The East Coast is found on the North Island, between the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. The region’s biggest city is Gisborne, located at the northern end. Captain Cook himself gave the area its name, and the East Coast was the very first part of the country the good Cap’n set eyes on when he arrived on the Endeavour in 1769.
The city of Gisborne is a popular holiday spot for New Zealanders. Agriculture, farming and forestry are among the most popular industries in the region. Viniculture is highly valuable to the local and national economy, especially thanks to the wines of the Hawkes Bay.
The region is sheltered by high country to the west and has a dry, sunny climate with many hours of sunshine every year. Gisborne’s climate also makes it ideal terrain in which to grow maize, grapes, kiwifruit and subtropical fruits.