Gisborne is the first city in the world to greet the new day and was a focus of Millenium celebrations at the turn of the century.The East Coast is also where Captain James Cook, the first European to visit New Zealand made his first landing.

The East Coast region is also famous for wine and is the third largest grape growing region in the world.

The Urewera National Park is another great tourist attraction and supports many outdoor pursuits including hunting, fishing, horse trekking and off course tramping.