nz games festival is aotearoa’s own vibrant and inclusive international celebration of gaming, for developers, gamers, and families of all ages. The 2025 festival runs from Friday 25th April - Saturday 3rd May.
Check out the following events hosted as part of the week long festival and get your tickets now!
The Pav's NZ Game Award 2025
Every year, NZGF runs The Pavs as a celebration of ANZ’s best and boldest game development achievements. From digital to tabletop, we aim to the put a spotlight on local games that have gone the extra mile to immerse, entertain and tantalise. The Pavs finalists go in the running for a coveted trophy and are featured in NZGF’s week-long games exhibition.
Of course, any event named after a dessert wouldn’t be complete without a selection of tongue-in-cheek award titles and a cheeky few at our official ceremony.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Friday 2nd May 2025
Time: 7pm – late
Ticket Prices
Included with your all access pass or, buy tickets seperately
General: $70
Student: $55
Event Location
Te Auaha
65 Dixon Street, Te Aro,
Wellington 6011
Treat 'n' Greet
Play by Play is thrilled to be bringing back Treat & Greet! A non-alcoholic networking event with a tasty twist, the goal of Treat & Greet is to provide Play by Play attendees with a fun, safe, and delicious environment to make new friends and catch up with old ones.
If you’ve ever been at a networking event and thought “this is great but there really aren’t enough waffles here” then Treat & Greet might just be your kind of night.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Thursday 1st May 2025
Time: 6:30pm – 9pm
Ticket Prices
Included with your all access pass
Event Location
Fishcube Gallery
111 Dixon Street, Te Aro,
Wellington 6011
Joypad 2025
NZ Games Festival is proud to host JOYPAD, celebrating the overlap of the LGBTQIA+ community and gaming. JOYPAD is a casual social evening in The Library’s Games Room, featuring nibbles, like-minded LGBTQIA+ gamers and a massive Jackbox party game lineup.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Tuesday, 29th April 2025
Time: 6:30pm – 9pm
Ticket Prices
Free event
Event Location
The Library bar
1/53 Courtenay Place, Te Aro,
Wellington 6011
PB and Jam 2025
This 48 hour game jam will see crews both big and small assembling quickfire games that show their unique take on a hidden theme. There are no barriers to entry, newcomers and veterans alike are welcome to take part and make something short and sweet to kick off the festival!
Event Dates and Times
Date: Friday 25th April – Sunday 27th April 2025
Time: Friday – 6pm start.
Saturday – 9am – 10pm
Sunday – 9am – 6pm
Ticket Prices
Free event, Register below for tickets
Event Location
Massey University
Museum Building
Entrance D ( off Tory St)
Buckle Street, Mount Cook,
Wellington 6011
Super Bros Quiz Night 2025
Gather your motley crew of video game scholars and join us for a night of bad jokes, sustenance and most importantly video game trivia!
Event Dates and Times
Date: Wednesday, 30th April 2025
Time: 6.30pm – 9pm
Ticket Prices
$30 per team, minimum 3 people
Event Location
Meow
9 edward Street Te Aro,
Wellington 6011
Level Up: Retromania Exhibition
Retromania will be a tribute to the golden era of arcades and a celebration of New Zealand’s vibrant and talented gaming community, which has flourished thanks to its influence.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Thursday, 1st May – Friday, 2nd May 2025
Time: 10am – 5pm
Ticket Prices
Free event
Event Location
Fishcube Gallery
111 Dixon Street, Te Aro,
Wellington 6011
Level Up: Cream of the Crop Exhibition
The Level Up Cream of the Crop exhibition celebrates the amazing Pav’s game award finalists for 2025. Bring the family to play these showcase games at this free event.
Even better, get a ticket to the Pavs to see who brings home the tastiest award!
Event Dates and Times
Date: Sunday 27th April – Friday 2nd May 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm daily
Ticket Prices
Free event
Event Location
Te Auaha Gallery
65 Dixon Street, Te Aro,
Wellington 6011
Level Up: Gameathon
Join us for the “Level Up Gameathon” at Massey, proudly hosted by Tūhura Tech and sponsored by Massey University. This exciting two-day event is designed for secondary and tertiary students eager to dive into the world of game development.
This event is only available to school or tertiary students.
Even better, get a ticket to the Pavs to see who brings home the tastiest award!
Event Dates and Times
Date: Wednesday 23rd – Thursday 24th April 2025
Time: 10am – 6pm daily
Ticket Prices
Please register for this free event
Event Location
Block 12 – Te Ara Hihiko
Wallace St, Mt Cook
Wellington 6021