The Gisborne region is the South Pacific paradise travel writers rave about, with beautiful sandy beaches, great surf, a warm sunny climate and a land in which anything and everything grows.

Built in a casual sprawl from where the historic waters of Poverty Bay meet the wide, horseshoe sweep of Waikanae Beach, Gisborne is the first city in the world to greet the sun each morning.

The region boasts some of the best surf beaches in the country and the fly-fishing is world class.

There is a great selection of cafes, restaurants and bars, a number of which are situated in the vibrant harbour overlooking Gisborne's picturesque wharf.

Gisborne also provides the perfect base from which to explore some of New Zealand's great treasures, including Mt Hikurangi, The Pacific Coast Highway, Eastwood Hill Aboretum, Lake Waikarimoana, and Mahia Peninsula.

This Summer ...

 December 2004
31 – New Year’s Eve Town Clock Party. Countdown in the middle of the city with several bands. Refer page 18
31–Jan 1 – Rhythm & Vines dance party at Waiohika Estate. Starts at 12 noon and runs for 24 hours. Refer page 23
31–Jan 1 – Ru Uawa – Uawa Rocks 2004-2005 at Tolaga Bay Sports Domain. 12 noon to 3pm then 6pm to 2am on Jan 1.
31 – Chuganaut, Scotty’s Bar & Grill.
31–Jan 2 – New Year Crafts Fair at Lawson Field Theatre from 2pm December 21, from 10am on January 1 & 2.
31–Jan 17 – Gifted Sands Art Exhibition. Explore your own creativity in a series of workshops at Ruawaro Marae, Mahia.

January 2005
1 – Walter Findlay Fireworks Evening, Marina Park from 7pm.
2 – World Jet Sprint Championships.
3 – Pa Wars (Inter-marae sports competition) at Tolaga Bay Area School. 9am to 5pm. Spectators welcome.
3 – Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust 2005 Charity Fishing Contest between Pacific Street and 500 metres east of the Waipaoa River mouth. From 8pm.
3 – The Feelers, OpShop and Evermore, Irish Rover.
4–6 – International Conference on Herbal Medicine. A gathering of the world’s most experienced herbal medicine practitioners.
6 – The Gisborne Herald Sand Sculpture Competition at Waikanae Beach from 9am to 11.30am.
7 – Live on the Lawn concert, Marina Park, 6.30 - 7.30pm.
8 – Kitt Higgins & Heemi Porou, Poverty Bay Club, 1pm
8 – Paul Ubana Jones, Poverty Bay Club, 7.30pm
9–11 – Poverty Bay Polo Club Open Tournament from 9.30am at at Bushmere Grounds.
9–15 – NZ Maori Golf Competition.
13–15 – Wairoa A and P Show.
14 – Wainui Lions Beach Dig, Midway Beach, 5 - 8pm.
15 – The Surf City Jazz Duo, Poverty Bay Club, 1pm
20–25 – New Zealand Under 15 Boys Softball Tournament at Childers Road Reserve. North Island division.
24–25 – 15th Annual Gisborne Country Music Awards.
24–25 – Harbourview Bay Bonanza with Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club.
26–28 – Write in Gisborne writers’ workshop.
29 – The Surf City Jazz Trio, Poverty Bay Club, 1pm
29 – Twin Set, Poverty Bay Club, 7.30pm.
30 – Taste Gisborne. The finest in food and wine, plus children’s activities and entertainment including Tom Sharplin, Celina Toner and the Cadillacs and locals Skankamelia, Waiohika Estate, starts 10am.

Tairawhiti Museum, until February 2005: Seeing Angels, works by Gisborne contemporary artists; 1940-1985, inspired pieces fashioned from New Zealand coins by contemporary jeweller Helena Andersson; Patu Ki Tahi, works by students and tutors from Toihoukura, Tairawhiti Polytechnic’s School of Maori Art and Design.

The Pencil Gallery: In the Main Gallery — Talking With Paint, works by Brian Campbell, Bryan Notting and Daryl File (until January 5); works by James Ormsby (January 5-January 30); works by Jarad Ferris, (February 2-March 2). In the Annex — Revolving mini-shows featuring works by Gisborne artists.

Tairawhiti Polytechnic Summer Arts School: Painting with tutor Matthew Browne (January 7-10); Jewellery Design, with contemporary artist Helena Andersson (January 11-13); Brazilian Rhythm, with percussionist Nego Beto (Januaru 10-13); Metal Sculpture, with Louise Ludlow (January 7-10); Papermaking and Collegraph Platemaking with Maria Eriksen-Sohos (January 10-13); Advanced Mosaic, with Liz Doris (January 7-10).