East Cape
Encyclopedia
East Cape is the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand
. It is located to the north of Gisborne
in the northeast of the North Island
.
The name East Cape is also used to refer to the Gisborne region around the cape stretching from just north of the Mahia Peninsula
northwards, and inland to Te Urewera National Park
. This region was the site of many of the major conflicts of the New Zealand land wars
in the 1860s.
East Cape reaches out to the Pacific Ocean, and is the first mainland place in the world to see the sun each day.
There's a wonderfully fresh quality to the scenery of Eastland. Bush fringed misty mountain lakes, beaches that have hardly changed for hundreds of years, farmland and vineyards that breathe the spirit of nature.
The further you go, the more nature's bounty tempts—camping, diving, fishing, hunting, swimming and surfing opportunities abound.
There are many interesting and beautiful walks within the region, but one of the most stunning areas for hiking and trekking is in the Te Urewera National Park, the third largest national park and the largest untouched native forest in New Zealand. Soft adventure, such as horse trekking is another way to experience the magic of East Cape.
The East Cape offers a slow, peaceful existence to those who reside there, and an equally relaxed, enchanting place for its visitors. With few harbours and a mountainous, wild bush interior, the Cape has been isolated for many years until the road network was completed. Inhabited predominantly by Maori
, Gisborne and the Cape region place great emphasis on the retention of their culture and traditions - it is here you will hear Te Reo Maori (the Maori language) being spoken fluently and freely.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is located to the north of Gisborne
Gisborne, New Zealand
-Economy:The harbour was host to many ships in the past and had developed as a river port to provide a more secure location for shipping compared with the open roadstead of Poverty Bay which can be exposed to southerly swells. A meat works was sited beside the harbour and meat and wool was shipped...
in the northeast of the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
.
The name East Cape is also used to refer to the Gisborne region around the cape stretching from just north of the Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula
The Mahia Peninsula is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, between the cities of Napier and Gisborne.-Geography:The peninsula is long and wide rising to its highest point at Rahuimokairoa reaching about above sea level. Mahia was initially an island which over time, has had...
northwards, and inland to Te Urewera National Park
Te Urewera National Park
Te Urewera National Park is one of fourteen national parks within New Zealand and is the largest of the four in the North Island. Covering an area of approximately 2,127 km², it is in the north east of the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island....
. This region was the site of many of the major conflicts of the New Zealand land wars
New Zealand land wars
The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of armed conflicts that took place in New Zealand between 1845 and 1872...
in the 1860s.
East Cape reaches out to the Pacific Ocean, and is the first mainland place in the world to see the sun each day.
There's a wonderfully fresh quality to the scenery of Eastland. Bush fringed misty mountain lakes, beaches that have hardly changed for hundreds of years, farmland and vineyards that breathe the spirit of nature.
The further you go, the more nature's bounty tempts—camping, diving, fishing, hunting, swimming and surfing opportunities abound.
There are many interesting and beautiful walks within the region, but one of the most stunning areas for hiking and trekking is in the Te Urewera National Park, the third largest national park and the largest untouched native forest in New Zealand. Soft adventure, such as horse trekking is another way to experience the magic of East Cape.
The East Cape offers a slow, peaceful existence to those who reside there, and an equally relaxed, enchanting place for its visitors. With few harbours and a mountainous, wild bush interior, the Cape has been isolated for many years until the road network was completed. Inhabited predominantly by Maori
Māori
The Māori are the native or indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand . They arrived in New Zealand from eastern Polynesia in several waves at some time before 1300 CE. Over several centuries in isolation, the Māori developed a unique culture with their own language, a rich mythology,...
, Gisborne and the Cape region place great emphasis on the retention of their culture and traditions - it is here you will hear Te Reo Maori (the Maori language) being spoken fluently and freely.
External links
- East Cape photographs
- East Cape Information Center General information
