Armchair Readers

2nd Thursday - 10am

A small group of real book-readers (no Kindling here thankyou). We are looking for more members and the only qualifications to join the group are a love of interesting literature and a fondness for curling up in a cosy armchair. We talk about and swap the books we have read.

Art History (1)

2nd and 4th Mondays - 2pm

The only requirement to join this group is a passion for the arts and the will to share your love of art with like-minded people. To learn about the works of well-known artists, while the emphasis is on shared knowledge with everyone contributing ideas on their paintings of choice. We also enjoy social outings to the various exhibitions that come to Rotorua during the year.

Art History (2)

1st and 3rd Mondays - 2pm

The only requirement to join this group is a passion for the arts and the will to share your love of art with like-minded people. To learn about the works of well-known artists, while the emphasis is on shared knowledge with everyone contributing ideas on their paintings of choice. We also enjoy social outings to the various exhibitions that come to Rotorua during the year.

Book Review (1)

3rd Monday - 2pm

A diverse range of members bound together by the love of the written word. On occasions we gather at the Public Library to peruse the shelves. Ours is not an elitist group of literary snobs reading and discussing set books. Rather Members’ personal preferences are catered for, covering a broad spectrum, ranging from tales set in the Middle Ages to the latest in detective novels, with a dash of "chick lit" tossed in for light relief. Apart from their recommendations of books read, members share topical reviews from a wide selection of publications and note those works that currently feature in the best sellers lists.

Book Review (2)

4th Monday - 2pm

A group of people who meet monthly, bound together by the love of books. We do not read and discuss set books, but books that members have enjoyed or found of interest are shared with the group. In this way we are introduced to a wide variety of topics and authors. We recommend books to each other, and exchange many of our own. Members also share topical reviews from a variety of authors.

Current Events  (1)

3rd Thursday - 10am

We discuss news and associated topical subjects and in doing so both learn and enjoy ourselves at the same time. Both national and international events are open for discussion, members choose the topics.

Current Events (2)

1st Wednesday - 10am

Topical and Current from all sources of the media, this group can discuss several topics at one meeting.

With all that is going on in this huge wide world our topic list is never small.

There are no rules, if sometimes heated, but always varied and stimulating.

Current Events (3)

2nd Tuesday - 10am

We discuss a wide range of current events of national and international interest. Anything and everything that provides food for thought is acceptable and each member presents their own topic followed by analysis and good-humoured debate.

In case you are wondering, the photo above is a selfie taken by Rosetta, the Comet Chaser, with comet 67P in the background.

DVD Movies

3rd Thursdays - 2pm

The group starts in February 2019 and will run for 2 years. The convenor has a collection of DVDs of much-loved movies she is keen to rewatch with similar enthusiasts, such as The Kings Speech, O What a Lovely War, The Group, All the Presidents Men.

Ethnic Dining

3rd Wednesday - 6pm (Summer Time)

Ever wished for the opportunity to try new and different flavoured foods? Maybe you are already familiar with exotic dishes and wish to keep adding a little culinary spice to your life while sharing good company. Then the Ethnic Dining Group is for you. We meet every month for lunch in Winter or for an early evening meal in Summer. The group convenor will phone you in good time to let you know which one of Rotorua’s many varied and interesting restaurants has been chosen

Films

1st Monday - 12.30pm (Basement Cinema), Variable times (Reading Cinema)

A relaxed and happy group, we attend films together, every 2 or 3 weeks, generally going to the Basement Theatre as they tend to have more "worthwhile films". The management of the Basement is good to us, giving us a small discount and we are able to book either the larger or smaller theatre for our exclusive use. We gather for coffee after showings to discuss the film, to socialise and build friendships. Although our membership is large we can generally absorb more members as not all folk attend every film.

Grey Warblers

Twice monthly during Summer, Time and venue notified by email

A choral of senior songsters who raise their voices for the sheer pleasure of making music and singing the songs that everyone loves to hear.

Join us and sing along with the riroriro of Rotorua.

History

2nd and 4th Fridays - 10am

This group of enthusiastic members would like to explain that their brand of History is not the schoolbook type. They like to investigate any topic that interest them, and all suggestions are considered carefully. If this intrigues you make contact.

Philosophy

2nd and 4th Thursdays - 2pm

Any topic with a philosophical or theological underpinning that fires up the cerebral neurons is meet for us to chew. We are not a Dead Philosophers Society as such, though we have been known to give the likes of Kant, Confucius and Santayana a quick work over. More likely our discussions revolve around issues of general interest such as terrorism, scepticism, humanism and the seven deadly sins. No Philosophical qualifications are needed, just a broad experience of life and a willingness to share ideas and opinions.

Photography (1)

2nd and 4th Tuesdays - 2pm

A group interested in photography while supporting each other in the various makes of camera. Weather permitting we have workshops to places of interest. The group hopes to expand their activities to include editing of photos as well as having our work critiqued leading towards possible exhibitions.

Photography (2)

2nd and 4th Fridays - 10am

For those that have an interest in digital cameras and what they can do uppermost in their minds. We are lucky to have camera club member amongst us patiently showing us how to create that perfect photo when we turn automatic off. During winter close encounters with the workings of our cameras are the normal. On Balmy days field trips are on the agenda.

Poetry

2nd Thursday - 2.00pm

For the love of poetry a group of like minded people meet on a monthly basis to debate the strengths and weaknesses of their favourite poets.

Poetry touches all our emotions as old as the human heart and elevates us to a higher plane.

Recitation is encouraged but personal composition is not part of the format of the group.

Ratbags

Every week

We are killers. We bag rats (and mice). We have joined Whakarewarewa Pest Free Trust to help clear the area of the predators that are destroying our native fauna. We have 99 traps set along the walking track around Tikitapu/Blue Lake. Come and help us

Science and Engineering

2nd and 4th Mondays - 10am

Always very well attended because of the varied and interesting topics to tease one’s mind. You don't need to have inherited Einstein's DNA to be involved with this group.......just an inquiring mind.

The presenters are not restricted to science topics, but are able to expand our interest and understanding of their particular subject.

Spanish Conservation

1st and 3rd Fridays - 1pm

This group is not designed to teach Spanish to beginners, but is for those who are learning or have learnt and wish to practise and retain their skills.

Square Dancers

Tuesdays 10.30am - 12.30pm

The Sulphur City Square and Round Dance club has now reformed and joined U3A as the Square Dancers Group. We meet at Parksyde. Square dancing welcomes all ages and is an ideal way of maintaining fitness while having fun. We welcome newcomers and beginners.

Visits

1st Friday - 1.30pm

The Visits group is known as the "Visits to Interesting Places" group. With the aims of adventure, fun and learning, we explore locally and around the region by car or bus. A few places we have visited are local artists and sculptors, hotels, gardens, water treatment, minigolf and other games, cruises on lakes and rivers, lava glass, museums around the area…and we have even ridden on The Duck!

Walking

2nd and 4th Fridays - 9.20am

Each walk is approximately 2 hours long, within a 20 minute drive from Rotorua and requires moderate fitness. The walks vary in difficulty, the easier ones (E) are on the 2nd Friday of each month, the harder ones (H) on the 4th. We pause for about 10 minutes for morning tea so please bring a drink and a snack. We meet at the starting point for each walk so the meeting places vary. Each walking group member receives a schedule of proposed walks in advance.

Wednesday Art Group

Every Wednesday – 1.15pm

The members of this group (The WAGs) meet every Wednesday afternoon at the Mokoia Community Center to give free rein to their artistic talents in any medium except oils. They have no pretensions to emulate Matisse, Monet or Munch – just to enjoy an afternoon of creativity in good company.

Writing for Families (1)

1st and 3rd Fridays - 9.30am

Have you ever wished you had asked questions of your relatives when they were still alive? Our lively group writes stories, varying from family history, letters to grandchildren, or stories of our own childhood. In fact any living memory is recorded creating a living history to pass on as our family legacy.

Not all stories are easy to relate, but a trust within the group may see tears as well as laughter shared in total confidentially. We write at home, read our stories to the group, never critique, but others' stories often jump start an idea for further writings.

Writing for Families (2)

2nd Monday - 10.00am

Writing for families - for future generations - is a very satisfying hobby. Getting started is not always easy, but joining our group of like-minded writers and sharing ideas will soon have you tapping on your key board. It may be just an item which evokes a memory long forgotten or it could be family history; the choice is yours. Come join us.