U3A (University of the Third Age) is thriving in Martinborough, having met for the past year on the first Tuesday of every month.
About U3A
U3A is a community-based organisation that originated in France at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Toulouse in 1973 France and has since expanded worldwide, arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1989.
It provides a welcoming space for people in the ‘third stage of life’ – post career, semi-retired, or beyond full-time parenting – to keep their minds active and continue learning. Every day is a school day!
What We Offer
U3A offers members a place in their local community to gather, engage their minds, and find out something new together.
How We Operate
We hold monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, followed by morning tea; there is also a social side to the meeting.
Who Can Attend
Everyone who feels they are in their ‘third stage’ of life is very welcome. If you see something in our monthly article in The Martinborough Star that interests you but haven’t quite reached that age of worldly experience yet—don’t worry, come along – we won’t be checking dates of birth!
Cost
Annual membership costs $15. We also request either $5 per meeting or a donation of what you can afford to cover running costs such as room hire, milk and tea. We want to welcome everyone.
Where and When
First Tuesday of every month (except January & April) at 10:00am
Location: Heartlands, Jellicoe Street, Martinborough. Back Room
The presentation and discussion last around an hour, followed by tea and social time.
Thanks to Ursala’s wonderful work establishing the group, we’re continuing the momentum into 2026. Confirmed speakers include:
- February: Wayne from Carterton Youth Trust. This is a small village of cabins for youth who have found a sticky patch in life and need the support and care of a nurturing environment.
- March: Louise from Orange Sky will tell us about this fantastic initiative started by two young guys in Melbourne and now operating in larger towns across Aotearoa and Australia, providing shower, clothes washing and korero for the homeless.
- April: No meeting (Easter long weekend)
- May: John Mansell, skipper, international mariner and maritime lawyer, shares his notable sailing voyages. John is the first New Zealander to receive a prestigious maritime award from the Nautical Institute of London. He skippered InterIslander ferried for many years.
- June: Prue from Puawananga Wairarapa Young Parents will tell us about their essential work supporting teen parents to continue their education
We’re planning presentations aligned with national or international days and special anniversaries. e.g. Future topics may include Forest and Bird’s ‘Bird of the Year’ campaign.
Richard Le Mare who has lived in Martinborough for just over 5 years was so impressed with the range of topics presented at U3A that when a call was put out for someone to take over as convenor, he felt it would be a pity if the group quietly petered out, so he offered to take on the role. “I’ve not done anything like this before, but it would have been a real shame if the group disbanded, so I put my hand up”. He continues “I will give it my best shot and hope I find something that will interest a range of interests and people, let us see”.
