About U3A Tawa
A community for lifelong learning, connection, and staying active in the “third stage” of life.
What is U3A
U3A (University of the Third Age) is an international community-based organisation that began in France in the early 1970s, spread to the United Kingdom, and has been part of Aotearoa/New Zealand communities since 1989.
U3A is for those who are no longer in full-time employment who want to stay mentally active and connected within their community, whether retired, semi-retired, or simply in a new stage of life.
At its heart, U3A is about providing lifelong learning, shared experience, and enjoying life alongside others with similar interests, all at a low cost. See www.u3a.nz for more details.
What Does U3A Offer
U3A provides opportunities for people to come together locally to learn, share skills, and explore new interests in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Interest groups are at the centre of everything we do. They allow members to:
Rediscover past hobbies
Try something completely new
Learn from others in the community
Stay socially and mentally active
All in an informal, welcoming setting.
About U3A Tawa
U3A Tawa was established in 1995, with strong support from Tawa Rotary. Today, our membership is mainly centred in Tawa, but also includes people from Porirua, Johnsonville, and many other areas.
We operate as a member-led organisation. This meaning courses and activities are suggested, designed, and often run by members themselves.
Groups meet in local venues, community spaces, or sometimes in members’ homes. Some are large and long-running, while others are smaller or one-off sessions. If something sounds interesting, we’re usually willing to give it a go.
How We Operate
U3A groups in larger centres, particularly those closer to universities, can often benefit from guest speakers delivering single lectures to large audiences. In smaller communities, the system is shaped by the needs and interests of our members.
Here in Tawa, we use a practical, member-led model. Courses and activities are suggested, designed, and run by members, and take place during the day in community venues or members’ homes.
If something sounds interesting, we are usually willing to give it a go. Venues are arranged based on group size and availability, and sessions can range from large groups of around 50 people to small, informal gatherings.
Many of our larger courses have been running for several years and continue to evolve based on experience. Others are one-off sessions created around specific interests or opportunities.
This flexible approach allows us to keep the programme varied, relevant, and shaped by the community itself.
Our Focus
Our focus is on lifelong learning, active participation, and building strong community connections.
We aim to provide a place where people can keep their minds active, learn something new, and enjoy shared interests in a friendly and informal environment.
Along the way, we also value something equally important: the opportunity to laugh, connect, and enjoy life in the moment together.
Our motto The Community Educating the Community reflects the way U3A Tawa operates, with members contributing their knowledge, skills, and experience to create a shared learning environment.
Every effort is made to ensure courses are relevant, interesting, and well organised. However, the overall aim is broader: to create a valued community where people can form new friendships and share knowledge in many different ways.
Cost
Membership is currently $15 per year. (Less than the cost of a few coffees)
There are no formal course fees. However, when costs arise (such as materials or external resources), these are shared between participants.
In some cases, where a venue needs to be hired, a small contribution of $2 per person per session may be requested to help cover costs.
Most activities remain very low-cost and are run with affordability in mind.
Constitution & Documents
Tawa U3A operates under a formal constitution that guides how the organisation is run and how decisions are made. We also keep record of all our newsletters here.
If you would like to view these documents, they are available below:
Interested in joining?
Be part of a welcoming community where you can stay active, learn new things, and meet new people.