Gisborne

Introducing Gisborne

Gizzy to her friends, Gisborne’s a pretty thing and increasingly self-confident. Squeezed between surf beaches and a sea of chardonnay, most Kiwis would describe the lifestyle here as ‘not bad’ – meaning, of course, bloody brilliant.

It proudly claims to be the first city on earth to see the sun and once it does it hogs it; Gisborne claims more fine days than any city in NZ and enjoys them at the beach. Poverty Bay starts here, hooking south to Young Nick’s Head.

Perhaps it’s the isolated location that’s helped Gisborne maintain its small town charm and interesting main street. Grand Edwardian buildings sit alongside modernist 1950s, five-storey ‘skyscrapers’ and the odd slice of audacious Art Deco.

It’s a good place to put your feet up for a few days, hit the beaches and sip heavenly wine. Just don’t come here to party; after dark it’s a mite, well, boring.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009