 As whaling increased, the
missionaries followed and gradually more pakeha arrived.
Continual Maori resistance inhibited the establishment of an
organised settlement and many battles took place. Even today much
of the pastureland is leased from the Maori, the fertile alluvial
plains supporting intensive farming of sub-tropical fruits,
market-garden produce and vineyards.
Famous for it’s Chardonnay, Gisborne is a major
wine-producing region. Tours are available taking in the larger
wineries, and some of the smaller companies also welcome
visitors. The Gisborne Museum houses displays relating to east
coast Maori and colonial history, as well as geology and natural
history exhibits. One of the country’s largest Maori meeting
houses, Te Poho-o-Rawiri, has a richly decorated interior and is
located at the base of Titirangi (Kaiti Hill). This hill is also
home to ‘The World’s Easternmost Observatory’, the
Cook Observatory. The superb beaches offer good swimming, fishing
and surfing and attract a wealth of bird life including stilts,
oyster catchers and other sea birds. The visitor information
centre has details on walks, horse trekking, fishing and hunting
tours and other activities in the area - there is certainly
no shortage of things to do!
 To most Kiwi’s the East Cape is the ‘back and
beyond’ and few take the time to really appreciate the
treasures it most certainly possesses. In addition to the obvious
scenic beauty of the area, its most famous jewel is that of Dame
Kiri Te Kanawa, the world-renowned opera diva. It is hard to
imagine that such a talented beauty was raised in such a remote
place, how she managed to nurture her talent and be discovered!
Dame Kiri has graced stages all over the world and also sang at
the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981.
Accommodation in Gisborne varies from camping grounds, to
backpackers, guesthouses to motels and hotels. Along the coast it
is a pleasure to simply turn up and see what’s available!
Camping grounds with cabins and caravans are common, and motels,
backpackers and quaint hostels are available in many of the small
towns dotting the coastline. The beauty of the East Cape is that
of discovery, not luxury. So take in everything it has to offer
as there are few places left on earth that still offer
life’s simple pleasures!
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