The town of Gisborne (pop. 32,000) lies in Poverty Bay (so named by Captain Cook in 1769), on the southern edge of the East Cape. Cook landed on Kaiti Beach, where the Turanganui River flows into the sea, but was prevented by the aggressive attitude of the local Maoris from taking in food and water. The country round Poverty Bay is now a fertile
fruit-growing area.
Situated off the main communication routes and far from the important New Zealand markets, Gisborne was long regarded as the 'end of the world'. Even today, with improved communications, the population continues to decline. Nevertheless each year from Christmas to New Year Gisborne is extremely busy because the New Year's sun first touches land here. For the turn of the millennium all hotel accommodation in Gisborne and the vicinity was booked out months in advance.
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