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{{Short description|Bight and region on the north coastBay of North Island, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Short description|Region of New Zealand}}
<noinclude>{{User:RMCD bot/subject notice|1=Bay of Plenty Region|2=Talk:Otago#Requested move 15 March 2022}}
</noinclude>{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2020}}
{{about|the body of water|the region|Bay of Plenty Region}}
{{Infobox river
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Bay of Plenty
| name_nativenative_name = {{native name|mi|Te Moana-a-Toi}}
| name_native_langother_name =
| etymology = Named by [[James Cook]] for an abundance of resources; [[Māori language|Māori]] name in honour of [[Toi-te-huatahi]]
| name_other =
| name_etymology =
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = Whakatane Heads 15 3 2006.JPG
| caption = The Bay of Plenty seen from [[Whakatāne]]. The [[Whakatane River]] (foreground) is one of eight major rivers that empty into the bay.
| image_size =
| image_caption alt = The Bay of Plenty seen from [[Whakatāne]]. The [[Whakatane River]] (foreground) is one of eight major rivers that empty into the bay.
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=250|frame-height=200|frame-align=center|zoom=6|title=Bay of Plenty|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id=Q140290}}
| map = NZ-Bay of Plenty.png
| pushpin_map_caption= Bay of Plenty in North New Zealand
| map_size =
| map_caption = Location of the bight in the [[North Island]]
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| basin_countries = New Zealand
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| cities = [[Whangamatā]], [[Waihi Beach]], [[Tauranga]], [[Whakatāne]], [[Ōpōtiki]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[New Zealand]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 = Largest City
| subdivision_name5 = [[Tauranga]]
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length =
| width_minwidth =
| width_avgarea =
| width_maxdepth =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| rivers = [[Raukokore River]], [[Kereu River]], [[Haparapara River]], [[Motu River]], [[Hawai River]], [[Waioeka River]], [[Waiotahe River]], [[Whakatane River]], [[Rangitaiki River]], [[Tarawera River]], [[Kaituna River]], [[Wairoa River (Bay of Plenty)|Wairoa River]], [[Wainui River (Bay of Plenty)|Wainui River]], [[Aongatete River]], [[Otahu River]], [[Wentworth River]], [[Wharekawa River]]
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_minoceans = Pacific Ocean
| islands = [[Mayor Island / Tūhua]], [[Mōtītī Island]], [[Motunau / Plate Island]], [[Moutohora Island]], [[Te Paepae o Aotea]], [[Whakaari / White Island]]
| discharge1_avg =
| sections = [[Whangamatā Harbour]], [[Tauranga Harbour]], [[Ōhiwa Harbour]]
| discharge1_max =
| coordinates = {{coord|37|40|S|177|00|E|display=inline,title|region:NZ_type:waterbody_source:GNS-enwiki_scale:2500000}}
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1 =
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates=
| source1_elevation =
| mouth =
| mouth_location =
| mouth_coordinates =
| mouth_elevation =
| progression =
| river_system = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| basin_size =
| tributaries_left = [[Raukokore River]], [[Kereu River]], [[Haparapara River]]<br>[[Motu River]], [[Hawai River]], [[Waioeka River]]
| tributaries_right = [[Waiotahe River]], [[Whakatane River]], [[Rangitaiki River]]<br>[[Tarawera River]], [[Kaituna River]], [[Wairoa River (Bay of Plenty)|Wairoa River]]<br>[[Wainui River (Bay of Plenty)|Wainui River]], [[Aongatete River]], [[Otahu River]]<br>[[Wentworth River]], [[Wharekawa River]]
| custom_label =
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| extra =
}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = Bay of Plenty
| native_name = Te Moana-a-Toi <small>([[Māori language|Māori]])</small>
| 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 =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_flag =
| flag_alt =
| image_seal =
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| nickname =
| motto =
| image_map = Position of Bay of Plenty.png
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates =
| 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_title = Chairperson
| leader_name = Doug Leeder
| 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 =
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2017)
| blank_info_sec1 = 0.902<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref><br/>{{color|#090|very high}} · [[List of regions of New Zealand by Human Development Index|11th]]
| 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 =
}}
 
The '''Bay of Plenty''' ({{lang-mi|Te Moana-a-Toi}}) is a [[Regions of New Zealand|region of New Zealand]], situated around a [[bight (geography)|bight]] of the same name in the northern coast of the [[North Island]]. The bight stretches 260 km from the [[Coromandel Peninsula]] in the west to [[Cape Runaway]] in the east. The '''Bay of Plenty Region''', governed by the [[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]], incorporates several large islands in the bay, in addition to the mainland area. Called ''Te Moana-a-Toi'' (the Sea of Toi) in the [[Māori language]] after [[Toi-te-huatahi|Toi]], an early ancestor, the name 'Bay of Plenty' was bestowed by [[James Cook]] in 1769 when he noticed the abundant food supplies at several [[Māori people|Māori]] villages there, in stark contrast to observations he had made earlier in [[Poverty Bay]].
 
== History ==
According to local [[Māori mythology|Māori traditions]], the Bay of Plenty was the landing point of several [[Māori migration canoes|migration canoes]] that brought Māori settlers to New Zealand. These include the ''[[Mātaatua]]'', ''[[Nukutere]]'', ''[[Tākitimu]]'', ''[[Arawa (canoe)|Arawa]]'' and ''[[Tainui (canoe)|Tainui]]'' canoes. Many of the descendent [[iwi]] maintain their traditional homelands (''[[rohe]]'') in the region, including [[Te Whānau-ā-Apanui]], [[Te Whakatōhea]], [[Ngāitai|Ngāi Tai]], [[Ngāi Tūhoe]], [[Ngāti Awa]], [[Ngāti Tūwharetoa]] ki Kawerau, [[Te Arawa]], [[Ngaiterangi|Ngāi Te Rangi]], [[Ngāti Ranginui]] and [[Ngāti Pūkenga]].<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> Māori named the bay ''Te Moana-a-Toi'' (the Sea of Toi) after [[Toi (name)|Toi]], an early ancestor of the ''Mātaatua'' tribes.<ref name=TeAra/> Early Māori settlement also gave rise to many of the town and city names used today.
 
The first recorded European contact came when [[James Cook]] sailed through the Bay of Plenty in 1769. Cook noted the abundance of food supplies, in comparison to [[Poverty Bay]] further back along the eastern coast of the North Island. Further reports of European contact are scarce prior to the arrival of missionary [[Samuel Marsden]] to the Tauranga area in 1814. Bay whaling stations operated in the bay during the 19th century.<ref>Don Grady (1986), ''Sealers & whalers in New Zealand waters'', Auckland, Reed Methuen, p. 150. {{ISBN|0-474-00050-8}}</ref>
 
During the 1820s and 1830s, northern iwi including [[Ngā Puhi]] invaded the Bay of Plenty during their campaign throughout the North Island, fighting local Māori tribes in what became known as the [[Musket Wars]]. However, the 1830s and 1840s saw increased contact between Bay of Plenty Māori and Europeans through trade,<ref>{{cite web | title = Our History | publisher = Tourism Bay of Plenty | url = http://www.bayofplentynz.com/Tourism_Bay_Of_Plenty/OUR_HISTORY_IDL=3_IDT=1378_ID=7947_.html | access-date = 2008-02-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120207012330/http://www.bayofplentynz.com/Tourism_Bay_Of_Plenty/OUR_HISTORY_IDL=3_IDT=1378_ID=7947_.html | archive-date = 7 February 2012 | url-status = dead}}</ref> although few Europeans settled in the region.<ref name="boph">{{cite web |url=http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/about-new-zealand/regions/bay-of-plenty/history.html |title=Bay of Plenty History |work=New Zealand Tourism Guide |access-date=10 October 2011 }}</ref> Missionary activity in the region also increased during this time.<ref name=TeAra/> In 1853, New Zealand was subdivided into [[Provinces of New Zealand|provinces]], with the Bay of Plenty incorporated into [[Auckland Province]].
 
Conflict returned to the Bay of Plenty during the 1860s with the [[New Zealand Wars]]. Initially this stemmed from Tauranga iwi supporting the Waikato iwi in their conflict with the government. In retaliation, British Crown and government-allied Māori forces attacked the Tauranga iwi, including at the famous Battle of [[Gate Pā]] in 1864. Further conflict with the government arose in 1865 when German missionary [[Carl Völkner]] and interpreter James Fulloon were killed by local Māori at [[Ōpōtiki]] and Whakatāne, respectively. The ensuing conflict resulted in the [[New Zealand land confiscations|confiscation of considerable land]] from several Bay of Plenty iwi by the government.<ref name=TeAra/>
 
Confiscation of Māori land deprived local iwi of economic resources (among other things), and also provided land for expanding European settlement. The government established fortified positions, including at Tauranga, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki. European settlers arrived throughout the latter half of the 19th century, establishing settlements in [[Katikati]], [[Te Puke]] and the Rangitaiki area. In 1876, settlements were incorporated into [[Counties of New Zealand|counties]] following the nationwide dissolution of the provincial system. Initial settlements in the region struggled: the climate was ill-suited to sheep farming and the geography was inaccessible, further hindered by a lack of infrastructure. By the end of the century the population had started to dwindle. But after experimenting with different crops, settlers found success with dairy production. Dairy factories sprang up across the Bay of Plenty in the 1900s, with butter and cheese feeding economic prosperity throughout the early 20th century; local Māori continued to live on the fringe of this prosperity. Timber also became a major export in the 1950s, as kiwifruit did later.<ref name=TeAra/>
 
The present Bay of Plenty region was formed in 1989 after a nationwide review and shakeup of top-level local government in New Zealand. The new region incorporated the former counties of Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki.
 
On 5 October 2011, the [[MV Rena]] ran aground on the [[Astrolabe Reef]] in the bay causing a [[2011 Tauranga oil spill|large oil spill]],<ref name="MNZ">{{cite web |url=http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/news/media-releases-2011/20111005c.asp |title=Tauranga incident response update |publisher=Maritime New Zealand |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=2011-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018232601/http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/news/media-releases-2011/20111005c.asp |archive-date=18 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://costamare.irwebpage.com/pr100711.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720010921/http://costamare.irwebpage.com/pr100711.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 |title=M/V Rena Information |publisher=Costamare Inc |date=7 October 2011 |access-date=2011-10-12 }}</ref> described as New Zealand's worst ever environmental disaster.<ref name=stuff3>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10758195 |title=Worst ever environmental disaster |work= [[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=11 October 2011 |access-date=2011-10-11}}</ref>
 
[[2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption|A volcanic eruption]] occurred on White Island at 14:11 on 9 December 2019, which resulted in twenty fatalities and twenty-seven injuries, most suffering severe burns. Forty-seven people were reportedly on the island when it erupted. A second eruption closely followed the first.
 
== Governance ==
 
The region is subdivided into [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|territorial authorities]], which include the Western Bay of Plenty District, Tauranga City, Whakatane District, Kawerau District and Ōpōtiki District, as well as parts of Rotorua District and the town of Rangitaiki in Taupo District.
 
[[Bay of Plenty Regional Council]] is responsible for overseeing regional land use, environmental management and civil defence in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newzealandtravel.org/destinations/bay-plenty|title=Bay of Plenty – New Zealand Travel|website=newzealandtravel.org}}</ref>
 
The '''Bay of Plenty''' ({{lang-mi|Te Moana-a-Toi}}) is a large [[bight (geography)|bight]] along the northern coast of [[New Zealand]]'s [[North Island]]. It stretches {{Convert|260|km}} from the [[Coromandel Peninsula]] in the west to [[Cape Runaway]] in the east. Called ''Te Moana-a-Toi'' (the Sea of Toi) in the [[Māori language]] after [[Toi-te-huatahi|Toi]], an early ancestor, the name 'Bay of Plenty' was bestowed by [[James Cook]] in 1769 when he noticed the abundant food supplies at several [[Māori people|Māori]] villages there, in stark contrast to observations he had made earlier in [[Poverty Bay]].
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 ==
[[File:White Island n.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Whakaari / White Island]] and [[Te Paepae o Aotea]]]]The bay is defined by {{Convert|259|km}} of open coastline used for economic, recreational and cultural purposes. The coastline from [[Waihi Beach]] in the west to [[Opape]] is defined as sandy coast, while the coast from Opape to Cape Runaway is rocky shore.<ref name=EBOP-coast>{{cite web | title = Our Coast | publisher = Environment Bay of Plenty | url = http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Coast/Our-Coast.asp | access-date = 2008-03-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080116083836/http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Coast/Our-Coast.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-01-16}}</ref> Sizeable harbours are located at Tauranga, Whakatāne and Ohiwa. Major estuaries include [[Maketu]], Little Waihi, Whakatāne, Waiotahe and [[Waioeka River|Waioeka]]/[[Ōtara River|Ōtara]]. Eight major rivers empty into the bay from inland catchments, including the [[Wairoa River (Bay of Plenty)|Wairoa]], [[Kaituna River|Kaituna]], [[Tarawera River|Tarawera]], [[Rangitaiki River|Rangitaiki]], [[Whakatane River|Whakatane]], [[Waioeka River|Waioeka]], [[Motu River|Motu]] and [[Raukokore River|Raukokore]] rivers.<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>
 
The bay contains numerous islands, notably the active [[andesite]] [[stratovolcano]] [[Whakaari / White Island]]. Whakaari is New Zealand's most active [[volcanic cone|cone volcano]], and has been built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://info.geonet.org.nz/display/volc/White+Island|title=White Island|publisher=GeoNet|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> The nearest mainland towns are [[Whakatāne]] and [[Tauranga]]. The island has been in a nearly continuous stage of releasing [[volcanic gas]] at least since it was sighted by [[James Cook]] in 1769. Whakaari erupted continually from December 1975 until September 2000, marking the world's longest historic eruption episode, according to [[GNS Science|GeoNet]], as well as in 2012, 2016, and 2019. The latter of these resulted in 22 deaths and 25 serious injuries, primarily of tourists from a nearby cruise ship who were exploring the island at the time.
[[Image:BayofPlentyA2002296.jpg|thumb|150px|Satellite photo of the Bay of Plenty (top half of image)]]
[[File:Bay of Plenty farmlands.jpg|thumb|350px|Bay of Plenty farmlands, 2014]]
[[File:Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.jpg|thumb|Pukehina Beach]]
 
[[Image:Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty (4839714021).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Bay of Plenty at Maunganui]]
The Bay of Plenty region covers 12,200&nbsp;km² of land and 9,500&nbsp;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 | access-date = 2008-03-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080218023016/http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Our-Region.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 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]], [[Motiti 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]].
Whakaari / White Island is roughly circular, about {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} in diameter, and rises to a height of {{Convert|321|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level. It covers an area of approximately {{Cvt|325|ha|}}.<ref name="readersnatural">{{Cite book|title=Natural Wonders of the World|publisher=Reader's Digest Association, Inc|year=1980|isbn=978-0-89577-087-5|editor-last=Scheffel|editor-first=Richard L.|location=United States of America|pages=412|editor-last2=Wernet|editor-first2=Susan J.}}</ref> The exposed island is only the peak of a much larger [[submarine volcano]], which rises up to {{Convert|1600|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above the nearby seafloor. Sulphur was mined on the island until the 1930s. Ten miners were killed in 1914 when part of the crater wall collapsed.
 
=== Climate ===
The geographical bay is defined by 259&nbsp;km of open coastline used for economic, recreational and cultural purposes. The coastline from [[Waihi Beach]] in the west to Opape is defined as sandy coast, while the coast from Opape to Cape Runaway is rocky shore.<ref name=EBOP-coast>{{cite web | title = Our Coast | publisher = Environment Bay of Plenty | url = http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Coast/Our-Coast.asp | access-date = 2008-03-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080116083836/http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Coast/Our-Coast.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-01-16}}</ref> Sizeable harbours are located at Tauranga, Whakatāne and Ohiwa. Major estuaries include [[Maketu]], Little Waihi, Whakatāne, Waiotahe and [[Waioeka River|Waioeka]]/[[Otara River|Otara]]. Eight major rivers empty into the bay from inland catchments, including the [[Wairoa River (Bay of Plenty)|Wairoa]], [[Kaituna River|Kaituna]], [[Tarawera River|Tarawera]], [[Rangitaiki River|Rangitaiki]], [[Whakatane River|Whakatane]], [[Waioeka River|Waioeka]], [[Motu River|Motu]] and [[Raukokore River|Raukokore]] rivers.<ref name=EBOP-geo/>
The region has more than 200 km² of lakes, known as the [[Lakes of Rotorua]].
 
The Bay of Plenty has a [[Temperate climate|temperate]], [[Oceanic climate|maritime]] climate,<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> with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
[[Image:WhakarewarewaGeyserFlat.jpg|thumb|140px|right|Geothermal activity at [[Whakarewarewa]]]]
 
== History ==
Much of the central part of the region lies within the [[Taupo Volcanic Zone]], which extends from the centre of the North Island northwards to Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic mountains and lakes, 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.
According to local [[Māori mythology|Māori traditions]], the Bay of Plenty was the landing point of several [[Māori migration canoes|migration canoes]] that brought Māori settlers to New Zealand. These include the ''[[Mātaatua]]'', ''[[Nukutere]]'', ''[[Tākitimu]]'', ''[[Arawa (canoe)|Arawa]]'' and ''[[Tainui (canoe)|Tainui]]'' canoes. Many of the descendent [[iwi]] maintain their traditional homelands (''[[rohe]]'') in the region, including [[Te Whānau-ā-Apanui]], [[Te Whakatōhea]], [[Ngāitai|Ngāi Tai]], [[Ngāi Tūhoe]], [[Ngāti Awa]], [[Ngāti Tūwharetoa]] ki Kawerau, [[Te Arawa]], [[Ngaiterangi|Ngāi Te Rangi]], [[Ngāti Ranginui]] and [[Ngāti Pūkenga]].<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> Māori named the bay ''Te Moana-a-Toi'' (the Sea of Toi) after [[Toi-te-huatahi|Toi]], an early ancestor of the ''Mātaatua'' tribes.<ref name=TeAra/> Early Māori settlement also gave rise to many of the town and city names used today.
 
The first recorded European contact came when [[James Cook]] sailed through the Bay of Plenty in 1769. Cook noted the abundance of food supplies, in comparison to [[Poverty Bay]] further back along the eastern coast of the North Island. Further reports of European contact are scarce prior to the arrival of missionary [[Samuel Marsden]] to the Tauranga area in 1814. Bay whaling stations operated in the bay during the 19th century.<ref>Don Grady (1986), ''Sealers & whalers in New Zealand waters'', Auckland, Reed Methuen, p. 150. {{ISBN|0-474-00050-8}}</ref>
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/> 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.
 
During the 1820s and 1830s, northern iwi including [[Ngā Puhi]] invaded the Bay of Plenty during their campaign throughout the North Island, fighting local Māori tribes in what became known as the [[Musket Wars]]. However, the 1830s and 1840s saw increased contact between Bay of Plenty Māori and Europeans through trade,<ref>{{cite web | title = Our History | publisher = Tourism Bay of Plenty | url = http://www.bayofplentynz.com/Tourism_Bay_Of_Plenty/OUR_HISTORY_IDL=3_IDT=1378_ID=7947_.html | access-date = 2008-02-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120207012330/http://www.bayofplentynz.com/Tourism_Bay_Of_Plenty/OUR_HISTORY_IDL=3_IDT=1378_ID=7947_.html | archive-date = 7 February 2012 | url-status = dead}}</ref> although few Europeans settled in the region.<ref name="boph">{{cite web |url=http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/about-new-zealand/regions/bay-of-plenty/history.html |title=Bay of Plenty History |work=New Zealand Tourism Guide |access-date=10 October 2011 }}</ref> Missionary activity in the region also increased during this time.<ref name=TeAra/> In 1853, New Zealand was subdivided into [[Provinces of New Zealand|provinces]], with the Bay of Plenty incorporated into [[Auckland Province]].
The bay contains numerous islands, notably the active volcano [[Whakaari / White Island]]. Whakaari/White Island ({{IPA-mi|faˈkaːɾi|}}; also known as just White Island) is an active [[andesite]] [[stratovolcano]] situated in the Bay of Plenty. It is New Zealand's most active [[volcanic cone|cone volcano]], and has been built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://info.geonet.org.nz/display/volc/White+Island|title=White Island|publisher=GeoNet|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> The nearest mainland towns are [[Whakatāne]] and [[Tauranga]]. The island has been in a nearly continuous stage of releasing [[volcanic gas]] at least since it was sighted by [[James Cook]] in 1769. Whakaari erupted continually from December 1975 until September 2000, marking the world's longest historic eruption episode, according to [[GNS Science|GeoNet]], and also in 2012, 2016, and 2019.
 
Conflict returned to the Bay of Plenty during the 1860s with the [[New Zealand Wars]]. Initially this stemmed from Tauranga iwi supporting the Waikato iwi in their conflict with the government. In retaliation, British Crown and government-allied Māori forces attacked the Tauranga iwi, including at the famous Battle of [[Gate Pā]] in 1864. Further conflict with the government arose in 1865 when German missionary [[Carl Völkner]] and interpreter James Fulloon were killed by local Māori at [[Ōpōtiki]] and Whakatāne, respectively. The ensuing conflict resulted in the [[New Zealand land confiscations|confiscation of considerable land]] from several Bay of Plenty iwi by the government.<ref name=TeAra/>
The island is roughly circular, about {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} in diameter, and rises to a height of {{Convert|321|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level. It covers an area of approximately {{Cvt|325|ha|}}.<ref name="readersnatural">{{Cite book|title=Natural Wonders of the World|publisher=Reader's Digest Association, Inc|year=1980|isbn=978-0-89577-087-5|editor-last=Scheffel|editor-first=Richard L.|location=United States of America|pages=412|editor-last2=Wernet|editor-first2=Susan J.}}</ref> The exposed island is only the peak of a much larger [[submarine volcano]], which rises up to {{Convert|1600|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above the nearby seafloor. Sulphur was mined on the island until the 1930s. Ten miners were killed in 1914 when part of the crater wall collapsed.
 
[[File:Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.jpg|thumb|left|Pukehina Beach]]Confiscation of Māori land deprived local iwi of economic resources (among other things), and also provided land for expanding European settlement. The government established fortified positions, including at Tauranga, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki. European settlers arrived throughout the latter half of the 19th century, establishing settlements in [[Katikati]], [[Te Puke]] and the Rangitaiki area. In 1876, settlements were incorporated into [[Counties of New Zealand|counties]] following the nationwide dissolution of the provincial system. Initial settlements in the region struggled: the climate was ill-suited to sheep farming and the geography was inaccessible, further hindered by a lack of infrastructure. By the end of the century the population had started to dwindle. But after experimenting with different crops, settlers found success with dairy production. Dairy factories sprang up across the Bay of Plenty in the 1900s, with butter and cheese feeding economic prosperity throughout the early 20th century; local Māori continued to live on the fringe of this prosperity. Timber also became a major export in the 1950s, as kiwifruit did later.<ref name=TeAra/>
The main activities on the island now include guided tours and scientific research. Access to the island is allowed only as a member of a tour run by a registered tour operator.
 
On 5 October 2011, the [[MV Rena]] ran aground on the [[Astrolabe Reef]] in the bay causing a [[2011 Tauranga oil spill|large oil spill]],<ref name="MNZ">{{cite web |url=http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/news/media-releases-2011/20111005c.asp |title=Tauranga incident response update |publisher=Maritime New Zealand |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=2011-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018232601/http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/news/media-releases-2011/20111005c.asp |archive-date=18 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://costamare.irwebpage.com/pr100711.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720010921/http://costamare.irwebpage.com/pr100711.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 |title=M/V Rena Information |publisher=Costamare Inc |date=7 October 2011 |access-date=2011-10-12 }}</ref> described as New Zealand's worst ever environmental disaster.<ref name=stuff3>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10758195 |title=Worst ever environmental disaster |work= [[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=11 October 2011 |access-date=2011-10-11}}</ref>
The [[Waimangu Geyser]] – to be seen 1900–1904 – erupted frequently, was the most powerful geyser in the world and killed 4 people in 1903.
 
== Population ==
Bay of Plenty Region covers {{Convert|12072.00|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=26 February 2022|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}}/12072.00|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
|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/><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}}</ref>}}
[[Image:BayOfPlentyRegionPopulationDensity.png|thumb|right|250px|Population density map of the Bay of Plenty at the 2006 Census. Red = High, Green = Low.]]
 
Bay of Plenty Region had a population of 308,499 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 40,758 people (15.2%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 51,120 people (19.9%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 110,919 households. There were 150,366 males and 158,133 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 40.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 64,182 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 53,832 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 133,386 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 57,096 (18.5%) aged 65 or older.
 
Although some people objected to giving their religion, 49.9% had no religion, 34.6% were Christian, 1.1% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 6.6% had other religions.
 
Of those at least 15 years old, 43,086 (17.6%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 46,263 (18.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 35,295 people (14.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 114,264 (46.8%) people were employed full-time, 37,503 (15.4%) were part-time, and 10,926 (4.5%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Bay of Plenty Region (04)|bay-of-plenty-region|Bay of Plenty Region}}</ref>
 
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>{{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 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080411094445/http://www.envbop.govt.nz/media/pdf/Strategy_Regionallandtransportstrategy.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-04-11}}</ref> However, in 2011 Business & Economic Research Limited (BERL) identified the Bay of Plenty as one of the top performing regions in economic development, ranking second behind Auckland. It had the highest employment and GDP growth for 2011 and had the fastest growing medium term GDP. Tauranga, the region's largest commercial centre, was named New Zealand's top city for economic performance for the 2011 year.
 
=== Urban areas ===
 
{| 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}}%
|-
|[[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}}%
|-
|[[Omokoroa]]
|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}}%
|-
|[[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}}%
|}
 
===Culture and identity===
 
{| class="infobox" style="float:right;"
!colspan="2"|Largest groups of overseas-born residents<ref name="NZdotstat">{{cite web |url= http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8041 |title= Birthplace (detailed), for the census usually resident population count, 2001, 2006, and 2013 (RC, TA) – NZ.Stat |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |access-date= 1 February 2016}}</ref>
|-\
!Nationality || Population (2013)
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 16,647
|-
| {{flag|Australia}} || 4,194
|-
| {{flag|India}} || 3,963
|-
| {{flag|South Africa}} || 2,655
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || 1,545
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}} || 1,371
|-
| {{flag|China}} || 1,083
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || 1,053
|-
| {{flag|Fiji}} || 972
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}} || 834
|}
In the 2018 census, ethnicities were 73.6% European/Pākehā, 29.1% Māori, 3.5% Pacific peoples, 7.2% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
 
Only 18.6% of the regional population was born overseas, compared with 27.1% nationally. [[English language|English]] is the most widely spoken language. [[Te Reo Māori]] is the most common minority language, spoken by 8.6% of the population, compared with 4.0% nationally.<ref name="Census 2018"/>
 
== Climate ==
 
The Bay of Plenty has a [[Temperate climate|temperate]], [[Oceanic climate|maritime]] climate,<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> with 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 10–16&nbsp;°C in winter and 22–26&nbsp;°C in summer. Typical minima vary from 0–9&nbsp;°C in winter and 11–17&nbsp;°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 2000&nbsp;mm of rainfall annually, while the eastern and western areas can receive up to 4000&nbsp;mm.<ref name=TA-climate/>
 
== 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|200px|right|The [[Port of Tauranga]] is the largest port in the country by cargo volume.]]
 
<!-- Would like to replace with [[File:Kiwi Fruit Orchard n.jpg]] if it can be proven that the orchard shown is in the Bay of Plenty. -->
[[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 is a popular holiday destination due to the warm and sunny summer climate and public beaches. The Bay of Plenty 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=Archived copy |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 has {{convert|227|km}} of rail network and {{convert|4460|km}} of roads.<ref name=RLTS/> The main rail line in the region 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. Rail networks in the region are 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. Three commercial airports also operate in the Bay of Plenty: [[Tauranga Airport]], [[Rotorua Airport]] and [[Whakatane 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/> Public transport bus services exist only in Tauranga and Rotorua. Significant growth in the Western Bay of Plenty District has seen increased strain on road infrastructure, particularly with increasing traffic congestion in Tauranga. Due to this growth, 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 [[Omokoroa]] and a smaller Southern Motorway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Integrated Transport Strategy for Tauranga |publisher=Tauranga City Council |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>
 
== 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 ===
 
* [http://www.plenty.co.nz Plenty Magazine]
* UNO. Magazine
* [http://www.focusmagazine.co.nz 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
* 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}}</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)
 
[[2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption|A volcanic eruption]] occurred on Whakaari / White Island at 14:11 on 9 December 2019, which resulted in twenty fatalities and twenty-seven injuries, most suffering severe burns. Forty-seven people were reportedly on the island when it erupted. A second eruption closely followed the first.
==Sister provinces==
* [[Jiangxi Province]], China
 
== See also ==
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== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bay of Plenty Region}}
{{wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/ Bay of Plenty Times] – regional newspaper
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080807164551/http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/BayOfPlenty/en Bay of Plenty] in Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
* [http://www.bopnz.com/ Bay of Plenty Area Information]
 
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{{Regions of New Zealand}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:Bays of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Landforms of the Bay of Plenty Region]]
[[Category:Bay of Plenty Region| ]]
[[Category:Whaling stations in New Zealand]]
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