Gisborne (New Zealand)

Gisborne is a port city located in northeastern New Zealand. It is also the district's largest settlement, with population around 36,000. The town is home to a large Maori population, with 49% of the population identifying as Maori (compared to NZ's national average of 15%).

Originally, the town was named Turanga and in 1870 renamed to Gisborne, honouring the NZ's politician William Gisborne (Colonial Secretary between 1869-1872, and Minister of Public Works between 1870-1871).

In the past, Gisborne Harbour was visited by numerous ships, so it was developed as a seaport providing a more safe location for cargo shipping in comparison to Poverty Bay that is easily exposed to southerly swells. Meat works was positioned beside the harbour. Wool and meat were shipped from here. Currently, at the harbor are docked smaller fishing boats and ships loading logs for export.

Gisborne is a popular holiday travel destination in NZ, maintaining its rural charm. Local industries include horticulture, farming, forestry, agriculture. Wine production is another valuable source to the local economy.

Here is hosted annually the 3-day music festival "Rhythm & Vines". The event is held over New Year at the Waiohika Estate.

In May 2017, 4 of all the 10 scheduled for 2018 cruise ship calls in Gisborne were cancelled. These were Norwegian Jewel (2 visits), and also Golden Princess (1) and Oceania Regatta (1). Golden Princess visited Gisborne 4 times (Dec 2017, Jan and Feb 2018), and the remaining 2 visits were by MS Noordam (Feb) and Crystal Symphony (Feb). No reasons for the cancellations were given by the cruise companies involved. For season 2018-2019, Gisborne port had scheduled a total of 16 cruise ship calls.

Gisborne Airport

However, probably the town's most popular attraction is the Gisborne Airport, What is special about it is that it has a railway line crossing it.

The airport has 1 terminal and 2 tarmac gates. The Palmerston North–Gisborne Line (PNGL) was constructed between 1872 and 1942. The railway is operated with diesel locomotives and serves passenger and cargo / freight transportation. The line branches from the Main Trunk Railway (Palmerston North), running east to Woodville. There it meets the Wairarapa Line, proceeds to Hastings and Napier, then follows the coastline north up to Gisborne.