Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay is a coastal bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, enclosed by Young Nick's Head (Te Kuri) and Tuaheni Point. This defines the Gisborne Harbour Limits, a key area for navigation safety regulations. The bay's waters receive discharge from several freshwater inputs, including the Waimatā River and Wherowhero Lagoon. For paddlers, the primary access points are from the city's beaches, specifically Midway Beach (Ōneroa) and Kaiti Beach, which are used as launch sites for major paddling events like the New Zealand long-distance waka ama championships. These events utilize offshore courses whose exact location depends on sea conditions. The Waimatā River, which flows into the bay, is also a popular route for waka ama, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders, though water quality can be a significant concern. Following heavy rain, emergency wastewater releases and runoff can lead to poor water quality, a "liquid slurry of mud," with visible sludge and an unpleasant smell at low tide; authorities typically issue advisories against water use for several days after such events. The bay has considerable cultural significance, with the name Tūranganui-a-Kiwa meaning "the great standing place of Kiwa," referencing the ancestor for local iwi. It is also historically notable as Captain James Cook's first landing site in New Zealand. The area regularly hosts large paddling competitions, indicating it is a established venue for canoeing, waka ama, and outrigger canoeing.