The prosperous pulsating port city of Tauranga is the heart of the Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga means ‘safe anchorage’ in Maori. The city nestles beside a sweeping harbour of great beauty, backed by the green verdure of the Kaimai Range.

The city is a boom town with a laid-back lifestyle, well endowed with a sunny climate and excellent facilities. It has become one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand – a city of parks, gardens, pristine water views and fine cafes, bars and seafood restaurants. Some locals have named it the ‘Lifestyle Capital of New Zealand,’ comparing it to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The nautical theme is prominent in this fresh-faced, vibrant, seaside city. It is New Zealand’s largest port, exporting huge volumes of timber, paper, fruit and dairy products. There are several marinas crammed with pleasure craft and charter boats are always standing by to whisk you out to the marlin fishing grounds. The clean sandy harbour is protected by a 24 km barrier of sand dunes on Matakana Island. Guarding the harbour entrance is the imposing bulk of Mt Maunganui.

Tauranga city thrives as a centre of culture, arts and crafts, entertainment and dining. The waterfront Strand area has a wonderful selection of seafood restaurants and elsewhere in the compact CBD area there are yummy choices in � la carte restaurants and brasseries. In the finest tradition of the Bay of Plenty there is always a plentiful supply of excellent award-winning wines.

The city is a convenient base for visiting the surrounding cluster of towns such as; Katikati, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke. Te Puke is renowned as the ‘Kiwifruit Capital of the World,’ producing 90% of New Zealand’s kiwifruit harvest.

Tauranga is the place to be for lifestyle, leisure and an abundance of all good things under the sun.