Steampunk Capital of the World - Oamaru New Zealand - Guinness Book World Record Holder
Oamaru, a quaint farming community located three hours south of Christchurch, New Zealand, is known world-wide for it’s rich, historic charm and stunning Victorian Precinct. The Precinct features a variety of shops, tradition, antique galleries craft museums, micro breweries, as well as some of the most astounding historic rains in the world. But it’s a twist on this Victorian heritage that has Oamaru receiving it biggest contemporary accolades:
The Steampunk Capital of the World
If you’re questioning whether or not Oamaru is deserving of such a lofty title, a quick check of the Guiness Book of World Records will include their recognition for having “The Largest Gathering of Steampunks. This gathering occurred on June 4, 2016 and included 228 participants.
Image Credit - Guiness Book of World Records
Just What is Steampunk All About?
Steampunk, a term originating from the 1980’s and referring to a fantasy world that could have existed if Victorian heritage were to influence modern-day inventiveness, has really gained steam in recent years by an avid group of practitioners. Much literature, movies and internet websites are devoted to the genre, with devotees dressing in elaborate costumes and creating intricate props to further emulate steampunk.
Just Who Started This Whole Steampunk Thing in Oamaru?
The movement in Oamaru has been widely credited to a bloke named Iain Clark, also known by the moniker Agent Darling. Citing that steampunk really gained traction in 2010, when Clark approached The Weta Workshop, a Wellington, NZ based special effects company to donate nearly an entire shipping container of left over items form the making of the Lord of the Rings movie lore.
Clark also commented that many of the residents of Oamaru weren’t very receptive to the whole steampunk barrage. Only when local farmers showed a intrigued curiosity for the trains, machinery and gadgets associated with steampunk did the whole idea really off. the rest is history, so to say and Oamaru now hosts annual and small time gatherings devoted to steampunk mania.
I love the whole steampunk culture. A few years ago I made steampunk weapons for my son when he was about 12-13 years old. He loved them.
We also made a contribution to this Kickstarter short film that looked fun.
Wow, if you could paste a link to that Kickstarter, that would be cool. Thanks!
It's long since ended https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1389238863/skyship-chronicles-a-steampunk-adventure
What I thought was cool about it was they were offering a walk on part in the short film for a certain level of donation. I was begging my son to let me gift that to him since the filming was being done in St. Pete Florida and we're in Sarasota, just 45 minutes away. He wouldn't let me spend the money.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4575128/
Ha ha - I read your headline as the Steemit Capital of the World. :)
Someday soon, it might exist as Steempunk :)
Right! I'm getting on a flight to NZ. Where's my top hat?
Makes me think of Steamboy, which is a very good Anime.
Thanks for that share!
WONDERFUL project to bring a whole community together. Love peering into the image of the 'Largest Gathering of Steampunks.'
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