ABOUT U3A
The Age of Active Learning
We are a University of the Third Age group in Darfield covering the Malvern District in Canterbury, New Zealand offering a diverse range of meetings, interest groups and mini-series. Our goal is to encourage healthy ageing by sharing educational and leisure activities that provide stimulation and enjoyment in an informal friendly atmosphere. Our members are from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
​
To find out more about us, we suggest you attend one of our monthly meetings where you can enjoy morning tea and biscuits, listen to an interesting speaker, meet our active committee and mingle with members.
How it all started
U3A was launched in Toulouse, France in 1973 with the aim of presenting a programme of university-based continuing education as well as stimulating those in the later stages of life. By 1981 it had spread to England where it evolved as a community-based system of independent self-run groups. The concept arrived in New Zealand in 1989 with the first local group launched through the University of Canterbury Department Of Continuing Education.
​
U3A Malvern is a newcomer to the Canterbury groups. We formed, with the support of U3A Network Canterbury and the Selwyn District Council, at the end of 2019 and had our first meeting in February 2020 at the Baptist Church in Darfield. Despite the Covid 19 pandemic we have managed 10 or 11 meetings each year.
​
Further information on other groups throughout New Zealand, can be found at the U3A New Zealand website: www.u3a.net.nz