Discover Our Vibrant Member Interest Groups
These small groups allow you connect with others who share similar interests. They provide a way to connect and collaborate while learning new skills, and enhancing older ones.
Interest groups provide social and learning opportunities for members. The Interest Group Coordinator will work with members who have a passion or interest in a topic and who are keen to pass that knowledge on to others.
Groups are established to meet members’ needs and are financially self-sustaining. They meet at times and venues suitable to their members. If expertise or interest is available, new groups can be established at any time.
If you wish to participate in any of our Interest Groups, you must be a member of U3A Christchurch North West.
Book Sharing
This group will interest those who love reading and sharing what they’ve read, whether it's a much loved or a much disliked book. Members of this group share their own personal reading choices.
Meets: 10.30am, Second Friday
Book Club
This group is run as part of the national BDS organisation, so there is an annual subscription. The group can take up to 10 people. Everyone reads the same book over a month and then meets to discuss it in an enjoyable, social gathering.
Meets: 1.30pm, Third Thursday
Craft
This is a friendly group. Whether it's crochet, patchwork, felting, embroidery or any other craft, come along and chat and share ideas.
Meets: 1pm, Second Wednesday
Epicureans
“This is a great way to taste and try diverse types of food, often very different from our usual NZ fare”
This friendly group meets at an arranged venue for lunch, or occasionally dinner. A wide variety of restaurants are visited, so there is plenty of opportunity to discover many different cuisines.
Meets: 12pm, Fourth Monday
Film
“Here's an opportunity to see a variety of different movies, perhaps something you've not tried before.”
Selected movie details and times are emailed out a week in advance and, usually, we meet an hour or so before the film at a nearby cafe.
Meets: Morning, Fourth Tuesday
History
“I love that within the group there is so much knowledge which everyone is happy to share”
Members of the group, as well as invited outside speakers, intend to cover a diverse range of topics.
Meets: 10am, Third & Fourth Wednesday
Mahjong
“If you can play Happy Families then you can play Mahjong. It’s great for keeping the mind active.”
This is a fascinating game ideal for keeping the mind active as well as offering social enjoyment. Currently there are nine mahjong groups operating on various days through the week, but new players of all levels are welcome, and new groups can be set up..
Meets: Various times
Walking
“Presenting a varied programme of walking on the trails of Canterbury.”
Get to know the different off road trails around our local parks, hills, rivers, forests and beaches. Walks will be approximately 1 to 1.5 hours long, usually finishing with coffee.
Meets: 9.30am, Third Monday
Wine Appreciation
“Expanding your palate and knowledge in the world of wine.”
This group meets in the homes of its members, who each bring a bottle of wine on a common theme. The wine is tasted, and information about the wine is explored. The rest of the bottle goes home!
Meets: 7pm, Second Thursday
Cycling
“Explore the new and old cycleways of Christchurch with a social group of all capabilities and bikes.”
This is a very social group who enjoy getting together to discover the new cycleways of Christchurch. Rides are circular, about 20-30 km long, on the flat, with a coffee shop stop always included in the route.
(10am Winter)
Little Garden
“I love finding different ideas for turning a small space into a green and inviting oasis"
This group is for members who love gardening, whether they have a courtyard, a small or large garden.
We enjoy seeing how others are using their spaces and sometimes visit other gardens in or near the city.
Meetings are held at one another’s homes, sharing our common interest, swapping ideas, plants etc.
Meets: 1.30pm, First Monday