12/04/2026
So we know you've seen the winged bull make appearances at the Card Market and social media banners, now Card Merchant's worst kept secret is finally here - Card Merchant New Plymouth is opening on 24th April!
The New Plymouth idea has been in the works for a long time and both Mani and Brett have been wanting to bring some stability and reliability to the great city in the Naki!
Brett's TCG journey started over 30 years ago playing MTG since the mid-90s, with him making the 1999 Worlds team with a top 4 finish at the National Championships. He had a second stint as a competitive player almost two decades later, with multiple strong finishes at Mani's MTG Adept events, and finished the Ravnica Allegiance season as the number one ranked constructed player on MTG Arena. Brett then started playing Flesh and Blood, playing competitively attending Nationals and Callings with the local Flesh and Blood players, including making top 4 in the very first competitive Blitz event, winning one of a few cold foil Iras that exist, and cashing a couple of Callings. In 2012 Brett founded the local Mountain Games TCG community, building up a strong Yu-Gi-Oh! community as the local TO, and helped mentor the local competitive MTG players. In recent times the competitive play has taken a back seat, and Brett is excited about helping a new generation of TCG players fulfil their potential, and providing an amazing space that all players can enjoy.
Mani has been in love with trading cards for 3/4 of his life! He has done everything from play competitively around the world, organise and run events locally and nationally including the Adept series for 5 years, been a judge for multiple games, worked for WotC, run Card Merchant Nelson for 5 years, just opened Card Merchant Blenheim, and is now finally realising another dream - opening an LGS for New Plymouth with his long-time friend Brett.
The time has come, look forward to seeing you all in-store from April 24th!
