The group has people aged 16-70 and from diverse backgrounds - accountants, musicians, doctors, students, builders, bus drivers and sales reps. Some are history buffs and some are interested in the uniforms. Some are firearms collectors, some are militaria collectors and others just have family who were in the war and want to build that connection and find out what life would have been like for their relatives. The group trains and attends events on about 25 days a year.
"It's easy to get tunnel vision at the display battles and end up only seeing what's happening right in front of you," says Carberry. "I've also learned that over time people forget. A saying that sticks in my mind is by [philosopher] George Santayana: 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it'."
Some people don't understand why you'd want to be part of the group, but Kevin says that's a chance to tell them more about it, rather than to feel embarrassed.
Only around 10 per cent of the group are women, but there have even been romances started at the re-enactments.
At one show, Carberry gave a talk about a German stick grenade and a voice at the back said: "They're not as good as ours, you can hear them coming."
It turned out the man in the crown had served with the 21st Battalion in Cassino. Afterwards, he told Carberry: "It's good to see people keeping alive the memory of what we did."
• To find out more, visit hrs.org.nz
WWII military re-enactments at the Historical Re-enactments Society of NZ. Photo / Allysa Carberry
Leaving on a jet plane
Buckle up for take-off - FLYAJET offers a flight simulator experience where you get to fly a jet airliner and experience the challenge and fun of flight. CEO Peter Cross says everyone, from age 5-95, enjoys the experience of putting themselves in a pilot's shoes - even those with a fear of flying in a real plane.
"The realism of how close the simulator is to the real aircraft is what people comment on the most," says Cross. "Looking outside is just like looking at real scenery and sky."
FLYAJET has recently upgraded its simulator with the latest ProSim737 and Prepar3D software for even greater realism.
You can choose from more than 20,000 airports and cities, then, after a short briefing about your flight, you'll be put in the captain's seat for take-off and landing, with a co-pilot instructing you from the seat next to you and talking you through the flight. And if you want to turn up in full captain's uniform, feel free.
In the future, you'll be able to park outside FLYAJET, take off from Auckland airport (in the simulator) and - through Google Live - be able to see your car parked outside and your house just as you left it an hour before.
• 17 Halsey St, Auckland CBD
All dressed up
Originally the props and costumes department of TVNZ, First Scene Costume and Party Hire was privatised 16 years go and is now the largest company of its kind in New Zealand with more than 200,000 items and 24 staff. Owner Jo Pilkington says putting on a costume is a great way to become your alter ego for a day: "Clients love the opportunity to become someone else for a few hours. It stems from childhood, when we are encouraged to play dress ups and make believe. I think that need carries through to adulthood."
Her advice is to find a look you are confident in and not to feel one theme means one look; instead, there are dozens of variations on each theme that suit a range of personalities.
"The constant feedback we get from clients who were reluctant to dress in costume is that they were so pleased they made the effort," says Pilkington.
"Wearing a costume, particularly to an event where you don't know many people, is a great conversation starter. Instantly, part of your personality is on display. Communication barriers are broken down immediately," says Pilkington.
"It's not uncommon to see the most conservative members of an organisation in more extrovert attire and taking on the persona of their costume's character."
The most popular party themes at First Scene are medieval, pirate, Hollywood, masquerade, horror and Game of Thrones, as well as the 70s and 80s. Pilkington says often an influx of interest in a theme is sparked by a movie release or popular TV series. The strangest request they've had is a prop for a giant cockroach.
• Various locations, see website for details: firstscene.co.nz
Michael Burgess tries out a pilot's uniform for size. Photo / Michael Craig
Think you know whodunnit?
If you haven't booked your company or social group's Christmas event yet, ConArtists will put together something fabulous and fun. Its Cluedo Live experience came about when a corporate client requested it.
A creative director of ConArtists, Lori Dungey, says people love it: "It's like adult play - people just really go all out and adore it. I think adults are so starved of play."
ConArtists sends out invitations beforehand and lets guests know what character they will play and a little about their character's interests. It's not based on gender; so many might have to dress in drag on the night for added humour.
"We had one woman arrive as Mrs White, the housekeeper, and she'd gone to the effort to create Mills & Boon books with references to her company on the covers, as well as a big carpet bag filled with props such as rolling pins and recipe books.
"Another woman came as Reverend Green with a religious collar, a Bible and her hair dyed green," remembers Dungey. "I just think, God bless you, if that's what you want to do."
ConArtists has created events for corporates such as Fonterra, Spark and Vodafone but they also look after smaller groups and are currently working on an event for a stamp collecting club. When asked what is the wildest profession, Dungey says engineers can be "pretty crazy".
ConArtists also puts on a Christmas madness show, where everyone gets to decorate one person at their table.
"It's amazing and hilarious what people come up with," says Lori. "I've just got the best job, it's just a joy, really. My clients make me laugh so much and the older I get, the less discriminating I am and the more I laugh - everything makes me laugh, which I guess is good.
"I'm also really impressed with people's bravery to get involved in the shows."
Dungey has been doing the events for more than 30 years and she says the one thing that saddens and bewilders, yet pleases her, is that at the end of the events everyone always says: "I haven't laughed so much in years."
There are still openings before Christmas for events (especially midweek).
• Visit the website for more information: conartists.co.nz
