What's on in Gisborne?

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

Saturday, September 28

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.

NZ Primary School Champs. Find a shady spot on the beach and watch the surfing competition for Year 6-8 surfers. Place/time: See surfingnz.co.nz

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

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.

Festival of the Arts. Music section (Lawson Field Theatre); 9am, 1pm & 7pm. Ballet and modern dance (War Memorial Theatre) and Speech (Lawson Field Theatre); 9am, 1.30pm & 6.30pm. Admission: $40Fam (2A+2Ch), $30A concession (all sessions+venues); $5A or $1Ch per session. Programmes: $10 at SJ Photography or Ballance Street Bookshop.

Aurora Treasure Hunt. A treasure hunt around Gisborne's historical landmark sites for primary school-aged children and their family. Download the free phone app, designed by young Aurora inventors and set off walking or in a car for a fun-filled family adventure, 9am-4pm. For details: Sunny ph 027 366 3644 or sunny@auroraed.co.nz

Pohiri 101. For all ages. An interactive workshop designed for beginners to find out what it’s about and learn a waiata (song). HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10am-midday, free.

The Gypsy Fair (to Sep 29). Back for the 30th season with new stalls, an extensive range of handcrafts, entertainment, food and kid-friendly fun. The Rectory Field GBHS, Stanley Rd, 9am-5pm.

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.

Heartland Championship Rugby, East Coast vs West Coast. Whakarua Park, Ruatoria, 2.30pm.

St John Quiz Night. Come along for a fun night with auctions and raffles. St John Hall, 4 Bright St, doors open 5.30pm, starts 6pm, ph Heather 021 119 8552; $90/table of 6, R18. Fundraiser for maintenance on the Gisborne Ambulance Station and St John Community Services.

51/50 Battle League: Take Your Place 2. A capella and beat-rap battles between local acts and cyphers for a mature audience. Evolution Theatre Company, 75 Disraeli St, 6-10pm, $10 cash-only door sales.

Social Salsa. Come along for salsa, music and dance. Gisborne RSA, 184 Childers Rd, 7pm, $6 cash-only door sales.

Gisborne Caledonian Society Dance. Modern, sequence and social dancing with supper. St Mark's Church Hall, 776 Childers Rd, 7.30-11pm, $10 cash-only door sales. Dress: Semi-formal. Live music by the Sheldons.

Sunday, September 29

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

Festival of the Arts. Lawson Field Theatre: Music section; 9am, 1pm & 7pm and Speech; 9am, 1.30pm & 7pm. War Memorial Theatre: Ballet and modern dance; 9am, 1.30pm & 6.30pm. See Sept 28.

Aurora Treasure Hunt, 9am-4pm. See Sept 28.

The Gypsy Fair, 9am-5pm. See Sept 28.

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.

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.

Margaret Atwood Live. Trailblazing author and social campaigner Margaret will discuss her book The Handmaid’s Tale and upcoming sequel The Testaments. Dome Room, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 6-8pm, $20 cash-only door sales.

Monday, September 30

Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. New players welcome and rackets available. Social Morning, 9-11.30am, $4, ph 867 2584. Gisborne Badminton Club, 7-9pm, $10, ph 867 1416.

Maths Fun Shapeshifters: School Holiday Workshop (to Oct 4). Make connections between maths and the real world. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St. Time/cost: Registration@gdc.govt.nz

Tonui Collab: School Holiday Workshop. For ages 7-12: Sept 30, hydraulic engineering; Oct 1, digital art; Oct 2, robotic arms; Oct 3, virtual reality and Oct 4, Sci-Friday; chemistry. Tonui Collab, Shed 3, 48 Esplanade, 9am-midday, $30/child/workshop. Register: http://www.tonuicollab.checkfront.com/reserve/

Festival of the Arts. War Memorial Theatre: Tap dancing; 9am, 1.30pm & 6.30pm. See Sept 28.

Game Programming Workshop. Learn to use JavaScript programming language, HTML and CSS, to develop a web-based game with Canvas. EIT Tairawhiti, 290 Palmerston Rd, 9am-midday, free. Register: Email kporou@eit.ac.nz or ph 0800 225 5348.

Band School Holiday Programme (to Oct 4). For 6-14s. Play new instruments, learn new skills; recording, busking, podcasts, music videos and more. Lytton High School, follow the signs to the Music Dept, 347 Nelson Rd, 9am-3pm, $50/day or $200/week. Bring your morning tea and lunch. Details at http://www.thebandschool.co.nz

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

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

Women's Skate Workshop. Work on your turns, cutbacks and general surfing skills on land, which can then be taken to the water. Wainui Beach School, 56 Wairere Rd, 5-6.15pm, $15 non-Gisborne Boardriders members. Register on Facebook.

Hibernian Club Indoor Bowls. A roll-up for new or seasoned bowlers. Gisborne Intermediate Hall, 7pm, ph 867 6383.

Fun Dancing Gisborne. Beginners class and reviews for modern, sequence and social ballroom dancing. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7-10pm, $5, ph 867 0074.

Tuesday, October 1

Tonui Collab: School Holiday Workshop, 9am-midday. See Sept 30.

Junior Chef Course (to Oct 3). School holiday fun for kids aged 12-16 who enjoy cooking and want to learn new skills in the kitchen. Palmerston Rd Kitchen, EIT Tairawhiti, 9am-2pm, $160/child, ph 869 0810.

Food Safety Course (& Oct 2). This two-day course offers a Certificate in Food Safety, which meets the Gisborne District Council Food Safety bylaws. Toru Restaurant, EIT Tairawhiti, 9am-2pm, $285, ph 869 0810 or register with passport/birth certificate at the main office, 290 Palmerston Rd.

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Sept 28.

Over 65s: What did you need to know? Tairawhiti Positive Ageing Trust require your input in developing an education programme to build confidence and resilience, while providing information and advice as people move into older age. Kahutia Bowling Club, 191 Cobden St, 10am-midday, free incl morning tea.

The Lieutenant’s Calling Card and the Response of a Quizzical Eye Exhibition (to Feb 16, 2020). The diversity of thought, style and medium by each artist conveys a narrative quality, at times making a moral or a judgement call of October 1769. Tairawhiti Museum, 10 Stout St, Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1.30-4pm, locals free, visitors $5, ph 867 3832.

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

Casual bowls roll-up. Two games of bowls with a cuppa in-between. Bowls available. Wear flat-soled shoes. Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 109 Ormond Rd, ph 867 2398 between 12.30-1.00pm, play from 1.30pm-4.30pm. Free coaching: Val 867 7725, Peter 868 4478.

Men’s Skate Workshop, 5-6.15pm. Details the same as Women's Workshop, see Sept 30.

Gisborne Wainui Lions meeting. A friendly club, who have fun while making a difference in our community. 69 Central, 69 Peel St, 5.30pm.

Poverty Bay Blues Night. A selection of live blues music. PBC, 38 Childers Rd, doors open 7pm, music 8pm, $5 door sales, R18.

?Wednesday, October 2

Tonui Collab: School Holiday Workshop, 9am-midday. See Sept 30.

PB Cricket Association: Primary Hardball Cricket Camp (Oct 2, 4, 9 & 11). For ages 7-11 who are keen to give cricket a go. Includes; fielding games, net session and Health & Safety. Harry Barker Reserve nets, 121 Lytton Rd, 9.30am-12.30pm, $5/day. Register: nicholas@pbcricket.co.nz or ph 021 067 6169.

Gray’s Bush Scenic Reserve: Heritage Walk. Learn about native bush, birds and environment with games and activities. Track access for wheelchairs or buggies; with ViMo chairs available. Back Ormond Rd (opp Harper Rd), midday onwards. Free sausage sizzle for participants. Register/details: Facebook, Shane ph 022 621 8422 or shane@parafedgisborne.co.nz

Gisborne Young Farmers Meeting. Come along for a yarn and meet like-minded people. Patutahi Tavern, 150 Seddon St, 6.30pm, meeting starts 7pm.

Thursday, October 3

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

Licence Control Qualification Course (& Oct 4). This two-day course offers a qualification also known as a Bar Manager's Licence. Toru Restaurant, EIT Tairawhiti, 9am-midday, $215, ph 869 0810 or register with passport/birth certificate at the main office, 290 Palmerston Rd.

Tonui Collab: School Holiday Workshop, 9am-midday. See Sept 30.

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Sept 28.

Casual Badminton Group. Come along and have a fun game. Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd, 9.30am, $4. Details; Pascale at pascale.delos@gmail.com ?

U3A Gisborne. Coffee morning group for retired folk with guest speakers and 30 learning-groups; writing, music, food/wine, history and exercise. Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club, 190 Derby St, 9.30am for 10am start, $2 at the door. Details: Anne ph 868 5460.

Casual bowls roll-up, 12.30-4.30pm. See Oct 1.

Mahjong Club, 1pm. See Sept 30.

Gisborne Senior Citizens Concert. Come along and be entertained. Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 1.30-3.30pm, $3.

Ulysses Motorcycle Club. Gisborne Branch meeting for anyone who rides or is interested in motorcycles. Gisborne Tatapouri SFC, 6-9pm, ph Chris 868 9661.

FreeDance. A movement and dance meditation practice with a variety of sound and rhythm. St Andrew’s Hall, 176 Cobden St, 7-8.30pm, $7 each. 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, October 4

Tonui Collab: School Holiday Workshop, 9am-midday. See Sept 30.

Gisborne Rangatahi League Tournament. Come along and support girls’ rugby league in Tairawhiti. Awapuni Stadium, Centennial Marine Drive, 10am.

Vai Exhibition (daily to Oct 20). An intuitive installation that explores the spirit and visual characteristics of water by Lina Marsh. Lawson Field Theatre, 7 Fitzherbert St, 10am-5pm, free, tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz

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.

Kai Street Food Festival. Delicious, family-friendly food from 40 vendors. Reads Quay & Lowe St, 4-8pm.

Maui Putahi. Opening night of Te Tairawhiti Arts Festival; part performance, part ceremony, part interactive experience. Marina Park, 5.30-8.30pm, free, tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz

Build-a-Band. Come along and jam. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 8-11pm, free entry, R18.

Saturday, October 5

?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.

Gisborne parkrun, 7.45am. See Sept 28.

Poverty Bay Hunt Sports. Showjumping/hunter, RTR, cowboy challenge, pony/hack flat classes, novelty and intermediate sections. Back paddock A&P Showgrounds, Parker Lane entrance, 8.30am-4pm, spectators free. To enter: $2-$4/class, email pbhuntsports@gmail.com

Tuia 250: Polynesian Voyaging Pohiri. Join Turanga iwi in a mass pohiri as they welcome the Polynesian voyagers. Te Waiohiharore (The Cut), beach end of Customhouse St, 9am-midday, free, https://www.tuia250kituranga.nz/en/2019-programme/#29

Tairawhiti Coffin Club, 9am-midday. See Sept 28.

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Sept 28.

Good Folk Dance. Folk dance for fitness or fun. No experience, skill or partner required. St Andrew’s Church Hall, 176 Cobden St, midday-5pm, $5 cash-only door sales. Bring a plate of food to share.

Up, Up and Away! Manu Aute Kite Day. The Eastland Community Trust-sponsored family-friendly event, with a line-up of local and global talent, incl Anika Moa. Gisborne Soundshell, Centennial Marine Dr, midday-5pm, free, tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz

Ormond Tennis Club, 2-4pm. See Sept 28.

Heartland Championship Rugby, Poverty Bay vs East Coast. Rugby Park, Gisborne, 2.30pm.

Musica Viva Concert. Yen-Ting Wang and Tony Chen Lin with solo and duet piano performances. Tiromoana, 41 Winifred St, Okitu, 2pm, $20A, $5Stu. Bookings: Gill ph 868 6443 or gillco@gisborne.net.nz

Witi’s Wahine (to Oct 6). A tribute to the women of writer Witi Ihimaera’s fictional and real worlds, with Mere Boynton, Roimata Fox, Ani-Piki Tuari, Ngapaki Moetara. Lawson Field Theatre, 7 Fitzherbert St, Oct 5, 8pm; SOLD OUT. Tickets+Bfee; $25A & $20Snr, https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2019/oct/ttaf-witis-wahine

Spring Bass. Massive outdoor sounds and DJs spinning in the lounge; Brazilbeat, Dizfunk, Djose and Yung Maac. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 10pm-2am, $5 door sales, R18.

Sunday, October 6

?Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club, 8am start. See Sept 29.

Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club walk, Matawai Forest on/off track circuit, departs 8am, $20. Walk to the Mountain Safety Council Hut in Matawai Conservation Area, follow a compass course off-track to meet the Quarry Track. Complete the loop back to vehicles, incl a short road walk. Register: Stuart ph 868 5418, sdharries@xtra.co.nz

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

History on the MV Takitimu. Join local historians who explore seafaring and navigating history from the oldest operating pilot vessel in NZ. Pier 1 Inner Harbour (gate outside Tatapouri SFC), weather permitting, 9-10.30am & 11am-12.30pm, $10+Bfee. For details/to register: eventfinda.co.nz

Te Paepae o Tangaroa Oceans Symposium (to Oct 7). A range of internationally respected kaitiaki, scientists, voyagers and environmental leaders will challenge us to see the ocean in a different light. Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Whirikoka, 630 Childers Rd, 10am-5pm, $80-200+Bfee/two days. Registration: iticket.co.nz

Waka Hourua Tairawhiti Excursion. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, discover how historic waka were built and sailed. Meet: Shed 3, The Esplanade, inner harbour (gate outside Bronwyn Kay Agency), 9-11am & 1-3pm, $75-$150. Register at https://www.wakavoyagers.com/sailing-experience?

Park and Ride with Wa165. Steam train shuttle rides to Tuia 250 events from the station to the wharf. Departing from the Railway Station, Grey St at 10am and on the hour (except 12.55-1.55pm), with last trip at 3pm. Returning on the half hour from 10.30am. Gold coin donation. Details: See https://www.tuia250kituranga.nz/en/2019-programme/#29 ?

Pacific Voyaging Education and Stardome. Learn about Pacific voyaging, navigation techniques and histories with the waka hourua Tahitian va’a tipaerua. Tonui Collab, Shed 3, 48 The Esplanade, all day at 30-minute sessions, free. Register at https://www.tuia250kituranga.nz/en/2019-programme/#29

Tuia 250: Polynesian Vessels. Meet the crews of our visiting waka and va’a tipaerua in a fascinating programme of vessel tours, presentations and workshops. Inner Harbour, 10am-4pm, free. Register at https://www.tuia250kituranga.nz/en/2019-programme/#29

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 Sept 29.

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

Witi’s Wahine, 2pm & 5pm. See Oct 5.

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.

Te Ara i Whiti: The Light Trail (to Oct 13). Discover a family-friendly installation of light sculptures, artworks and performances from some of the region’s best-loved artists. Marina Park, 5-10pm, free, tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz

Under An East Coast Moon. A family-friendly concert with Dave Dobbyn, Anika Moa, Annie Crummer, Maisey Rika, Rob Ruha, Teeks and other NZ musicians. Gisborne Soundshell, Centennial Marine Dr, 7-8.30pm. Tickets+Bfee; $35A, $15 5-12s, $5 u/4s, iticket.co.nz