Tauranga

Tauranga ( Maori language: about " sheltered anchorage " ) is a city on the northeast coast of New Zealand's North Island. With over 100,000 inhabitants, it is indeed the most important city of the Bay of Plenty region, but not their headquarters; this is located in the much smaller Whakatane. Since 2004, after cleavage from the Western Bay of Plenty - District, Tauranga is itself a separate city district ( City Council). Tauranga is the largest agglomeration of New Zealand, which officially has a name from the Maori language.

Geography

The nearest large towns are Hamilton, 105 kilometers to the west, and Rotorua, 85 km to the south. The city of Tauranga itself is located in the southeast of a large natural harbor, which is delimited by the Matakana Island from the South Pacific. Furthermore, the city separated by the peninsula around Mount Maunganui and the eponymous locality of the open sea. Hence there is only a relatively narrow waterway access to the city Tauranga, offering to the port facilities between Peninsula and Matakana Iceland. The peninsula around Mount Maunganui acts as the entrance to the harbor area of ​​Tauranga due to their exposed position.

All land borders of the district bordering on the Western Bay of Plenty - district.

From the running parallel to the coast mountain range that Kaimai Ranges, the Wairoa River flows into the harbor of Tauranga.

Climate

The climate in Tauranga is relatively warm and dry. The average annual temperature is 14.2 ° C (compared to Munich: 9.5 ° C), the average daily maximum temperatures are 18.3 ° C. Every year, the city recorded a rainfall 1200-1600 mm. Since divide this amount of rain on relatively few days when it can often lead to extremely heavy rain and violent storms, recorded Tauranga also benefits from many sunny hours ( 2200-2400 hours per year).

Population

Tauranga is well with 105,000 inhabitants, is the ninth largest city and the seventh largest metropolitan area of New Zealand. It is also the fastest growing city in the country. Overall, the population of the city in the last 30 years has almost quadrupled. The highest growth rates recorded suburb of Papamoa. For this above-average influx, there are two main reasons. For one, many New Zealand pensioners use the pleasant climate of the region and want to spend their retirement here. On the other hand, it attracts more and more young people in the city who use the ocean and the vast beaches for different sports, particularly for surfing.

Economy

While the Central Business District, which is the city center, far too few companies in terms of having on the size of the city, is located in Tauranga with the Tauranga harbor the second largest port in New Zealand. It is used particularly for the export of goods such as wood, salt and agricultural products. The Port of Tauranga is also the objective for several cruise lines ( Celebrity Cruises, P & O Cruises). In the summer season 2010-2011 Tauranga is a total hit by 54 cruise ships. Mainly used Tauranga harbor here as a starting point for day trips to the geothermal attractions of Rotorua District.

Tauranga and especially the adjacent region around Te Puke Katikati in the east and in the west are New Zealand's largest Kiwianbaugebiete. The kiwi fruit is grown here over and then exported to all over the world throughout the year. More and more importance is the cultivation of avocado, tamarillo and other " tropical fruits "

In addition, the tourism is a very important economic sector. For example, Tauranga has become a major holiday domicile for many wealthy New Zealanders who have there on the beach one of the very expensive holiday homes.

Traffic

The Port of Tauranga is the fulcrum of a large volume of traffic for the entire region, and determines a large part of the road and rail freight. Accordingly, the traffic routes are geared towards Tauranga.

For the East Coast Main Trunk Railway is transshipments at Tauranga both in the direction of pulp and paper mill in Kawerau and towards Hamilton and Auckland important.

Since late 2009, the State Highway runs 2 (SH 2 ) over the Takitimu Drive, four lanes removed Harbour Bridge and Hewlett's Road through Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. For the rest of the SH 2 is planning permission for the four-lane expansion between Te Maunga and Domain Roundabout both in the course as a 'Highway ' as Ortsumgeheung of Te Puke after Paengaroa. Construction here in early 2011 is planned as all state and local authorities have agreed to NZ $ 2 toll. This measure is of national importance, but the highway linking the port with the forestry and agriculture, especially in the Volcanic Plateau around the town of Taupo.

Furthermore, Tauranga 36 directly connected with Hamilton on the SH 29 and over the SH with Rotorua.

Sports

The national rugby union team Bay of Plenty Rugby Union to bear its home games at Blue Chip Stadium.

Annually in January, the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman is here since 1990 held - a triathlon competition over the distance two km swimming, 90 km cycling and 21.1 km running.