Our team operates across the entire Tairāwhiti region and assists businesses in connecting with the right people, advice, and resources they need to grow.
We work alongside local businesses, mana whenua and community partners to shape a sustainable visitor economy for Tairāwhiti. Our focus is on destination planning, experience development, cruise tourism and events — ensuring tourism growth reflects the aspirations of our people while protecting the culture, environment and character that make Tairāwhiti unique.
Destination marketing is about more than promotion — it’s about telling the real story of Tairāwhiti and building meaningful connections with the people who visit, live, and invest here. We manage the regional brand, deliver strategic tourism marketing, and work alongside local and international partners to grow awareness of the region with integrity, pride, and impact.
Explore up-to-date tourism data for the Tairāwhiti region in one interactive place. The Destination Insights Dashboard brings together key metrics including visitor numbers, visitor spending, accommodation occupancy, and tourism-related employment. Powered by Vistr and updated regularly, it supports informed decision-making, trend tracking, and deeper understanding of regional tourism performance.
This Regional Events Fund is to help attract and support events that promote Tairāwhiti as a visitor destination.
These events should be supported by our communities and through visitor attraction, support economic growth. To receive this funding, the event must be held in Tairāwhiti, support local vendors and be able to demonstrate visitor attraction from outside of the region. The fund can not be used for activities such as wages, asset purchases or infrastructure costs.
Before applying, ensure you thoroughly read the fund guidelines.
Tourism operators from across the region came together for the inaugural Tairāwhiti Tourism Day Out, hosted by the Trust in its capacity as the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO).
The event…
Motu Outdoor Adventures is one of the region’s newest tourism experiences. It invites thrill seekers to explore the rugged terrain of the Motu countryside on four-wheel-drive and ATV tours. Visitors…
Representatives from Cycle Gisborne, Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails and Motu Trails attended the North Island Great Rides Hui – Te Hui Tūhono in Cambridge this July.
Trust Tairāwhiti, as the Regional…
New local tourism operators Thelma Karaitiana of Ngā Parae o Manutūkē and Grant Brown of Motu Outdoor Adventures recently joined the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO), Tairāwhiti Gisborne, at this…
Gisborne’s isite will undergo a significant makeover in the coming weeks to align its look and feel with the Visitor Information Network (VIN) around Aotearoa. The refurbishment project, funded…
Famous for its one-of-a-kind Reef Ecology Tour, Dive Tatapouri has earned the prestigious Qualmark Gold accreditation, a recognition reserved for top-performing New Zealand businesses that deliver…
This week, the Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships will bring nearly 1,300 athletes and 2,000 supporters, volunteers and officials to Tairāwhiti, providing a significant economic boost…
Trust Tairāwhiti has launched the Tairāwhiti Cruise Development Pathway (TCDP), a long-term strategy to strengthen the region’s position as a top cruise destination.
Developed in collaboration with…
Tairāwhiti Gisborne has launched a new campaign to attract remote workers to the stunning East Coast region, following the New Zealand Government’s announcement to allow visitors to work remotely in…
November brought both challenges and opportunities for tourism in Tairāwhiti. Here's a quick rundown: There was a noticeable lag in accommodation usage compared to the previous year, with commercial…
Trust Tairāwhiti is partnering with Rhythm & Vines to run a subsidised bus service throughout the festival to connect campers safely to Gisborne’s CBD.
A recent survey on the regional tourism brand Tairāwhiti Gisborne – The First Light attracted 193 responses, offering valuable insights to guide the brand’s future and strengthen the region’s…
International visitor spending grows by 9% YoY, outpacing national average September 2024 marked the start of Spring with positive results for the Tairāwhiti tourism sector. Domestic visitor card…
August 2024 was a mixed bag for tourism in Tairawhiti. Spending by local tourists fell, while spending by international tourists went up. More people stayed in commercial accommodations, but fewer…
July tourism data shows mixed results for Tairāwhiti Despite a generally positive outlook for tourism in Tairāwhiti during July, data revealed some fluctuations in accommodation preferences and…
Building on the success of last year's ‘Come See Why’ campaign, which showcased the unique East Coast lifestyle, Tairāwhiti Gisborne (the Regional Tourism Organisation) is rolling out Come See Why…
Tairāwhiti tourism increases, but job growth lags. Tourism data for June paints a positive picture for Tairāwhiti. While domestic visitor spending remained stable, international spending surged, and…
Three major events in Tairāwhiti have secured just over $95,000 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s new Regional Events Promotion fund. The Longline Classic, First Light…
Trust Tairāwhiti, Eastland Port and Gisborne District Council (GDC) are developing a ten-year cruise strategy for Tairāwhiti that aims to capitalise on the growing global cruise market.
Tony Rogers…
The Longline Classic has fast become a highlight on the regional events calendar, attracting locals and visitors from all over Aotearoa to enjoy the unofficial start to summer in Tairāwhiti.
Data for May 2024, marking the end of Autumn, presented a mixed picture for tourism in Tairāwhiti. Visitors' card spending varied, while accommodation usage increased. However, short-term rentals…
The latest tourism industry insights and international travel statistics in our March 2024 Destination Insights report. Find out about Gisborne's tourism recovery, international visitor trends, and…
The Tairāwhiti tourism industry is beginning to turn over a new leaf, with the latest data showing a significant increase in guest nights in the accommodation sector. In February 2024, there was a 93…
Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ) Director of Destination Management Kiri Goulter was in Gisborne this month to meet with regional leaders and present to the Destination Tairāwhiti Advisory Group…
One of the biggest ever cruise seasons has ended on a high in Tairāwhiti, with a final visit from the towering Noordam.
Carrying up to 1,900 passengers and 800 crew, the Noordam anchored in the bay…
Next week Gisborne will host the National Geographic Orion, the first cruise ship visit for the 2023/23 summer season. It is scheduled to arrive at 8am on 13 November, bringing about 106 passengers…
The unique East Coast lifestyle, people and attractions are celebrated in a new marketing campaign for Tairāwhiti Gisborne, enticing manuhiri to visit the region and ‘come see why’. The campaign is…
The people of Tairāwhiti are invited to have their say on the future of tourism and the visitor economy in this region.
East Coast MP and cabinet minister Kiri Allan met with local tourism operators last week to discuss doing business under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Tairāwhiti had an excellent summer season as Kiwis unable to travel abroad explored their own backyard.
Regional Destination Manager
Destination Marketing Manager
Destination Development Advisor
Team Leader isite
