Difference between revisions of "FurcoNZ"

From WikiFur, the furry encyclopedia.
Jump to: navigation, search
(The boat.)
(Written like a wall of text / promo. Major cleanup. Time-dependent / news oriented elements, personal asides, predictions, and trivia-like statements were removed.)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{cleanup}}
+
'''FurcoNZ''' is an annual gathering of the [[Wikipedia:New Zealand|New Zealand]] furry community, with a distinctively [[Wikipedia:Kiwi_(people) Kiwi]] outdoors theme. Since 2007, it has typically been held at the end of the year, around end of November or start of December.  Since 2009, the event organizers scheduled FurcoNZ on "back-to-back" weekends with [[MidFur]] (in Melbourne, Australia) to entice overseas attendees to make both events in the same intercontinental trip. Beginning as a small indoor [[furmeet]] often hosted at a private residence until 2007, it has grown into a weekend [[furry camping]] event at a camp or lodge site with scheduled activities and official programming, with a recap DVD being produced since 2007.
 
+
 
+
'''FurcoNZ''': the annual campout/gathering/convention for the local furry community of [[Wikipedia:New Zealand|New Zealand]], with a distinctively "Kiwi" outdoors theme. It is usually held at the end of the year, since 2007 held around end of November/start of December, and since 2009 have scheduled to be held on "back-to-back" weekends with MidFur (in Melbourne, Australia) to help with and entice overseas attendees to make both events.
+
 
+
 
+
The official FurcoNZ website is located at: http://www.furconz.org.nz
+
 
+
The official IRC channel is located on FurNet at: #Furconz
+
 
+
 
+
'''Next (upcoming) FurcoNZ event: ''FurcoNZ 2011'''''
+
 
+
When: To Be Determined, but most likely the weekend of: 25th November till 28th November OR 9th December till 12th December (tentative, pending final scheduling of MidFur 2011 and other factors)
+
 
+
Where: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
+
 
+
 
+
Registration will hopefully begin by late April of this year.
+
 
+
 
+
'''''Please skip to the FurcoNZ 2011 section for more information.'''''
+
 
+
 
+
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 +
=== 2002 - 2008 ===
 +
* 2002: Hosted by [[PuppyDog]] in Panmure [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]], at a private residence.
 +
* 2003: In West Auckland, NZ, at a private residence.
 +
* 2004: At Student Central in [[Wikipedia:Dunedin|Dunedin]]
 +
* 2005: Dec 2005 in [[Wikipedia:Taupo|Taupo]].  Unofficial attendance was 18.
 +
* 2006: Nov 2006 by [[Southpaw (NZ)]] at his three-bedroom house in [[Wikipedia:Wairakei|Wairakei]].  Unofficial attendance was just over 30.
  
=== The Early Years ===
+
=== 2007 - Present ===
 +
Starting in 2007, FurcoNZ was no longer hosted in private residences, but was rather relocated to a camp or lodge site in New Zealand, creating a change in event programming tailored to outdoor activities.
  
FurcoNZ first started off as a meetup for local furries residing in New Zealand, usually at someone's house. Throughout the years, it has grown and evolved into a regular event being held in a camp/lodge site over a weekend, with scheduled activities and programming. While not officially reaching the size and structure of a "convention", many locals do refer this event as the "annual New Zealand furry con".
+
==== 2007 ====
 +
* Dates: Nov 30 - Dec 3
 +
* Location: 'Kiwanis Camp' in [[Wikipedia:Huia (place)|Huia]], [[Wikipedia:Waitakere City|Waitakere]], [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
 +
* Attendance:  Unofficial attendance around 40 people.
 +
* Organizer: [[Lex Cypher]]
  
FurcoNZ 2002
+
==== 2008 ====
 +
* Dates: Nov 21 - 24
 +
* Location: 'Camp Rangi Woods' in [[Wikipedia:Pohangina|Pohangina]], North Island.
 +
* Attendance: Unofficial attendance around 32.
 +
* Organizers: [[DarthMeow]] (Lead) and [[TrojanCentaur]]
  
Hosted by [[PuppyDog]] in Panmure [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]], at a private residence.
+
==== 2009 ====
 
+
In 2009, FurcoNZ began to operate in much the same manner as larger [[convention conventions]] by introducing an online registration system, comprehensive outdoor programming including archery, abseiling, kayaking and hiking, and an indoor event track including board-gaming and dances during the night. In addition, the event produced con badges and an official [[conbook]], and the event was catered with 8 main meals prepared and served by a kitchen team.
FurcoNZ 2003
+
 
+
Held in West Auckland, at a private residence.
+
 
+
FurcoNZ 2004
+
 
+
Hosted at Student Central in [[Wikipedia:Dunedin|Dunedin]].
+
 
+
FurcoNZ 2005
+
 
+
Held in December 2005 in [[Wikipedia:Taupo|Taupo]].
+
Unofficial attendance count was 18 people.
+
 
+
 
+
=== Moving on out and up ===
+
 
+
==== FurcoNZ 2006 ====
+
 
+
When: November 2006
+
 
+
Where: Hosted by [[Southpaw (NZ)]] at his three-bedroom house in [[Wikipedia:Wairakei|Wairakei]], just north of [[Wikipedia:Taupo|Taupo]].
+
 
+
 
+
The weekend gathering was documented and have a DVD produced from digital video footage. The 2006 event also marks the end to the "old era" of FurcoNZ of being held at a private residence.
+
 
+
 
+
Unofficial attendance count was just over 30 people.
+
 
+
 
+
==== FurcoNZ 2007 ====
+
 
+
When: 30th November till 3rd December
+
 
+
Where: 'Kiwanis Camp' in [[Wikipedia:Huia (place)|Huia]], [[Wikipedia:Waitakere City|Waitakere]], [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
+
 
+
 
+
This was the first time FurcoNZ was being held at a place other than someone's home, and started the transition to the "new era" and is ground breaking for the New Zealand furry community. A recap DVD has been produced from footage being recorded during the weekend.
+
 
+
 
+
[[Lex Cypher]] was the organizer for FurcoNZ 2007
+
 
+
Unofficial attendance count was around 32-36 people staying, with a peak of around 40 people (on Saturday) throughout the weekend.
+
 
+
 
+
==== FurcoNZ 2008 ====
+
 
+
When: 21st November till 24th November
+
 
+
Where: 'Camp Rangi Woods' at [[Wikipedia:Pohangina|Pohangina]], North Island.
+
 
+
 
+
This time FurcoNZ moved to the southern part of the North Island. This was also the first year that FurcoNZ was being organized through an official website. All footage was recorded in some nice Sony HD equipment and again a DVD has been produced.
+
 
+
 
+
[[DarthMeow]] (Lead), along with [[TrojanCentaur]] were the organizers for FurcoNZ 2008
+
 
+
Unofficial attendance count was around 30-32 people staying during the weekend.
+
 
+
 
+
== "Modern" FurcoNZ Format (as it is run today) ==
+
 
+
=== FurcoNZ 2009 ===
+
 
+
When: 27th November till 30th November
+
 
+
Where: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
+
 
+
 
+
This year marked the introduction of the online registration system, with various organized outdoor events and activities such as archery, abseiling, kayaking and hiking, and were ran with much success. There were also a variety of indoor activities such board-gaming sessions and dances during the night.
+
 
+
Also new this year were: official FurcoNZ event (con) badges, and an official event/FurcoNZ booklet (or con-book).
+
 
+
A proper staff/operating structure has been set up and were used for FurcoNZ organization moving forward.
+
 
+
This was also a fully catered event, and a full menu plan (with 8 main meals: Friday Dinner, Saturday/Sunday Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner and Monday Breakfast) implemented and served by the kitchen team with generally positive feedbacks.
+
 
+
Registration for "early, standard full registration" was NZ$ 75.00 (which covers ALL costs: accomodation, catering/food and basic events)
+
 
+
 
+
Offical Staff for this year were:
+
 
+
Lead Organizer (aka "con-chair"): [[lyctiger]]
+
 
+
Security (aka "The Muscle"): [[Kaltezar]]
+
 
+
Website admin/I.T. support: [[Colin]]
+
 
+
Other general duties: [[Blitz]], [[DarthMeow]], [[Foofox]], [[Lex Cypher]]
+
 
+
 
+
Also thanks to [[Thiper]] "Imported Bunny" as the Head-Chef, [[Stepwolf]] as the Sous-chef (they were not part of official staff for 2009, which has been incorporated into the overall structure/logistics from 2010 onwards), and [[lyctiger]] over-seeing the menu/service (aka "Executive Chef").
+
 
+
 
+
Final official attendance count are as follows:
+
 
+
Final Attendence: 58
+
 
+
Full Registrations (staying 2+ nights): 47
+
 
+
Partial Registrations (staying 1 night): 2
+
 
+
Day Passes (not staying at the lodge): 9
+
 
+
 
+
=== FurcoNZ 2010 ===
+
 
+
When: 10th December till 13th December
+
 
+
Where: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
+
  
 +
* Dates: Nov 27 - 30
 +
* Location: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
 +
* Attendance: Official - 58
 +
* Cost of Registration: NZ$75.00 (including accommodations and food)
 +
* Staff:
 +
** Lead Organizer: [[lyctiger]]
 +
** Security: [[Kaltezar]]
 +
** Website Admin/IT Support: [[Colin]]
 +
** Other general duties: [[Blitz]], [[DarthMeow]], [[Foofox]], [[Lex Cypher]]
  
 +
==== 2010 ====
 
This year followed a very similar format and structure introduced last year. Various organized outdoor events and an expanded activities schedule (with 2 streams/instructors) took place: archery, abseiling, high-ropes course, kayaking and hiking. Once again a variety of indoor activities were organized such as board-gaming sessions. A full A/V room setup with consoles, and nightly dances also took place. A "SingStar" tradition has also been started (to the delight/dismay of various attendees).  
 
This year followed a very similar format and structure introduced last year. Various organized outdoor events and an expanded activities schedule (with 2 streams/instructors) took place: archery, abseiling, high-ropes course, kayaking and hiking. Once again a variety of indoor activities were organized such as board-gaming sessions. A full A/V room setup with consoles, and nightly dances also took place. A "SingStar" tradition has also been started (to the delight/dismay of various attendees).  
  
Notable to mention too was the creation of a fully functioning raft, headed by Isengrin, and christened the Hunua Ragebeetle. It was sailed under the waterfall, where it met its untimely demise.
+
* Dates: Dec 10 - 13
 +
* Location: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
 +
* Attendance: Official - 66
 +
* Cost of Registration: NZ$85.00 (including accommodations and food)
 +
* Staff:
 +
** Lead Organizer: [[lyctiger]]
 +
** Security: [[Kaltezar]] (Lead); [[Ruggs]]
 +
** Kitchen Team: [[Thipher]] (Head-chef); [[Colin]], [[Stepwolf]] (Sous-chef); [[lyctiger]] (Executive-chef)
 +
** Website Admin/IT Support: [[Colin]]
 +
** A/V Technical Lead: [[DarthMeow]]
 +
** General duties: [[Lex Cypher]]
  
This was also a fully catered event, and a full menu plan (with 8 main meals: Friday Dinner, Saturday/Sunday Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner and Monday Breakfast) implemented and served by the kitchen team, and compared with last year, most attendees thought that this was the best catered FurcoNZ yet. As mentioned in the con-book: "we hope to further reinforce FurcoNZ as the gathering that sets a very high culinary standard. Who says camp or "furry gathering" food/meals should be bad and boring".
+
== FurcoNZ 2011 ==
 
+
This will likely be the last year FurcoNZ is held at Kokako Lodge, as it has slowly outgrown the location, and will likely follow the format set out from the previous two years. Even as the event grows larger and more traditional convention events such as [[Dealers Den]] may arise, the convention has committed itself to keeping with its outdoor activity tradition it started in 2007.
Registration for "early, standard full registration" was NZ$ 85.00 (which covers ALL costs: accomodation, catering/food and basic events)
+
 
+
 
+
Offical Staff for this year were:
+
 
+
Lead Organizer (aka "con-chair"): [[lyctiger]]
+
 
+
Security Team (aka "The Muscle"): [[Kaltezar]] (Lead); [[Ruggs]]
+
 
+
Kitchen Team: [[Thipher]] (Head-chef); [[Colin]], [[Stepwolf]] (Sous-chef); [[lyctiger]] (Executive-chef)
+
 
+
Website admin/I.T. support: [[Colin]]
+
 
+
A/V Technical Lead: [[DarthMeow]]
+
 
+
General duties: [[Lex Cypher]]
+
 
+
 
+
Final official attendance count are as follows:
+
 
+
Final Attendence: 66
+
 
+
Full Registrations (staying 2+ nights): 65
+
 
+
Day Passes (not staying at the lodge): 1
+
 
+
 
+
=== FurcoNZ 2011 ===
+
 
+
When: To Be Determined, but most likely the weekend of: 25th November till 28th November OR 9th December till 12th December (tentative, pending final scheduling of MidFur 2011 and other factors)
+
 
+
Where: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
+
 
+
 
+
Registration will hopefully begin by late April of this year.
+
 
+
 
+
This will likely be the last year FurcoNZ is held at Kokako Lodge, as it has slowly outgrown the location, and should follow the format set out from the previous 2 years (2009 and 2010).
+
As the event grows larger and edging towards the 100 attendees mark (optimistic projection is for 70-80 attendees this year), a more "convention-like" schedule will slowly be introduced which might include: proper panels or "discussion groups", an official artist alley/art area and possibly an art-show. Having said that, we will continue to offer and arrange outdoor activities to take advantage of the great clean green Kiwi outdoors, and to offer a unique experience compared to other gatherings/meets/conventions elsewhere.
+
 
+
Also planned this year are even better things from the kitchen team. On the back of the very successful services from the previous 2 years, a "premium" menu plan is being reviewed and might be introduced this year with full, 3-course dinner being served.
+
 
+
Registration for "early, standard full registration" for 2011 is projected to be around NZ$ 90.00-NZ$ 95.00 (which covers ALL costs: accomodation, catering/food and basic events)
+
 
+
 
+
Offical Staff for this year:
+
 
+
Lead Organizer (aka "con-chair"): [[lyctiger]]
+
 
+
Security Team (aka "The Muscle"): [[Kaltezar]]
+
 
+
Website admin/I.T. support: [[Colin]]
+
 
+
The kitchen team and other Staff members will be assigned and to be determined, but will most likely include people from previous years: [[DarthMeow]], [[Lex Cypher]], [[Ruggs]], [[Stepwolf]], [[Thipher]]
+
 
+
 
+
=== FurcoNZ 2012 (aka FurcoNZ X) ===
+
 
+
When: To be determined, but tentatively in late November/early December (again, will be planned as a back-to-back weekend event with MidFur 2012)
+
 
+
Where: To be determined, but most likely in the greater Auckland area (for logistical reasons and with consideration from past attendance records)
+
 
+
 
+
This will be ten years (a decade) since 2002 that FurcoNZ will run, hence the code-name "FurcoNZ X" (that and "X" just sounds all degrees of cool and futuristic like). Pending the final outcome and debrief for FurcoNZ 2011, 2012 might mark yet another change/direction for the way this event will be organized and run.
+
 
+
Optimistically projected to hit roughly 100 attendees, a potential new site will be looked at and hopefully be used for the next 2-4 years (again, pending growth trends and feedbacks with this event).
+
 
+
The "unique, outdoors Kiwi" style will hopefully be kept, as this is the defining feature for FurcoNZ compared with other events, and more "proper convention-like" atmosphere blended into the mix that will suit an event with 100+ potential attendees and beyond.
+
 
+
 
+
Very early organization and ground laying framework has begun.
+
 
+
Administrative staff team: [[lyctiger]] (Lead Organizer/Finances), [[Colin]] (Website admin/I.T. support/Logistics), [[Kaltezar]] (Security/Logistics)
+
 
+
More staff members will be recruited and roles more defined in the future.
+
 
+
 
+
== Other/Future "FurcoNZ/Alternative" events ==
+
 
+
While FurcoNZ is designed to be the annual New Zealand community gathering/event/con that everyone can schedule for with a semi-stable location and schedule year-on-year, it is clear that as the event grows larger (as with current (2011) trends), some might miss the days of the smaller and cosier feel, and also the chance to head into a completely new venue/place for an even more outdoor-adventure themed weekend.
+
 
+
 
+
Hence "FurcoNZ/Alternative" are planned with the aforementioned factors in mind to offer an extra event run during the year, with a smaller attendance and a less formal/"back-to-adventure"/camp like atmosphere for the weekend.
+
 
+
 
+
Other potential events run under "FurcoNZ/Alternative" might include a one-night weekend dance party with a proper venue hired out that is Fursuit friendly.
+
 
+
 
+
=== FurcoNZ/Alt. 2012 ===
+
 
+
When: Potential dates include: Easter Weekend - 7th/8th April, Queens Birthday Weekend - 2nd/3rd June, Labour Day Weekend - 20th/21st October
+
 
+
Where: Potentially the Lower North Island (Wellington area) or South Island (Christchurch or Queenstown)
+
 
+
 
+
This will be the first planned FurcoNZ/Alt. event leading up to the main FurcoNZ for 2012. Projected attendance will be around 20-40 people, possibly "capped" for logistical reasons and venue size. The dates and location are to be determined.
+
 
+
Event cost is currently projected to be around the NZ$ 100.00 mark, possibly higher for the weekend.
+
 
+
 
+
A completely new organizational team will be formed for FurcoNZ/Alt. with full support from the main FurcoNZ administrative team and staff, including the use of the main website for registrations, financial and planning help.
+
 
+
Currently, please contact [[lyctiger]]/organizers of FurcoNZ 2011 for more information and if anyone in the New Zealand community would like to suggest/submit a full proposal/plan to run FurcoNZ/Alt. 2012.
+
  
 +
* Dates: To Be Determined, but most likely the weekend of: Nov 25 or Dec 9 (tentative, pending final scheduling of MidFur 2011)
 +
* Location: 'Kokako Lodge' at [[Wikipedia:Hunua Ranges|Hunua Ranges]] in Papakura District, [[Wikipedia:Auckland|Auckland]].
 +
* Staff:
 +
** Lead Organizer: [[lyctiger]]
 +
** Security: [[Kaltezar]]
 +
** Website Admin/IT Support: [[Colin]]
 +
** A/V Technical Lead: [[DarthMeow]]
 +
** General duties: [[Lex Cypher]]
  
 +
== FurcoNZ/Alterntiave ==
 +
The organizers of FurcoNZ have identified a potential future, limited attendance event that refocuses on a smaller, more 'back to basics' outdoor experience apart from the primary FurcoNZ event that is approaching a hundred attendees.  No specific dates, locations, or staff have yet been chosen for this proposed event.
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
* [http://www.furconz.org.nz/ Official FurcoNZ Website]
 
* [http://www.furconz.org.nz/ Official FurcoNZ Website]
 +
* [irc://irc.furnet.org:6667/Furconz #Furconz] on [[FurNet (IRC)|FurNet]]
  
 
{{Conventions}}
 
{{Conventions}}
 +
 
[[Category:Conventions]]
 
[[Category:Conventions]]
 
[[Category:New Zealand]]
 
[[Category:New Zealand]]
 
[[de:FurcoNZ]]
 
[[de:FurcoNZ]]

Revision as of 22:01, 4 April 2011

FurcoNZ is an annual gathering of the New Zealand furry community, with a distinctively Wikipedia:Kiwi_(people) Kiwi outdoors theme. Since 2007, it has typically been held at the end of the year, around end of November or start of December. Since 2009, the event organizers scheduled FurcoNZ on "back-to-back" weekends with MidFur (in Melbourne, Australia) to entice overseas attendees to make both events in the same intercontinental trip. Beginning as a small indoor furmeet often hosted at a private residence until 2007, it has grown into a weekend furry camping event at a camp or lodge site with scheduled activities and official programming, with a recap DVD being produced since 2007.

History

2002 - 2008

  • 2002: Hosted by PuppyDog in Panmure Auckland, at a private residence.
  • 2003: In West Auckland, NZ, at a private residence.
  • 2004: At Student Central in Dunedin
  • 2005: Dec 2005 in Taupo. Unofficial attendance was 18.
  • 2006: Nov 2006 by Southpaw (NZ) at his three-bedroom house in Wairakei. Unofficial attendance was just over 30.

2007 - Present

Starting in 2007, FurcoNZ was no longer hosted in private residences, but was rather relocated to a camp or lodge site in New Zealand, creating a change in event programming tailored to outdoor activities.

2007

2008

  • Dates: Nov 21 - 24
  • Location: 'Camp Rangi Woods' in Pohangina, North Island.
  • Attendance: Unofficial attendance around 32.
  • Organizers: DarthMeow (Lead) and TrojanCentaur

2009

In 2009, FurcoNZ began to operate in much the same manner as larger convention conventions by introducing an online registration system, comprehensive outdoor programming including archery, abseiling, kayaking and hiking, and an indoor event track including board-gaming and dances during the night. In addition, the event produced con badges and an official conbook, and the event was catered with 8 main meals prepared and served by a kitchen team.

2010

This year followed a very similar format and structure introduced last year. Various organized outdoor events and an expanded activities schedule (with 2 streams/instructors) took place: archery, abseiling, high-ropes course, kayaking and hiking. Once again a variety of indoor activities were organized such as board-gaming sessions. A full A/V room setup with consoles, and nightly dances also took place. A "SingStar" tradition has also been started (to the delight/dismay of various attendees).

FurcoNZ 2011

This will likely be the last year FurcoNZ is held at Kokako Lodge, as it has slowly outgrown the location, and will likely follow the format set out from the previous two years. Even as the event grows larger and more traditional convention events such as Dealers Den may arise, the convention has committed itself to keeping with its outdoor activity tradition it started in 2007.

  • Dates: To Be Determined, but most likely the weekend of: Nov 25 or Dec 9 (tentative, pending final scheduling of MidFur 2011)
  • Location: 'Kokako Lodge' at Hunua Ranges in Papakura District, Auckland.
  • Staff:

FurcoNZ/Alterntiave

The organizers of FurcoNZ have identified a potential future, limited attendance event that refocuses on a smaller, more 'back to basics' outdoor experience apart from the primary FurcoNZ event that is approaching a hundred attendees. No specific dates, locations, or staff have yet been chosen for this proposed event.

External links


view · talk · edit
Ongoing and proposed conventions and annual or quarterly events  · Map


Non-furry