Welcome - Kia Ora
Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to the website of the Christchurch Vegetarian Centre. The Centre is run by the New Zealand Vegetarian Society to provide information, activities and community for vegetarians and vegans living in or visiting Christchurch.
Earthquakes
The Icing on the Quake vegan baking cookbook (earthquake fundraiser)
The Icing on the Quake put together by volunteers is a fundraising initiative to help rebuild the Christchurch Vegetarian Centre after the disastrous February 22nd 2011 earthquake destroyed our building and all of our resources. Recipes were sent in by Christchurch vegetarians and vegans, and then tested and tasted by volunteers to be sure they worked, tasted great and were easy to bake (see the list of recipes by clicking on 'Shopping' in the left hand menu bar and then 'CVC online shop'. The range of cakes, muffins, biscuits and other baked goods showcase the versatility of baking without animal products – food good to nurture the soul whilst being kind to animals, the planet and our health. Available for $15 (plus $2 P&P) ($17 total to pay) directly from the CVC (email your delivery address and cheque to info@vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz and/or pay by internet banking to Kiwibank 38-9010-0343649-00 'NZ Veg Soc, ChCh Branch') or via TradeMe (no bulk discounts). Search for 'The Icing on the Quake' or our vendor name chchvegcentre.
Due to the earthquakes, the Christchurch Vegetarian Centre office is closed until further notice. The building housing our office in central Christchurch is on the demolish list and the Community House organisation we are tenants of is looking for other suitable premises in which we will have an office in. In the meantime, staff are working from their homes. We have a had a great response to our fundraising appeal since we lost all of our resources in our building on February 22nd. However, we still need to raise more. To link to our earthquake appeal to rebuild the Christchurch Vegetarian Centre, click here.
We have a 'Vegetarian Christchurch' Facebook page which is very active giving all sorts of information and lifestyle tips as well as notices about events, and also have a vegetarian youth group facebook page since the youth group is now back up and running.
All groups are active now and have been since quite soon after the February earthquake, and we are excited to have the Expo to look forward to on October 9th at the horticultural Hall. Look out for signs around the neighbourhood and notices in the newspaper. There are films, cookery demonstrations, food stalls, a kids zone, a sausage sizzle, films and lots of stalls. It will be a great day rain or shine and there is plenty of parking behind the hall.
What's On?
Click on the tabs in the left handside menu bar to find out about what's on in Christchurch. Lots is happening, so get involved and enjoy the city which still has the most active vegetarian community in New Zealand despite the earthquakes. The city of Christchurch is a must for vegetarians and vegans. There is more happening for vegetarians and vegans in Christchurch than anywhere else in New Zealand. We offer events such as the Vegetarian Expo, and regular pot lucks, talks, film nights, information stalls, and youth, student, gay and lesbian, and family activities.
The Christchurch vegetarian and vegan community is rapidly expanding. Check out our notices to look for a flat, a job or find out about this week’s events, volunteer requests, special offers and other vege happenings of interest to Christchurch vegetarians and vegans.
Christchurch boasts the highest number of vegetarian restaurants per capita in New Zealand. Check out our shopping guide to find out where to get your tofu, soya milk and vegan chocolate, etc.
Find out about the range of businesses run by vegetarians and vegans in Christchurch. Support these businesses or add your business to our list if you are vegetarian and/or operate on vegetarian principles. Health professionals who have been recommended as vegetarian friendly by members are listed here. These include GPs, midwives, naturopaths and more.
Vegetarian families organise regular events for children and offer a range of downloadable information leaflets on issues ranging from pregnancy to teens.
The Christchurch Vegetarian Youth Group meets regularly to support young teens choosing to go vegetarian. Check out our page to see what we’ve been cooking or talking about recently.
If you want to know why a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is better for you, animals, the planet and the world’s hungry, click on the quit meat link in the fridge. You’ll see why a vegetarian/vegan diet is the only choice for a sustainable and compassionate world.
And for your interest and information, check out our page of favourite recipes submitted by Christchurch vegetarians and vegans or visit the links page for links to find out more about vegetarianism/veganism in New Zealand and internationally.
We hope you find our website useful. Please contact us with feedback or if you have any suggestions or notices to share.