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. 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.
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.
Maritime New Zealand operates the East Cape Lighthouse, located at the cape's easternmost point. The small Whangaokeno / East Island, also known as Motu o Kaiawa, is directly offshore. The NZ Transport Agency upgraded the Horoera Bridge in 2017, giving campervans and other heavy vehicles full access to the lighthouse. It replaced a temporary Bailey bridge installed in 2015.
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File:East Cape NZ n.jpg|Te Araroa and ranges towards East Cape
File:VIew from East Cape.JPG|Looking from East Cape towards Whangaokeno / East Island
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Demographics
East Cape statistical area, which includes Wharekahika / Hicks Bay, Te Araroa and Tikitiki, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>.
East Cape had a population of 1,509 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 120 people (8.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 90 people (6.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 765 males, 741 females, and 3 people of other genders in 492 dwellings. 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 36.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 384 people (25.4%) aged under 15 years, 258 (17.1%) aged 15 to 29, 624 (41.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 240 (15.9%) aged 65 or older.