Tauranga

For the electorate, see Tauranga (New Zealand electorate).
Tauranga
Tauranga-moana (Māori)
Metropolitan area

Mount Maunganui
Tauranga

Location of Tauranga, New Zealand

Coordinates: 37°41′S 176°10′E / 37.683°S 176.167°ECoordinates: 37°41′S 176°10′E / 37.683°S 176.167°E
Country  New Zealand
Island North Island
Region Bay of Plenty
Territorial authority Tauranga City Council
Settled 1250 - 1300
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 Kelvin Clout
Area
 • Territorial 168 km2 (65 sq mi)
Highest elevation 232 m (761 ft)
Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (June 2014 estimate)[1]
 • Territorial 121,700
 • Density 720/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
 • Urban 127,700
Time zone NZST (UTC+12)
 • Summer (DST) NZDT (UTC+13)
Postcode(s) 3110 - 3112 - 3113 - 3118
Area code(s) 07
Local iwi Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pūkenga
Website www.Tauranga.govt.nz
View over Greater Tauranga, taken from the top of Mauao

Tauranga (Māori pronunciation: [ˈtaʉɾaŋa])[2][3] 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.[4] Tauranga City is the centre of the sixth largest urban area in New Zealand, with an urban population of 127,700 (June 2014 estimate).[1]

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 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.[5][6] 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,[7] though that number has slowed to 11% between the 2006 Census and the 2013 Census.[8] This sudden population growth has made Tauranga New Zealand's 5th largest city.

History

Settlement

The earliest known settlers were Māori who arrived at Tauranga in the Takitimu and the Mataatua waka in the 13th century. Europeans trading 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.[9]

During the 1820s, Henry Williams travelled to Tauranga from the Bay of Islands to obtain supplies of potatoes, pigs and flax. In 1835 a Church Missionary Society mission station was established at Tauranga by William Wade; Rev. Alfred N. Brown arrived at the CMS mission station in 1838.[10]

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.[11]

New Zealand Wars-Tauranga Campaign

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

The Battle of Gate Pa

The battle of Gate Pā was an attack on the well fortified Pā and its Māori defenders on 29 April 1864 by British forces made up of approximately 300 men of the 43rd Regiment and a naval brigade. It was the single most devastating loss of life suffered by the British military in the whole of the Māori Wars. The British casualties were 31 dead including 10 officers and 80 wounded. The Māori defenders abandoned the Pā during the night with casualties estimated at 25 dead and an unknown number of wounded.[12]

Tauranga Today

Under the Local Government (Tauranga City Council) Order 2003,[13] Tauranga became legally a city for a second time, from 1 March 2004.

In August 2011, Tauranga received "ultra fast" broadband as part of the New Zealand Government's rollout.[14]

List of Suburbs

Bellevue, Bethlehem, Brookfield, Gate Pa, Greerton, Hairini, Judea, Kairua, Matapihi, Matua, Maungatapu, Motuopuhi Island (RatIsland), Motuotau Island, Moturiki Island, Mount Maunganui, Ohauiti, Omanawa, Oropi, Otumoetai, Papamoa, Papamoa Beach, Parkvale, Poike, Pyes Pa, Tauranga Central, Tauranga South, Tauriko, Te Puna, Waikareao Estuary, Waitao, Welcome Bay.

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.[15]

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.

Climate data for Tauranga (1981−2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 24.0
(75.2)		 24.0
(75.2)		 22.5
(72.5)		 19.9
(67.8)		 17.4
(63.3)		 15.1
(59.2)		 14.5
(58.1)		 15.0
(59)		 16.6
(61.9)		 18.1
(64.6)		 20.1
(68.2)		 22.3
(72.1)		 19.1
(66.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 19.4
(66.9)		 19.6
(67.3)		 18.0
(64.4)		 15.5
(59.9)		 13.2
(55.8)		 10.8
(51.4)		 10.2
(50.4)		 10.7
(51.3)		 12.3
(54.1)		 13.9
(57)		 15.8
(60.4)		 18.0
(64.4)		 14.8
(58.6)
Average low °C (°F) 14.8
(58.6)		 15.3
(59.5)		 13.5
(56.3)		 11.0
(51.8)		 9.0
(48.2)		 6.6
(43.9)		 5.9
(42.6)		 6.4
(43.5)		 8.0
(46.4)		 9.7
(49.5)		 11.4
(52.5)		 13.6
(56.5)		 10.4
(50.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 76.0
(2.992)		 86.6
(3.409)		 92.7
(3.65)		 120.9
(4.76)		 105.7
(4.161)		 115.7
(4.555)		 127.4
(5.016)		 112.3
(4.421)		 87.6
(3.449)		 90.4
(3.559)		 75.3
(2.965)		 90.3
(3.555)		 1,180.9
(46.492)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 6.4 7.0 8.0 8.4 8.6 10.9 11.5 11.8 10.4 10.3 9.1 8.2 110.4
Average relative humidity (%) 74.4 77.7 77.7 80.4 83.3 85.5 84.1 81.9 77.4 75.2 73.4 74.8 78.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 261.5 217.3 214.0 183.9 165.3 135.4 151.0 173.4 174.1 212.7 224.2 232.7 2,345.6
Source: NIWA Climate Data[16]

Demographics

Tauranga surpassed Dunedin in 2008 as the sixth largest city in New Zealand by urban area, and the ninth largest city by Territorial Authority area. The city was growing at a rate of 1.5% in 2008. Tauranga is set to surpass Dunedin in Territorial Area by the next Census in 2018.

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.[17]

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.

Government and Politics

Tauranga is located in the administrative area of the Tauranga City Council. The council consists of ten councillors and a mayor (currently Stuart Crosby), elected in 2004 and re-elected to serve to more terms. The council has three wards (constituencies), Te Papa / Welcome Bay, Otumoetai / Pyes Pa and Mount Manunganui / Papamoa. Council elections are held every three years and most recently in 2013.

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. 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.

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, Palm Beach Plaza, Fashion Island, Bayfair Shopping Centre, Bay Central and Greerton Village. In 2008 Tauranga's CBD underwent renovations to attract more shoppers to the inner city.

The following companies have their head office in Tauranga:

Arts and culture

Religion

A wide variety of faiths are practised, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism 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).

Music

The National Jazz Festival takes place in Tauranga every Easter, with dozens of live acts, great food and excellent wine.[23]

Events

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

In 2014 Tauranga City Council granted permission for an annual Sikh parade to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh's birthday. 2500 people took part in 2014, while in 2015, the number increased to 3500.[24]

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.

Tauranga is the home to two rowing clubs - Tauranga Rowing Club in Memorial Park and Bay of Plenty Coast Rowing Club at the picturesque Wairoa River. Both clubs have had successful NZ representation over the years.

City Facilities and Attractions

Greater Tauranga is a very popular lifestyle and tourism destination. It features many natural attractions and scenery ranging from popular beaches and harbour environments to lush bush-clad mountains with waterfalls and lakes.

Cultural attractions include the Tauranga Art Gallery, which opened in October 2007 and showcases local, national and international exhibitions in a range of media. On the 17th Avenue, the "Historic Village on 17th" [25][26] recreates a historic setting with original and replica buildings from early Tauranga housing arts and gift shops.

Aviation interests are well served with the Classic Flyers Museum and the Gyrate Flying Club where you can experience flying a modern gyroplane; the "motorbike of the sky".[27] The Te Puna Quarry Park has become a regional attraction.[28]

View of Mount Beach, with Mauao in background

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.

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.

Transport

Tauranga City Council is currently responsible for approximately 530 km of roads, 700 km of footpaths, cycle ways and access ways.[29]

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 provides daily domestic flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Airports on Air New Zealand turbo-prop aircraft.

Rail

Tauranga railway bridge

Tauranga is located on the East Coast Main Trunk Railway.

Bus

Main transportation in the city is provided by the BayBus.

Education

Tauranga is home to the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership, made up of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the University of Waikato. Tauranga and the Partnership are planning a University campus of its own. Stage 1 is expected to be open in 2017, catering for 500 but with capacity for 700, which will cost $67.3 Million.[30] http://www.boptertiarypartnership.ac.nz/boprc-funding.html

Tauranga's secondary schools are:

Christian educational in Tauranga include non-denominational Christian full primary and high school Bethlehem College, established in 1988; Tauranga Adventist School, a state integrated Year 1-8 Christian community school, established in 1974; and Catholic secondary school Aquinas College, established in 2003.

ACG Tauranga, the city's first fully private school, is set to open in January 2015,[31] ultimately offering kindergarten-Year 13.[32]

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

Notable residents

Past residents

Sister cities

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2014 (provisional)". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014. Also "Infoshare; Group: Population Estimates - DPE; Table: Estimated Resident Population for Urban Areas, at 30 June (1996+) (Annual-Jun)". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ http://www.forvo.com/word/tauranga/
  4. ↑ "Local Government 1860 - present". Tauranga City Council. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  5. ↑ http://business.newzealand.com/common/files/New-Zealand-ports-and-airports.pdf
  6. ↑ http://www.port-tauranga.co.nz/
  7. ↑ Quickstats about Tauranga City
  8. ↑ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/224710/auckland-drives-5-percent-population-growth
  9. ↑ http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/knowledgebase/tabid/624/qid/1164/tctl/1332_ViewQuestion/Default.aspx
  10. ↑ Rogers, Lawrence M. (1973). Te Wiremu: A Biography of Henry Williams. Pegasus Press.
  11. ↑ http://www.kiwitourism.com/tauranga/tauranga-area-guide.html
  12. ↑ Cowan, James (1922). "42, Gate Pa and Te Ranga". The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period, Vol. 1, 1845–1864. Wellington: RNZ Government Printer.
  13. ↑ http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/regs/regs/text/2003/2003275.txt
  14. ↑ http://www.voxy.co.nz/technology/ultra-fast-broadband-comes-tauranga/5/99115
  15. ↑ "Northern New Zealand". NIWA. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  16. ↑ "Climate Data and Activities". NIWA Science. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ Geonames Database "Region information page", travelsradiate, 2010, accessed 2 January 2011.
  18. ↑ http://www.ballance.co.nz/
  19. ↑ http://www.c3.co.nz/index.html
  20. ↑ http://www.dominionsalt.co.nz/
  21. ↑ http://www.shuziqi.co.nz/shop/index.php
  22. ↑ https://www.zespri.com/
  23. ↑ National Jazz Festival
  24. ↑ Keber, Ruth (5 January 2015). "Showcase of culture and colour in annual Sikh parade". The New Zealand Herald.
  25. ↑ Tauranga Art Gallery
  26. ↑ "Historic Village on 17th". Tourism Bay of Plenty. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  27. ↑ Gyrate Flying Club
  28. ↑ Te Puna Quarry Park
  29. ↑ Tauranga City Council. Tauranga City Council http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-services/transportation-roads/roads-road-works.aspx. Retrieved 3 April 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ↑ http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/21164-tauranga-to-have-cbd-uni-campus.html
  31. ↑ ACG Tauranga Term Dates, retrieved 1 May 2014
  32. ↑ Press Release: Academic Colleges Group (15 August 2013), "NZ independent school group, ACG, looks to open in Tauranga", Scoop Education, retrieved 1 May 2014
  33. ↑ "Kiwi leads Idol show by a neck". The Dominion Post. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  34. ↑ Sister cities

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tauranga.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tauranga.