U3A is an international organization for people in their ‘Third Age’—whether you are retired, semi-retired, or simply have time to spare. There are no age limits for joining.
We have over 800+ members (as at Dec 2025) in the Tauranga and Western Bay areas, with 70+ interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn and explore new ideas, skills and activities.
Interest Group categories include: Art, Design, Books, Cards, Computing, Current Events, Dining, Films, History, Languages, Music, Nature, Photography, Physical Exercise, Sciences, etc. Meetings are held in the members’ homes or in local venues.
Monthly Meetings are held every month in Tauranga and Katikati with an opportunity to hear guest speakers and socialise.
Newsletter
Monthly Meetings
Once a month we meet at the Tauranga Yacht Club or Katikati Community Hub for a social morning where invited keynote speakers present illustrated talks of major interest.
-
Tauranga: 16th October 2026
Main Speaker: Wymond Symes
Topic: ‘LandSAR: ‘How Land Search and Rescue Serves Our Community.’Wymond Symes has been a volunteer with Land Search and Rescue for 20 years and is currently vice chair of the Organisation’s Waihi group. He will speak to us about Land Search and Rescue, his experiences in search and rescue, including the training of their volunteers and the equipment used in operations. He will also give his reflections on a search he was involved in last Summer that won his group a national award.
Short Speaker: George Stewart
Topic: The Village Radio StoryWe also want members to be aware that our entry fee to all monthly meetings at the Yacht Club in Sulphur Point will be $10 per person.
-
Katikati: 14th October 2026
Main Speaker: Ian Howell
Topic: City Rail Link: From Vision to Reality (An Insider’s Story)Auckland’s transformational rail project is no longer just a blueprint beneath our feet—the City Rail Link is officially open and moving Aucklanders across the city. Join us as Auckland Transport’s former CRL Project Director Ian Howell shares the inside story of New Zealand’s largest-ever transport infrastructure project. From the engineering feats of the tunnel boring machine Dame Whina Cooper and the complex new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape, to the untold logistical challenges of getting the network ready for Day One, discover what it truly took to reshape Auckland’s rail network for generations to come.
Short Speaker: Francis Young
Topic: USA’s MidTerm ElectionsAll are welcome to our monthly meetings. There is a $3 door charge to defray costs (venue hire and morning tea). Remember you can purchase a 5 x monthly meeting card for $15 from the registration desk.