|
 Tauranga
(Pop: 101,000) is New Zealand's
6th largest city, located of the western Bay of Plenty on the east coast of
the North Island of New Zealand.
Located 205kms southeast from Auckland, 105 km east of Hamilton and 85 km
north of Rotorua, Tauranga - meaning "Sheltered Waters", is the largest
residential and commercial area of the coastal Bay of Plenty region.
Tauranga is located at the head of a large harbour which extends along the
western Bay of Plenty, and is protected by Matakana Island. The town and
headland of
Mount Maunganui stand at the entrance to
the harbour, five kilometres north of Tauranga.
"The Mount", as it is known, is often regarded as a satellite town of
Tauranga, although it is technically a suburb. Its is one of the major
resort cities in New Zealand, famous for its beautiful beaches.
With its fertile lands and pleasant climate making it the centre of a large
kiwi fruit and citrus growing area. With pride is its colonial heritage with
Gate Pa battle site and Otamataha Pa Military Cemetery and its scenic views
including the McLaren and Omanawa Falls.
Tauranga is New Zealand's catering for business, international trade,
culture, technology, fashion, 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.
Tauranga Festival is held
February/March and the National Jazz Festival is held at Easter.
Tauranga is served by major
coach and bus operators providing regular daily services from
Tauranga to Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Gisborne, Hastings, Palmerston North,
Hamilton and Wellington. Air New Zealand Link operates regular daily
air services to Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua and Taupo.
There are no passenger train/rail services from Tauranga to Auckland,
Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Napier/Hastings, New Plymouth, Wanganui,
Palmerston North or Wellington.
|