Before the summer crowds arrive, take a look inside Gisborne's best open homes

Saturday, 18 July 2026

Stuff chief property correspondent Janika ter Ellen breaks down why first home buyers are abandoning the 20% deposit milestone and what risks they face as interest rates prepare to rise later this year.

One of Aotearoa's oldest places of settlement and the country's sunniest city, Tairāwhiti-Gisborne offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle, sought-after beach suburbs and a property market that remains attractive to buyers.

With a median house price of $566,000, first home buyers continue to drive the market, while a steady stream of people relocating for work - including hospital staff from overseas - is helping support demand.

This weekend's picks include a mid-century ranch-style family home in Inner Kaiti, a character-filled Edwardian cottage, a modern barn-style home in Wainui and two stylish 1970s homes with plenty of personality.

Each week, we bring you our favourite open homes to hit up in a town or suburb near you. This week, our focus is on Tairāwhiti-Gisborne. Whether you’re eager to buy, or simply a perpetual property peruser, you’ll find an open home worth taking a peek at here each Saturday morning.

There are beaches right in the centre of town and cruise ships come in close.

It’s considered one of the birthplaces of the country, believed to be among the earliest landing places of Māori and the site of Captain Cook’s first landing in 1769, but did you know Tairāwhiti-Gisborne also has a reputation for being Aotearoa’s most underrated holiday spot?

The first city in the world to see the sunrise, Gisborne gets about 2300 hours of sunshine per year, beating the next-closest main centre by almost 200 hours.

A statue of beloved Footrot Flats characters Wal and Dog outside the Gisborne Library. Creator Murray Ball lived in Gisborne in the last decades of his life.

While Gisborne has endured a tough few years following severe weather events, come summer the Golden Coast will live up to its name. Beach suburbs such as Wainui, Okitu and Makorori remain among the city’s most sought-after addresses.

Even in winter, though, the city has something to offer buyers.

Acton House, Gisborne, is not open this weekend, but it is still on the market.

'We're having some beautiful weather at the moment, which always encourages a bit more interest,' says Ray White estate agent Richard Pearce.

With a median house price of $566,000, Gizzy remains popular with first home buyers.

This home in Kaiti is surrounded by lush planting.

While the market has slowed down this winter, Pearce says he’s seeing a steady stream of people relocating for work, particularly to the local hospital. This includes a few overseas buyers.

Like most older cities in the country, Gizzy offers a mix of stock, from Edwardian mansions such as Acton Estate (sadly not holding an open home this weekend) to affordable new builds.

One property that will be open this Sunday is the four-bed, two-bath Mid-century ranch-style home at 12 Marian Drive, in Inner Kaiti. Surrounded by lush planting, Pearce says the home is in one of the more coveted spots in the city.

This vintage cottage is an example of the town's colonial past.

'There's been some resistance to properties down by the river. But this is well above the river, and there's properties between it and the river as well.'

The drive is a cul-de-sac, so there’s no through traffic, making it quiet and private.

The house is deceptively simple looking from the street.

Inside, the house is fresh and tidy, with interesting architecture. The asymmetrical clerestory windows and the ranch sliders in the living room connect the home to the lush garden outside, and the deep, covered decking makes it accessible year-round.

Imagine long summer evenings under the vines...

'It's been beautifully landscaped, lovely plantings. The big new deck is west facing, so you get all that afternoon sun and lots and lots of native bird life.'

This house has lots of funky features you could enhance.

He says it would suit families, as it’s close to good schools and has plenty of garden to explore.

With a CV of $650,000, the home is for sale by negotiation.

This is a great family home, with a little added extra...

Open Home Times: Sunday, July 19, 11am to 11:30am

Is this the ultimate DIY fire pit? It might be.

For something a little more affordable, and quaint, the “shotgun” style cottage at 25 Harris Street, Kaiti, could be the one for you. The Edwardian home is in need of a little TLC, but is packed with enough vintage features to make it more than worth your while.

The home has been updated, so there’s a new kitchen and bathroom, but the home is crying out for someone to come along and make the most of the original fireplace, and that stunning front door.

With a CV of $485,000, the property is on the market with an asking price of $540,000. The listing is with Jane Crawshaw-Bullivant for Arizto.

Open Home Times: Sunday, July 19, 1pm to 1:30pm

Looking for something that needs no work, but would suit your growing family? The three-year-old home at 12 Tuamotu Park, in Wainui, is worth a look. This fresh, tidy, barn-style home is a blank slate for you to showcase your personality in.

With open ceilings and polished concrete floors, the open-plan heart of the home is spacious and light-filled. It’s also well connected to the fully fenced backyard. Check out the grapevine-covered pergola off the living room - stunning.

With a CV of $793,000, the vendors are seeking enquiries over $900,000 for this home-for-life. The listing is with Scott Hannah and Tom Harbott for Ray White.

Open Home Times: Sunday, July 19, 11am to 11:30am

For a similar vibe, at a lower price point, the 70s-built home at 68 Anzac St, in the city centre, might be worth a look. This home’s standout feature is the open ceiling, with its flying eaves, that give the home a slightly sci-fi air.

The three-bed home has a decent-sized section and lawn that could be developed into a productive garden. There’s a covered outdoor area that will be ideal for long summer nights.

With a CV of $674,000 this home is for sale by negotiation. The listing is with Kerry Low for Bayleys.

Open Home Times: Sunday, July 19, 2pm to 2:30pm

Finally, a home of a similar period to the Anzac St property, but one that has been significantly updated with a new bathroom. The three-bed home at 3 Wi Pere St, in Mangapapa, sits above a large garage and workshop with additional parking - or private skate ramp - outside.

The real selling point, though, is the garden. The sunken garden firepit is a thing of 1970s beauty, and the kind of fun and funky DIY project no one seems to have the time - or guts - to build nowadays. I can’t think of a better place to while away a cool evening.

With a CV of $698,000, this home is for sale by deadline, which closes on July 24. The listing is with Shannon Sheridan for The Agency.

Open Home Times: Sunday, July 19, 12pm to 12:45pm