The best board games to play (and gift) this summer
Over the holiday period, the right game can make all the difference. So which board games should you try out – and which ones should you gift?
1. Sushi Go Party
This colourful, fast-paced game has great art, and a "menu" that can be changed depending on the number of players (up to eight) and their familiarity with the game.
Players win the game by creating the best combination of cards, depending on what's available, by rotating the cards from player to player like a sushi train. It's easy to learn and relatively cheap.
2. Wavelength
In this party game, teams have to try and guess the location of a hidden target on a spectrum, using a clue from one "psychic" team member. The ends of the spectrum reflect two binaries, such as hot–cold or optional–mandatory, and the target falls somewhere in between.
The closer the team gets to where the psychic thinks the target should go, the more points they score. Wavelength is one of those games where no matter if your team gets it right or wrong, you can expect people to give their two cents.
3. Mysterium and Mysterium Park
In these team games, players play mediums seeking the counsel of another player – a ghost – who gives them clues to important information about murders in the house, including the ghost’s own murder.
The ghost offers the other players tarot cards with abstract artwork with which they must attempt to discern the murder weapon, location and culprit.
4. The Quacks of Quedlinburg
This game sees players take the role of potion makers at the local fair, who must push their luck by drawing ingredients out of a bag to make the best potions without them blowing up in their face. It’s simple to teach and hilarious when someone else blows up their cauldron (although arguably less when it’s you).
5. Modern Art
This is one of the most celebrated games from board game designer luminary Reiner Knizia. Players are art dealers auctioning off beautiful paintings done by five professional artists. Players might even forget to play as they get caught up in simply admiring the pieces they are auctioning off.
Modern Art remains a fiendishly clever game that is easy to learn but hard to master.
6. Heat: Pedal to the Metal
This strategic racing game is based on 1960s Formula 1 racing. The base game boasts four tracks on two gorgeous boards, and lovely little cars that pass each other and risk spinning out around corners.
7. Nemesis
By far the most expensive (and complicated) game on this list, Nemesis can best be described as Alien: the board game.
Players have to move through a spaceship, discovering rooms and items as they go, taking care not to alert the horrific extraterrestrials that have managed to get onto the ship – represented by amazingly designed pieces. It’s a truly tense and fun experience for a full afternoon.
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.5% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.6% Critical thinking
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29.8% Resilience and adaptability
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3% Other - I will share below!
High Tea at Alberton 2026
High Tea at Alberton 2026
The popular high tea service at Alberton in Mt Albert is being held this year on Sunday 22&29 March at 2 pm. Join us to enjoy a traditional tea service served in the atmospheric ballroom or out on the lovely verandah at this much-loved heritage site.
The price includes entry to the house prior to, or after the service. Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Book on Eventbrite:https: //Albertonhightea2026.eventbrite.co.nz
Chapter Book and Tea Shop Jan-Feb 2026 Book Catalogue
📚 JAN-FEB 2026 BOOK CATALOGUE 📚
Welcome back and best wishes for 2026! The new year sees the arrival of lots of goodies including Ilona Andrews’ BEAST BUSINESS (Hidden Legacy Series—Novella), Mary Balogh’s REMEMBER THAT DAY (Ravenswood Series), Christine Feehan’s DARK JOY (Dark Carpathian Series), Jayne Ann Krentz’s THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE (Set in Fogg Lake), Lauren Palphreyman’s THE NIGHT PRINCE (Wolf King Series), Leigh Rivers’ INSATIABLE (Edge of Darkness Series), J.D. Robb’s STOLEN IN DEATH (In Death Series), Nalini Singh’s SUCH A PERFECT FAMILY and more. Enjoy your reading!
NB. We have temporarily sold out of Mary Balogh’s “REMEMBER THAT DAY” and we expect it to be back in stock in around two weeks’ time.
Check out the catalogue at
chapter.co.nz...
Please see p.2 for the:
• Order link for signed copies of Nalini Singh’s SUCH A PERFECT FAMILY
• Pre-order link for signed copies of Nalini Singh’s ARCHANGEL’S ETERNITY
• Details of the Romance Writers of New Zealand Short Story Contest sponsored by Chapter (in April 2026).
• Details of the Auckland Romance Readers Book Club Monthly Meetings and Auckland Romance Readers Book Club Facebook Group.
For Orders, Enquiries or to check instore dates:
✉️ info@chapter.co.nz ☎️ 09-6232319 📱 021-635027
NB. Chapter’s trading hours are Tue–Sun 10–4. We are CLOSED on Mondays.
#ChapterBookandTeaShop #Tea #TeaShop #Books #Bookshop #RomanceBookshop #RomanceFictionSpecialist #BiMonthlyBookCatalogue
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