After School Hockey Club (ASHC)

Looking for a fun and active after-school activity next term? ASHC is a great opportunity for children in Years 1-6 to learn new skills, build confidence, make friends, and enjoy hockey in a supportive environment.

Whether they're picking up a stick for the first time or already playing hockey, our experienced coaches create sessions that are fun, engaging, and suitable for all abilities.

Cost

$65 for the six-week programme

Session Times

Years 1-3: 3:30pm - 4:15pm

Years 4-6: 4:15pm - 5:00pm

National Hockey Stadium (NHS)

• Mondays | 12 Oct - 23 Nov

Fraser Park & Kelburn Normal School

• Thursdays | 15 Oct - 19 Nov

Elsdon & Maidstone

• Wednesdays | 14 Oct - 18 Nov

A great way to stay active, learn new skills, and have fun after school.

Register now: https://www.playhq.com/hockey-new-zealand/register/467571

 For any questions reach out to: jada@wellingtonhockey.org.nz or visit our website After School Hockey Club | Wellington Hockey

Enviroschools welcome your whānau to join us in learning about waterways - how a catchment works and actions you can take to look after your home and the natural habitats in your community. 

Come along to our Community Day in Ōwhiro Catchment on Sunday 20th September from 2pm - 4pm.

There will be activities along Ōwhiro awa, enter along the track between Happy Valley Park and Ōwhiro Bay School (opposite 137 Happy Valley Road).

• Planting is climate action and a beautiful way to give back to Ōwhiro awa after the flooding. With plants donated by WCC and with local restoration rōpū Friends of Ōwhiro Stream (FOOS), the STREAM team and S.E.A Tawatawa we will be able to take climate action. Earth Science will be there and have their carbon measuring device to help celebrate the difference planting makes.

• Hidden within the ngāhere across the bridge will be a showcase of poetry, visual art and a soundscape created by tamariki from 7 local schools and 4 ECE on 12th August at Enviroschools Student Energiser Day. These ākonga have messages for their communities and invitations to look after the streams locally to them - Waitangi, Kumutoto, Maupuia, Haewai, Paekawakawa, Waimapihi, Waipapa, Kaiwharawhara, Karori, Maupuia, Koromiko and Ōwhiro. Look out for their invitations for action in your catchment for example 'Drains are for Rain' education.

• WREMO will be available to kōrero about mitigating flooding - looking after your place and the creatures that call local waterways home with 'Adopt a Drain' initiative that has worked well across Aotearoa and can be taken on by households collectively

• Predator Free Wellington will be supporting learning about tracking and trapping to support habitats

• Enviroschools and Ōwhiro kindy have teamed up to facilitate a bug house building activity where whānau can build a bug hotel, install it in the catchment and place it on the map for all to visit and notice creatures who call this whaitua/catchment home. 

We look forward to connecting you with Ōwhiro awa one of few waterways we can see and appreciate the tuna and life that exist in the waterways under your streets. 

For updates on this event head here: https://www.facebook.com/share/19LcwakBM4/ or contact Chloe.BisleyWright@gw.govt.nz for more information. 

Celebrating this 35th year, Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand is delighted to bring some of Shakespeare’s most sprightly characters to life to help re-enliven the Wellington City Council’s Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, as it springs back into life after wintering over.

Enjoy seeing the wandering Puck’s, flittering fairies and odd Bottom and listen to their familiar quips and quotes from Shakespeare’s works. For half an hour from 11.30am and 2.30pm, the characters combine at the Joy Fountain by the Glenmore Street entrance to present ‘exploded’ versions of their quotes into vignettes of his favourite plays. There will be an opportunity for audience participation if you wish!

And don’t miss out on our costume competition! Live a little Shakespeare and be in to win if you come dressed as either Puck or Bottom from a Midsummer Night’s Dream. Judging will be at 12 and 3pm

This SGCNZ event is in conjunction with Wellington City Council’s Te Wā o te Kōanga Spring Festival.

E hoa mā,

It's time to get ready for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - the Wellington Parade is coming back this September!

Bring your brightest signs and your loudest voices as we take te reo Māori to the streets of Wellington.

When: Monday, 14 September, meet time is 10am, depart at 11am

Where: Meet at Parliament 

Route: Parliament, down Lambton Quay, finishing at Odlins Plaza

After the parade: At Odlins Plaza the celebrations will continue. If you are unable to join the parade but are keen to celebrate te reo Māori at the end you can meet us at 12pm.

Island Bay Community Centre

Taputeranga Island Bay Community Centre office hours are 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday, but you can hire the hall or lounge anytime between 6.30am and 10.30pm for your class, activity or event depending on availability. Just send through an email with the details. Check out our hire fees on our webpage, linked below. If you have a notice you would like put in the newsletter, please send it through to us at islandbaycc@wcc.govt.nz. 

Groups and services:

Tapu te Ranga Alcoholics Anonymous 

Over drinking? Tapu Te Ranga AA meets every week throughout the year, regardless of public holidays, on Thursdays from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome. You can find out more about Alcoholics Anonymous on their website or by calling the phone line  0800 AAWORKS (0800 2296757)

Island Bay Toy Library -  Saturdays, 9.30am - 11.30am. Island Bay's local toy library runs out of the community centre every Saturday morning. Like borrowing a book from a library, at toy libraries you can borrow different toys to match the age and stage of your child. To register and for more information: Contact ibtoylib@gmail.com 

Recycling

The centre is a drop of point for recycling: Batteries, mobile phones, metal & plastic lids & a CanBead collection point for beads (and old jewellery made with beads) to support people with cancer.

Please drop these off during opening hours. 

Playbox

The centre has a playbox in the garden for tamariki and families to enjoy and play with 7 days a week. Inside the box we have blocks, skittles, poi, skipping ropes, quoits, a parachute, balls, balance boards and more. You can create your own obstacle course, build a fort or simply come down with your friends and family to have fun. 

Taputeranga Island Bay Community Centre is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible bathroom.  

Te Ō Newtown Kindergarten

At our Kindergarten you will find:

• Up to 20hrs free education and care each week

• All of our teachers are fully qualified

• We make sure learning is fun!

• We focus on children developing social skills,

strategies and empathy

• We have a big and beautiful outdoor space

• We provide a multicultural learning environment

• You are welcome to visit us

Session hours: 8:30am to 2:30pm

Please contact us:

04 389 8245, 9 Hospital Road, Newtown

teonewtown@wmkindergartens.org.nz

Registrations are now open for our 2026 U13 In-Season Development Programme. 

Please click the following link to register: https://www.playhq.com/hockey-new-zealand/register/e5e96f 

Learn To Swim – Easyswim Swim School

Bookings are opening for term three swimming lessons at Khandallah, Tawa, Johnsonville, Newtown and Plimmerton School pools. Early Childhood through to Adults are welcome in our warm private pools. For more information visit www.easyswim.co.nz to book call 2347946 or email book@easyswim.co.nz

Helping Kids Discover What They Can Achieve

At Bigair Gym, children don't just learn gymnastics—they develop confidence, resilience, coordination, focus, and life skills that benefit them at school, in sport, and beyond. With fun, structured classes for every age and ability, every child has the opportunity to learn new skills, achieve goals, and experience the pride that comes with success.

Find the Perfect Class;

Crashmat Kids (Walking–4 yrs) A fun introduction to movement, coordination & gymnastics.
Pocket Rockets (3–4 yrs) Preschool gymnastics building coordination, listening skills & school readiness.
Gravity Busters (5+ yrs) Build gymnastics foundations, strength & tumbling skills.
Team Extreme (Advanced) Develop advanced gymnastics skills, challenges & progression.
Free Running (5+ yrs) Parkour-inspired movement building agility, strength & body control.
Trampoline (5+ yrs) Develop aerial skills, balance & body awareness.
Cheerleading (5+ yrs) Tumbling, dance, stunts, jumps, routines & teamwork.
Tumbling (5+ yrs) Learn walkovers, handsprings, flips & more.

Give your child the opportunity to learn, achieve, and thrive at Bigair Gym.
Book online today at www.bigairgym.co.nz — classes available at Tawa, Owhiro Bay & Kapiti.

Wellington Repertory have a children's show opening July 6th at the Gryphon theatre for the July school holidays. The show is called Mrs Llama the Very Kiwi Farmer, and is on for 5 shows at only at $15 a ticket. Bookings here: https://www.wellingtonrepertory.org.nz/bookings/#MRSL 

For those of you who haven't been to Inverlochy Art School before, we offer a broad range of high quality art classes and workshops. We believe in art for art's sake and allow students to find freedom in creative exploration. We operate out of historic Inverlochy House in central Te Aro. 

Find out more here.

July Holiday Programme

Dates: Monday 6th to Thursday 9th  - EBIS Hall.  

Activities include:

Daily busking trips

School of Rock Thursday

Table tennis and 4 Square

Book here: https://www.therockacademy.co.nz/school-holiday-programme-booking

Video Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwP8fNpxsMo 

Unlock your potential with No Limit Ballers.

Our Friday morning training for Intermediate students is designed to sharpen your skills and build your confidence on the court.

The Details:

• Location: Akau Tangi Sports Centre

• Time: 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM

• Term 2: May 29th – July 3rd

Spots are highly limited to ensure personalized development, so secure yours before the May 22nd deadline.

Register at:   NLB - Term 2 2026 - Expression of Interest Intermediate grade

April Holiday Programme 

Dates: Monday 13th to Friday 17th  - EBIS Hall.  

 Video Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwP8fNpxsMo (Warning: may cause spontaneous air drumming) Beginners and advanced pupils are welcome. 

Activities include:

 Daily busking trips

 Band school (Thursday) - Perfect for drummers

 Table tennis

 4 Square

 Badminton

Wellington Harriers Children's Cross Country

Our Open day is Saturday 25th April at 1.45pm. 

We meet at that the Wellington Harrier Club rooms on Alexandre Road Mount Victoria.

The season will start with a relay (Donaldson Memorial) near our club rooms on Mt Victoria. This relay race is a fun introduction to cross country running, with mixed teams of adults and kids. Laps are about 1.5k, and new members are very welcome to come along and give it a go!

We offer two midweek after school cross country trainings, run by Athletics New Zealand Accredited Coaches.   Note we will be running training over the school holidays.

For our trainings we meet at our clubrooms. we are lucky to have 8 different training locations close by, providing lots of variety to keep trainings fun and interesting!   

Our clubrooms couldn't be in a better spot. They're also a fun place to hang out, before and after training, there's a pool table, table tennis table and foosball table available for indoor amusement.

Hoop Kids Autumn Camp

Three days of basketball fun for kids in Years 3-8. They’ll build skills, play plenty of games, and enjoy being part of a team.
Why join us?

• Open to all skill levels

• 3 full days of basketball and teamwork

• Coaches focused on growth, not pressure

Date: 13 - 15 April 2025
Time: 9am - 3pm
Venue: Ākau Tangi Sports Centre
Cost: $160

WHA is excited to announce our second Junior Hockey Have-A-Go Day at the National Hockey Stadium for the opening weekend of Open Grade Hockey. 

Date: Saturday 21st

Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Location: National Hockey Stadium

This event is a great opportunity for both new and returning junior players to pick up a stick, get active, and enjoy some hockey before the Junior Hockey season officially begins in May.

What to expect:

• A fun and welcoming environment to help kids get comfortable with the game

• Games and activities suitable for all skill levels

• Bring a friend along to join in the fun

• Sticks available for anyone who needs one

• Information about local junior hockey clubs and school teams for the upcoming season

If you have any questions about this community event, please contact Jack at jack@wellingtonhockey.org.nz.

We’re looking forward to a great morning of hockey — see you on the turf!

Girls Smash is a fun cricket programme for girls in school years 3-8. Sessions involve activities and skills followed by a six a side game. The whole session takes about an hour and is held after school for six weeks. Our focus is learn-as-you-play, and every girl is supported to participate at their own level. All equipment is provided, no experience is necessary, and every participant receives a tshirt!  The cost of the programme is $30 per participant

Your local hub is at Wakefield Park on the grass field next to the Turf. Sessions will be held on Mondays from 4.00-5.00pm starting on the 23rd of February.

Participants can register via  https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/register/0d8d15

If you have any questions please contact sarah@cricketwellington.co.nz

At Read to Kurī, at Kilbirnie library, you will book in for a 15-minute one-on-one reading session with a therapy dog from our friends at Canine Friends Pet Therapy. You will be able to choose a book and curl up somewhere cosy in the library to read with the specially trained dog. The dog's handler will be present at all times.

Read to Kurī aims to help tamariki improve their literacy, self-confidence, and self-esteem in a relaxed, non-judgemental environment. All dogs have been trained and tested for health, safety and temperament, and many have experience working with young children.

Research shows that therapy dogs:

• can increase a child's relaxation while reading

• listen attentively

• do not laugh, judge or criticise a child's reading level

• allow children to proceed at their own pace

• can be less intimidating to practice reading with than a child's peers

This programme is perfect for tamariki aged 5+ who would like to practice their reading skills, or older rangatahi and teens who need some time and space to de-stress, while making a new canine friend at the library. The programme runs from 3.30pm - 4.30pm on Thursdays during term time. Bookings are essential as spaces are limited. Call in to Kilbirnie library or phone 04 3871480 to book a 15 minute time slot.

Wellington Junior Chess Club 

Learn • Play • Improve • Compete  

When? 

Every Thursday (during school term) from 6:30 to 7:30pm 

Term Start Thursday 5 February 

Where? 

Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Road Thorndon 

Who is it for?  

Student of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced junior players. Players are grouped by ability where appropriate.  

What we offer  

• Structured coaching using the NZ Chess Federation (NZCF) Badge Scheme  • Clear learning pathway from beginner to club-standard chess  

• Fun challenges, puzzles, and mini-tournaments  

• Friendly and supportive environment  

• Preparation for interschool and junior tournaments  

Contact:  

Gordon Lyall 

FIDE Instructor & FIDE School Instructor 

National Arbiter 

NZCF Director of Training 

gordon@crazyhorsechess.co.nz