Be part of your local community

Social dining groups

Vegan Hangouts

Join us for drinks, nibbles, a meal and mingling. Our monthly hangouts are always fun and informative and they’re a great way to meet people.

Don’t be put off if you’re not fully vegan. The idea is maintain a sense of community amongst vegans, and those anywhere on the ‘less meat/dairy/eggs’ spectrum. After all, no-one should be the only vegan in the village.

Held the last Friday of the month at a different vegan-friendly venue each time. Check out our events guide for details of this month’s hangout.

Contact: There’s need to confirm your attendance, just turn up and look out for the Green CVS flag. If you’ve got any questions, please email Paul or call 027 531 0130.

Vegan Diners

Be part of this social dining group and help to inspire restaurants to become more vegan-friendly and offer good food. So not only will you enjoy awesome vegan options, you will be encouraging the restaurants to be more equipped to cater for other vegan diners when they book.

The group meets at different restaurants. These can be non-veggie eateries as we feel it is important to encourage them to also be able to cater for vegans too.

Contact: If you have any questions or would like to join the mailing list for this group so you will be directly contacted when new dinners are announced, please email Piyush.

Veggie Rainbow Community dining out

Established in 2002, we are one of Christchurch’s longest running LGBTQIA+ groups. The Veggie Rainbow Community dining group is open to all members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans/intersex/asexual community who enjoy plant-based food. The one proviso is that only veggie food can ordered.

Most of our members are vegetarians/vegans or have a veggie partner or just really like veggie food! The group meets at different restaurants. We dine at a variety of restaurants, both veggie and non-veggie.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email Ro for details.

Sports & fitness

Christchurch Vegan Runners

The Christchurch Vegan Runners meets weekly for a run (or walk) round Hagley Park. We welcome all – you can be a super fit marathon runner or perhaps joining us to walk. Come join us having fun and getting fit. We also go as a group to organised events such as marathons, sponsored walks etc.

Team Vegan

Team Vegan is a sports group made up of vegans from around New Zealand. The active group is open to all vegans and you don’t have to be super fit – just keen to get out there and be active with us!

You might be into jogging, swimming, cycling, netball… all you need to do to join Team Vegan is to purchase one of our official Team Vegan sports tops and get out there being sporty in it.

We aim to increase the visibility of the vegan community and dispel myths that all vegans are anemic with no energy! Our members participate in several events throughout the year.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email us for details.

For teens & youth

Pihinga Youth Group

Pihinga is the Christchurch Vegan Society’s youth group open to any young person interested in plant-based foods (you do not need to be vegan to attend, just vegan friendly).

Our kaupapa is to connect and support kaimanga/vegan and veggie friendly young people in Ōtautahi Christchurch through our groups, events and activities. Our groups foster compassion for animals, people and the environment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email us for details. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Family support

Vegan/Vegetarian Families

Over the last 20+ years we have run family groups and other social activities for children. Although the groups are not meeting currently, please contact us if you would like to meet other families raising their children vegan/vegetarian and we will put you in touch.

We can also put you in touch with experienced parents who have raised their children veggie if you would like one on one support.

Vegan Angels will also organise a vegan meal for you if you have had a baby or in a situation where you need a bit of edible care.

We offer a variety of leaflets on raising vegan and vegetarian families.

Children are welcome at many of our events such as the Vegan Night Mākete. You are welcome to contact us first to ensure the group or event is suitable for children.

Don’t forget to note in your diaries our annual Christmas Vegan Night Mākete (usually the last Saturday before Christmas)  where vegan Santa comes to meet the community and hand out treats.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email us for details.

Veggie under 5s

This group regularly meets during the week for play, chat and morning tea either at a park, beach or someone’s home if bad weather.

While many are also involved with the Vegetarian/Vegan Families group too, they appreciate a dedicated space for the little ones to get to know each other while older siblings are at school. This is free but please bring a plate of vegan finger food to share for morning tea.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email us for details.

LGBTQIA+ group

Veggie Rainbow Community dining out

Established in 2002, we are one of Christchurch’s longest running LGBTQIA+ groups. The Veggie Rainbow Community dining group is open to all members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans/queer/intersex/asexual community who enjoy plant-based food. The one proviso is that only veggie food can ordered.

Most of our members are vegans/ vegetarians or have a veggie partner or just really like veggie food!

The group meets at different restaurants. We dine at a variety of restaurants, both veggie and non-veggie. Also look for a Veggie Rainbow Community event at Pride Week.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email Ro for details.

Vegan singles

Vegan Single Minglers

A no pressure group to meet new people. We might meet for drinks or a meal or go bowling. Come along and make new friends and have fun and vegan food. Vegetarians are also welcome.

Contact: If you have any questions, please email Piyush for details.