The award winning Always Never Fun is the longest running zine in the history of Te-Whanganui-a-Tara/ Wellington. Published by Sam Thurston with regular contributor “Bigbird”, the first issue was published in 2007 with sporadic output over the next 19 years leading to issue 10 in 2026. The zine is produced in a classic cut ‘n’ paste punk style and features an eclectic range of content with interviews, tour reports, activist action, local forgotten history, reviews and DIY guides to better living. Issue #6 of Always Never Fun won 1st place at Wellington Zinefest 2012 and in 2024 a nine issue omnibus was published marking 17-ish years of Always Never Fun.
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| Editors | Sam Thurston |
| Writers | Sam, Bigbird |
| Frequency | sparodic |
| Publisher | Always Never Fun |
| Founder | Sam Thurston |
| First Issue | 2007, April |
| Last Issue | 2026, October |
| Number | 10 |
| Based in | Newtown, Wellington |
Always Never Fun #1
April 2007
Distort The System Never Conform Part 1: Unsung Freedom Fighters, Pack, Scrumpycharge, Tim Selwyn, Bosun’s guide to spotting, Sake.
Always Never Fun #2
July 2007
Interviews with Ben Knight, Kykloopien Sukupuutto, Warkrime, Tenderizor. Melbourne Squattin’, Distortt the System
Always Never Fun #3
October 2007
Sharkfest special, Conniption, state repression, NZ squatin’, Fuck Myspace, Shittown Fest, Propagandhi
Always Never Fun #4
May 2008
Tentacles of Destruction, Vae Victis, Carlos: Colombian SxE outta Welly, Streetkunt, Derelict Downhill, Such Is Life,
Always Never Fun #5
October 2011
Scabies, Death Throes, Scurvy, Aborted Christians, Shortlived tour diary, Distort the System, homebrew ginger wine
Always Never Fun #6
November 2012
The history of Rekohu, interviews with Josh Boltcutter, Drug Problem, Sam Oven’s Punkfest experience, gorse flower wine
*winner of best zine at Wellington Zinefest 2012.
Always Never Fun #7
August 2014
Overpopulation, Slitzkrieg, En-Psychro, Meth Drinker Euro tour, The Might Taniwha, Distort the System, tobacco curing
Always Never Fun #8
April 2018
Sick Old Man, Feral Blood, Daudyflin, Rokk I Reykjavik, Ayn Randy taking on Mt Smart Stadium, The Christchurch Wizard
Always Never Fun #9
June 2024
Kennel Grind, Liquid Nails, Riot 111, No Class, Oz’s Northern Territories, Henry Rollins, Hellenic punk travels
Always Never Fun omnibus
October, 2024
17+ years of rungus NZ punk – issues 1-9 compiled in one book.
