Sometimes going through this site tells me how much us kiwis are really missing out on the modelling community in the form of expos etc. I would have loved to go to a modelling expo which displays the latest and greatest kitsets by the various manufacturers like the ones that occur in the US, Japan etc.

I am leaving a small percentage of chance that im just not looking hard enough hence why im posting here to find out if i am missing out on expos that are right here in NZ.

Is there an annual expo that occurs around the country? If so, can you pass me the details cause i would be desperate enough to fly domestic just to be there for it.

Jeremy
It all depends on what you are after.
There is the bi-annual IPMS New Zealand nationals - this year to be held in Christchurch in October 2005.
In 2007 the host city is Auckland.
Also there is the model expo in Wellington hosted by the Wellington IPMS.
Check out
http://ipmsnz.hobbyvista.com/
or
http://www.geocities.com/ipmschch/natsmain.html
or
http://www.geocities.com/roaring40sdunedin/index.html
Might see you at Christchurch.
Cheers
Rod

Thanks for that.

Have you ever been to one of them and if so, whats your feedback on it? Do they display all kinds of model or specific type?

I would like to see the different kinds of armor made by other people but would also like to see land and air type models.

Looks like im gonna have to book my flights early as i cant be driving like some of us can.

Jeremy
Been there done that.
Personally the models are great and the personalities are ho-hum. Lots of yawn material and egos a plenty.
Check out the sites for photos of models and show reports.
It is worth going to learn and see with an open mind and stay clear of the politics which are boring.
Check out the Wellington site and read the boring stuff on rules and opinion regards judging.
Concentrate on the models and you will have a ball.
Plenty of winged stuff as well as track and water stuff and things with feet and into infinity and beyond.
All-in-all Christchurch puts on a very good show and is well worth the effort.
I go for myself, to look at the models, go the rounds of the shops, Wigram etc. and to meet the odd modeller that I have known for years. This year I have to leave early on Monday for a conference/training in Wellington so I might not be able to make it to Christchurch.
In four years I understand the IPMS Nationals are in Dunedin. At least I won't have to leave home.
If you want to see some of my work check out
www.geocities.com/fantankus/index.html
or
www.geocities.com/flightydog/index.html
Be warned both are slow to load - lots of images.
Cheers
Rod

Hi all,
To add to the shows Rob mentioned there is a show called TamiyaCon hel;d in wellington ( I am not sure if it is Annual or bi-annual)

Andy I'm not positive but I'm sure TamiyaCon no longer occurs in NZ any more, not to sure of the reasons. Really disapointing that!

Jeremy, if you do a search of modeling clubs/sites in NZ you will find quite a lot of info on show's/Expo's.
As Rod pointed out the IPMS Nationals are being hosted by us down here in Christchurch this year and as he so rightly said heaps of great models, great info and techniques to be seen and discussed. There is the usual moaning/discusion on judging, rules and categories etc by a few but from my experience is only a very small part of a show and they are really enjoyable.
Well worth the trip to any show/expo if you can make it in my opinion.

TAMIYACON NZ, ?
No, the NZ Tamiya importer isn't interested in doing anything except price gouging this market.

Neil its sad to hear about TamiyaCon I always though it was one of the better shows in NZ as it wasn't taken over by politics.

Hey Neil,

Thanks for that bit of info. I shall give it some serious thought as i would certainly be keen to see how others build their models. I did a quick search and manage to find some photos of the Nationals that occured in 2003. Based on the photo, it looked no bigger than one room which is a tad disappointing. Kinda expected a huge expo hall or something.

http://ipmsauckland.hobbyvista.com/Gallery/Events/Nationals03/Nats03.htm

Well, there's only one way to get a hall full of models and that is for all of us to support each and every exhibition and contest and expo that comes along by fronting up with a payload of painted plastic and put it in on display...

According to the Auckland IPMS website, there are the upcoming North Island Champs and Academy Awards at the Marine Rescue Center, Auckland from 22 to 24 October 2005
As I'm currently shuffling the idea of rejoining IPMS back and forth inside my skull, I'll probably go and have a look, but doubt if I'll have anything to show.

I schlepped out to the much hyped ModelEx at Henderson a few weeks back - having experienced the riches of EuroMilitaire, it was a tad disappointing.
Heck, it would have been disappointing even without having experienced the riches etc...
A few plastic models on display, nothing much to write home about frankly, two or three dealers, no books or reference material at all - but a whole lot of model train nutters, dolls house obsessives, painted rocks, Lego, blah blah...
That was five bucks and two hours gone from my life that I'll never see again.

And this comes from myself who's been a virtual modelling hermit since my return to NZ and the ritual Unpacking Of The Stash - my current modelling project is
a/ finding time and space to work on something, or
b/ opening up an unmade kit, reading the instructions, nodding a lot and putting it away again...

$0.02

acav out

ACAV I was going to mention MODELX , but you beat me to it. I have been a couple of times, and such was my impression from a modeling perspective,that even though it is less than a mile away from where I live; I didn't bother to go this year. But you are right, it's up to us to do something about it ourselves if we want to promote armour modeling, and I have applied for space on behalf of my club www,rctc.co.nz , so if the application is approved, I'll be there with my stuff for 3 days next year, hopefully some of our club members will take the plunge too.

Hi Guys

The IPMS show in October is good - small but high quality. I intend going. Usually my club AMPS have a stand/display.

If anyone on the forum here is going and wants to meet just let me know.

The Model X a couple of years ago wasn't too bad. Missed last few years coz its poorly promoted on the North Shore.

Regards

Sean