Local Groups
Check this listing for events near you – click below to jump to your area.
National Vegetarian Centre and home of the Auckland Centre
Come and visit us for information and see our range of books, badges, magnets and stickers for sale, or just to have a chat. We are at 10 Warborough Avenue, Epsom, Auckland. Normal opening hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 am until 3 pm.
KERIKERI
Pot Lucks and Get-Togethers
Anyone interested in joining us for vegetarian get-togethers – e.g. pot luck dinners – or possible outings to restaurants, please contact Fiona for more information ph. 09 407 6077 Vegetarians, vegans and people interested in the vegetarian lifestyle are welcome.
WHANGAREI
Vegan Pot Luck dinners — Whangarei/ Waipu area
All vegans and vegetarians, or people interested in the vegetarian lifestyle, are welcome. For further information email Cathy and Ian or phone 09 432 0714.
Informal meet-ups of vegans and vegetarians
at the Green Bean in Vine St in Whangarei on Saturday mornings. The word is out that if you pop along to the cafe after visiting the Growers Market or shopping the chances are that you will find some vege folk there. The cafe provides a few vegan food items too. Pot lucks will be organised shortly.
MATAKANA
HIBISCUS COAST
Please contact Carol Ann for details about upcoming get-togethers.
AUCKLAND
North Shore Vegetarians/vegans
Julia is organising social get-togethers for vegetarian/vegans living on the North Shore in Auckland City. Would you like to receive notices of what’s happening? Plans include pot luck meals, ten pin bowling, walks, movies, and much more!! Email Julia for details!
Calling Veg Soc members living in East Auckland, West Auckland and South Auckland:
Tired of travelling across Auckland to meet other vegetarians/vegans? Would you like to meet up with other vegetarians/vegans living in your area? While it can be fun travelling to “new” areas of Auckland for events, it can also take up a lot of time … take up the challenge and organise something close to home – Let us know of an event you are happy to host and we’ll let other members know! Contact NZVS with details.
Vegetarian / Vegan Families Group
If you have young children and would like to get to know other vegetarian and vegan families, share helpful hints and have the support of other vegetarians and vegans, contact Stephanie or phone the Auckland office 09 523 4686 and come along and join us.
Vegetarian Families’ Group for over 5s meets periodically on a weekend or public holiday. We advertise on the Vegetarian Families chat group, or please call or email Bridget on 027 272 5287 or 521 8501. Although our activities are mainly organised in the interests of the school age child, younger children are welcome too.
Active for Animals! Youth Group – Wanna talk, cook, be, vegetarian?
Active for Animals, open to all 8 to 13 year olds who are vegetarian, vegan or want to be, meets on the last Tuesday of the month in the Trades Hall, Grey Lynn, Auckland (6.30pm to 8.30pm). The aim of the group is to create a fun, supportive environment, where veg kids can feel normal and meet like minded friends. Sessions include games, visits from outside speakers, cooking and of course eating. The cost is $7 per session, which includes all food (vegan, of course!). We also take in to account food intolerances and cater for them, whenever possible. To find out more and to download an enrolment form, visit our website visit our website, Active 4 Animals ; Email us at animalsactive or call Marianne on 576 1368.
Hey kids! If you’re not already coming along, why not join us this year and hang out with kids who are all vege? You could also bring along a wanna-be-vege friend, so they can get a taste of vege life with us. Ask your parents to give us a ring on 576 1368 and enrol you.
Raw Vegan Pot-Luck
Interested? Contact Keith by e-mail for more details.
Raw Vegan Café – Celestial Garden 117 Trafalgar Street, Onehunga.
Open Mon-Fri 8am to 3.30pm ph: 636 1327
Cooking Classes: Follow the link to the xtend website for more details.
Vegan Potluck Dinners - Central Auckland
Bring some food to share and your own cutlery and drink, plus $3 towards room hire.
Contact Romina Marinkovich or Jane Thompson for more information.
HAMILTON
RAGLAN
Vegan Pot Luck Dinners
For all vegetarians and vegans and those interested in learning about a vegetarian way of living. Bring a vegan main and dessert dish to share. No alcohol; all ages welcome. Contact Loretta on 07 825 8695 evenings or by e-mail for further information.
TAURANGA
Come along and meet other vegetarians and vegans at regular pot luck dinners and social get-togethers.
Vegetarian Demo and Dine cooking classes have also started, and will continue with one each month.
Contact Carol, phone 022 543 1965, or call into Food Garden Vegetarian Café, 1356 Cameron Road, Greerton for details.
ROTORUA
Contact Elaine if you would like to network with other vegetarians and vegans in Rotorua. Elaine is also available by phone: 07 3488994 or mobile 027 3222339
GISBORNE
Interested in coming along to bi-monthly pot lucks? Get in touch with Geoff or Nicola on 06 868 0967 or email to the address below so you can find out more!
E-mail us
HAWKES BAY
Vegan Potlucks
Monthly potlucks are held for Hawkes Bay vegetarians and vegans – a great opportunity to eat yummy food and meet other local vege people! Contact Donna on email or 027 588 7756 for more information.
NAPIER
Contact Eric if you’re looking for information or tips about living vegetarian and vegan in Napier.
PALMERSTON NORTH
Contact Michael by email or ph: 027 634 3361 for details of vegan potluck dinners. For details of other upcoming social meetings, please email Vegetarian Palmerston North or phone Helen (06) 358-9470.
NEW PLYMOUTH
New Plymouth / Taranaki Vegetarians and Vegans
Friendly Get togethers and gatherings
For more details of the next pot luck lunch/dinner get together of this enthusiastic group of people, email Kim or phone her on 06 753 2554 or 027 325 2296.
WAIRARAPA
Please email Eleanor or phone 06-377-4019 if you would like details of the next get together!
WELLINGTON
Want to get involved in the Wellington Branch of the NZ Vegetarian Society?
If you’d like any further information about the Wellington Branch of the NZ Vegetarian Society please call Caroline 478 4665 (afterhours) or drop Caroline an email. We are looking for volunteers for a number of activities.
If you are thinking 2013 is your year to get involved call me. There are all sorts of things to be done. A promise also that you won’t be talked into more time commitment or activities than you are interested in!
To book any of our events or for more information on the next exciting get-together for Wellington vegetarians, please phone Caroline after hours on 478-4665 or email us at eventswellington@gmail.com.
Wellington Vegetarian/Vegan Families Group
For vegetarian/vegan families. A time and place for the kids to get together and meet others like them. Feel free to use the email address below to say hello so that you can be placed on a contacts list and be kept up to date with upcoming dates.
For more details contact Claire 027-313-6266 / 565-3079 or Claire by email
Raw Vegan Potluck Lunches
128 Abel Smith St, Te Aro, Wellington
We meet on occasional Saturdays, from noon to 2 pm. For information about our next date please ring (04) 387 8828. All welcome!
Raw Food Potlucks: The Wellington Living Food Lovers facebook page has info about upcoming raw food potlucks. Almost all of the food is usually vegan or vegetarian.
Animal Rights and Wrongs Radio Show
Animal Rights and Wrongs is hosted by Julie Gunn, with support from Debra Ashton and Eric Wolff. Tune in every Saturday from 9-10am on Wellington Access Radio 783am. The programme includes the latest news on people working for animals. Regular topics include the factory farming of hens and pigs, dairy farming, live sheep exports, animal research, Kaimanawa horses, fur farming, veganism, environmental issues, palm oil, animal sanctuary’s, zoos, animal and eco friendly fashion, cruelty free cosmetics, hunting, and celebrities campaigning for the rights of animals. Also expect great kiwi music, What’s On in Wellington and tips on how you can help the animals. Sponsored by Opportunity for Animals. Find their stores at 4 Bay Road Kilbirnie and 162 Riddiford St Newtown. Visit the Animal Rights and Wrongs Facebook page.
Wellington Branch Film Club
If you enjoy films then keep the third Tuesday evening of every month free and join us. We will advertise the film and session time in our e-notice the previous week so you know what’s coming up. The venue will alternate between the Cuba (Wigan St) and Petone (Beach St) Lighthouse Cinema’s each month so that people from both Wellington and the Hutt can easily join in. The cost is $11, we have selected Tuesday’s because it is cheap night at Lighthouse. If you are interested and are not currently receiving our e-notices please contact eventswellington@gmail.com to subscribe.
NELSON
Are you interested in meeting up with like minded people to get together, socialise and share a cruelty free meal? We will be having meet-ups that include dinners out, pot lucks and BBQs and even picnics when the weather is nice enough! Email the National Vegetarian Centre.
CHRISTCHURCH
Raw Vegan Potluck, Wyenova Organic Farm, Broadfields. Supportive and fun meetings for people interested in or following a Raw Vegan lifestyle in Christchurch. Great chance to share recipe ideas; provide support for detox, and much more.
Raw Vegan Potluck. Avon Loop Cottage, 28 Hurley Street. To join our email list, contact Steve, steve@sk2tech.co.nz; also if you are keen to attend so he can update you on any last minute changes.
Vegetarian Youth Group
The vegetarian youth group has two age groups, 10-13 and 14-18, which meet on alternate fortnights, and sometimes all together for a social gathering.
This group is for all children and teenagers who are vegetarian/vegan, would like to be, or are interested in finding out more about vegetarianism.
Please contact vegeyouthcoordinator for more information.
Vegetarian Gaming Group, 11am
A group for vegetarians over 16 (or with an adult) who want to play board or card games. Non-vegetarians welcome with a veggie member. Meets every second Thursday of the month. Enjoy games and vegan snacks. $2. Please contact Shanti on email for more details.
Vegetarian Chess Club for children and teenagers
Meets monthly on Sundays, 10-11am. A friendly environment for beginners and more experienced players. Please contact Iain or Francesca
Under Fives Group for Pre Schoolers
A chance for the parents of preschoolers to make like-minded friends and get some support whilst their children play and eat! Usually in a member’s home, but cafes and parks are also an option. For more information, or if you wish to join, please email underfiveschch
Raw Vegan Potlucks
Supportive and fun meetings for people interested in or following a Raw Vegan lifestyle in Christchurch. Great chance to share recipe ideas, provide support for detox, and much more. To join our email list, contact Steve and he will be able to update you with any last minute changes.
Veggie Puffs, Lesbian/Gay, Vegetarian/Vegan Dining Group
A chance to dine out at a local, good value restaurant and catch up with friends. Email us for more information, or to join our email list. Contact the Christchurch office
Vegetarian Families Group
Shirley Play Centre
Come along, have a play and some yummy morning tea, and catch up with or meet other vegetarians and vegans. Children of all ages and their caregivers welcome! $2 donation for venue hire and a plate of vegan morning tea food for all to share (fruit goes down well if stuck for ideas!)
For more information email Francesca or Iain
Vegetarian Book Group
A book group for vegetarians! We read a wide variety of books; the social aspect is very important too! Third Wednesday of every month at members’ homes. Please contact Anna for more information.
The Vegetarian Option Radio Show – Plains FM 96.9,
Listen to Plains FM 96.9 straming live at PlainsFM a 30 minute vegetarian lifestyle show every 1st Friday of the month at 9.30am on the first Friday of every month to hear the CVC’s (Christchurch Vegetarian Centre) radio show ‘The Vegetarian Option’. The show is a vegetarian lifestyle show of interest to all New Zealand vegetarians and vegans. If you can’t listen on the first Friday of every month it is also podcast on the Plains FM website two weeks after airing, as well as on the Christchurch Vegetarian Centre website on the radio show webpage. PlainsFM the following week – your vegetarian lifestyle show.
Contact the Christchurch Branch about any of these events.
Vegetarian Cooking Classes: Starting in March venue and dates to be finalized.
There will be a total of 3 classes with 3 dishes per class to be demonstrated. Limited numbers.
For more details, check out Facebook: Vegetarian Timaru and the Vegetarian Timaru website.
DUNEDIN EVENTS
Kia ora Dunedin vegans, vegetarians and interested others moving in a green, healthy and compassionate direction: we are many in number, but seemingly shy about getting together, supporting each other and making our presence felt in and around the city. However, things can and will change, and we now have a local contact person waiting to hear from you! Social gatherings, meals out, cookery demos, talks and movie viewings are in the pipeline, so email today to join in the fun. Contact Pamela by email
Jordan advises that INVSOC has plans for future monthly potluck dinners, all are welcome; Vegan and Non Vegans interested in meeting local Vegans, please get in touch!
