Kiwi brothers take on the world
From virtual reality to bowling, Live Wire entertainment centre has unique NZ vibe & fun for all the family.
It’s Monday morning at Live Wire in Sylvia Park and the Fraser brothers are killing zombies. Not real ones, of course – they’re hooked up to Hologate headsets and haptic vests, battling hordes of infected undead in a game called Zombyte.
Live Wire is the latest entertainment offering from brothers Hamish, Ollie and George Fraser, East Coast farm boys who have been in the entertainment business since 2007, when they purchased Lilliput Mini Golf on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive. Since then, they’ve committed the last 15 years to creating fun spaces for people, including the popular Fun Zone in Hamilton.
Their point of difference is embedded in the Fraser brothers’ ethos: ‘Kiwis entertaining Kiwis’ – that’s what we’re about,” says Hamish. Walking into the neon-lit space with trendy exposed walls and décor, visitors are hit by the “wow” factor. There’s the Hologate virtual reality, where you can play Zombyte, or a range of other (less terrifying) cutting-edge VR games.
A huge range of arcade games allows players to earn points, which can be redeemed for some great prizes including the much sought-after PlayStation 5. Four lanes of bowling and Lilliputt mini golf are also on offer. Then there’s the big hitter – the Formula One racing car simulators, manufactured in Italy. Live Wire is the only place in Australasia where gamers can have a fully immersive experience in what is currently the closest you can get to the real thing.
Part of the appeal to families is the inclusion of TV screens and projectors playing live sports near the food truck area.
“If there’s a game on, parents can come and enjoy a beer or a cocktail and watch the match while their kids bowl or play the games close by. Our food menu is simple, everything is freshly made, so people can grab a bite and a drink,” says Hamish.
When they discovered the F1 simulators on their most recent trip to the US, they knew they had found something special: “People get really hooked on this game,” Hamish explains. “Once you are used to the controls, you can do some really amazing racing. The simulator really handles like an F1 car and we put on a new track every month.”
Live Wire is perfect school holiday entertainment. It’s open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Wednesday, until 11pm on Thursdays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekends see the doors opening earlier, at 9am. It’s an easy option for grandparents looking for a way to keep the kids entertained, with activities suitable from age 5 and upwards.
For more information about Live Wire, visit live-wire.co.nz or to book call 092811978.
Find Live Wire at Shop N201 (next to Hoyts), Sylvia Park, 286 Mt Wellington Highway.