Tauranga (population 90,906 — 2001 census) is the major city of the western Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is 105 km east of Hamilton and 85 km north of Rotorua.

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.

The name Tauranga comes from Maori, 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.

The Tauranga Campaign took place in and around Tauranga, from January 21, 1864 to June 21, 1864, during the Maori Wars.

Tauranga is the fastest growing city in New Zealand. The population at the next census in 2006 will read a population of over 100,000 people, meaning that the city has quadrupled in size in a little over 30 years. The population increase is due mostly to retirees settling in the city, particulary the suburb of Papamoa, 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, and the CBD reflects a city of less than half the population as that of Tauranga.

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

External links

• A portal site
• The city council's site