Over the last 9 months of hosting workshops, I’ve trialled a few venues. For my next Zine Workshop, January’s Make-a-Vision, we’ll be at a new possie - Arts for Health’s Studio One, at 2 Seddon Rd.

For a Zine Workshop, there are a few aspects I’ve learnt are important: Parking, size/capacity, layout, lighting/decor, ease of booking/access.

And the aspect that can make or break the event? Cost.

Where I began: Hamilton Central Library

For my first self-organised, public workshop, I mimicked another creative, Ninu. Ninu hosted a zine workshop that I atteneded in the Kathleen Glenn room (now listed as: Te Koopuu Maania Meeting Room) of the Central Library, in 2024.

Hamilton City Libraries are true zine supporters, with Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zine Fest being held in Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa.

Rating: 18/30

Parking: 2/5

Size/capacity: 4/5

Layout: 3/5

Lighting/Decor: 3/5

Ease of booking/access: 4/5

Cost*: 2/5

*Non-profit/free community events - $15 per hour (4/5)

*Commercial organisation - $57 per hour (!!!): 0/5

Where I developed: Hive 11 Co-Working Space (Nectar Workshop Room)

I was first introduced to Hive 11 through a Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zine Fest workshop I hosted early 2026. Hive 11 has been a good wee space for Zine Workshops, but the time has come to find a messier venue for creative play.

Rating 24/30

Parking: 5/5

Size/capacity: 4/5

Layout: 4/5

Lighting/Decor: 5/5

Ease of booking/access: 2/5

Cost - $15 per hour: 4/5

Where I was most inspired: Pirongia Forest Park Lodge

A national charity organisation runs wellbeing camps / retreats / programmes at Pirongia Forest Park Lodge, and they invited me to facilitate a couple of zine workshops as I shifted into a concertina zine focus and away from the 8 page mini zine.

Rating 24.5/30

Parking: 4/5

Size/capacity: 5/5

Layout: 5/5

Lighting/Decor: 4/5

Ease of booking/access: 5/5

Cost*: 2.5/5 (as below)

*Guest Workshop Facilitator for a charity organisation: FREE! 5/5

*Hiring: hundreds of dollars 0/5

Where to next?

Come and try out a session at Studio One in January (Tickets available HERE). I hope to see you there to make a vision zine with me!

Let’s plan to start the new year with a sprinkle of imaginative play.