Community Nights started as a way to make the arts more accessible to everyone in Queenstown. We wanted to create a regular, free space where people could drop in, try something new and connect with others, no experience required, no pressure, most importantly no booking registration needed.
Diverse, fun, and regular they offer our community the chance to try something new in a social setting, and provide arts practitioners a platform to share their craft. Taking place on Tuesdays as follows:
Community Nights are all about making art approachable and fun. Join us for these relaxed, drop-in evenings while exploring new creative activities, and enjoying the arts with your community.
Wednesdays, 10am – 1pm
Make Space is an accessible, weekly art workshop for adults to support mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. This programme is free to attend but restricted to a limited number of 10 participants, with the aim to offer a supportive, regular and safe environment for people seeking creativity as a pathway to regain confidence, wellbeing or social connection after challenges they have faced.
One Make Space particpant described the classes as helping them to “learn to trust their hands again.” This hugely valuable programme is a kaupapa that Te Atamira is extremely proud of, and we are always keen to hear from any individuals (or health practitioners contacting us on their behalf) who would like to know more about the programme, and get involved.
“It’s not just about the art. It’s the connection, the morning tea, the laughter. It’s my weekly highlight.” — Saturday Arts Social attendee.
Saturday Arts Social is a multi-arts programme and morning tea for our 60+ community every Saturday morning. The diverse programme of sessions planned for our senior community includes concerts, art workshops, dance/movement classes, artist talks, craft classes, photography presentations, storytelling exercises, and so much more.
We always get started with a cuppa and biscuit together before the sessions get underway, and we see many faces returning week after week, having come to consider it a key part or for some a highlight of their week. This programme provides a welcoming creative environment for older members of our community seeking connection and creative opportunities.
“We have recently relocated here, and this is the best baby activity I’ve taken my 8-month-old to… better than any of the expensive sensory classes we’ve done.” — Parent attending Wriggle & Rhyme.
A music and movement programme for pēpē (babies) and tamariki (children) aged 0-2 led by Sunny Sky of Epic Living, and supported by Inner Wheel Queenstown.
This free weekly music and movement programme introduces babies, young children and their whānau to music, movement and creative play. It provides joy, a sense of community and belonging, and a low-pressure social environment for young families in our region.
Te Atamira launched this new kaupapa in winter 2026 to create a warm and welcoming gathering to practice te reo Māori in a social setting. Join us fortnightly for an evening of books, kōrero, connection and a glass of something to sip.
If you are looking to immerse yourself in conversational reo outside of the classroom, learn more about Māori literature, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversation in good company, this space is for you.
Each gathering centres around selected passages from a pukapuka, with shared reading, discussion and reflection guided by a different reader each session.
