What's on around the district

The Braemar Dancing Competition is on again this year from June 1-4, at the War Memorial Theatre.

Saturday, May 26

Gisborne Parkrun. Timed, weekly 5km runs or walks, for all abilities. Meet: Waikanae Beach Playground for 8am start. Kid, dog and pram-friendly. See www.parkrun.co.nz/gisborne

St Andrew’s Car Boot Sale. A variety of realistically-priced goods. Set-up at 8am in carpark behind church (access off Childers Road), 9am-midday, $5/car paid on arrival. Ph 868 8226.

Tennis for beginners to experienced players. Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm. New members welcome. Ph Geoff 862 5741 or Tania 862 5856.

TRAAMPS – Three Rivers Almost-Acoustic Music Poetry and Song. Folk and a variety of other genres. The Band Room, 200 Childers Rd, 2-4pm, $2 in the jar. Ph 868 9658 or email newsham@xtra.co.nz

The Shadow Box Audition. Talented locals are required for an affecting drama of the 70s and what occurs in a US hospital grounds. Gisborne Unity Theatre, 209 Ormond Rd, 2-5pm.

Gisborne Speedway Awards Night. All welcome to join our special night. Cosmopolitan Club, 190 Derby St, 5pm, $50/person incl buffet meal. Tickets: Engine Rebuilders, 275 Palmerston Rd.

Fun Dancing Gisborne. Modern, sequence and social ballroom dancing. St Mark’s hall, 776 Childers Rd, 8-11.30pm, $7 on door (incl supper), ph 867 0074. Theme: Latin.

Sunday, May 27

Gisborne Boardriders: Dune Dogz Dunga Derby. Surfing competition for various ages, bring your pre-1980 8ft-plus boards. Meet: northern end of Makorori Beach, 8am for 8.30am start. See Facebook page for various fees.

Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand: Open Day. Celebrate the vital work botanic gardens and arboreta do for plant conservation. Eastwoodhill Arboretum, 2392 Wharekopae Rd, 9am-4pm, free.

Waikereru Ecosanctuary/Longbush trip. Meet in the Farmers' Market carpark, 15 Fitzherbert St, 9am. A guided walk and talk with Dame Anne Salmond and Jeremy Salmond highlighting their work over the last 10 years. Bring your own lunch. Details: Grant Vincent ph 868 8236.

Historic Places Tairawhiti: following the Ngatapa rail line. Includes a bus trip, visit to ECMOT's exhibition of railway memorabilia and lunch. Bus leaves 10am, HPT members $35, non- members $45. Bookings: write@gems.co.nz / 868 5805.

Makorori Beach Clean-up by Plastic Bag-Free Tairawhiti. Bring a bucket, gloves and sturdy shoes. Meet in carpark, junction of SH35 and Makorori Beach Rd, 10-11am.

Bio-Blitz. A whanau day to reconnect and learn about bio-diversity, plant natives and set traps. Rakaukaka Scenic Reserve, turn right off Papatu Rd into Rakaukaka Rd, Manutuke, 10am-3pm. Bring: covered footwear and raincoat. Lunch will be provided. Details: Soraya Pohatu 021 184 2251.

Patronal Festival. The present Holy Trinity Church is turning 105 years old. Join us on this happy occasion. Holy Trinity Church, 70 Derby St, church services: 8am or 10am, or bring a plate for a shared lunch: 11.30-2.30pm.

Tolaga Bay Inn Car Boot Sale. Buyers and sellers welcome. 11am, $5 per stall. Under garden bar roof if wet.

Waikanae Stream Planting. Restoring native plants to the water's edge. Meet: Grey St Skatepark, 1-3pm, ph Jamie 022 627 1952. Bring: drink bottle, warm clothing and all-terrain footwear. Tools, gloves and rubbish bags provided.

Gisborne Concert Band with guest conductor Simon Brew, ex-RNZAF musical director and renowned saxophonist. St Andrew’s Church, 176 Cobden St, 2pm. Door-sales: adult $10, 12yrs/u: gold coin.

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise. Enjoy the sights of Poverty Bay from a fully-restored historic tug. Sailing from Pier 1 Inner Harbour, weather permitting, 2pm, adult $20, child u12 $10, pay at gate. Ph Brian 027 474 9360.

Monday, May 28

Plunket Wahakura Workshop (to June 1). Come along to this five day workshop and make a woven flax safe-sleeping bassinet for your infant (0-6 mths). Gisborne/Wairoa Plunket, 2 Crawford Rd, 9am-3pm, bring your own lunch. Bookings: Ph 867 7711 Ext 6 or text 021 614 812, limited spaces.

Gisborne Contract Bridge Club. Supervised play, new players welcome. 572 Gladstone Rd, 9.15-11.30am, $4, ph Jean 867 2383.

Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. New players welcome/rackets available. Social Morning, 9.15-11.30am, $4/session, ph 867 2584. Kiwi Badminton for Year 3-7 players, 4.30-5.30pm, $5/session, ph 027 350 9482.

Eastland Toastmasters. For confidence in public speaking. Arohaina Centre, 396 Aberdeen Rd (opposite Botanical Gardens), 5.45-7pm. A friendly club which welcomes all visitors.

Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. Junior Badminton for Year 7-11 players, 6-7pm, $5 per session, ph 027 548 1133. Gisborne Badminton, 7-9pm, $10 per session, ph 867 1416.

Hibernian Club Indoor Bowls, Gisborne Intermediate School Hall, 7-10pm, ph Pat 868 6081.

Smokefree Rockquest Finals. Tonight’s winners go on to perform at the national finals. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 7pm, $20 adult, $10 student with ID. Tickets: Stephen Jones Photography. Details: www.smokefreerockquest.co.nz

Defence Force Information Evening. See where your passion fits into an amazing career with the NZ Army, Navy and Air Force. NZ Army Gisborne Office, 341 Palmerston Rd, 5.30-7pm. Register: mark.dunn@defencecareers.mil.nz

Tuesday, May 29

Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club hike, Whangara, depart 8am, $10. A circuit route, open country with great views and will check out the test wind turbine. Register: 868 5418, sdharries@xtra.co.nz

Plunket Wahakura Workshop, 9am-3pm. See May 28 listing for details.

Baby Time: for ages 0-2. Parents or caregivers help your baby become an active early learner with songs, rhymes, play and stories. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10am, free.

Community Cooking Workshop. Receive new recipes, help prepare and cook meals for lunch and enjoy with other attendees. SuperGrans Tairawhiti, 185 Childers Rd, 10am-1pm, free. Bookings (limited spaces available): Erina 868 3571.

Sewing Bee. Bring your sewing machine and scissors to help Plastic Bag-Free Tairawhiti sew reusable fabric shopping bags. Tairawhiti Environment Centre, 386 Palmerston Rd, 7-9pm.

Patutahi Badminton. New players welcome. Patutahi Community Hall, 7.30pm, ph 862 7783.

Wednesday, May 30

Plunket Wahakura Workshop, 9am-3pm. See May 28 listing for details.

Social Tennis. For beginners to experienced players. Gisborne Tennis Club, 418 Childers Rd, 9.30-11.30am, $5 incl cup of tea. Details: Dusk 863 0218.

Donner's Bush Micro-reserve Working Bee. Assist with weeding and site prep for plants. Meet: 10.15am, DoC office, 63 Carnarvon St, 10.30am-12.30pm, ph Charles 027 539 6692. Bring: drink bottle, warm clothing and all-terrain footwear.

Plunket Kiddie Gym Session. Everyone welcome to join a kiddie pre-school tumbler session of moving, playing and learning. Gisborne Gymnastics Club, Electrinet Sport Centre, 537 Aberdeen Rd, 11am-midday, gold coin donation per family.

Community Tennis. For beginners to experienced players, individuals and groups. Gisborne Tennis Club, 418 Childers Rd, 5.30-7.30pm. First two sessions free.

BIZminton 3 (week 4 of 5). Support your colleagues’ badminton teams. Gisborne Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd, 6-8.30pm, free entry.

ExNE: East by North East. Red carpet gala highlighting Tairawhiti's many gifted artists. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 7-9pm, free entry, R18.

Thursday, May 31

Plunket Wahakura Workshop, 9am-3pm. See May 28 listing for details.

Gisborne Caledonian Society. Sequence and social dancing for beginners. St Mark's Church Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 7.30pm, $4. All welcome.

Stag and Boar Hunting Competition. Take the family out for a weekend hunting experience. From midnight Thursday to 3pm Sunday, June 3. Weigh-in and prizegiving: Te Puka Tavern, Tokomaru Bay. Fees: open section $40, child 16/u $10. For details: facebook.com/Te-Puka-Hunting-Fishing-Club

Friday, June 1

Winter Warmers Reading Programme: for ages 5-8. Registrations are being sought for a free six-week programme encouraging and rewarding reading, HB Williams Memorial Library. Start date: yet to be confirmed. To register for limited spaces: registration@gpl.govt.nz

Plunket Wahakura Workshop, 9am-3pm. See May 28 listing for details.

The Scrabblers Club. A drop-in scrabble morning for adults. HB Williams Memorial Library Mahutonga Room, 34 Bright St, 9am, free.

Toddler Time: for ages 2-5. Parents or caregivers bring your children and their friends along for songs and stories. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10-10.30am, free.

Waiti: Freshwater Connection (to Jun 2). Learn ecology through water monitoring. Te Rawheoro Marae, 38 Tauwhareparae Rd, 10am-6pm. Bring warm clothes, wet-weather gear, suitable footwear and water bottle. Ph Rawinia 021 247 1797, text on the day if wet.

Wairoa Maori Film Festival. Powhiri, International and Maori shorts, followed by a feature film. Kahungunu Marae, cnr Ihaka & Mataira Sts, Nuhaka, 3-10pm. Various ticket costs or accommodation packages: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/wairoa or ph 0800 289 849.

Gisborne Artists' Society and Gisborne Potters' Exhibition (to July 8). Artistic pottery, landscapes and prints. Tairawhiti Museum. Exhibition opening today: 5.30-7pm and thereafter: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.

Braemar Dancing Competitions (to Jun 4). Modern, tap and ballet. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 6pm. Tickets: at the venue, cash only. Session tickets: $5 adult, $1 child, free pre-schooler, or concessìon tickets: $30 adult, $5 child.

Funny Friday: Open-mic comedy. Put your name on the board for five minutes of fame. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 7-8pm, free entry, R18.

Build-a-Band. Turn up and jam. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 8pm, free entry, R18.

Saturday, June 2

Harbourview Marine & Carpet Court Winter Fishing Contest (to Sept 29). Normal Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club start/finish times apply. For costs or details: ph 868 4756 or email GTSFC: info@gistatapouri.co.nz

Gisborne Parkrun. Timed, weekly 5km runs or walks, for all abilities. Meet: Waikanae Beach Playground for 8am start. Kid, dog and pram-friendly. See www.parkrun.co.nz/gisborne

Braemar Dancing Competitions, 8.45am, 1.30pm & 6.30pm. See Friday listing for details.

Wairoa Maori Film Festival. A collection of Maori and Indigenous sci-fi and fantasy works, 10am-4pm, $20. See Friday listing for venue/ticket details.

Waiti: Freshwater Connection, 10am-6pm. See Friday listing for details.

Wa165 steam train trip to Muriwai, 1pm from Railway Station, Grey St. Tickets from i-Site/ph 868 6139 for credit card bookings: family pass (2A and 2C) $70, adult $30, child $12. Unsold tickets at station half an hour before departure, cash only.

Winter Champs. All classes and trophies are up for grabs today. Eastland Group Raceway, gates open 1pm, racing starts 2pm, subject to weather conditions. Gate sale tickets, subject to change: family (2A+3C) $40, adult $15, child (5-15yrs) $8, u5s free.

Tennis for beginners to experienced players, 2-4pm. See Saturday, May 26 listing for details.

Wairoa Maori Film Festival. A gala reception with short films, awards presentations and a VIP guest speaker. Gaiety Theatre, 252 Marine Parade, 6-10pm. Tickets: $50/person, ph 0800 289 849 or https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/wairoa

Gisborne Wine and Food Society 40th Birthday Celebration Dinner. All former and current members are welcome, 6.30pm. Details: 867 3772 or email annf@xtra.co.nz

HP48Hours Film-making Competition. Regional finalists showcase the very best from the Gisborne region. Dome Room, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 7-10pm, $20+Bfee. Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz or 0800 289 849.

Sunday, June 3

Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club hike, Paringahau Station, Te Karaka, depart 8.30am, $10. This 5-hour walk starts in a bush remnant, with a climb up onto a ridge and ends with a walk along a farm track back to vehicles. Register: 867 4591, grass.hopper@xtra.co.nz

Gas Guzzler Breakfast. Everyone welcome to check out the cars on the Quay. Behind the Courthouse on Reads Quay, 8.30-11am.

Braemar Dancing Competitions, 8.45am, 1.30pm & 6.30pm. See Friday listing for details.

Wairoa Maori Film Festival. A collection of short films, feature films and documentaries, 10am-4pm, $30. See June 1 listing for venue/ticket details.

Charity Motorcycle Show. Something for everyone who owns one or has a soft spot for them. Cosmopolitan Club, entry via Derby St, 10am-5pm, adult $5, child $2. Proceeds to St John.

Jolly Lifestyle Market. Live music, stalls, parking in the paddock, weather permitting. Jolly Stockman carpark, 3 Saleyards Rd, 11am-2pm. Stallholder inquiries; pirihirahall@gmail.com

Gisborne Wine and Food Society 40th Birthday Lunch, midday. See June 2 listing for details.

Wa165 steam train trip to Muriwai, 1pm. See June 2 listing for details.

David Paquette Concert. American-born pianist plays a combination of New Orleans-based music and swing with new flavours. Tairawhiti Museum, 2pm, $25 limited door-sales.

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise, 2pm. See Sunday, May 27 listing for details.

Wairoa Maori Film Festival: Bush Cinema. A closing celebration with hot pools and cult movies in the forest. Morere Tea Rooms, 3983 SH2, Morere, 7-11pm. Tickets: $10, ph 0800 289 849 or https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/wairoa