Kia ora - nau mai haere mai.

Very soon the world will focus on Gisborne - New Zealand as the 90's become history and the new millennium dawns.

Gisborne is the first city in the world to greet the rising sun each morning, and will be host to thousands of people from around the globe as well as millions of television viewers who will come together to watch the sunrise and participate in the celebrations on 1st January 2000.

We in Gisborne City are honoured with the designation by the New Zealand Government as the official place for the historic launching of the Year 2000 celebrations. A real variety of significant events are already planned for the year 2000 celebrations. Such events will include:

• Pacific Tall Ships Festival - a flotilla of large sailing ships from around the world will make their way to Gisborne via New Zealand ports before arriving in Gisborne to take part in the New Millennium Sunrise celebrations.
• The Coming of the Great Migration - at least 10 Waka Toa (Large Canoes) will re-enact the landing of the arrival of the Horouta Waka.
• Servant 2000 - Is a Christian gathering in excess of 2000 people coming together to welcome the new millennium.
• 2000 First To See the Sun - A unique bicycle ride for 2000 people from around the world. This ride will commence in Auckland New Zealand and arrive in Gisborne to join the Year 2000 celebrations.
• First Light Te Kowhai Music Festival 2000 - The best of our Maori Culture and contemporary music from New Zealand.
• The Odysseys End First Light National Triathlon. This Triathlon will have 2000 competitors including the best from around the world.
• The New Zealand Hot Rod Nationals - hosted by the Surf City Rod and Custom Club - 2000 cars will be participating in this.

It is not surprising that Gisborne has been chosen for these events as hundreds of years ago the Maori named this wonderful area of New Zealand - Tairawhiti which can be translated "the place where the sun rises".

Gisborne city is located in the East coast of the North Island where, with its population of 32000 it services a region of 45000 people. The warm climate gives this region a focus for Agriculture and Horticultural products. It is known as "the Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand", producing some of the country’s finest wines, fruits, cheeses and vegetables along with timber, wool and meat production.

Tairawhiti is also the name given to the Polytechnic: the only tertiary institution in the region which, along with three of the eight secondary schools, offers courses to international students.

The Secondary Schools provide a quality New Zealand High School Education which prepares students well for successful tertiary studies. Students also enjoy the opportunity to participate in sporting and cultural activities which provides them with an excellent overview of NZ society.

International students at the Polytechnic enjoy Degree Courses, Certificate and Diploma Courses as well as English Classes. The Tairawhiti Polytechnic is one of New Zealand's newer Tertiary institutions. Here modern design plus the latest technology has created a successful and stimulating environment for students since opening in 1982.

Together overseas students and New Zealand citizens make up a total of 4500 full-time and part-time students who enjoy the benefits of small classes, close interaction with teaching staff, easy travel and the low living costs associated with studying in Gisborne.

New Zealand's widening economic base coupled with expanding links with Asia has seen a growing number of international students seeking a business degree. Competency in English, in depth understanding of Western culture, degree qualification plus their own language means that these graduates from a New Zealand business degree are very employable and quickly get jobs on returning to their home country.

Gisborne, New Zealand is also the home of surfing and is one of the three main venues for the annual New Zealand Surfing Championship. The sporting and recreational pursuits in this region are a real attraction. Magnificent beaches for surfing, diving, fishing and swimming, quality golf courses and horse riding are all available. Add that to our great climate and location as the first city in the world to see the sun each day and its easy to see why Gisborne's popularity is growing so rapidly.

Author: David S Scott, Deputy Mayor, Gisborne District Council

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education