What is Steampunk?

Think of a future where steam was the last great technology discovered.  The term Steampunk was coined in the 1980s, and is based on imagining inventions the Victorians might have created for the modern world. The movement was kick-started by science fiction novels and has branched out to incorporate art and fashion, with a well-established aesthetic, - think wonderfully embellished hats and goggles.

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Steampunk in New Zealand

​The Steampunk movement in New Zealand started with a beer mug.

Agent Darling created an exhibition piece for a party in 2008. It was received so well, and stimulated the imaginations of so many that he wanted to hold an exhibition of Oamaru's creative minds. Thus the first League of Victorian Imagineers Steampunk: tomorrow as it used to be exhibition, was held at the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru in 2009. It was part of the Victorian Heritage week.
There were a great deal of guns and inventions that appealed to the 'boys'. What could be done to involve the 'girls'?  Sally Hope suggested a fashion show and gala ball. The first one was in June 2010. From that the Steampunk NZ Festival evolved as participants and spectators requested more steampunk events over the weekend. The annual Steampunk NZ Festival is the largest, longest running steampunk event in the Southern Hemisphere.
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The Steampunk NZ Trust

The Steampunk NZ Festival is now run by the Steampunk NZ Trust. Based in Oamaru, the Steampunk NZ Trust is registered under the Charitable Trusts Act (Reg Num: CC47380), with the following mission:

• To foster and promote Steampunk as an art genre.

• To foster and promote Steampunk artistic development, and the public viewing and appreciation of Steampunk art. 

• To foster and promote the collection and display, exhibition and performance of Steampunk art forms.

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The Steampunk NZ Trustees are:

Neave Willoughby, Chairperson (Christchurch)

Iain Clark, Secretary (Oamaru)
Kathleen Stringer (Ashburton)

Karl Illingworth (Oamaru)
Helen Jansen  (Oamaru)

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The Trust has no employees, and the Steampunk NZ Festival is organized with the invaluable help of volunteers from Oamaru and beyond.  

If you are interested in volunteering on a regular or one-off basis, contact us at contact@steampunknz.org.nz (2018 Festival Volunteer Info)