My name is Roger Chapman. I am a member of the Committee of U3A Wellington City.

1. Wellington is situated on the south-western tip of the North Island of New Zealand, is the country’s capital and administrative centre. It has a population of some 205,000 and is the world’s southernmost capital of a sovereign state. Those who live here would claim that it is also New Zealand’s cultural hub, though others might dispute that.

2. Membership: U3A Wellington City – one of several in the Wellington region – has 1,100 members. As might be expected from a small city that is both the seat of government and home to a university of 22,000 students, we draw a relatively large proportion of our membership from retired government servants, professionals and academics.

3. Activities: our main activity is our programme of about 50 lectures on a wide range of topics, delivered twice a week from March to October each year. We also have sixteen special interest groups ranging from art history and Shakespeare studies to social walking and German conversation. Please check out our website at www.u3awellingtoncity.org.nz

4. Personal comment: I particularly enjoy the stimulation and variety of our lecture programme, and the opportunities to meet new friends.