Tauranga Zinefest takes new direction

Tauranga’s annual Zinefest will in future be administered by Tauranga Arts Festival following co-founder and director Hannah Wynn gifting it to the festival.

Hannah, a graphic designer, wanted to ensure the future of the city’s one-day Zinefest now she’s moved to Hamilton and says that with an established relationship with the Arts Festival, the event couldn’t have a better guardian. “Lynette Fisher and I were studying together at Toi Ohomai when she suggested we put on a zinefest in 2016,” says Hannah.

“And I said: ‘what’s a zine?’.”

Pronounced ‘zeen’, zines are small, short-run, selfpublished, (maga)zines, covering all sorts of topics, including music, politics, sexuality and humour. Written, drawn by hand or digitally, painted, collaged, zines can take any form their maker desires. Culturally and historically, zines have served as an outlet for content outside the mainstream.

“Zinefests – and zines in general – provide a safe, independent platform for underrepresented and marginalised voices including Māori and other BIPOC communities, rangatahi, disabled people, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with limited economic resources. One maker, Jakob, has been with us from the start, beginning as a rangatahi.

“His art has grown incredibly over the years and he’s inspired others to share their creativity through zines.

“ at’s why I’ve loved it.”

Hannah isn’t cutting her ties to Zinefest, which she’s managed solo since 2019, and will provide design and delivery support for the free event, as well as volunteering on the day.

Zinefest o ers sales stalls, talks and workshops, as well as networking opportunities.

Stall-holders have come from as far as Christchurch and Auckland. e rst Zinefest attracted 250 visitors, while last year it was a record 500. is year’s Zinefest is on Sunday, October 22.