James Fowell (white vest) and Matt Bennett (pink) made the final of the Over-50s men's division at the national surfing championships in Gisborne this week. Bennett, of the Arataki club, won and Gisborne's Fowell was fourth. The open men's and women's titles are scheduled to be decided on Saturday. Photo / PhotoCPL
FRIDAY
Social programme at National Surfing Championships: Coast Kids Surf Day, 10am–2pm. Inviting all East Coast kids in town to watch New Zealand’s best open surfers, learn about judging, get in the water themselves and finish with a barbecue.
Tipene: Tipene is back at Smash Palace, bringing Mauri, heavy energy and a stacked line-up for one night only. With special guests DJ JDayrasik, MC Tyna and YYYK.0. 8pm-11pm.
Live music at The Rivers: From 6pm-8pm. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy music from Peter Shaw. River end of Gladstone Rd.
Anchor Me – The Don McGlashan Story: An intimate documentary celebrating the songs, stories and singular spirit of Don McGlashan, one of NZ’s most beloved songwriters. 6.30pm-8pm, Dome Cinema and Bar, 38 Childers Rd. Bookings essential. Text the Dome Cinema at 0275902117 with names, the date, the movie and number attending.
SATURDAY
Rise & Shine at Tatapouri Bay: Start your weekend by the ocean with gentle yoga, fresh air and positive vibes. 7am-8am, Tatapouri Bay, 516 Whangara Rd, Makorori.
National Surfing Championships: The blue riband open men’s and women’s finals are the feature events on the final day of the 2026 NZ championships hosted by Gisborne Boardriders Club. Go to the Surfing NZ website for location. The official after-party will rock to the sounds of The Butlers, Flaxxies and DJ Hitman Johnny from 7pm-11pm at Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St.
Dancing by the Sea: Join Good Folk for a dose of community connection through dance on the dancefloor beside the moana at Tatapouri Bay. $5 cash payment. 4pm–5.40pm, Whangara Rd, Makorori.
Pike River: The 2025 movie about the 2010 Pike River mining disaster starring Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm. 6.30pm-8pm, Dome Cinema and Bar, 38 Childers Rd. Bookings essential. Text the Dome Cinema at 0275902117 with names, the date, the movie and number attending.
SUNDAY
Rise & Shine at Tatapouri Bay: Start your weekend by the ocean with gentle yoga, fresh air and positive vibes. 7am-8am, Tatapouri Bay, 516 Whangara Rd, Makorori.
COMING UP
Lawson Sawmilling Show Jumping Championships: January 23-25. A premier showjumping event held over three days at Showgrounds Park, Makaraka, with the public welcome to attend.
Wrights Vineyard & Winery Family Fun Day: Saturday, January 31. Cellar door open from 12-4pm with live music from T-Bone Toni Soloman from 1.30pm. Gourmet pizzas, bouncy castle for the kids and more. 1093 Wharerata Rd, Manutūkē.
Sloan Peterson & Jesse Redwing: Sunday, February 1, at Smash Palace bar. Indie musician Sloan Peterson and Australian blues singer Jesse Redwing blend originals with reimagined blues and 60s favourites. Expect sultry melodies, raw storytelling and a few singalongs.
MONDAYS
The 500 Card Club: Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 111 Ormond Rd, 1pm-4pm, $3. Ph 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 0274156872.
Badminton Summer Club: Adults and junior players, Year 11 plus. Recommences January 12. Mondays 7pm-9pm, new players welcome. Sub $120/$100 or $10/$8 casual fee. Contact Geoff 0276568222.
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, ph/text 0274 874480. Every Monday except public holidays.
TUESDAYS
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.
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.
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.
FRIDAYS
Friday Stairs Workout: Meet at the lower carpark, Titirangi/Kaiti Hill, 5.55am, workout 6am-6.40am.
Bowls, burgers & 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 Farmers’ Market: A variety of fresh and prepared goods from local farmers and growers. Corner Stout St and Fitzherbert St, 9.30am-12.30pm.
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. Ph 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 ph (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.
Sunset Yoga: Beginner-friendly yoga flow overlooking Makorori Beach, finishing with tea at sunset. Small class sizes. 4.30pm-6pm. Contact Zoey 02102967107.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Lions Express Train Rides: Starts near Gisborne Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park, Centennial Marine Drive, 11am-3pm, weather permitting. $2.
Bottomless Brunch at Siduri Wine Bar: Enjoy two-hour brunch bookings at a cool CBD wine bar. Saturday and Sunday, 16 Peel St, 10am-2pm.
EACH WEEK
Mahjong Club (Mon and Thurs): Gisborne Town and Country Women’s Club, 42 Emily St, 12.30pm. Contact Margaret (06)8630144.
Tairāwhiti Menzshed (Tues, Thurs and Sat): Corner Parkinson and Innes Sts, Sat 9am-3pm, Tues and Thurs 9am–2pm. Details ph/text 0224650396.
Tairāwhiti Aviation Museum (Tues and Sun): Gisborne Airport, Aerodrome Rd, 9am–3pm. $5 adults, Under-12s free.
FORTNIGHTLY
Gisborne Country Music Club (1st and 3rd 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 0274 507719 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 (1st Sunday): The Rivers restaurant, 4pm-6pm. Contact Marty 02 0557685.
Gisborne Floral Art Club (1st Monday): Waverley St hall, 9.30am-11.30am; (3rd Wednesday) Kahutia Bowling Club, 7pm.
Poverty Bay Blues Night (1st Tuesday): Dome Cinema, Poverty Bay Club, 6pm doors open, 7pm gig. $10 door sales, Blues Club members free, R18.
Ulysses Motorcycle Club (1st 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.