The Big Read
1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2026
Off-site
Event Description
Hutt City Libraries are very excited to be once again team up with Upper Hutt Libraries to offer an amazing summer reading challenge to encourage tamariki to get excited about reading this summer, have fun playing, and be in to win cool prizes!
Tamariki of all ages can pick up an age-appropriate journal for FREE from any of the eleven libraries in Upper Hutt or Lower Hutt from 1 December 2025.
We have four challenges: one for under 5s (The Little Read), one for primary-aged tamariki aged 5-12 (The Big Read), one for teens aged 12-18 (The Even Bigger Read), and one for adults 18+ (The Biggest Read).
The Little, Big, Even Bigger, and Biggest Read runs from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026. Entries into our prize draw close on 31 January 2026.
There are four reader groups and five booklets. Visit https://hubs.huttcity.govt.nz/whats-on/big-read to download your booklet and find out more.
When
1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2026
Add to Calendar
Where
Off-site
Hutt Central
Google Maps
Bookings
There's no need to book your place for this event. Just meet us at Off-site.
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Manu Storytime | 28 November 2026 at 10:30 AM | Naenae Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 0-5 | |
| Little Manu Storytime | 2 December 2026 at 10:30 AM | Naenae Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 0-5 | |
| Card Making and Seeds Gifting | 5 December 2026 at 10:00 AM | Naenae Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Big Block Build | 19 December 2026 at 9:30 AM | Naenae Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| The Seagull of Manu Island Show | 19 January 2027 at 10:30 AM | Moerā Neighbourhood Hub |
Map
Similarly Named Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The HELL Reading Challenge | 1 October 2026 at 9:30 AM | Walter Nash Centre | Ages 5-12 | |
| The HELL Reading Challenge | 1 October 2026 at 9:30 AM | Moerā Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 5-12 | |
| The HELL Reading Challenge | 1 October 2026 at 9:30 AM | Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 5-12 | |
| The HELL Reading Challenge | 1 October 2026 at 9:30 AM | Eastbourne Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 5-12 | |
| The HELL Reading Challenge | 1 October 2026 at 9:30 AM | Petone Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 5-12 | |
| Ready. Steady. Balance | Tomorrow at 11:00 AM | Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub |
Summer In The Hutt Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutt Central School Gala | 4 December 2026 at 4:00 PM | Hutt Central School | ||
| Christmas in Bethlehem | 4 December 2026 at 7:00 PM | Jackson Street | ||
| Hutt Multicultural Christmas Party | 5 December 2026 at 11:00 AM | Te Mako Naenae Community Centre | ||
| Christmas Movie on the Lawn | 12 December 2026 at 5:30 PM | Anzac Lawn, Riddiford Gardens | ||
| Fine Signs Crazyman | 13 December 2026 at 8:00 AM | Off-site | ||
| Moera Hub Hoop Opening | 15 December 2026 at 1:30 PM | Moerā Neighbourhood Hub |
Age - Seniors Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Senior's Table Tennis | Tomorrow at 9:30 AM | Walter Nash Centre | ||
| SeniorNet Social Morning | Tomorrow at 10:00 AM | War Memorial Library | ||
| Tai Chi & Qigong | Tomorrow at 10:30 AM | Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Ready. Steady. Balance | Tomorrow at 11:00 AM | Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Family history drop in | Tomorrow at 11:00 AM | Moerā Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Nash Knitters | Tomorrow at 1:00 PM | Walter Nash Centre |
Age - Rangatahi / Youth (12-24) Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangatahi Lounge | 27 October 2026 at 3:00 PM | Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Escape the Witch's Hut! | Tomorrow at 9:00 AM | Walter Nash Centre | Ages 10+ | |
| Diwali in the Hutt | 31 October 2026 at 11:30 AM | Chilton Saint James School | ||
| Saints and Angels | 31 October 2026 at 5:00 PM | Knox Presbyterian Church | ||
| Monday Moves for rangatahi | 2 November 2026 at 3:00 PM | Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 8-20 | |
| Rangatahi Lounge | 2 November 2026 at 3:00 PM | Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub |
Age - Preschool (0-5) Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Bounce & Rhyme | Tomorrow at 10:00 AM | Moerā Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 0-2 | |
| Bilingual Storytime | Tomorrow at 10:30 AM | Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Halloween Storytime | Tomorrow at 11:00 AM | War Memorial Library | Ages 2-5 | |
| Toy library | Tomorrow at 4:00 PM | Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Toy library | 31 October 2026 at 10:00 AM | Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Baby Bounce & Rhyme | 31 October 2026 at 10:00 AM | Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub | Ages 0-2 |
Age - Adults Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digi Drop-in | 27 October 2026 at 2:00 PM | Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Wellington Heritage Festival 2026 | 24 October 2026 at 1:00 PM | Off-site | ||
| Word Wonder | 3 September 2026 at 9:00 AM | Walter Nash Centre | ||
| Escape the Witch's Hut! | Tomorrow at 9:00 AM | Walter Nash Centre | Ages 10+ | |
| Digital drop in | Tomorrow at 9:30 AM | Eastbourne Neighbourhood Hub | ||
| Kēmu Kōrero | Tomorrow at 10:00 AM | Naenae Neighbourhood Hub | Adult Event |