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

Auckland Hobbies Fair – Auckland – 27 April 2019

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.

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

Saturday 27 April 2019
11am – 3pm

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.

More

Auckland Hobbies Fair eventfinda page

Starry Starry Night – Wanaka – 30 March 2019

What

Join astronomers Alan Gilmore and Pamela Kilmartin with DOC Ranger Tanya to learn what we can see in our night sky!

Alan and Pam join us from Canterbury where they have worked in the Mt John Observatory discovering comets, asteroids, and minor planets.

Bring a head torch for the return walk and a mug for hot chocolate.

When and Where

7:30pm – 9pm
Saturday 30 March 2019

Hawea Swing Bridge,
Albert Town,
Wanaka
Central Otago

How Much

Gold coin donation.

More

Facebook Event

Model Railway Exhibition – Te Awamutu – 27-28 April 2019

What

Hamilton Model Railroaders Te Awamutu model railway exhibition. With a variety of tracks and layouts, in different scales and with different themes. Includes trade stands and operating layouts.

An ideal day out for all adults and children. Come along and have a look

When and Where

10am – 4pm (both days)
Saturday 27 April & Sunday 28 April 2019
Last entry is at 3pm

Te Awamutu Events Centre,
Cnr Mahoe St and Selwyn Ln,
Te Awamutu,
Waipa, Waikato

How Much

Adults: $6
Children under 16: $3
Family (2 adults & up to 6 children): $15

Door sales only, Eftpos available

More

Model Railroad Exhibition page of Hamilton Model Railroaders website
Hamilton Model Railroaders on Facebook

Alexandra Park Collectables Fair – Auckland – 17 March 2019

What

A wonderful array of Vintage, Retro, Antiques, Curios and collectibles for sale including, china, glass, clothes, linen, jewellery, jade, clocks, stamps, postcards, records, collectible toys and dolls, small furniture items etc etc with over 35 stallholders.

When and Where

Sunday 17 March 2019
9am – 2pm

Alexandra Park Raceway
Greenlane Road West
Epsom
Auckland

How Much

$5 Entry

More

Eventfinda Page for Collectables Fair

Palmerston North Aeroneers Model Flying Club Open Day – Palmerston North – 24 March 2019

What

Model aeroplane flying display: Jets, Gliders, Warbirds, Vintage, Helicopters. Have a go at flying a radio controlled model aircraft. Food and drink available.

When and Where

10am – 4pm
Sunday 24 March 2019

If wet the event will be held Sunday 31st of March 2019, same time, same place.

199 Spur Road West,
Colyton,
Manawatu

The entrance is off the end of Spur Road West, turn left into the farm gate. look for the yellow aircraft sign

How Much

$5 per car

More

Model Flying Club Open Day
Palmerston North Aeroneers Website


Craft Camp – Wellington – 12-14 July 2019

What

A weekend away with friends. Broaden your fibre craft horizons.

If you knit or crochet, or dabble in craft, join us for a weekend of learning and making. While the event is aimed at knitters, there are no knitting classes. Each session is designed to complement your existing skills, either to help you celebrate what you already know or add a new talent to your tool belt.

Featuring weaving, photography, mindfulness and more. You will have scheduled non-class time to either get to know your fellow attendees better or practice your new skill.

When and Where

Silverstream Retreat
3 Reynolds Bach Drive,
Silverstream,
Wellington

Friday 12 July 2019
to
Sunday 14 July 2019

How Much

$525 for standard ticket

Ticket price includes standard shared accommodation, meals and all classes and materials.

More

Craft Camp Website

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