The Gisborne District covers a land area of 8,331 square kilometers on the eastern coast of the North island of New Zealand. This is approximately 4.9% of New Zealand's total land area. The population of Gisborne is 45,780. Its neighboring regions are HawkesBay to the south and the Bay of Plenty to the North West.

    Agriculture, forestry and associated manufacturing businesses are the backbone of the district's economy. Abundant natural resources and a stable, skilled workforce are attracting new businesses in these sectors.

    Gisborne and Rizhao established the sister-city relationship in August 1996.