Simon Egginton will be providing surf lessons again these school holidays. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Simon Egginton will be providing surf lessons again these school holidays. Photo / Michael Cunningham
By Jodi Bryant
It's school holidays and here we are marooned within our own nook of the country.
While south travel plans will need a rethink, sadly, and our southern friends and family won't be coming to visit, all is not lost.
It's spring and the weather is looking up.Luckily Northland has a wide range of top beaches and walks to get out and enjoy and blow away the cobwebs. There's also a range of school holiday programmes within our region. Check them out below.
The Tutukaka Lighthouse Walk is a short hike over beach, sometimes through water and up the hill. Photo / Jodi Bryant
Wednesday October 6 – Friday October 8 McKay Stadium. Lunch provided each day. The programme is run over three days during the holidays giving Yr 7 and 8 girls the opportunity to try nine different sports and physical activities. Coaches from different sporting codes will be available to take the girls for a session. To cater for those not into sport, there is dance, crossfit, boxing for fitness, and spin classes showing the girls there are other ways to be physically active. There is no cost to attend the programme but girls will have to apply as there are limited numbers. For further information, go to: taniadaltonfoundation.org.nz
Hardcore Dance
Monday – Friday. Choose one week only. Whangārei Intermediate School Hall Ages 5-14 years. Free to attend a one-week programme filled with fun activities such as arts and crafts, touch rugby, biking, dance, hot pools, and more. To register email: info@hardcoredance.co.nz
Monday – Friday Aerial Circus Workshops at The Quarry Arts Centre and The Studio Whangārei. Bookings required – limited spaces. Go to: quarryarts.org or email: students@the-studio.co.nz
Waipū Gymnastics
October 13, 10am–12pm, 12.30pm–2.30pm, 2.30pm–4.30pm. $30 or stay the whole day 10am–4.30pm. $65. Celtic Barn, Caledonian Park, Waipū. Experienced coaches, physical exercise, gymnastics skills, fun circuits, group games, handstands. To book, message or email with preferred class/time, child's name and age. waipugymnastics@gmail.com
Active Attitude Holiday Programme
Monday – Friday both weeks 8.30am-3pm Ages 5-13 years $35 per day Different themes each day, physical play, games and crafts. 09 945 4876 admin@activeattitude.co.nz activeattitude.co.nz
Kidzones Holiday Programmes
Kidzones operated from Kamo, Whau Valley and Tikipunga Primary Schools. October 4 – October 15 7.45am-5.30pm From $40 per day Movies, ten pin bowling and themed fun days. Sandra North 021 249 3308 sandra@kidzones.co.nz kidzones.co.nz
Kiwi North
Enjoy history and conservation-based activities, including tuatara encounters, the Tora Tora NZ exhibition, park rides and activities with the Kiwi North educator. Some activities depend on alert levels. Visit: kiwinorth.co.nz for further details.
Table Tennis Northland Stadium October 4 – October 15 - two slots are available for both the weeks. Slot 1, Monday to Friday 9am-12pm (Beginners). Slot 2, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 1pm-5pm (Intermediate/Advance). All ages $10 per slot or $80 for full programme. Members of the club gets 50 per cent off. Phone 0225382035 ttsportsnorth97@gmail.com sporty.co.nz/northlandtt
Take the kids up Mt Manaia for a blast of exercise and fresh air with spectacular views at the top. Photo / Jodi Bryant
Nature's Cool - outdoor adventures
All day, every day. Huanui/Glenbervie Monday October 4 - Thursday October 7 & Tuesday October 12 - Thursday October 14 8.30am-3.30pm (supervision available outside of these times). Ages five-plus (conditions apply). $50 per day safeoutdoorsnz@gmail.com safeoutdoors.co.nz
Quarry Arts
Quarry Arts Centre, 21 Selwyn Ave Weekdays Monday October 4 - Friday October 15, 9am-4pm. 5–15-years-old From $15 per class workshops@quarryarts.org quarryarts.org/kids
October 5,6 & 7 9am-3pm Ages 8-12 years $10 per day per person Multi-sports. participation@northlandhockey.org.nz
Questionable Research Labs
October 5, 6, 8-10, 12, 13 & 15, 8.30am-5pm. 9-18-years-old. A mix of educational and social things around coding, science, technology, robotics, plus a game day (October 15) and a short film-making weekend (October 8-10). Manaia House. $45 per day and $30 for members (sponsored spots available). Cost varies slightly, depending on the day and activity. 0276073711 Kevin@Questionable.org.nz Verena@Questionable.org.nz questionable.org.nz facebook.com/questionable research labs
Taekwon-Do
Hurupaki Primary School Hall Monday October 4 & 11, Wednesday October 6 &13 From 6pm Ages 10-plus Free victorcoda@xtra.co.nz sporty.co.nz/TaekwonDoWhangarei
Northtec Campus Monday October 4 - Friday October 15 8.15am-3.15pm 5-13-years-old $30 per day info@youthtown.org.nz youthtown.org.nz/offer/nor-hp-whangarei
Whangārei Youth Space
Whangārei Youth Space, Cafler Park Monday October 4 – Friday October 15 10am–4pm (one day each week will be 10am-2pm) 12-18-years-old Free 09 972 7248 contact@youthspace.co.nz facebook.com/WhangareiYS
Simon Egginton will be providing surf lessons again these school holidays. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Tutukaka Surf, Learn to Surf Holiday Programme
Monday - Friday 9.30am-12.30pm School ages $40 per day or $175 a week Surf technique basics, water safety, waves rips, currents and surf etiquette. 027 306 7047 surf@tutukakasurf.co.nz tutukakasurf.co.nz
Whangārei Aquatic Centre Chill Out Holiday Programme
October 4 - 15 9am-3pm Inflatable day, mini Olympics, ten pin bowling and laser maze, mini golf & SPCA rescue day. chillout.clmnz.co.nz
Far North
Kaikohe OSCAR Programme
Kaikohe Christian School. 7.30am-5.30pm. 5-14-year-olds. Class activities and sporting activities. For further information, call Gail on 027 258 2244 or search Kaikohe Oscar Blogspot.
Monday - Friday 5-13 year-olds Games, library and farm visits, arts and crafts, duathlon, bake-off, Flip Out, Mountain biking. cornerstonechildren.co.nz 027 35 22871 - Lauren
• Some of these programmes are free, and many are registered with OSCAR and WINZ and may be subsidised. Some programmes are restricted by Covid levels.
