All Courses

For those who have completed an Introductory 2 course or have equivalent knowledge.

Focus on the purpose of your writing and write more effectively and confidently in a range of situations. [ESOL Level 4+] [Discounted fee of $69 for NZ citizens and residents - if you're a resident/citizen and the course is full, please contact us!]

For those who generally speak with confidence and accuracy but need to develop fluency and the use of idiomatic language. [Discounted fee of $99 for NZ citizens and residents - if you're a resident/citizen and the course is full, please contact us!]

For those who are more confident in everyday English, who want to be more fluent and accurate. This course is free for NZ citizens and residents and enrolment is by interview only.

For those who are becoming more confident in using English in everyday situations. This course is free for NZ citizens and residents and enrolment is by interview only.

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+]. [Discounted fee of $69 for NZ citizens and residents - if you're a resident/citizen and the course is full, please contact us!]

Join our beginners’ informal English language group at the Johnsonville Community Centre and improve your English skills, make new friends and find out more about your community. [Free course for NZ citizens and residents - for non-residents the course fee is $99].

Join our elementary informal English language groups at the Johnsonville Community Centre and improve your English skills, make new friends and find out more about your community. [Free course for NZ citizens and residents - for non-residents the course fee is $99].

Join our informal next step English language group (aimed at those at Intermediate level and above) at the Johnsonville Community Centre and improve your English skills, make new friends and find out more about your community. [Free course for NZ citizens and residents - for non-residents the course fee is $99].

Taking the IELTS exam for immigration or study? Get the skills and strategies you need to help you pass. [Level 3+]. [Discounted fee of $125 for NZ citizens and residents - if you're a resident/citizen and the course is full, please contact us!]

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Chinese Mandarin.

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

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 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.

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of NZ Sign Language. [Discounted fee of $99 for NZ citizens and residents - evidence of eligibility required].

For those who have completed NZ Sign Language - Introductory 1A or have equivalent knowledge. [Discounted fee of $99 for NZ citizens and residents - evidence of eligibility required].

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Samoan. Course fees: If you are a NZ citizen or hold a NZ Resident/Permanent Resident Visa the course fee is $99 (evidence of eligibility required). If you are here on a Work Visa/Working Holiday Visa the course fee is $185.

For those who have completed Samoan - Introductory 1 recently or have equivalent knowledge. [ Course fees: If you are a NZ citizen or hold a NZ Resident/Permanent Resident Visa the course fee is $99 (evidence of eligibility required). If you are here on a Work Visa/Working Holiday Visa the course fee is $179.

For beginners who have no prior knowledge of Spanish.

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

Looking to learn some Māori language, but needing some extra grammar and structure? Nau mai kuhu mai!

This 8 week course is for beginners who have no prior knowledge of te reo Māori or Māori culture. Course fees: If you are a NZ citizen or hold a NZ Resident/Permanent Resident Visa the course fee is $99 (evidence of eligibility required). If you are here on a Work Visa/Working Holiday Visa the course fee is $1189 CLICK ON "SHOW ME MORE DATES" FOR LATER OPTIONS!

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]. Course fees: If you are a NZ citizen or hold a NZ Resident/Permanent Resident Visa the course fee is $99 (evidence of eligibility required). If you are here on a Work Visa/Working Holiday Visa the course fee is $189.

So, you want to write but can’t seem to get going? Then this is the place to start. In this six-week course, you’ll receive tips on everything from how to get started and keep going, to building a story with a beginning, a middle and an ending.

Focus on the purpose of your writing and write more effectively and confidently in a range of situations. [ESOL Level 4+] [Discounted fee of $69 for NZ citizens and residents - if you're a resident/citizen and the course is full, please contact us!]

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.

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.

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!

Learn how to approach literary agents and publishers, what the difference is between traditional publishing and self-publishing; and choose which route is best for you.

This poetry writing workshop is a practical course in which you’ll learn some writing skills to enable you to write evocative poems. You’ll generate many first drafts in the workshop sessions which you can develop over time.

An intensive fun one-day workshop to explore poetry.

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

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.

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.

Creativity combined with technical know-how is the aim of this follow-on course, aimed at those who are confident using a camera in manual mode and are familiar with basic principles of photography. Includes a Saturday field trip.

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 around Aotearoa? 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.

A hands-on course that will help you get to grips with the basics of good portrait 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.

Luscious landscapes, powerful portraits, and captivating close-ups! “The best camera is the one that you have with you!” (Chase Jarvis) These days, for most people, most of the time, that camera will be your smartphone. Learn to take full advantage of your mobile phone camera in order to take stunning images. With no previous experience required, this course is for anyone who wants to get the best out of their iPhone or android mobile phone camera.

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.

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.

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.

Both beginners and those with some experience are welcome at this hands-on opportunity to create beautiful stained glass items, using traditional techniques. [Extra materials costs].

Bring along your much-loved clothes, make a pattern and get useful tips, techniques and sizing rules. Not for beginners.

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

An inspirational workshop where you'll leave enthused about calligraphy and its practical day-to-day use.

A chance to experiment with watercolour paints and different sorts of paper - no experience needed and all materials provided.

Explore a range of painting and drawing techniques from ink and watercolour to impasto and realism using acrylic paint. Bring along your own visual diary.

Expand and refine your jewellery skills whilst handcrafting a modern cabochon-style ring. Most materials provided.

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!

Liven up your living room or bedroom with your own drum lampshade - get that professional finish, even if you have no previous sewing experience.

A fast-track opportunity to learn the skills you need to get started in woodworking. (No second-hand timber allowed - materials provided).

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.

Cross stitch is back! Join our short workshop where you’ll learn the basics as you stitch a trio of figures from pop culture: Harry Potter, Star Wars or Dr Who. All materials provided.

A one-day workshop learning techniques of leather working where you’ll be able to create a project of your own. All materials provided.

Paper is such a common material but have you ever wondered what it actually is? Join this 3-hour workshop and find out how to make your own paper using native plants, including harakeke. All materials provided.

Extend your watercolour skills with a new set of exercises. You will produce a painting to take home each week. All materials provided.

Beginner painters and intermediate artists alike are welcome to this hands-on workshop in oils, one of the oldest and most storied mediums.

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).

Japanese-style pottery is an entirely different approach to throwing clay and this course introduces you to the basics of this fantastic method and gives you the chance to create your own unique ceramic piece. All materials included. (Held at Wellington Potters' Association, 130 Grant Road, Thorndon).

Discover beautiful modern hand lettering techniques that can be applied to card making, signs, murals, posters and social media in general.

If you’re confident with your single and double stitches, then you’re ready for the next step! Join our friendly and fun sessions making little crochet projects and learn how to make trebles, picot and scallop edgings, textured crochet stitches, practise some mindfulness and more!

A one-day workshop practising techniques introduced in the beginners’ workshop and learning more advanced skills such as tooling, carving, fancy lacing and dyeing. All materials provided in course fee.

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.

Develop confidence through understanding and using your overlocker as you practise a range of sewing techniques for woven and knit fabrics. Not for beginners.

Connect with your inner voice as you develop your own personal creative practice. Includes practical creative exercises such as doodling, sketching, experimenting with acrylic paints, journaling and reflection activities, as well as intuitive writing and future visioning. The course culminates in the creation of a ‘soul portrait’ to help you capture, and stay connected, to your truest self!

Come along and learn how to make your very own Roman blind, to give your rooms an elegant and streamlined look.

Come along and find out how easy it is to make your very own beeswax candles to give your home a delightful ambience!

There’s a little bit of the Steampunk in all of us! Learn how to make the perfect leather accessory for your Steampunk or Cosplay outfit.

Do you want to take a slower look at the natural world around you? Whether it's a beach find, an interesting plant or capturing wildlife on the go? This course will give you some basic painting and drawing skills to capture these observations and discuss some ideas for sketchbook layouts to tell the story.