The Bushmere Arms Giant Pumpkin Festival is on this Sunday. Jared Owen (pictured) produced another whopper last year. File picture by Rebecca Grunwell
Saturday, April 7
Tui Blokes Day Out Fishing Contest. Normal Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club start/finish times apply, ph 868 4756 for costs or email: GTSFC admin@gistatapouri.co.nz
The Bob Competition. U16s to over 45s surfers, join in and celebrate the life of friend and mentor Bob Hansen. Location posted on GBC website and Facebook at 7am today, start 8am.
Waipaoa Parish Autumn Shop Day. Cakes, jumble, books, plants, produce, raffles and white elephant. St Mark's Church Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 9am. Something for everyone.
Tennis for beginners to experienced players. Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm, ph Geoff 862 5741 or Tania 862 5856. New members welcome.
Eastland Group Raceway Superstock meeting: postponed to Sunday, April 8, 1pm.
Home Groan. Features: Uni-Fi, The 35ers, Ben Aperahama (Loop Theorem) and Society’s Addiction. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 9pm, $10 door-sales.
Sunday, April 8
Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club, McMillans' Farm, Rere, depart 8am, $15. 7-hour high-country hike, with steep climbs and descents. Open farmland with good views. Bring togs for a swim. Register: Tracey 867 0855 or danieljcobb@gmail.com
Bushmere Arms Giant Pumpkin Festival. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day out with the family. Bushmere Arms, 673 Matawai Rd, 11am-2pm, free entry, child-friendly activities $2 and food available. Funds raised go to the Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Society.
Jolly Lifestyle Market. Live music, stalls, parking in the paddock. Jolly Stockman carpark, 3 Saleyards Rd, 11am-2pm. Stallholder inquiries; pirihirahall@gmail.com
Superstock and Saloon Champ of Champs and Ramp Demo Derby, Eastland Group Raceway, gates open midday, racing starts 1pm. Gate sale tickets only, fees subject to change: family (2A+3C) $40, adult $15, child (5-15yrs) $8, u5s free.
Gisborne Country Music Club. Singers and musicians welcome. Blind Foundation rooms, 37 Grey St, 1-4pm, members $2, non-members $3, incl afternoon tea, ph Flo 867 7637 or flo.ross@xtra.co.nz
My Language of Pattern and Colour. Last day to view Jan Linklater’s striking landscapes and life drawings. Tairawhiti Museum, 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.
City of Gisborne Highland Pipe Band. Concert of Scottish and Irish music. St Andrew’s Church, 176 Cobden St, 2pm, free/koha to performers. Featuring: Madra Dubh Celtic Band, Highland Dancers and a guest solo piper.
Historic MV Takitimu Cruise. Enjoy the sights of Poverty Bay from a fully-restored historic tug. Sailing from the inner wharf, weather permitting, 2pm. Adult $20, child u12 $10, pay at gate, limit 25. Ph Brian 027 474 9360.
Monday, April 9
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.
Gisborne Contract Bridge Club. Supervised play, new players welcome. 572 Gladstone Rd, 9.15-11.30am, $4, ph Jean 867 2383.
The Gisborne Herald Careers Expo. See the wide-ranging options for your teenager entering the workforce. Showgrounds Park Event Centre, 20 Main Rd, midday-2.30pm and 4-7pm.
Tairawhiti Writers' Hub. Casual discussion with writers of all levels. Muirs Bookshop and Cafe, 5.30-7.30pm, free. More details on Facebook.
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/session, ph 027 548 1133. Gisborne Badminton, 7-9pm, $10/session, ph 867 1416.
Hibernian Club Indoor Bowls, Gisborne Intermediate School Hall, 7-10pm, ph Pat 868 6081.
Tuesday, April 10
The Gisborne Herald Careers Expo, 8.30am-3pm. See Monday listing for details.
Ice Skate Tour Fundraiser (to Apr 16). Mobile ice rink open to general public, rain or shine. Makaraka School, 137 Main Rd, 2.45-8pm. Tickets door-sale only: Family (2A+2C or 1A+3C) $35, adult $12, child u16 $8, fees incl ice skates, helmet, gloves and minimum 1/2 hour on the ice. On-site Eftpos/credit card facilities.
Teen Writers' Hub. For 13-18 year olds with an interest in any format or genre of writing. HB Williams Memorial Library, 53 Awapuni Rd, 3.30-5pm, free.
Gisborne Contract Bridge Club. Beginners lessons. Bridge Club, 572 Gladstone Rd, 7pm, $30 for 10 lessons, ph Jean 867 2383 or Beverley 863 3954.
Patutahi Badminton. New players welcome. Patutahi Community Hall, 7.30pm, ph 862 7783.
Wednesday, April 11
Toddler Time. Stories and Songs for little ones. HB Williams Memorial Library, 53 Awapuni Rd, 10-10.30am, free.
East Coast Farming Expo. Two-days of exhibits and seminars for sheep and beef farmers. Wairoa A&P Showgrounds, Ruataniwha Rd. Tickets at the gate, or www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz Expo 9am-5pm: $10/day, Evening Muster 6-9pm: $20/person, incl canapes, complimentary drink and a presentation by Richard and Annabelle Subtil, Omarama Station.
Operatunity presents Because You Asked For It. A mix of genres with favourite requests from the audience. War Memorial Theatre, 11am–1pm, $35 (includes light lunch). Tickets; 0508 266 237, operatunity.co.nz/concerts
Ice Skate Tour Fundraiser, 2.45-8pm. See Tuesday listing for details.
Community Tennis. For beginners to experienced players/individuals and groups. Gisborne Tennis Club, 418 Childers Rd, 5.30-7.30pm. First two sessions free.
Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ East Coast Regional University of Otago Sheilah Winn Festival. Gisborne Girls’ High hall, 7pm, cash door-sales only: adult $10, student $5. Experience the creativity/talent of young Kiwis as they make these 400-year-old words and works their own.
Thursday, April 12
East Coast Farming Expo. Day two of exhibits and seminars for sheep and beef farmers. Wairoa A&P Showgrounds, 9am-5pm. Tickets at the gate or www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz $10/day.
Ice Skate Tour Fundraiser, 2.45-8pm. See Tuesday listing for details.
Dancing Free Night Out (similar to 5Rhythms/Freedance). Bring comfortable clothes and your water bottle. Gisborne Intermediate School, 156 Roebuck Rd , 7.15-8.30pm, $8.
Gisborne Caledonian Society. Sequence and social dancing. St Mark's Church Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 7.30-9.30pm, $4. All welcome.
Friday, April 13
Ice Skate Tour Fundraiser, 2.45-8pm. See Tuesday listing for details.
Taonga Pare-mata. Return of the Campbell collection from Auckland War Memorial Museum. Tairawhiti Museum. Opening today at 5.30pm and daily thereafter to July 1: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.
Popcorn by Ben Elton. Satirical comedy thriller (to Apr 20). Unity Theatre, 209 Ormond Rd, 7.30pm, $20, tickets: door sales subject to availability, or i-Site, Grey St, Mon-Sun or ph 868 6139 for credit card bookings.
Build-a-Band. Turn up and jam. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 8pm, free, R18.
Saturday, April 14
St Andrew’s Car Boot Sale. Variety of realistically-priced goods. Set-up: 8am in carpark behind church (access off Childers Rd), 9am-midday, $5/car paid on arrival. Details: 868 8226.
The Extravaganza Fair, with unique stalls, arts, craft and food. Kid-friendly shows, games and prizes. Churchill Park, Salisbury Rd, 9am-5pm, free. Shows include; The Karl Austin Experience, Ashton Family Circus, Hula Hoops by Summer Spins, Magic by Dylan Daisy, Gypsta Tricksta and Open Mic 4-5pm. More details: eventfinda.co.nz
Gisborne Card-Making & Scrapbooking. Meet like-minded people and get crafting. Emerald Hotel, 13 Gladstone Rd, 9.30am-3pm. Register: ph/txt Karen 027 664 8010.
Ice Skate Tour Fundraiser. Mobile ice rink open to general public, rain or shine. Makaraka School, 137 Main Rd, 10am-5pm. Tickets door-sale only: Family (2A+2C or 1A+3C) $35, adult $12, child u16 $8, fees incl ice skates. MoreFM Bubble machine and Eftpos/credit card facilities on site.
Tennis for beginners to experienced players. Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm, ph Geoff 862 5741 or Tania 862 5856. New members welcome.
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, email: newsham@xtra.co.nz
Popcorn, 4pm. See Friday, April 13 listing for details.
Te Ihi a Tu Fight Night. Kick boxing fundraiser for junior fighters heading to the Thailand World Champs. Showgrounds Park Event Centre, 20 Main Rd, doors open 5pm, start 6pm. Tickets: $20-$30 at eventfinda.co.nz or 0800 289 849.
Sunday, April 15
GBC Longboard Circuit Event 2. The second of four events is to coincide with balmy autumn conditions. Weather dependent: check GBC website or Facebook page for location. 8am-3pm. Register: www.gisborneboardriders.com
The Extravaganza Fair, 9am-5pm. See Saturday, April 14 listing for details.
Ice Skate Tour Fundraiser, 10am-5pm. See Saturday, April 14 listing for details.
Gisborne Sceptic Group, 11am. Information on topics and venue ph 867 3715 or 867 7122.
Gisborne Country Music Club. Singers and musicians welcome. Blind Foundation rooms, 37 Grey St, 1-4pm, members $2, non-members $3, incl afternoon tea, ph Flo 867 7637 or flo.ross@xtra.co.nz
Historic MV Takitimu Cruise, 2pm. See Sunday, April 8 listing for details.
Popcorn, 4pm. See Friday, April 13 listing for details.
Victory at nationals means place in Team NZ for Hip Hope Unite World Champs.