East Cape

{{short description|Coastal location in New Zealand}}

{{other uses}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox landform

| type = Cape

| name = East Cape

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| photo = Raukumara_Range_East_Cape_Aotearoa_New_Zealand.jpg

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| photo_caption = East Cape on the right hand end of the Raukūmara Range

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| label = East Cape

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| location = Gisborne District, New Zealand

| coordinates = {{Coord|-37.6892|178.5483|type:landmark_region:NZ|display=title,inline}}

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| water_bodies = Pacific Ocean

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East Cape is the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand. It is at the northern end of the Gisborne District of the North Island.{{cite web |last1=Hariss |first1=Gavin |title=East Cape, Gisborne |url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz4963/East-Cape/ |website=topomap.co.nz |publisher=NZ Topo Map}} East Cape was originally named "Cape East" by British explorer James Cook during his 1769–1779 voyage. It is one of four New Zealand cardinal capes he named, along with North Cape, West Cape and South Cape.{{cite web |title=Chart of New Zealand – J Cook 1769–70 |year=1770 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cook_chart_of_New_Zealand.jpg}}

The name "East Cape" is also used for the part of the Gisborne District north of the Poverty Bay area, but more often as a metonym for the whole Gisborne District.{{cite encyclopedia |title=East Coast region – Overview |last=Soutar |first=Monty |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/east-coast-region/page-1 |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |date=1 March 2015 |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date=28 August 2023}}

Maritime New Zealand operates the East Cape Lighthouse, located at the cape's easternmost point.[http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Commercial/Shipping-safety/Aids-to-navigation/Lighthouses-of-NZ/East-cape-lighthouse.asp East Cape Lighthouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514133201/http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Commercial/Shipping-safety/Aids-to-navigation/Lighthouses-of-NZ/East-cape-lighthouse.asp |date=14 May 2010 }}, Maritime New Zealand. Retrieved 1 December 2009. The small East Island / Whangaokeno, also known as Motu o Kaiawa, is directly offshore.Also known as Motu o Kaiawa, see Kate MacIntyre, [http://www.ruawaipu.com/files/research_reports/Whanau-A-Apanui-Scoping-Report.pdf Te Whanau a Apanui and the East Coast Inquiry District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423190724/http://www.ruawaipu.com/files/research_reports/Whanau-A-Apanui-Scoping-Report.pdf |date=23 April 2019 }}, Waitangi Tribunal Scoping Report, Wai 900 #A9, p. 37.[http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/research/rodent-invasion/island/uncategorised/east-whangaokena/ East Island / Whangaokeno], Rodent Invasion Project, Department of Statistics, University of Auckland. Retrieved 1 December 2009. The NZ Transport Agency upgraded the Horoera Bridge in 2017,{{cite news |title=Dropout delays bridge rebuild |url=http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2907866-135/dropout-delays-bridge-rebuild |agency=Gisborne Herald |date=24 July 2017 |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518055644/http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2907866-135/dropout-delays-bridge-rebuild |url-status=dead }} giving campervans and other heavy vehicles full access to the lighthouse.{{cite news |title=Bridging the gap to East Cape Lighthouse |url=http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2945214-135/bridging-the-gap-to-east-cape |agency=Gisborne Herald |date=17 August 2017 |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518055631/http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2945214-135/bridging-the-gap-to-east-cape |url-status=dead }} It replaced a temporary Bailey bridge installed in 2015.{{cite news |last1=Ashton |first1=Andrew |title=East Coast Lighthouse opens up for freedom campers |url=http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2040070-135/east-coast-lighthouse-opens-up-for |agency=Gisborne Herald |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201101535/http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2040070-135/east-coast-lighthouse-opens-up-for |url-status=dead }}

File:East Cape NZ n.jpg|Te Araroa and ranges towards East Cape

File:VIew from East Cape.JPG|Looking from East Cape towards East Island / Whangaokeno