Public and community

Our university is not just for students and staff—it’s for everyone. Find out how we work with the community and discover our public events and facilities.

Community partnerships

We work in partnership with many local organisations on projects that aim to improve the environment and the social and cultural life of the city and beyond.

Find out more
A pair of tuataras, greenish brown with beak-like jaws, each held softly by a human hand.
An actress on stage reaches up with one arm, a desperate look on her face, and a curly brown tress of hair limply hung over each shoulder.

Arts and culture

Share in our vibrant culture of literary and fine arts. Members of the public are welcome at our many shows, performances, and exhibitions.

Get involved

Upcoming public events

Lifelong learning

Share in the knowledge—take a short course for fun or to develop your professional skills, attend a public lecture, complete one of our free online courses through edX, or make use of our Language Learning Centre to help you learn a language.

Learning opportunities
Three people sit at a table and have a friendly discussion.
Young woman looks at magnetic cube levitating above a white box.

Engaging with schools

We engage with schools in several ways including providing assistance with learning programmes and visiting schools to share information about study here.

Discover more

Services and facilities

Espresso beginning to stream from a portafilter’s snout into a red ceramic mug.

Shopping and eating

The University has several shops and food outlets on its Kelburn campus that are open to the public. These include a pharmacy, bookshop, and cafés.
A female student with boxing gloves, punches practice targets held up by a male instructor.

Fitness and sports

University Recreation Wellington provides fitness and wellbeing services for both students and the public. Join the gym or a sports club, or hire a facility.
20 Hours Eerly Childhood Education – Two young girls play with a wooden puzzle together.

Childcare

We welcome your child to our on-campus ‘home away from home’, where they can play, learn, and make friends in a safe and stimulating environment.