Investing in Gisborne

Mayor Meng Foon

We are business ready and business friendly. 
In the past decade we have planned our region to be the best planned region in the world. We have complimented our planning with millions of dollars of core infrastructure to get you going. We have just completed building the city's new wastewater treatment plant.

We have all the modes of transport to support you.  We are only a one hour away from Wellington and Auckland by plane.

We have dedicated and experienced staff willing to assist you.  As an example, we had a very complicated resource consent for a wood processing plant.  Staff worked hard to grant the consent in record time for New Zealand.  

I have an open door policy for you to come and talk to me about your dreams and aspirations.  Come and do business in Gisborne/Eastcoast - it's the best decision you will make and what a great place play to live and play for your partner and family.

Mayor Meng Foon

Why Gisborne for business investment?

Economic growth for Gisborne in 2010 was 1.6 percent and remained the only region in New Zealand to experience a positive year on year growth for each quarter over the last 2 years.

The Gisborne region has a favourable environment for industry with a stable labour force combined with high tech skills in food processing and manufacturing.

Gisborne has a mild climate and fertile soil.

Our infrastructure, utilities and services

The region has been developing the infrastructure to match the growth.

Efficient, frequent transport services link Gisborne with Auckland and Wellington.

Port Gisborne can handle vessels of up to 190 metres in length and a draught of up to 10.5 metres. The export wharf has a modern fleet of cargo-handling equipment, a bulk handling installation and cool/cold storage facilities.

For manufacturing and food processing, Gisborne District Council provides an efficient, reliable supply of quality water.

Gisborne is well served with a high-capacity network of electric power lines and sub-stations covering the entire region.

Gisborne city including the industrial area is reticulated with natural gas.

Real estate prices present good opportunities. Commercial and industrial space is available at extremely moderate rates compared with those in other areas.  We have a very capable local building industry.

How we can help

Our economic development unit can assist potential investors, developers and traders in identifying opportunities related to their particular interests. These opportunities range across the whole spectrum of forestry, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, fishing, manufacturing, food processing, tourism, real estate and commercial enterprises.

The Tairawhiti Development Taskforce covering the Gisborne and Wairoa districts was established to improve prospects for jobs and businesses in the Tairawhiti region. Current projects focus on the regional development and marketing of the wine industry and the Tairawhiti Navigations Project which aim to further develop sustainable tourism business opportunities around the first arrival of Maori and later of Captain Cook and the meeting of 2 cultures.

Business links

For a list of local and national business websites