What's on in Gisborne?

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

Saturday, October 26

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/

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

Gisborne Boardriders Club: Inter-club Competition. A fun day of competition, BBQ and beats, 8am-2pm, $20 non-members. Register/location details: GBC Facebook page.

Gisborne Harbour Market. Come along for some bargains. Behind the Courthouse on Reads Quay, 7am set-up, start 8am, finish 2pm, $10 car/stall. Car/stall inquiries; Gisborne Host Lions Club: Charlotte 021 141 8754, Malcolm 027 568 9929.

Tairawhiti Coffin Club. Design your own personalised coffin; constructed by a joiner, fitted out and

decorated by you. BCR Joinery, 522 Gladstone Rd, 9am-midday.

Tairawhiti Menzshed. Pop in for a cuppa, or work in a fully equipped workspace with woodwork/carpentry tools on community or personal projects. Tairawhiti Menzshed, cnr Parkinson & Innes St, 9am-3pm. Details: See Facebook, or ph/txt James 022 465 0396.

All About Bees; beekeeping and their environment. Local beekeeper Mike Eriksen teaches the basics. Tairawhiti Environment Centre, 386 Palmerston Rd, 10.30am-midday, $5 cash-only door sales. Register ph 867 4708 or tairawhitienvcentre@gmail.com

Upmarket. Local art, food and artisan wares for sale. Retro, 8 Ballance St, 11am-2pm, unless wet. Stall inquiries; ph Ro 021 844 480.

Labour Weekend at Wrights. Organic wines, gourmet pizzas and live music; Doug Snelling and Ernie White with mesmerising vocals and acoustic blues from 2pm. Cellar Door, Wrights Vineyard and Winery, 1093 Wharerata Rd, 11am-4pm. Bookings essential: geoff@wrightswines.co.nz or ph 027 656 8222.

Millton Family Picnic (to Oct 28). Bring a picnic and enjoy quality time with whanau on the lawn. Millton Vineyards & Winery, 119 Papatu Road, Manutuke, Oct 26-27; 11am-6pm & Oct 28; 10am-4pm.

Wa165 steam train trip to Muriwai. Enjoy the scenery, bring a picnic or have a cuppa on board. Leaving from the Railway Station, Grey St at 1pm, $35A, $15Ch u/15, $80Fam (2A and 2Ch). Any unsold tickets from the station half an hour before departure (cash/Eftpos), Gisborne i-Site, 209 Grey St, ph 868 6139, or www.gcvr.org.nz

TRAMPS. For all singers, musicians and poetry readers to come along and perform. The Band Room, 200 Childers Rd, 1.30-3.30pm, $3, ph John 868 9658.

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

The Rose Garden Party. A picnic on the lawn with live music; Paul Jackson and Ben Wilkinson. Tickets include a picnic box and glass of rose. Matawhero Wines, 189 Riverpoint Rd, 2-5pm. Tickets: $35 at matawhero.co.nz

Fun Dancing Gisborne. Modern, sequence and social ballroom. St Mark’s Church Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 7.30-11pm, $7 door sales, incl supper, ph Kev/Isabel 867 0074. Theme: 1960s/Hippie.

Harbinger presents Deadset #4. Hits from fallen legends, supported by Shadows in the Darkness. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 8.30pm, $15.50+Bfee at trybooking.com or $20 door sales, R18.

Dragtober. Come along for a variety of performances by Gizzy’s finest and freshest Drag Queens. The Jandal Bar, cnr Grey St & Childers Rd, 10pm-1am, $20+Bfee eventbrite.co.nz or $25 on the door, R18. Dress Code: Glam/Drag/Camp.

Sunday, October 27

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club. 1.5 hour walk/run and a cuppa. 8am start. For meeting place: See Facebook or email gisbornerunnersandwalkers@gmail.com

Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Fair. Batik, quilting, macrame, ceramic, woodturning, knitting, jewellery, sewing and photography. Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 109 Ormond Rd, 9.30am-3pm, free entry.

Universal Energy Healing. Try a relaxing universal healing experience. Blind Foundation Rooms, 39 Grey St, 10am-2.30pm, $8A, $5Ch. Details: ph Rose 027 777 0782.

Millton Family Picnic, 11am-6pm. See Oct 26.

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.

First Light Wine & Food Festival. Local cuisine and wine, scenic bus service and live music. Midday-7pm, R18, buses leave Gisborne i-Site, 209 Grey St at 11.30am. Tickets: $45+Bfee at Gisborne i-Site, Matawhero Cellar Door or eventfinda.co.nz

Skate Days. Skate to Live presents a skate school with Boom/Edwards’ team riders, spot prizes and giveaways. Alfred Cox Skate Park, 204 Grey St, 1pm, free. Skateboards available.

Wine and Food After-party. Featuring The Ashes and SKB. Smash Palace, 24 Banks St, 6-9pm, $10 door sales.

Monday, October 28

Millton Family Picnic, 10am-4pm. See Oct 26.

St Andrew’s Lunchtime Concert Series: Musical Comps Highlights. Musicians of various ages with highlights from the recent Gisborne Festival of Talent. St Andrew’s Church, 176 Cobden St, 12.30pm, koha or donation. Bring your lunch, tea or coffee provided.

Tuesday, October 29

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Oct 26.

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

Bee Smart Gisborne. An opportunity for local beekeepers to get together and share ideas. EIT Rural Studies, 320 Stout St, 7-9pm, ph 869 0820 for details.

Tuia 250: Transit of Venus. Hear about one of the rarest astronomical events from guest astronomer, John Drummond. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 7-8pm, free.

Wednesday, October 30

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.

Operatunity presents The Three Tenors. Celebrating the most famous and greatest melodies of all time, from music theatre to classical. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 11am–1pm, $35 (incl lunch). Tickets; 0508 266 237 or operatunity.co.nz/concerts/

Smashers in the Summer. For Year 7-13 players. Badminton fitness, social games and fun for all abilities. Rackets available. Please wear sports shoes. Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd, 3.30-4.30pm, $5, eastland.association@gmail.com or ph 021 033 9617.

Thursday, October 31

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

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Oct 26.

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.

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

Halloween Disco. For ages 5-11. Dress up and have a fun time. YMCA, 447 Childers Rd, 5-7pm, $5/child door sales. A fundraiser for St John Heart of Gold Annual Appeal, with sausage sizzle and spot prizes.

Nightmare on Grey Street. Dress in a Halloween costume for a spook-tacular game of mini golf. Gisborne i-Site, 209 Grey St, 6-9pm. Limited tickets from i-Site; $6. Kai stalls, activities and spot prizes up for grabs.

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, November 1

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

Amazing Rhododendrons and More Garden Ramble (to Nov 3). Ramble through local gardens. Fundraiser for the restoration of St Paul’s Church, 10am-4pm. Tickets: $15 (children free) from Motu-vation Cafe, 1308 Motu Rd and Matawai Camp Store, 6530 Matawai Rd. More info: Ph 863 5008 or 862 8736.

Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Group. If you are a sufferer of ME or CFS come along and meet others. CCS, 7 Kahutia St (entrance around the back), 10.30am-1pm, ph Moira 027 457 6923.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (to Nov 3). Experience the magic of Narnia with The Gisborne Homeschool Performing Arts group. War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St, 6-7pm, $15A & $10Ch door sales.

The Pohutukawa Tree (to Nov 16). Kiwi drama of the last Maori family remaining on their whenua in the 1950s in a town completely populated by Pakeha. Evolution Theatre Company, 75 Disraeli St, 7.30pm. Tickets, +Bfee: $32A, $29Snr, $22.50 17/u, https://www.evolutiontheatre.org.nz/

Jason Kerrison: I Will If You Will Tour. Solo acoustic guitar and stripped-back songs. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 7.30-11.30pm, $35+Bfee, eventfinda.co.nz

Saturday, November 2

Gisborne Harbour Market, 8am-2pm. See Oct 26.

Field Day: Right Trees, Right Place, Multiple Purposes. Come along and join The Gisborne-EC Branch of NZ Farm Forestry, visit farms at Hexton, Lake Repongaere and Waioma, with a stop (BYO lunch) at Rere for presentation/discussion. Assemble at 853 Back Ormond Rd at 9am, email jands.mclean@gmail.com for details.

Gisborne parkrun, 7.45am. See Oct 26.

Tairawhiti Coffin Club: Open Day. Come along and see how to produce affordable personalised coffins. BCR Joinery, 522 Gladstone Rd, 9am-midday. Details: tairawhiticc@gmail.com

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Oct 26.

Amazing Rhododendrons and More Garden Ramble, 10am-4pm. See Nov 1.

Dreamspace Bazaar #2. Food, coffee, live music, art, crafts, vintage treasures and good vibes. Dreamspace Gallery, 61 Carnarvon St, 11am-2pm. Stall bookings/details: Dreamspaceartbazaar@outlook.com

Summer Gala and Market. Gift stalls, white elephant, auctions, food/drink, kid-friendly games and activities. Central School, 7 Central St, 11am-3pm.

Hamish Kilgour Trio: Spring Thing Tour. Folk and jazz music with Stuart Page and Daniel Manetto. The Dome Room, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, midday-5pm. Tickets: $20 cash-only from The Aviary or The Dome Bar.

Contra Dance Workshop. Come along and learn how it’s done, then attend the dance (Nov 3) and have some fun. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, 1-3pm, $10 cash-only door sales, or Facebook; Good Folk Dances.

Poverty Bay Horticultural Society Rose and Iris Show (to Nov 3). Come along and see floral exhibitions, sales tables and stalls. Presentation on roses at 2pm. Showgrounds Event Centre, 1.30–4pm, $5, u/12s free.

Ormond Tennis Club, 2-4pm. See Oct 26.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 6-7pm. See Nov 1.

The Pohutukawa Tree, 7.30pm. See Nov 1.

Music from the Movies: 2001. Come along for a wonderful night of music with Gisborne Civic Orchestra, Gisborne Civic Brass, Gisborne Concert Band and featuring the Gisborne Choral Society. Lawson Field Theatre, 7 Fitzherbert St, 7.30-9.30pm. Tickets: $19.99A, $15Snr/stu, $10Ch, door-sales or House of Gifts & Lotto, 100 Gladstone Rd.

Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana Tributes. High-energy tributes by Lounge Apes, Funkadelic Monks and Nothingman. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 8pm-midnight, R18. Tickets/cost: Smash Palace ph 867 7769.

Sunday, November 3

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club, 8am start. See Oct 27.

Gas Guzzlers’ Breakfast. Check out classic or vintage cars, hotrods, bikes and projects. Behind the Courthouse on Reads Quay, 8.30-11am. Rain, hail or sunshine.

Poverty Bay Horticultural Society Rose and Iris Show, 9.30am-3.30pm with prize-giving at 3pm. See Nov 2.

Amazing Rhododendrons and More Garden Ramble, 10am-4pm. See Nov 1.

Jolly Lifestyle Market. Live music, stalls, parking in the paddock. Jolly Stockman carpark, 3 Saleyards Rd, 11am-2pm, weather permitting.

Lions Express Train Rides, 11am-3pm. See Oct 27.

Neil Smoker Live. Resident solo-musician with acoustic guitar and vocals. Peppers Beachfront, 40 Centennial Marine Drive, midday-2pm, free. Bookings essential: Ph 867 7696. Platters available.

Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club kayaking, Waimata River. Meet at 1pm, Marina carpark, $5. Paddle the Waimata River, includes 9km of winding river and several rapids. Dependent upon river/weather conditions. Register: Gillian ph 867 4591, grass.hopper@xtra.co.nz

Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest. Check out the most original, funniest, scariest costumes, dog/human combinations and a dog agility demonstration by the Gisborne Dog Training (Agility) Club. The Vines, Bushmere Estate, 166 Main Rd, Makaraka, 1-3pm. Tickets from harryandsam.co.nz https://tinyurl.com/y3rlrxf8 – All dogs entering the venue, whether entering the contest or not; $15/dog, free for their humans. A fundraiser for Gisborne Mutts and Moggies Charity.

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

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 2-3pm. See Nov 1.

Contra Dance Party with Savvy. Come along and have some fun with caller Lenny Bloksberg, local musicians and an a capella performance. Wainui Beach School Hall, 56 Wairere Rd, 3-7pm, $15 cash-only door sales or Facebook; Good Folk Dances.

The Pohutukawa Tree, 4pm. See Nov 1.

The Irish Club. Join us if you possess a sense of humour and a passion for all things Irish. The Rivers, cnr Gladstone Rd & Reads Quay, 4-6pm. For details ph Phil 867 3715.