
Sustainable
Urban Living
Workshops
Gain useful tips for your home and garden in our Sustainable Urban Living Workshops at Parnell Community Centre! These workshops are held on a Saturday morning, alongside Parnell Farmers’ Market. Check out our upcoming programme below!

Raranga Workshop with Rewa Grimsdale *FULLY BOOKED*
Join us for a workshop that connects us with the self-sustaining practices passed down through generations. Rewa, a skilled Kaiako (teacher), will guide participants through the ancient Māori art of raranga, teaching the techniques of weaving a flower and crafting a kete.
$5 per person to attend

Backyard Chicken Keeping with Barbara Stumbles
Learn how to keep happy, healthy chickens with Barbara Stumbles. We'll look at the best breeds to raise, types of housing, bedding and feeding.
$5 per person to attend

Decorative Mending Workshop with Barbara Woodman
Mending by hand stitching is mindful as well as sustainable. Learn simple techniques to save clothes and other textiles and give them added originality and personality. Lovely old natural fabric deserves a longer life.
$5 per person to attend

Paper Crafts Workshop with Emma Murray
Learn the art of paper crafting and folding with simple, beginner-friendly projects, including delicate paper roses, stylish origami dresses, and eternal trailing pot plants. This interactive workshop allows you to transform ordinary paper into decorative items.
$5 per person to attend

Paint and Pot Upcycling: Pot Painting with Studio Jas
Breathe new life into your old pots with the Frida Kahlo-Style Face Art Pot Class at Parnell Community Centre. This two-hour workshop with Studio Jas teaches you how to upcycle a terracotta pot into a unique piece of art using sustainable creativity. All materials provided.
$5 per person to attend

Textile Upcycling: Te Hanga Poi with Audrey Rapihana
Join us for an interactive workshop where you’ll learn the art of Te Hanga Poi – "Te Hanga" meaning "to make" and "Poi" referring to the traditional Māori dance prop. In this creative, sustainable workshop, you’ll transform everyday waste materials like shredded clothing rags, and recycled plastic bags, into unique poi for dance or decor.
$5 per person to attend

Herbs Workshop with Jane Wrigglesworth
Join a hands-on workshop with herbalist Jane Wrigglesworth to create a soothing herbal balm for cuts and minor skin irritations. Learn to infuse oils, blend natural beeswax (or a vegan alternative), and make a nourishing salve using healing herbs like calendula, plantain, and chamomile. Ideal for families, gardeners, and natural remedy enthusiasts. You'll take home your own balm and the skills to make more!
$5 per person to attend
A special thank you to Waitemata Local Board for providing the funding to make these workshops possible.