Welcome to Bayleys Gisborne
Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island provides a safe anchorage halfway between the ports of Auckland and Wellington. The city, as indeed is the whole region, is a picturesque, friendly, and hospitable district with a multicultural population - epitomising all that is best about provincial New Zealand.
The warm, sun-filled climate reflects it the region’s seaside proximity, and complements its rich soils, bountiful harvests, miles of sandy beaches and resource-rich oceans.
Stretching from Mahia Peninsula in the south and around East Cape to the Eastern Bay of Plenty in the north, the Gisborne district is famous for its beautiful coastline where surfers devour the swells, and its rivers - where fly fishing, canoeing and white water rafting are some of the other water-based activities on offer. It’s also where you’ll see Bayleys signs proudly marketing some of the regions finest homes, farms, and business real estate opportunities.
Bayleys Gisborne principal James MacPherson heads the sales team, which includes specialists in all sectors of real estate – from farming and lifestyle, special projects, commercial and industrial, through to hotel and motel leasing brokerage, residential, waterfront and coastal property.
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The region's historical connections are unequalled. The first migration from the ancestral homeland of Hawaiiki resulted in the settlement and occupation of the Gisborne region 650 years ago. Captain James Cook's ship, Endeavour, first anchored in New Zealand in the waters of the wide bay encompassing Gisborne, and on October 9, 1769, the mouth of the Turanganui river became the site of the first European landfall. In addition to an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, Gisborne offers some of the country's best beef and sheep meat, wines, milk and cheese plus organic honey and a coastline of fresh seafood. This is reflected in the city's good range of restaurants, cafes and bars, some of them right on the water's edge.
Gisborne is one of New Zealand's largest grape-growing districts and, as its self-appointed title, Chardonnay capital of New Zealand suggests, made its mark with the Chardonnay variety. Gisborne's award-winning cider and beer enhance this thriving boutique winery scene.
MAHIA
Geography
The peninsula is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long and 7 miles (11.3 km) wide rising to its highest point at Rahuimokairoa reaching about 1,302 feet (397 m) above sea level. Mahia was initially an island which over time, has had a sand bar join it to the North Island. Whales often strand on the shallow sand build up.
Early whalers had a whaling station on the farm 'Kini Kini", sheltered by 'Long Point' on the west coast of the peninsula. Portland Island ('Waikawa') was named by Kahungunu when he visited there to look for fresh drinking water and only found salt water. Waikawa means 'sour water'. Waikawa is a small island off the southern tip of Mahia Peninsula with an unmanned lighthouse.
Mahia Peninsula has 2 coastlines. One facing toward Napier and the other facing toward Gisborne. If the sea is rough on the Napier side, it is usually calm on the Gisborne side and vice versa. Traveling from one coast to the other is easy and quick.(12-15 mins) So you can enjoy the day no matter the wind direction.
The name Mahia means 'indistinct sound'.
Culture
The area is a popular seaside resort and contains a holiday park dating back to the 60s. The remaining settlement consists mostly of holiday houses and baches. Sheep and cattle farms are still an important part for the local community, however the most important activity of the area is tourism. Mahia's population swells greatly during the warmer months.
The Mahia Peninsula area is a mecca for surfers and the sweeping, golden sand beaches provide some of the country's best waves, including beach, point and reef breaks. Mahanga Beach is well known for its surf, and also provides safe swimming and boogie boarding. Offshore, the clear waters offer excellent diving and game fishing, and for nature enthusiasts, there is birdwatching at Mangawhio Reserve. North of Mahia Beach, visitors can relax in the natural hot springs at the town of Morere. Other activities include bushwalking at the area's scenic reserves, mountain biking and marae visits.