Newsletter October 2021

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From the Chair

Hello everyone,
SeniorNet Kapiti is still unable to re-open the Learning Centre until the Wellington region is at Level 1, this is due to the tighter restrictions around Covid-19 Delta variant. 

We hope you’ve been able to take advantage of some of the Zoom sessions over the last few weeks.  We have more coming along in the following week – we’ll drop you an email a day or so before each one starts. 

We have some feedback from members that they enjoyed the ‘How Do I…?’ sessions.  We can ensure you that we will have these sessions on our timetable once we are able to open either at Alert Level 1 or when the new ‘Traffic Light” system is in place. 

Technology is giving us all the opportunity to meet with friends and family and also to learn from home.  Please take the time to join a Zoom session or look at SeniorHangouts (more below) and pick up some tips and tricks that will be of interest and could help you or a friend.

Please also remember that if you get into difficulty with your technology, SeniorNet can help. Call our COVID Helpdesk on (04) 299 0754, leave your name, number and a brief description of the problem and one of our capable tutors will call you back to assist.

Sue Connor
Chair, SeniorNet Kapiti Inc.

Kapiti SeniorNet Learning Centre
(200 Matai Rd) remains closed while we are in COVID-19 (Delta) Level 2. We will reopen as soon as we reach Level 1

In the meantime, why not try a SeniorHangouts session – they’re free to all SeniorNet members. You can see the latest offerings at this page (click here) on the SeniorNet Manawatu website. It’s just one click to start a session – no Zoom required!

Membership Renewal for 2020-21

After sending out our reminders last month we’ve had a pleasing number of people renewing their membership. Thank you, we really appreciate your support and the show of confidence you’ve given to SeniorNet Kapiti – we’re thrilled to be able to continue assisting you with your digital learning in the future.

If you still haven’t renewed, this is the last Newsletter you’ll receive from us – you have only a few days left before we update our membership list and, sadly, move those who haven’t renewed into the “resigned” category.

Our Internet Banking details are;  

  • Account name is SeniorNet Kapiti.
  • ANZ Bank a/c 06-0501-0746900-00
  • Please enter your name in the Payee’s Reference field
  • Please enter your membership number in the code field
  • Membership $30 single, $50 couples

Classes for Term 4

COVID-19 Level 1 (or the start of traffic lights) will trigger a resumption of face to face classes but at this stage we aren’t optimistic about getting back into the Learning Centre just yet.

Nonetheless, we’ve started planning for Term 4! Our current draft timetable assumes that most of the classes which were suspended in Term 3 will restart for those already enrolled. We have also allowed extra space at the end of the main classes in case we are a week or two late getting restarted.

Click here to see our current Term 4 Planning Timetable. If you are interested in any of these courses, please contact Elaine on 021 169 6256 as soon as possible and get your name on the list.

Likely Changes Due to Covid-19 When We Re-open

With the proposed changes to a Traffic Light system, announced by the Government this past week, we can all expect things to be a little different when the Learning Centre is able to re-open. Reading between the lines we can expect some or all of the following changes (depending on the colour of the light!);

  • We cannot reopen until our landlord (KCDC) agrees
  • Tutors will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to run face to face classes
  • Only fully vaccinated members will be able to enter the Learning Centre to attend face to face classes or other functions – Vaccine passports (when they are available) will be used for validation
  • For privacy reasons, no vaccination information will be retained by SeniorNet Kapiti – validation will be required each time members attend
  • Once they become available, SeniorNet will assist all our members to get the vaccination certificate App working on their smartphones or to print a paper certificate
  • Masks will have to be worn in the Learning Centre based on the Traffic Light level at the time – the Lead Tutor is not required to wear a mask when teaching
  • Tutors will be discouraged from handling members devices (laptops, smartphones etc)

Weekly Online “Members’ Meeting”

Something on your mind or have you made a discovery that you’re dying to share with the world … well, your fellow SeniorNet Kapiti members anyway?

Do you have the odd techy question that’s been niggling away at you or an issue that you can’t resolve? Or maybe there’s something you have read or heard that you would like to know more about? Our regular (online) Wednesday Members’ Meetings are designed to help with answers.

These Zoom meetings provide a relaxed and friendly opportunity for an informal chat and a chance to catch up with others. A number of our tutors will always be on hand to share their thoughts and insights on the topics of the day. This is a great way to stay connected while we are still unable to get together at the Learning Centre.

Meetings run from 10.00 am to 12.00 and you can join and leave the meeting whenever you please. And, best of all, you get to choose and enjoy your own delicious morning tea! Meeting invites and Zoom links are sent out the day before.

SeniorHangouts is Running – every day

SeniorHangouts, the online learning platform run by SeniorNet, is still operating (with fancy new branding too!)


All current members of SeniorNet Learning Centres in New Zealand are welcome to participate (free) and you don’t even need Zoom to join.

If you are interesting in what’s coming up next week (and every week), we’ve found this excellent site (thanks to SeniorNet Manawatu) which is updated Sunday evening once the weekly timetable is published. It also includes direct links to the upcoming sessions – just click and go!

To watch old sessions, go to the SeniorHangouts website, where you can watch previously held sessions in the extensive library on a wide variety of topics that may interest you.

Christmas Function

We are still hoping to hold our Christmas Function on Wednesday afternoon 8 December – please block your diary.

Of course this will be dependent on COVID-19 Traffic Light status at the time and we will keep you informed as the time draws closer.

If you want to come, you will need to get vaccinated now!

Please Support our Sponsors

Please don’t forget to support our National sponsors – they’re important to SeniorNet and help us at the local level in many ways, including offering discounts to our members.

Always show your membership card and ask if there’s a discount for SeniorNet members – you might be rather surprised!

The best example is Noel Leeming where the SeniorNet discount extends well beyond computers to everything in their store but please be insistent that they scan your barcode before they give you a price!

Suzuki has recently reconfirmed their offer to our members of free on-road costs on new vehicles so it always pays to ask.

There are more details about the individual sponsorships on the Federation’s website here