Paintball Direct NZ
Paintball Direct NZ, also known as Paintball Direct, is a New Zealand paintball equipment retailer with an online store and a showroom at Arena Paintball in Feilding, Manawatū. Its products include paintball markers, paintballs, protective equipment, playing gear and accessories. [1]
History
[edit]Ōpunake operations
[edit]Paintball Direct NZ Limited was incorporated on 21 May 2008, with Stephen Thomas Corkill, known as Steve Corkill, and Rosmarie Corkill as its initial directors. Its registered office was at 5 Tasman Street, Ōpunake, Taranaki. [2][3][4]
Steve Corkill organised the 2008 Paintball Direct Speedball End of Year Blowout, held on 27 December 2008 at Te Kiri Hall on Eltham Road, near Ōpunake. The five-player event offered field-supplied paintballs and compressed-air and carbon-dioxide fills. A participant's forum post on 29 December thanked Corkill for the event. [5]
In March 2012, the Ōpunake & Coastal News listed Paintball Direct NZ among the donors to a raffle supporting an Ōpunake High School student's rugby tour to Samoa. The business contributed a T-shirt valued at NZ$50. [6]
Ownership and Feilding operations
[edit]Stephen and Rosmarie Corkill ceased to be directors on 5 August 2021, when David Hopkins was appointed. The Companies Register also records that the Corkills ceased to be shareholders on that date. As of October 2026, Hopkins was the company's sole director and held all 100 shares. [3][7]
The company's registered office changed from Ōpunake to Feilding in August 2021; its former Ōpunake address remained effective until 13 August. [4]
By October 2026, the retailer advertised an appointment-only showroom at 558 Kimbolton Road, the location of Arena Paintball, alongside its online store. [1][8]
Company information
[edit]Paintball Direct NZ Limited is registered under company number 2134260 and New Zealand Business Number 9429032732566. [2]
The separately registered Custom Blinds Limited, company number 1666073, also lists Paintball Direct and Arena Paintball among its trading names. Its directors are David Hopkins and Diane Karen Hopkins. [9]
Products and services
[edit]The retailer's online catalogue includes markers, barrel systems, loaders, goggles, protective padding, playing clothing, harnesses, pods, paintballs, air systems, spare parts and maintenance supplies. It also maintains a used-marker category. Brands listed in October 2026 included Planet Eclipse, Field One, DYE, HK Army, Shocker Paintball, Virtue, JT and CRBN. [1]
Paintball Direct also sells tournament entries and annual playing passes for Arena Paintball. [10][11]
Tournament involvement
[edit]Following its documented involvement in the 2008 Te Kiri event, Paintball Direct was associated with the Corkill Cup advertised at Arena Paintball for 23–24 October 2021. The organiser described it as Paintball Direct's annual two-day event and a continuation of a tournament tradition honouring Steve Corkill and his sons for their contribution to paintball. The advertised format was five-player Race competition. [5][8]
For the 2026 Arena five-player Race series, Paintball Direct offered registration for rounds scheduled on 4–5 April, 11–12 July and 24–25 October. Teams could purchase individual entries or a three-event package. The published arrangements included ten-minute games, a four-point mercy rule, Cup and Plate finals, and discounted paintballs for teams booking all three rounds. [8][10]
See also
[edit]- Steve Corkill
- Arena Paintball
- 2008 Paintball Direct Speedball End of Year Blowout
- Paintball in New Zealand
References
[edit]- Paintball Direct NZ — official online store and showroom information. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- New Zealand Companies Register — Paintball Direct NZ Limited, company summary.
- New Zealand Companies Register — Paintball Direct NZ Limited, current and historical directors.
- New Zealand Companies Register — Paintball Direct NZ Limited, current and historical addresses.
- NZPaintball forum — “Paintball Direct Speedball End of Year Blowout”, November–December 2008. Archived 30 March 2009.
- Ōpunake & Coastal News, 22 March 2012 — fundraising raffle acknowledgements.
- New Zealand Companies Register — Paintball Direct NZ Limited, current and historical shareholders.
- Arena Paintball — event listings, including the 2021 Corkill Cup and 2026 Race series.
- New Zealand Companies Register — Custom Blinds Limited, company summary and NZBN trading names.
- Paintball Direct NZ — “2026 Race Events”.
- Paintball Direct NZ — “Arena Paintball Annual Pass 2026”.