About Gisborne

The coast upon which the sun shines across the water.

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

Tairawhiti is the Maori name for the district, and means "the coast upon which the sun shines across the water." Kaiti Beach, near Gisborne, is where the region's Maori settlers first landed in their waka (sea-going vessel) Horouta, and is also where Captain Cook and his crew became the first Europeans to set foot on New Zealand. Find out more about Gisborne's history on the Gisborne District Council website.

Gisborne has many cafes and restaurants serving local products as well as some of the best New Zealand food and wine. The Tairawhiti district is a melting pot of cultures which provides valuable exposure and experiences both professionally and socially. The district's residents love the easy access to many outdoor pursuits including hunting, fishing, mountain biking and tramping.

Heading north up the coast for weekend camping is a popular and relaxing way to experience the North Island's beautiful east coast. Its white-sand beaches are treasured and enjoyed by all - but such is the remote nature of many that you could find yourself virtually alone along great stretches of coast.

Gisborne's infrastructure ensures freight and commuting between other main centres is well catered for. Daily flights and bus connections join a rail freight service catering to a busy port for overseas shipping and local fishing indistrustries.

The district covers a land area of 8,265 square kilometres on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This is approximately 4.9% of New Zealand's total land area. Our neighbouring regions are Hawke's Bay to the south and the Bay of Plenty to the north west.

 Climate

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 of around 2200 hours. The region's annual rainfall varies from about 1000mm near the coast to over 2500mm in the higher inland country. Temperatures of 38°C have been recorded and an average 65 days a year have a maximum of over 24°C.

 Farming

The Poverty Bay plains contain 20,200 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 to grazing. Sheep, cattle, deer and goats are farmed. Pinus radiata forests have been planted throughout the region with forestry now a major land use.

Transport

Gisborne is serviced 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.

Find out more about the Tairawhiti District....

Tourism Eastland - http://www.gisbornenz.com

Gisborne District Council - http://www.gdc.govt.nz

The Gisborne Herald - www.gisborneherald.co.nz

Gisborne Wine - www.gisbornewine.co.nz

Gisborne Chamber of Commerce - www.Gisborne.org.nz

Gisborne Economic Development Unit - www.Gisborne.govt.nz

Jobs in Gisborne - www.gisbornejobs.co.nz/

Weather in Gisborne - www.metservice.com/towns-cities/gisborne

Houses for Sale - www.realestate.co.nz/residential/all/gisborne

Rhythm and Vines - www.rhythmandvines.co.nz