Here at Book Hero, with our growing puzzle range, we’ve found ourselves getting more and more interested in one of the most exciting trends in the puzzling world, speed puzzling. It’s fast-paced, a little bit competitive, and challenges both your brain and your reflexes, while also being a great way to meet other puzzle lovers along the way.
With it growing in popularity both globally and here in New Zealand, we thought we’d take a closer look at what speed puzzling actually is, how to get into it, and why it’s picking up so much momentum.So what exactly is speed puzzling? It is exactly what it sounds like, completing puzzles as quickly as possible, either in solo competitions or in team formats.
There are a few common formats:
➤ Solo puzzling which is just racing against the clock on your own
➤ Pairs or teams – working together to complete a puzzle faster
➤ Timed competitions – often using the same puzzle for all participants - the ultimate race
Most competitions use 500-piece or 1000-piece puzzles, and events can take place both in person and online.
The Growth of Speed Puzzling in New Zealand
While speed puzzling has already gained a strong following overseas, it’s now building momentum here in New Zealand. More Kiwis are discovering the thrill of racing to complete a puzzle, and communities are starting to form around the hobby.
Social media groups, local meetups, and puzzle enthusiasts sharing their times online are helping to grow awareness. As more people look for screen-free, engaging activities, speed puzzling is proving to be the perfect mix of fun and challenge.
If you’re interested in a few competitions or just to go along and see what the excitement is about this Facebook Group is a great place to start!
Speed Puzzling Competitions in NZ
Speed puzzling competitions are becoming more common in NZ, offering a fun and welcoming environment for all skill levels. One of the best things about speed puzzling here is that it’s still really accessible. You don’t need to be “good” to enter — a lot of events are designed to be beginner-friendly.
For the casual puzzler, you can sign up, show up, and give it a go. No experience needed. It’s genuinely more about having fun and trying something new. And if you’re the type who already times your puzzles (or wants to), competitions are a great way to push yourself and see how you stack up.
Entries are usually done online through event listings or the association running it, with separate tickets for individuals and teams.
At a typical event, participants:
➤ Receive the same puzzle
➤ Compete within a set time limit
➤ Race to see who can finish first (or get the furthest)
Events may include individual categories, pairs, or team challenges. Whether you're in it to win or just to try something new, these competitions are a great way to meet fellow puzzle lovers and test your skills.
Tips to Improve Your Speed Puzzling Skills
Want to join in but you want to get faster first? A few simple strategies can make a big difference:
➤ Start with sorting: Separate edge pieces and group by colour or pattern but remember if you can put pieces together you can start working on that before all the pieces are sorted!
➤ Build the border first (usually): It gives you a clear frame to work within but some puzzlers like to work in clusters as they find pieces that belong together
➤ Focus on distinct areas: Text, faces, and bold colours are quicker to complete and then work on connecting them - this is also a great way to stay motivated as more and more sections fit together
➤ Stay organised: Keep your workspace tidy to avoid wasting time, spreading the pieces out and having them all face up is a massive time saver
➤ Practice regularly: Like any skill, speed improves with repetition but remember, not all puzzles are created equal - start out with clean images with distinct colour sections before deep diving into gradients, reflections or all-sky puzzles!
➤ Over time, you’ll develop your own techniques and find what works best for you.
High-quality puzzles with clean cuts and minimal false fits will also help you work more efficiently. Check out our puzzle page for our range of quality puzzles to get you started!
The Community Aspect
One of the best things about speed puzzling is the community. While it’s a competitive activity, it’s also incredibly social and inclusive.
People of all ages and skill levels can get involved, and events often have a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Whether you're puzzling with friends, family, or new acquaintances, it’s a great way to connect over a shared interest.
Getting Started in New Zealand
If you’re keen to give speed puzzling a go, it’s easy to get started:
➤ Pick up a puzzle and time yourself - if you want to track your progress over time, you can log your solves on sites like MySpeedPuzzling, where puzzlers around the world record their times and compare results!
➤ Try different piece counts to find your comfort zone
➤ Join online communities or follow local events
➤ Challenge friends or family to a puzzle race
Feel like doing one of the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship puzzles to test your skills? Check the ones that they ran in the 2025 Championships that we have available!
Ready, Set, Puzzle!
Speed puzzling brings a whole new level of excitement to a classic hobby. It’s fast, fun, and surprisingly addictive—perfect for anyone looking to challenge themselves or try something different.
So why not give it a go? Grab a puzzle, start the clock, and see just how fast you can piece it all together.
