Gisborne - famously the first city in the world to welcome the sunrise each day.
And when the sun rises, it likes to linger. Gisborne, in the heart of sub-tropical Eastland, is known for its warm summers and mild winters. One of the sunniest places in New Zealand, an average 65 days a year have a maximum temperature of over 24°C.
Along with the moderate climate, the rich, alluvial river flats of the Poverty Bay Plains are ideal for growing grapes, kiwifruit, citrus and maize.
Life is for living, and residing in a gated community doesn't mean you're fenced off from the wider world.
Gisborne has a district population of 45,000 with about 30,000 living in the city. The city centre is a sunny, palm-shaded pedestrian friendly esplanade near the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The city also has a good selection of restaurants, cafes, wine bars and many national chain store outlets together with locally owned boutiques.
Eastland is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful long white sandy beaches with safe swimming. There is fishing in abundance and the most golf courses per capita for any place in New Zealand.
It is an area rich in history and culture. Captain James Cook made Gisborne the first European landing place in the country when he came ashore from the Endeavour in 1769.
Gisborne is serviced by daily passenger and freight air and bus connections to other main centres in the North Island. It has a busy overseas shipping and local fishing port.