GISBORNE, a seaport of New Zealand, in Cook county, provincial district of Hawke's bay, on Poverty bay of the east coast of North island. Pop. (1931) 13,880. Wool, frozen mutton and agricultural produce are exported from the surrounding dis trict. Petroleum has been discovered in the neighbourhood. Near the site of Gisborne Captain Cook landed in 1769, and gave Poverty bay its name from his inability to obtain supplies owing to the hostility of the natives.