Smart Newtown

Your local friendly computer lab & tech support centre!

Smart Newtown is a free computer and internet hub, right in the heart of Newtown! We provide a safe and friendly place to practice computing and browse the internet.

We offer free tech support for computers and mobile devices, help with documents like CVs and cover letters, and inexpensive printing and laminating services. We are always happy to offer guidance for tech questions big or small.

We run free classes every season, as well as talks and workshops on popular topics. We’re working with community groups across the city to bring digital skills to where they’re needed most.

About us

Our staff and volunteers come from many different backgrounds, but we all have a shared passion for helping people use technology.

Smart Newtown is a project of Te Whare Hapori o Nga Puna Waiora and can be found upstairs on Level 1, Newtown Community Centre, the corner of Rintoul and Columbo Streets, Newtown.

Our classes

Smart Newtown runs free computer classes every quarter.

Whether you’re entirely new to computing or a returning user in need of a refresher, come and check out our free computer classes! Our classes are 2-hour standalone sessions, with computers provided, and are designed for students of a wide range of experience levels. Our staff and volunteers have recently taught classes the following subjects, with many more classes in the works:

Creating a CV
Internet Safety
Intro to Applications
Intro to Emails
Intro to Online Banking
Intro to Smartphones
Intro to Spreadsheets
Setting up an Email Address
Using Google
Using Manage My Health
Using Trade Me
Using Zoom

Smart Newtown’s next season of classes will begin in March 2026. Class topics and dates can be found here once they have been finalised. To be contacted about the next round of classes, join our mailing list using the button below, or reach out to us using our contact methods at the bottom of this page!

Classes Mailing List

Volunteer for Smart Newtown

Smart Newtown couldn’t exist without its team of dedicated volunteers.

If you like computing and enjoy helping others, we could use your help! Our volunteers make it possible for us to bring computer literacy and accessibility to those who need it most.

We’re looking for people who are:

Friendly, organised, empathetic, patient, and professional
Knowledgeable about computers and mobile devices
Enthusiastic about helping those in need

We have need of volunteers for 2-hour helpdesk sessions on weekday afternoons 12:30pm to 2:30pm, as well as teaching assistants for 2-hour computer classes every quarter (class times vary, but usually mid-afternoon or evening).

Tech support experience is not required. If you are friendly and good with computers, please get in touch!

Apply to be a volunteer!

Skinny Jump

Smart Newtown is proud to be a Skinny Jump distributor. Skinny Jump is a low-cost home internet solution for eligible Kiwi homes.

If you need internet at home and can’t access an unlimited broadband plan from a service provider, Skinny Jump may be right for you! You’ll get high-speed internet for between $0.00 and $30.00 per month, depending on how much data you need.

If one or more of the following sounds like you, please reach out to us to see if Skinny Jump will work for you:

Families with children
Job seekers
Seniors
People with disabilities
Refugees and migrant communities
Those in social housing

You will also need to be within Skinny Jump’s service area, which varies depending on the current number of Skinny Jump users. Check your availability on the Skinny Jump website here.

Skinny Jump modems are limited by stock availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Smart Newtown?

Smart Newtown is up the stairs or elevator on Level 1, inside the Newtown Community Centre (Corner of Rintoul and Columbo Streets, Newtown).

When is Smart Newtown open?

Smart Newtown’s computer hub opening hours are:

Monday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Friday: 10:30am-4:30pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Tech support helpdesk hours:

Weekdays: 12:30pm and 2:30pm

During our helpdesk hours, we have additional staff on hand for tech support. There may be a longer wait time for tech support outside of this window.

Smart Newtown is closed on weekends and public holidays.

How can I use your computer hub?

Smart Newtown offers our bank of computers with free internet access, preloaded with a range of office software. We ask users to keep noise to a minimum, so it’s the perfect quiet nook for browsing the web or working on documents!

Visit us between 10:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to check out our computer hub.

Is your computer hub private?

Our computer hub is a shared space and may be occupied by other users. However, we treat computer privacy seriously and our computers are reset to a pre-made save state after each user is finished.

How much does it cost?

Smart Newtown’s services are free, except for the material cost of printing and laminating. Our computer hub is free to use and our classes and workshops are free to attend.

What printing or laminating services do you offer?

Smart Newtown’s offers laser printing up to A4 and laminating up to A3.

PRINTING:

A4, single-sided, black and white @ $0.20 per page
A4, double-sided, black and white @ $0.30 per page
A4, single-sided, full colour @ $1.00 per page
A4, double-sided, full colour @ $1.50 per page

LAMINATING:

A4 @ $1.00 per page
A3 @ $2.00 per page

When is your next computer class?

Smart Newtown runs classes four times a year, but due to the availability of the classrooms our class schedule is not finalised until around a month before each round of classes begin. Join our mailing list here to be notified about our next round of classes.

How can I volunteer?

If you are tech-savvy and passionate about helping others, Smart Newtown could use your help! Our daily tech-support helpdesk sessions are made possible by the hard work of our volunteer team, and our computer classes are run by experienced teachers and volunteer teaching assistants.

Apply here to join our volunteer team.

What is Skinny Jump?

Smart Newtown is proud to offer Skinny Jump; a home internet solution for those who can’t access broadband internet from a conventional provider. Skinny Jump provides up to 210GB of wireless internet for no more than $30 per month. More details in the “Skinny Jump” section on the left-hand side of this page.

How do I get a cheap computer?

Our affiliates at the Te Aro Zero Waste project offer refurbished computers at a sharp discount, both increasing accessibility and reducing electronic waste. Find them at the following address, or get in touch with Smart Newtown for more details

Te Aro Zero Waste
2 Forresters Lane
Te Aro
Wellington 6011

Do you rent out your computer hub?

Yes! Smart Newtown’s computer hub is available for rent at an affordable rate for non-profits and community groups. Ideal if you or your organisation wishes to run computer classes or workshops.

Our computer hub has five desktop computers available for rent. We additionally have ten laptop computers which you can rent overnight and take off-site for all your computing needs.

Got more questions? Contact us.

Contact Smart Newtown

Please contact Smart Newtown if you have any questions. We’d be delighted to help

Drop in and see us at the computer hub between 10:30am and 4:30pm every weekday, except on public holidays.
Call us on 04 380 0143
Email us at: info@smartnewtown.org.nz

Smart Newtown
Level 1
Newtown Community Centre
Corner of Rintoul and Columbo Streets
Newtown
Wellington 6021

In Partnership with

Supported By

Venue hire

Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora / Newtown Community Centre is based in the centre of Newtown, on the corner of Colombo and Rintoul Streets, as well as operating other venues around the suburb. With seven affordable venues, with different capacity, style and function, we can provide the perfect space for your community event, party, class, hui or much more!

Book a venue