Quaker Seminars

Seminars at the Quaker Settlement and around Aotearoa

In Whanganui each year at the Quaker intentional community called The Settlement, a series of seminars intrigue, educate and delight Friends. Most are led by Friends - we have a wealth of knowledge, expertise and passion amongst us - and sometimes we link in with contributors from the community, from the UK, such as scholars at Woodbrooke; sometimes we are fortunate to have seminar leaders from overseas.

Some of the seminars are held at other venues, and this is made clear on the Seminar programme.

The programme is planned by the Quaker Learning and Spiritual Development Committee in conjunction with the Settlement Seminar Committee, and varies from year to year.  About eight to twelve seminars are held throughout the year, and usually last a weekend from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. 

The Settlement has a range of accommodation, from individual units to bunk rooms, and is accompanied by delicious vegetarian food. We are nurtured body, mind and soul at a Quaker Settlement seminar!

There are two work weekends every year at the Quaker Settlement: summer (February) and winter (May/June), when Friends help out with maintenance of the gardens and buildings, with tasks big and small to suit all abilities. They are an opportunity to visit and experience the ambience of the Settlement, enjoy the swimming pool or the log fire, and enjoy the company of Friends.

You can view the current year's programme here, and it will also be available on the Quaker Settlement Website.

You can email the Clerk of Quaker Learning and Spiritual Development at clerk@qsld.quakers.nz to express interest in any of the seminar topics. 

Watch the Events page for further details. 
 

Seminars around the Motu

From 2025 onwards we have planned seminars and workshops in a variety of different centres, such as Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or Auckland, to reduce travel.