Reconnecting Seniors
The Reconnecting Seniors project is overseen by the Reconnecting Seniors Network (formerly Champion for Older Persons Group) and delivered by Community Networks/LINK. It aims to help seniors get and stay connected in their community and at home, supporting ‘active ageing’, social participation and healthy lifestyles.
Below is a catalogue of events; recreation and support resources for over 65s in the Upper Clutha. There are a huge range of activities available, and we know we may not have captured them all. If you would like to add something to this, please get in touch.
This information will feed into a monthly calendar featuring different events, activities and support information. The calendar will be available on the noticeboard of the Wānaka Community Hub, in print in The Messenger and on this web page.
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Coffee Connection drop-in
Second Monday of the month | 9.30 - 11.00am | Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street | Join us for morning tea and a casual chat.
Contact Community Networks/LINK.
Saturday Socials
Last Saturday of the month | 10.30am - 1.30pm | St John Rooms, Link Way | $5 per person includes morning tea, bingo and lunch.
Contact Dell Taylor: call 021 111 5940.
Senior Net
First Thursday of the month | 10.00am - 12.00pm | Wānaka Presbyterian Church, Tenby Street | helping seniors stay connected with technology-based speaker topics and support. Come and try a session before joining ($25 a year for membership).
Contact Jan Scown, Senior Net President: call 0223 506 605 or email wanaka@seniornet.nz.
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Walkie Talkies Walking Group
Tuesdays | 10.30 - 11.30am | Meet at the Wānaka Water Sports Facility (Mount Aspiring Road) | 1 hour easy walking.
Seniors yoga
Wednesdays | 9.15 - 10.15am | Paetara Aspiring Central, 35 Plantation Road, Wānaka | $10 a class or $90 for 10 classes.
Contact Tegan Duffy: email tegan.duffy@qldc.govt.nz
Stay Strong Stand Tall - Falls Prevention Class
Mondays | 10:30 - 11:30am | St John Rooms, Link Way, Wānaka | Assessment (in your own home) required.
Contact Ashley Booth, Parkinson's trained/certified physiotherapist: call 0220311415 or email ashley@synapticphysio.co.nz.
Steady as you go - body balance class
Tuesdays | 2.00-pm | St John Rooms, Link Way | All welcome | $2 per class
Call 027 2851 095.
Parkinson's Exercise Class
Tuesdays | 11.00am - 12.15pm | Wānaka Recreation Centre courts, Sir Tim Wallis Drive.
Contact Ashley Booth, Parkinson's trained/certified physiotherapist: call 0220311415 or email ashley@synapticphysio.co.nz.
Prevention on Point Seniors Exercise classes
Tuesdays | 9.00 am and 10.00am | Peninsula Bay Community Centre, 18 Infinity Drive | $15 per 45-minute class.
Jo Shearer, Occupational Therapist and Personal Trainer: call 0212983436 or visit preventiononpoint.com.
Exercise classes for Seniors, Hāwea
Mondays | 10.45 - 11.30am | Hāwea Community Centre.
Contact Laura Lush, Accredited Exercise Physiologist: call 0274896892 or email cxphys@gmail.com
Senior Circuit
Mondays & Fridays | 10.00 - 10.45am | Snap Fitness, 5/1 Sir Tim Wallis Drive | $5 a class
Contact Snap Fitness | 0210 856 6026 | wanaka@snapfitness.com
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PrimeTimers
Meeting first Thursday of the month | 2.00pm - 4.00pm | Wānaka Presbyterian Church, Tenby Street
Outing third Thursday of the month (between May and November) | by arrangement.
Contact Helen Millar, Activities Coordinator: call 021 043 1054 or email ucsc.club@gmail.com.
Aspiring Rotary
Meeting first Monday and fourth Thursday of the month | 6.00pm | Pembroke Wines & Spirits (Mondays), Wānaka Districts Club (Thursdays) | casual get-together.
Contact Caroline Oliver: call 027 279 2703 or email aspiringrotary@gmail.com.
Mt Aspiring U3A
Monthly meetings and study groups on a huge range of topics.
Contact Gaynor Corkery, President: call 021 022 08653 or email gaynor.corkery@gmail.com.
Wānaka Library Book ClubThird Thursday evening (5.30pm) and third Friday morning of every month (10.00am) | Wānaka Library, Dunmore Street | open to all.
Contact Eve Marshall-Lea, Assistant Librarian / Events: call (03) 443 0410 or email eve.marshall-lea@qldc.govt.nz.
Hāwea Wise Ones
Hāwea’s over 60s friendship and support group. Includes Morning teas; Film Club; Bike Club; Walking Group; Knitting Group; Tai Chi; Line Dancing; Men’s Shed and much more.
Community drinks First Monday of the month | 5.30pm
Social event last Friday of the month | by arrangement
Contact Colleen Carr: 027 393 5322 or Sue Prattley: 021 103 5849.
Pembroke Ladies Club
Contact Penny Kirkland: 021 130 5528
Pembroke Men’s Club
Contact Russell McGeorge: 03 443 9176
Rotary Club of Wānaka
Contact Pat Heffernan: 021 569 890
Wānaka & Districts Lion’s Club (men’s)
Contact Steve Richmond: 027 607 5031
Upper Clutha Lion’s (women’s)
Contact Penny Hartley: 021 051 3213.
Wānaka Concert Society
Contact Kate Lovell: 021 481 358.
Wānaka Travel Club
Contact Marion Furneaux: 03 443 8120.
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Social Work support
Our Social Worker Heather can provide short-term support if you’re struggling financially, mentally or physically. She can help you cope with your difficulties, put a plan in place and, if needed, connect you with appropriate longer-term resources, including food and financial support; budgeting advice; or further meetings with one of our social services colleagues.
To book an appointment, contact Community Networks/LINK
MSD Office for Seniors consults
Second Monday of the month | Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street | By appointment for queries about NZ Super or disability allowance.
To book a consult, ontact Community Networks/LINK or click here to book online.
Digital Help Drop-ins
Thursdays during school-term time | 4.00 - 5:30pm | Wānaka Library, Dunmore Street | bring your digital questions, devices or anyway we can help.
Tuesdays during school-term time | 11.00 - 12.00pm | Hāwea Library | bring your digital questions, devices or anyway we can help.
Contact Paula Mitchell, Community Engagement Librarian: call 03 450 1780 or email paula.mitchell@qldc.govt.nz.
Alzheimer’s Otago support groups:
Riverside Park Community Facility, Albert Town.
Contact Robyn Brighouse: call 027 4069 067 or email robyn@alzheimersotago.org.nz.
Aspiring Wanderers Club: for people with mild-moderate dementia
Thursdays | 10.00am - 1.00pmDementia Coffee Club: for people with dementia and their care partners or family.
Last Thursday of the month | 10.00am - 1.00pmCarer Support Group: for carers of people with dementia
Friday, October 13 | 10.00 - 11.00amFree Hearing Clinics, Cromwell
Second Thursday of the month | Your Way, Cromwell | by apppointment.
Contact Kelvin Gaskill, Hearing Therapist: call 0800 008 011, 021 501 996, or email kelvin.gaskill@yourwaykiaroha.nz.
Skinny Jump affordbale internet
Wānaka Library partners with Skinny Jump Affordable Internet Connections, a programme providing heavily subsidised broadband to households at risk of being digitally excluded due to cost.
Wānaka Library can sign people up for Jump and get them set up any time during opening hours.
Contact Wānaka Library on 03 443 0410 or Wanaka.library@qldc.govt.nz.
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Aqua Fit
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays | 8.00 - 8.45am | Wānaka Recreation Centre courts, Sir Tim Wallis Drive.
Pickle Ball
Wednesdays, Fridays | 9.00 - 10.30am | Wānaka Recreation Centre courts, Sir Tim Wallis Drive | $5 to play, including pool entry and tea and biscuits. Just show up to play.
Beginner’s tennis
Thursdays | 9.00 - 10.00am | Wānaka Recreation Centre courts, Sir Tim Wallis Drive.
Contact Tegan Duffy: tegan.duffy@qldc.govt.nz.
Community yoga
Wednesdays 8.00-9.00am | Fridays 1.00 - 2.00pm | Wānaka Recreation Centre, Sir Tim Wallis Drive | $10 a class or $40 for 5 classes.
Contact Tegan Duffy: tegan.duffy@qldc.govt.nz.
Stitch Sisters
Wednesdays | 9.30am | Edgewater Resort | Knitting and stitching group - just turn up
Wānaka Community Workshop
MenShed and Fabricate sewing group | 15 Gordon Road, Wānaka | $50 a year for membership
Contact: email email@wcw.org.nz.
Wānaka Arts Centre groups
Embroidery; Painters; Camera Club; Printmakers groups | 13 Brownston St, Wanaka.
Contact: email admin@nzwac.art or visit www.nzwac.art for more information.
Wānaka Bridge Club
Fridays | 1.00pm | Wānaka Presbyterian Church | social play for all.
Contact: email wanakabridgeclub@fastmail.com.
Wānaka Bowling Club
Fridays | 1.00pm | Bowling Club, 130 Tenby Street | progressive bowls - all welcome.
Contact: call (03) 443-7873 or email secretary.wanakabowls@gmail.com.
For one-off or recurring volunteering opportunities, call 03 555 3071, email hello@volunteersouth.org.nz or visit https://volunteersouth.org.nz/roles
Petanque
Social and fun boules sport | Tuesdays: 10.00am - 12.00pm | Thursdays & Sundays: 1.00 - 3.00pm | Grace Wright Drive, Three Parks
Contact Mary: 021 0690 374
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Local support agencies
Age Concern | for all aged services, support and to organise companionship | call 0800 652 105 or 03 448 7075 for Central Otago.
Alzheimer’s Society | day programme and support | contact Donna Watt (Alexandra): call 03 448 9056 or email central@alzheimersotago.org.nz or Gayle Thornton (Queenstown): call 03 441 4955 or 027 441 4960 or email queenstown@alzheimersotago.org.nz.
Central Otago Budgeting Services | call 03 448 8072 or 021 08263175 or email cobas@ach.org.nz.
Family Works Financial Mentor | call Nicole Huddleston on 021 629 483.
Meals on Wheels | referral through medical social worker at Dunstan Hospital | call 03 440 4302 or speak to your GP.
Otago Gets Ready | Inform civil defence of your needs and subscribe to phone alerts for emergency situations.
Stroke Foundation NZ | call Judith Hyslop on 03 471 6175 or 027 896 5693, or email otago@stroke.org.nz.
Penny’s Home Care | non-government funded at-home support | call Sarah on 027 343 4776.
Total Mobility Scheme | contact Community Networks/LINK.
Wānaka Volunteer Fire Brigade | for help installing and checking smoke alarms, call 03 443 7602.
Wheels to Dunstan | contact Community Networks/LINK.
Mental health support | brief intervention is available through your GP, or visit our counselling and mental health services page.
Useful local contacts
Dentists | Aspiring Dental Services: 03 443 7705 | Lumino: 03 443 7705 | Wānaka Dental: 03 443 7769 | emergency dentist: 027 1800 3335
Dunstan Hospital | 03 440 4300
Medical Centres | Wānaka Medical Centre | call 03 443 0710 | Aspiring Medical Centre | call 03 443 0725
Supermarkets | Four Square Wānaka: 03 443 7173 | Four Square Albert Town: 03 443 1604 | New World Wānaka: 03 443 0048 | New World Three Parks: 03 443 4810 | Countdown Metro: 03 443 7875.
Pharmacies | Aspiring Pharmaxy: 03 443 7986 | Wānaka Pharmacy: 03 443 8000 | Wanacare Pharmacy (Medical Centre): 03 443 5290.
Rates Rebate/Postponement Schemes | Queenstown Lakes District Council: 03 443 0024 | Otago Regional Coucil | 03 474 0827 or 0800 474 082.
Wānaka Police | 105 (9.00 - 5.00pm)
Other useful contacts
Access Community Health (home care and support) | 0800 284 663
Aged Care Needs Assessment and Service Coordination, Dunedin | 03 470 9300 or 0800 627 236
Dementia NZ | 0800 444 776
Eldernet (comprehensive information enabling you make more informed decisions)
Home Help (allowance for carers) | 0800 559 009
Healthcare NZ (personal care and household management) | 0800 002 722
Healthline | 0800 611 116
IRD | call 0800 257 777 with your IRD number and queries ready
Mobility Parking Scheme | 0800 227 2255
National Travel Assistance Scheme | (financial assistance for medical-related travel) | 0800 855 066
NZ Superannuation applications | Contact Community Networks/LINK or call 0800 552 002
Royal District Nursing Service | 0800 736 769
Seniorline | for help navigating the health system, call 0800 725 463
St John Calling Carer | 0800 780 780
SuperGold Card (discounts from businesses and local services) | 0800 25 45 65
Work and Income support | Contact Community Networks/LINK or call 0800 552 002.