GISBORNE: FLOURISHING EAST COAST CITY

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33479, 9 March 1974, Page 11

GISBORNE: FLOURISHING EAST COAST CITY

(By

JOHN LESLIE)

Gisborne is a rapidly growing city and seaport, flanking a picturesque waterscape, misnamed Poverty Bay by Captain Cook. He received a cool reception from the Maoris when he first landed on October 9, 1769, more than 200 years ago.

No matter how far they roam abroad, Gisborne people recall with pride their birthplace, its glorious climate, lush growth, and magnificent beaches, which in their youth they mostly took for granted.

This city of more than 31,000 inhabitants is the first in the world to greet the sun each day because of its proximity to the International Date Line. In recent years, expansion has been enormous. Those who control the city's destiny show drive and imagination in many ways, but notably in tourist promotion, encouraging new industries, and rapid harbour development.

On a recent visit to Poverty Bay, the writer, an exile for many years, was astounded by the progress. Fifty years ago it took two days to reach Auckland or Wellington, by overland journey. Passenger vessels lay in the stream, served by the Union Company’s small tender Tuatea. The ships included such favourites as the Mararoa, Monowai, Arahura and Huddart Parker's Victoria (Australia) to mention only a few. Better roading, rail services and air travel have ended Gisborne’s isolation.

Perhaps the greatest achievement is that of the Gisborne Harbour Board. Once only small vessels could berth in this East Coast port. Large, deep-laden tankers, such as the Erne, can now enter freely. British and foreign cargo liners come and go at will. Harbour Board plans The existing harbour basin has been dredged to a depth of 30ft. A plan has been evolved for increasing deepwater berthage and the board is looking half a century ahead. Labour relations in the port are excellent, and loading speeds among the highest in New Zealand. Despite today’s emphasis on key container ports, there is ample scope for a secondary port such as Gisborne. In past years, smaller ports (anchorage), such as Waikokopu and Tokomaru Bay were used by overseas vessels.

Handling cargo under these conditions was expensive, difficult and generally unsatisfactory. But with the trend towards decentralisation today, the Gisborne Harbour Board is. looking at Tokomaru and Hicks Bay, as possible outlets for future forest products. The East Coast hinterland needs a deep-water port such as Gisborne as an outlet for its produce — beef, pork, lamb, mutton and wool. The mountainous country, from Wairoa to East Cape, carpeted mostly in green grass, has a wealth of sturdy, beautifully proportioned black cattle, and well rounded, fleecy sheep. Gisborne is internationally known for its stud breeding, too. Poverty Bay produces 65 per cent of New Zealand's maize. Gisborne produces, too, excellent wines from its extensively cultivated grape harvest. It exports logs, lucerne meal, and timber.

Everything thrives in Poverty Bay's rich soil.

The flats and Gisborne backyards are studded with citrus fruits. But apples, peaches, pears, and other fruits, including the exotic variety such as the Chinese gooseberry, feijoas and avocado pears, are also produced in abundance. Canned and frozen foods are today a major export. There is a magnificent cannery today — a boon to this young city which welcomes secondary industries.

Gisborne is one of New Zealand’s leading fishing ports. Fish shipments have been made directly to America, Australia, Japan and the South Pacific. Timber is another major export. The Gisborne Harbour Board firmly believes that the development and prosperity of the district must go hand in hand with its port. It was only after many years of effort and negotiation that direct importation of fuel oil and bitumen began. Formerly it was railed from Napier. The board confidently expects that petrol and diesel will soon be imported direct. Forest project A major development, sponsored by the board, is now taking place in an area stretching from Te Karaka to Hicks Bay. To stabilise eroding hillsides, and to prevent the devastation of flats by silt-laden rivers, 236.000 acres of forest is being planted. The board believes that this area of forest will, in time, produce its own industries, and stimulate the economic and social growth of the area.

The forests are expected to be in full production by the late 19905, and both Tokomaru Bay and Hicks Bay are being examined as possible outlets.

The city of Gisborne is threaded by the rivers Waipaoa, Waimata, Taraheru and what is left of another—the Turanganui. Building a deepwater harbour was no light problem, but after painful and lengthy experience, reconstruction and massive dredging, Gisborne can now claim to have a splendid secondary port. The Gisborne Harbour Board has encouraged auxiliary services for shipping. There are marine and repair facilities for all but major work. Limited bunkering is available (up to 400 tons). On every hand, modernisation, expansion and progress, are evident.

The district has excellent schools, primary and secondary, an abundance of sporting facilities, and some of the finest sandy beaches in the country. In easy reach of Gisborne are mineral baths, at Morere—on the way to Wairoa, and Te Puia just north of Tokomaru Bay. Maori country Tourists are enchanted with the rugged East Coast studded with beaches, farms, and pohutukawa trees in scarlet blossom. The drive to East Cape. 123 miles northward, is unforgettable.

The East Coast is Maori country. It is the spiritual home of the Ngati-awa and Ngati-porou tribes. The impact of Maori names is sharp on the ears of the Southern visitor. In marked contrast to the English sounding suburbs such as Beckenham, St Albans, Sydenham, euphonious names such as Patutahi, Makaraka, Manatuke or Muriwai, inform the exile, after long absence, that he is truly "home” again.

Gisborne has active organisations working to keep the younger folk in the town. Because of its past isolation, young folk always sought the city lights. Today, it is not so isolated, but the problem still exists. Kiri te Kanawa, world opera star of today, comes from Gisborne. Recently, an American family said at Lyttelton that after touring New Zealand, which they had chosen as the world’s best place to live, they had decided that Gisborne was the choice spot Unfortunately, those w! grew up there, realise all thi only after world travel and experience of living. Older people will recall how Gisborne once ventured into ship-owning. After the First World War the Gisborne Farmers’ Meat Company, Ltd, bought the 6629ton steamer, Admiral Codrington, to carry frozen meat to British markets, in opposition to existing British lines. It was a financial disaster, ill planned in every phase. Today she is but a memory. Those of us who grew up in Gisborne, remember this vessel, and called her the Codlin Moth.

English names Gisborne, first surveyed in 1870, is named after the Colonial Secretary' at that time, the Hon. William Gisborne, and today, although Maori names abound, many streets are named after statesmen, for example — Gladstone, Derby, Disraeli or Peel. Some are named after New Zealand statesmen too. These include Ballance, Vogel and Whitmore.

Skilled tunnelling has made the rail journey from Napier a pleasant affair. Over the giant Mohaka viaduct or ducking in and out of dark tunnels, on the way to Gisborne, glorious vistas are seen, unspoilt by man. By contrast, magnificent clifftop views, such as Beach Loop, afford an eagle’s glimpse of the blue Pacific. People from the cities of Europe, have found space and sunshine, and fresh air

on the Sunrise Coast. The tourist has had his eyes opened and more are coming each year. There are good hotels and motels. Apart from beaches, there are inland areas to explore; wines to sample in the vineyards; citrus fruits hanging in golden splendour. In January, Gisborne’s daily newspaper, the “Gisbborne Herald”, celebrated its centenary. The paper’s man-aging-director, and former editor is Mr G. G. Muir. There have been five generations of Muirs on the staff of the “Gisborne Herald", believed to be the oldest newspaper family in New Zealand. Gisborne folk, from the long-standing mayor (Mr H. H. Barker) are proud of their vigorous city which is meeting the challenge of today, and anticipating tomorrow’s.