Taking home a grand prize of $1000, Zoe Rivera beat 99 fellow contestants at the second annual Rock Paper Scissors Championship at The Residence bar in Wellington.
The championship was held over the course of four rounds at $5 per entry, complete with a referee – wearing a black and white striped shirt – watching for illegal moves as contestants took turns heading the stage.
Leaning over a table aglow with fairy lights, contestants’ hands were thrown by young partygoers in Y2K miniskirts and middle-aged plaid dads alike, spectators cheering on with jugs of beer. As the night progressed, the list of names called to the stage grew smaller and smaller, until only Zoe and her nemesis remained.
Winner Zoe Rivera, centre. Photo: The Residence Bar
Zoe said she felt “really good” about winning. She had entered the competition last year and lost to her friend, neither of whom had any particular strategy. Both had returned this year for another try.
“I don’t even know what I’m going to spend it on,” she said when asked where $1000 would take her. “I’m going to think about it.”
The entry fee goes back into the bar, where it will be used for upkeep and future events.
This story was first published on RNZ and has been republished with permission.
