Gisborne Central is the central business district and central suburb of Gisborne, in the Gisborne District of New Zealand's North Island. It is located east of Elgin, south of Whataupoko and west of Kaiti.

Gisborne Central covers 1.35 km (0.52 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 350 as of June 2024, with a population density of 259 people per km.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	267	—
2013	306	+1.97%
2018	300	−0.40%
Source:

Before the 2023 census, Gisborne Central had a larger boundary, covering 1.59 km (0.61 sq mi). Using that boundary, Gisborne Central had a population of 300 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−2.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 33 people (12.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 153 households, comprising 156 males and 144 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 44.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 30 people (10.0%) aged under 15 years, 66 (22.0%) aged 15 to 29, 156 (52.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 54 (18.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 58.0% European/Pākehā, 42.0% Māori, 4.0% Pacific peoples, 10.0% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 24.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 40.0% had no religion, 45.0% were Christian, 2.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Hindu, 1.0% were Buddhist and 4.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 42 (15.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (15.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 45 people (16.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 150 (55.6%) people were employed full-time, 39 (14.4%) were part-time, and 12 (4.4%) were unemployed.

Gisborne Botanical Gardens is a public garden, established in 1874.

Alfred Cox Park is a local park and dog walking area.

Childers Road Reserve is a sports ground.

It was previously the home of Gisborne City AFC and has hosted several national team and professional club football games, including:

• Gisborne City vs Bournemouth 0-4, 1982
• New Zealand vs League of Ireland All Stars 0-0, 1982
• New Zealand vs Gisborne City 4-3, 1985
• New Zealand vs Fiji 3-0, 1985
• New Zealand vs USSR XI 2-4, 1986
• New Zealand vs Dinamo Minsk 0-2, 1987

Gisborne Boys' High School is a Year 9-13 single-sex boys' state high school with a roll of 796.

Gisborne Intermediate is a Year 7-8 co-educational state intermediate school with a roll of 611.

Rolls are as of August 2024.