HEY! Advice on Gisborne

[lewis_walker]

Hi all,

I joined KiwiBiker a few months ago when we were just starting our application for residence. Now we've got residence visas :Punk: and my wife has a job offer in Gisborne.

Please - I'd really like some opinions on Gisborne as a place to live from some real live Kiwis!!

[MSTRS]

Nice weather, nice roads for biking, real isolated from the rest of the country tho.

[XTC]

real isolated from the rest of the country tho.
that would be a good thing then....

[Skunk]

Not too bad for wine and food in my experience... :niceone:

[bungbung]

Nice weather, nice beaches. Good surf.

[Ramius]

---WARNING--- ---FORMER GISBORNITE ABOUT TO SPEAK---

Depends how old you are, if you are starting a family and if you can figure out things to do.

For a teenager, the place is piss boring and really, apart from going to the movies, there is only drinking, sex, drugs & driving around for hours on end in circles in a suped up POS.
For an adult, if you are into the cafe scene, there are a couple that would tickle your pickle, but there are also those that are just dives.
For meals, well, go to Napier.
As for isolation as mentioned previously, yes, it is very isolated. The population is comprised mainly of beneficiaries and offenders in the court system.
Its like this, in short, if you are incapacitated, and can't really get around, it is a fantastic place, real cruisy and relaxing. If you are fully mobile, you are going to pull your hair out.
If your of the older variety, its a great place to retire, as long as you don't live in the Kaiti area, or in Munro Street. :grouphug:

Opinions expressed herewith are that of Sean, a jilted, convalescing goober!

[Yarg]

Very warm in summer , a bit isolated ,good beaches , not much to do. much prefer napier - a bit further South.

[Blackbird]

Lewis - send a pm to TOADS. He moved to Gisborne from the UK about 18 months ago. You'll find him in the member list.

Best wishes

Geoff

[jazbug5]

Toads is a Lady. And a lovely lady, too.... *
I think she's been in Gisbourne a wee bit longer than that... someone else, it was. She might know who they are, though? I can't remember.



* one for Little Britain fans

[Blackbird]

Ooops, blush and apologies! :nono:

Have just done a quick search on the word Gisborne and it throws up the following members:

R1 Thrasher (ex Scotland)
Pipeman
Jbee

They may be able to help if they are still members. Toads certainly is.

Geoff

[crashe]

All I can suggest is that you PM "Toads" and she will be able to help you out with any of your questions. Toads lives just outside of Gisborne.

Good luck in your move to Gisborne...

[madboy]

I'm with Ramius here... very high unemployment which leads to all the social problems expected. Very high proportion of Maori, and very high proportion of lower socio-economic people, and I'm not trying to start something I don't wanna get into here, but that may or may not be a consideration for you. Miles from friggin anywhere. Most of the big cultural events in NZ are in or around teh main centres - Auckland/Wgtn/Chch. Mostly Auckland. And yeah, if you've got teenage kids, well yeah, make sure the girls are on the pill and the boys wrap up.

But on the positive side - nice climate, nice beaches and correct me if I'm wrong but there's some good surf up that way?

Don't suppose you want to share what occupation your wife is in?

Kinda place I personally would like to holiday in, not live.

Welcome to NZ though (in advance)!!

[Ixion]

---WARNING--- ---FORMER GISBORNITE ABOUT TO SPEAK---

..

For a teenager, the place is piss boring and really, apart from going to the movies, there is only drinking, sex, drugs & driving around for hours on end in circles in a suped up POS.
..

You want more ? Some people are never satisfied

[Matt Bleck]

I was born and bred in Gissy, and it aint as bad as some people are making out!

It is one of NZ's best surf spots!! Awesome wine industry!!! Even better roads to ride, the Waioweka gorge is the longest in NZ!!!! And in the last year or so they have started on developing Motels hotels and apartments along the wharf!!!!!

Oh yeah and it is the first city in the world to see the new day!!!!!!!

[jazbug5]

And in the last year or so they have started on developing Motels hotels and apartments along the wharf!!!!!


You were doing really well selling it to me until you wrote that.

[Ramius]

I was born and bred in Gissy, and it aint as bad as some people are making out!

It is one of NZ's best surf spots!! Awesome wine industry!!! Even better roads to ride, the Waioweka gorge is the longest in NZ!!!! And in the last year or so they have started on developing Motels hotels and apartments along the wharf!!!!!

Oh yeah and it is the first city in the world to see the new day!!!!!!!

Sorry to raise the bad news, Gisborne is NOT a city!!!

A few years ago, before the turn of the millennium, this 'discussion' was raised at school with a few of my fellow classmates. I said it was not, they, including the social studies teacher/dean said yes it was...And to all of those that doubted me... :motu: Suck on that bastards! :whocares:

However, the wine is fantastic...great place to get wine and wedges is the works bar, which is on the wharf.

[Beemer]

"Sorry to raise the bad news, Gisborne is NOT a city!!!"

Don't know where you come up with that claim, Ramius, because whether or not a place is classed as a city goes on the population and as Gisborne has a population of about 45,000 (about 33,000 in the city itself), then it is most definitely a city. Before 1989 a borough council with more than 20,000 people could call itself a city, so Gisborne is well above that.

Whether or not it's a city I would want to live in is another matter. I spent my teenage years in Whakatane and it's a bit like Gisborne - great beaches, great surf, lots of unemployed and lots of prejudice.

[Skunk]

You were doing really well selling it to me until you wrote that.Yeah, they're an eyesore... but thankfully they are near the old industrial area.


However, the wine is fantastic...great place to get wine and wedges is the works bar, which is on the wharf.The Works has great food too. Fettucine(sp?) Brothers is excellent.

[Matt Bleck]

"Sorry to raise the bad news, Gisborne is NOT a city!!!"

Don't know where you come up with that claim, Ramius, because whether or not a place is classed as a city goes on the population and as Gisborne has a population of about 45,000 (about 33,000 in the city itself), then it is most definitely a city. Before 1989 a borough council with more than 20,000 people could call itself a city, so Gisborne is well above that.

Whether or not it's a city I would want to live in is another matter. I spent my teenage years in Whakatane and it's a bit like Gisborne - great beaches, great surf, lots of unemployed and lots of prejudice.


Thank you!!!

[Beemer]

No probs, r4q2 - even Wainuiomata is a city going on this definition! Levin, however, still has a way to go, and the rural part we live in probably has another 19,500 to go before it qualifies!

[Ramius]

"Sorry to raise the bad news, Gisborne is NOT a city!!!"

Don't know where you come up with that claim, Ramius, because whether or not a place is classed as a city goes on the population and as Gisborne has a population of about 45,000 (about 33,000 in the city itself), then it is most definitely a city. Before 1989 a borough council with more than 20,000 people could call itself a city, so Gisborne is well above that.

Whether or not it's a city I would want to live in is another matter. I spent my teenage years in Whakatane and it's a bit like Gisborne - great beaches, great surf, lots of unemployed and lots of prejudice.

A city is defined as having a population of 50,000+. Gisborne district has one of about 43,000.
Statistics New Zealand state that a city is defined as having a population of what I have said... Gisborne itself is defined as a major urban area, but not a city. Sorry bud, but nobody passes one over me...
(Background story, years and years ago, the population limit was lower, Gisborne became a city, however, in redefining a city, lost it in 1980 something.)
For further information, contact statistics NZ. They were good enough to provide me with this info 7 years ago (at that time there were something like 15 cities around NZ). They stated, that even though in the legal definition of a city, Gisborne is not one, it does not stop them using the title.

Have a good day. :grouphug:

PS The territorial authority is Gisborne District.
For where I am, its Upper Hutt City

[Beemer]

Oh, I stand corrected Ramius, you are so clever! Perhaps this is one of those cases where common usage has declared so many towns a city when they are most definitely not in the eyes of the Gods of Statistics.

One was not trying to "get one over you", one was merely repeating what one was told when one was at school herself. Note to self: do more research before posting.

Having said that, it's bloody close to being a city and it was classed as one in the past, so stop being so damned pedantic! Do you count beans for a living?

[sels1]

It depends on your concept of distance. Gisborne is a couple of hours drive (over some windy hilly roads - good for bikes - not so good for kids in back of car)away from the next major urban area. To some thats a lot, to others not so bad. It has had an air of a cruisey backwater sort of place thats good to go to for holidays. That is starting to change now and it is catching up to everywhere else. House prices are rising, unemployment is dropping, more people are moving there. When I was there some weeks back, the first 3 shops I went in to had English migrants working there. (you will feel at home) It has everything you would expect in a large town/small city. All the major retail chains are represented, as are the fast food outlets. some good resturants and cafes and pubs. It has an airport of course and shipping Port.
As mentioned in other posts, a good climite and great beachs. A top wine (and fruit) growing area. The cost of living there is less than the bigger cities
and the pace of life is pretty laid back.

[Ramius]

Oh, I stand corrected Ramius, you are so clever! Perhaps this is one of those cases where common usage has declared so many towns a city when they are most definitely not in the eyes of the Gods of Statistics.

One was not trying to "get one over you", one was merely repeating what one was told when one was at school herself. Note to self: do more research before posting.

Having said that, it's bloody close to being a city and it was classed as one in the past, so stop being so damned pedantic! Do you count beans for a living?

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit young grasshopper.
No no no, I don't say do more research before posting, I say, do more research before trying to disprove The Ramius. As well quoted, "no one f*cks with the Ramius" PS. Gisborne is just under 20,000 people away from being a city. Because the 43k includes all the areas coming under the Gisborne Territory, but would not be included if Gisborne was to go for city status. And you are right, its one of those things that people say so often, people just assume it's right.
As for what I do for a living, well, no, I don't count beans, I enforce fines.

Come on everybody...Big group hug! :grouphug:

[Pickle]

As mentioned the place has great wine,wonderful Wine & Food Festival over Labour Weekend ( late Oct ), The Works is a great place to enjoy a meal & drinks, SKUNK last time we were at Fettucine bro's they werent that good but year before they were brilliant, some good cafes, excellent fishing eh SKUNK :puke: , some absolutely wonderful roads, really laid back & really only a couple of hours from anywhere.

[Beemer]

Not young, twice your age you whippersnapper!

My husband doesn't let me f**k with other men anyway, so sorry if you thought I was trying...

Glad I don't owe any fines then, or you'd know where I live by now.

But anyway, Gisborne has its pros and cons - its location is a bit remote but that can be an attraction to some, and every town/city/village has its fair share of shady characters. It has improved somewhat over the years and the road to top of the hill that they use in the car rally is awesome. Shame we rolled the car on one of the more remote sections of the course... Been standing by the wrecked car five minutes when a truck pulls up and we were asked "hey bro, you gonna leave your car there tonight?" Yeah right!

[sels1]

For a teenager, the place is piss boring and really, apart from going to the movies, there is only drinking, sex, drugs & driving around for hours on end in circles in a suped up POS.


This, of course , applies to a lot of teenagers in most towns, mine included. Despite the fact there are lots of stuff to do - surfing, fishing, boating, sailing, rugby/soccer/cricket/netball/golf clubs and a whole host of other activities - same as any other town.
Exploring drinking/sex/etc and driving round in cars is teenage thing everywhere, I think.

And my teenager just moved to Gisborne!

[Kendog]

I was born and bred in Gissy, and it aint as bad as some people are making out!

It is one of NZ's best surf spots!! Awesome wine industry!!! Even better roads to ride, the Waioweka gorge is the longest in NZ!!!! And in the last year or so they have started on developing Motels hotels and apartments along the wharf!!!!!

Oh yeah and it is the first city in the world to see the new day!!!!!!!

I also grew up there, nice place back then as a young kid, but not to much going on as a teenager, unless you surf or drink :niceone:

I like going back now and then for a break, don't think I could live there again.

[Ramius]

This, of course , applies to a lot of teenagers in most towns, mine included.
Exploring drinking/sex/etc and driving round in cars is teenage thing everywhere, I think.


I know, but it was useful for the purpose of my story.... :whistle:

[wari]

HAs da best o-ranges inda werld ... and ... thatsa fact ... :yeah:

I Reckon dat place is onda way up ... :motu:

GEttin now ifya wanna slice offit ... :wari:

[LB]

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Nice place to visit, but not sure if I'd like to live there - like's been said before, very isolated, and no major bike shops - a couple of smaller ones though.

Lovely riding roads in all three major directions.

Can get very hot in summer.

No Ducati dealer.

There is, however, a McCafe at the McDonalds.
.
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[Ramius]

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There is, however, a McCafe at the McDonalds.
.
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Which, might I add has the cheapest, and nicest Mochaccino's around. $3.65 for a large one, whereas large at Robert Harris is $5 and tastes like, well, not good.

[Dafe]

If you like big city life, Don't do it!
If you and your wife are both used to living the smaller township lifestyle and enjoy a slow paced lifestyle, then Gisborne is fabulous.
Gisborne is reknowned for its fabulous east coast beaches like Tokomaru Bay & Tologa Bay. It's kind of a surfies ideal place. The coastal areas are beautiful.
But as already mentioned, Isolated from other towns.
Personally, I'd not mind living there! The other place I'd like is Hawke's Bay.

[sels1]

HAs da best o-ranges inda werld ... and ... thatsa fact ... :yeah::

Aha....but have you tried Raoul Island oranges, fresh from the tree - NZs juiciest