Tauranga

                                                             Tauranga

Tauranga (pronounced /tʰaʉɾaŋa/ TOE-rang-a) is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.

It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963.Tauranga City is the centre of the sixth largest urban area in New Zealand, with an urban population of 120,000 (June 2010 estimate).

Tauranga is located around a large harbour that extends along the western Bay of Plenty, and is protected by Matakana Island and the extinct volcano of Mauao.

Situated along a faultline, Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty experience infrequent seismic activity, and there are a few volcanoes around the area (mainly dormant). The most notable of these are White Island and Mauao (Mount Maunganui), nicknamed "The Mount" by locals

Climate

Due to its sheltered position on the east coast, Tauranga enjoys a warm, subtropical climate. This has made it a popular location for lifestyle. During the summer months the population swells as the holidaymakers descend on the city, especially along the popular white coastal surf beaches from Mount Maunganui to Papamoa.

Education

Main article: List of schools in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand#Tauranga City

Tauranga is home to the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and a branch of the University of Waikato.

The main state secondary schools include:

§  Aquinas College a co-educational state-integrated Catholic school founded in 2003 for years 7 through 13.

§  Tauranga Boys' College, with over 1800 boys.

§  Tauranga Girls' College, with over 1500 girls.

§  Otumoetai College, with around 1900 pupils.

§  Bethlehem College, a Christian educational institution for kindergarten, primary and secondary level students, with around 1500 students.

§  Mount Maunganui College, a co-educational secondary school, with over 1500 students.

Christian educational institutions in Tauranga include Bethlehem Campus, a college for both children and adults established in 1988;Tauranga Adventist School, a state integrated Christian community school catering for Year 1 to 8 students and established in 1974; andAquinas College, a Catholic college established in 2003.

There is also a Rudolf Steiner School in Welcome Bay, catering for birth to 12 year olds.

Transportation

One of the main transportation methods in the city are the Bay Hopper bus and Go Bus.

Tauranga Airport provides daily domestic flights to all around the country.

 Tauranga is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty and one of the fastest growing population centres in the country. Downtown Tauranga has several historically significant areas to view during a scenic walk around the area. The Strand waterfront area has undergone a major redevelopment in the past few years, and is home to a number of cafés, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs, as well as a range of accommodation options. Tauranga’s harbour is in evidence almost everywhere you go, providing the urban area with an attractive waterfront setting. Fishing, sailing, diving and dolphin tours are easy to arrange, or check out one of the local beauty spots – McLaren Falls or the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.

Functional facts: Approx. population 103,635, i-SITE Visitor Centre, domestic airport

  

 Referance: www.wikipedia.org