Which bay in New Zealand is home to the city of Tauranga?

The bay in New Zealand that is home to the city of Tauranga is the Bay of Plenty.

This large bight curves along the northern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, stretching about 260 kilometres from the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway. Tauranga sits on its western side beside Tauranga Harbour and is the bay’s largest urban centre. Other important coastal towns include Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki.

The English name was given by James Cook in 1769, after he observed abundant food supplies at Māori villages in the area. The name contrasted with his earlier description of Poverty Bay, where provisions had been harder to obtain. The region’s Māori name, Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi, refers to the ancestor Toi-te-huatahi.

The Bay of Plenty is also known for volcanic landscapes, including Whakaari / White Island and Mayor Island. A common mix-up is confusing the bay with the Bay of Islands, which lies farther north in New Zealand. Tauranga’s name identifies the city and harbour, while Bay of Plenty refers to the much larger coastal region.