Our District

Our district covers the largest land area in the North Island of New Zealand.   We have 8355 square kilometres of land with 1855 kilometres of local roads.

Our district is located in the northeastern corner of the central North Island.  We are also referred to as the East Cape, East Coast or Eastland region.   Gisborne is the easternmost city in New Zealand.

Our population is about 44,499 (2006 census), 41,922 live in Gisborne city.    The district includes the smaller rural communities of Tolaga Bay: 831; Tokomaru Bay: 447; Ruatoria: 753; Te Karaka: 546.

Iwi in our region

The main iwi of the region are Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Te Aitanga a Mahaki.

Landscape and features

Titirangi (Kaiti Hill) overlooks the city and offers views of Poverty Bay and the surrounding rural areas.

The white cliff headland of Young Nick's Head is visible from the city.  The Māori name for the cliffs is Te Kurī-ā-Paoa, meaning The Dog of Paoa.

Gisborne is also known as the city of rivers.  The Taruheru and Waimata Rivers join to form the 1200 metre Turanganui River, the shortest river in the country. 

Mount Hikurangi is the fifth highest mountain in the North Island, but the highest non-volcanic peak.  Hikurangi is the first mountain in the world to see the sun.

Tourism and industry

Our district is a popular holiday location.  Freedom camping is available through summer.  It starts and finishes on the same dates as Daylight Saving.  We have safe beaches and a warm sunny climate.

Local industry includes agriculture, horticulture, fishing, farming and forestry.  Wine production is also valuable to the local economy.