Mana Moana Lounge – Oceanfront Event Venue
An ocean-view function lounge with a deep balcony over Midway Beach. Host weddings, corporate offsites and community hui with flexible layouts, natural light and simple BYO/self-service options.
- Up to 100 seated / 150 standing
- Free parking & accessible entry
- AV & Wi-Fi included
- Up to 100 seated / 150 standing
- Free parking & accessible entry
- AV & Wi-Fi included
Mana Moana Function Lounge
- from$135/hr
- 2 hours minimum
- Up to 100 seated / 150 standing
- Tables: No Extra Charge (20 available)
- Chairs: No Extra Charge (120 available)
Our Function Lounge is available for hire as a self-service venue, giving you full control to set up, decorate, and cater to your preferences. You can bring your own food, beverages, and entertainment or work with your preferred vendors. We will ensure the space is prepared and clean for your arrival, leaving the rest up to you. This flexible approach allows you to create a truly personalised experience in a stunning oceanfront setting.
Amenities
Optional add-ons:
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.”
Check Availability
Mana Moana Lounge
Please note: This calendar only displays our currently available start times. Any blocked or missing times are already reserved for other events!
Weddings & celebrations
As a beachside wedding venue in Gisborne, Mana Moana Lounge gives you ceremony and reception in one stunning spot. We’ve hosted everything from intimate elopements to 100-guest receptions — balcony vows at golden hour, then dinner, speeches and dancing inside. Guests love the free parking; you’ll love the BYO freedom and those “wow” ocean photos.
Balcony welcome drinks and sunset portraits on Midway Beach
Wet-weather backup indoors with the ocean as your backdrop
Speeches-ready AV (mic/lectern) and space for first dance & cake table
Option to add the Boardroom as a prep/whānau room (up to 10)
Corporate events & retreats
Looking for a corporate event venue in Gisborne that actually energises people? The Lounge is a bright plenary room for company updates, product launches, training cohorts and awards nights. We regularly host strategy days and offsites: presenters plug-and-present in seconds, Wi-Fi is dependable, and balcony reset breaks keep attention high. Pair the Lounge with the Boardroom for leadership or interview breakouts.
Theatre for all-hands & briefings; classroom for enablement
Balcony breaks between blocks to lift energy
AV included (display/HDMI; mics/lectern on request)
Add the Boardroom (up to 10) for workshops or coaching
Community & hui
As a community venue in Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, Mana Moana welcomes hui, wānanga, forums, fundraisers and prizegivings. We’ve supported many local kaupapa with layouts that fit karakia, kōrero and kai, straightforward parking and access, and a large kitchen for BYO catering. The space is bright, practical and accessible throughout.
Hui & wānanga (circle, semi-circle or classroom)
Community nights & fundraisers with balcony mingling
Prizegivings / performances with simple sound support
Self-service freedom: bring your own kai, décor and entertainment
Need a breakout room too? Add the Boardroom (up to 10)
Midway Boardroom
- Up to 10 guests
A quiet, modern meeting room in Gisborne for leadership meetings, client pitches and training modules. Includes a large display with HDMI/USB-C, whiteboard and ample power.
- 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.
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
How many guests fit comfortably?
Up to 120 seated, 150 standing. We’ll confirm based on your layout and dance-floor plan.
Can we BYO catering and bar?
Yes the Function Lounge is not licenced, so you will need to arrange your refreshments. One of our local alcohol retailers will be able to deliver for you. Typically events are considered Private Functions, therefore a licence is not required. Selling alcohol to your guests? You will need to apply for a Special Licence from the GDC Alcohol licence forms | Gisborne District Council. This is your responsibility, and can take up to 4 weeks.
Is AV included?
Large display/screen, HDMI/USB-C, Wi-Fi and Projector are available on request.
What time do events finish?
All events must be concluded by 12.30am, this includes your packdown time.
Is there parking and accessible entry?
Yes plenty of free parking adjacent to the Hub. Our building is accessible with a lift from the ground floor.
Do we need to handle rubbish and cleaning?
Please remove rubbish/recycling at the end of hire. We do a standard room reset. A next-day clean-up window may be available (ask when booking).
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.