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.

Gisborne District or the Gisborne Region is a local government area of northeastern New Zealand. It is governed by Gisborne District Council, a unitary authority. It is named after its largest settlement, the city of Gisborne. The region is also commonly referred to as the East Coast.