Learning City Calendar
We're actively cultivating courageous curiosity for the people, place, and future of Ōtautahi Christchurch. This is a living ecosystem calendar curated by the Ako Ōtautahi team with events that inspire curiosity and keep equity, access, and innovation at the heart of their design.
Featured Events
Events led by Ako Ōtautahi in partnership with others in the learning ecosystem.
How We Gather Matters: A 90min Learning Experience
Join us for a 90min unique learning experience designed around the simple idea that how we gather matters. It changes how we think, how we connect, and how we make meaning together. Some of the most important things happen in the spaces between - so rather than talking about connection, this is an opportunity experience the range of it.
WHEN: Monday 16 November, 6-8pm (5:45pm doors open, experience starts 6pm sharp)
WHERE: Activity Room, Tūranga Level 1
*This is a continuous experience with no scheduled breaks, so we recommend having something to eat before you arrive.
Brought to you by Fireside.rs, in collaboration with LIANZA and Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch, participants will move through a series of thoughtfully curated group formats, drawn from research around what actually makes humans flourish in shared spaces. Those involved will get to understand:
- the ingredients that make trust and openness possible;
- why some group formats bring out something in us that others don’t;
- how different ways of gathering shape who we become in a room;
- the invisible biases and ideas we carry into every shared space;
- how environment influences belonging in ways we don’t realise.
Think of this as a living laboratory that will be held with curiosity, care, and a genuine belief that the way we come together is key to creativity and productivity. You’ll leave feeling aligned, reflective, and aware of the ‘hidden architecture’ that influences how we act and feel when we convene intentionally.
Double Feature: Stories That Create Space
Double Feature is back by popular demand and this time, we’re exploring Stories That Create Space. Join us for an evening celebrating creativity, connection and community storytelling, as we spotlight the incredible stories emerging from two storytelling collectives.
Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch is delighted to partner with the University of Canterbury’s CHCH101 course, Digital Storytellers and Graduate Women Canterbury to bring these stories.
WHEN: Wednesday 21 October, 5:30–8pm
WHERE: Rehua 108, Community Engagement Hub, University of Canterbury
Banner Photo by: Erica Austin, Peanut Productions
Across two screening sessions, we’ll share short films and stories including:
Documenting Spaces for Youth - digital stories created by UC CHCH101 students
Stories into Futures - stories created by women navigating education, employment and career change
Between the screenings, we’ll come together for a panel kōrero exploring: Stories That Create Space (Storytelling, Belonging and Inclusion)
What does it take to create places, spaces and opportunities where people feel they belong, can participate, and can see a future for themselves?
What role can community storytelling play in creating those spaces?
Come along for an evening of short-form cinema, kōrero, connection and celebration and to explore what becomes possible when storytelling creates space for people, perspectives and possibilities. We’d love to see you there.
Aotearoa Futures Forum 2026
Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre | 455 Hagley Ave, Ōtautahi Christchurch
Learning Futures Workshop 2026: From Vision to Visible
People of all ages are seen to be discussing a topic and writing their thoughts. Food and beverages appear to be available to them.
Double Feature: Stories of Engagement
Double Feature: Stories of Engagement is a community celebration of creativity, connection, and storytelling. #LearningwithStories
Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch is partnering with University of Canterbury's CHCH101 Course, Digital Storytellers and Seed The Change to spotlight the incredible talent within two filmmaking collectives, each sharing five(ish) short films that reflect the voices, experiences, and ideas of our local storytellers.
This is more than a screening - it’s an invitation to experience the power of storytelling to connect us, spark empathy, and reveal the many ways our communities make meaning through film.
WHEN: Tuesday 18 November, 5:30pm-7:30pm (doors open 5:00pm)
WHERE: Rehua 108 (Community Engagement Hub), University of Canterbury
COST: $5 + bf
*kai provided thanks to Seed The Change
Across the evening, around ten short films will be showcased including:
Documenting Stories In Richmond Project by UC CHCH101 students
Stories for Impact Workshop participant stories
The programme unfolds in two screening sessions, interwoven with a panel conversation featuring storytellers who will reflect on the impact and responsibility of narrative design in shaping community and culture.
Come along for an evening of short-form cinema, community connection, and the celebration of Stories of Engagement - where storytelling becomes a shared act of creativity and change.
*Special thanks for Kai J. Lee @subtledream for the banner photo.