What You Need To Know
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It was settled by Māori late in the 13th century and by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963. Tauranga City is the centre of the fifth largest urban area in New Zealand, with an urban population of 134,400 (June 2016).
The city lies in the north-western corner of the Bay of Plenty, on the south-eastern edge of Tauranga Harbour. The city extends over an area of 168 square kilometres (65 sq mi), and encompasses the communities of Bethlehem, on the south-western outskirts of the city; Greerton, on the southern outskirts of the city; Matua, west of the central city overlooking Tauranga Harbour; Maungatapu; Mount Maunganui, located north of the central 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 and efficiency. 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, though that number has slowed to 11{a1286abb79f8f14430d593205afe02d613706281fbad4ff46a5cb7ddef7b2bbc} between the 2006 Census and the 2013 Census. This sudden population growth has made Tauranga New Zealand’s 5th largest city.
Population: 134,400 (June 2016)
Area: 168 km2 (65 sq mi)
Language
Petition to make english an official language of nz. The English language is the most widely and accepted spoken language in NZ, but only Maori and sign language are the only two languages formally designated as ‘Official languages’ and have special status under the law.
Currency
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 (Mount Maunganui). Ngamuwahine River is located 19 kilometres southwest of Tauranga.
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, nicknamed “The Mount” by locals.
Tauranga is roughly the antipode of Jaén, Spain.
Climate
Tauranga has an oceanic or maritime temperate climate. It can also be described as subtropical due to high summer humidity.
During the summer months the population swells as holidaymakers descend on the city, especially along the popular white coastal surf beaches from Mount Maunganui to Papamoa.
Economy
Much of the countryside surrounding Tauranga is horticultural land, used to grow a wide range of fresh produce for both domestic consumption and export. There are many kiwifruit and avocados orchards as well as other crops.
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.
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, Palm Beach Plaza, Fashion Island, Bayfair Shopping Centre, Bay Central and Greerton Village.
Religion
A wide variety of faiths are practised, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism and Judaism. There are many denominations of Christianity including Pentecostal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Baptist and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Transport
Tauranga City Council is currently responsible for approximately 530 km of roads, 700 km of footpaths, cycle ways and access ways.
Tauranga City Council also has a bit of work under way with their Transportation and Roads strategy. Their aim for the future to change current travel behaviour from a focus on private cars to more sustainable modes such as buses, cycling and walking.
Air
Tauranga Airport is served by several airlines offering flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as well as some regional destinations within New Zealand. Sunair is based in Tauranga, operating a fleet of light aircraft. Sunair operates from Tauranga Airport to Gisborne, Claris, Whitanga, Motiti Island and North Shore. In addition Barrier Air operates from Tauranga to Claris with a Partenavia P68.
Rail
Tauranga is located on the East Coast Main Trunk Railway.
Bus
Main transportation in the city is provided by the BayBus, with twelve routes servicing the city’s population. Bay Hopper buses depart the central stops in Tauranga’s CBD, Mount Maunganui and Greerton half-hourly, with the routes to Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Greerton and Ohauiti experiencing an increase in frequency during peak hours.
The city is also a waypoint for bus travel between cities, with the Bay Hopper, Intercity, NakedBus and ManaBus performing nationwide commutes on a daily schedule.
