The Gisborne Farmers' Market, held every Saturday in the carpark across the road from Gisborne District Council, is more than just a place to buy fresh produce. It also brings a strong sense of community and connection. Photo / Strike Photography
FRIDAY
Community Karakia and Waiata: A space to gather, connect and give thanks through song and other activities. Held at the Treble Court fountain or Haututu Hacklab in the city centre. 8.30am-9am. All welcome.
Shrek the Musical: Centrestage Theatre Group presents the heartwarming tale of ogre Shrek, wisecracking Donkey and the fiercely independent Princess Fiona. 7pm, War Memorial Theatre. Tickets from Ticketek or the Gisborne i-Site.
Live and Local: From rock and reggae to soulful tunes and laid-back grooves, a night celebrating local music and the people behind it. With Kiri Gilbert, Charlie Love, Ethan Hannah and Levi Mackey. 8pm, Smash Palace, 24 Banks St.
SATURDAY
Declutter in April - Wai Market: Turning clutter into fuel money and keeping resources circulating in the community. Bring a car boot of goods, set up a stall and sell, swap or share. 8am-11am Waikiriri School, Pickering St.
Gisborne Farmers’ Market: A variety of fresh and prepared goods from local farmers and growers. Cnr Stout and Fitzherbert streets, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Jason Kerrison Live: Acclaimed singer/songwriter and the unmistakable voice of Opshop - catch his live show at Smash Palace. 8pm, 24 Banks St.
Shrek The Musical: The final performance of the heartwarming tale about an ogre called Shrek, the wisecracking Donkey and fiercely independent Princess Fiona. 7pm, War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St. Tickets from Ticketek or the Gisborne i-Site.
SUNDAY
Hamnet: This film tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. 6.30pm, Dome Cinema and Bar. Text 0275902117 to book.
Coming up
Unity Theatre presents Stiff: April 23-May 2. A comedy written by April Philips and directed by James Packman about a woman who runs a brothel but disguises it as a funeral home. “You may die laughing.” Tickets through Eventfinda.
Introductory bowls session: Thursday, April 23. Cosmopolitan Club, 190 Derby St. Poverty Bay-East Coast indoor bowls is holding an introductory session as part of Indoor Bowls Week.
Tairāwhiti Uysses Motorcycle Club St John Fundraiser: Saturday, April 25. Registrations 10am, stands up at 10.30am. Meet at 4 Bright St. Destination Tolaga Bay Wharf. All cars and bikes welcome, $10 per vehicle. Contact Chris Cameron 0274602430.
Military history walking tour and exhibition of related photographs: Saturday, April 25, Heritage Tairāwhiti presents a tour of sites related to Gisborne’s military history with guides James Blackburne, Sheridan Gundry, Joe Martin and Marty Reynolds. Anzac Day, April 25, 11am-12.30pm. Centre for Heritage, 173 Palmerston Rd. Exhibition will be open April 25 and 26 from 10.30am-1pm. Koha appreciated.
Tiki Taane’s One-Man Band show: Saturday, May 16. Tiki Taane is playing at Smash Palace Bar as part of his national tour, with wife DJ Axis supporting.
The Chardonnay Affair: May 22-24. A celebration of its people, its producers, and its place as one of New Zealand’s most distinctive wine regions.
The Veils (solo) Fragile World Aotearoa Tour 2026: Thursday, July 9, Dome Cinema and Bar. Tickets from Moshtix.
Regular events
MONDAYS
The 500 Card Club: Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 111 Ormond Rd, 1pm-4pm, $3. Phone Tony (06)8633468.
Fun Dancing Gisborne: Modern sequence and social ballroom. St Andrew’s Church hall, 176 Cobden St, 7.30pm-9.30pm, $7. Contact Kev or Isabel (06)8670074 or 0211812414.
Gisborne Choral Society: New choir members welcome at the society’s regular practice. St Andrew’s Church from 7pm.
Gisborne Orchestra rehearsals: Gisborne Intermediate School, 7.30pm-9pm. New players welcome. Contact Jill 021756364 or email gisborneorchestra@gmail.com.
Badminton Social Morning Club: Monday mornings weekly from 9am-11am. $5 a session. For more information, call Leslie (027)4156872.
Badminton Summer Club: Adults and junior players, Year 11-plus. Mondays 7pm-9pm, new players welcome. Sub $120/$100 or $10/$8 casual fee. Contact Geoff (027)6568222.
City of Gisborne Highland Pipe Band: Learn to play the pipes or drums. Learners and experienced players welcome. Learners start at 6.30pm, seniors 7.30pm-8.30pm. The Bandroom, 200 Childers Rd. For further information, phone/text 0274874480. Every Monday except public holidays.
Community Choir: Sing in harmony with others, beginning with some simple songs and building the repertoire over time. No experience needed. 6.30pm-8pm, EIT staff room, Derby St entrance. For further information, email Keren at keren.rickard@gmail.com or Sarah at skcleave@gmail.com.
TUESDAYS
Indoor Bowls: An inclusive, low-impact sport suitable for all ages and abilities. Senior Citizens Hall, 9am, contact Royden Owen (president) 021 130 5677. Also 6.45pm, Cosmopolitan Club. Contact Nanette (secretary) 027 483 5169O, email: pbindoorbowls@gmail.com
Sun City Spinners: Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 111 Ormond Rd, 9am-11.30am, fees apply. Contact Dale (06)8675083 or email eastland@creativefibre.org.nz.
Gisborne Line Dancing: Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 4.30pm-7.30pm. Contact Kerry 0211024890.
Badminton Gisborne Pinoy Smashers: 6pm-9pm, Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. Contact Alfred 0273072318.
The Contemporary Vocals Choir: A fun, upbeat, “choir with a difference” singing a variety of modern contemporary songs incorporating musical accompaniment. Led by professional vocal coach Letitia Lindeque. New members welcome, 6pm-8pm, Poverty Bay Bowling Club (Whataupoko) or contact 0211 396 297.
WEDNESDAYS
Fifties Forward low-impact aerobics: YMCA, 447 Childers Rd, 9.30am. First class free, otherwise $2.
Mainly Music: A fun music group for preschoolers. St Andrew’s Church community centre, 176 Cobden St, 9.45am. $4/family. Contact Trish (06)8672789 or (06)8685513.
Free French Language Conversational Practice with Pascale: Great for students or anyone keen for a refresh or maintenance. 1.30pm-2.30pm. Zephyr Cafe, 4 Ōneroa Rd, Wainui Beach.
Gisborne Concert Band: 6.30pm-8pm, The Bandroom, 200 Childers Rd. If you play brass, woodwind or percussion, come and join. New musicians welcome.
THURSDAYS
Gisborne Line Dancing: Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 6pm-8pm. Contact Kerry 0211024890.
Gisborne Caledonian Society Practice: Social, modern and sequence dancing. Holy Trinity Church Hall, 70 Derby St, 7.30pm-9.30pm. $5. Contact Pat 0210497148.
Gisborne Civic Brass Band rehearsals: Gisborne Civic Brass Band welcomes new and established players to join their weekly band rehearsals, every Thursday 6.30pm-8pm at The Bandroom, 200 Childers Rd. Email gisbornecivicbrassband@gmail.com.
FRIDAYS
Friday Stairs Workout: Meet at the lower carpark, Titirangi/Kaiti Hill, 5.55am, workout 6am-6.40am.
Indoor Bowls: An inclusive, low-impact sport suitable for all ages and abilities. 9am, Senior Citizens Hall. Contact Royden Owen (president) 0211305677.
Lego Club: A weekly club for 5- to 17-year-olds, 3.30pm- 5pm. H.B. Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St.
Bowls, burgers and bevvies at Poverty Bay Bowling Club: Keen to give bowls a go? Get along to Poverty Bay Bowling Club for an evening of social bowls, music and burgers. 5pm-7pm. 111 Ormond Rd.
SATURDAYS
Gisborne Parkrun: Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, beach end of Grey St, 7.45am-10am. Register at parkrun.co.nz/gisborne/.
Pilates with Tilly: Tone, sculpt and flow. Saturdays and Sundays, 8am-9am. The Space, Yoga Coast Plus, 46 Makorori Beach Rd. Phone 0273311032 to book.
Tairāwhiti Coffin Club: BCR Joinery, 522 Gladstone Rd, 9am-10am. Details at tairawhiticc@gmail.com.
Tennis for all: Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2pm-4pm. For more information, phone (06)8625741 or (06)8625856.
SUNDAYS
Gisborne Walkers Club: 8am, meet at Mitre 10, 24 Derby St. Text 0278902224 for more info.
Dharma Practice and Meditation: Lama Damchoe leads dharma practice and meditation, followed by a shared lunch, 10am, Palpung Kagyu Samten Choling Tibetan Buddhist Centre, 31 James St. All welcome.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Lions Express Train rides: Starts near Gisborne Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park, Centennial Marine Drive, 11am-3pm, weather permitting. $2.
EACH WEEK
Mahjong Club (Monday and Thursday): Gisborne Town and Country Women’s Club, 42 Emily St, 12.30pm. Contact Margaret (06)8630144.
Tairāwhiti Menzshed (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday): Cnr Parkinson and Innes Sts, Saturday 9am-3pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9am–2pm. Details phone/text (022)4650396.
Tairāwhiti Aviation Museum (Tuesday and Sunday): Gisborne Airport, Aerodrome Rd, 9am–3pm. $5 adults, Under-12s free.
FORTNIGHTLY
Gisborne Country Music Club (first and third Sundays): Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 1pm-4pm, $5 visitors, $3 members, $1 children. Contact Flo (06)8677637, 0274946979 or email flo.pahuru@outlook.co.nz.
Gisborne Woodworking Club (2nd and 4th Saturdays and last Thursday): Green shed opposite Enterprise Aquatic Centre carpark, Nelson Rd, 10am to about noon. Contact Bill (027)4507719 or email gizzywheelers@gmail.com.
MONTHLY
Gizzy Monthly Market (1st Saturday): Locally produced crafts, food and products. Lawson Field Rose Garden, 7 Fitzherbert St, 9am-1pm, weather permitting.
Gas Guzzlers’ Breakfast (1st Sunday): Behind the courthouse on Reads Quay, 8.30am-11am.
Crop Swap (1st Sunday): Swap plants, produce, preserves, baking, books and more. Makaraka School carpark, 137 Main Rd, 2pm-3pm.
Irish Music Session (first Sunday): The Rivers restaurant, 4pm-6pm. Contact Marty 0210557685.
Gisborne Floral Art Club (first Monday): Waverley St hall, 9.30am-11.30am; (3rd Wednesday) Kahutia Bowling Club, 7pm.
Poverty Bay Blues Night (first Tuesday): Dome Cinema, Poverty Bay Club, 6pm doors open, 7pm gig. $10 door sales, Blues Club members free, R18.
Ulysses Motorcycle Club (first Tuesday): Bushmere Arms public bar, 673 Matawai Rd, Waerenga-a-Hika, 7.30pm. Contact Chris 0274602430.
Gisborne Friendship Group – formerly Gisborne Combined Club (1st Wednesday): For active retirees looking for friendship. Kahutia Bowling Club, 165 Cobden St, 9.30am, $5, includes morning tea. Register with Noelene (06)8684473 or Dianne (06)8674294.
U3A Gisborne (1st Thursday): Social interaction and learning for mature-aged folk. House of Breakthrough, cnr Lytton Rd and Ormond Rd, 9.30am, $2 at the door. Contact Diane 0274441073.
Prostate Support Group (2nd Tuesday): Cancer Society Rooms, 718 Gladstone Rd, 4.30pm. Inquiries 0210634515.
The Country Garden Club (2nd Tuesday): Waerenga-a-Hika Hall, 728 Matawai Rd, 7.30pm, $2. Contact Katrine (06)8672427.
Gisborne Proactive Club (3rd Wednesday): Retired people’s interest group. Watson Room, Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club, 190 Derby St, 9.30am, $30/year sub and $5/meeting. Contact Malcolm (06)8672591 or 0272402590.
Gisborne Camera Club (3rd Thursday): Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 7.30pm. Details at gisbornecameraclub@gmail.com.
Gisborne Sceptic Group (3rd Sunday): 11am. Details/venue (06)8673715 or (06)8677122.
Te Hāpara Garden and Floral Art Club (4th Tuesday): Redstone Room, Farmers Air Event Centre, Showgrounds Park, 2pm.
First City Toastmasters (1st and 3rd Tuesday): Become a confident speaker and leader. Adult Literacy Rooms, 1st floor, 100 Grey St, Gisborne, 6.15pm. Contact Helen 0221945671.
To include your event, email details to whatson@gisborneherald.co.nz at least a week before the event.