Tauranga

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Tauranga Tauranga-moana (Māori)
—  Metropolitan Area  —
Location of Tauranga
Coordinates: 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
Area
- Territorial	168 km2 (64.9 sq mi)
Population (June 2008 estimate)[1]
- Territorial	110,500
- Density	657.7/km2 (1,703.5/sq mi)
- Urban	116,000
Time zone	NZST (UTC+12)
- Summer (DST)	NZDT (UTC+13)
Postcode(s)	3112 - 3113 - 3118
Area code(s)	07
Website	http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/

Tauranga is the largest city in the region of the Bay of Plenty, in the North Island of New Zealand, and is the fifth largest city in New Zealand. It is approximately 205 km (127 mi) south-east of Auckland. Tauranga has an urban population of 116,000 (June 2008 estimate),^[1] and covers 64.9 sq miles (168 km). Tauranga has two parliamentary seats, Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga is one of New Zealand's fastest growing cities, with a 14% increase in population between the 2001 census and the 2006 census.^[2]

The City of Tauranga was constituted in 1963.^[3] It was renamed Tauranga District in 1989, after the local body reforms, but was reproclaimed a city in 2004.^[4]

Tauranga is one of New Zealand's main centers for business, international trade, culture, technology, fashion, horticultural science, education and entertainment. It is home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of professional and cultural fields, and is one of the most substantial economic places, with the largest port in New Zealand, the Port of Tauranga.

Tauranga's suburbs and other areas include The Avenues, Matua, Tauriko, Otumoetai, Bethlehem, Greerton, Ohauiti, Brookfield, Maungatapu and Welcome Bay, and the northern coastal strip of Mount Maunganui, Omanu, Arataki, Bayfair, Papamoa and Papamoa East.

The name Tauranga comes from Māori, it roughly translates to "a sheltered anchorage".^{[citation needed]}

Tauranga is the largest city in New Zealand with a Maori name.

Contents 1 History 1.1 First settlers 1.2 Early trading 1.3 Missionaries 1.4 New Zealand land wars 1.5 Modern age 2 Geography 2.1 Parks and Nature 2.2 Climate 3 Economy 3.1 Local industry 3.2 Shopping 4 Culture 4.1 Religion 5 Attractions 5.1 Events 6 Population 7 Lifestyle 7.1 Sports 7.2 Housing 8 Transportation 8.1 Air Transportation 9 Education 10 Notable residents 11 Sister cities 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

[edit] History

[edit] First settlers

The earliest known settlers arrived in Tauranga from the Takitimu and the Mataatua waka in the 12th century.^[5].

[edit] 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.^[6]

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Modern age

The population at the June 2008 estimate was 116,000,^[1]: the city has tripled in size in a little over 25 years. The population increase is due mostly to retirers 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,^{[citation needed]} 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,^[7] Tauranga became legally a city for a second time, from 1 March 2004.

[edit] 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).

[edit] Parks and Nature

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.

[edit] Climate

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, especially along the popular white coastal surf beaches from Mount Maunganui to Papamoa.

Weather averages for Tauranga
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	23.9 (75)	23.8 (75)	22.3 (72)	19.9 (68)	17.1 (63)	14.9 (59)	14.3 (58)	14.9 (59)	16.3 (61)	18 (64)	20 (68)	21.9 (71)	18.9 (66)
Average low °C (°F)	14.5 (58)	14.7 (58)	13.5 (56)	10.9 (52)	7.9 (46)	6 (43)	5.2 (41)	6.1 (43)	7.8 (46)	9.3 (49)	11.3 (52)	13.1 (56)	10 (50)
Precipitation mm (inches)	74 (2.91)	78 (3.07)	128 (5.04)	105 (4.13)	91 (3.58)	128 (5.04)	122 (4.8)	115 (4.53)	104 (4.09)	94 (3.7)	85 (3.35)	87 (3.43)	1,198 (47.17)
Source: NIWA Climate Data[8] 1971 – 2000

[edit] Economy

[edit] 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.

[edit] Shopping

Shopping malls include Bayfair Shopping Centre and Palm Beach Plaza. Most of the city's shopping is suburban and located around the suburbs. Places include Fraser Cove Shopping, Bethlehem Shopping Centre, Fashion Island, Downtown the Mount, Brookfield and Greeton Village. In 2008 Tauranga CBD underwent renovations to attract more shoppers to the inner city.^[specify]

[edit] Culture

[edit] 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, Catholic, Methodist, and Presbertyrian. With Jews in the metropolitan area, the region also has a good amount of Jews within New Zealand. There are also Roman Catholic Churches with numerous Catholic churches and parishes throughout the city. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in Bethlehem, west Tauranga. The grounds includes a visitors' centre and the headquarters of the Tauranga Mission.

[edit] Attractions

Greater Tauranga is a very popular retirement 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.

[edit] Events

The National Jazz Festival is one of the many that take 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.

[edit] Population

Tauranga is the ninth largest New Zealand city and the centre of the fifth largest urban area, recently overtaking Dunedin urban area (Dunedin City still has a larger territorial population), 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 has 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, but there are many in their teens and twenties. The city hosts five major head offices – Port of Tauranga, Zespri International, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, Trustpower and the soon to be renamed ABN AMRO Craigs.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Sports

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

[edit] Housing

In recent years there has been a housing 'boom' which meant the huge increase of houses being built within Tauranga, especially in the largest suburb, Papamoa. Papamoa's huge growth has been due greatly to this boom and therefore made it the largest suburb in Tauranga. 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 The Papamoa Gateway Development, 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. Many people live across from the beach. 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 a around $3 million.

[edit] Transportation

One of the main transportation methods in the city are the Bay Hopper bus and Go Bus.

[edit] Air Transportation

Tauranga Airport provides daily domestic flights to all around the country.

[edit] Education

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

The main state secondary schools include:

• Aquinas College a co-educational state-integrated Catholic school founded in 2003 for years 7 through 13.
• Tauranga Boys' College, with over 1800 boys.
• Tauranga Girls' College, with over 1500 girls.
• Otumoetai College, with around 1900 pupils.
• Bethlehem College, 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.

[edit] 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
• Mahe Drysdale - Olympic rower
• Tim Balme - actor, director
• Winston Peters - former MP for Tauranga, leader of NZ First, politician
• Moss Burmester - Olympic swimmer
• Simon Bridges - politician
• Aaron De Mey - makeup artist, Artistic Director, Lancome (spent formative years here)

[edit] Sister cities

• Yantai, China
• Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan^[9]

[edit] See also

• Port of Tauranga

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tauranga City Council
• Tauranga City Libraries
• Tauranga Portal Website
• Local History portal — Tauranga City Libraries

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