Martin Dannefaerd
Martin Dannefaerd is a New Zealand paintball player, administrator and former commercial paintball operator. He was a founder of the New Zealand Paintball Players Association (NZPPA) established in 2001 and served as its president during the early 2000s.
Dannefaerd was involved in efforts to develop organised paintball in New Zealand and represent the sport in discussions with government agencies, including New Zealand Police and Customs.
In 2008, he acquired the Wellington paintball business previously operated as Tag War Games. The business subsequently operated through P8NT Limited at Caribbean Drive Reserve in Grenada North.
Involvement in paintball
New Zealand Paintball Players Association
Dannefaerd was among the founders of the New Zealand Paintball Players Association established in August 2001.
According to his published professional history, the organisation was created by a small group of paintball players and industry representatives seeking to develop grassroots participation and provide a communication channel between the paintball community and government agencies. [1]
The association's interests included the regulation of paintball markers, the importation of equipment, player safety and the development of organised competition.
Dannefaerd served as NZPPA president during 2003.
In an interview published by New Zealand Paintball Online, he discussed the association's objectives and its role in promoting paintball as an organised sport. [2]
His professional profile lists his founding involvement with the NZPPA from August 2001 to October 2010. [1]
An earlier incorporated society bearing the New Zealand Paintball Players Association name existed from 1992 until 2000. The available records do not establish a formal legal succession between that society and the organisation established in 2001.
Paintball regulation and equipment safety
Dannefaerd was involved in discussions concerning the regulatory treatment of paintball equipment in New Zealand.
During the early 2000s, the NZPPA engaged with government agencies about matters affecting recreational and competitive players.
An article published by Asylum Paintball in April 2014 credited the former NZPPA, Dannefaerd and Grant McNeil, also known as Bookie, with work undertaken around 2003 and 2004 concerning the legal use of paintball compressed-air cylinders in New Zealand. [3]
The issue was significant for competitive players increasingly using high-pressure air systems with modern electronic markers.
The article acknowledged their earlier efforts in helping address regulatory questions surrounding paintball air systems.
International tournament rules
Dannefaerd also participated in discussions about international tournament regulations.
In March 2004, he contributed to a discussion on the P8ntballer international paintball forum concerning newly released National Professional Paintball League rules.
The discussion addressed permitted protective clothing and the application of the rules to internationally competing teams.
Dannefaerd also raised questions about the relationship between NPPL and Millennium Series playing regulations. [4]
The exchange provides contemporary evidence of his involvement in the international competitive paintball community.
Commercial paintball operations
Acquisition of Tag War Games
In 2008, Dannefaerd acquired a Wellington paintball business previously operated as Tag War Games.
A Wellington City Council report dated 13 May 2009 recorded that the previous licensee had sold the business to Dannefaerd in 2008. [5]
The new operating company was identified as P8NT Limited.
The business occupied council-owned land used for paintball activities.
The acquisition marked Dannefaerd's involvement in the commercial operation of paintball facilities in Wellington.
P8NT Limited
P8NT Limited operated a paintball facility at Caribbean Drive Reserve in Grenada North, Wellington.
The business occupied land that had previously been leased to Tag Wargames Limited.
A Wellington City Council report from September 2015 stated that P8NT had occupied the site since 2009. [6]
The original ground lease expired in June 2012, after which the company continued occupying the site under a month-to-month arrangement.
In 2015, the council considered granting P8NT a further three-year lease.
The report identified the reserve's recreational use and environmental management requirements as factors in the proposed lease arrangements.
The company's occupation of the site is documented through official Wellington City Council records.
The available documents do not establish when Dannefaerd ceased his involvement with the business or when the facility ultimately closed.
Media coverage
Dannefaerd was the subject of an article titled Champion & Ambassador: Martin Dannefaerd in the March 2008 issue of the American paintball magazine Action Pursuit Games.
The article appeared on page 88 and is identified in a surviving bibliography of paintball magazine features. [7]
The original article has not yet been recovered, so its account of Dannefaerd's playing career and achievements cannot presently be reproduced or independently assessed.
See also
References
- Dannefaerd, Martin. Professional profile. Identifies his founding role in the New Zealand Paintball Players Association from August 2001 to October 2010 and describes its original objectives.
- New Zealand Paintball Online. Historical articles archive. Includes a 2003 interview with NZPPA president Martin Dannefaerd.
- Asylum Paintball. "The Asylum Guide to NZ Legal Paintball Cylinders & Tanks." 28 April 2014. Credits Dannefaerd, Grant McNeil and the former NZPPA for work on compressed-air equipment regulations around 2003–2004.
- P8ntballer. "NPPL 2k4 rules releaseds." 10–11 March 2004. Contemporary discussion featuring Dannefaerd's comments on international tournament rules.
- Wellington City Council. "Granting of a New Ground Lease to P8NT Limited." 13 May 2009. Records the 2008 acquisition of the former Tag War Games business by Martin Dannefaerd.
- Wellington City Council. "Community, Sport and Recreation Committee Agenda." 16 September 2015, item 2.1. Records P8NT Limited's occupation of Caribbean Drive Reserve since 2009 and discusses a proposed new ground lease.
- "Master Bibliography." Lists "Champion & Ambassador: Martin Dannefaerd", published in Action Pursuit Games, March 2008, p. 88.