Maunga Hikurangi
This sacred mountain is the first place in the world to see the sunrise
COVID19 Updates for Travellers and
Industry.
Te Pourewa
A stunning traditional Māori art form that's also an important conversation piece on the dual heritage and shared future of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Te Pourewa (Beacon of Light) is so much more than a beautiful carving.
Big, bold and brilliant to see lit up at night, the 12-metre high sculpture on Hoturangi Maunga in Uawa/Tolaga Bay was resurrected in October 2019 to commemorate Tahitian ancestor, navigator and priest Tupaia and his arrival at Opoutama (Cook's Cove) on the Endeavour in 1769.
This is a stunning traditional Māori art form that's also an important conversation piece on the dual heritage and shared future of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Access to Te Pourewa is by foot via the Cooks Cove Walkway in Tolaga Bay.
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MUST SEE + DO
From significant historical landmarks to stunning natural wonders, Tairāwhiti is home to an extraordinary mix of must-see and must-do attractions and experiences.
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DISCOVER MORE
Best Places to See the Sunrise
If you’re not already a morning person, then the Land of the First Light may very well change your perspective.
10 Free Family-Friendly Activities in Tairāwhiti
We’ve got a list of ten things to keep the whole family entertained that are 100% free.
Top local faves for date night
Here’s where to go for a date night that delights!
Finding romance in Tairāwhiti: your perfect weekend away
Sacred mountain sunrises, beachfront glamping, and dining amidst vineyards – Tairāwhiti is the perfect place for a romantic weekend away.
Great kai and family-friendly
Tairāwhiti is home to incredible dining experiences made to be shared.
After work hotspots
When you’re off the clock and it’s time to ring in the weekend
The best brunch spots in Tairāwhiti
Here are a few of our favourite places for those looking for the best of the brunch
Maunga Hikurangi
This sacred mountain is the first place in the world to see the sunrise
Best Places to See the Sunrise
If you’re not already a morning person, then the Land of the First Light may very well change your perspective.
10 Free Family-Friendly Activities in Tairāwhiti
We’ve got a list of ten things to keep the whole family entertained that are 100% free.
Top local faves for date night
Here’s where to go for a date night that delights!
Finding romance in Tairāwhiti: your perfect weekend away
Sacred mountain sunrises, beachfront glamping, and dining amidst vineyards – Tairāwhiti is the perfect place for a romantic weekend away.
Great kai and family-friendly
Tairāwhiti is home to incredible dining experiences made to be shared.
After work hotspots
When you’re off the clock and it’s time to ring in the weekend
The best brunch spots in Tairāwhiti
Here are a few of our favourite places for those looking for the best of the brunch
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Upcoming Events
With a calendar of year-round entertainment and experiences to delight you, the land of the first light is a fun-filled destination that offers something for everyone.
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Gisborne Beer Festival
Easter Saturday 2022
Held each year this festival showcases local beers, ciders and wineries
The Chardonnay Affair
28 - 30 May 2021
Enjoy Gisborne's finest chardonnays in an array of sumptuous events
Maunga to Moana
8 May 2021
A multi-sport adventure race like no other
First Light Wine & Food Festival
24 October 2021
Tairāwhiti's premier wine event held at Labour Weekend each year
Revive Festival
6 – 9 January 2022
Revive invites people from Aotearoa to immerse themselves in three days of conscious celebration, with everything from live music, art installations, yoga, meditation, ecstatic dance, healing, and wellness workshops.
Gisborne Farmers Market
Saturdays
Where locals and visitors alike gather to get their fix of the region’s tastiest treats
Essence of Tairāwhiti
February 2022
Essence is more than a food festival. It's about who we are and where we're from in Tairāwhiti, our essence of life. Local chefs, hunters, gatherers and producers sharing experiences of food gathering, whanau, community and culture. The Essence of Tairāwhiti.
Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival
8 - 17 October 2021
A celebration of artists and connections to place while welcoming the world to Tairāwhiti
Rhythm & Vines
29 - 31 December 2021
New Zealand's premier music and camping festival
Gisborne Beer Festival
Easter Saturday 2022
Held each year this festival showcases local beers, ciders and wineries
The Chardonnay Affair
28 - 30 May 2021
Enjoy Gisborne's finest chardonnays in an array of sumptuous events
Maunga to Moana
8 May 2021
A multi-sport adventure race like no other
First Light Wine & Food Festival
24 October 2021
Tairāwhiti's premier wine event held at Labour Weekend each year
Revive Festival
6 – 9 January 2022
Revive invites people from Aotearoa to immerse themselves in three days of conscious celebration, with everything from live music, art installations, yoga, meditation, ecstatic dance, healing, and wellness workshops.
Gisborne Farmers Market
Saturdays
Where locals and visitors alike gather to get their fix of the region’s tastiest treats
Essence of Tairāwhiti
February 2022
Essence is more than a food festival. It's about who we are and where we're from in Tairāwhiti, our essence of life. Local chefs, hunters, gatherers and producers sharing experiences of food gathering, whanau, community and culture. The Essence of Tairāwhiti.
Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival
8 - 17 October 2021
A celebration of artists and connections to place while welcoming the world to Tairāwhiti
Rhythm & Vines
29 - 31 December 2021
New Zealand's premier music and camping festival
