Goethe Society Wellington

04/05/2026

🪈 New Zealand-born flautist Barbara Hill has lived in Berlin for most of her life. She has had an extensive career as an orchestral and chamber musician, a teacher and ensemble coach at the state music school, and as a soloist on international tours.

💬 On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, we shall hear from our Goethe Society member, Barbara, about what led a young Kiwi flautist with no German-language knowledge to Germany in the first place and what kept her there for decades. Barbara will answer these questions and many more – and we may even hear some lovely music…

🏫 This event will be held at the Von Zedlitz Common Room 606 at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, 28 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn, at 6:00 pm. Culinary contributions in the form of food and/or drinks are very welcome. Please RSVP by emailing us.

🔗 For more information about Barbara Hill and the event, please visit our website: https://goethesociety.com/barbara-hill/

25/04/2026

Lest we forget 🥀

23/04/2026

🎬🎟️

🎬 In partnership with the Austrian Embassy, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand invites you to a powerful screening of the acclaimed 2022 drama, Schächten - A Retribution.

📆 Wellington, 3 May
📆 Auckland, 10 May
(Doors open at 5:30 PM | Screening begins at 6:00 PM)

Set in 1960s Vienna, the film follows Viktor, a young survivor navigating the harrowing moral terrain between justice and vengeance.

Come for the film, stay for the cause. This isn't just a night at the cinema; it's a critical fundraising event. By joining us, you are directly supporting the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s mission to fight and provide vital Holocaust education across New Zealand. Your contribution helps ensure the stories of our past become the lessons of our future.

Each screening will be followed by an insightful Q&A featuring HCNZ Education Director Kris Clancy and special guest historians:
📍 Wellington: Professor Giacomo Lichtner, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
📍 Auckland: Dr Nicole Perry, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

🎟️ Secure your tickets 🔗 at the link in story!
HCNZ Members: $20 | General Public: $25 | Students/ Youth: $15

Goethe-Institut New Zealand German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Goethe Society Wellington The Auckland Goethe Society

21/04/2026

🥀 The Goethe Society will be represented at this year’s ANZAC Day Citizens’ Wreath Laying Service run by Wellington City Council and the RSA at the Wellington Cenotaph adjacent to Parliament grounds. This follows discussion at our AGM in February, where it was proposed that the Goethe Society (founded in 1960) join the many diverse community groups and schools that take part in this annual service. This year, there are 47 groups taking part. Our wreath will be placed by Jason Wagner and Helen Fawthorpe. Everyone is welcome to attend.

‼️ Please note that this service is separate from the official National Service held at Pukeahu, the National War Memorial, at 11 am.

🔗 More information, including an event guide and video, is available on the Wellington City Council’s website: https://wellington.govt.nz/anzac

🏛️ Venue: Wellington Cenotaph, corner of Bowen St and Lambton Quay, next to Parliament

🕘 Time: 9 am - 10 am

13/04/2026

This is a friendly reminder about our next event on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. 👏

BYO a text, poem, quote, anecdote or thought by or about Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – in German or in English – to share. (Or just come along and listen!) There are so many facets to our Namenspatron, so many quotations attributed to him, so many of his poems set to glorious music, so much written by and about him. This evening we shall start to discover some of what he means to us… 📝🎼

This event will be held at the Von Zedlitz Common Room 606 at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, 28 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn, at 6:00 pm. Culinary contributions in the form of food and/or drinks are very welcome. Please RSVP by emailing us if you haven’t done so already. 🏫

Our Events Coordinator, Judith, reminded me of the importance of arriving before 6 pm when the university’s doors close. After 6 pm, things become unnecessarily complicated. 🕕

For more information, please visit our website: https://goethesociety.com/our-goethe/ 🔗

03/04/2026

🐰 Frohe Ostern / Happy Easter from the Goethe Society Wellington 🐣

Image by Doug Healey, 31 March 2026

30/03/2026

Gathering at St. Ninian's Church in Karori from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, 11 April 2026
​
Renew friendships and meet new German speakers over shared food and a cuppa. Enjoy German conversation (and English as necessary) over German-style baking, home-made or bought. Try an Easter theme.

There's no need to be a fluent German speaker or an accomplished baker. All welcome!

Calling all people interested in German cooking and baking! Do you enjoy cooking and baking? Do you want to learn more about German, Austrian, and Swiss cuisine? The Goethe Society Kitchen meets ev…

24/03/2026

The Goethe Society Choir (Deutscher Liederkreis) will meet this Sunday afternoon, 29 March, from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm at St. Ninian’s in Karori, Wellington. For more information, please visit:

Calling all musical German speakers! Do you enjoy singing in German? Do you want to improve your German through singing in a friendly choir? The Goethe Society Choir meets once a month on a Sunday …

17/03/2026

Meet the Goethe Society Committee

6️⃣ Bill Gebbie
Kitchenmaster

15/03/2026

Meet the Goethe Society Committee

5️⃣ Christiane Ker
Choirmaster

13/03/2026

Meet the Goethe Society Committee

4️⃣ Helen Fawthorpe
Secretary