In a new series we’re calling “Doing a Gizzy Winter Well,” we’re sharing “staff picks” of our local favourite treats or activities that brighten our days through winter. We know Gizzy holds majesty and warmth, but the grey days of winter can feel relentless. So when our island holiday fund hasn’t been topped up by Lotto, we maximise the goodness that’s around us. We appreciate the sweetness in these days, so that Gizzy feels our love all year round, not just when she’s sunkissed and carefree.
Louis Murphy-Harris, Gizzy Local's venue manager, is relatively new to a Gizzy winter, but he's been quick to find the things that bring him wintertime joy!
During winter, I like to keep busy and have a few things to do during the week in-between surfs and events!
The Sauna Project - Heading out to Northern Makorori is probably the best thing to do to embrace winters. It begins with the golden hour drive along Moana Road. After an hour of sitting in that sauna with a few cold plunges in the moana, you feel completely relaxed! I normally go straight to sleep after it and sleep like a baby!
Book a sauna appointment here: https://www.thesaunaproject.co.nz/tairawhiti
Gisborne Boardriders Yoga - Every Tuesday the Wainui Beach School Hall fills up for a yoga session. This is an amazing initiative put on by Gizzy Boardriders where they offer 12 weekly sessions with different yoga instructors each week offering a range of different styles of yoga! This is a free offering for members of Gisborne Boardriders, not bad!
To sign up to Gisborne Boardriders: https://www.gisborneboardriders.com/
Dome Cinema & Bar - Anything that happens, whether it's Blues night, a film or a gig, I'll try and be there! The Dome has been a staple in Gizzy's social scene for years and winter is when the Dome is in it's prime.
Check out what's happening at the Dome - https://www.domecinema.co.nz/dome-calendar/
Bin Inn - This might come across as a funny one but stick with me. Winter is a great time to get creative in the kitchen and cook up some awesome meals for you, the family and your mates. Bin Inn is such a great cost-effective option that saves you a lot of money and saves on all the plastic waste associated with supermarket shopping. The range of a lot of stuff at Bin Inn is really great with lots of specialty goods. If you bring your own containers you also get 5% off! Not bad!
Bin Inn is located at 90 Grey Street.
Below, Sarah Pocock shares her, mostly food-related, faves.
I am a regular patron of The Village Berry in Ballance Street Village. They stock all sorts of yummy pantry and fresh food to basically meet any demands put on you by your taste buds. For example, on this day I was so happy to discover these spicy, dilly pickles that my taste buds compelled me to open in the shop while I was waiting for my food. The Village Berry staff are so kind, they didn't even act like that was a weird thing to do.
In the winter time (and really all year round) I enjoy their changing Soup and Toastie option. On this day it was a kimchi and pickled onion toastie and a broccoli cheese soup. Man, did it hit the spot. They're currently testing out new toastie combinations to replace the much-loved (by me) Reuben toastie, so I advise you pop in repeatedly to make sure you try as many of their creations as possible.
The Village Berry is at 126 Ormond Rd and on the socials here: https://www.instagram.com/thevillageberry
Always prisoner to my taste buds, this past weekend I was giddy to find these little Portugeuse tarts, made at the Nata Bakery up in AKL but sold at our local Vetro. As I stood at my kitchen bench, impatiently burning my mouth on these custard delights, I was transported to faraway Belém, Portugal, where I fell in love with these beauties way back in my early 20s.
Our mates over at Vetro have lovely ingredients and ready to eat or heat items to turn the greyest of days into a warm, and wholesome food experience.
Vetro are located at 48 Reads Quay and on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/vetrogisborne/
Another winter fave involves fireside chats and live music at our very own, Smash Palace Bar. How good is it to be listening to some bangers with your back to a roaring fire! On a winter's night, it doesn't matter what the weather is doing outside. The music and the open fire will make for the coziest, possibly hottest, night of your winter.
For a few more weeks, they have Yanky (American-style burgers) and the Mexican (yep, you guessed it, Mexican cuisine). But even when they're not catering the food, Smash's regular menu of pub food is yummy and nourishing.
Smash Palace Bar are located at 24 Banks St and you can find them on their socials here: https://www.facebook.com/smashpalacebargisborne
Lastly, and because I'm contractually obligated to talk about my slow (but fun!) running, there's nothing quite like a winter sunrise on a Friday morning as I run down Titirangi Kaiti Hill after doing the stairs workout with the Friday Stairs crew. That there is a photo I snapped of the city lights as the sun was coming up. Stunning. If I can get myself up and out of bed, I can't beat starting my Friday this way.
Similarly, the Harriers put on welcoming trailruns/walks that get us all over the area, across tracks on private land that are normally closed to the public. On a sunny Sunday winter's morning, I feel very accomplished and brimming with happiness after running, jogging, and walking around those tracks. Friday Stairs happens at 5:55 am at the lower carpark by the playground. All walkers and runners are welcome. There's no expectation to keep up with anyone. Same with the Harriers. You can find their next trailrun info here: https://www.facebook.com/GisborneHarriers
What's your tips for Doing a Gizzy Winter Well?