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Bay of Plenty Region
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Bay of Plenty Region
The Bay of Plenty Region is a local government region in the North Island of New Zealand. Also called just the Bay of Plenty (BOP), it is situated around the marine bight of that same name. The bay was named by James Cook after he noticed the abundant food supplies at several Māori villages there, in stark contrast to what he observed in Poverty Bay.
The Bay of Plenty had an estimated resident population of 354,100 in June 2025, and is the fifth-most populous region in New Zealand. It also has the third-highest regional population density in New Zealand, with only the 11th-largest land area. The major population centres are Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne. The Bay of Plenty is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand: the regional population increased by 7.5% between 2001 and 2006, with significant growth in the coastal and western parts, and grew by 8.3% between 2018 and 2023. It has the second-largest Māori population in New Zealand, with over 30% of its population being of Māori descent, and the second-highest number of Māori speakers in the country. It also has the largest number of iwi of any region. There are 35 local iwi, 260 hapū and 224 marae, with the most significant iwi being Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa and Te Whakatōhea.
Significant horticultural, forestry and tourism industries are well established in the region. However, the Bay of Plenty is the third-most economically deprived region in New Zealand, with the eastern districts being among the least economically developed in the country.
The Bay of Plenty region as a local government area was formed in the nationwide 1989 local government reforms. The new region incorporated the former counties of Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakātane and Ōpōtiki, and the towns of the same names.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council oversees regional land use, environmental management and civil defence.
The region wholly includes the territorial authority areas of Western Bay of Plenty District, Tauranga City, Whakatāne District, Kawerau District, and Ōpōtiki District, and parts of Rotorua Lakes District and the town of Rangitaiki in Taupō District.
Public health in New Zealand is broken into regions. The Bay of Plenty and Lakes district health boards have public health provided by Toi Te Ora – Public Health.
The Bay of Plenty region covers 12,200 km2 (4,700 sq mi) of land and 9,500 km2 (3,700 sq mi) of coastal marine area. It extends along the eastern coast of the North Island, from the base of the Coromandel Peninsula in the west to Cape Runaway in the east. The region extends 12 nautical miles from the mainland coastline, and also extends from the coastlines of several islands in the bay, notably Mayor Island/Tuhua, Mōtītī Island, Whale Island and the active volcano of Whakaari/White Island. It extends inland to the sparsely populated forest lands around Rotorua and Murupara.
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Bay of Plenty Region
The Bay of Plenty Region is a local government region in the North Island of New Zealand. Also called just the Bay of Plenty (BOP), it is situated around the marine bight of that same name. The bay was named by James Cook after he noticed the abundant food supplies at several Māori villages there, in stark contrast to what he observed in Poverty Bay.
The Bay of Plenty had an estimated resident population of 354,100 in June 2025, and is the fifth-most populous region in New Zealand. It also has the third-highest regional population density in New Zealand, with only the 11th-largest land area. The major population centres are Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne. The Bay of Plenty is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand: the regional population increased by 7.5% between 2001 and 2006, with significant growth in the coastal and western parts, and grew by 8.3% between 2018 and 2023. It has the second-largest Māori population in New Zealand, with over 30% of its population being of Māori descent, and the second-highest number of Māori speakers in the country. It also has the largest number of iwi of any region. There are 35 local iwi, 260 hapū and 224 marae, with the most significant iwi being Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa and Te Whakatōhea.
Significant horticultural, forestry and tourism industries are well established in the region. However, the Bay of Plenty is the third-most economically deprived region in New Zealand, with the eastern districts being among the least economically developed in the country.
The Bay of Plenty region as a local government area was formed in the nationwide 1989 local government reforms. The new region incorporated the former counties of Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakātane and Ōpōtiki, and the towns of the same names.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council oversees regional land use, environmental management and civil defence.
The region wholly includes the territorial authority areas of Western Bay of Plenty District, Tauranga City, Whakatāne District, Kawerau District, and Ōpōtiki District, and parts of Rotorua Lakes District and the town of Rangitaiki in Taupō District.
Public health in New Zealand is broken into regions. The Bay of Plenty and Lakes district health boards have public health provided by Toi Te Ora – Public Health.
The Bay of Plenty region covers 12,200 km2 (4,700 sq mi) of land and 9,500 km2 (3,700 sq mi) of coastal marine area. It extends along the eastern coast of the North Island, from the base of the Coromandel Peninsula in the west to Cape Runaway in the east. The region extends 12 nautical miles from the mainland coastline, and also extends from the coastlines of several islands in the bay, notably Mayor Island/Tuhua, Mōtītī Island, Whale Island and the active volcano of Whakaari/White Island. It extends inland to the sparsely populated forest lands around Rotorua and Murupara.
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