News - NZGDA



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 […]

NZGDA Board Elections Are you a community minded game developer who wants to grow New Zealand’s game development sector and are a current member of our Association? Then consider standing for the 2024/2025 New Zealand Game Developers Association Executive Board! The NZGDA welcomes diverse candidates from across New Zealand, in any role in the industry or craft […]

by PikPok CEO and Co-Founder, Mario Wynands Gamescom was my fifth overseas conference for the year, behind DICE, GDC SF, Reboot Blue, and Gamescom LATAM, which has given me a great opportunity to track the change in industry sentiment on a fairly granular basis. “Vibes” isn’t exactly a science based metric, but when actual people […]

NZ Game Developers Association is now proudly participating in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program. This means that those with a hidden disability can wear a Sunflower Lanyard or wristband to make their disability visible to those around them while at the NZ Game Developers Conference. Our event volunteers will help you with any support […]



Discounted tickets to the NZ Game Developers Conference is just one of the many benefits of being an NZGDA Member and with Conference fast approaching, you need to know how to access those discounts. First, let’s take a quick look at some of the reasons why you should attend NZGDC: Learn from Industry Experts Immerse […]

Boost for game development sector as first round GDSR recipients named NZ On Air has announced the recipients of the inaugural round of the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) – established to boost ongoing development and growth of the game development sector, and keep game studios and industry talent in Aotearoa New Zealand. Thirty-two studios […]