What's on in Gisborne

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Saturday, December 7

Gisborne Wainui Lions: Christmas Tree Sales. Pick up a tree and decorate for the festive season. Salvation Army site, 389 Gladstone Rd, 7-11am, $30/tree, stands and delivery extra. Proceeds to local charities.

The Samuel Fox Memorial Ngati Porou Surfing Competition. To bring whanau and friends together to share a few waves, beers, laughs and to raise awareness of the Meth problem in our region. Te Puia Springs, 7am-4pm, free. Details: Gisborne Boardriders ph 022 407 8987.

Gisborne parkrun. A 5km run/walk. Meet: Waikanae Beach Playground, Grey St, 7.45am. Kid, dog and pram-friendly. See www.parkrun.co.nz/gisborne/

Alzheimer’s Gisborne/Tairawhiti: Spud-in-a-Bucket Judging and Prize-giving. Bring in your bucket of spuds to be weighed and attend the prize-giving. Bunnings carpark, Kahutia St, 9–11am.

Tairawhiti Coffin Club. Design your own personalised coffin; constructed by a joiner and decorated by you. BCR Joinery, 522 Gladstone Rd, 9am-midday. Details: tairawhiticc@gmail.com

Tairawhiti Menzshed. Work in a fully equipped woodwork or carpentry workspace. Tairawhiti Menzshed, cnr Parkinson & Innes St, 9am-3pm. Details: Ph/txt James 022 465 0396.

Tennis for players of all skill levels. Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm, ph 862 5741 or 862 5856.

V8 Saloon Series, Stockcar Classic, Sidecar Best Pairs and Ministock Best Pairs. Come along for a great night of racing. Eastland Group Raceway, 357 Awapuni Rd, 6-10pm, gates open 5pm, racing 6pm. Gate sale tickets, subject to change: $50Fam (2A+3C), $20A, $10Snr, $8 5-15s, u/5s free.

Gisborne International Music Competition: Final. Come along and cheer on the finalists. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 7pm, free.

Good Folk Monthly Dance. Come along for some end-of-year dancing. No skill, experience or partner required. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7pm, $5A cash-only on the door, children free, bring a plate for a shared supper.

Courtyard Cosmogony. Groove along to the sounds with DJs, Subset BC and friends. Garden Bar, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 8pm-midnight, $10 cash-only door sales.

Sunday, December 8

Tauawhi No Violence Longboard Classic. Heats drawn out of a hat, with a bikini and speedo contest. Makorori Beach, 7.30am-3pm, $20 non-members, free for members. All proceeds to the prevention of family violence. Register: Facebook, gisborneboardriders/forms or ph 022 407 8987.

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club. 1.5 hour walk/run, 8am. For meeting place; email gisbornerunnersandwalkers@gmail.com

Motorbikes and Moustaches. Displays of bikes from past to present with family-friendly fun. Supporting men's health and cancer awareness. Gisborne Army Hall, Fitzherbert St, 9am-4pm, $2, u/16s free. All proceeds to the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.

Lions Express Train Rides. Take the kids for a train ride around the playground and lake. Start: near Gisborne Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park, Centennial Marine Dr, 11am-3pm, $2.

Calendar Girls Auditions. Read parts for men and woman in a play set in Yorkshire, England. Gisborne Unity Theatre, 209 Ormond Rd, 1-5pm. Register; https://tinyurl.com/r8rlxq9 or ph Julie 867 1138, 027 742 0931.

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise. Enjoy the sights of Poverty Bay from a fully-restored historic tug. Sailing from Pier 1, Inner Harbour (gate outside Tatapouri SFC), weather permitting, 2pm. Pay at the gate: $20A, $10u/12s, limit 25. Details: Brian 027 474 9360.

The Band School End-of-year Concert. Over 70 students performing live on stage with favourite tunes; Eric Clapton, Abba and more. Smash Palace, 24 Banks St, 2-6pm. Details/cost: ph 867 7769, info@smashpalacebar.com

5G Apocalypse Documentary and Q&A. Watch the film to find out what you are not being told about. Any audience questions will be answered by Nelson environmental lawyer Sue Grey. Odeon Theatre, 79 Gladstone Rd, 4.30-7.30pm, cash-only koha at the door.

Monday, December 9

Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. New players welcome and rackets available. Social Morning, 9-11.30am, $4, ph 867 2584. Summer Junior Badminton, Yr 3-8 players, 4.30-5.30pm, $5, ph 027 350 9482. Summer Badminton, Yr 11-13 players, 7-9pm, $8 Snr, $6 Yr 11-13, $80 Subs, ph 021 216 6700.

Mahjong Club. Enjoy a friendly fellowship. Gisborne Town & Country Women’s Club, 42 Emily St, 1pm, ph 281 0187.

Trades Open Evening. Tour the complex and talk to tutors for an insight into 2020 automotive, carpentry and engineering programmes. EIT Tairawhiti Trades Building, 290 Palmerston Rd, 4-6pm.

Eastland Toastmasters. For confidence in public speaking. A friendly club which welcomes all visitors. Arohaina, 396 Aberdeen Rd (opposite Botanical Gardens), 5.30-7pm.

Fun Dancing Gisborne. Beginners class and reviews for modern, sequence and social ballroom dancing. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7.30-10pm, $5, ph 867 0074.

Tuesday, December 10

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Dec 7.

Food Safety Course (to Dec 11). Two-day course offering a Certificate in Food Safety, which meets the Gisborne District Council Food Safety bylaws. Toru Restaurant, EIT Tairawhiti, 284 Palmerston Rd, 9am-2pm, $285/two days. Ph 869 0810 or register with passport/birth certificate at the main office, 290 Palmerston Rd.

Baby Time: for 0-2, parents or caregivers. Interactive play and rhymes. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10am, free.

Community Workshop and Mentoring. Budgeting, cooking, sewing and gardening advice. SuperGrans Tairawhiti, 185 Childers Rd, 10am-1pm, free. Bookings: ph 868 3571 or supergrans.tairawhiti@xtra.co.nz

Over 50s Men’s Vets Golf. For any skill level. Poverty Bay Golf Club, cnr Awapuni & Lytton Rds, 11am. Details: ph Dave 867 4402 (opt 1), email Glenn at glennb355@gmail.com

Teen Writers’ Hub. For ages 14-18. Meet, collaborate, be inspired and develop skills. HB Williams Memorial Library, Mahutonga Room, 34 Bright St, 3.30-5pm, free.

Technovation Tairawhiti Project Management. Come along and learn how to use different project management tools to keep in touch with your teammates over summer. Tonui Collab, Shed 3, 48 The Esplanade, 5.30-7pm.

Unstoppable: Documentary. In 2003, when Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton was 13 years old, she lost her arm in a shark attack. Come along and witness her passion for world-class surfing, female empowerment and never giving up. Dome Room, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 6pm & 8pm. Tickets: $20, text Ness at 027 279 6332. Fundraiser for Saffi Vette’s 2020 World Qualifying Series (WQS) campaign.

Wednesday, December 11

Mainly Music. A fun music group for pre-schoolers. St Andrew’s Community Centre, 176 Cobden St, 9.45am, $4/Fam. Details: Trish ph 867 2789 or 868 5513.

Thursday, December 12

Bridge and Rummikub Club. Gisborne Town & Country Women’s Club, 42 Emily St, 9am, ph 281 0187.

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Dec 7.

Casual Badminton Group. Come along for a game and to meet other players. Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd, 9.30am, $4. Details: Pascale at pascale.delos@gmail.com or eastland.association@gmail.com

Donner’s Bush Micro-reserve: Rakau Care. Support the restoration of the Waimata through mulching and weeding newly planted trees, 10.30am-midday. Meet: 10.15am at DoC, 63 Carnarvon St, bring a drink bottle, sun gear and suitable footwear, ph Charles 027 539 6692.

Mahjong Club, 1pm. See Dec 9.

Women’s Summertime Surf. If you’re new to surfing or need a refresher; surfing, coaches, wine and cheese. Midway Beach, 5.30-7.30pm, cash-only koha. Register: gisborneboardriders@gmail.com or Facebook Messenger.

FreeDance. A movement and dance meditation practice with a variety of sound and rhythm. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7-8.30pm, $7. See Facebook.

Gisborne Caledonian Society Practice Night. Modern, sequence and social dancing. St Mark's Church Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 7.30-9.30pm, $4.

Friday, December 13

Toddler Time: for ages 2-5. Songs and stories. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10-10.30am, free.

Christmas in the City: Santa’s Grotto. A magical festive experience for children, or drop-off a gift for less fortunate kids. Treble Court, opposite Robert Harris Cafe, 10am-2pm.

Teen Girls’ Surf Club. Weekly sessions for beginner/intermediate surfers aged 12-18 to learn from female coaches. Midway Surf Life Saving Club, Midway Beach, 3.30-5.30pm, $10/session, free for members. Register Facebook or gisborneboardriders.

Black Friday: Murder on the Muriwai Express. Dress up in 1920s period clothes, BYO refreshments and take part in a mystery on the Wa165 steam train. Leaving from the Railway Station, 209 Grey St at 5.30pm. Tickets, R16: $45 each, or $40 each for groups of 10/more. Details: www.gcvr.org.nz

A Dozen of Dancefit (& Dec 14). Come along and watch local dancers perform a variety of styles; jazz, funk, contemporary, street and musical theatre. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 6.30pm. Tickets+Bfee: $21A at premier.ticketek.co.nz or Gisborne i-Site, 209 Grey St, ph 868 6139.

The 35 East Coast Hip-Hop Showcase. With performances by East Coast's very own; A.Zee, Luminis, Sonny Johnson, Taylor Made and more. Smash Palace, 24 Banks St, 10pm-3am. Tickets: Facebook; $10 general, or $50 VIP.

Saturday, December 14

Gisborne Wainui Lions: Christmas Tree Sales. Pick up a tree and decorate for the festive season. Salvation Army site, 389 Gladstone Rd, 7-11am, $30/tree, stands and delivery extra. Proceeds to local charities.

Gisborne parkrun, 7.45am. See Dec 7.

St Andrew’s Car Boot Sale. Plenty of bargains. Carpark behind St Andrew’s Church (access off Childers Rd), 8am-midday, $5/car.

Tairawhiti Coffin Club, 9am-midday. See Dec 7.

Treble Court Cruise Market. Check out the local stalls and cultural performance. Treble Court, 9am-2pm. Market will be cancelled if ship can’t dock. Stallholder inquiries: Lana at lana@trusttairawhiti.nz

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Dec 7.

Gisborne Card-Making & Scrapbooking. Meet like-minded people and get crafting. Emerald Hotel, 13 Gladstone Rd, 9.30am-3pm. To register ph/txt Karen 027 664 8010.

Christmas in the City: Santa’s Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Dec 13.

Lean On Me Concert. Raising awareness around suicide. Featuring; Tama Waipara, Super Fly Killer, Uawa Rangatahi, Sticks & Shanty, Maisey Rika and more. Hatea A Rangi Domain, Tokomaru Bay, midday-5.30pm, free entry. Whanau-friendly and alcohol/drug-free.

A Dozen of Dancefit, 1.30pm & 6.30pm. See Dec 13.

Ormond Tennis Club, 2-4pm. See Dec 7.

The Addams Family Pre-audition. Find out about this kooky and mysterious musical. Musical Theatre Gisborne, 99 Innes St, 5pm.

Texas Hold’em Fundraising Poker Tournament. Compete for bragging rights and prizes. Evolution Theatre Company, 75 Disraeli St, 7-11.30pm. Tickets: $35/player plus one non-playing guest, from www.evolutiontheatre.org.nz

SOLD OUT: Summer Sessions. House, drum and bass music with out-of-towners and local DJs. PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 8.30pm, R18. Tickets: $20-25 at tickettailor.com

Sunday, December 15

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club, 8am start. See Dec 8.

Tuia-mai-tawhiti Festival. Celebrate the arrival of the waka hourua to Mahia with dinghy races, tours, beach games, food, entertainment and stalls. Mahia Beach, Pohutukawa Drive, Wairoa, 8am, free.

Christmas in the City: Santa’s Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Dec 13.

Gisborne Sceptic Group, 11am. Details: Topics and venue ph 867 3715 or 867 7122.

Lions Express Train Rides, 11am-3pm. See Dec 8.

Neil Smoker Live. Acoustic guitar and vocals. Peppers Beachfront Bar & Cafe, 40 Centennial Marine Drive, midday-2pm, free entry. Bookings essential: Ph 867 7696. Platters available.

Gisborne Country Music Club. Singers and musicians welcome. Blind Foundation Rooms, 39 Grey St, 1-4pm, $3, incl afternoon tea, ph Flo 867 7637 or flo.ross@xtra.co.nz

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise, 2pm. See Dec 8.

Summer Concert Series and Musica Viva: Pianomania. Three pianists; Maria Mo, Lixin Zhang and Tony Tan Tong Chen present three concerts. Concert 1; The Sounds of Spain, Ravel to Marquez. Concert 2; 19th Century Romanticism, Brahms to Chopin. Concert 3; 20th Century Masterpieces, Berg to Psathas. Lawson Field Theatre, 7 Fitzherbert St, 2pm, 4pm & 7.30pm. Tickets, door sales only from the theatre: $15A per concert or $35A/three concerts, student/child free. Inquiries: Gillian ph 021 170 7641 or Jack ph 021 140 5069.