Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Towns to Explore on Foot

The Bay of Plenty is a coastal region on New Zealand’s North Island, known for its beaches, islands, Māori communities, geothermal activity and productive rural landscapes. The region combines seaside towns with inland destinations such as Rotorua, making it a varied place to explore. Neywo offers free audio guides for three cities in the Bay of Plenty, with 22 narrated places in total and narration available in 11 languages.

What to see and do in Bay of Plenty

Discover the region’s Māori heritage

Māori communities are central to the identity of the Bay of Plenty. More than 30 percent of the region’s people are of Māori descent, and the area has the country’s second-highest number of Māori speakers as well as more iwi than any other region. Among the significant iwi connected with the region are Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa and Te Whakatōhea.

This history also appears in the region’s name. James Cook called it the Bay of Plenty after finding abundant food supplies at several Māori villages, in contrast with what he had seen in Poverty Bay. Today, Māori culture remains an important part of the region’s communities and visitor experiences, particularly in Rotorua.

Explore Rotorua’s geothermal landscape

Rotorua is one of the Bay of Plenty’s major destinations and draws international visitors for its geothermal areas and Māori cultural centres. Geothermal activity is one of the defining features of the region, as well as an emerging source of electricity.

The city is also one of the places covered by Neywo. Its audio guide includes 12 narrated places, with the Rotorua Museum, Rotorua itself, Mount Tarawera and the Jean Batten Memorial among the featured stops. Explore Rotorua to discover the city in more detail.

Spend time around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui

Tauranga is popular with domestic visitors and is also attracting international visitors. Its setting on the coast makes it one of the region’s important places for experiencing the Bay of Plenty’s seaside character.

Nearby Mount Maunganui is another Neywo destination, with five narrated places. The Historic Village, Classic Flyers and Tauranga Art Gallery are among its featured stops. Tauranga also has five narrated places on the app, including The Historic Village, Tauranga Art Gallery, Classic Flyers and the city itself. You can visit the pages for Tauranga and Mount Maunganui before planning your visit.

See the islands and volcanic coastline

The Bay of Plenty stretches along the eastern coast of the North Island, from the base of the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway. Its coastal marine area includes several islands: Mayor Island, also known as Tuhua, Mōtītī Island, Whale Island and Whakaari, or White Island, an active volcano.

The coast is one of the reasons the region is a popular holiday destination. Public beaches, warm summers and the broad bay give the area its characteristic seaside atmosphere. The region has also become a whale-watching destination as migrating whale numbers in its waters have begun to recover. Blue whales and humpback whales are among the species found here.

Experience the region’s climate and natural setting

Summers in the Bay of Plenty are warm and humid, while winters are mild. Most areas receive at least 2,200 hours of sunshine each year, although rain is more common in winter. Tropical storms in summer and autumn can bring heavy rain and strong winds, and conditions vary across the region: central areas can be much drier than the eastern and western parts.

The landscape changes as the coast gives way to inland country. Agriculture, natural resources and tourism are major industries, and most of the region is classified as rural. Horticulture is particularly important, with more than 11,500 hectares devoted to crops. Kiwifruit and avocados are the leading products, while dairy farming, grazing and sheep farming also shape the countryside.

Understand the role of forestry and the Port of Tauranga

Forestry became a vital industry in the 1950s, following the earlier planting of radiata pine. Much of the timber travels to the Port of Tauranga for export. The port is a hub of regional economic activity, connected with the wider Bay of Plenty by rail and road.

This mix of coast, farmland, forests and industry helps explain why the region is more than a beach destination. Its present-day character is also shaped by growth. The Bay of Plenty is among New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions, while its eastern districts are among the country’s least economically developed. That contrast is part of the story of the region today.

Explore the Bay of Plenty with Neywo

Neywo has free audio guides for three cities in the Bay of Plenty: Mount Maunganui, Rotorua and Tauranga. Together, they include 22 narrated places and one walking tour. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages.

Download Neywo to explore the Bay of Plenty while you walk, and let the app guide you through its towns, cultural landmarks and coastal destinations.