U3A Hamilton Monthly Meetings
| Date | Third Wednesday of each month |
|---|---|
| Time | Meeting starts at 10am. Coffee after the meeting |
| Where |
Cooperating Church Hall, 124 Comries Road, Chartwell. |
Wednesday 20 May 2026
Gail Pittaway
Now retired from fulltime teaching, Dr Gail Pittaway was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Media Arts at Wintec, teaching writing, media history, storytelling, myth and ritual. She is a co-editor of Meniscus online literary journal, has had poetry and short stories published, and has been a regular book reviewer on Radio New Zealand’s Nine-to-Noon programme, since 2006.
About the Meeting
In her presentation, Gail will share some of the findings and challenges of writing her PhD thesis. Gail’s doctoral project was a personal memoir embedded within a discussion about food memoir as a genre.
The memoir explores a personal history of food styling, preparation and consumption from her beginnings in a working-class family, through flatting from university days, then working as a secondary schoolteacher, and overseas travel.
Both the memoir and discussion consider colonial and post-colonial food, changes in food fashions, the influence of Māori practices, early cookbooks, and the rise of media stars from Aunt Daisy on radio through to the rise of the celebrity television chefs.
Wednesday 15 April 2026
Rob Harley
Rob Harley is one of New Zealand’s most experienced journalists and communicators. His fifty-year career as a writer across all mediums has involved him telling dramatic stories in Aotearoa, and some of the most dangerous places in the world, from where he has constructed award-winning programmes seen by millions.
As a television reporter, Rob specialised in advocacy journalism. His efforts in the early 1980’s exposed the shocking state of hospital conditions for children in Auckland and led to the eventual building of Starship Hospital. A few years later he teamed up with other reporters to campaign for better road safety in New Zealand and this journalism partly led to the reduction of the road toll from 858 in 1973 a low of 250 by 2020.
He also exposed major deficiencies in other parts of the health system - especially psychiatric care - leading to significant reforms.
Internationally his journalism has tracked down the murderer of a Kiwi photojournalist, uncovered the truth behind several airline disasters, and led to the establishment of major aid programmes in the Third World.
About the Meeting
“Rob specialises in subjects such as building resilience, coping with depression and mental illness, tales of lives redeemed from all manner of pain, and tells amazing stories about the astonishing people he has met from his role both behind and in front of the camera.
Rob’s documentary-making efforts have helped to build a number of highly successful aid organisations in places like Romania, India, Ghana, Cambodia and many other settings.
He regularly takes time out to support all manner of charities, including the mentoring of at-risk youth and work among refugees in several countries.
Rob weaves into his presentations some of the most profoundly moving stories you’ll ever hear, complete with high-impact video clips from his many documentaries.
He has also written nine books on a variety of subjects – his latest are called ‘Relentless – People who wouldn’t quit, stories that wouldn’t die.’, and ‘The Courage of Women’ in which he explores the bravery and resilience of 11 incredible women who have overcome huge odds to bring about profound societal change in New Zealand and around the world.. ”
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Maria Lupton
Maria and her husband were both raised on farms and were farming in Northland when they began supplying leeches from their Northland farm to Auckland Zoo, and then to Middlemore Hospital, about 36 years ago. After moving to the King Country they took leeches with them, eventually expanding to a busy full-time operation, before recently retiring.
About the Meeting
“Maria will start with how they got into supplying leeches, the path of their business over the years, how leeches work and why hospitals need them so much. ”
Wednesday 18 February 2026
Matthew Brown
Matthew joined Craig's Investment Partners in May 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a seven-year tenure as an Investment Manager in London. He also has a background as a freelance financial writer, covering global share markets. Matt advises clients across all aspects of investing, specialising in portfolio management for private clients, family trusts, and Kiwisaver.
About the Meeting
“Matthew's talk will focus on investing and financial decision-making for retirees in a practical easy-to-understand way. Topics will include investing beyond term deposits in a lower interest rate environment, understanding income options and diversification, and a plain-English update on current economic and market conditions. The session aims to help attendees feel more confident about their financial future.”
Wednesday 19 November 2025
Rita Dionisio
Rita is currently a senior lecturer in geography at the Universtiy of Waikato at both Hamilton and Tauranga campuses. Her background includes a PhD and a Master's in Architecture from the University of Tokyo, specialised in urban studies.
About the Meeting
“Fostering liveable environments is important in contemporary city-making, and this presentation examines key factors of walkability and liveability in two case studies, with practical and conceptual tools for residents and practitioners seeking to shape urban places that reflect collective realities, values and aspirations.”
Wednesday 15 October 2025
Kate Darrow
Kate has a BA in Art History from the University of Canterbury, an MA in Art Education from the City University, London, and a Diploma in Business from the University of Auckland. She has worked on many public art projects, curating major civic sculptures for Hamilton City and other temporary sculpture projects such as Waiheke Island's Sculpture on the Gulf and the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. Kate has a role at Waikato Hospital, developing an art collection and education programme aimed at enhancing the well-being of patients, staff, and visitors. IN a voluntary capacity, Kate acts as an art advisor and curator for Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, creating exhibitions by leading New Zealand artists to raise funds and awareness for this important ecological project.
About the Meeting
“Kate will take us through the intrinsic value of the Waikato Hospital art works, and the significance and meaning of some specific pieces.”
Wednesday 17 September 2025
Sam Edwards
Sam Edwards is a retired University of Waikato academic, arts critic and Patron of
the Friends of the Museum. He is a co-author of New Zealand Film 1912 – 1996 and
has been a frequent columnist in the Waikato Times.
About the Meeting
“A lifetime of film – it started with visits to Gene Autry and Johnny Weissmuller when
I was six has – led me through a remarkable exposure to the biggest con job in
human history and Hollywood’s ongoing determination to make audiences believe
that what they were seeing was the truth.”
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Nona Morris
MA, is a researcher and diversity educator for EarthDiverse. She has undergraduate degrees in Human Biology and Anthropology, and post-graduate degrees (MA) in Anthropology and Education. She has worked in the field of education for the last 30 years, working across all sectors from early childhood through university and adult mentoring, and has taught in a variety of fields including biology, ecology, social science, research methodology, and learning and assessment practice. She also teaches in the early childhood and primary school sectors. Prior to moving to New Zealand, Nona has lived, studied and worked in Kenya, Tanzania, Liberia, Pakistan, Nepal and the USA.
About the Meeting
EarthDiverse is a not-for-profit social enterprise offering a wide range of Diversity Education courses in both the social and natural sciences. Through increased knowledge and understanding, they hope to mitigate racism, discrimination and environmental degradation through courses, seminars, activities and events that aspire to strengthen social cohesion.