Acquiring new skills is a great workout for our brains, as it improves our well-being and often provides opportunities to connect with others. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fire up your neurons in your neighbourhood, with Auckland Council funding loads of free and low-cost activities across the region. Here’s a mind-expanding sample of what’s on offer.
Upskill and upcycle with The ReCreators
Gain confidence using power tools and turn unwanted items into beautiful, handcrafted objects with The ReCreators. The sustainability-first social enterprise runs a wide range of low-cost and free workshops where you can make something new out of upcycled goods that have been donated by local businesses and individuals. Take your pick from string and nail art, garden planters, natural skincare products and more.
Get crafty, fit and learn to drive at the library
Almost all of the 56 branches of Auckland Council Libraries run regular free workshops. Choose from a wide range of weekly craft groups, such as knitting or weaving (newbies and pros are welcome), learn a new skill or get active. Offerings vary across the different libraries (check out the full list here), but these are a few of the type of things you can try: Avondale Library runs a community drivers’ licence course,and a variety of digital support classes across Auckland to build your confidence using digital devices.
Auckland Libraries across the region run different types of groups where you can develop new skills or work on a project in the company of others.
Become a composter with the Compost Collective
Transform food scraps, weeds and cuttings into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner at a free workshop with the Compost Collective. They run courses across the region – or you can attend a Zoom workshop. You’ll learn all the essential information such as where to place your compost bin, how to get the right balance of nitrogen and carbon in your compost, plus the ins and outs of worm farming and bokashi, so you can choose a system that works best for your home. It’s free to attend the courses and all attendees receive a $50 discount voucher for the equipment to help get you started.
Compost facilitators like Judy Keats will teach you the ins and outs of composting, worm farming and bokashi systems at a free Compost Collective workshop.
Become a family historian
Research your family history or whakapapa with the help of Auckland Council Libraries. They have helpful guides, with links to resources where you can access information, such as birth, death and marriage records, and useful booklets you can download and print out for recording your findings. The libraries’ heritage database Kura Heritage Collections Online contains a treasure trove of info, or you can ask a research librarian for assistance with your request.
Attend a lecture at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Enjoy listening to an expert without having to do any homework! Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki runs a range of events, some of which are free, in conjunction with exhibitions. Attend lectures, panel discussions and guided conversations – you don’t need any prior knowledge of art, just curiosity. They also run free lunchtime drop-in drawing classes every Friday, which are suitable for beginners to advanced artists.
Life drawing at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Grow your own kai
Growing your own fresh fruit and vegetables is a great way to bring down your grocery bill, but you have to know what to grow and how to grow it. Auckland Teaching Gardens is a charitable trust where you can get hands-on skills and advice from experts. They’re based at seven South Auckland locations and provide free workshops for individuals, community groups, schools and organisations.
You can also get involved with your local community garden. There’s pretty much one in every neighbourhood, but West Aucklanders should check out the Triangle Park Community Teaching Garden in Massey, North Shore residents will be inspired by Grow Forrest Hill, and those in the central city should check out Kelmarna Community Farm.
Join a community garden and learn how to grow your own food from experts like Dalton Neho from Awhi Mai Te Atatū: Growing as a Community.
