FurcoNZ
FurcoNZ is an annual gathering of the New Zealand furry community, with a distinctively 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.
Contents
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
- Dates: Nov 30 - Dec 3
- Location: 'Kiwanis Camp' in Huia, Waitakere, Auckland.
- Attendance: Unofficial attendance around 40 people.
- Organizer: Lex Cypher
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.
- Dates: Nov 27 - 30
- Location: 'Kokako Lodge' at Hunua Ranges in Papakura District, Auckland.
- Attendance: Official - 58
- Cost of Registration: NZ$75.00 (including accommodations and food)
- Staff:
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). 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 Hunua Ranges in Papakura District, Auckland.
- Attendance: Official - 66
- Cost of Registration: NZ$85.00 (including accommodations and food)
- Staff:
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:
- 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
