Gisborne sits at the north end of Poverty Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. Historically a major center of Maori culture, the city’s colonial history began when an expedition commanded by British Captain James Cook landed here in 1769. Gisborne is also one of the closest cities to the International Date Line, supporting its claim to be the first city to greet the sunrise each day. For much of its history, Gisborne’s distance from other population centers impeded its development, but today the city’s isolation and untouched coastline attracts travelers interested in outdoor recreation such as surfing, fishing, whitewater rafting and boating. Gisborne is also a major wine-producing area, noted particularly for Chardonnay wines.