A combined dawn service will be held at the Cenotaph on The Esplanade in Gisborne this Anzac Day. Photo / Chris Taewa
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.
Green Drinks- Energy Solutions: Tairāwhiti Environment Centre, in partnership with myimprint, Tahu and the Chamber of Commerce, invites the community to this edition of Green Drinks - a free networking event involving sustainability topics. 3pm to 4.30pm at Tahu, 40 Centennial Marine Drive. RSVP through Humantix.
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.
Martha Kelly’s Hedony Undone album release launch: 7pm at Smash Palace. Free entry, R18. Martha Kelly will perform her new album with Monterey (David McCall, Marty Bakker and Mikey Jones), along with Keren Rickard, Sarah Grant, Sean Scanlan, Waiora Paul-Utiera and Graeme Dearness.
SATURDAY
Anzac Day services: Combined dawn service to be held at the cenotaph on The Esplanade in Gisborne. Guest speaker is Warrant Officer Darren Crosby from the Royal New Zealand Navy. Other services will be held across the region, more information in the Gisborne Herald’s Anzac Day preview.
Gisborne Aviation Museum: Anzac display from 9am to 3pm, Gisborne Airport, Aerodrome Rd.
Gisborne’s Military History walking tour and exhibition of related photographs: Heritage Tairāwhiti presents a tour of sites related to Gisborne’s military history with guides James Blackburne, Sheridan Gundry, Joe Martin and Marty Reynolds. Starts at Centre for Heritage, 173 Palmerston Rd. The centre will be open from 10.30am until 1.30pm all of Anzac Weekend (Sat, Sun, Mon) for people to view videos on 20th-century military history and a new photographic exhibition on the same theme.
Steppin’ Up Te Tairāwhiti HYAN w/special guest LYALL- Tāmaki Makaurau-based DJ and producer Hyan, born in Gisborne, will be joined by house DJ LYALL in his Smash Palace debut, bringing a mix of 2-step, UK garage, speed garage and hard groove. Tickets through Humantix, R18.
Tairāwhiti Uysses Motorcycle Club St John Fundraiser: All cars and bikes are welcome to join this ride for a good cause, kicking off from 4 Bright St. Registrations from 10am, $10 per vehicle. Stands up at 10.30am. Destination is Tolaga Bay Wharf. Contact Chris Cameron (027) 4602430.
SUNDAY
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.
Hamnet: This Oscar-winning film tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece Hamlet. 6.30pm, Dome Cinema and Bar. Text (027) 5902117 to book.
Gisborne Harriers trail run, Nicks Head Station: Gisborne Harriers Club’s first trail run of the season from 10am to noon. A barbecue and hot drinks will be available with cash. Register at https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=427916.
Coming up
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 Gisborne’s people, producers and 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 (021) 1812414.
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 (021) 756364 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 from 7.30pm-8.30pm. The Bandroom, 200 Childers Rd. For further information, ph/txt (027) 4874480. 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. Also 6.45pm, Cosmopolitan Club. Contact secretary Nanette (027) 4835169O, or 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 (021) 1024890.
Badminton Gisborne Pinoy Smashers: 6pm-9pm, Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd. Contact Alfred (027) 3072318.
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 (021) 1396 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.
Lego Club: A weekly club for 5-17-year-olds, 3.30pm- 5pm. H.B. Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St.
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 (027) 3311032 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 (027) 8902224 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 (022) 1945671.
To include your event, email details to whatson@gisborneherald.co.nz at least a week before the event.