Eastland Mataatua & Tairawhiti

New Zeland

Eastland is the place where the first Polynesian migration canoes landed, where Captain Cook made his first landfall and where Maori and European first encountered each other.

Enchanting landscapes and ancient stories

Maori life is evident in every settlement you see. There are carved meeting houses, beautifully painted Maori churches, children riding horses bareback on the beach and conversations in Te Reo. Deep in the misty Te Urewera Ranges, descendents of the ‘Children of the Mist’, the ancient Tuhoe tribe, still live in harmony with the forest around the village of Ruatahuna.
The landscape - coastal and inland - is untamed and wild. You can lose yourself in the hills and valleys, and renew your inner peace on the beautifully natural beaches.
The largest population centre in the region is Gisborne, a city that manages to combine the science of fine wine making with the laid back, down-to-earth attitude of life in the sun.
Key Features

Te Urewera National Park

Within its boundaries, Te Urewera National Park encloses Lake Waikaremoana and the largest untouched native forest in the North Island. The Urewera region is home to the Tuhoe people, (The Children of the Mist).

Gisborne - the chardonnay city

Gisborne is Eastland’s biggest population centre and the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day. Known as the "Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand", Gisborne produces premium white wines.

Tolaga Bay Wharf

The touring route that follows State Highway 35 takes you to spectacular coastal scenery, with many interesting cultural highlights along the way. The historic Tolaga Bay Wharf, built in 1936, is 660 metres long.

Key Tips

To reach SH 35, which is part of the Pacific Coast Highway touring route, follow SH 2 from the north or south.
Gisborne is the main city of the Eastland region - a great starting place for your explorations.
There are daily flights to Gisborne airport from Auckland, Wellington and Rotorua.
Intercity bus services operate in the Eastland Region, and local courier companies are available for travel within the region.