Gisborne

Gisborne is famous for its sun, surf and scenery. Located on the north western coast of New Zealand's North Island, the Gisborne region has almost 45,000 residents.

Reasons to visit include:

The Sun

Gisborne boasts that it is the first city in the world to greet the sun each day because of its position relative to the International Date Line. Technically, this is only true for part of the year and there is friendly rivalry between Gisborne and Suva, Fiji, and Nuku'alofa, Tonga, as to who can truly make the claim. Either way, Gisborne gets plenty of sun!

Surf

The city is close to the white sand beaches of Waikanae and Midway and it's a short drive to the surf beach of Wainui. The beach lifestyle includes hosting the annual Dawn Raid Beach Day Out, an outdoor concert featuring hip hop stars each January.

Scenery

Tourism operators in Gisborne offer the chance for fixed wing or helicopter flights over some stunning scenery in the area. You can fly over the volcanic cone at White Island, the Motu River Valley, Mt Hikurangi, the East Cape Lighhouse, Lake Waikaremoana and along the east coast. Take your camera!

Gardens

Half an hour from Gisborne is the Eastwoodhill Arboretum at Ngatapa, a world-renowned collection of trees in a park with hills, valleys, ponds and formal gardens. The Hackfalls Arboretum at Tiniroto is also worth a visit.

Maori culture

Tairawhiti (the Gisborne region) has one of the highest Maori populations in New Zealand. Guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the Maori culture, including visits to Te Poho O Rawiri Marae or Whangara Marae (where the movie Whale Rider was filmed).

Wines

Gisborne lays claim to the title of New Zealand's Chardonnay capital. Certainly, many local wineries produce award-winning examples of chardonnay and tours of vineyards can be arranged through the local information centre.

Monument

You can visit the James Cook Monument which commemorates the occasion, on October 8, 1769, when Yorkshireman James Cook first stepped ashore in New Zealand - the first of many visitors from the United Kingdom!