View source for Bay of Plenty Region

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name               = Bay of Plenty
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| settlement_type    = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
| image_skyline      = Bay of Plenty farmlands.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Horticultural, farming and residential land in the [[Ōmokoroa]] area near [[Tauranga]]
| image_flag         = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_alt         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = {{New Zealand region map|Bay of Plenty|250px}}
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = The Bay of Plenty within New Zealand
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|format=dms|display=title,inline}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[New Zealand]]
| subdivision_type1  = Island
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Island]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = 
| seat               = [[Whakatāne]]
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title1       = Chair
| leader_name1        = [[Doug Leeder]]
| leader_title2       = Deputy Chair
| leader_name2        = [[Jane Nees]]
| unit_pref          = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref>tags -->| area_footnotes     = 
| area_urban_footnotes = <!--  -->
| area_rural_footnotes = <!--  -->
| area_metro_footnotes = <!--  -->
| area_magnitude     = <!--  -->
| area_note          = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_blank1_title  = 
| area_blank2_title  = <!-- square kilometers -->
| area_total_km2     = 12231
| area_land_km2      = 12072.00
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_rural_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_blank1_km2    = 
| area_blank2_km2    = 
| length_km          = 
| width_km           = 
| dimensions_footnotes = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
| population_total   = {{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}
| population_as_of   = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2022 |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/regional-gross-domestic-product-year-ended-march-2022/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]21.666 billion (2021) ([[List of regions of New Zealand by GDP|5th]])
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = NZ$62,673 (2021)
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2023)
| blank_info_sec1    = 0.93<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/NZL/?levels=1+4&interpolation=0&extrapolation=0|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|access-date=2025-11-15}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of regions of New Zealand by Human Development Index|9th]]
| timezone1          = NZST
| utc_offset1        = +12
| timezone1_DST      = NZDT
| utc_offset1_DST    = +13
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = 
| iso_code           = NZ-BOP
| website            = {{URL|http://www.boprc.govt.nz}}
| footnotes          = 
| governing_body     = [[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]]
}}

The '''Bay of Plenty Region'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Bay of Plenty Region |url= https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/14957 |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=[[Land Information New Zealand]] |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="ReorgOrder2392">{{Cite journal |date=9 June 1989 |title=The Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989 |journal=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |page= [https://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1989/99/33.pdf 2277] |via=[[New Zealand Legal Information Institute]] }}</ref> is a [[Regions of New Zealand|local government region]] in the [[North Island]] of New Zealand. Also called just the '''Bay of Plenty''' ('''BOP'''), it is situated around the [[Bay of Plenty|marine bight of that same name]]. The bay was named by [[James Cook]] after he noticed the abundant food supplies at several [[Māori people|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 {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} and is the fifth-most populous region in New Zealand.<ref name="Census 2023"/> 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,<ref name=Census2006>{{NZ Quickstats|1000004}}</ref> with significant growth in the coastal and western parts, and grew by 8.3% between 2018 and 2023. It has the second-largest [[Māori people|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Working with iwi |url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/your-council/working-with-iwi/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Bay of Plenty Regional Council }}</ref> There are 35 local iwi, 260 [[hapū]] and 224 [[marae]], with the most significant iwi being [[Te Arawa]], [[Ngāi Tūhoe]], [[Ngāti Awa]] and [[Whakatōhea|Te Whakatōhea]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaupapa Maori |url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/your-council/working-with-iwi/kaupapa-maori/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Bay of Plenty Regional Council }}</ref>

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.<ref name=RLTS>{{cite web | author = Environment Bay of Plenty | title = Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Strategy |date=September 2004 | access-date = 2008-02-28 | pages = 15–32 | url = http://www.envbop.govt.nz/media/pdf/Strategy_Regionallandtransportstrategy.pdf |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080411094445/http://www.envbop.govt.nz/media/pdf/Strategy_Regionallandtransportstrategy.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-04-11}}</ref>

== History ==

The Bay of Plenty region as a [[regions of New Zealand|local government area]] was formed in the nationwide [[1989 New Zealand local government reforms|1989 local government reforms]]. The new region incorporated the former counties of Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakātane and Ōpōtiki.

== Governance ==
[[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]] oversees regional land use, environmental management and civil defence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newzealandtravel.org/destinations/bay-plenty |title=Bay of Plenty – New Zealand Travel|website=newzealandtravel.org}}</ref>

The region wholly includes the [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|territorial authority]] areas of [[Western Bay of Plenty District]], [[Tauranga|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 board]]s have public health provided by Toi Te Ora – Public Health.

== Geography ==
[[Image:BayofPlentyA2002296.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Satellite photo of the Bay of Plenty (top half of image)]]
The Bay of Plenty region covers {{cvt|12,200|km2}} of land and {{cvt|9,500|km2}} of coastal marine area.<ref name=EBOP-geo>{{cite web | title = Our Region | publisher = Environment Bay of Plenty | url = http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Our-Region.asp | accessdate = 2008-03-03 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080218023016/http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Our-Region.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-02-18}}</ref> 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&nbsp;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, New Zealand|Whale Island]] and the active volcano of [[Whakaari/White Island]]. It extends inland to the sparsely populated forest lands around Rotorua and [[Murupara]].

The region has more than {{Convert|200|km2}} of lakes, known as the [[Lakes of Rotorua]].

[[Image:WhakarewarewaGeyserFlat.jpg|thumb|140px|right|Geothermal activity at [[Whakarewarewa]]]]
Much of the central part of the region lies within the [[Taupō Volcanic Zone]], which extends from the centre of the North Island northwards to Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic mountains and lakes, [[Geothermal activity|geothermal]] areas and geological fault lines all dot the landscape. The geothermal region around Rotorua is a major tourist site, while many hot springs in the region are used as swimming areas. The geothermal field near [[Kawerau]] is the site of a [[Kawerau Power Station|geothermal power plant]] that will reportedly meet up to one third of residential and industrial electricity demand in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.<ref name=MRP>{{cite web |title=Mighty River Power media release: Generation Equipment Arriving at Kawerau |url=http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/Generation/Projects/Kawerau/KawerauNews/Detail.aspx?id=1059 |date=2007-10-18 |access-date=2008-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009220709/http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/Generation/Projects/Kawerau/KawerauNews/Detail.aspx?id=1059 |archive-date=9 October 2008}}</ref> Whakaari/White Island, the site of a former sulfur-mining operation, is an active volcanic island popular with tourists. The eruption of [[Mount Tarawera]] in 1886 and the [[1987 Edgecumbe earthquake]] were two disasters related to geological activity in the volcanic plateau.

Prominent volcanic cones in the region include [[Mount Maunganui]], [[Mount Tarawera]] and [[Mount Edgecumbe/Putauaki]]. These features also have cultural significance to local Māori. The [[Kaimai Ranges|Kaimai]] and [[Mamaku Ranges|Mamaku]] mountain ranges lie at the western border of the region. Swamp land was formerly concentrated around a number of rivers, but much of this was dredged in the early part of the 20th century to increase land for settlement and other uses.<ref name=TeAra>{{cite web | last = McKinnon | first = Malcolm | title = Bay of Plenty | publisher = [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] | url = http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/Places/BayOfPlenty/BayOfPlenty/ | date = 2007-09-27 | access-date = 2008-02-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080320121913/http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/BayOfPlenty/BayOfPlenty/en| archive-date= 20 March 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Large native and foreign (planted) forest areas are found in the inland parts of the region. The [[Kaingaroa Forest]] is the world's largest planted forest, comprising [[radiata pine]] mainly used for timber.

=== Climate ===
The Bay of Plenty region has warm, humid summers and mild winters. It is one of the warmest regions in New Zealand, particularly along the coastline, and most areas experience at least 2,200&nbsp;hours of sunshine per annum. Average daily maximum temperatures range from {{cvt|10 to 16|°C}} in winter and {{cvt|22 to 26|°C}} in summer. Typical minima vary from {{cvt|0 to 9|°C}} in winter and {{cvt|11 to 17|°C}} during summer. Rainfall occurs more frequently in winter than in summer, but tropical storms in summer and autumn can produce heavy rain with high winds.<ref name=EBOP-climate>{{cite web | title = Climate Change | publisher = Environment Bay of Plenty | url = http://www.ebop.govt.nz/ClimateChange/Climate-Change.asp | access-date = 2008-03-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213172721/http://www.ebop.govt.nz/ClimateChange/Climate-Change.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-02-13}}</ref> Central parts of the region can receive up to {{Convert|2000|mm}} of rainfall annually, while the eastern and western areas can receive up to {{Convert|4000|mm}}.<ref name=TA-climate>{{cite web |author1=Mullan, Brett |author2=Tait, Andrew |author3=Thompson, Craig | title = Regional Climate | publisher = [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] | url = http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/ClimateAndAtmosphere/Climate/2/en | date = 2007-09-21 | access-date = 2008-03-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080411104914/http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/ClimateAndAtmosphere/Climate/2/en| archive-date= 11 April 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
Bay of Plenty region covers {{Convert|12071.55|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=7 October 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}/12071.55|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations
|1991|203,982
|1996|224,364
|2001|239,415
|2006|257,379
|2013|267,741
|2018|308,499
|2023|334,140|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2001-census-data/2001-census-regional-summary.aspx|title=2001 Census: Regional summary|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=2020-04-28|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929211821/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2001-census-data/2001-census-regional-summary.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
Bay of Plenty region had a population of 334,140 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 25,641 people (8.3%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 66,399 people (24.8%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 163,203 males, 170,004 females and 939 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 120,057 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.04.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 39.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 66,453 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 57,576 (17.2%) aged 15 to 29, 145,197 (43.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 64,911 (19.4%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 71.9% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 30.6% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 4.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 8.8% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 1.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori language by 9.0%, Samoan by 0.4% and other languages by 10.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 30.4% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.3% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 3.7% [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.6% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]], 0.1% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 2.7% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 53.4%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 42,465 (15.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 145,284 (54.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 66,879 (25.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 26,280 people (9.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 129,156 (48.2%) people were employed full-time, 37,209 (13.9%) were part-time, and 9,216 (3.4%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.04.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Bay of Plenty region (04)}}</ref>

The region has smaller populations of Pasifika and Asians than other regions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-29 |title=Asian communities leading New Zealand's population growth |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/518152/asian-communities-leading-new-zealand-s-population-growth |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref>

[[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Bay of Plenty Region.png|thumb|right|250px|Population density map of the Bay of Plenty at the 2023 Census. Red = High, Green = Low.]]

The Bay of Plenty is the fifth-most populous region in New Zealand, accounting for {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018| Bay of Plenty region |y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|New Zealand|y}}|R}}*100|1}}% of the national population.<ref name=NZ_population_data_2018/>

The coast is dotted with several sizeable settlements, the largest of which is the conurbation of the city of Tauranga and its neighbour [[Mount Maunganui]] in the west. The town of Whakatāne is located in the centre of the coast. Other towns of note include [[Waihi Beach]], [[Katikati]], [[Maketu]], [[Pukehina Beach]] and [[Ōpōtiki]].

Most of the population along the coast is concentrated in the western and central parts of the shore; the eastern part is sparsely populated hill country. The region 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]].

Significant [[Horticulture|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.<ref name=RLTS/>
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Largest groups of overseas-born residents<ref name="NZdotstat">{{cite web |title=Birthplace (detailed), for the census usually resident population count, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (RC, TA, SA2, DHB) |url=https://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8279 |access-date= |publisher=Statistics New Zealand}}</ref>
|-
!Nationality || Population (2018)
|-
| England || 14,817
|-
| India || 6,393
|-
| Australia || 5,562
|-
| South Africa || 4,299
|-
| Philippines || 2,703
|-
| China || 1,848
|-
| Scotland || 1,770
|-
| Netherlands || 1,563
|-
| United States of America || 1,479
|-
| South Korea || 1,434
|}

=== Urban areas ===
[[File:Tauranga_New_Zealand-9816.jpg|thumb|[[Tauranga]], most populous city in the region]]
[[File:Tauranga_New_Zealand-1698.jpg|thumb|High rise buildings in [[Mount Maunganui]], suburb of [[Tauranga]]]]
[[File:City_of_Rotorua.jpg|thumb|[[Rotorua]], second most populous city in the region]]

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Urban areas in Bay of Plenty (pop. >1000)
|-
! Name
! Population<br /><small>({{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||)}}</small>
! % of region
|-
|[[Tauranga]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Tauranga|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Tauranga|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Rotorua]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Rotorua|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Rotorua|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Whakatāne]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Whakatane|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Whakatane|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Te Puke]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Te Puke|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Te Puke|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Kawerau]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Kawerau|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Kawerau|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Katikati]]
| style="text-align:right;" |{{NZ population data 2018|Katikati|y}}
| style="text-align:right;" |{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Katikati|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Ōmokoroa]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{NZ population data 2018|Omokoroa|y}}
| style="text-align:right;" |{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Omokoroa|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Ōpōtiki]]
| style="text-align:right;" |{{NZ population data 2018|Opotiki|y}}
| style="text-align:right;" |{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Opotiki|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Ngongotahā]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Ngongotaha|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Ngongotaha|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Ōhope]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{NZ population data 2018|Ohope|y}}
| style="text-align:right;" |{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Ohope|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Waihi Beach]]
| style="text-align:right;" |{{NZ population data 2018|Waihi Beach-Bowentown|y}}
| style="text-align:right;" |{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Waihi Beach-Bowentown|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Murupara]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Murupara|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Murupara|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Edgecumbe, New Zealand|Edgecumbe]]
|style="text-align:right;"| {{NZ population data 2018|Edgecumbe|y}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{Round|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Edgecumbe|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bay of Plenty region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|}

== Economy ==
The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Bay of Plenty was estimated at NZ$17.24 billion in the year to March 2019, 5.7% of New Zealand's national GDP. The subnational GDP per capita was estimated at $53,700 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $1.89 billion (11.6%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $3.24 billion (20.0%), service industries contributed $9.72 billion (59.8%), and taxes and duties contributed $1.39 billion (8.6%).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2019 {{!}} Stats NZ|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/regional-gross-domestic-product-year-ended-march-2019|website=www.stats.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref>

[[File:Cruise Ship In Port Of Tauranga.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Port of Tauranga]] is the largest port in the country by cargo volume.]]
[[Agriculture]], [[natural resource]]s and [[tourism]] are the major industries. Most (96 per cent) of the region is defined as 'rural', with 22% of land usage representing farm land and 38% representing nature reserve land.<ref name=RLTS/> The most common agricultural land uses are [[horticulture]], [[dairy]], [[grazing]] and [[sheep]] farming. The region has over 11,500 hectares of horticultural land, predominantly producing [[kiwifruit]] and [[avocado]]es.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freshfacts.co.nz/files/freshfacts-2018.pdf|title=Fresh Facts: New Zealand Horticulture|date=2018|website=Plant & Food Research|issn=1177-2190}}</ref> The region also has an abundance of coastal, forestry and geothermal resources. Forestry emerged as a vital industry in the 1950s, with radiata pine being planted during the early 20th century. Forestry is commercially planted and managed, mostly using planted foreign tree species, and timber is sent to the [[Port of Tauranga]] for export. Geothermal activity is a source of tourism, and geothermal energy is emerging as a major regional source of electricity. Tourism is the other notable industry, accounting for 15% of the region's GDP from March 2000 to 2004.<ref name=NZIER>{{cite web | author = New Zealand Institute of Economic Research | work = Regional Economic Performance: Final Report | title = Bay of Plenty Economic Profile | publisher = New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development | url = http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage____2322.aspx#P635_92209 | date = 2005-11-01 | access-date = 2008-02-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080404004008/http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage____2322.aspx| archive-date= 4 April 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Overall economic growth in the Bay of Plenty averaged 2.1% between March 2000 and 2004, compared with the national rate of 3.5%, although per capita [[real GDP]] growth in the five years to March 2003 matched the national growth rate at an averaged 2.3%.<ref name=NZIER/> In the 2013 Census, the median annual income was $26,200, below the national median of $28,500. Further, 39.3% of people aged 15 years or older earned an annual income of less than $20,000, compared with 38.2% of people nationally.<ref>{{NZ Quickstats2013|13853|Bay of Plenty region|Income}}</ref> Unemployment was at 9.0% of people 15 years or older, compared with 7.1% nationally.<ref>{{NZ Quickstats2013|13853|Bay of Plenty region|Work}}</ref>

== Tourism ==

The Bay of Plenty region is a popular holiday destination due to the warm and sunny summer climate and public beaches. The region received over 645,000 tourists in 2003, equivalent to one in three [[Tourism in New Zealand|visitors to New Zealand]] coming to the region.<ref name=NZIER/> Rotorua is a popular destination for international visitors, in particular the surrounding geothermal areas and Māori cultural centres. Tauranga is a popular domestic tourism destination, and also becoming popular internationally. [[Whale watching]] has become a popular attraction as the number of whales such as [[blue whale]]s and [[humpback whale]]s migrating into bay waters began to recover.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kimwphotography.com/2012/10/hi-everybody-interested-in-whale.html |title=Kim Westerskov Photography |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401114903/http://www.kimwphotography.com/2012/10/hi-everybody-interested-in-whale.html |archive-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Transport ==

The Bay of Plenty region has {{convert|227|km}} of rail network and {{convert|4460|km}} of roads.<ref name=RLTS/> The main rail line is the [[East Coast Main Trunk Railway]], which extends from [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]] in the [[Waikato]] region to Kawerau via Tauranga, with the Murupara Branch Railway extending the Kawerau terminus to Murupara, and the Mount Maunganui Branch connecting the Mount Maunganui terminus with the East Coast Main Trunk. The rail network is used exclusively for freight. The hub of regional economic activity is the Port of Tauranga, with well-established rail and road connections to other parts of the region. The three commercial airports are [[Tauranga Airport]], [[Rotorua Airport]] and [[Whakatāne Airport]].

Car travel remains the dominant form of transport in the region. In 2002, the number of vehicles owned in the region was 189,000, with an average of 1.51 vehicles per household.<ref name=RLTS/> There are public transport bus services in Tauranga and Rotorua only. Significant growth in the Western Bay of Plenty District has seen increased strain on road infrastructure, particularly with increasing traffic congestion in Tauranga. A new highway network is being planned and constructed in Tauranga to join with its current network spanning on the western side of the city. The [[NZ Transport Agency]], in conjunction with Environment Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty District Councils, is planning to build an Eastern Motorway bypassing Te Puke, a Western Motorway bypassing [[Ōmokoroa]] and a smaller Southern Motorway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Integrated Transport Strategy for Tauranga |publisher=Tauranga City Council |date=2006 |url=http://content.tauranga.govt.nz/strategies/IntegratedTransportStrategy.pdf |access-date=2008-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015114558/http://content.tauranga.govt.nz/strategies/IntegratedTransportStrategy.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2008 }}</ref>{{Update inline|date=September 2024}}

== Sport ==
<!-- Part I of a future "Culture" section, to be placed higher in article structure once completed. -->
The Bay of Plenty is represented in several domestic sporting competitions. The [[Bay of Plenty Rugby Union]] oversees the [[Bay of Plenty Steamers]], who play in the [[Mitre 10 Cup|Mitre10 Cup]]. The Steamers are also a feeder club for the [[Chiefs (rugby)|Chiefs]] who play in the [[Super Rugby]] competition. The [[Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic]] compete in the [[ANZ Championship]] in [[netball]], having previously played in the [[National Bank Cup]]. [[Bay of Plenty cricket team|Bay of Plenty]] also makes up a part of the [[Northern Districts Knights|Northern Districts]] cricket region and the Midlands hockey region.

== Media ==

=== Magazines ===
* LaVita Magazine
* Plenty Magazine
* UNO. Magazine
* Focus magazine

=== Newspapers ===
* Weekend Sun/SunLive
* Bay of Plenty Times
* Rotorua Daily Post
* Te Puke Times
* Opotiki News
* Whakatane Beacon

=== Radio stations ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[The Hits Rotorua]]
* [[The Hits Bay of Plenty]]
* 89.4 ZM – Hits
* 90.2 Newstalk ZB – Talk
* 90.5 [[1XX]] – Adult Contemporary
* 91.0 [[Radio Hauraki]] – Classic Rock
* 91.4 [[Radio New Zealand Concert]] – Classical
* 92.6 [[The Sound (New Zealand)|The Sound]] – Classic Rock
* 92.9 [[1XX]] – Adult Contemporary
* 93.4 [[More FM]] – Hits
* 93.7 Bayrock – Rock
* 97.7 and 99.3 Q97 – Hits
* 94.2 The Rock FM – Rock
* 95.0 Classic Hits – 80s / 90s
* 95.8 Breeze Tauranga – Hits
* 97.4 Coast – Easy Listening
* 99.0 Radio Sport – Sports
* 99.8 [[The Edge (New Zealand)|The Edge]] – Hits
* 100.1 [[Bayrock (radio station)|Bayrock]] – Rock
* 101.0 [[Radio New Zealand National]] – Talk
* 105.4 BollyBOP FM – Hits<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiofm.co.nz/bayofplenty.htm|title=Radio FM – Bay of Plenty – Radio Stations NZ – Easy Listening Rock Hits|website=radiofm.co.nz|access-date=11 October 2013|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730174758/http://radiofm.co.nz/bayofplenty.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

=== Television ===
* TV Central (Freeview Channel 30) – Bay of Plenty & Waikato (shut down in April 2015)
* TV Rotorua-Rotorua (shut down in December 2013)
* Geyser Television-Rotorua (shut down in December 2013)

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Te Purewa]] (?–1842?), tribal leader, war leader and peacemaker
*[[Maharaia Winiata]] (1912–1960), a New Zealand tribal leader, Methodist minister, teacher, anthropologist, broadcaster and community leader

==Sister provinces==
* [[Jiangxi Province]], China

== See also ==
* [[List of schools in the Bay of Plenty region]]

<!-- ==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}} -->
== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Bay of Plenty}}
* [https://www.boprc.govt.nz/ Bay of Plenty Regional Council]
* [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/ Bay of Plenty Times] – regional newspaper
* [https://teara.govt.nz/en/bay-of-plenty Bay of Plenty] in Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand

{{Regions of New Zealand}}

[[Category:Bay of Plenty Region| ]]
[[Category:Regions of New Zealand]]