Governance Bites Workshop Series is running FREE events every third Wednesday of the month.

Venue: Aldersgate Centre, 309 Durham Street North

RSVP - registrations essential, via email, click here for more information.

18 June - Confident Oversight of Finances

New venues, offerings and artworks will keep things fresh at this year’s Tīrama Mai event.

Marking Te Tau Hou – the Māori new year – the free Council-produced festival provides a meaningful opportunity to learn and engage in Puanga Matariki and Māori creation stories.

With the support of several partner organisations, including Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Art Centre, the event is set to be located both outdoors and indoors this year.

Find more information about Tīrama Mai at What’s On.

Explore the traditions and importance of Matariki and celebrate with Christchurch City Libraries this year.

Christchurch City Libraries Kaitakawaenga, Māori Services, Maatakiwi Wakefield says the Māori New Year has always been celebrated with the rise of the star cluster Matariki.

“It marks the beginning of the Aotearoa/Pacific New Year according to the lunar calendar. The stars rise from 19 June until 22 June.

“Puaka rises about 3 weeks before Matariki to signal the end of the old year and to tell us to prepare to welcome the new year.”

The Christchurch City Libraries network is offering a range of events and activities across Ōtautahi to involve the community in the celebration, including an array of resources to learn the significance of Matariki.

Celebrate the Māori New Year through Matariki-themed stories, whānau storytimes and After School Activity Zones at your local library across the network.

View the full event programme for Mānawatia a Matariki me Puaka – Celebrating Matariki and Puaka on the Christchurch City Libraries website.

The much-loved annual festival returns this winter, packing in the fun for school-aged kids during the winter holidays.

From interactive technology and craft workshops to outdoor adventures and music and theatre events, there’s a wide array of entertaining events to please everyone.

The festival runs from Saturday 28 June until Sunday 13 July, with event providers from across Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, Selwyn and Waimakariri offering more than 250 events.

“KidsFest is a great way for families to fill in the holidays with some fun activities – whether delving into your kids’ passions, trying out new experiences, or heading along to your annual favourites,” says Ms Blackmore, Christchurch City Council Manager of Events and Arts.

“Some of the sell-out events include Imagination Station and Christchurch Brick Show, so it pays to secure your tickets for those quick. Orana Wildlife Park also offers special deals during KidsFest, which makes it a popular offering,” Ms Blackmore says.

“For those who love a good show, make sure to catch The Spongebob Musical at the brand-new Court Theatre, and for something more interactive, sign up for dance, drama or music workshops.

“Also hands-on is a range of events by Christchurch School of Gymnastics, including Aerobic Gymnastics, Ninja Gym and Nerf Battles. Another one for active kids is the beginning ice skating sessions at Alpine Ice.

For more relaxing options, check out the range of craft activities, like knitting, crotchet and weaving, or connect with nature and your poetic side on a ‘Haiku Hike’ at Starvation Hill run by Waimakariri Library.

Now in its 34th year, the programme of events has moved onto the What’s On Christchurch platform. Browse the full list online at ccc.govt.nz/kidsfest and start building your own schedule. Tickets are on sale now.

KidsFest is part of Christchurch City Council’s winter events season, which also includes Tīrama Mai, the Winter Fireworks Spectacular and Go Live Festival.

Winter Planting | Saturdays, 1 - 3pm

7 June - Dry Bush

14 June - Eastside Bush (with BBQ afterwards)

12 July - Bowenvale Reserve (Huntsbury)

Spring Maintenance | Saturdays, 1 - 3pm

27 September - Barnett Park

4 October - Dry Bush

11 October - Dry Bush

18 October - Eastside Bush (with BBQ afterwards)

For more information, click here.

FREE

Thursdays 1pm, meet new people and explore your neighbourhood and the city.

What to expect, wear and bring

• All walks leave from the corner of Birdwood Avenue and Malcolm Avenue (unless otherwise specified), are approximately 40 minutes long and on the flat.
• Walks are cancelled in heavy or persistent rain.
• To view the full programme, click here.

JUNE

5 - Walk

12 - Walk 'n' Talk - Historic Addington. Meet at the corner of Ward Street and Church Square at 1pm or arrange to carpool from the corner of Birdwood Ave and Malcolm Ave at 12.30pm.

19 - Walk

26 - Walk 'n' Talk - Fendalton/Bryndwr – A Green Corridor. Meet at the corner of Clyde Road and Ilam Road at 1pm or arrange to carpool from the corner of Birdwood Ave and Malcolm Ave at 12.30pm.