Risingholme Learning

Risingholme Learning Risingholme Learning is home to a wide range of Adult and Community Education classes and several community groups in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Did you know that Risingholme Learning has been delivering courses since 1944? That's over 75 years of empowering learners in Christchurch and beyond! We currently serve over 3,400 learners city-wide each year, across multiple locations, and employ 60 amazing tutors who are experienced in their fields. Whether you're looking to upskill, try something new, or meet like-minded people, we have a course for you. Join our community of learners today and let us help you achieve your goals!

Tutor and photographer Mea Baráth describes documentary photography as "storytelling rooted in real life". We spoke with...
22/09/2026

Tutor and photographer Mea Baráth describes documentary photography as "storytelling rooted in real life". We spoke with Mea about her approach to visual storytelling, her pathway into it, and some of the inspirations behind her own practice.

Check out the full interview with Mea below and see whether it sparks an interest in exploring your own visual stories.

https://www.risingholme.org.nz/course-spotlight-make-it-visible-documentary-photography-as-storytelling/

Mea's Term 4 course begins on Wednesday 14 October and has 4 spaces left - head to our website to book your spot.

Take a look at our photography tutor Helen in her element, out in the elements. Helen's photographs are award winning an...
21/09/2026

Take a look at our photography tutor Helen in her element, out in the elements.

Helen's photographs are award winning and she has taught photography around the motu. Join her on an 8-week basic digital photography course starting in Term 4 and learn how to take stunning photos for yourself.

Basic Digital Photography
📆 8 weeks - starting 13 October
⏰ 7-9pm
📍 Riccarton High School
💵 $160
🔗 https://www.risingholme.org.nz/product/basic-digital-photography/

📸From last week's LEAP expo at Hōhepa. It was great to chat to lots of learners who have attended Risingholme's accessib...
21/09/2026

📸From last week's LEAP expo at Hōhepa. It was great to chat to lots of learners who have attended Risingholme's accessible courses before and were keen to give more of them a go - woodwork and cooking seemed to be particular favourites on the day....

All of our accessible courses are now full, but look out for them again in 2027 when the new course programme launches on December 1!

For the final day of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori we’re reflecting on the value of lifelong learning. People enrol in courses ...
20/09/2026

For the final day of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori we’re reflecting on the value of lifelong learning. People enrol in courses for different reasons like learning new skills, exploring hobbies, and finding social connection. When you finish a course you might leave with new knowledge, skills, or friends but you’ll always leave having known you’ve grown as a person as a result of trying.

Today’s phrase reflects that idea and is a fitting way to round off the week:
“Kei tua o tai hāneanea ko tai whanake” Growth happens outside of your comfort zone.

Building on yesterday’s phrase, today we pose the question kia hanga aha tātou ināianei?...What should we create next?.....
19/09/2026

Building on yesterday’s phrase, today we pose the question kia hanga aha tātou ināianei?...What should we create next?...

And just like that it's the end of Term 3! Take a look at some of the work made this term by our learners. These all com...
18/09/2026

And just like that it's the end of Term 3!

Take a look at some of the work made this term by our learners. These all come from our Mixed Media course with Nicky who challenged them to create work driven by the power of suggestion and imagination. It's a fitting prompt from a tutor who has kept imagination and unrestrained creative exploration at the heart of her teaching practice and has shared it with our learners each term.

There's still space left in Mixed Media next term with Earl - follow the link to enrol https://www.risingholme.org.nz/product/mixed-media/

Pick up your pencils and “kia tā tātou!”– let’s start drawing! ✏
18/09/2026

Pick up your pencils and “kia tā tātou!”– let’s start drawing! ✏

Trake some time out to reflect, take stock, and step out of autopilot mode. Join tutor Fergus in his upcoming Discover y...
17/09/2026

Trake some time out to reflect, take stock, and step out of autopilot mode. Join tutor Fergus in his upcoming Discover your Purpose course in Term 4 and carve out some time for yourself to find out what truly matters to you.

Whether you are at a crossroads, burnt out in your career or simply seeking more meaning in your life, this course will help you uncover your deeper “why”, rediscover your direction and begin shaping a more purposeful, values-led life.

Discover your
📆 8 weeks - starting 13 October
⏰ 7-9pm
📍 Risingholme
💵 $124
🔗 https://www.risingholme.org.nz/product/discover-your-purpose/

"We care too much about what we cannot handle." — Kazuko IwaiEpisode 30 of Ōtautahi in Practice is live! This conversati...
17/09/2026

"We care too much about what we cannot handle." — Kazuko Iwai

Episode 30 of Ōtautahi in Practice is live! This conversation wraps up our three part collaborative special with the ACE Network, celebrating the nationwide Adult Learners Week He Tangata Mātauranga.

In this final festival installment, we are joined by the inspiring Kazuko Iwai. A professional learning facilitator, lifelong learner, and cleaner. Kazuko embodies what it means to bridge and weave these seemingly different strands together, often in the course of a single day. Through vivid reflections on moving through Ōtautahi, she shows us how intentionality, presence, and practical daily actions shape our collective life.

Local Community Shout-Outs: A special acknowledgement to Nina Cook and the team at the Canterbury Workers' Educational Association (CWEA) at 59 Gloucester Street!

Listen now on PlainsMedia, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!

Check out Adult Learners’ Week events that took place: https://www.aceaotearoa.org.nz/events/adult-learners-week

"One of the moments I love most in teaching is what I'd call the lightbulb moment... almost overnight, something clicks....
17/09/2026

"One of the moments I love most in teaching is what I'd call the lightbulb moment... almost overnight, something clicks. Suddenly they're reading the stone instead of just working on it." — Shaugn

Episode 29 of Ōtautahi in Practice is live on Spotify! This is part two of our special three episode miniseries in collaboration with ACE Aotearoa, celebrating the Adult Learners Week | Ahurei Ākonga taking place til 13th September!

Anchored in this year's national kaupapa, "Finding Our Voice | Ko tōku reo, ko tōku ohooho", we sit down with learning coordinator Jennifer Leahy, and stone carving tutor Shaugn to explore how adult education shapes the cultural fabric of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Jennifer brings more than three decades of expertise across tertiary, workplace, community, and prison education through Leahy Learning, alongside leadership roles with CWEA, Graduate Women Canterbury, and Ako Aotearoa. Together with Shaugn who has guided adult night classes at Papanui High School for nearly 30 years, they unpack how tactile learning, patience, and genuine fun transform adult learners.

A massive thank you to ACE Aotearoa and our local networks for making this collaborative series possible!

Stream Episode 29 now on PlainsMedia, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!

Check out Adult Learners’ Week events: https://www.aceaotearoa.org.nz/events/adult-learners-week

Explore our Stories: learningcitychristchurch.nz/stories

Address

22 Cholmondeley Avenue, Opawa
Christchurch
8023

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+6433327359

Website

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