what the heck is a zine?
Pronounced “zeen”, zines are small, short-run, self-published, (maga)zines, covering a range of topics from music and art, to politics, sexuality and humour.
Written, drawn, painted, collaged — zines can take any form their maker desires.
Culturally and historically, zines have served as a powerful outlet for content considered to be outside of mainstream.
Zines are a pure art medium — it’s as tactile as you can get, feeling the texture, smelling the ink, and engaging with the content.
Zine culture fosters community, sharing, collaboration and innovation.
what’s a zinefest?
Zinefests — and zines in general — provide a safe, independent platform of expression for underrepresented and marginalised voices: Māori and other BIPOC communities, rangatahi, disabled people, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with limited economic resources.
tauranga zinefest
Tauranga Zinefest is a free, annual community event which celebrates and showcases small print-run, self-made, (maga)zines. Started in 2016, Tauranga Zinefest is dedicated to promoting the unique sub-culture of zines.
Through stalls, talks and workshops, Tauranga Zinefest is a platform for anyone and everyone, educating and connecting groups and individuals via the drawn and printed world, and the universal visual language of self-made publications.
Brought to life by Zinefest Director Hannah Wynn, a local zine-enthusiast who, after experiencing zinefests held in other centres, recognised a need for Bay of Plenty to have its very own zinefest.
