f*INK cover from 2007 |
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| Dunedin's Weekly Entertainment Guide | |
|---|---|
| Format | A3 folded to A6 |
| Founded: | 1996 |
| Ceased publication | 2009 |
| Website | www.fink.net.nz |
f*INK Weekly Entertainment Guide was a free weekly guide owned by Martin Kean and Caroline McCaw. It was published each Wednesday from February to December, from 1996-2009 in Dunedin New Zealand. The aim of the guide was to provide free information about events to the local community using cheap one-colour printing but with a distinctive design style. Part of f*INK's mission was support of and collaboration with artist networks, bands and musicians, including those that grew out of the Dunedin Sound.
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In June 1996, Dunedin, New Zealand, Caroline McCaw and Martin Kean together with Allan Thommason (aka OziBsy) published the first issue of f*INK, in response to a lack of entertainment listings for band events and dance parties in the usual media outlets such as the Otago Daily Times. f*INK was the first of many A6-sized free paper gig guides in New Zealand, and has outlasted many similar guides.
f*INK's reputation as a consistent source of entertainment information meant that it was popular for more than twelve years. f*INK has also published articles during its history that document the growth of alternative communities in Dunedin and Otago. f*INK has published free comics in every issue of f*INK, notably 'City of Tales' by Stefan Neville and Clayton Noone.[1]
In 1999, f*INK published Dunedin maps and Arts & Fashion maps that won support from the Dunedin City Council Visitor Centre. Kevin Thompson, the Visitor Centre manager in 1999 described the A3-sized fold-up maps as "a very good working tool for us."[2]
An exhibition of ten years of f*INK issues was hosted by Dunedin Public Libraries in June 2007.[3]
f*INK was been recommended by two travel books/guides: Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. In the 2002 edition Lonely Planet New Zealand writes, "Entertainment: The Otago Daily Times newspaper lists what's on around the city, but the best publication is the free f*INK, available around town or online at www.fink.net.nz." [4] The Rough Guide to New Zealand of 2002 states, "For the latest on the Dunedin Sound, check out f*INK the free entertainment pamphlet available all around town, including the visitor centre (or see www.fink.net.nz), which keeps track of Dunedin's bands, singers and songwriters." [5]