Park
Rere Falls
A wide waterfall on the Wharekopae River in the hinterland west of Gisborne, directly on Wharekopae Road. Adjacent is a picnic area; a few kilometres upstream are the Rere Rockslides.
New Zealand
Gisborne
Region
Gisborne, in Māori Tairāwhiti, is located on the far east of the North Island and is one of the first places to see the sun rise each morning.
by Felix Gillen
Gisborne, in Māori Tairāwhiti, is located on the far east of the North Island and is one of the first places to see the sun rise each morning. You can expect long surf beaches, vineyards with abundant Chardonnay, Māori communities with a rich history, and a coastline away from the main tourist routes.
The Tairāwhiti Gisborne region is sparsely populated and defined by its main town, Gisborne, situated on Poverty Bay. Tradition holds that the Waka Horouta and Te Ikaroa-a-Rauru landed in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Bay, and it was here on October 8, 1769, that James Cook and his crew first set foot in New Zealand. Vineyards surround the city, with Chardonnay being the most prominent grape variety grown. Inland, the Rere Falls and Rere Rockslides make for a worthwhile detour. North of the city, State Highway 35 hugs the coast towards East Cape, featuring the 660-meter-long Tolaga Bay Wharf as its most famous stop. For details on the city, beaches, and wineries, you’ll find dedicated pages for Inner City Gisborne, Wainui Beach, and the Wine Region.
Sights in Gisborne
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Historic Landmark
Tolaga Bay Wharf
The approx. 660-meter long pier, dating from 1929, in Tolaga Bay north of Gisborne on State Highway 35. It is one of New Zealand's longest piers and is perfect for a stroll above the sea.
Attraction
Rere Rockslides
An approximately 60-meter-long, smoothly polished rock slab in the Wharekōpae River, just under two kilometers upstream from the Rere Falls. Many slide down belly-first on bodyboards, air mattresses, or swim rings. Check water level and current yourself beforehand; general advice can be found in the travel and safety advisories of the Federal Foreign Office.
Māori Heritage and Encounter of 1769
Tairāwhiti is the homeland of several iwi, including Ngāti Porou on the East Coast, and Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki around Poverty Bay. The Māori population share here is much higher than the national average, and Te Reo Māori is heard more often in daily life than elsewhere.The 1769 landing site at Titirangi's base is now the Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve, under Department of Conservation care. It commemorates both the Waka's arrival and the initial, often violent, encounters with the Endeavour crew. A great introduction to the region's history is the Tairāwhiti Museum in Gisborne.
On the road in Tairāwhiti
Gisborne has a small regional airport with domestic flights. By road, you can reach the region via State Highway 2 from Napier in the south or from Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty. State Highway 35 runs around the East Cape. Buses are infrequent; for trips to beaches, waterfalls, and wineries, you practically need a car.In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle caused severe damage to roads and bridges in Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay, leading New Zealand to declare a national state of emergency. Road closures and roadworks are constantly changing: check current traffic updates from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA Waka Kotahi) before you travel.
