Gisborne is the name of a unitary authority in New Zealand, being both a region and a district. Gisborne is named for an early Colonial Secretary William Gisborne. The council is located in the city of Gisborne. State Highway 2 passes through Gisborne and Gisborne is the northern terminus of the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line railway, which opened in 1942. Passenger services were provided until 1988, when the Endeavour express was cancelled north of Napier. Today, the railway carries solely freight.