All Courses

For those who have completed Chinese Mandarin - Introductory 3 recently or have equivalent knowledge. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $199).

An opportunity for beginners, or those with a little te reo, to take part in an intensive language and cultural experience.

For those who can understand and use very simple English in some situations. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $149 with ID, all others pay $299).

For those who generally speak with confidence and accuracy but need to develop fluency and the use of idiomatic language. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $149 with ID, all others pay $299).

For those who are more confident in everyday English, who want to be more fluent and accurate. Enrolment is by interview only - NZ citizen and residents free with ID, all others pay $999.

For those who are becoming more confident in using English in everyday situations. Enrolment is by interview only - NZ citizen and residents free with ID, all others pay $999.

Need to understand better and speak more confidently? Get lots of practice in the art of conversation, expand your vocabulary and have fun improving your English language skills. [Level 3+]. . (NZ Citizens and residents pay $89 with ID, all others pay $169).

Join our beginners’ informal English language group in Johnsonville and improve your English skills, make new friends and find out more about your community. (NZ citizen and residents free with ID, all others pay listed price).

Join our elementary informal English language groups in Johnsonville and improve your English skills, make new friends and find out more about your community. (NZ citizen and residents free with ID, all others pay listed price).

Join our informal next step English language group (aimed at those at Intermediate level and above) in Johnsonville and improve your English skills, make new friends and find out more about your community. (NZ citizen and residents free with ID, all others pay listed price).

For those with English as another language who can communicate well but need to review some basic grammar like tenses, articles and prepositions. [Level 3+]. (NZ Citizens and residents pay free with ID, all others pay $169).

Taking the IELTS exam for immigration or study? Get the skills and strategies you need to help you pass. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $199 with ID, all others pay $349).

Become a better and more confident writer and learn how to write more clearly and accurately in English. [Level 3+]. (NZ Citizens and residents free with ID, all others pay $169).

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Chinese Mandarin. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $199).

For those who have completed Chinese Mandarin - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $199).

For those who have completed Chinese Mandarin - Introductory 2 recently or have equivalent knowledge. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $199).

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of the Dutch language.

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of French.

For those who have completed French - Introductory 1 or Let's Learn French recently or have equivalent knowledge.

For those who have completed French - Introductory 2 recently or have equivalent knowledge.

For those who have completed French - Introductory 3 recently or have equivalent knowledge.

For those who have completed the Introductory 4 course, who wish to extend their skills further.

For those who have completed the Intermediate 1 course, who wish to extend their skills and develop more confidence in speaking.

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Italian.

For those who have completed Italian - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge.

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Japanese.

For those who have completed Japanese - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $199).

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of NZ Sign Language. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $109 with ID, all others pay $199).

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Samoan. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $189).

For those who have completed Samoan - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $189).

For those who already know a little Samoan Language and wish to improve fluency and increase vocabulary. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $99 with ID, all others pay $189).

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Spanish.

For those who have completed Spanish - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge.

This course is for beginners who have no prior knowledge of te reo Māori or Māori culture. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $109 with ID, all others pay $199).

For those who have completed Te Reo Māori - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge. [Please see the Te Reo Māori - Introductory 1 course description for an indication of what is covered]. (NZ Citizens and residents pay $109 with ID, all others pay $199).

Kick start your novel in this series of weekly workshops with practical writing exercises which will build ideas, form the raw material of your book and get you started.

Creative writing is a powerful tool for personal growth and is an art form that belongs to all people. Explore your creativity through writing, without pressure, in this weekly workshop.

Want to write for children but not sure where to start? Be guided through exercises to generate and expand your ideas and find out more about children's book genres and publishing.

Get your creativity flowing by exploring some of the star forms of creative writing, focusing each week on a different area of fiction or creative non-fiction.

There are no rules in scriptwriting, only principles. Learn how your favourite movies are built from these principles and begin to create your own.

Have you always dreamed of writing compelling fiction about murder, mayhem and where to put the body? Join successful crime author Cat Connor as she shows you where and how!

Always wanted to write but not sure where to start? Break through writers’ block with a fun day of ideas generating and practical writing exercises.

Write short stories that work! Discuss the short stories you love and take part in guided writing exercises to create compelling pieces of fiction.

A peer-driven workshop for poets of all Levels. You will work with other writers to encourage the art of poetry in a workshop environment where participants offer honest, positive and constructive feedback.

Learn the fundamental skills and theory of good photography and get the best results from your DSLR or mirrorless camera (fully manual-capable only). Includes a Saturday field trip.

Planning a trip? Unhappy with the photographs from the last one? Get the skills to turn disappointing holiday snaps into stunning travel photographs. Includes a Saturday field trip.

Night photography is, by its nature, magical. In the photographer’s hands, the camera becomes a magic box that allows the night to be caught in a way the human eye could never see. Not for beginners to photography. Course includes night-time field trips.

Street and urban settings provide many opportunities for unique and exciting photographs to be taken. This course shows you how to capture candid and rich street and urban scenes. Includes a Saturday field trip.

Content creation and video editing with your smartphone! Whether you want to make content for your business, social media, life or family – this course will have you using your smartphone to make and edit videos.

Why do some photographs linger in our memories while others seem forgettable and repetitive? Why do we scroll through Instagram and barely recall what we saw five minutes later? This course will help you find the answers to these questions and show you how to transform your photographs into extraordinary, captivating, and memorable images.

Create something beautiful for your home and garden. Discover the delights of mosaic design and learn how to use materials such as broken tiles, china and shells to make a mosaic frame, pot plant holder or other simple objects. A list of materials (approx cost $70) will be sent out before the course starts.

Get to grips with basic maintenance of your vehicle. Find out what to look for in the event of a breakdown and more.

Sewing skills and techniques for beginners and more experienced sewers. Please check full course description for list of what you need to bring to class.

Both beginners and those with some experience are welcome at this hands-on opportunity to create beautiful stained glass items, using traditional techniques. Your materials costs are dependent on the size of your project and the coloured glass content (likely minimum cost around $170). Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for a workshop environment.

Bring along your much-loved clothes, make a pattern and get useful tips, techniques and sizing rules. Not for beginners. A list of what else to bring will be emailed out before the course starts.

Join us for a fun day learning the skills to make your own jewellery, using sterling silver and copper or brass. All materials included in course fee.

A chance to experiment with watercolour paints and different sorts of paper - no experience needed. All materials included in course fee.

Explore a range of painting and drawing techniques from ink and watercolour to impasto and realism using acrylic paint. Bring your A4 sketchbook - all other materials included in course fee.

Always wanted to learn the art of raranga and weave flax? This intensive one-day workshop, suitable for both beginners and those with some experience, will teach you the basics along with the tikanga around flax weaving.

Want to learn to sew quickly? Get the essentials in this one-day workshop and take away your own lined bag, lots of ideas and skills to carry on sewing! A list of materials to bring (approximate cost $50) will be sent out before the course starts.

Liven up your living room or bedroom with your own drum lampshade - get that professional finish, even if you have no previous sewing experience. Bring 1 metre of a firm woven fabric of your choice, a pair of fabric scissors, measuring tape, tailors' chalk and a 30cm ruler. The cost of the frame and other related materials is included in course fee.

Crochet is great for settling the mind and encouraging relaxation. Learn to do basic stitches, read patterns and complete projects in a relaxed and friendly space – left handers very welcome. Please bring some 4 or 8 ply smooth yarn and a crochet hook.

Papermaking is a fun and accessible activity but did you know you can make it from native plants? Join this 3-hour hands-on workshop and learn how to make your own paper from native plants like harakeke. All materials included in course fee.

Beginner painters and intermediate artists alike are welcome to this hands-on workshop in oils, one of the oldest and most storied mediums. Most materials included in course fee - you will need to bring your own bristle brushes and an idea for your painting.

A course for beginners where we'll cover clay preparation through to throwing of basic forms. All materials provided. (Held at Wellington Potters' Centre, 130 Grant Road, Thorndon).

Extend your skills in this Next Step pottery course, aimed at those who already have the basics. (Held at Wellington Potters' Association, 130 Grant Road, Thorndon).

Drawing doesn’t mean trailing a line around things - it means seeing and reporting the relationships between things. Learn the basics in this one-day workshop.

Come along and learn how to make your very own Roman blind, to give your rooms an elegant and streamlined look. Not for beginners. A list of materials will be emailed to you before course starts.

Come along and find out how easy it is to make your very own beeswax candles to give your home a delightful ambience! All materials included in course fee.

Using the classic rules of proportion, you will develop the skills to draw a portrait of a person following the steps and techniques demonstrated by watercolour artist Charlotte Hird. Using both a live model session and photographs, you will use pencil to draw a face from various angles and finally complete a portrait in watercolour paints. Bring along an A4 sketchbook, a 2B pencil and an eraser - all other materials included in course fee.

Zentangle® method is an easy to learn, relaxing and fun method to create amazing images by drawing structured patterns. If you can hold a pen, you can do this! In this course you will learn to make beautiful zen-art, following the 8 steps of the Zentangle® method from a certified Zentangle teacher. All materials included in course fee.

Calligratherapy combines science journalist James Nestor's theory on proper breathing with the philosophy of ancient Chinese calligraphy to promote a state of optimal wellbeing. Over five weeks, you will develop and practice the awareness of healthy breathing while learning new techniques of Chinese soft brush calligraphy covering five different scripts. All materials included in course fee.

Life drawing is a basic staple for all artists. This course will assist you in developing the necessary skills required to render the human form in a 2D manner. Please bring an A2 sketch pad, 2B and 4B pencils and an eraser.

Gain the confidence and skills to maintain your bicycle in good working order, and to diagnose and fix some mechanical problems. Get familiar with bicycle terms and tools and learn through practical experience. Bring your pushbike along on the day. If you have the following items, please bring them along as well: a multi-tool and pump; chain oil and rag; a pair of lightweight close-fitting gardening or rubber gloves.

Not all sewing is in the making. Whether you are new to sewing or have been sewing for some time, there are always new tips and time-saving tricks to learn (such as how to unpick overlocking efficiently). Step away from the sewing machine and learn some invaluable information on equipment, fabric, patterns and sewing.

Learn professional trouser sewing techniques and the correct process in which to make trousers. Sampling will include a fly front zipper, inseam pocket, waistband application and optional hemming methods. These versatile techniques are applicable to both casual (jeans) and formal wear garments. Not for beginners.

Learn how to prepare and alter clay. (Held at Wellington Potters' Association, 130 Grant Road, Thorndon).

Always wanted to know how to draw but never had the chance to learn? Join our experienced tutor and get confident with the basics of drawing. Bring your A4 sketchbook - all other materials included in course fee.

NZ’s first Certified Bob Ross Instructor, Malcolm Sime, will prove to you that if you can hold a pen and write, you can hold a brush and paint. Come along and create a landscape oil painting from scratch to take away at the end of the day! All art materials included in course fee.

Evolve and advance your jewellery making abilities with exciting lost wax methods to create rings cast in brass, bronze and sterling silver - beginners welcome! All materials included in course fee.

Classic textured rings, with a unique and exciting twist! Learn to make your own fine jewellery fidget rings from copper, brass and silver - beginners welcome! All materials included in course fee.

Join us in an exciting new introduction to creative sculpting - a hands on class to produce unique creature figurines and miniatures to bring your imagination to life! - Beginners welcome! All material costs included in course fee.

Bob Ross Painting Techniques! Make sure your week ends in style with a relaxing "Paint & Pizza" Friday evening! Enjoy meeting other like-minded people over some pizza, and then move on to creating your own painting. All materials (and pizza!) included in course fee.

Evolve and advance your jewellery making abilities with dazzling silver rings embedded with rubies and sapphires - beginners welcome! All materials included in course fee - no hidden costs!

Evolve and advance your jewellery making with beautiful faceted stone setting methods! Create jewellery embedded with precious glittering gems in copper, brass and silver - beginners welcome! All material costs included in the course fee.

In this half day crochet special, you will get the patterns to make stars, and icicles, mini wreaths, a mini Christmas jumper, Christmas tree and gifts bunting and a cute mini Christmas hat. Please bring some 4 or 8 ply smooth yarn and a crochet hook - see full description for suitable types of yarn.

For those who have recently completed the beginners class.

Make your own journal using recycled materials and personal 2-D mementos to embellish each page. Beginners and those with some experience are welcome to join this class to create a handmade book from cover to content! Ideal for gifts or personal use as a keepsake for materials that spark memories, inspiration and joy. Some materials included in your course fee.

Come and learn how to make a dried flower wreath (25-30cm wide) with Red Ruth from Bloomin Heck Wreaths. All materials included in course fee.

Come make a Christmas wreath using a combination of evergreen fresh foliage and dried flowers. All materials included in course fee.

Do you want to take your knitting to the next level? Developed for students who have attended CEC’s Beginner’s Knitting course, join craft tutor Stella Carruthers as she teaches tips and tricks for next tier knitting in a 3-hour intensive. In this workshop you will learn about some of the technical aspects of knitting in a supportive environment.

Do you often feel your creative work isn't good enough or worry about sharing it with others? You're not alone! Join our workshop to explore the roots of imposter syndrome and discover practical strategies to boost your confidence, allowing you to proudly showcase your art to the world.

Make a statement with your own custom set of letter-stamped silver rings! Create up to 4 basic signet rings that combine to spell out a word, acronym, name or initials across your fingers, or stamp your star sign and your favourite hammered textures. Wear your own personal brand with these fun spell-out rings! All materials provided, no hidden costs!

Create your own personalised silver charms for chain bracelets! Customise your designs on up to three sterling silver charms, by hammer stamping your star-sign, lettering and other fun textures. Take home your own signature hand-made charms!

Join our fun hands-on introduction to creating your own zine booklets. What are Zines you might ask? Short for magazines, ‘zines’ are DIY booklets, and often share niche knowledge or interests. Zines can feature pretty much anything you like - from recipe collections to poems, artworks, short stories, book or movie reviews and more.

Discover the art of screen-printing using photosensitive emulsion in this hands-on course. Perfect for beginners and experienced printers alike, this course will guide you through the entire process—from preparing your screen and creating high-contrast designs to coating, exposing, and developing your stencil.

Come along and explore different mixing and pouring techniques as well as colour theory and have fun! Pour paint and make beautiful art! Leave with two completed canvases – everything provided!

Create a range of delicious and nutritious meat-free dishes, with an Indian focus. All ingredients included in course fee.

Discover how easy it is to make halloumi and ricotta cheeses from scratch. You'll make the cheese and get to take it home too! All ingredients provided.

Always wanted to make your own feta? Find out how and take home your own round, plus get a demo on making halloumi. All ingredients included in course fee.