The unspoilt East Coast Region is still one of the world’s best kept secrets and has inspired authors, poets, artists and wine lovers.
It has some of New Zealand’s most exciting and consistent surf breaks and safe swimming, and excellent surf conditions can be enjoyed year round.
Regular festivals include the Tuia Festival at New Year which culminates in a community fireworks extravaganza on New Year’s Day.
Food and wine lovers will delight in the annual Wine and Food Festival and well as the Taste Gisborne event – both are chances to sample the best of local produce.
You can visit the home where much of the filming of the movie “Whale Rider" took place and listen to the story that inspired the film.
At the site of the first meeting between Maori and European, the Gisborne District is rich in history. You can see Gisborne’s bicultural heritage everywhere, from the elaborate Maori canoe masthead to the Cook memorial. Over 100 marae in the district are living treasure houses of traditional Maori history.
The Tairawhiti Museum and Art Gallery has a reputation as one of the most innovative regional museums in New Zealand. Toihoukura at the Tairawhiti Polytechnic is home and school to the finest contemporary Maori Art in the world. Eastwoodhill Arboretum houses New Zealand’s largest collection of trees from around the world.
Click here for a list of events in the Gisborne region during 2004.
