Gisborne on the sunny East Coast of the North Island is the first city in the world to see the sun each day.

The Maori name for the district is Tairawhiti which means "The coast upon which the sun shines across the water".

Captain Cook first set foot here in 1769. European settlement was established in 1831 & the town which developed was named after Hon. William Gisborne, the Colonial Secretary, in 1870.

The Poverty Bay plains river flats combined with mild temperatures, make this district an ideal area for the growing of maize, grapes, kiwifruit, citrus & subtropical fruits. Pinus radiata forests have been planted throughout the region with forestry now a major industry.

Gisborne is serviced by daily passenger/freight, air & bus connections to other main centres in the North Island. There is also a rail freight service & a busy overseas shipping & local fishing port.

Gisborne is famous for it's surfing beaches, Makarori Point being well known for its great surfing breaks.

If you want to be blown away, Kaiti & Wainui beaches are great windsurfing/yachting spots.