In and Around Tauranga

Tauranga is a popular tourist destination with a warm sub-tropical climate right in the heart of the Bay of Plenty region. Surrounded by glorious coastline, lush farmland and superb surf beaches, it boasts a laid-back café lifestyle and offers plenty of excitement as one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Whether you make a run up the “Mount” (Mauao) your daily activity or prefer to just lie on the beach and relax, you’ll truly be spoilt for choice when you study and live in Tauranga..

Get a first impression of the Bay of Plenty:

Sport and Recreation

Do you enjoy water-based activities like canoeing, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, and white water rafting, or how about swimming, fishing and scuba diving? Then you’ll love our harbour, surrounding waterways and the awesome beaches of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa.

There’s a full range of activities for sports enthusiasts, from sports clubs, e.g. touch, netball, volleyball, soccer or rugby to a number of parks, bush walks and treks in and around the Kaimai Ranges.

Art and Culture

The region features a vibrant, steadily growing art scene, with a number of artists creating in different mediums. Tauranga now boasts a new contemporary art gallery exhibiting the best of local and national talent.

Shopping and Fun

Tauranga boasts superb boutique shopping both in the city itself and at Bethlehem, Bayfair, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. The central business district offers lots of unique independent retailers along with all the big names and many great cafés for a break in between all the shopping.

As a film buff, you’ll be able to get your fill, with independent movies, foreign films and the latest blockbusters offered in three cinemas around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Music and Nightlife

If you’re a music lover, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Local bands, our own student bands and national stars entertain crowds in pubs, clubs and outdoor venues many nights a week. The National Jazz Festival takes place in Tauranga at Easter every year attracting well-known jazz bands and heaps of visitors.

A range of pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and theatres, clustered along the Strand in Tauranga and downtown Mount Maunganui are sure to offer something for everyone.

Out and About in the Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty offers a range of attractions to explore on weekends, including gold town Waihi, mural town Katikati, the landing site of the Te Arawa canoe at Maketu, New Zealand’s Kiwifruit capital Te Puke, the thermal and cultural attractions of Rotorua, and New Zealand’s most active volcano White Island.

Check out the Tauranga Web Cams:

• Mt Maunganui Beach
• Harbour view
• City Center
• Bayfair Shopping Complex
• Cinema 8 Movie Complex

Further Links:

• Tourism Bay of Plenty

Key facts about Tauranga

Population 140,000 people. 12-13 percent of Tauranga District's population identify as being of Maori descent. Many are affiliated to one of the three Iwi in the district, Ngaiterangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga.

Climate

Tauranga has a warm sunny climate with 2,200 - 2,400 sunshine hours per year. Mean summer temperature is 23 degrees C in summer and 14 degrees C in winter. Winter is between June and August and summer between December and February.

Travel Times