Gisborne

About

Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Gisborne has a reputation for excellent wine, great food and a lush coastline. Bask in the sunshine outside one of many cafes or restaurants lining the coast, or on one of the towns numerous beaches (where you can also catch some surf!). The Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve commemorates the landing site of Captain James Cook, famous British navigator who first set foot on New Zealand soil in Gisborne in 1769. The Tairāwhiti Museum is home to the Captain Cook statue, memorialising the explorer, whose arrival is cause for controversy due to the bloody encounters resulting in the death of several indigenous Māori people. The museum has Māori history exhibitions, extensive artwork collections and photographic displays. The maritime gallery showcases Māori waka,a vintage surfboard collection and there are an assortment of Māori textiles, stoneworks and carvings on show