Tauranga Tauranga-moana (Māori)
—  Metropolitan Area  —
Tauranga Location of Tauranga
Coordinates: 37°41′S 176°10′E / 37.683°S 176.167°E / -37.683; 176.167Coordinates: 37°41′S 176°10′E / 37.683°S 176.167°E / -37.683; 176.167
Country	New Zealand
Region	Bay of Plenty
Territorial authority	Tauranga City
Settled	1838
Gazetted as a Borough	1882
City constituted	17 April 1963
Electorate(s)	Tauranga Bay of Plenty
Government
- MP (Tauranga)	Simon Bridges (National)
- MP (Bay of Plenty)	Tony Ryall (National)
- Mayor	Stuart Crosby
- Deputy Mayor	David Stewart
Area
- Territorial	168 km2 (64.9 sq mi)
Highest elevation	232 m (761 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population (June 2010 estimate)
- Territorial	114,300
- Density	680.4/km2 (1,762.1/sq mi)
- Urban	120,000
Time zone	NZST (UTC+12)
- Summer (DST)	NZDT (UTC+13)
Postcode(s)	3110 - 3112 - 3113 - 3118
Area code(s)	07
Website	www.Tauranga.govt.nz

Tauranga (pronounced /taʊˈrɑːŋə/ tow-rahng-ə) is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.

It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963. Tauranga City is the centre of the sixth largest urban area in New Zealand, with an urban population of 120,000 (June 2010 estimate).

The city lies in the north-western corner of the Bay of Plenty, on the south-eastern edge of Tauranga Harbour. The city expands over an area of 168 square kilometres (65 sq mi), and encompases the communities of Bethlehem, on the south-western outskirts of the city; Greerton, on the southern outskirts of the city; Matua, west of the city overlooking Tauranga Harbour; Maungatapu; Mount Maunganui, located north of the city across the harbour facing the Bay of Plenty; Otumoetai; Papamoa, Tauranga's largest suburb, located on the Bay of Plenty; Tauranga City; Tauranga South; and Welcome Bay.

Tauranga is one of New Zealand's main centres for business, international trade, culture, fashion and horticultural science. The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest port in terms of gross export tonnage.

Tauranga is one of New Zealand's fastest growing cities, with a 14 percent increase in population between the 2001 census and the 2006 census.

History

First settlers

The earliest known settlers arrived in Tauranga from the Takitimu and the Mataatua waka in the 12th century.

Early trading

Traders in flax were active in the Bay of Plenty during the 1830s; some were transient, others married local women and settled permanently. The first permanent trader was James Farrow, who travelled to Tauranga in 1829, obtaining flax fibre for Australian merchants in exchange for muskets and gunpowder. Farrow acquired a land area of 0.5 acres (2,000 m²) on 10 January 1838 at Otumoetai Pā from the chiefs Tupaea, Tangimoana and Te Omanu, the earliest authenticated land purchase in the Bay of Plenty.

View over Greater Tauranga, taken from the top of Mauao

Missionaries

During the 1820s, missionaries from the Bay of Islands visited the Tauranga district to obtain supplies of recently introduced potatoes, pigs and flax. In 1840, a Catholic mission station was established. Bishop Pompallier was given land within the palisades of Otumoetai Pā for a church and a presbytery. The mission station closed in 1863 due to land wars in the Waikato district.

New Zealand land wars

The Tauranga Campaign took place in and around Tauranga from 21 January to 21 June 1864, during the land wars. The Battle of Gate Pa is the best known.

Modern age

The population at the June 2010 estimate was 120,000,: the city has tripled in size in a little over 25 years. The population increase is due mostly to retirees and to sun and surf seekers. It is also a popular lifestyle city. Although the population has increased dramatically, the city is proportionally underrepresented in businesses other than retail, which is over-saturated, and the CBD reflects a city of less than half its population. This is mainly because many outer suburb areas have shopping centres, including Fraser Cove, Fashion Island and Palm Beach Plaza, spreading retail dollars thin as property values and rents are very high.

Under the Local Government (Tauranga City Council) Order 2003, Tauranga became legally a city for a second time, from 1 March 2004.

Geography

Tauranga is located around a large harbour that extends along the western Bay of Plenty, and is protected by Matakana Island and the extinct volcano of Mauao.

Situated along a faultline, Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty experience infrequent seismic activity, and there are a few volcanoes around the area (mainly dormant). The most notable of these are White Island and Mauao (Mount Maunganui), nicknamed "The Mount" by locals.

Tauranga is roughly the antipodal point of Jaen, Spain.

Memorial Park, Tauranga

Climate

Due to its sheltered position on the east coast, Tauranga enjoys a warm, subtropical climate. This has made it a popular location for lifestyle. During the summer months the population swells as the holidaymakers descend on the city, especially along the popular white coastal surf beaches from Mount Maunganui to Papamoa.

Population

Tauranga surpassed Dunedin in 2008 as sixth largest city in New Zealand by urban area, and ninth largest city by Territorial Authority area. The city was growing at a rate of 1.5% in 2008.

In 1976, Tauranga was a medium-sized urban area, with a population of around 48,000, smaller than Napier or Invercargill. The completion of a harbour bridge in 1988 brought Tauranga and The Mount closer (they amalgamated in 1989) and promoted growth in both parts of the enlarged city. In 1996 Tauranga’s population was 82,092 and by 2006 it had reached 103,635.

In 2006, 17.4% of the population was aged 65 or over, compared to 12.3% nationally. The city hosts five major head offices – Port of Tauranga, Zespri International, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, Trustpower and Craigs Investment Partners (formerly, ABN AMRO Craigs). Tauranga is home to a large number of migrants, especially from the UK, attracted to the area by its climate and quality of life.

Mount Maunganui Main Beach in winter, with 'Leisure Island' in the background.

Housing

In recent years there has been a huge increase in numbers of houses being built within Tauranga, especially in Papamoa which has become the largest suburb. Some suburban areas within Papamoa that have been built up include The Gardens, Emerald Shores, Golden Sands, Palm Springs and Tuihana. Although the housing boom is officially over in Tauranga, construction is still occurring and suburbs are being built. These are Coast Papamoa, Papamoa Junction and Modena Beach. The main housing in Tauranga varies between suburbs, and range from wealthy beachfront mansions to older state houses in the lower income neighbourhoods. The most common type of housing is suburban houses with medium sized backyards. Tauranga is generally expensive when it comes to housing. In 2008 the median sale price for houses was around $400,000, varying from around $200,000 to around $3 million. But in comparison to other parts of New Zealand the housing is generally newer with large tracts of housing having two bathrooms and double internal access garaging.

Economy

Local industry

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), avocados, and kiwifruit. Recent years have seen the establishment of boutique vineyards and wineries.

The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest export port, with brisk but seasonal shipping traffic. It is a regular stop for both container ships and luxury cruise liners.

Shopping

Tauranga harbour.

Picturesque sunrise over the Tauranga harbour.

Tauranga's main shopping mall is Bayfair, in Mount Maunganui. Most of the city's shopping centres are located in the suburbs. They include Fraser Cove , Bethlehem Town Centre, Fashion Island, Bayfair Mall, Mount Maunganui Main Street, Bay Central and Greerton Village. In 2008 Tauranga's CBD underwent renovations to attract more shoppers to the inner city.^[specify]

Arts and Culture

Religion

Because of Tauranga's large multi-ethnic population, a wide variety of faiths are practiced, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, various Eastern Orthodox Churches, Sufism and others. Immigrants from Asia have formed a number of significant Buddhist congregations.

The main faith present throughout Tauranga and most of the country is Christianity. There are many types of Christians, including: the largest, Pentecostal, Methodist and Presbyterian. There are also congregations of Mormons and in the area, and Jews.

Attractions

Greater Tauranga is a very popular lifestyle and tourism destination. It features many natural attractions and scenery. Cultural attractions include the Tauranga Art Gallery, which opened in October 2007 and showcases local, national and international exhibitions in a range of media.

View of Mount Beach, with Mauao in background

Events

The National Jazz Festival takes place in Tauranga every Easter, with dozens of live acts, great food and excellent wine.

New Year celebrations at the Mount in Mount Maunganui are one of Tauranga's main events, bringing people from all around the country.

Lifestyle

The coastal suburb Papamoa and neighbouring town Mount Maunganui are some of the more affluent areas around Tauranga. The region’s beaches attract swimmers, surfers, kayakers and kitesurfers throughout the year.

Tauranga has many outlying islands and reefs that make it a notable tourist destination point for traveling scuba divers and marine enthusiasts. Extensive marine life diversity is available to scuba divers all year round. Water temperatures range from 12 degrees Celsius in winter to 22-24 degrees Celsius in summer. Tauranga houses two professional dive instructor training centers, training NAUI, PADI and SSI dive leader systems.

Accommodation options such as hotels, motels, holiday parks and lodges make the most of the coastal views.

Sports

McLaren Falls Park, on the outskirts of Tauranga

Tauranga has a large stadium complex in the Bayfair suburb, Baypark Stadium, rebuilt in 2001 after a similar complex closed in 1995. It hosts Speedway events during summer and rugby matches in winter.

Tauranga is also the home of Football (Soccer) club Tauranga City United who compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2.

Parks and recreation

Tauranga has many parks. One of the largest is Memorial Park, and others include, Yatton Park, Kulim Park, Fergusson Park and the large Tauranga Domain.

Due to the temperate climate, outdoor activities are very popular, including golf, tramping (hiking), mountain biking and white water rafting. The Bay of Plenty coastline has miles of golden sandy beaches, and watersports are very popular, including swimming, surfing, fishing, diving, kayaking and kitesurfing. Tourists also enjoy dolphin-watching on specially run boat trips.

Education

Tauranga is home to the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and a branch of the University of Waikato.

The main state secondary schools include:

• Papamoa College, co-educational secondary school opened in 2011 for years 7 - 13.
• Aquinas College a co-educational state-integrated Catholic school founded in 2003 for years 7 - 13, with around 800 pupils.
• Tauranga Boys' College, with over 1800 boys.
• Tauranga Girls' College, with over 1500 girls.
• Otumoetai College, with around 1900 pupils.
• Bethlehem Campus, a Christian educational institution for kindergarten, primary and secondary level students, with around 1500 students.
• Mount Maunganui College, a co-educational secondary school, with over 1500 students.

Christian educational institutions in Tauranga include Bethlehem Campus, a college for both children and adults established in 1988; Tauranga Adventist School, a state integrated Christian community school catering for Year 1 to 8 students and established in 1974; and Aquinas College, a Catholic college established in 2003.

There is also a Rudolf Steiner School in Welcome Bay, catering for birth to 12 year olds.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main transportation in the city is provided by the Bay Hopper Bus. Tauranga Airport provides daily domestic flights to many destinations in the country.

Notable residents

• Hilda Hewlett - pioneer aviator
• Phil Rudd - drummer for AC/DC
• Richard O'Brien - author of The Rocky Horror Show (spent his formative years here)
• Les Munro - Dambusters veteran.
• Bob Clarkson - former Member of Parliament and successful property developer and landlord
• Mahé Drysdale - Olympic rower
• Andrew (Herb) Stevenson - Olympic rower, Double World Champion Rower, NZ 1982 Sportsman of the Year
• Tim Balme - actor, director
• Moss Burmester - Olympic swimmer
• Simon Bridges - politician
• Aaron De Mey - makeup artist, Artistic Director, Lancome (spent formative years here)
• John Bracewell - International Cricketer
• Dame Susan Devoy - former World Squash Champion
• Tony Lochhead - footballer
• Kane Williamson - International Cricketer

Past residents

• Winston Peters - former MP for Tauranga, leader of NZ First, politician
• Stan Walker - R&B singer, Former Australian Idol contestant and winner
• Jeremy Redmore - Midnight Youth singer

Sister cities

• Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
• Yantai, Shandong, China

See also

• Port of Tauranga
• Tauranga Airport
• Tauranga Cup
• Tauranga Harbour

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