Gisborne

Where is it?

Approximately 250 crow flying miles up the east coast, Gisborne’s claim to fame is as the most easterly city in the country. This was the first city to see in the new millennium. Gisborne is sited on the edge of Poverty Bay.

What’s it like?

This was where Captain Cook first made landfall in New Zealand. He basically landed long enough to replenish supplies and kill a couple of the locals. It is little wonder that this area saw much activity during numerous Maori wars and uprisings. Cook landed in 1769 but it was only a hundred years later that Europeans felt confident enough to come here in great numbers although settlement had begun in the 1830’s with the advent of a whaling station. The Maori had been in the area for 750 years before Cook turned up. No wonder they were aggrieved.

What to see and what to do.

Gisborne is well located for beach lovers with a wide number to choose from. There are children’s beaches and surf beaches for both beginner and expert. If you prefer high adrenaline water activities try the shark encounters. Get lowered into a cage and watch these prehistoric predators on the prowl.
There are numerous monuments to Capt Cook and his cabin boy ‘Young Nick’, the first one to actually first set eyes on New Zealand. The best of these is the Cook Observatory, which sits atop Titirangi (or Kaiti Hill). This high point affords great views of the whole area.
The Tairawhiti Museum is a good regional museum. This will give the visitor an insight into local geology and natural history as well as Maori and colonial history.
For an enormous example of the traditional Maori marae (or meeting place) check out the Te Poho-o-Rawiri. This is one of the largest in NZ and the woodcarvings are great examples of this tribal art form.
There are several companies offering tours of the region including lake trips and wine trails. All in all a place with a lot to offer everyone. And everyone’s favourite antipodean singing Dame (not Edna) Kiri Te Kanawa was born here too.

Eating, drinking and sleeping.

Gisborne with some justification declares itself to be the Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand. Take one of the wine tours and enjoy the produce as you go. The same could be said of a Sunshine Brewery visit. Elsewhere in Gisborne, there are a number of decent cafés, restaurants and bars; everything is on offer from stylish continental cuisine to traditional pubs and the ubiquitous Irish bar.
The usual array of hostels, hotels and B&B’s prices are not too hideous but you would be advised to book in advance especially in the high season period just after Christmas.