Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Regional Information

The Bay of Plenty region spans the area from the base of the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway. Several Islands are situated within the bay, the most notable of which is White Island, an active volcano.

With its sunny climate and long, white surf beaches, the Bay of Plenty has an easy going lifestyle. The Bay of Plenty was named by Captain Cook in 1769, when he noticed the abundance of food supplies in the region's villages.

Today, Tauranga is the commercial centre of the region and enjoys a warm, dry climate. Whakatane is the main centre in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and is the departure point for exploration of White Island, New Zealand's only active marine volcano. The city of Rotorua is a geothermally active area, where spouting geysers, boiling mud pools and warm geothermal springs come to the Earth's surface. It is also a hub for Maori culture; the Maori people invite visitors to experience their cultural heritage and visit one of the district's 35 marae (meeting grounds).

Navigate with our great Bay of Plenty map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Bay of Plenty weather.

For more information on the Bay of Plenty, try visiting the Te Ara Encyclopedia or the official information site for the region.