A Paintball Adventure
A Paintball Adventure was an indoor paintball facility located at 80B Hunua Road, Papakura, in Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 2005, the venue featured an indoor Astroturf playing field, spectator viewing facilities and compressed-air filling equipment. It hosted competitive paintball events, including the Papakura indoor paintball league.
The business was operated under the name A Paintball Adventure Limited, a New Zealand company incorporated on 6 April 2005. Its shareholders included Gavin Harrison, Barton Keith Broidy and Wayne Owen Morris.[1]
A contemporary listing published by WARPIG on 4 August 2005 documented the facility's indoor playing field and its provision of both 3,000 psi and 4,500 psi compressed-air fills.[2]
According to former New Zealand tournament player Michael Earley, A Paintball Adventure was the first paintball field in New Zealand to offer 4,500 psi compressed-air filling.[4]
History
[edit]Establishment
[edit]A Paintball Adventure was established in Papakura during 2005.
The company A Paintball Adventure Limited was registered on 6 April 2005, under company number 1619599 and New Zealand Business Number 9429034841761.[1]
The registered office was located at 16 Elliott Street, Papakura, while the commercial playing facility operated at 80B Hunua Road.
The business was developed as an indoor paintball centre, offering recreational games and facilities suitable for tournament paintball.
Its indoor setting provided a controlled playing environment that could operate independently of Auckland's weather conditions.
The facility was advertised as one of the largest indoor paintball operations in Auckland during the period.
Opening and early operation
[edit]On 4 August 2005, the international paintball publication WARPIG added A Paintball Adventure to its field directory.[2]
The listing identified the business as an indoor paintball venue with an Astroturf playing surface, spectator viewing area and compressed-air filling facilities.
The operator advertised the facility as Auckland's largest indoor paintball venue.
The listing also advertised 24-hour operation, seven days a week.
These details establish that the facility was being promoted to the paintball community by August 2005.
Company ownership and management
[edit]A Paintball Adventure Limited's historical company records identify three shareholders:
| Shareholder | Shares | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Gavin Harrison | 405 | 40.5% |
| Wayne Owen Morris | 405 | 40.5% |
| Barton Keith Broidy | 190 | 19% |
The company had a total of 1,000 issued shares.[1]
Historical company information also records:
- Wayne Owen Morris — appointed director on 13 June 2006.
- Gavin Harrison — appointed director on 13 August 2006.
The surviving company summary does not establish the precise responsibilities of each shareholder in the daily operation of the venue.
Gavin Harrison and Barton Broidy were also associated with the indoor tournament paintball community in Papakura during the mid-2000s.
Later operation
[edit]The business maintained a website at aucklandpaintballventures.com, with archived captures recorded by the Internet Archive during 2006 and 2007.[3]
Although the surviving snapshots contain limited recoverable information, they document the use of the domain during this period.
A Paintball Adventure Limited subsequently appeared in a New Zealand Gazette notice concerning companies proposed for removal from the Companies Register in 2008.[5]
The company's current status is recorded as removed in historical company records.[1]
The exact date on which the playing facility ceased operating has not been established.
Playing facilities
[edit]Indoor paintball field
[edit]A Paintball Adventure operated an indoor playing field with an Astroturf surface.
The WARPIG directory described the field as measuring "1000 METER", although the listing did not specify whether this referred to square metres or another measurement.[2]
The venue was advertised as having a complete spectator viewing area.
The Astroturf playing surface provided an indoor environment for recreational and competitive games.
The field was classified in the WARPIG directory as both an indoor playing facility and a concept field, indicating its suitability for compact tournament-style paintball layouts.
Spectator facilities
[edit]The venue provided an area from which spectators could watch games.
The WARPIG directory identified sheltered staging facilities and permanent restrooms, along with food facilities and paved access.[2]
The indoor configuration allowed games and viewing to take place in the same enclosed venue.
Rental equipment
[edit]A Paintball Adventure supplied semi-automatic paintball markers for recreational customers.
The WARPIG listing identified the venue as a field-paint-only operation, meaning players were required to use paintballs purchased through the field.
It also indicated that walk-on players were welcome.
Compressed-air facilities
[edit]A Paintball Adventure offered carbon dioxide and high-pressure compressed-air filling services.
The August 2005 WARPIG listing recorded:
- CO₂ fills
- 3,000 psi compressed-air fills
- 4,500 psi compressed-air fills
The listing also identified the availability of a factory-trained or authorised airsmith.[2]
The 4,500 psi capability was unusual for New Zealand paintball facilities during the mid-2000s.
Former player Michael Earley recalls A Paintball Adventure as the first New Zealand paintball field to provide 4,500 psi fills.[4]
The WARPIG record independently establishes that the service was advertised by August 2005, although the national-first claim is based on firsthand testimony.
The availability of higher-pressure fills supported players using modern compressed-air systems designed for tournament paintball.
Tournament paintball
[edit]Papakura indoor league
[edit]A Paintball Adventure hosted a competitive indoor paintball league during the mid-2000s.
The competition was played in a five-player format and attracted participants from the Auckland tournament paintball community.
Michael Earley, who participated in New Zealand competitive paintball during this period, identifies A Paintball Adventure as the venue used for the Papakura indoor league.[4]
Earley also recalls Gavin Harrison and Barton Broidy being involved in the competition.
The surviving corporate records establish both individuals' connection with A Paintball Adventure Limited.[1]
The indoor format allowed teams to compete on a compact artificial-turf playing field.
The complete fixture lists, season standings and team rosters from the indoor league have not been recovered.
Visiting players
[edit]The Papakura indoor paintball community also had connections with international competitive players.
Earley recalls the involvement of American paintball player Jules Foote in activities associated with the venue and its competitive community.[4]
The exact dates and nature of Foote's participation have not been established through surviving contemporary tournament records.
Tournament facilities
[edit]The indoor Astroturf field provided a playing environment suitable for small-team competitions.
Its spectator viewing area allowed games to be watched without spectators entering the playing field.
The availability of both 3,000 psi and 4,500 psi compressed-air filling supported players using their own tournament markers and compressed-air systems.
These facilities distinguished the venue from recreational paintball fields that offered only outdoor games or lower-pressure filling.
Website and advertising
[edit]A Paintball Adventure advertised through its website and international paintball directories.
The WARPIG listing provided the following historical contact details:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Business name | A Paintball Adventure |
| Location | 80B Hunua Road, Papakura, Auckland |
| Website | aucklandpaintballventures.com |
| info@paintballadventurenz.com | |
| Telephone | 0800 627 576 |
| Directory entry | 4 August 2005 |
The website address appeared in the WARPIG listing and was subsequently indexed by the Internet Archive.
The original website is no longer available through its former domain, although historical captures may be accessed through the Wayback Machine.[3]
Corporate history
[edit]A Paintball Adventure Limited was incorporated on 6 April 2005.
Its registration details were:
| Detail | Record |
|---|---|
| Legal name | A Paintball Adventure Limited |
| Company number | 1619599 |
| NZBN | 9429034841761 |
| Incorporation | 6 April 2005 |
| Registered office | 16 Elliott Street, Papakura |
| Entity type | New Zealand limited company |
| Subsequent status | Removed |
The company's shareholders and recorded directors are documented in historical New Zealand company records.[1]
A notice published in the New Zealand Gazette in 2008 included A Paintball Adventure Limited among companies proposed for removal from the Companies Register.[5]
The removal of a company from the register does not by itself establish the exact date on which its commercial activities ceased.
Historical significance
[edit]A Paintball Adventure formed part of Auckland's indoor tournament paintball scene during the mid-2000s.
Its purpose-built indoor playing environment provided an alternative to outdoor fields and supported organised five-player competition.
The venue was also an early adopter of 4,500 psi compressed-air filling equipment, with the capability documented in a contemporary 2005 field listing.
Its connection with Gavin Harrison and Barton Broidy, alongside the Papakura indoor league, places the facility within the development of organised competitive paintball in South Auckland.
The surviving WARPIG directory entry and New Zealand company records provide documentation of the business, its operators and its facilities.
See also
[edit]- History of paintball in New Zealand
- Paintball in New Zealand
- Paintball in Auckland
- Gavin Harrison
- Barton Broidy
References
[edit]- A Paintball Adventure Limited. Company Hub New Zealand. Historical company information, incorporation date, directors, shareholders and company status.
- A Paintball Adventure – Field Listing. WARPIG Field Finder, entry dated 4 August 2005.
- Auckland Paintball Ventures – Historical Website Archive. Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
- Michael Earley, personal recollections recorded for the New Zealand Paintball History project, October 2026. Firsthand account of the Papakura indoor league, associated participants and early 4,500 psi compressed-air filling.
- Notice of Intention to Remove Companies From the Register. New Zealand Gazette, 2008. Includes A Paintball Adventure Limited.