Lower North Island Events and Groups
Supporting Blind Low Vision NZ clients in peer support, recreation and volunteering. Find out what’s happening locally, regionally and nationally… get involved.
For all enquiries, please contact one of our friendly local team members listed below:
Micky Gunn: 04 3802144 Email: mgunn@blindlowvision.org.nz
Mary Fisher: 04 380 2151 Email: mfisher@blindlowvision.org.nz
Richard West 06 9293232 Email: rwest@blindlowvision.org.nz
Erin Leonard 06 834 2068 Email: eleonard@blindlowvision.org.nz
Click your local town / city to go directly to events near you
News and Upcoming Special Events:
Bikkie Day
When: Friday 7 August
Where: Nationwide
Description: Bake and sell cookies to raise the dough for Blind Low Vision NZ.
Register here: https://www.bikkieday.org.nz
Kapiti Coffee Group with (easy) Microwave Mug Recipes:
When: Tuesday 18 August, 10.00am – 11.30am
Where: Blind Low Vision NZ Kapiti Office, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu
Description: BYO mug and make some tasty treats to go with your coffee!
Contact: Micky Gunn mgunn@blindlowvision.org.nz ph: 04 380 2144
3D Card Making
When: Tuesday 25 August 10.00am – 12.00pm
Where: Oppenheim Room, Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Newtown
Description: First monthly meeting of the new art and craft group
Cost: $2 koha to cover morning tea
Contact: Micky Gunn mgunn@blindlowvision.org.nz ph: 04 380 2144
- Wellington
- Lower Hutt
- Upper Hutt
- Mana
- Kapiti Coast
- Levin
- Wairarapa
- New Plymouth
- Whanganui
- Palmerston North
- Napier
- Central Hawkes Bay
- Gisborne
Wellington
On the radar:
- Te Papa Wellington sensory tour: August/September (date to be confirmed)
- Beach hike, Whanganui: September (date to be confirmed)
- Arts Week: 28 September – 2 October
- Food Show, Wellington: 30 October
- Halberg Wellington badminton event (date to be confirmed)
- Tandem ride, Wairarapa: 5 – 6 November
- RNZ Ballet, Wellington AD performance of Sleeping Beauty: 7 November
- Beach hike, Waitarere: 26 November (likely date but will confirm)
- Circa Theatre, Wellington AD performances: The Glitter Garden, PSA: Election 2020, Cinderella (dates to be confirmed)
Wellington Walking Group
Where: Various locations
Description: an easy walk of up to an hour – often with a specific destination or activity, followed by lunch.
Contact: Micky Gunn 04 380 2144
NZ Blind Lawn Bowls
When: Club days at local bowling clubs, with an annual national competition held at different venues in NZ.
Where: Bowling clubs around New Zealand.
Description: NZBLBA is committed to growing and developing the sport of blind bowls in NZ.
Cost: $20 per annum
Contact: Royden James 0226119680 James.royden@gmail.com
Guided Museum Tours
When: On demand, bookings required
Where: Te Papa Museum, Cable Street, Wellington
Description: Guided tour of certain exhibits, with tactile and audio-described elements
Contact: Judith Jones: accessibility@tepapa.govt.nz
Art and Craft Group
When: 4th Tuesday each month, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Description: Bring along your own craft project, or try something new
Cost: Gold coin koha for tea and coffee
Contact: Micky Gunn (04) 380 2144
Coffee Mornings
When: 3rd Thursday of the month 10.00 am – 12.00pm
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Description: meet for peer support and friendship
Contact: Claire Bognuda 04 977 3648
Keep Fit Classes
When: weekly on a Wednesday 10.00 – 11.30 am
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Description: a 1 hour low impact fitness class for all ages and abilities (small charge applies), followed by tea and coffee
Contact: Gail Mann 021 240 2288
Book Club
When: last Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Contact: Jane Mehaffey 04 972 9138
Social Club for the Blind
When: 1st Wednesday each month 7.30 – 9.30pm
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Contact: Keith Palmer 04 476 7329
Indoor Bowls
When: Mondays from 10.00 am -12.00 pm
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Description: social and supportive bowling, with tea and coffee
Contact: Janet Palmer 04 476 7329
Achilles Wellington (Community Group)
When: first Sunday of the month, 8.30 am
Where: meet by Mojo Poneke, Clyde Quay, Wellington waterfront
Description: guided walk/run/roll for up to an hour along the waterfront, followed by coffee.
Contact: Micky Gunn 027 808 1405
NZ Disability Karate Association (Community Group)
When: 1st Friday of the month, then every Wednesday 6.00 pm (general) 7.00 pm (adult)
Where: Khandallah Town Hall, 11 Ganges Road, Khandallah
Description: free self-defence classes, open to all ages and abilities
Contact: Sensei Stephen Hilson 027 240 2717
Companion Walking Service (offered by Age Concern)
Details: a service for the elderly who wish to go walking in their local community
(Cost: $20 or $5 for Community Service Cardholders)
Contact: Lyn cws@acwellington.org.nz Phone: 022 411 4727
Lower Hutt
Indoor Bowls
Where: Avalon Hall, 14 Mabey Road, Lower Hutt
Description: social and supportive bowling, with tea and coffee
Contact: Ian Smith 04 976 6477
Coffee mornings
Where: Central Hutt (contact organiser for further details)
Description: for peer support and friendship
Contact: Vicki Canning 04 567 0440
Craft Group
When: meets 1st and 3rd Friday of the month 10.30am-1.30pm
Where: Central Hutt (contact organiser for further details)
Description: BYO craft activities and shared lunch
Contact: Vicki Canning 04 567 0440
Indoor and Outdoor Bowls (Community Group)
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1.15 pm
Where: Hutt Bowling Club, 6 Myrtle Street, Lower Hutt
Description: Indoor bowls in winter, outdoor bowls from September, plus social events
Contact: Rex Baker 04 567 7779 or Ray Jones 04 977 9500 or Des Darby 04 567 9331
Parkrun Lower Hutt (Community Group)
When: weekly, Saturday 8.00
Where: Starts from southern end of the Riverside Carpark
Description: a free, timed 5km run/walk along the eastern stop bank of Hutt River
Contact: Just turn up on the day.
Wainuiomata Support Group
When: alternating 1st Monday and 1st Saturday of the month
Where: Wainuiomata Library 11.00 – 12.00
Description: for peer support and friendship
Contact: Heather Loader 04 977 6887
Upper Hutt
Indoor bowls
When: every Monday 9.30 – 11.00 am
Where: Fergusson Village, 8 Ward Street, Upper Hutt
Description: social and supportive bowling, with tea and coffee
Contact: Lesley & Wayne King LMKing1946@outlook.com
Book Group
When: 2nd Thursday of the month 5.30 – 6.30 pm
Where: Upper Hutt Library, 844 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt
Description: more than just books!
Contact: Genevieve McLachlan 04 528 7600
Socials
When: quarterly, dates to be confirmed
Where: Silverstream Bowling Club, 37 Dunns Street, Silverstream
Description: bus outings in spring and autumn, lunches held mid-year and Christmas
Contact: Lesley & Wayne King LMKing1946@outlook.com
Mana
Indoor Bowls for Blind & Low Vision Persons
When: every Friday 10.00am – 12.00pm
Where: North Wellington Indoor Bowling Association rooms, 1 Onepoto Road, Porirua
Description: Beginners and experienced players welcome. Transport may be available.
Cost: $3.00 per session
Contact: Wayne Dick 021 0246 7968 Libby Drummond 021 069 5562
Gay Quirke 027 242 3288 Brenda Anderson 021 106 9888
Mana Vision Impaired Persons (VIP) Group
When: 2nd Wednesday each month 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Where: Level 1, The Settlement, 1 Walton Leigh Avenue, Porirua
Description: A cuppa and chat, with interesting speakers each month. Some transport available
Cost: Gold coin donation
Contact: Wayne Dick 021 024 67968 Brenda Anderson 021 106 9888 or 233 1833
Mana Knitting and Crochet Group
When: first Tuesday of the month 10.00 – 12.00 noon
Where: Porirua Library
Description: enjoy a chat and cuppa with fellow knitters. Some help, materials & transport available
Contact: Gael Hambrook 04 970 3575 Brenda Anderson 021 106 9888
Mana Arts Society (Community Group)
When: various days and times
Where: Plimmerton Domain, close to the Plimmerton railway station
Description: regular art sessions, workshops, social opportunities and peer support
Contact: Barbara Laurenson barb.laurenson@gmail.com
Porirua Parkrun (Community Group)
When: every Saturday 8.00 am
Where: Bothamley Park, Champion Street, Porirua
Description: a free, timed 5km run/walk in Bothamley Park, followed by coffee at McDonalds
Contact: just turn up on the day, or call Micky Gunn if you need a guide 04 380 2144
Kapiti Coast
Waikanae Vision Impaired Persons Group
When: 1st Monday of the month 1.15 – 3.00 pm
Where: Cameo Pop-In Centre, Mahara Place, Waikanae
Description: peer support (Retina NZ), with guest speakers and afternoon tea ($2 koha)
Contact: Gail Mann 04 904 0269
Paraparaumu Vision Impaired Persons Group (deferred till September)
When: 3rd Monday of the month 1.30 – 3.00 pm
Where: Paraparaumu Library, Ivor Trask Place, Paraparaumu
Description: peer support (Retina NZ), with guest speakers and afternoon tea ($2 koha)
Contact: Elizabeth East 04 299 1800
Kapiti Community Committee
When: quarterly, on a Thursday 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Where: Waikanae Senior Rooms, 2 Utatua Street, Waikanae
Description: a social afternoon with guest speakers and afternoon tea (transport available)
Contact: Helen Gordon 04 298 4157
Coffee Morning
When: 4th Friday of the month 10.00 am
Where: Kapiti Blind & Low Vision NZ Office, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu
Contact: Kaye Kay-Smith 04 380 2122
Paraparaumu Indoor Bowls
When: 2nd and 4th Monday each month 1.00 pm
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ Office, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu
Description: play for an hour, followed by tea and coffee (cost: $2)
Contact: Kaye Kay-Smith 04 380 2122
Men’s Book Group (Community Group)
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month 10.30 am
Where: Mezzanine floor, Paraparaumu Library, Iver Trask Place, Paraparapumu
Description: book discussion with other avid readers
Contact: Tony Cuttriss tony.cuttriss@kapiticoast.govt.nz
Books and Bikkies (Community Group)
When: 2nd Friday of the month
Where: Otaki Library, Corner Main and Aotaki Streets, Otaki
Description: discussion on books you have been reading
Contact: Otaki.Issues@kapiticoast.govt.nz
Knitting and Weaving Group (Community Group)
When: Monday mornings 9.30-12.00 and Tuesday evenings 7.30-9.30
Where: 27A Elizabeth Street, Waikanae
Description: an established group of knitters and weavers
Contact: Dot Trewhitt (Waikanae Arts and Crafts Society) 027 448 8517
Kapiti Walking Group
When: Usually the 3rd Friday of the month 10.00 am – 1.00pm
Where: various locations
Description: an easy walk of up to an hour, followed by lunch.
Contact: Micky Gunn 04 380 2144
Kapiti Parkrun (Community Group)
When: every Saturday 8.00 am
Where: Otaihanga Domain, Makora Rd, Otaihanga, Paraparaumu
Description: a free, timed 5km run/walk along the Waikanae River walkway, followed by coffee
Contact: just turn up on the day
Levin
Socials
When: quarterly, 1st Wednesday every 3 months 1.30 – 4.00 pm
Where: Senior Citizens Hall, Corner of Montgomery and Cambridge Street, Levin
Description: afternoon tea and a catch up
Contact: Ann Watson 06 367 3751
Levin Walking Group
When: Mondays 10.00 am
Where: various locations (organised week to week)
Description: a gentle walk, followed by a catch up over morning tea
Contact: Ann Watson 06 367 3751
Horowhenua Embroiderer’s Guild
When: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Tuesday each month, 1.00 – 4.00 pm
Where: Levin & Districts Brass Hall, 82 Weraroa Rd, Horowhenua.
Description: Stitching and afternoon tea. BYO project, guidance available
Cost: $2
Contact: Enid horowhenuaeg@gmail.com
Wairarapa
Coffee Group
When: second Tuesday of the month 2.00 pm
Where: Mitre10 Coffee Shop, Masterton
Description: friendship and peer support over afternoon tea
Contact: Joyce 06 378 2686 or Pat 06 379 6926
Greytown Woodside Trail Parkrun (Community Group)
When: every Saturday 8.00 am
Where: Woodside Station
Description: a free, timed 5km run/walk along the historic Woodside rail trail, followed by coffee
Contact: just turn up on the day
Working Age Group
When: several times per year
Where: various venues in the Wairarapa
Description: social and peer support group
Contact: Donna Laing motuoru.developmentservices@gmail.com
Palmerston North
Social Group
When: 3rd Wednesday of the month 1.30pm-3.00pm
Where: Palmerston North Community Leisure Centre, 569 Ferguson Street
Description: peer support and friendship
Contact: Kay Coles 06 353 7048
Manawatu Active Adults
When: 4th Thursday each month 6.30 pm
Where: Bowlarama, 94 Cuba Street, Palmerston North (and periodically other activities)
Description: a range of activities, including kayaking and bowling
Contact: Paul McEwan 027 427 0112
The Evergreen Series
When: last Wednesday each month 10.30 – 11.45 am
Where: Palmerston North Library, 4 The Square, Palmerston North
Description: a book club, with refreshments
Contact: Palmerston North Library 06 351 4101
Palmerston North Parkrun (Community Group)
When: every Saturday 8.00 am
Where: Fitzherbert Bridge, Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North
Description: a free, timed 5km run/walk along the Manawatu riverside, followed by coffee
Contact: just turn up on the day
261 Fearless (Community Group)
When: Every Wednesday 9.30 am
Where: Waterloo Park
Description: a running group with coaching and peer support for women of all levels of fitness
Contact: info@261fearless.org
Active Walking group meets occasionally
If you’d like to be informed of future events, please contact Richard West 027 8083752 or 06 9293232
New Plymouth
- Social Club meets on the 4th Thursday of the month 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Indoor Bowls meets weekly on a Wednesday at 1.00pm
- Friday Lunch Group meets on the 1st Friday of each month at 12.30pm
- Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm
- Active Walking Group meets occasionally (please contact Richard West on 027 808 3752 for updates)
- Tai Chi each Monday and Thursday from 10am – 11am. $5 each session.
New Plymouth Parkrun (Community Group)
When: Saturdays 8.00
Where: East End Reserve, Fitzroy
Description: a free, times 5km run/walk along the coastal walkway, followed by coffee
Contact: just turn up on the day
Whanganui
- A social group led by Blind Citizens New Zealand meets at 2pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for peer support and friendship. Phone Kerry Gorman on 06 344 4400
- An Independent Craft Group meets every Monday and Tuesday 1.30pm – 3.30pm Phone during these hours 06 348 4407
- Indoor Bowls – Thursday group meets from 7pm and Sunday group plays from 1.30pm. Phone Ken Fredericksen 02102452355
Napier
- Kentalis, deaf blind coffee group at a café on the 2nd Tuesday of each month 1.30-3pm.
- Tea with Tales meets 4th Wednesday every month at both Taradale and Napier Libraries 10.00am.
- Indoor bowls meets weekly at Taradale Senior Citizens Club 1.50-3pm $15 annual membership, $1 per time.
- Hastings Vision Impaired bowling – weekly at Heretaunga Bowls Club 10.00 -11.15am $2 mat fee.
- Connections, active social, peer support/ friendship group meeting fortnightly Mon 10.00-11.30.
- Social group meets fortnightly for peer support and friendship on Thursdays 2.00pm to 3.30pm.
Central Hawkes Bay
- Ladies luncheon 1st Thurs each month from 11.30am – 2pm
- Social at Woburn 2nd Thurs bi-monthly from 1.30 – 3.00pm
- Braille instruction 3rd Friday each month from 10am – 12pm
Gisborne
- Socials/Craft meet weekly on Thursdays at 1.30pm
- Monthly concert usually held on the 1st Saturday of the month at 1.30pm
- Indoor bowls meets every Wednesday and Friday afternoon
- Maori Group meets the 1st Monday of the month in the afternoon