About
Tauranga is located at the head of a large harbour which extends along the western Bay of Plenty, and is protected by Matakana Island. The town and headland of Mount Maunganui stand at the entrance to the harbour, five kilometres north of Tauranga. "The Mount", as it is known, is often regarded as a satellite town of Tauranga. Its is one of the major resort cities in New Zealand, famous for its beautiful beaches.
The name Tauranga comes from Maori, it roughly translates to "a sheltered anchorage".
Due to its sheltered position on the east coast, Tauranga enjoys a warm, dry climate. This has made it a popular location to retire to. During the summer months the population swells as the holidaymakers descend on the city.
Much of the countryside surrounding Tauranga is horticultural land, used to grow a wide range of fresh produce for both domestic consumption and export. The area is particularly well known for growing tangelos (a grapefruit / tangerine cross) and kiwifruit. The Port of Tauranga also experiences brisk but seasonal shipping traffic and is a regular stop off for both container ships and luxury cruise liners.
Get in
If you are coming from Auckland you will have to go along state highway 2. You will need to turn onto 2 then turn onto 27 and then turn again onto 29, this should take you on a straight all the way to Tauranga after this. Tauranga also has a minor airport with regular Air New Zealand flights from Auckland and Wellington. Intercity Coachs also stop in downtown Tauranga on route from numerous parts of New Zealand. A cheaper option is nakedbus.com with tickets starting at $1.
Get around
Tauranga has a bus system which services the Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa & Tepuke area's. Most people however rely on their own vehicles, although the bus service is very reliable.
BayHopper Bus Time Tables: http://www.baybus.co.nz
There is also a daily ferry that runs from Tauranga to the Mount leaving from The Strand carpark which gives you a really nice trip on the harbour
Ferry Timetables: www.bayferries.co.nz
See
Mt Maunganui (A small mountain to climb with fantastic views of Mt Maunganui and Tauranga area and coastlines).
Kiwifruit Country - Te Puke
Longridge Farm - Te Puke
Marshalls Farm - Omokaroa
Te Puna Quarry Park (previously a quarry but turned into a park through voulenteer work) - Te Puna
Do
In the summer most holiday makers travel to "The Mount" to make the most of the beautiful beaches and the great surf. The waters off the coast of Tauranga also are good fishing areas. It also has a good selection of beautiful walks.
Buy
There are two main shopping centres in the Tauranga region - Bayfair at 'The Mount' and central Tauranga, or 'town'
Eat
People in Tauranga love to eat out. There is a large selection of restaurants to eat at, especially on 'The Strand', which is regarded as the restaurant central of Tauranga.
Drink
As with eating, people in Tauranga love cafes. You will also find numerous pubs around the area. A Double Spirit will cost you $6-$7NZ. New Zealanders can definitely drink. Alcohol is part of life here at a young age.
'The Strand' is the main strip of Tauranga's Nightlife consisting of Tauranga's bars, clubs and restaurants.
Clubs
Pubs
Restaurants
Sleep
Budget
Various Backpacker/Hostel type accomodation is available in Tauranga.
Mid Range
Tauranga (population 109,100 — 2006 census) is the largest city of the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the ninth largest city area in the country, and the centre of the 6th largest urban area. Tauranga is 105 km east of Hamilton and 85 km north of Rotorua, and is the city with the fastest growing population in New Zealand. It is expected to be the 8th largest within a few years overtaking Dunedin.
The "City of Tauranga" was reproclaimed in 2003, after status was lost after 1989 Local Body reforms. The City of Tauranga includes the major suburbs/areas of Tauranga Central (The Avenues), Matua, Tauriko(being built), Otumoetai, Bethlehem, Mount Maunganui, Greerton, Papamoa, Ohauiti, Maungatapu and Welcome Bay.
Major growth is occurring in this City (arguably the fastest in New Zealand), with Papamoa expected to be a City in itself by 2020, with a population the size of Nelson. (According to SmartGrowth, from Census growth figures and Statistics NZ).
Location
Tauranga is located at the head of a large harbour which extends along the western Bay of Plenty, and is protected by Matakana Island. The town and headland of Mount Maunganui stand at the entrance to the harbour, five kilometres north of Tauranga. "The Mount", as it is known, is often regarded as a satellite town of Tauranga.
The name Tauranga comes from Māori, it roughly translates to "a sheltered anchorage".
Due to its sheltered position on the east coast, Tauranga enjoys a warm, dry climate. This has made it a popular location to retire to. During the summer months the population swells as the holidaymakers descend on the city.
Much of the countryside surrounding Tauranga is horticultural land, used to grow a wide range of fresh produce for both domestic consumption and export. The area is particularly well known for growing tangelos (a grapefruit / tangerine cross) and kiwifruit. The Port of Tauranga also experiences brisk but seasonal shipping traffic and is a regular stop off for both container ships and luxury cruise liners.
History
Māori Wars
The Tauranga Campaign took place in and around Tauranga, from 21 January 1864 to 21 June 1864, during the Māori Wars. The Battle of Gate Pa is the most well-known.
Modern age
Tauranga is the fastest growing city in New Zealand. The population as of the census in 2006 was over 109,100 people, meaning that the city has tripled in size in a little over 25 years. The population increase is due mostly to retirees settling in the city, and sun and surf seekers. It is also a popular lifestyle city. Although the population has increased dramatically, the city is proportionally underrepresented in businesses, and the CBD reflects a city of less than half the population as that of Tauranga. This is mainly because of many outer suburb areas having shopping centres including Bayfair, Fraser Cove, Greerton Shopping Center and Papamoa Plaza.
Under the Local Government (Tauranga City Council) Order 2003 , Tauranga became (legally) a city for a second time from 1 March 2004.
Education
Tauranga is home to the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic as well as a branch of the University of Waikato.
State secondary schools include:
State Primary and Intermediate Schools include:
Christian educational institutions in Tauranga include Bethlehem Campus, a college for both children and adults established in 1988; South Pacific Bible College, a Christian preaching and missions school founded in 1982; and Aquinas College, a Catholic college established in 2003.
Notable residents
External links
