Wedding Venue in Gisborne — Beachside Celebrations
Say “I do” with Midway Beach as your backdrop. The Mana Moana Lounge opens to a deep balcony with 180° ocean views, perfect for golden-hour photos, mingling and speeches. Flexible layouts, BYO vendors and a friendly on-site team make planning easy.Beachfront spaces for meetings, workshops and offsites—professional inside, ocean air outside. Minutes from the CBD with parking, fast Wi-Fi and plug-and-present AV — the simple choice for corporate venue hire Gisborne.
- Up to 100 seated / 150 standing
- Free parking
- BYO catering & drinks
- Oceanfront balcony
Why couples choose Midway
Celebrate close to the sand without leaving town. The Mana Moana Lounge gives you a bright, modern space that flows onto a 5-metre-deep balcony above the beach — stunning in photos and super practical for canapés, sunsets and first dances under the evening sky. You can bring your own caterer, beverages and styling, or we’ll point you to trusted locals. Guests love the free parking and the short drive to the airport and city; you’ll love how simple it is to set up, celebrate and pack down.
What corporate guests say
Real feedback from meetings, conferences and workshops held at Midway.
“Lovely venue… awesome facility.”
“Beautiful says it all.”
“Plenty of parking available to the side or front.”
“It was a great event and the manager Gina was absolutely fantastic.”
“New, great facilities… Great views of the beach.”
Ceremony & reception ideas
Oceanfront moments outside, effortless hosting inside.
Balcony ceremony, lounge reception:
Exchange vows with the ocean behind you, then move inside for dinner and dancing.
Off-site ceremony, Midway reception:
Marry at your church, marae or favourite spot, then host a relaxed oceanfront celebration here.
Wet-weather friendly:
If the weather turns, we can re-set the lounge for an indoor ceremony that still feels special.
And so much more
Your spaces
We offer two flexible spaces. Pick the room that fits your headcount, format and vibe.
Mana moana lounge
- up to 100 seated / 150 standing
An oceanfront function lounge with views from Te Kurī-a-Pāoa (Young Nicks Head) to Tuamotu Island. The room opens to the balcony for golden-hour photos and an easy inside/outside flow. Ideal for ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners and next-day brunches.
- Private ocean-facing balcony
- Full AV system & projector
- Natural light throughout
- Flexible layout options
- Best for
- Offsites, all-hands, client events, training cohorts, networking.
- Typical layouts
- Theatre, classroom, cabaret/banquet, cocktail.
- Practical details
- Easy flow to the balcony for breaks and fresh-air resets; 7am–Midnight bookable.
Add a quiet room (optional)
- Up to 10 guests
Need a prep room or space for tamariki/whānau? Ask about using the Boardroom (up to 10) beside the lounge.
- Premium AV & video confeencing
- Elegant boardroom table
- Climate controlled comfort
- Private and discreet
- Best for
- Planning sessions, interviews, governance meetings, small workshops.
- Typical layouts
- Boardroom, U-shape, small classroom.
- Practical details
- Discreet and professional, close to amenities, 6am–9pm bookable.
Not sure which space is right for you?
- Capacity: Lounge up to 100 seated (150 standing); Boardroom up to 10.
- Layouts: Lounge supports theatre, classroom, cabaret/banquet, U-shape, cocktail; Boardroom is boardroom/U-shape.
- Balcony access: Lounge only.
Inclusions & Amenities
Every booking includes tables and chairs, Wi-Fi, standard room setup, and access to onsite bathrooms and accessible entry. The Lounge adds ocean views and direct balcony access; the Boardroom adds a large display for presentations. AV options (projector/TV, mics, clicker) are available on request, and both spaces can access a large kitchen for self-catering or working with your preferred vendors. We prep the space before your arrival and do a basic reset afterwards.
Oceanfront location with natural light
Access to balcony
AV options
Wi-Fi and power access
Tables, chairs and standard room setup
Onsite bathrooms and accessible entry
Pre-event clean and post-event basic reset
Optional extras (subject to availability): additional AV, black linen, tea/coffee service, next-day clean-up window, staging, and simple vendor coordination.
BYO flexibility (catering, drinks & styling)
Make it yours. You’re welcome to bring your own caterer and beverages and style the room to match your day. The large kitchen includes two ovens with gas hobs and a fridge (bring cookware/serveware). We’ll brief you on access, bump-in/bump-out and service points so vendors run on time. Prefer recommendations? We can connect you with Gisborne caterers, bakers, stylists, florists, photographers and DJs.
Photo spots you’ll love
Midway Beach & dunes
A few steps away for portraits; time it for golden hour.
On the balcony
Sunset light over the surf line = instant magic.
Inside the lounge
Floor-to-ceiling windows keep everything bright in any weather.
Layouts for beautiful, comfortable celebrations
We’ll help you pick the layout that fits your guest list and vibe.
Theatre
Great for an indoor ceremony or formal programme.
Sweetheart table
Head table – styled however you like.
Banquet
warm, communal dining with space for speeches.
Cocktail
Up to 150 standing for mingling and music, with balcony flow.
Cabaret
Round tables with a central stage/dance area.
Self-Service Freedom (Bring Your Own)
Prefer to bring your own catering, décor and entertainment? Go for it. Our large kitchen supports self-catering and caterers (bring cookware and serving gear). We can also point you to trusted locals for food, AV, styling and photography so you stay in control of budget and style.
FAQ
ask us
anything
Can we BYO alcohol and catering?
Yes. You can BYO and choose your own vendors. A responsible, sober adult must be present when alcohol is served. No under-age drinking.
What time can we celebrate until?
The Mana Moana Lounge is typically bookable 7:00am–Midnight. Ask about a next-day clean-up window (subject to availability).
Are candles or open flames allowed?
For safety, no open flames/BBQs in the lounge, kitchen or balcony. (LED candles look great in the space.)
Can we attach décor to walls or ceilings?
Please avoid affixing decorations to walls. Talk to us about approved options for signage and installs.
How many people can we host?
Up to 100 seated (more for cocktail). Final numbers depend on your layout and dance floor plan — we’ll help you map it.
Is there AV for speeches and music?
Yes — we can provide a handheld mic, lectern and basic in-room audio on request.
Where can guests park, and is the venue accessible?
There’s free parking adjacent to the Hub and accessible entry throughout.
How Booking Works
01.
Enquire
Send an enquiry with your preferred date, time and headcount.
02.
Confirm
We’ll confirm availability, inclusions and any extras you need.
03.
secure date
Secure your booking with a deposit and signed T&Cs.
04.
Finalise details
Finalise layout and access times the week of your event.
Planning Resources
Short on time or comparing event venues in Gisborne? These guides help:
See What’s On at the Hub
There’s always something happening at Midway: community events, workshops and local celebrations. Browse upcoming events to get a feel for the space in action.
TRUSTED BY LOCAL TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS
- Eastland Group
- Gisborne District Council
- Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
- Eastland Port
- Gisborne Herald
Ready to Plan Your Event?
Tell us about your date, guest numbers and format and we’ll help you choose the right space and layout.