On Saturday, puzzle pros gathered in the South Dunedin Community Centre to put the pieces of a jigsaw together more quickly than their competitors.
It was the first time the New Zealand Jigsaw Puzzle Association had held a speed-puzzle competition in Dunedin.
The association’s media and marketing manager Jacqui Davis said the individual round often resembled an exam room with the pin-drop quietness as competitors honed in on what they were doing.
"They’re all very focused. Lots are wearing headphones to block out any noise — the group round is usually more chatty as people work together to complete the puzzle," she said.
There were two rounds, one for individuals and one for teams of either two, three or four people.
Individuals had to finish a 500-piece jigsaw and teams had a 1000-piece to complete.
There was an allotted three hours for each round.
First place for the individual round was Alison Jacobs, who is also New Zealand’s national champion. She finished the 500-piece puzzle in 1hr 19min.
Second was Tash Lundin with a time of 1hr 38min, and third went to Donnalouise Watts who was one minute behind with 1hr 39min.
The group that took the top spot was the "Pakake Puzzlers", which consisted of Ms Jacobs and Ms Watts, as well as Victoria Rondel and Julia Eyles.
They finished the 1000-piece puzzle in 1hr 11sec.
The chosen puzzles, made by eeBoo, were unreleased designs and were not seen by competitors beforehand.
