6-Week Course

Society, Culture and Human Behaviour 6-week course

Hygge at Clifton Bay

Hawkes Bay

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6 Oct–10 Nov 2026

Tuesdays, 10:00am to 12:00pm

$400 per person

This 6-week course explores the rich and complex tapestry of human communities — from the social structures and political systems that shape our world, to the cultural norms, rituals, and behavioural patterns that define who we are. Expert speakers, including sociologists and anthropologists, will guide you through topics as diverse as social inequality, cultural evolution, political systems, group dynamics, cross-cultural communication, and the collective challenges of modern urban living. Sessions are engaging and thought-provoking, offering you a deep understanding of the societal frameworks and cultural forces that govern our daily interactions — and why we act the way we do within them. Suitable for all.

Be ready to observe human nature and see culture in an entirely new light.

Dates:

Tuesday 6th October
Tuesday 13th October
Tuesday 20th October
Tuesday 27th October
Tuesday 3rd November
Tuesday 10th November

Time & Format:

The course will start at 10am, with a coffee and tea break followed by a lively facilitated discussion to answer all your curious questions. The course will finish at 12pm each week.

Location: We are delighted to be hosting at The Common Room, 227 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings 4122

About the experts

Christina Tay - Learning Facilitator

Christina is a lifelong learner with a profound passion for exploring diverse cultures and disciplines. Her curiosity has inspired extensive global travel, from teaching English to Buddhist monks in Laos and volunteering at a Thai orphanage to visiting museums across Europe, the UK, and Asia. A highlight of her travels is the Bishop Museum in Hawai'i, which she visits frequently, including during the 2014 World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education.

Her academic journey began with law and politics at Waikato University, where she discovered dispute resolution. She subsequently earned a Master’s in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Strathclyde University, UK. This period included an exchange at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai and research in Hong Kong on the ombudsman's role.

Currently a Learning Facilitator for Love Heart Social Learning, Christina also teaches the Restorative Practices microcredential at Victoria University. A fully accredited restorative justice facilitator and assessor, she recently delivered mediation training in Micronesia. Previously, she served as Director of Employee Assistance Resolution Services at Victoria University.

Outside of work, Christina enjoys connecting with loved ones and attending international events, such as the 2025 Restorative Practices conference in Singapore, to continually expand her expertise.