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Tauranga

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for the electorate see Tauranga (NZ electorate)
Tauranga
Metropolitan Area
Location of Tauranga
Location of Tauranga
Country New Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial AuthorityTauranga City
  
ExtentWairoa River to Papamoa
Beach and south to
Tauriko & Welcome Bay
  
Extent of Urban AreaOmokoroa to Papamoa
Beach and south to
Tauriko & Ohauiti
Settled by the UK1838
Government
 • MayorTauranga CityStuart Crosby
 • Regional CouncilEnvironment Bay of Plenty
Area
 • City168 km2 (65 sq mi)
Population
 (2006 Census)
 • City
101,200
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Websitehttp://www.envbop.govt.nz

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 New Zealand city and the centre of the 6th largest urban area. Tauranga is 205 km (127 mi) south-east of Auckland, 105 km (65 mi) east of Hamilton and 85 km (53 mi) north of Rotorua, and is the city with the fastest growing population in New Zealand. It is expected to be the 5th largest urban area within a few years overtaking Dunedin.

The "City of Tauranga" was reproclaimed in 2004,[1] 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, 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 and nearby town Mount Maunganui

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.

Situated along a faultline, Tauranga & 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 Mount Maunganui (Mauao in Maori, or "The Mount" to locals).

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 off for both container ships and luxury cruise liners.

Attractions

View over Tauranga, taken from Welcome Bay
Tauranga's most popular park, Memorial park.
Neighbouring town Mount Maunganui main beach in winter, with Leisure Island visible in the background.

Greater Tauranga is a very popular retirement and tourism destination. It features many natural attractions and scenery.

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

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


History

First settlers

The earliest known settlers arrived from the Takitimu and Mataatua waka in the 12th century. It was named "Tauranga", meaning "landing place".[2]

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 traveled to Tauranga in 1829, obtaining flax fibre for Australian merchants in exchange for muskets and gunpowder. Farrow acquired half an acre of land 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.[3]

Missionaries

During the 1820s, missionaries from the Bay of Islands visited the Tauranga district to obtain supplies of 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.

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 other than retail which is over-saturated,[citation needed] 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 Fraser Cove, Fashion Island and Palm Beach Plaza spreading retail dollars thin in the area as property values and rents are very high. Tauranga has earned the nickname "ten dollar Tauranga" in the past, due to low wage rates, but wages have increased and even the minimum wage is now more than $10 per hour.[4]

Under the Local Government (Tauranga City Council) Order 2003,[5] Tauranga became (legally) a city for a second time from 1 March 2004.

Geography

Climate

Climate data for Tauranga
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: NIWA Climate Data[6]

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; Tauranga Adventist School,a state integrated Christian community school catering for Year 1 to 8 students and established in 1974; South Pacific Bible College, a Christian preaching and missions school founded in 1982; and Aquinas College, a Catholic college established in 2003.

Notable residents

Sister cities

See also

References

  1. ^ "When did Tauranga District Council officially change its name to Tauranga City Council?". Tauranga City Council.
  2. ^ VTours - Downtown Tauranga
  3. ^ http://ourcity.tauranga.govt.nz/heritage/history/traders/
  4. ^ "Bay of Plenty places - Tauranga". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
  5. ^ http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/regs/regs/text/2003/2003275.txt
  6. ^ "Climate Data". NIWA. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)


37°41′S 176°10′E / 37.683°S 176.167°E / -37.683; 176.167

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