Gisborne | Roundabout New Zealand

DISCOVER THE BEST OF GISBORNE

Gisborne was the first part of New Zealand sighted by Captain Cook and his crew and a memorial marks the point where he first stepped ashore on the 8th of October 1769. The region is also steeped in Maori culture, with records suggesting that Titirangi Hill was the point of arrival for the migratory tribes which brought the very first Maori to colonise the area. It has a reputation for great food and wine, notably Chardonnay, aswell as beaches and surfs.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REGION

Maori Culture – with Maori forming half of the region’s population, Gisborne is the best place to experience Maori culture. In some communities, the traditional Maori language is spoken as the first language. There is an abundance of rich Maori art in carving, cuisine and ‘kapa haka’, where Maori people expressing their heritage and Polynesian identity through dance and music, for example. In Whakatane, you can visit the beautifully carved Maori meeting houses that are still functioning today. Maori settlements are dotted all along the eastern coast line. Venture up Mount Hikurangi, the sacred mountain of the Ngati Porou people, and you’ll see giant carvings of figures from Maori folklore.
Tairawhiti Museum – this award winning museum has a reputation as being one of the best regional museums and art galleries in New Zealand. It reflects the ancient and recent history of the region and includes Maori artefacts from the 14th century, when the earliest Maori explorers came to Eastland. They have hosted various cultural festivals and seek to educate and bring together both locals and tourists. They also hold photographic archives documenting the lives of local communities over the years.
Young Nick’s Head – This is the headland at the southern end of Poverty Bay in New Zealand’s North Island and is visible from Gisborne. This was the first land sighted by the crew of Captain James Cook’s ship, ‘Endeavour’, on the 7th of October 1769. Cook had promised a reward of 5 gallons of rum and the naming of the headland to the first to spot it. This so happened to be 12 year old Nicholas Young, assistant to the ship’s surgeon. In Maori the promontory is named ‘Te Kuri o Paoa’ or ‘The Dog of Paoa’, in English, as the shape of the headland looked like the dog of the famous Maori explorer Paoa.

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Gisborne is an essential stop for those who want to experience New Zealand’s heritage as many old traditions are still very much alive in the city. It is claimed that it is also the first city in the world to see the rising sun, which is only true during the summer months. Gisborne is also known as the ‘City of Rivers’ because the centre of the city sees 3 different rivers converge.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

The region is a surfer’s paradise with six of New Zealand’s protected surf breaks located on the coast line. Makorori Point is especially good.
Gisborne is the third largest wine region in the country and is world renowned for the distinctive flavours that it produces.
Walk out on the reef at Tatapouri and feed the local sealife.
Swim in the picturesque Rere Waterfall or take the more adventurous choice and board down the 60 metre rockslide.
The largest collection of exotic trees in the Southern Hemisphere can be found in the Eastwoodhill Arboretum. It is best to visit in the Spring to see all of the new growth and colours.
Gisborne is a popular spot for festivals and events including Rhythm and Vines, New Zealand’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, and the Gisborne Food and Wine Festival.
Fishing tours operate on the East Cape where there are opportunities to catch terakihi, tuna and snapper
The village of Te Araroa is home to the largest and oldest pohutukawa tree, estimated to be over 600-years old.