Wozer is a Pōneke based skateboarding and creative collective who promote diversity and manaakitanga within the skateboarding and youth scene. Wozer highlights the Queer and BIPOC youth by providing a safe and accessible platform for those that align with their kaupapa.

WOZER has a wide range of creative outlets. What began as a magazine has grown into involvement with skate and surf events, film projects, workshops, and a strong presence in the music scene - uplifting new DJs through their Open Decks sessions. Check them out on SoundCloud or YouTube. WOZER isn’t just achieving important connections and creations; they’re building communities and spaces where new ideas can take shape.

Having released three magazines, Wozer has shared countless stories, photography/art from Aotearoa and beyond with anyone lucky enough to get their hands on one. Their latest issue is still available for purchase at wozer.net, or for a read at Boardertown skate shops nationwide and Fusion skate shop in Wellington.

Twisted started their connection back in 2022, when some of the people behind Wozer reached out to ask if they could run a workshop to help teach Queer and BIPOC beginners to skate.

How was your magazine release this year?

It was amazing! This was our third issue, and honestly, it just keeps getting bigger and better every year. The quality of the editorial work, writing, and photography is on another level, everyone keeps stepping up their game. It’s really special to be part of so many people’s evolving creative journeys, while continuing our own at the same time. The release itself was epic too, we had drinks, music, magazines, and merch, and it even turned into a full-on skate jam out front of the shop.

How did you start running the Skate Jams at Twisted?

A few of us went to Twisted in 2021 and we fell in love with it instantly. We would jam the skate ramp all the time and meet so many good characters. A few of us wanted to get our mates to try the ramp but it was slightly intimidating with so many good dude skaters always there. It didn't feel so approachable for them. And so since we loved attending the other workshops, and really aligned with the Kaupapa of Twisted, we decided we would ask if we could run an hour-long workshop the next year. And Twisted said yes! We were so stoked.

This year it'll be your 4th time doing a workshop, what makes you want to keep coming back every year?

The people. Every year we have more and more wahine, queer and BIPOC people attending our workshops. We even had one girl come two years in a row and express to us that she learnt how to skate with us the previous year and she had skated all through the year and built a community around her through that. That was really sick to hear. But honestly, everyone's conquering their fears, they're stoked, smiling and laughing and just having the best time. Of course we want to come back every year.

You guys have been getting into a bit of music yourself, tell us a bit about your open decks!

Yes! We’ve done a few gigs over the last couple of years but have been particularly really passionate about hosting Open Decks. The purpose of our Open Decks is to create an inclusive, accessible, safe space for DJs to share a platform that supports emerging talent, underrepresented voices, and helps foster community rather than hierarchy. We’ve hosted 4 open decks sessions now, and each one has been its own unique setting with completely different DJs. Our open decks sessions have hosted a lot of DJs first time ever DJing in front of people, who then went on to do a number of gigs, how sick is that!

What’re you looking forward to about this year's Twisted?

To all hang out, dance, make new friends, reconnect with old friends and just skate!

For this year's involvement in Twisted, Wozer is hosting:

A FLINTA focused skate jam.

Beginner session (anyone).

And another Skate Competition :0 ← This years prize is a ticket for Twisted the following year and a coveted custom painted Twisted skate deck!

Wozer will provide all the gears n safety equipment, soooo no excuses!

Photo credits for social media post:

1: Warre

2: Cassia Walton

3&4: Hannah Norton