Gisborne

Gisborne is a city in the eastern part of North Island, New Zealand, an island country in the south western Pacific Ocean.

On October 8th 1769 Captain James Cook first sighted New Zealand. He anchored off Gisborne and came ashore to make the first contact between Maori and European on a beach where Port Gisborne now stands. This historic meeting between the two peoples was the beginning of modern New Zealand and the descendants of the Maori people who met Cook that day still maintain Te Poho O Rawiri Marae (the meeting house) at the base of Titirangi Hill, around 1km from Port Gisborne. It has over the years welcomed many famous dignitaries.

For local information, maps and activities, head to Gisborne i-SITE Visitor Information Centre at 209 Grey Street.

For rail enthusiasts, Gisborne City Vintage Rail have restored the famous WA 165 steam train first built in 1896. It is the only one of its kind in New Zealand, with 3 restored carriages.

Tairawhiti Museum and Art Gallery is located on Stout Street and features displays relating to the history of Gisborne as well as an old ship deck that was converted into a house.

The East Coast Museum of Technology displays and demonstrates historic artefacts from the Gisborne District, showcasing technology and its development relevant to Gisborne and the surrounding area.

East Cape Lighthouse is sited on Otiki Hill above East Cape, the easternmost point on the North Island. Beautiful views can be seen from the top, however there are many hundred steps to climb.

Learn more about the Maori culture. Guided tours can be arranged with Ngati Porou Tourism and can include marae visits and 4x4 tours to local culturally significant sites.

Hikurangi, the sacred mountain of Ngati Porou is the first in the world to greet the sun each new day. It stands 1,754m high, the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island. At 1,000m above sea level are nine carvings depicting Maui and his whanau (family).

Gisborne is the Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand as well as being famous for a number of great other wines. Tours and visits to a number of boutique wineries can be organised through the Gisborne i-SITE Visitor Information Centre.

Take a helicopter flight over stunning scenery. See White Island, the Motu River Valley, Mt Hikurangi, East Cape Lighthouse, Lake Waikaremoana and the beautiful East Coast down to Mahia.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is a world-renowned tree collection set in a park like setting with hills, valleys, ponds and formal gardens. It is located around a 30 minute drive from Gisborne.

For something a little different, take a wild ride down Rere Rockslide, a natural rockslide located around 50km from Gisborne on the Wharekopae Road, heading toward Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Rere Falls are nearby as well as a swimming hole and picnic area.

For shopping, head to the centre of Gisborne or the marina. Good buys include local food and wine, arts and crafts, handmade jewellery and handblown glass products.

Dining options range from fresh fish (snapper, terakihi, whitebait and hoki), seafood (greenlipped mussels, crayfish, scallops) as well as local lamb, venison and tasty desserts such as pavlova or 'hokey pokey' - vanilla ice cream strewn with pieces of honeycomb. Enjoy a glass or two of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot along with a variety of local cheeses. International favourites can also be found such as French, Indian, Italian and Thai.

Present day Māori cuisine is a mixture of Māori tradition, old-fashioned English cookery, and contemporary dishes. Two dishes regarded as distinctively Māori are the boil-up of pork, potatoes, kumara and dumplings, and pork and puha (sow thistle).

Smaller ships may dock, however larger vessels will need to anchor and tender passengers into the marina, which is around 0.5km from the centre of Gisborne.

Cruise ship passengers may be welcomed by a number of Waka (Maori canoes) and entertained by Kapa Haka (cultural) groups as they arrive.