Vol 3 Test 2 Part 2

Now turn to Section Two on page three. In this section, you will hear a radio announcer describing a city in New Zealand called Gisborne. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 16 on page three. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 16.

Greetings, all you listeners out there. This is National Radio, and I’m Kevin Lowe. This morning, I’m going to tell you what’s so special about the laid-back city of Gisborne. You’ll hear a little bit about its past in the old days, and a lot about what attractions it has to offer foreign and domestic visitors today. So listen up to learn more about what there is to do in this city and its surrounding region, where the economy is booming but the lifestyle remains unspoiled.

The Gisborne region is where the legendary canoe sailed by Māori explorers first landed in New Zealand about 1,400 years ago, after its long and risky voyage over the sea. It is also the easternmost point of the country, which is what inspired its original name, Te Tairāwhiti, which in the Māori language means “the coast where the sun rises across the waters”.

Gisborne was also the place where the European explorer Captain Cook first landed his boat upon discovering New Zealand, all the way from England back in 1769. Even in those early days, this district was a centre of horticulture thanks to its fertile soil and subtropical climate. Soon after that, the English settlers arrived, and Gisborne began shipping its products to larger settlements such as Auckland and Wellington.

This began with maize and root crops, but quickly expanded to butter, meat and wool from the agricultural settlements in this rich pastoral country. Near the famous Poverty Bay, wharves and jetties were built beside the sea to service the coastal traders. Many of these wooden structures can still be seen on Gisborne beaches today.

Today, Gisborne continues to export fresh produce to other regions of New Zealand. These include various award-winning cheeses and, of course, delicious lobsters and snapper fish harvested by hand from the local reefs and waters. As for exports to Asian markets, there is an increasing demand for the region’s oranges and lemons. Gisborne is also becoming well known nationally and internationally as the source of some top-quality white and red grapes.

Now, what’s on in Gisborne? Well, first up, there’s the annual Gisborne concert held every summer. This is a great experience. It’s held at Waikanae Vineyard, which is near the traditional Māori meeting house of the same name. They bring in a piano player and opera singers who perform on a purpose-built stage in a kind of natural amphitheatre in the middle of the rows of grapes. It’s a fantastic concert atmosphere — a really good night out.

What to do on a rainy day? I’d suggest a visit to the show called The Beach, which is on in Gallery One at Te Tairāwhiti Museum. It’s a big display, so it also takes up the hall next to Gallery One, and it’s divided into different sections of the local culture, like surfing, camping, fashion, and so on. If you buy the book of the exhibition, there are some interesting photographs in there.

Before you hear the rest of the programme, you have some time to look at questions 17 to 20 on page four. Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.

There’s a lot else to see in Gisborne as well. You shouldn’t miss the Hot Springs Reserve, which has warm natural mineral pools and little houses where you can stay amongst the bush, being very secluded and private. This resort is most favoured by newlyweds, who often book a cabin for their honeymoon. The water is very therapeutic too — it’s apparently good for your health to bathe there, though it’s not recommended for pregnant women or the elderly.

Around the corner is Mahia Peninsula, legendary as a New Year’s Eve party destination for large crowds of university students after their graduation. The surfing and fishing here are excellent, and it’s a safe spot for swimming and diving too.

Now, also good for kids is taking a raft or jet boat ride on the Motu River. This sounds quite wild, doesn’t it? But in fact, this activity is often used by local primary schools, who take big groups of young children — several classes at a time — out here for a bit of fun while they’re on school camp. No parents required. You can have some time out, as this activity is a lot safer than it sounds and is carefully supervised by the rafting company.

Finally, don’t forget the Eastwoodhill Arboretum, which is really a huge tree nursery. You can walk for hours here in the peaceful green surroundings along a variety of tracks. There’s even a very nice walkway made wide enough for those in wheelchairs, so that everyone can go along and enjoy Mother Nature at her best.

That is the end of Section Two. You now have half a minute to check your answers.