I have been a member for 15 years since retirement. I was introduced to U3A by 2 sets if of brothers in law and sisters in law who were very enthusiastic members of Browns Bay & Birkengead U3A respectively. They recommended we join a local U3A, we enquired and found U3A Pakuranga had vacancies but Howick branch did not, so Pakuranga we joined, We actually meet in Howick for our monthly meeting with a guest speaker & to socialise with friends. We joined up to study group such as Classical music, ... moreI have been a member for 15 years since retirement. I was introduced to U3A by 2 sets if of brothers in law and sisters in law who were very enthusiastic members of Browns Bay & Birkengead U3A respectively. They recommended we join a local U3A, we enquired and found U3A Pakuranga had vacancies but Howick branch did not, so Pakuranga we joined, We actually meet in Howick for our monthly meeting with a guest speaker & to socialise with friends. We joined up to study group such as Classical music, Books, WW2, Ancient History, The Sea, Walking in Parks, Aviation & Aerospace, History of NZ, etc. The purpose of staying active, continuing to learn & socialise has been enthusiastically achieved. My wife & I can thoroughly recommend.