Tauranga
If it's your first time in Tauranga, some things might be new to you, like the public transport system and finding your way around the city. This can be exciting but don't worry if you feel a little homesick. That's natural, especially in the first 12 months of living overseas.
One of the best things you can do to feel at home is to explore and experience your city. Then the things that are new become normal as you create a great life here.
Been in Tauranga for a while? Scroll down and see if you've visited all the places and landmarks listed below!
Quick facts
Population
Tauranga has a population of around 137,000 people(external link that opens in a new tab).
Location
Fun fact
Translated from Māori into English, Tauranga means 'the place of rest or anchorage (where boats rest)'.
Living in Tauranga
There are many ways to describe life in Tauranga. Here are two important ones:
Forever summer
Tauranga is known for having a lot of sun – around 2250 hours of sun per year(external link that opens in a new tab)! So it's not surprising that many Kiwis move here for the blue skies and warm climate.
Love beaches? You won't find better than Mt Maunganui Main Beach(external link that opens in a new tab). Located right next to Tauranga, this is the spot to swim, surf and sunbathe. It's so well-loved it's often described as the best beach in the country, and according to Trip Advisor, it's also one of the best in the world!
Just remember to protect yourself from the sun. If you're outside during the day, bring a hat (that covers your head and shades your face, neck and ears), sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt. We also recommend using sunscreen of at least SPF 30+, the SPF rating tells you how well it will protect you from the sun.
Tip: You can get sunburnt even on a cloudy day, so keep a small bottle of sunscreen in your bag just to be safe. You can buy sunscreen at a local dairy, supermarket, pharmacy or online(external link that opens in a new tab).
Great for adventures
If you love adventure, you'll never be bored in Tauranga as the weather is so good and the landscape gives you many opportunities to explore the outdoors.
Here are some outdoor activities you can try:
- Waimarino Glow Worm Kayak Tour(external link that opens in a new tab).
- Surf Academy(external link that opens in a new tab).
- Mount Hot Pools(external link that opens in a new tab) (if you want to relax after all of your adventures!)
Get useful information and important updates to make your life easier while you're living and studying in New Zealand.
Useful Tauranga websites
Here are a few suggestions to help you have a great experience and a safe time in Tauranga.
Study in Tauranga(external link that opens in a new tab): Find information on study, activities and support for students in Tauranga.
Bay of Plenty New Zealand(external link that opens in a new tab): Find events, festivals and great places to eat.
Grab One Tauranga(external link that opens in a new tab): Discover ways to save money in Tauranga. You can buy cheap tickets for events and activities, like surf academies and tours, and food and drink vouchers.
Tauranga City Council(external link that opens in a new tab): Find out how local government works and important information to help you with daily life in Tauranga. For example information on local parks, museums, libraries, recycling and the location of public toilets and other facilities. You can also follow the local council on Facebook.(external link that opens in a new tab)
Baybus(external link that opens in a new tab): Learn how to get around Tauranga and its surrounding suburbs on public transport. Find out which bus you need to catch to get to one of its many beaches and how to get a 'Bee card(external link that opens in a new tab)' for cheaper travel.
Tauranga Art Gallery(external link that opens in a new tab): The Tauranga Art Gallery is the first public art gallery in the Western Bay of Plenty. It's right in the heart of the CBD (central business district) and is free to visit! Check out historical, and contemporary art exhibitions by international and local Kiwi artists.
The Historic Village(external link that opens in a new tab): Experience the charm of old New Zealand as you walk around the streets of the Historic Village – a collection of original and replica buildings from early Tauranga set in gardens and native bush. These buildings are home to 50 Kiwi businesses including cafes and shops. The Historic Village grounds are open 7 days a week and are free.
Tauranga Hospital(external link that opens in a new tab): If there's a medical emergency and you or someone else's life is in danger, go to the local hospital or phone 111 (this emergency number gives you access to police, fire and ambulance services). If it's not urgent, make a doctor's appointment or visit the Accident and Health Care Centre(external link that opens in a new tab).
Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) Emergency Management(external link that opens in a new tab): New Zealand is a very safe place, but like anywhere in the world there is a chance a natural disaster could happen. This could be something like a flood, tsunami, earthquake or volcanic eruption. The Emergency Management website has information on how to prepare for a natural disaster and you can follow them on Facebook(external link that opens in a new tab) to keep up to date on what's happening.
Trade Me - Rooms in Tauranga(external link that opens in a new tab): If you're not staying in a homestay, you might need to find a room to rent. You can try Trade Me to find a place to live. Make sure to check how far your new home is from important places, like your place of study or job (if you're working part time).
Downtown Tauranga(external link that opens in a new tab): Tauranga isn't a big city, but it has great food! You can find the freshest fish and chips and gourmet seafood here. If you're at the beach, make sure to grab something to eat from one of Tauranga's 27 travelling food trucks(external link that opens in a new tab)!
Put on your running shoes(external link that opens in a new tab): If you're in Tauranga in November, get involved in 'City to Surf' – the most popular fun run/walk in the Bay of Plenty. There's a half marathon and an 11km or 5km run/walk option. Beginners welcome!
Self-guided tour with the Arataki App(external link that opens in a new tab): Explore Tauranga and Mt Maunganui with some of the best Māori storytellers in the country. This app uses your location to unlock information using Bluetooth and GPS technology. Go for a walk and see which stories you can uncover! Download it from Google Play(external link that opens in a new tab) or the App Store(external link that opens in a new tab).
