Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga

September 8–14, 2025
Adult learning can take place in many different spaces and at many different levels of the community. The Adult Learners' Week Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga celebrates adult learning wherever it is happening. 

It's aims are to:

  • celebrate learner success
  • raise the profile of community education and its benefits
  • encourage learning and make it accessible to all

Big Idea 2025 - Let's Kōrero!
As educators we love talkng about learning! During the 2025 festival we want to indulge our passion by gathering like-minded people together in free community spaces like pubs, libraries and halls to explore "hot" learning topics. We suggest inviting a panel of experts to share their thoughts and then get a discussion going. Start thinking about your version of Let's Kōrero! and share it with us. 
marygavigan5@gmail.com 

My Learning Why!
Our "Big Idea" for 2024 in which adult learners shared their learning why ie their motivation for learning was a huge success. Learners all over Aotearoa were recorded sharing why they were learning and their contributions were posted on facebook and other platforms. We encourage you to keep recording and posting your inspiring learner stories to highlight the joy and diversity of lifelong learning.

What You Can Do to Get Started

  • Start talking to your team about how you can participate in the festival
  • Think about spaces in your community that would work for a Let's Kōrero event

Funding for Festival Events in 2025
Funding applications for festival events open in February 2025

Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga 2025 events in your region will be added closer to the event.

All our promotional resouces will be refreshed and available in March 2025.
Resources to download: 

Information Guide

The Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga Regional Networks and Event Organisers Information Guide has been to designed to give you help in media planning, a style guide for publicity materials, event planning, the awards process, sponsorship and funding, reporting and documenting activities and a sample project plan.

Printable Certificates

Many ACE practitioners like to acknowledge the efforts of their students through local awards. Below are certificates which can be downloaded and presented to students. Organisations and communities are free to develop their own criteria for nomination and presentation of awards.

Commendation Award

Exceptional Adult Educator Award

Innovative Provider Award

Outstanding Adult Learner Award

Editable Certificates

Commendation Award

Exceptional Adult Educator Award

Innovative Provider Award

Outstanding Adult Learner Award

Digital Collateral

Download our digital content and posters for Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga 2024.

Facebook Banner

Twitter Banner

Email Footer

Square Tile

Circle Tile

Zoom Background

Posters 

   

Media Release

This media release is available for you to promote the week's events with local media. Available June 2025.

History

The origins of the Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga can be traced back to the late 1980s when the American Association for the Advancement of Education (AAAE) initiated the idea of celebrating adult learning on a wider scale. Click here to find more.
 

Let's Get Learning Waiata
Let’s get learning
Let’s get learning
Kai ana i te mātauranga
Let’s get learning
Keep the fire burning
Kai ana i te mātauranga