What is FurcoNZ?

FurcoNZ is the largest annual gathering for the New Zealand Furry community!

FurcoNZ started in 2002 as a house con, becoming a Camp con in 2007 and starting a Hotel con in 2024!

The Camp con, the classic FurcoNZ event, is typically held in May every year. Unlike most foreign Furry Conventions, it is not hosted in a hotel. Instead it is run as a camp, much like Camp Feral! or Oklacon. This keeps FurcoNZ casual, while retaining the link to the New Zealand outdoors.

While FurcoNZ is for the Furry community, we are most welcoming of members from other communities, such as Bronies/Pegasisters, Otherkin, or any one else who may just be curious.

What is Furry?

The Furry Community initially grew out of the Science Fiction and Fantasy fandoms.

In very broad terms, Furries are fans of anthropomorphism and things having to do with creatures and animals.

There are a vast array of subject areas that Furries are interested in:

• Mythology (eg. totem spirits and animism);
• Science (eg. bioengineering and veterinary sciences);
• Literature (eg. Poetry and storytelling);
• Fine arts (eg. Drawing, painting, sculpture and costume making);
• Performing arts (eg. Singing, music and fursuit performance);
• Mass Media (eg. Films, cartoons and televison shows);

and the list goes on…

Furries themselves have a wide variety of ages, races and cultures, and have a diverse range of backgrounds, from students to highly qualified industry professionals (Doctors, lawyers, academics and even rocket scientists).

Just as there is a huge range of people who make up the Furry Community, they way they choose to identify with the fandom is equally varied. Some are simply happy sit with friends and watch Furry cartoons and anime. Some will produce anthropomorphic art of their favourite characters. Others will make and wear fursuits of their Furry persona.

It is impossible to give a single definition of the term ‘Furry’. Whatisfurry.com offers a much better explanation than can be offered here.

FurcoNZ History

2002-2006: The House-Con Years

While there have been unofficial gatherings prior to this, these were the first to be called FurcoNZ and to be run on an annual basis.

2002

FurcoNZ started as a gathering hosted by PuppyDog in his flat in Panmure, Auckland. This was similar to a easterCon that same year, but was the first to call itself FurcoNZ.

2003

Nimble hosted the second FurcoNZ at his parents’ house in Mission Bay, Auckland.

2004

The first FurcoNZ outside of Auckland was hosted by Whitelock and Aeothen in Dunedin. This event was held in late November. Another event, HamilCon, took place in January 2005 for furs who couldn’t make it to the Dunedin FurcoNZ.

2005

The fourth FurcoNZ was hosted by Foy at his parent’s holiday house in Taupo. Attendance was reported to be around 18.

2006

Southpaw hosted the fifth FurcoNZ, at his house in Wairakei. Attendance was reported to be just over 30.

2007-2022: Camp-Con!

At this point, it became clear that attendances were far too large for a private residence and they were moved to camps and lodge sites. This also marked a shift to FurcoNZ being a paid event, initially just to cover hire of the sites, but later to include catering.

2007

Lex Cypher hosted the sixth FurcoNZ at the Kiwianis Lodge in Huia, West Auckland. There were around 40 attendees.

2008

DarthMeow hosted the seventh FurcoNZ at Camp Rangi Woods near Palmerston North. There were around 32 attendees.

2009

Staff headed by Lyctiger hosted the eighth FurcoNZ at Kokako Lodge, Hunua, South Auckland. This was the first FurcoNZ to include full catering, and move to a more convention-like structure with programmed events, conbadges and conbooks. Attendance was 58.

2010

The ninth FurcoNZ returned to Kokako Lodge, lead again by Lyctiger, expanding on the previous event with an impromptu raft building event, and a Singstar tournament. Attendance was 50.

2011

Staff, lead by Lyctiger, hosted the tenth FurcoNZ. This was the last time FurcoNZ was at Kokako Lodge, as the site had reached comfortable limits for attendance. Attendance was 50.

2012

The tenth FurcoNZ returned to Kiwianis Lodge, the site of FurcoNZ in 2007, with a staff lead by Lyctiger and DarthMeow. Attendance was 50.

2013/2014

The FurcoNZ event for the 2013/2014 summer season was held over February 6 – 9, 2014 (Waitangi Day weekend)

Dates: Feb 6 – 9

Location: Brookfield Outdoor Education Centre, Wainuiomata, Wellington.

Attendance: Official – 52

Cost of Registration: early registration NZ$99.00 (including accommodation and food).

Staff:
    Lead Organizer: Nimble Squirrel
    Graphics/Admin/Promotions: Kendravixie
    Kitchen Team: lyctiger, Rakuza, Thipher
    Safety/Lifeguard/First Aid: Shorty
    Security: Dottar
    Consultant: lyctiger
    Website hosting/admin: DarthMeow

2015

Unfortunately the organiser for 2015 had to step down due to personal reasons.

2016

FurcoNZ 2016 was held over the Waitangi weekend (February 5-8, 2016), at the Brookfield Outdoor Education Centre in the heart of Moores Valley in Wainuiomata, forty minutes drive from Wellington.

Staff:
    Lead Organizer: Nimble Squirrel
    Graphics/Admin/Promotions: Kendravixie
    Kitchen Team: Kasmkat, PoisonedMisery, Izzy
    Safety/Lifeguard/First Aid: Shorty
    Security: DarthMeow, Lexcypher
    Website hosting/admin: DarthMeow

2017

FurcoNZ 2017 was held over the Waitangi weekend (February 3-6, 2017), at MiCamp Taupo. The theme of the convention was “Pirates of Lake Taupo”.

Dates: Feb 3 – 6
Location: MiCamp Taupo, Taupo
Attendance: Official – 86 Overnight | 4 Day Passes
Cost of Registration:
    Event
        2 Day Basic Registration $120.00
        3 Day Basic Registration $180.00
        Premium Registration $200.00
        Sponsor $250.00
        Super Sponsor spot(s) were given to highest bidder
    Day Pass (Saturday or Sunday)
        1 Day $40.00
        2 Day $80.00

Staff:
    Lead Organizer: Nimble Squirrel
    Graphics/Admin/Promotions: Kendravixie
    Hospitality Team: Kasmkat, Sherk
    Events: Lupa
    Safety/Lifeguard/First Aid: Shorty
    Security: DarthMeow, LexCypher, PoisonedMisery
    Website hosting/admin: DarthMeow

2018

FurcoNZ 2018 was held at MiCamp, Taupo over Waitangi Weekend (February 2-5, 2018). The theme was “1988” and encouraged everyone to dress 1980s

Dates: Feb 2 – 5
Location: MiCamp Taupo, Taupo

Staff:
    Lead Organizer: Nimble Squirrel
    Graphics/Admin/Promotions: Kendravixie
    Hospitality Team: Kasmkat, Sherk
    Events: Lupa
    Safety/Lifeguard/First Aid: Shorty
    Security: DarthMeow, LexCypher, PoisonedMisery
    Website hosting/admin: DarthMeow

2020

FurcoNZ 2020 was held at Forest Lakes, Ōtaki.

2022

FurcoNZ 2022 was held at Forest Lakes, Ōtaki.

Originally scheduled for February, it was postponed until May due to COVID Alert Levels. There were approximately 205 total attendees (including day passes)

2024 Onwards: FurcoNZ Expands

2024

FurcoNZ Camp was held in May at Forest Lakes, Ōtaki.

FurcoNZ Hotel launches for the first time in Auckland, with 380 attendees over the weekend.

2025

FurcoNZ Youth Camp debuts at Kokako Lodge in Auckland!

FurcoNZ Camp returns to Forest Lakes, Otaki with Camp Howloween!

FurcoNZ Hotel returns at the end of the year, November 21st-23rd!