Special Interest Groups - Convenor Reports 2025
Gardening Group - Linda O’Reilly
The group has 29 members and meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am at various locations. Usually about 10-12 people attend. Responses and communication from members is good.
Activities:
· In November we went to Ohinetahi in Governors Bay, which was really enjoyed.
· We went to two gardens near Oxford, in February.
· We will go to a flower farm near Rangiora in March and a large new garden closer to Christchurch in April.
Marlene Pope has recently agreed to be co-convenor. She will do research into more practical sessions such as caring for fruit trees, native plantings etc and make plans from May onwards.
Photography Group - Linda O’Reilly
This group has 9 members. Some are new to the group. Some members find it difficult to join in due to other commitments, so attendance has been low.
The group now meets twice a month:
· In the second week of the month we go out to take photos at locations to be agreed by the group.
· On the fourth Thursday of the month we meet at a member’s house to review our photos and learn more about composition and editing.
Activities:
· In November the group portrait session was successful and several new members joined in.
· A recent city walkabout was cancelled because of rain and is being rescheduled.
· We had a great indoor session at the end of January when we shared photos and talked about composition. There were only 4 members present but they were all enthusiastic and keen to learn.
Marilyn Cowe has agreed to be co-convenor. She will send out the emails and arrange meeting details. Linda will continue to teach.
Funding:
A cable is required to connect an iPad to the TV. Cost to be recovered as an expense.
Movies and other Entertainment - Bev Woods
The year began with a good number of members joining the group. It originally began as a morning movie group only. Usually, we went twice a month depending on what movies were of interest. A number of members preferred an evening session, so this was introduced. Marilyn Cowe became the daytime Movie Convenor and Bev Woods the evening Movie Convenor. Daytime movies run during the winter months when daylight saving is not in operation. Before or after we like to go to a cafe or casual dining depending on the event and time of day. Over the year the group evolved going to a number of Film Festivals, The Court Theatre and a play ‘Dear Jane’ part of the Christchurch Heritage Festival held at Riccarton House. This year we’re introducing the Art Centre Lunchtime Concert Series held in the Great Hall on specific Mondays to the group as well as continuing with what we have been doing.
We are accepting new members.
Technology Report - Roger Chapman
The Tech group meet on Tuesdays following the main speaker meeting. We use one of the Church as the meeting space. It has wi-fi which is a necessary requirement. However, it does come at a cost of $25/hr (2025) rising to $27.50/hr (2026).
Initially I asked participants to contribute $110/head which was banked into U3A 01account. The amount was not sufficient to cover the year as some people did not pay, as they were intermittent participants. The average attendance was about 8-10 with a maximum of 14. I have canvassed all members as to their attendance this year and with a couple of additions and 6 resignations, I’m suspecting the numbers to be much the same. I have asked the group members to pay $12.50 each to which they have agreed. I’ll discuss this further at our first meeting in March once numbers are firmer. It was also suggested, by a member, that anyone popping in for a single session, because it’s of greater personal interest, should be charged a small fee ($2-$3) for their part of the rent.
In 2025 we delivered talks and discussion on the following topics:
· Basic computing and components
· Databases and date centres
· Cloud computing
· AI – what does it mean and how we can benefit from it
· General Q&AS with Daniel an IT expert who was our main speaker
· Navigation of M365 apps – Excel, Word, PowerPoint File
· Management and controlling the chaos on our desktop
· Photo management using the Snapseed app for phones/tablets.
In essence, pitching technology to a group with very wide-ranging technical skills has been a difficult task; trying to find a balance of detail and complexity that has something for everyone. The first meeting for 2026 will be on Tuesday 10 March with the topic being – Drones.
Book Group 1 - Vivienne Allan Co-convenor - Heather Gray
The group meets on the first Monday of the month at 10.00am at the Birdwood Café. Membership is 13 (currently full).
The book group began on a high note at the beginning of the year with capacity interest. The Birdwood Café was selected as the preferred venue because it has a back room with sufficient size to meet our needs. If the weather is inclement, we can meet in the main cafe. Members can order refreshments which are brought to the room by the café staff. It is a congenial environment, and we are always made welcome.
Because BDS increased its costs for this year, we agreed we would try a different system and ask the city library whether we could borrow sufficient numbers of books per month to enable our group to read the same book and be able to comment on it. However, the South City Library was about to undergo major renovations and the librarian was not keen.
The group discussed the best option and we agreed that as many members as were able would bring one or two books every month to discuss and share. This has worked very well. The range of books is extensive, both fiction and non-fiction, New Zealand and overseas authors.
We maintain a list of titles, owners, dates books are borrowed and when returned. This works well because often the books rotate among the members when they get a favourable review.
Any updates of items of interest are posted on the website a reminder is sent out to members a week in advance of the next meeting.
The same system will apply in the coming financial year.
Current Affairs - Vivienne Allan - Assistant When required
The group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 10.00am at the Birdwood Café. Membership is 27 (currently full).
The Current Affairs Group was popular from the start attracting capacity numbers. The venue is preferred because it accommodates the group and members can order a coffee/tea/food. The staff are very friendly, and we are always made welcome. There is no time limit although we try and keep our meeting within one and a half hours.
Topics vary covering the spectrum of current affairs from politics to sport, art, national and international news and whatever is most topical at the time.
We usually begin with a snap poll to gauge interest or approval/disapproval in some item that is topical that month. With local government elections last year, members discussed opinions on rates, whether residents get value for their rates and how to express their opinions to the Council. Several of us went to a ward meeting and then to a council meeting to listen to debates.
We invited the Minister for the South Island, James Meager, to give an address and we invited all U3A membership to attend. While there were variances of opinion as to his presentation and abilities, it was a good exercise to undertake at no cost to our group.
Participation is very good within the group and everyone is invited to comment and express an opinion on a particular topic. Attendances remain high. A follow-up email is sent out after the meeting and a reminder about the next meeting sent out a week in advance.
Memoir Group - Vivienne Allan
The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 10.00am at the Birdwood Café, Beckenham (weather dependent).
The Memoir Group is designed to assist members to write their personal memoirs in whatever form they choose. This is a teaching course with the essentials of writing memoirs identified in the first meetings and members invited to share views and opinions as well as examples of their writing to date.
We meet at the Birdwood Café which is ideal for the warmer months and when it is fine. At other times the group meets at the Convenor’s home. Topics and subjects are random however they also include significant events that have occurred during the writer’s lifetime.
Learning to write includes knowing the intended audience, what research is required, how to conduct an interview, creating a family tree, what tense to use when writing, how to write in a colourful style, chapters, what images are appropriate and developing a timeframe that works for the individual.
There is no time set for any specific topic or research. This is the writer’s decision.
There is no requirement to finish the memoir. It is all about learning and then knowing what to do.
Wine Appreciation - Yvonne Boulton
There are 2 places available for this group.
We meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 4.30pm in a private home. Last year we tasted Prosecco, Shiraz, Pinot Gris, Dry Reisling Rose and the last tasting was a pot luck dinner with wines to match each dish. This year we are tasting wines around the globe, and we have discussed visiting wineries in other NZ regions.
What we learn from these tastings are there so many different varieties of wine and many countries around the world that grow grapes and make wine. We learn about the different characteristics of wines, the tastes, textures, colours appearance, scents and the age of the wine.
This a very friendly, fun and social group who all enjoy the experience of learning about wine.
Art Gallery - Yvonne Boulton
The membership of this group is 31 and unless people resign this group is at its maximum.
We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 1.pm at the Art Gallery.
We have a very informed Guide who facilitates each session talking and showing us current exhibitions or Art Gallery paintings. The last meeting for the year was held in a private home where we enjoyed a local artist also a U3A Ōpāwaho member paintings with a glass of wine.
This year we will be making visits to other art galleries, continuing with our monthly Art Gallery sessions and hope to meet more local artists.
Travel Group Yvonne - Boulton / Anne Newsom
The membership of this group is presently at 28 and can be expanded.
International travel and domestic travel have not produced much interest but day trips have been of more interest. In December 17 people travelled to Riverstone to look at the Castle and gardens and enjoyed lunch at the restaurant. It was a great day out with comfortable mini coaches and friendly drivers. In 2026 we are looking at further day trips starting in April.
Lunch Dining Group - Shirley Goodwin
The Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the months at 12-12.30pm at varying venues with costs based on individual choice. This is one of the more recent groups, with our first outing for 2025 being in October. Since then, we have met each month and will have our February lunch next week. Members take turns at choosing and booking the venues, so that we get a wide range of different eateries. This is a friendly and sociable group and we welcome new members.
Mahjong - Lyn Russell Co-Convenors Kate Rawlings, Biff Frederickson
Our Group, of 7 members, meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 1.30pm at a member home. There is no cost to members although the host does provide afternoon tea.
We have been able to meet every month although with varying numbers. We play for an hour, enjoy a sip and a nibble, and then continue for another hour. We are non-competitive and have a lot of fun.
Genealogy Research - Valerie Anderson
The group held its first meeting in June 2025, met monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 1-3pm at the Church building at 77 Ashgrove Terrace, Cashmere. 6 meetings were held in 2025 and will continue in 2026 starting Wednesday 25 February. Originally a limit was set for 10 members to keep help needed from the Convenor manageable in getting members set up with login and internet access.
Over the months as the participants were able to log on independently the limit was loosened and I encouraged additional interested people to attend the sessions to see if it suited them.
Originally a $10 one-off fee was set to cover the distribution of a booklet. As most members indicated their intention to continue attending the group this fee will not be needed for them. So I am making the group free with an optional cost for new members if they want a booklet.
I distributed simple survey forms for feedback at the last (November 2025) session and those returned showed an intention to return in 2026 and a positive recommendation to other U3A members about the group. Mary Purvis has accepted the role as Co-Convenor for 2026. I also have a non U3A friend Leigh Leslie who comes sometimes to help with log-ons and she gave a well-received presentation one session on family history themed gift ideas. Usually, I discuss and demonstrate a few websites each session. Sometimes we discuss a member’s genealogy research problem. Then members do some research of their own, accessing resources they cannot freely get at home. Everyone has done research in the past, so I try to update them on newer resources available.
History Interest Group (HIG) - Mark Sheehan
The History Interest Group has 20 members and meets monthly on the 3rd Monday 10.00-11.30am, at the Birdwood Café. There is no cost to members. The HIG is a new group (4 meetings so far) that meets once a month to explore a range of historical areas. Each meeting has a particular focus (so far Greenland, Easter Island, Highland Clearances and the English Civil war). Relevant material is sent out to inform participants about the topic before we meet.
French Conversation - Sue Shannons
There are 7/8 members of the group who meet monthly on the 1st Friday of the month at 2.00pm.
There are no costs. We are a diverse group, some with good conversation, some with better written skills but fear of speaking what is probably not totally French! However, we have very happy meetings, mostly speaking French but occasionally lapsing when things become too complicated. Help is offered as necessary with grammar, genders, etc. Our aim is to give everyone the confidence to attempt at least a simple conversation without feeling embarrassed.
Evening Dining Out - Yvonne Boulton
The membership of this group currently is 14 and can expand.
Last Year restaurants visited were Kenzo, Café Nostra and a Persian Dinner at a private home.
This year each ember will organise a restaurant to dine at with other options such as a potluck at someone’s home. Restaurants to dine at vary in type and price to cater for everyone’s affordability.
Traveller’s Tales Group - Elizabeth Rayner - Assistant John Simpson
We meet at the Heathcote Valley Community Centre, 45 Bridle Path Road on the 4th Monday of each month at 1.30-3.00pm. Bridle Path Road from 1.30 – 3pm.
Each meeting 1 to 3 people present their travels to a pre-arranged destination/area in the world.
They can use photos, videos, and a description of their trip. We have had between 8 and 15 attend. There is always good interaction between the speaker and attendees.
Craft Group - Elizabeth Rayner
The group of 16 members meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at Silos Café, Port Hills Road at 2 – 3.30pm. There is no cost unless we have a specific workshop. Attendance at the group is often 4 – 7 members who currently bring their own projects, portable to do at the café.
We have discussed organising 1-off workshops. I have asked that there are volunteers to organise these.
Walking Group - Sue Clark Co-Convenor Pam Malcolm
There are 28 members in our group with walks that are at various locations around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. We meet every Saturday at 9am in the summer and later 9.30 or 10am in the winter months. There are no costs. We had a very active year with most members participating in organising walks. Our numbers vary but there is a core group of 6-8 who walk every week and our numbers are often 12 or more. We usually have coffee afterwards at a local café. This is very friendly, sociable group of mixed abilities. For that reason, if our planned walk is likely to be hilly, then an alternative flat walk is also offered. Our walks are not too demanding and generally between 45mins to 1 hour.
Evening Book Group - Anne Field
The evening book group meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month and there are no costs involved.
Currently we have 7 members and there is space to have a membership of 10 people.
We rotate amongst most of the members houses and met from 7.30pm until 9.30pm with a host providing a cup of tea or coffee and a light supper.
Each book club member talks about a book or books they have read in the past month. As the Group comes from a wide range of backgrounds, a diverse range of books is discussed. The Convenor emails the group a list of books and their authors discussed at each meeting.
It is a warm and friendly group and as mentioned we would welcome 3 more interested members.
Cycle Group – Phillippa Rendall
The cycle group ranged from 14-18 members over the year. We met on the 2nd Monday and 4th Thursday of the month. Rides were organised by the convenor or a nominated group member starting from St Mark's carpark, with a variety of rides on cycleways and quiet streets around Christchurch. Each ride included a cafe stop and many interesting discussions ensued. Members enjoyed rides to Tai Tapu, Sumner, through town, around Hagley Park over and around the Heathcote River bridges, and exploring various combinations of cycleways. It is a friendly group of people who enjoy cycling and we welcome new members up to a maximum of 20.
