The Bay of Plenty is a large basin stretching inland from nearly 260 kilometres (160 miles) of coast and almost continuous white sandy beaches.
There are three main urban centres, all within about an hour’s drive of each other - Tauranga with a population of around 115,000, Rotorua (65,000) and Whakatāne (33,000). The region is growing fast, particularly Tauranga which has grown by around 25% since 2001.
Statistics
308,499
18.9%
Western BoP $687,864
Tauranga $769,958
Kawerau $296,962
Whakatane $504,352
Rotorua $500,263
Opotiki $345,572
$44,694
The Bay of Plenty is famed for its lifestyle opportunities and a climate that means outdoor activities can be enjoyed year round.
It was named in 1769 by Captain James Cook who found the people were generous and there were lots of fish, timber and other supplies.
The Bay of Plenty is part of the Welcoming Communities Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori pilot programme, which puts out the welcome mat to newcomers: recent migrants, former refugees and international students.
The Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are working with their communities to pilot Welcoming Communities in the Bay of Plenty region.
What is Welcoming Communities? | Immigration New Zealand
Welcoming Communities | Tauranga City Council
Welcoming Communities | Western Bay of Plenty District Council
The spectacular coastline of the Bay of Plenty offers all sorts of opportunities for swimming, surfing, boating, diving and fishing. Inland there is a vast array of activities including tramping, white water rafting, and kayaking, snow and water skiing, and hunting. If you have a more laidback lifestyle in mind, there are bush and coastal walks, great fly fishing, golf courses and wineries to enjoy.
Tauranga and Rotorua are also well known for events highlighting food and wine, music including an annual jazz festival, arts and culture, and sporting spectacles. They also have thriving café and restaurant scenes and a diverse nightlife
Much of the region’s output is based on primary production and processing of fruit, meat and dairy products.
Kiwifruit is the region’s largest horticultural export with avocados becoming more important recently. The Port of Tauranga is a major economic force and one of New Zealand’s prime export gateways, and the region is also home to some world-leading boat design and construction firms.
Forestry is a major employer - the region’s Kaingaroa Forest is the largest hand-planted forest on Earth. Its output is shipped to the world from Tauranga port.
Rotorua was an early highlight for many tourists because of its geothermal steam vents, mud pools, geysers and hot springs. Today its sense of being a centre of Māori culture makes an essential part of any tourist itinerary.
The Bay of Plenty experiences warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Average daily maximums range from 9-16°C in winter to 22-26°C in summer, although they can be higher in coastal areas.
Tauranga is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand, receiving around 2,200 hours annually. In 2013, Whakatāne, along the coast to the east, received a whopping 2,792 hours.
Many migrants have already made the Bay of Plenty home. The table below shows where these migrants are moving from and demonstrates the diverse population you can expect to find in the Bay of Plenty.
It can be comforting to know there are others, similar to you, who have experienced the move.
|
Country of origin |
No. of migrants |
|---|---|
|
UK and Ireland |
19,127 (6.2%) |
|
Asia |
16,042 (5.2%) |
| Australia | 5,553 (1.8%) |
|
Middle East and Africa |
5,547 (1.8%) |
| Europe (excl. UK and Ireland) | 4,936 (1.6%) |
Now that you know about what the Bay of Plenty has to offer, have a read about everyday life in the region, and services and support you can access.
Events for new migrants are regularly held throughout the country. Gain local insight into finding a job and getting setup and settled in New Zealand.
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