Interest Groups
All Interest Group members must be current financial members of Wellington City U3A
New Groups
Anyone interested in leading/forming a new group please contact Linda Beckett 027 417 5838 or lbeckett0106@gmail.com
Click here to see the Special Interest Groups Timetable at a glance
Current Groups:
Antiques Group
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10am mainly at KARORI ARTS & CRAFT CENTRE at 7 Beauchamp Street behind the Karori Library on Main Road Karori.
We share an interest in “Old Things”, often family heirlooms and each of us does this on a semi rotational basis. We often visit places such as Te Papa back of house collections and other places of interest.
You are welcome to join our group even if you wish to come along on a “one off” basis to check us out. You would be made very welcome.
Contact: Doug Helps, Group Convenor, 232 4881 or dougyvonne1@gmail.com
Art History Group
In 2022, we will meet on alternate Thursdays from 10.00am to 12 noon at the Hearing Association Premises, 16 Kent Terrace. Tea/coffee/conversation available from 10.00am prior to presentation which starts at 10.30am. This group is currently full, but you are very welcome to contact Peter to make an enquiry or to go onto our waiting list.
Contact: Peter Stupples 021 059 4164 or pams@actrix.co.nz
Audio Book Group
The Audiobook Group will appeal to those whose preference for ‘reading’ books of various types/genres is by listening.
The group will meet monthly for 1-2 hours on the first Tuesday of the month (during term times) after the U3A lecture. Our first meeting will be on 5 April at 1:30 pm in the Te Papa 4th floor café. Future meeting times and venues could be negotiated as the group grows.
Our discussion will be similar to other U3A book groups – with analysis of author’s style and book content, but also taking into account the importance of the narrator’s contribution.
Contact: Philip Harrison philipjamesharrison@me.com
Book Group 1
Meets on the first Wednesday of each month on the Terrace at 10.30am. Membership of the group is limited to 10 and the group is currently full, however if you would like to go on a waiting list, please contact Jane on the details below.
Contact: jane.ireland06@gmail.com 0212617080.
Book Group 2 – Northern and Western Suburbs
Meets on the first Thursday of each month from 10am -12noon at members’ homes. The members are mainly from the Northern and Western suburbs.
Contact: Colleen McClymont: 0275277202 or email: colleen.in.ngaio@gmail.
Book Group 3 – Eastern Suburbs
Meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm in Oriental Bay. This group is currently full but please contact Diana Duff-Staniland if you wish to go on the waiting list or to start another group in the Eastern suburbs.
Contact: Diana Duff-Staniland: 385 8590 or email: dduff.staniland@xtra.co.nz
Book Group 4 – Northern Suburbs
Meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 10.30am – 12 noon at members’ homes. Members are mainly from the Northern Suburbs. Format: The host for the next meeting chooses a topic for that meeting. Each member reads any book they like in that topic, and reviews their book at the meeting for the other members. There are vacancies in this group so if you’re interested in joining, please get in touch with Sue Fish.
Contact: Sue Fish. Mobile: 027 327 3633 or email: suef365@gmail.com
Cryptic Crosswords
The Cryptic Crosswords Special Interest Group is meeting monthly, on the last Friday at 12pm following the U3A lecture, learning to unravel the styles of various cryptics by discussion. A smaller group is meeting mid-month to tackle some more difficult cryptics. U3A members are very welcome to join in, please be in touch to learn more about our group.
Contact: Lynda Young email: rby@actrix.co.nz; 027 4428 394
Current Issues
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.00 am in the Burma Lounge, Malvina Major Village, 134 Burma Road, Johnsonville.
Contact: Michael Hodgen 478 6303 or michael.hodgen@xtra.co.nz
Film Group
Meets on the third Saturday of the month (daytime) at the Penthouse cinema with the film followed by a discussion at the café. New members welcome.
Contacts: Colleen McClymont 027 527 7202 or Bob McClymont 027 527 7203 or mcclymont1@xtra.co.nz
Film Group – Mid-Week
Catches a film on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, usually at Lighthouse Cuba, but will go further afield to Penthouse or Roxy to catch a better film. Times vary but aim at early afternoon after the Tues lecture and with opportunity for discussion after each film. Members are notified before each, and are free to attend as many or few films as they wish. This group is currently full, but if you wish to go on our waiting list, please email either Suzanne or Aidan whose contact details are below.
Contacts:
Suzanne Blumhardt: hatblum@xtra.co.nz or 384 7046
Aidan Kay: aidankaynz@gmail.com or 021 0282 2082
German Conversation
This friendly group meets at 10.30 am on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in members’ homes. New members welcome.
Contact: Diana Barnes 479-2947 or dgbarnes@xtra.co.nz
Music Appreciation Group
We meet on alternate Thursdays from 10 am until 12 noon at St Ninians Church, Karori. All welcome and morning tea/coffee/biscuits provided. Each meeting a member presents music on a topic chosen by them. The music is mostly classical, but does not have to be. Doing a presentation is entirely voluntary, and it is not necessary to know lots about music, just to enjoy it.
Meeting dates for the first half of 2022: February 10 & 24, March 10 & 24, April 7, May 5 & 19, June 2, 16 & 30.
Our group meetings will resume on May 5, and then continue as per the dates above.
You can access some recent Music Appreciation programmes here.
Contact: David Barker, 021 376 660 or u3a.wlg.musicapp@gmail.com
Philosophy Group
From 2022, we will meet at the Hearing Association Premises, Ground Floor, 16 Kent Terrace on the first, third and fifth Mondays (where applicable) each month at 2.00 pm. This group is currently full, but we welcome enquiries either about our group or to go onto a waiting list.
Contact: Mark MacCallum, 022 582 3916 or markmaccalm@gmail.com
Sewing Group
This group started in March. It’s about enjoying the companionship, sharing of knowledge and inspiration of others in accomplishing sewing or other handicraft projects. The group meets between 0900-1300 on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Bowling Club rooms of the Hataitai Community Centre (accessed by a few steps down from 157 Hataitai Rd).
Equipment required: Sewing machine, an extension cord and your current project – an ironing board and iron will be available on site. All are welcome to join us, and for all or some of the time during the morning. If you are interested or would like to make further enquiries please contact:
Diane Morgan 027 672 9060 or email: diane.morgan@xtra.co.nz
Shakespeare Studies
Meets on alternate Wednesdays at St Andrew’s Centre, 30 The Terrace from 10.30 am until 12 noon. Numbers are limited to 12, and there is a short waiting list, but please contact Roger if you are interested in joining this group.
Contact: Roger Chapman 021 037 5622 or chaplaw42@gmail.com
Smart Phone Photography
Would you be interested in taking better pictures with your Smart Phone?
As a photographic enthusiast, Roger Urlwin has established a Smart Phone Photography Special Interest Group of 11 U3A members who meet weekly and also connect online. This is a great way to discover what else your phone can do, expand your skills and (re)discover your local indoor and outdoor environment. New members are welcome. Contact: Roger Urlwin: roger.urlwin@gmail.com
Te Reo Māori Beginners’ Group (2)
The Te Reo Māori group offered for beginners by Libby Clark has completed its successful pilot and has been offered again in May. While this May-June course has now been filled, the course is likely to be repeated due to the ongoing interest expressed. If you would like to join a future group and discuss dates of commencement, you are welcome to make an enquiry with Libby.
Course content includes:
- Learning how to pronounce Māori words
- Practising basic useful phrases
- Gaining confidence in ‘giving it a go’
The learning style is informal and collegial, evolving according to the needs and wishes of the group.
Groups will continue to meet weekly at 12.30pm on Tuesday afternoons for 1 to 1½ hours, for 5 weeks. Hearwell at 16 Kent Terrace remains the venue for subsequent courses.
Contact: Libbyclark3@gmail.com
Walking Group One
Meets at the Wharewaka (beside the lagoon on the waterfront) at 9.45 am every Monday morning. All U3A members welcome, no need to call – we’d welcome you for a social walk and talk and, of course, coffee at the end. We explore historic, nature and cultural places around the city.
Contact: David Cropp 027 657 0666 or cropp.david@gmail.com
Walking Group Two
Walking Group Two does a variety of Monday morning walks usually lasting 2 to 4 hours. Our members take it in turn to plan and lead these outings, notifying members of the detail in the week prior. We explore tracks, and sometimes streets, in and around Wellington – locations range from the south coast to Waikanae and from Eastbourne to Cannon’s Point. Our walks often end at a café for an optional coffee.
As our members are all reasonably fit a good degree of fitness is expected. Transport to the starting points is usually based around Gold Card times with carpooling when necessary.
Please contact Alistair Beckett if you wish to join us or to make an enquiry about our group: ollybeckett13@gmail.com
Walking Group Three
A medium paced group, focusing on Wellington’s great coastal and bush tracks, and calling ourselves Five Senses to remind us to use more than just our legs! We listen to the birds, smell the flowers, and learn to recognise the trees – but still get enough exercise to make it all worth while! Presently totalling about 30 members, we walk on a Monday and Wednesday morning with the 2 to 6 members on a Wednesday acting as a Recce for the following week’s larger (presently up to 15) Monday group.
Contact: aidankaynz@gmail.com
New Groups
Anyone interested in leading/forming a new group please contact Linda Beckett 027 417 5838 or lbeckett0106@gmail.com