There is just one week left to get your Kiwi Game Zone application submissions in for NZGDC 2026! 🌏🕹️ Please find the link in our bio to register. 🎯

Auckland Makes Games + the @nzgda.bsky.social are excited to announce… AUCKLAND GAMES WEEK 📣 🎮 a week of local events taking place during the week of #NZGDC! Our goal is to curate a diverse schedule that appeals to a wide-ranging audience & celebrates the vibrant games community across Aotearoa NZ.

It has also been fantastic to connect to the NZ game dev community. In particular the folks at @nz-code.nz have been very welcoming and I have been enjoying regular chats with several devs. I'm looking forward to @nzgda.bsky.social NZGDC 30 Sept - 3 Oct in Auckland!

What are your favourite video games, made in New Zealand? 👀

There were some truly incredible games from New Zealand studios and creatives showcased at @frostygamesfest, part of @summergamefest 🌏 If you’d like to learn more about any of these games, or the Frosty Games Fest which showcases both NZ & AU games, visit our link in bio! 🎯

Do you have a game to share at NZGDC 2026? 🕹️ If your game was made in New Zealand, you may be interested in exhibiting it with the public at the Kiwi Game Zone within NZGDC 2026! 🌠 To learn more and register, visit the link in our bio. 🚨

Masterclass applications are closing at 5PM today! Don't miss out! 🚨 Link in bio.

Last call! We are closing our invitation for Speaker Applications at 5PM today. Don't miss out! 🚨 Link in bio.

There is only one week left to submit your Masterclass Applications for NZGDC 2026! 🚨 Masterclasses are not talks with extra time. They are premium, extended-format learning experiences built for depth, clarity, and real-world impact. 👩‍🏫 Please find the link in our bio! 🎯 🎮

Did you know that an NZGDA Membership gives you and your team special benefits with Noel Leeming? To redeem, go to the NZGDA Member Hub and locate the Noel Leeming flyer. Within, you'll find your unique barcode to use at checkout. Join NZGDA today: zurl.co/WIhDO

Don't miss out on your chance to apply for this year's Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR). Applications close very soon! 🚨 Please find the link in our bio to the Applications page.

Have you ever considered being a Speaker at NZGDC? 🗣️ There are experiences, stories and learnings that are unique to only you! 🌏 We all have a part to play in Shaping Our World for the future of Game Development. If you're interested, find the link in our bio! 🚨

Exit readiness is the structured, long term process of optimizing a game studio (or any business) to make it transparent, scalable & valuable. We have a great opportunity for New Zealand studios to join a 1 hour virtual seminar which will demystify exit readiness. Link in bio.

We don't want to miss this! Something big has come to Wraeclast... Grinding Gear Games will be hosting a very special livestream on the Path of Exile Twitch channel ( zurl.co/XNkXb) and YouTube (zurl.co/JfkNs) at 8AM on May 8th. Mark your calendars!

Congratulations to Dry Cactus Games for the release of their new simulation game on Poly Bricks! This game is now available on Steam.  Learn more here: zurl.co/ePc0Q

We at NZGDA are thrilled to be the event partner for Aotearoa’s Game awards, The Pavs 2026! The Pavs are a fantastic celebration held in honour of the powerhouse talent we have in our industry. Can't wait to see you there! Get your tickets: zurl.co/SmEoA

Now in its 3rd year, the AI and Creativity Summit 2026 will be in Auckland on Tuesday 5th May 2026, and in Wellington on Wednesday 6th May 2026. ⚙️💚 Get registered, link in bio! 🚨

Play By Play, The Pavs Game Awares and NZ Games Festival are back from the 1st May - 10th May 2026 at the Michael Fowler Centre, and the wider Pōneke city. 🎉👾 Get your tickets today, link in bio! 🚨

NZGDC 2026 is now inviting applications for one of the most impactful parts of the conference: our Masterclass programme. 🖥️ Are you interested in taking part? 💡 Link in bio. 🚨

We’re looking for speakers who are new to NZGDC or haven’t presented with us before. Provide a fresh perspective at NZGDC 2026! 👀 Speaker application form at:  https://www.nzgdc.com/programme

Playful is a structured, flexible and affordable playtesting service designed specifically for indie studios. They match studios’ game ideas and developments with engaged, experienced and targeted playtesters to deliver actionable insights. Join NZGDA: zurl.co/Tz0rI

It's that time again! NZGDC 2026 is now taking Speaker Applications. Bring a fresh perspective that challenges the status quo!⚡⚡⚡ Form link on: https://www.nzgdc.com/programme

Are you and your studio interested in Korea’s game development market? 🕹️ Thanks to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, all New Zealand game development studios can attend this webinar for free brought to you by speakers Youngmok Park (YM) & Jeong Yob Park. 📈 Link in bio! 🚨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our special event beginning the Countdown to NZGDC 2026! 📈 This year brings the conference to Tāmaki Makaurau. We unveiled some exciting details with the attendees about this year's theme - Shaping Our World 🌏 Let's go Auckland!

If you missed it - have a read of the March NZGDA newsletter. You'll find info about GDSR applications, an update on NZGDC'26, important info about proposed IR changes, membership updates and more.

It's nearly time for the 2nd ever Wellington Game Review, brought to you by #ArmageddonExpo! 🎮 Try out games and support your local developers with feedback.  🫶 April 3rd - April 5th 2026 Link in bio - click Events! 🎯

The day has come! 🇳🇿🕹️ Get FREE TICKETS to the NZGDC 2026 in Auckland Announcement Event… TODAY at 4PM! 🚨 We are so excited to see you there!

NZGDC 2026 is about to be revealed! 🥳 Register for the event in Auckland below. Did you know you can see upcoming New Zealand Game Developer Association events in one place? 👇

If you missed it last week - you can catch up on all you need to know to submit your GDSR application on the NZGDA YouTube channel here:

Check out this and other events on the NZGDA Events Calendar https://www.nzgda.com/events

Icarus launched their Dangerous Horizons expansion which totally boosted them up the Steam charts over the weekend to #10 Global Top Sellers 😱  Well done RocketWerkz 👏🙌

CODE funding round 12 now open for expressions of interest until 5pm Monday 16th March.  Find out more here https://www.nz-code.nz/post/code-opens-eoi-submissions-for-new-funding-round-12

You can save the date!  We're happy to share that NZGDC 2026 will be held from 30 September - 3 October in Auckland at the new NZ International Convention Centre.   See you there!

Catch up on the latest NZGDA submission regarding Inland Revenue's proposed tax treatment of software development expenditure.  It's worth a read as the proposal has the potential to effect NZ devs & our industry's international competitiveness

Member consultation is now open on proposed changes to the NZGDA Constitution. These changes are needed to comply with legislation, and to reflect how the Association operates today.  Members feedback is welcome by 3rd March. Read more here:

Need more info on how to start the GDSR Registration process? We've got you covered.  View last weeks webinar with the team from NZ On Air as they walk us through it

Pavs Game Awards submissions close this Saturday the 14th of February! ❤️  Submit your game here: https://forms.gle/DxAwowtYxQHHYMXYA

There's still time to register tomorrow's webinar (3rd Feb).  Join NZGDA & the NZ On Air Games Rebate team as they walk us through the 2026 GDSR Registration Process - the first step in applying for the rebate.  Register here: https://forms.gle/H3tWu4USDmhKfUAt8

Business got you busy?  Thinking about applying for the GDSR?  Join us at our first NZGDA Webinar of the year with the Game Rebate team from NZ On Air to walk-through the 2026 GDSR Registration process.  Register here: https://forms.gle/APMEED2uRE6rMmYcA

Are you looking for ways to contribute to the wider game dev community? Become a mentor for the AUT Women in Tech Programme! Read the key initiatives here: https://tinyurl.com/3mesppas OR register your interest here before 12th Feb 5pm. https://forms.office.com/r/tyGUyer74R?origin=lprLink

It's nearly the weekend and we've got you covered. Join Wellington's first Game Review from 6pm TONIGHT at Respawn. Playtest for free, chat to the devs & generally have a good time!  Deets at https://www.nzgda.com/events

Woot!  NZGDA Member, Jevon Wright and her team at Stormcloak Games have released their first title Adaptory after loads of work and heaps of determination.  Congrats 🙌🥳  Let's play! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2201620/Adaptory/

The Pavs Game Awards are back for 2026 & submissions are now OPEN (closes 14th of Feb ❤️) If you are from NZ or Oceania & have a physical or digital game already released in the last year or due for release this year, find out how to enter here: https://forms.gle/EvrREDpMJixUmfLf6

Kickstart 2026 with some great events: join the first GAME REVIEW at Respawn Esports, talk creative tech with Wahine Fuelled Tech, go offline & social with AMG or get down to business with NZGDA's 1st webinar on GDSR rego's. There's something for everyone! https://www.nzgda.com/events/

🎄 This article is sure to get you into the festive spirit!   

Oh! It's a two-for-one - incoming NZGDA Board Member, Emma Procter and outgoing Board Member Johnson Witehira crushing the Creative Tech Summit panel like the legends they are! 🙌

With the 2026 NZGDA Board voted in 😀 we're now pleased to announce elected roles are:  CHAIR Anna Barham (Balancing Monkey Games), VICE CHAIR Stacey Wood (BSA), TREASURER: Lance Burgess (PikPok), SECRETARY: Elissa Snowball (RocketWerkz). Congrats to you all! 👏

Catch up before Christmas? 🎄 Sure!  👍  Join other Christchurch Game Devs tonight at the EPIC Innovation Centre. 

Oh yes they did! 🥳  WINNERS in the 17th Unity Awards include Best Mobile Game: Dredge (Black Salt Games) and Publisher of the Year: Synty Studios 🎉. Watch the awards on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/live/7PUHMd7kx2U

Check out the latest jobs on the NZGDA jobs board, including opportunities for Programmers, Marketing Specialists and more. https://www.nzgda.com/jobs