Gisborne: History at the Cook Monument and on the Tupapa Heritage Trail

Gisborne brings together the history of Captain James Cook’s first landing on New Zealand soil, a self-guided cultural trail and a museum with changing exhibitions. You can tailor your trip to a range of interests: a historic monument, a walk with cultural stops, or other nature and cultural destinations across the wider Gisborne District.

Cook Monument: a place of remembrance

The Cook Monument is located in the Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve on Kaiti Beach Road in Gisborne. It marks Captain James Cook’s first landing on New Zealand soil on 8 October 1769; the monument was unveiled in 1906. Its historical connection is therefore tied directly to a specific place.

The monument and the Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve remain centres for regular commemorative events and celebrations. Those interested in history will find both a reminder of the 1769 event and a place where remembrance continues to play a role today.

Tupapa Heritage Trail: culture and history along the way

The Tupapa Heritage Trail is a 4 km self-guided walk with ten marked stops. It shares the culture and history of Turanganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne in English and Te Reo Māori. The languages used to tell its stories are as much a part of its character as the route itself, making the trail a different way to engage with the history of the place.

The trail begins at Waikanae Beach and follows the Oneroa Walkway towards the mouth of the Turanganui River. It also leads from the city to the scenic paths of Titirangi Reserve. When planning your day, you can use the self-guided walk’s length and route as a guide; no specific walking time is given.

Museum and regional history

Near Gisborne, Tairāwhiti Museum presents changing exhibitions on regional history. Visitors can also explore a historic cottage and a ship there. This adds a museum visit to the memorial sites and trail, where visitors encounter regional history through exhibitions and historic objects.

In the wider destination of Gisborne District, the Star of Canada is part of Tairāwhiti Museum, which is located on the banks of the Taruheru River. The connection between the museum and the riverbank is another historic point of interest in the district; it should not be confused with the location of Cook Monument in the reserve on Kaiti Beach Road.

Nature and trails in Gisborne District

Gray’s Bush Scenic Reserve preserves the only remaining example in the Gisborne Plains of the nationally rare Kahikatea-Puriri forest type. The area provides habitat for Kererū; the rare North Island kākā visits seasonally, though sightings are not guaranteed. A marked, wheelchair-accessible loop track takes 15 to 20 minutes. Check conditions and accessibility again before your trip.

At Eastwoodhill Arboretum, the range of trails extends from flat, tree-lined paths to a steep climb up Mt Arateitei. From there, you can enjoy views of the arboretum and surrounding landscape. The Rere Falls Trail is a different proposition: the 103-kilometre route is graded 3, takes one to three days and connects with the Motu Trails. Check trail conditions before setting out. This comparison shows how much routes and the time they take can vary across Gisborne District.

Historic places and waterside activities

The historic sites in Gisborne District also tell a range of stories. The Wi Pere Monument commemorates Wi Pere’s contribution to the development of the Tairāwhiti region as a Māori leader, politician and outspoken critic of government land policy. As a landmark on the riverbank, it has aesthetic significance and is clearly visible from the road. The wharf in Hicks Bay is a Category 2 historic place and is open to the public.

The activities mentioned at the wharves vary: people fish, catch crayfish and gather shellfish at Tolaga Bay Wharf. At Tokomaru Bay Wharf, visitors take walks, recreational boats moor, and visitors and residents alike use the wharf for fishing. It is also a prominent, frequently photographed landmark of the bay. These examples complement the monuments and trails with another perspective on life along the coasts of the wider destination.

When looking for a holiday rental in Gisborne, one initial decision is whether to focus mainly on the sights in Gisborne itself or also explore other places and nature in the wider Gisborne District. Cook Monument, Tupapa Heritage Trail and Tairāwhiti Museum offer different experiences; the regional examples broaden the options to include forest, an arboretum, trails and historic wharves.

Discover more destinations: Rere.

Back to the wider travel guide: Gisborne District.