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Gizzy Local's Winter School Holidays Guide

Updated: Jun 25


Check out the offerings by these fine, local, activity providers who will have the young ones entertained and engaged during the long and free days of summer.


Pinehollow Equestrian

Jacquie and the team offer the chance to get up close and personal with her gentle animals. Enjoy a fun full day with horses. Learn how to ride, play games and most of all have fun! They have all different size ponies, so there's one to suit everyone. Their holiday programme is open Mon 30 June - Fri 4 July and Mon 7 - Fri 11 July from 9:15 am - 3:30. They are located at 2424 Matawai Road. If you require transport, they have limited spaces in a van for pick-up and drop-off at the Tudor Park Motel. (Pick-up is at 8:50am and drop-off is at 4:00pm.)


Participants need to wear appropriate footwear (gumboots or closed-toed shoes) and dress to the conditions.


Caters to ages 5-18. Cost is $65 for the day. 


Email pinehollowridingschool@gmail.com to register. Payments are via bank transfer (acct: Pine Hollow 06-0637-0264724-00). For more info, including booking and cancellation policy, ring Jacquie on 0277491629, email (above) or message the team on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverviewtreks




Gisborne Gymnastics Club Open Gym

During the school holidays, the Gisborne Gymnastics Club offer unstructured play sessions. Book your primary or intermediate tamariki into any of the two sessions per day Mon - Thurs or the special Preschool-only session on Friday. The location is the Stihl Shop Sports Centre (537 Aberdeen Road). 


Week 1: Mon 30 June - Friday 4 July

Mon - Thurs | Primary and Intermediate

9 am - 12 pm or 12 pm - 3 pm

Friday | Preschool Only 9:30 am - 11 am

Week 2: Monday 7 July - Friday 11 July 

Mon - Thurs | Primary and Intermediate

9 am - 12 pm or 12 pm - 3 pm

Friday | Preschool Only 9:30 am - 11 am


Caters to ages: 5-14 

Cost is $20 for primary and intermediate sessions and $10 for preschool sessions. Book in or find more information here: https://gisbornegymnastics.com/holiday-program




The Y Oscar Winter Holiday Programme 

The Y Oscar programme offer a variety of fun activities every day, from Monday through Friday, 30 June - 11 July. Bookings are available from 7:30am to 5:45pm at Y Oscar House - 155 Disraeli Street. From trips to the Kiwa Pools and the cinema to crafts, there’s sure to be something for everyone! 


Caters to ages 5-13 (two groups)


Cost is $60 for a full day (7:30 am - 3:45pm and includes Breakfast Club till 8:30am). You can add on aftercare for $20 per day (3:45pm - 5:45pm). To enrol, fill out the form at the link below and email it to oscar@ymcagisborne.nz. You can email that address or ring 06 867 9259 Ext 3 with questions.




H.B. Williams Library 


The Gisborne Library have all sorts of activities to keep your little ones learning and happy this school holiday break. All the events are located at their beautiful space at 34 Bright St and are FREE. Most of the events are open to all – just turn up. Note that the Tākaro Māori / Māori Games session in the second week has limited capacity. Make sure you reserve your free spot in that one (details below). All activities run from 10.00am – 11.30am


 

June 30 Monday – Cup Crafts

We’re getting crafty with paper cups!  Make a windmill, money tin and more.

Suitable for all ages, under 8’s will need help from an adult.

 

July 01 Tuesday – Lego

Build and repeat.  We’re pulling out the lego and going wild!  Come and join us for some lego fun! Suitable for ages 5+, under 5’s must be supervised by an adult at all times around the lego.

 

July 02 Wednesday – Loom Weaving

We’re making our own loom boards and weaving a coaster out of wool.  Come and join us for some winter weaving fun. Suitable for ages 7+ This activity requires patience. Under 7’s will need help from an adult

 

July 03 Thursday – Paper Crafts

We’re turning paper into fun and making fortune tellers, infinite cubes, spinning tops and more.  Come and see what you can create. Suitable for all ages.

 

July 04 Friday – Space Crafts

Todays theme is space!  Come and make a space mobile and other space crafts.

Suitable for all ages.

 

July 07 Monday – Zines

If you like story telling then this one’s for you.  Make your very own zine and fill it with a story, a poem or whatever you like, let your imagination run wild. Suitable for ages 7+

 

July 08 Tuesday – Lego

Build and repeat.  We’re pulling out the lego and going wild!  Come and join us for some lego fun! Suitable for ages 5+, under 5’s must be supervised by an adult at all times around the lego.

 

July 09 Wednesday – Crafts

We’re making DIY stickers, bookmarks, marble ladybirds and more.  Come and see what you can create.Suitable for all ages.  

 

July 10 Thursday – Tākaro Māori

Nin from Whitiora will be popping in to teach us some fun Māori games for all the whānau to play.  Phone 867 6709 to register now for one of two sessions available.  10.30am or 11.05am.

Suitable for ages 9+

 

July 11 Friday – Board Games

We’re putting the devices down and pulling out the board games.  Bring the whānau down and choose between Jenga, connect 4, chess and more. Suitable for all ages.

 

June 30 Monday – July 12 Saturday – Caterpillar Hunt

Look for the caterpillars, chrysalides and butterflies around the library to solve the riddle.



Events 4 All

The team at Events 4 All have heaps of activities that will keep your tamariki safe and having fun throughout both weeks of the school holidays. They operate Monday through Friday, 30 June - 11 July,  from 7.30am till 5.30pm. They're based at Awapuni School and schedule a variety of activities to keep the young ones entertained and to make sure there’s something for everyone. You provide a bag lunch and a drink and they have breakfast, morning and afternoon teas sorted. Weather-appropriate clothing is a must on outing days.


Caters for ages 5+. 

Cost is $60 per day.

For more information, reach out to Colleen at 027 531 5756.




Eastwoodhill Arboretum

The folks at Eastwoodhill Arboretum (2392 Wharekopae Rd, Ngatapa) have two options to entertain and inspire the kiddies this school holidays. 


Kids Holiday Craft Workshops - Matariki

Tuesday 1st July and Tuesday 8th July 

10am - 1pm

Drop in anytime between 10am - 1pm to take part in fun, Matariki-themed craft activities. Spaces are limited and all materials are provided. Please book in advance here: trybooking.com. Parent supervision is required. 


Caters to ages 4-13 years.

Cost is $10 and includes entry. 


Regular arboretum visitor entry fees apply: Adults $18, age 5-14 $5 (free with workshop booking), under 5s are free.

Contact Rose at rosie@eastwoodhill.org.nz or 06 863 9003 with any questions.



Tairāwhiti Museum

During the school holidays, Tairāwhiti Museum offer morning and afternoon activities for your young ones, inspired by the Museum’s current exhibitions. Spaces are limited, so pre-booking and payment at the museum is essential. All children must be accompanied by an adult during the duration of the workshop. More info coming soon, so either check back here or pop into the museum for the details.


Caters to ages 5-12.

Cost is $5 per child or $10 per child for the clay workshops.



Tōnui Collab 

STEMM Workshops: Across the second week of school holidays, Tōnui Collab offer 4, 1-day workshops, 9am to 3pm each day at their location at 466 Childers Road. Their workshops encourage children to explore the diversity of STEMM - science, technology, engineering, mathematics and mātauranga Māori through the experimentation and creation of animation, engineering, game development, robotics, coding, virtual reality and more! Bring a lunch, morning tea and drink bottle and they have the rest covered for a creative and inspiring day! For a description of all the courses offered, follow the link to their website (below).

Caters to ages 7-13

Cost is $60 per day.


Information and to book online, https://www.tonuicollab.com/holiday-workshops


Questions? Contact Moana at admin@tonuicollab.com or 0800 8 TŌNUI


Week 2: Tuesday 8 July - Friday 11 July

Tuesday 8 July - Game Development

Wednesday 9 July - Virtual Reality

Thursday 10 July - 3D Modelling

Friday 11 July - Digital Art




Tairāwhiti Water Polo 

This school holidays, Tairāwhiti Water Polo is excited to offer a Flippa Ball Holiday Camp at Kiwa Pools, featuring guest coaches from Hungary, home to some of the best water polo players in the world!


This is a unique opportunity for tamariki aged 7–12 to develop their water skills, learn new techniques, and have fun in the pool while being coached by international professionals. All equipment is provided… just bring togs, towel, water bottle and lunch.


Tuesday 1 July, 10 am - 2 pm


Caters to ages 7 -12

Cost is $15 (plus $2 pool entry)


For more information, email Aggie at aggieweston@icloud.com




Earth Arts and Crafts


Get the kids into nature these school holidays with 2 days of outdoor fun at our Earth Art and Crafts Workshops. Facilitators Bridget Scully and Jo Cringle will teach your kids how to craft simple tools with wood, traditional fire lighting, camp fire cooking, foraging and creating art supplies using natural materials. Book in for one or both days. 


Thursday 3 July and Friday 4 July, 9 am - 3 pm


Caters to ages 7+

Cost is $60 per day


Bookings are essential. Register by emailing Bridget at bridgetscully@gmail.com.



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