East Coast

The East Coast is located in the North Island, between the Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay.

Gisborne is the region’s biggest city, located at the north end of Poverty Bay. The bay is said to be the first part of the country sighted by Captain James Cook’s crew when they arrived in the Endeavour ship in 1769.

The city of Gisborne is a popular holiday spot for New Zealanders. Agriculture, farming and forestry are amongst the most popular industries in the region. Viniculture is also highly valuable, especially due to the wines from Hawkes Bay.

The region is sheltered by high country to the west and has a dry, sunny climate with a high number of sunshine hours every year. Gisborne’s climate also makes it an ideal place to grow maize, grapes, kiwifruit and subtropical fruits.