NZ Games Festival, Play by Play, and the Pavs Game Awards 2026
Description
Play by Play, The Pavs Game Awards and NZ Games Festival are back from 1st May to 10th May 2026 at the Michael Fowler Centre, and the wider Pōneke city. We are for game developers, hobbyists and those interested in the sector.
Kicking off in the country’s beating cultural heart, Wellington, Play by Play is a New Zealand games conference with a difference. In addition to our flagship conference, we host networking events and professional development workshops for industry players as part of the wider NZ Game Festival, including Game Jams, Exhibitions, the NZ Games awards—The Pavs (9th May)—and our fabulous networking events!
The Play by Play conference (8th – 9th May) features a diverse slate of talks on the theme ‘Checkpoint 10EXP’ and exciting opportunities to network with other ANZ game developers.
All access passes give you entry to all NZ Games Festival events, including the Play by Play conference and the Pavs game awards. Festival events include Treat and Greet, PB and Jam, JoyPad, Level Up, and more!
Lineup
Play By Play: 2-Day Conference
The Play by Play conference (8th – 9th May) features a diverse slate of talks on the theme ‘Checkpoint 10EXP’ and exciting opportunities to network with other ANZ game developers. Friday 8th May - Saturday 9th May, Michael Fowler Centre
The Pavs Game Awards
The pavs are nz and australia’s own cake cabinet of excellence in game development 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 Saturday 9th May - Michael Fowler Centre
Level Up Exhibitions
The Level Up exhibitions are free, open-to-the-public events. Cream of the Crop - This exhibition celebrates the amazing Pav's game award finalists for 2025. Bring the family to play these showcase games. Friday 8th May - Sunday 10th May - Michael Fowler Centre Reimagined Pokémon - After a decade of opportunities and challenges, we’re pausing at the campfire to reflect on the journey so far and look ahead. To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re diving into the archives and revisiting what made 2016 such a defining year for gaming, with iconic releases like Pokémon Go. Friday 8th May - Sunday 10th May - Fishcube Gallery Platformer - Back and better than ever! we have a whole day dedicated to showcasing the local game talent. Come along, play and join in the fun! Sunday 10th May - Michael Fowler Centre
Joypad
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. Wednesday 6th May
PB & Jam
This 48 hour game jam will see crews both big and small assembling quickfire games that show their unique take on a hidden theme. Friday 1st May - Sunday 3rd May - Massey University
Super Quiz Bros, Quiz Night
Super Quiz Bros is a casual pub quiz themed around video game trivia. Each year 20 teams compete in 7 rounds to be crowned as the most knowledgeable gamers in New Zealand. $30 per team, minimum team of 3 people. Note, that only one person from each team needs to buy this ticket. Thursday 7th May - Meow Bar NOTE: Tickets for Super Quiz Bros must be purchased at the venue link here: https://meow.flicket.co.nz/events/ca39acca-debc-462b-bb8b-222b2ed2ad55
Treat 'n Greet
If you’ve ever been to 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. A non-alcoholic networking event with a tasty twist, Treat & Greet aims to provide Play by Play attendees with a fun, safe, and delicious environment to make new friends and catch up with old ones. Friday 8th May - Fishcube Gallery Included in the all-access pass, Pavs or Play by Play day pass for festival attendees
Level Up Workshops
Through our cornerstone Level Up series of educational workshops, we introduce you to what we do. Level Up events are all about providing an opportunity for non-industry Kiwis to discover what NZ games are all about or gain new skills to help them towards a career in games.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
