Zines have recently emerged as methodological tools in qualitative research seeking to deploy arts-based approaches that foreground agency, collaboration, creativity, affect and critique. This article reflects on the use of zine-making as method in a project focused on Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area, Norfolk Island. The article analyses seven methods used in making zine content: sticky notes, memory prompts, story completion, letter writing, interpretive text, conversations and participatory mapping. The article positions the project's multi-method approach to zine-making as a form of critical cultural justice inquiry. We discuss zine-making in terms of its sociable qualities, as well as its capacity to support representational belonging and a sense of ownership among participants over project outputs. As part of critical cultural justice inquiry, zine-making can enable ‘doing research otherwise’ – resisting extractivism and instead emphasising building relationships, engaging in dialogue and co-creating resources for hope and action.