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: $60
Student: $45
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 Quiz World 2025
That’s right, your favourite video game-themed pub quiz and for our fourth year we have a new name! Super Quiz World. So get ready: This year, rivalries will be reignited, redemption is up for grabs and getting angry at yourself for not knowing an answer will be prevalent.
So gather your motley crew of video game scholars and join us for a night of bad jokes, sustenance and most importantly video game trivia! As always, there will be bragging rights, fabulous prizes and your team’s dignity at stake. Get in quick and register your teams now.
Ticket funds all go to paying the cost of the venue and contributing to the prize pool.
Tables are on sale now! Teams require a minimum 3 people, maximum 6.
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