Location Location Location

Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the sun each day, is located on the sunny east coast of the North Island.

 

The Maori name for the district is Tairawhiti which means “the coast upon which the sun shines across the water”.  Kaiti Beach, near the city, was where the Maori immigrational waka Horouta, landed and it is also the first European landing place in New Zealand.

 

Gisborne is a superb seaside destination.

 

Gisborne’s natural attractions include renown surfing breaks, perfect swimming beaches and miles of untouched coastline.  There are many garden attractions, excellent bush farm and wilderness walks, some of New Zealand’s best fly-fishing rivers and award winning wineries.

 

The extensive Gisborne coastline provides large stretches of safe, sandy beaches alternated by rocky points ideal for fishing swimming boating or scuba diving.  There are also numerous rivers for fishing, rafting, kayaking and jet boating.

 

The laid back and relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by its inhabitants will soon become evident and appreciated by visitors.

 

 

The Gisborne district (population 45,000 with about 30,000 residing in the city) generally has warm summers and mild winters.  Gisborne is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand with average yearly sunshine hours of around 2,200.  The region’s annual rainfall varies from about 1,000mm near the coast to over 2,500mm in the higher inland country.  Temperatures of 38o Celsius have been recorded and an average 65 days a year have a maximum of over 24o Celsius.

 

 

The Poverty Bay Plains contained 2,200 ha of rich alluvial river flats which, combined with mild temperatures, make this district an ideal area for the growing of maize, grapes, kiwifruit, citrus and subtropical fruits.  The district is mainly hill country, well suited for grazing.  Sheep cattle deer and goats are farmed.  Pinus Radiata forests have been planted throughout the region with forestry now a major land use.

 

 

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