This Christmas, Kiwi Christmas Books is calling on New Zealanders to give a gift that lasts far beyond the holidays: a brand-new book, written and illustrated here at home.

The children’s book-gifting charity — which has donated more than 54,000 books to families in need since its inception — launched its annual campaign on November 1st. Donations will ensure that children in refuges, hospitals, transitional housing, foster care and other community support services will each receive a brand-new book of their own this Christmas.

The Kiwi Christmas Books campaign runs from 1 November – 10 December 2025.

• Donate a new children’s book through participating book stores, schools or workplaces.

• Or donate directly via the website: www.kiwichristmasbooks.org.nz

After 15 years, the Aro Block Party is back!

Come on down and join the fun.

Music | Workshops | Food | Dance

Featuring:

Upper Hutt Posse, King Home Boy, Mumudub, Weka, Jjoyce, DJ Kerb, Nam Chucks, DJ Jess, MC Imon Starr. From 12pm.

All ages workshops from 10am: beatmaking/MCing, break dancing and graffiti/street art.

Like most of us, our community centre has fallen on hard times financially and we need your help. Please come, support and donate whatever you can, so we can keep the serving the community we love so dearly.

Come along to ‘Laureates line up’, a poetry reading event featuring nearly all living New Zealand Poets Laureate.

It’s been almost 30 years since John Buck created the Te Mata Estate Winery Laureate Award and Bill Manhire became our first Laureate. Both will be there to support an outstanding line-up of poets: Elizabeth Smither, Jenny Bornholdt, Michele Leggott, Cilla McQueen, Ian Wedde, Karl Stead, Selina Tusitala Marsh, David Eggleton, Chris Tse, and Robert Sullivan.

Fergus Barrowman, publisher at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University Press, will MC the event. There will also be special readings to honour the late Vincent O’Sullivan and Brian Turner, shared by Vincent’s son Dominic and Brian’s partner, writer Jillian Sullivan.

This free event promises to be a highlight of Wellington’s poetry scene in 2025.

We’re excited to share that the top team from the Kapiti Equestrian & Vaulting Centre will be heading to Germany in 2026 to take part in a Vaulting Camp and compete on the international stage, proudly representing our region and New Zealand!

As part of our fundraising efforts, we’re hosting a White Elephant Sale on Saturday, 29th November from 10am to 1pm at the Kapiti Equestrian & Vaulting Centre, 13b Nimmo Avenue West, Waikanae.

It’s set to be a fun day for the whole family — with pony rides, a bouncy castle, food, market stalls, and even a chance for kids to try vaulting themselves!

We’re currently collecting quality unwanted items for the sale, so if anyone has treasures gathering dust, we’d love your donations. So far, we’ve received some amazing items — from a kayak, water ski, and barbecue to kids’ toys, home décor, plants, and much more. There’s sure to be a bargain for everyone!

You are invited to the opening of the National Library of New Zealand's new exhibition ‘Future Proof: Paintings in Perpetuity’, celebrating the often-overlooked efforts behind preserving the cultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. Future Proof invites you to explore what it takes to preserve art for future generations. See rarely displayed paintings from the Alexander Turnbull Library’s collection, recently conserved to ensure they can be shared, studied, and enjoyed for years to come.

Refreshments will be provided at 5:30pm, followed by speeches and a chance to preview the exhibition.

https://natlib.govt.nz/events/opening-of-future-proof-paintings-in-perpetuity-exhibition

Ardmore Teachers College was established in 1948 to help address the dire teacher shortage which followed the end of the Second World War. A derelict Airforce Base which had been set up during the war beside the Ardmore aerodrome in South Auckland was utilised as a ‘temporary’ teacher-training institution – and remained in operation until 1974. Over the 26 year period the fully-residential college prepared 6,463 young teachers for schools throughout New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and the world.

To commemorate those years, to relive some of those memories, and to renew some of those friendships a reunion gathering and luncheon is to be held in Hawkes Bay on March 7 next year.

More information can be found at www.ardmorereunion.com