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
- Wellington
- Lower Hutt
- Upper Hutt
- Mana
- Kapiti Coast
- Levin
- Wairarapa
- New Plymouth
- Whanganui
- Palmerston North
- Napier
- Central Hawkes Bay
- Gisborne
Wellington
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
Te Taiao Nature Guided Museum Tours
Where: Te Papa Museum, Cable Street, Wellington
Description: a free, guided tour of Te Papa’s newest exhibit, with tactile and audio-described elements, and coffee/tea afterwards
Contact: Micky Gunn 04 380 2144
Art With Vision Workshops
Where: Pablos Art Studio, Vivian Street, Wellington
Description: free, tutor-guided art sessions in 2D, 3D, and multimedia, for blind and low vision artists of all abilities
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
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 Thursday 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
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Description: social and supportive bowling, with tea and coffee
Contact: Janet Palmer 04 476 7329
• Adaptive Technology Peer Support Group for iOS users (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
Where: Braille House, 121 Adelaide Road, Wellington
Contact: Julie Klein 04 380 2160
Achilles Wellington (Community Group)
Where: meet by Mojo Queen’s Wharf
Description: guided walk/run/roll for up to an hour along the waterfront, then back to Mojo for coffee
Contact: Will Bell 027 341 7865
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
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
Working Age Group: age 30-65
Where: Java Café, Lower Hutt
Description: Social and peer support group
Contact: Vicki Canning 04 567 0440
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. If you need a guide, please contact Will Bell at Achilles Wellington 027 341 7865
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
Senior Regional Games (Council-organised event)
When: 1st October
Where: Events Centre, 30 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt and the Dowse Art Gallery, 45 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt
Description: A fun day of activities, socializing, and a bit of healthy competition (participation-only options available too) to celebrate older people throughout our region.
Contact: Upper Hutt City Council: SRG@UHCC.govt.nz
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: Shirley McMurray 04 528 2788
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: Shirley McMurray 04 528 2788
Mana
Bay Harbour Indoor Bowls
When: every Friday 10.00 am – 12.00
Where: North Wellington Indoor Bowling Association rooms, 1 Onepoto Road, Porirua
Contact: Ted Gallen 04 236 8237
Mana Support Group
When: 2nd Wednesday each month
Where: Porirua Library (there will be change of venue in the near future)
Description: Peer support and social group
Contact: Wayne Dick 021 024 67968
Achilles Porirua (Community Group)
When: fortnightly on Saturday 9.15 – 10.30
Where: meeting behind the Mobil (opposite McDonald’s)
Description: guided walk/run/roll for up to an hour along the streamside walkway, meeting at McDonald’s for coffee afterwards
Contact: Micky Gunn 04 380 2144
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 McDonald’s Porirua
Contact: just turn up on the day, or Micky Gunn if you need a guide 04 380 2144
Kapiti Coast
Waikanae Vision Impaired
When: 1st Monday of the month 1.00 pm
Where: Cameo Pop-In Centre, Mahara Place, Waikanae
Description: peer support (Retina NZ), with guest speakers and afternoon tea
Contact: Sue Patterson 04 293 5174
Paraparaumu Vision Impaired
When: 3rd Monday of the month 1.30 pm
Where: Cameo Pop-In Centre, Mahara Place, Waikanae
Description: peer support (Retina NZ), with guest speakers and afternoon tea (cost $2)
Contact: Elizabeth East 021 254 6890
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: 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
Keep Fit Class (starting early 2020)
When: 2nd and 4th Friday of the month (time to be confirmed)
Where: Kapiti Community Centre, 15 Ngahina Street, Paraparaumu
Description: a 1 hour low impact class for all abilities (small charge applies), followed by coffee
Contact: Micky Gunn/Gail Mann 021 240 2288 to register interest
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: Neill McKenzie 06 367 0470
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
Wairarapa
Coffee Group
When: six weekly
Where: St Matthews Church Lounge
Description: friendship and peer support over morning 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
Palmerston North
The Clan
When: fortnightly
Where: Various locations in Palmerston North
Description: meeting for lunch and friendship
Contact: Kay Coles 06 353 7048
Social group
When: 3rd Wednesday of the month 1.30pm-3.00pm
Where: St Peter’s Church Hall, 229 Ruahine Street, Roslyn, Palmerston North
Description: peer support and friendship
Contact: Kay Coles 06 353 7048
Large Social
When: Three times per year
Where: Various locations in Palmerston North
Description: a larger social group which meets for gala type events
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
Tea ‘n Tales
When: last Wednesday each month 10.30 – 11.30 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
Active Walking group meets occasionally. If you’d like to be informed of future events, please contact Richard West 027 8083752 or 06 9293232
Boccia
Every Thursday from 4.00 pm – 5.30pm at the Takaro Sports Club, 70 Featherston St.
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
- Handcraft Group meets every Thursday from 1.30pm-3.00pm
- Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm
- Walking Group meets every Tuesday from 1.30pm-3.pm at Blind & Low Vision NZ
- Tai Chi each Monday and Thursday from 10am – 11am. $5 each session.
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