As the stars of the Matariki cluster rise in the winter sky, they signal a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal across Aotearoa. Matariki is a special period that connects us to the land, the sky, and each other, through a series of events, traditions, and celebrations that are deeply rooted in Māori culture.

Ngā Manu is celebrating this special time of year with a number of offerings for the whole whānau.

We are introducing a brand-new Star Hunt Nature Trail, combined with a Seed Bomb Workshop which enables tamariki to make their own seed bomb to take home.

We will also have a sausage sizzle and hot drinks on offer, along with guided bush walks at 12:15pm. Not to mention our ever-popular Eel Feeding at 12pm and 2pm. These will be running across the whole weekend (28-30 June).

On Friday we will also have Daizy Design face painting from 12-2pm and your chance to meet a life size Moa, courtesy of Stringbean Puppets. 

Important dates:

17 - 23 June - Priority rebooking week for swimmers remaining in the same class.

24 - 30 June - Moving week for swimmers needing to move days or levels.

1 July - Enrolment week for new swimmers.

*All under 4’s must wear a swim nappy. Please enquire at reception for any further information - Full payment is required at time of booking.

 

Holiday Intensives! – Registrations are now open!

Cost will be $71.50 per child for the week - Our School Holiday Intensives offer a perfect opportunity to develop skills, enhance technique and improve confidence for young swimmers.

**Please enquire at reception for any further information - Full payment is required at time of booking.

Please feel free to give us a call on 04 296 4746. We can take credit card payments over the phone or pop into reception on the day. 

 

As part of this year’s Annual Plan there have been some small increases to our fees. These will take place from July 1 2024.

Lessons will now be $14.30 a lesson, charged on a per term basis.

AKOTECH CodeCamps July School Holidays

Our holiday camp allows children from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action-packed environment. Learn AI, make games, code robots & go to work for a simulated Tech Gaming Studio to build games and apps for a big client.  

Develop confidence & initiative through design, creativity, solving problems, presenting & collaboration. Create your own games, worlds and apps to make our world a better place.

We also have Literati Lab just for girls, which includes AI Art & Animation. 


Queen Margaret College, Thorndon: 8th-11th & 15th-18th July

Programs: 2 & 4 Day Programs

Book Now at www.akotech.nz

 ARTY FARTY KIDS 

For more information & bookings please contact: 

office.artyfartykids@gmail.com 
022 174 8558

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve - Kids Go FREE these school holidays.

Cure the winter blues with a visit to the choicest little Nature Reserve on the coast.

Why not get the tamariki away from their digital devices for a couple of hours and give them a dose of Nature Emersion Therapy?

We've made the decision easy for you by offering free entry for all children for the July school holidays. To take advantage of this offer, you need to register HERE: https://ngamanu.org.nz/upcoming-events/kids-go-free-these-winter-school-holidays/

- This offer is only valid between Saturday 6th July and Sunday 21st July 2024.

- Offer only applies to admission to the reserve and excludes any additional offers including tours and experiences.

- One family per confirmation email (up to two adults and 4 children).

We're also screening a couple of family movies during the school holidays. Visit our Facebook Page to find out more information and register your interest. https://www.facebook.com/NgaManuNatureReserve/events/?id=100064705181555&sk=events   

BONUS OFFER!

Winter Special 50% OFF Family Overnight Packages (FROM $147.50)

Stay the night in Theo’s Cottage inside the Reserve and choose between the Kiwi Night Encounter or the Native Bird Close Encounter tours (1 and 2 adult family options available).
Package accommodates up to four people.

-Only applies to family packages

-Ends 31/8/2024

BOOK HERE: https://ngamanu.org.nz/overnight-kiwi-native-bird-experience/

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve

74 Ngā Manu Reserve Road

P O Box 126

Waikanae 5250

Tel:  (+64) 4 293 4131 | All enquiries

 Kāpiti Library 2024 Poetry Competition

Kāpiti Coast District Libraries annual poetry competition returns for the twelfth year. Celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day by writing a poem on the theme “Reflection/Pūmahara”. As usual, the theme can be interpreted anyway you like. 

All entries will be published as a print book and eBook. Winners will be announced on National Poetry Day at the Open Mic Night at Paraparaumu Library on Friday 23 August, 5.30 – 6.30pm.

You can read the 2023 winning poems here

Entry Details: Entry is free and open to anyone in the Kāpiti community. You may submit one poem per person of no more than 10 lines.

Enter by clicking one of three age groups in the link below

Submission Dates:  Monday 10 – midnight Sunday 30 June 2024.  

Entries may be in English or Te Reo Māori. Please read the guidelines and conditions of entry. By submitting your poem into this competition, you agree to these conditions.

Keep this date free: Friday 23 August 5.30-6.30pm.

This is the date of the Open Mic Night. A celebration of poetry on National Poetry Day. Come and read your poem before a friendly audience! The results of the competition will be announced and copies of the print book will be available for sale.

All Poetry Competition details above are also on library website. 

Kia Ora Koutou,

Guess what? Those irresistible, fluffy marshmallows you all love so much are back at Staglands!

And here's the sweetest part - we'll be serving them up for FREE to all our visitors throughout the July School Holidays (6th - 21st July).

Come toast your own on the cozy Barn campfire and enjoy some wilderness haute cuisine in the great outdoors

We will also be running our ever-popular, free Tractor-Trailer Rides (circumstances permitting).

Please spread the word!

Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe
2362 Akatarawa Valley
RD 2
Upper Hutt 5372
Wellington
New Zealand
Ph +64 4 526 7529

Puss in Boots - Friday 19 April, 2pm

This hilarious tail is the purr-fect school holiday treat! Tom and his Aunt Maisie are very poor, not only is their village being raided by a terrible, greedy ogre, but the horrible Lady Grumblepoop is taxing the villagers out of house and home! Even King John and Princess Pansy don’t know what to do. Will Puss in Boots, the fabulous talking cat, save the day or will the hideous Ogre spoil their magical plans?

Family friendly from start to finish but with plenty of fun for the adults! Audience participation, fab costumes, dancing, singing and filled to the brim with magic, make believe and madcap mayhem, Puss in Boots is guaranteed to delight and leave you feline like the cat’s whiskers!

For accessibility seating enquiries please email kiaora@teraukura.nz or call (04)9740535 during office hours.

July Horsey Holiday Program!!

Monday 8th - Thursday 11th July & Monday 15th - Thursday 18th July

It's that time again, the school holidays are coming up and we will be running our holiday program!! Make sure you book your kids in for an action-packed day/week on the farm, riding, Vaulting, brushing, washing, colouring in and leading horses!! Games, arts n crafts, walks along the river and more!! No horse experience needed; we welcome all!!

Our program will run Monday - Thursday:
5&6yrs 9am-12pm. Price $40
7yrs+ 9am-3pm. Price $70

Please bring morning tea, lunch and water. Warm clothes that you are able to move in!!
Email us now to book!!
Office@kapitiequestrian.com

Is your child bursting with energy for cartwheels, handstands, trampolining, flips, dancing, or even parkour? Bigair Gym is their perfect playground! Our classes blend fun, focus, and fitness, offering a dynamic environment where kids can learn new skills and build confidence. Each session emphasizes safety and proper technique, accommodating everyone from novices to advanced enthusiasts.

At Bigair Gym, children engage in structured learning that promotes progress and a sense of achievement. Our diverse range of classes includes Gymnastics, Trampolining, Tumbling, Free Running (yes, parkour with flips!), and Cheerleading. Don’t forget to ask about our Bigair Birthday Parties too! Join us at Bigair Gym and let your child’s gym journey begin!

Exciting news – bookings are now open for Bigair Gyms popular Holiday Programme, with full and half-day sessions available.

Book online for the July Holiday Programme & Term 3 Gym Classes at www.bigairgym.co.nz

Bigair Gymsports Kapiti: ph. 297 0400, e. kapiti@bigairgym.co.nz at 4 Manchester Street, Kapiti.