News - NZGDA

Thank you for your participation and feedback during the Amplify consultation in November and December last year. We have now prepared a summary of the written submissions and survey responses we received from 700+ individuals and organisations. This summary is now available on our website: Amplify – summary of submissions | Manatū Taonga | Ministry […]

We wanted to update you on the latest developments regarding the Amplify strategy consultation. You can find the NZGDA submission HERE. The government’s Amplify strategy aims to strengthen New Zealand’s creative and cultural sectors, and we are pleased to share the latest updates. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) completed the public consultation phase, receiving […]

New Zealand’s game development sector is thriving—growing more than 10 times faster than the global average and making serious strides towards becoming a $1 billion export industry. That’s just one of the standout findings in the inaugural NZGDA Industry Report, released today by the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA). This first-ever annual report provides […]

Submissions to speak at NZGDC 2025 are now open! All speakers and panel organisers receive a full complimentary NZGDC 2024 pass. The conference will be held at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wellington New Zealand from 25th – 27th September and the Conference programme is expected to be confirmed by the end of May. […]



GDSR Update from NZ On Air Registrations for the 2025 round of the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) open today, Monday 3 February. GDSR Registration is the first step in applying for the rebate. Once you have completed the registration process, you will then receive a Letter of Acknowledgement or Decline from us. That will […]





The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has drafted a strategy, Amplify, which was recently out for consultation (now closed).  Amplify sets out the government’s actions to boost creativity and culture in New Zealand.  It communicates the Government’s plan for prioritising decisions about how to work with, and support, the sectors’ development.  After an initial read, it’s […]

The NZGDA 2023/24 Annual General Meeting was held recently on 27th November 2023.  More on this below, but first a note from our Chair, Carl Leducq: Tēnā koutou katoa, It is my privilege to have hosted my first Annual General Meeting as Chairperson for the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA). Reflecting on the past […]



AMPLIFY is a framework developed by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to strengthen Aotearoa’s creative and cultural sectors. It aims to create a thriving, sustainable creative ecosystem that contributes to economic growth, community wellbeing, and New Zealand’s unique cultural identity. The strategy focuses on five core themes: 1. Creativity Everywhere – Making creative opportunities […]

The Kiwi Game Starter competition has wrapped up for another year, showcasing the incredible innovation and creativity in game development. The three finalists amazed everyone at the NZ Game Developers Conference, presenting a range of projects from fun indie games to unique storytelling adventures. Rollick n’ Roll by Crayonix Games was awarded first prize, impressing […]

The Pioneers of Play is an NZGDA initiative that honours the commitment and dedication of long-standing professionals and studios within the gaming industry, celebrating milestones of 5, 10, 15, and 20+ years of service. By recognising these individuals’ contributions over the years, Pioneers of Play highlights the passion, resilience, and innovation that have driven the […]

  The New Zealand Video Games Sector Soars with 26% Year-on-Year Growth, Surpassing the Half a Billion Dollar Milestone!The New Zealand game development industry demonstrated strong performance in the 2023/2024 financial year, generating NZD $547.794 million in pre-tax revenue, a 26% increase from the previous year. This growth showcases the industry’s resilience and expansion, particularly […]