In 1989 the first local group was established through the Department of Continuing Education of the University of Canterbury.  Soaring demand led to a second one starting in 1996, U3A Christchurch, our group.  By the end of 1996, a number of monthly meetings had been held and several small interest groups were established.  A few years later, as other  U3A groups were being formed in the city, there was some disquiet with the name “U3A Christchurch” so this group decided to add the words “North West”.

There are now over twenty groups  in the Christchurch area.  Further information on these, and other groups throughout New Zealand, can be found at the U3A New Zealand website:  www.u3a.net.nz