St
Auckland CBD

10am – 6pm
Saturday 29 September 2018

How Much

Adult $10.25
under-13 $5.12
under 5 free
Family $27.10

Overload Website
Overload EventFinda Page

Spark Festival – Hamilton – 6-9 August 2018

What

Get inspired while you learn, share and connect face-to-face with creative visionaries who hail from the USA, Australia and New Zealand at Spark’s 20th Festival. This week long series of talks, workshops, exhibitions and performances will be held on Wintec’s city campus with other events happening in the heart of Hamilton city.

Speakers will share their knowledge in talks and workshops on everything from being a social influencer, to making it as a freelancer, finding creative people-centred solutions to difficult brand problems, and building collaborative creative and inclusive communities in an increasingly connected world.

Step out from behind your screen and be part of this two-way exchange at these critical, and intimate, conversations. Share knowledge and fuel your curiosity at this week-long, creative experience.

The festival is free to attend and open to all, though there are limited places at each event. For entry, students bring your Wintec ID and for anyone else get your Eventbrite Ticket at no cost here. To sign up for workshops click the register link on the website and find out all you need to know.

When and Where

Monday 6 – Thursday 9 August 2018
8am to 8pm each day

Wintec Campus
Gate 5
Tristram St
Hamilton

How Much

Free

Website – www.spark.net.nz

The Starlight Cinema Taupo Hobby Expo – Taupo – 14,15 July 2018

What

The Expo, organised by the Taupo Model Railway Club, features model railways from around the North Island, and also gives local model makers, craft and hobby groups an opportunity to display their skills to the wider community.

Refreshments are available, as well as free activities for the youngsters, making the Hobby Expo the perfect venue for a family outing.

Part of the Taupo Winter Festival, 11-15 July 2018

When and Where

Taupo Events Centre,
26 AC Baths Avenue,
Taupo

How Much

Children: $5.00
Adults: $10.00
Family: $20.00
Door Sales Only

More

Eventfinda Page
Taupo Winter Festival

Pop Kultcha – Auckland – 7 July 2018

What

Returning by popular demand, Pop Kultcha will have tables of both new and pre-loved goodies, toys, action figures, comics and more!

Expect more of the same and a bit of the new as we prepare ourselves for pop culture goodness.

When and Where

10am – 3pm
Saturday 7 June 2018

Ellerslie War Memorial Hall
138 Main Highway
Ellerslie, Auckland

How Much

$5 entry
Children under 5 free

More

Facebook Page
Eventfinda Page

Contemporary Comics Panel Discussion – Wellington – 21 June 2018

What

Come and listen to 3 Wellington-based comics artists talk about their work and contemporary practice.

Giselle Clarkson, Jem Yoshioka, and Tara Black are accomplished artists with diverse styles and fascinating perspectives on the contemporary comics scene.

About the speakers:

Jem Yoshioka is an award winning comic artist and illustrator from Wellington, New Zealand.

Giselle Clarkson is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist based in Wellington. She has a comic strip about children’s books published monthly on The Sapling and has created non-fiction comics about science and conservation for Auckland Zoo, Forest & Bird, The NZ School Journal and others.

Her first picture book Secret World of Butterflies, a collaboration with author Courtney Sina Meredith and Auckland Museum, was released in May 2018.

Tara Black makes comics. Tara aims to wear at least three types of pattern in an outfit and can recite Pi to an underwhelming, 10 decimal places. She live illustrates book events for Booksellers NZ as well as making comics about otter-dogs, dead literary heroes who haunt teachers, and book dragons. You can find these things on her website, ablackart.com, but not Pi.

When and Where

5:30pm -6:30pm
Thursday 21 June 2018

Te Ahumairangi
Ground Floor, National Library
cnr Molesworth & Aitken Streets
Thorndon, Wellington

How Much

Free

Eventfinda Page
National Library Events page

Weta Workshop: School Holiday Workshops – Wellington – 16-20 July 2018

What

Weta Workshop is opening its doors once again, to give kids a chance to make movie magic! From sketching to sculpting, our hands-on workshops will excite and delight! Suitable for ages 6 – 12 years. Spots are strictly limited and fill up fast, book now!

CARTOONING AROUND: MONDAY 16 JULY

Your budding filmmakers can dream up their own comic book character, develop a storyboard, and draw the cartoon with help from a Weta Workshop artist.

SCULPTING SUPERHEROES: TUESDAY 17 JULY

The adventure continues, or starts anew, as kids bring a comic book character to life with plasticine!

BATTLE OF THE BLOOD MAKERS: THURSDAY 19 JULY

Learn how to make unique Weta Chainmaille as seen in The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit. Then get your hands dirty learning to make fake blood!

COSTUME CHALLENGE: FRIDAY 20 JULY

Create a fantastical costume and prop, using only recyclable materials! Working in a team of 3 or 4, you’ll design and craft an incredible costume with the guidance of your friendly Weta Workshop crew.

Each workshop is limited to just 20 children per session to allow for the best care and learning opportunities for your child. Spots are strictly limited and fill up fast.

When and Where

Monday 16 – Friday 20 July 2018
Morning session: 9.00am – 12.00pm (6–9yrs)
Afternoon session: 1.30pm – 4.30pm (10–12yrs)

Weta Workshop
127 Park Rd
Miramar
Wellington

How Much

$50 per session

More

Weta Workshop Event page

Auckland Sci Fi: SciFriday – Auckland – 8 June 2018

What

Join us for our regular social meet-up in the city where new and regular members get together for coffee and chat about all things sci-fi, fantasy and whatever geekiness takes the mood.

Newbies – if you’re new to the group and feeling shy, just bring a friend along. You don’t need to be a hard-core sci-fi fan – anyone with a passing interest is welcome and we love meeting new people!

What we’re about

If you are a fan of anything sci-fi, fantasy, superhero or zombie related then this is the group for you! Our current favourites include Dr Who, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Big Bang Theory, Supernatural, Firefly, BSG, Stargate…you get the idea!

Meetup events consist of getting together for social nights or to watch scifi shows and movies together; there’s a book club, we run quiz nights, go to karaoke etc – basically we offer a place where you can hang out and argue with other sci-fi fans about all kinds of nerdy stuff that other people just don’t understand.

We aim to be an inclusive group and welcome all genders, ethnicities, beliefs, sexual orientations and ages (note: all members must be over 18). If you don’t feel comfortable with this, then this group isn’t for you.

When and Where

Gloria Jean’s Coffee
Cnr Victoria and Federal St
Near the Sky Tower
We’ll be in the lounge upstairs

7pm – 10:30pm
Friday June 8 2018

How Much

Free

More

June 8 SciFriday’s event page
Auckland Sci Fi Group

Retcon – Auckland – 10 June 2018

What

A back to basics comic and collectible convention. A strong approach to encouraging local business and private sellers to come together and share their love of everything comics and collectables. So come along and meet some like-minded people and grow your collection at the same time. Open to anything comics, collectibles, pop culture, hot wheels, die casts, marvel, dc, star wars, star trek, vintage toys, T.V, movies and everything in between.

Under 12s are free. So join our group and spread the Love of everything Nerdy and Pop Culture.

When and Where

Sun 10 Jun 2018, 10am – 2pm

Takapuna War Memorial Hall,
5 The Strand,
Takapuna, Auckland

How Much

Table: $20.00
Entry: $3.00
Door Sales Only

More

Facebook Group
EventFinda Event

Weta Workshop’s Artist Speaker Series – Wellington – 31 May 2018 (+ more)

What

Bewitched by the artistry of special effects? Immerse yourself in the Weta Workshop Artist Speaker Series!

Each month, enjoy an exclusive presentation from the artists and technicians of Weta Workshop’s many creative divisions.

From swordsmiths to costume creators, concept designers to master make-up technicians and many more, gain never-before-seen insight into their unique artistry and creative process!

Highlights:
– Meet Weta Workshop artists and technicians: Learn about their challenges and triumphs and hear their first-hand behind-the-scenes stories
– Exclusive presentation includes behind-the-scenes photos, displays, personal work, and more
– Q&A session with the artist
– Artist signings

Thursday 31st May:
Jason & Kim Docherty, Senior Prosthetics Artists
Learn how ordinary human beings are transformed into creatures, cyborgs and superhumans with Weta Workshop’s senior prosthetics technicians.

Coming up:
– 28th June: David Tremont, Senior Model Maker
– 26th July: Flo Foxworthy, Costume Technician

When and Where

Thursday 31 May 2018 (other dates above)
6pm – 7:30pm
Weta Workshop, 127 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington

How Much

$75 per evening

More

Website