For an insight in to Gisborne’s interesting history visit the innovative Tairawhiti Museum and Art Gallery which uses a variety of both permanent and temporary exhibitions to reflect on New Zealand’s ancestry and provide a resource for the local community. On the oceanfront, Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve commemorates the first landing place of Captain Cook in 1979 and, sitting above it, Titirangi Reserve (also known as Kaiti Hill) is home to a memorial statue of Captain Cook which famously looks nothing like him! This was also once the site of a Maori Pa, with sprawling views across the bay, and is a good place to reflect on how the arrival of the Endeavour changed the course of New Zealand history.

Given the high profile of Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay it’s easy to forget that Gisborne is the third largest wine producing region in the country but there are around 20 vineyards in the area producing full-flavoured whites and reds. Most have open cellar doors and www.gisbornewine.co.nz is a good way to find out which ones will best suit your tastes.

Further afield, the drive around the East Cape is splendid and in a day you could get as far as Te Araroa or Hicks Bay on the north-eastern tip, passing on the way several little country settlements, some glorious beaches and wonderful remote scenery. Take a picnic and a well-charged camera battery!