Bay of Plenty Regional Plan 2010 - 2012
This plan outlines the priorities for our region and what we are doing to address them. Our focus is on helping individuals and families in our communities achieve better outcomes.
The priorities for 2010 - 2012 are:
- more people get into work and stay in work
- more children are safe
- more young people stay on track
- reduced reoffending by young people
- improved quality of life for older people
- communities are better able to support themselves.
This plan highlights both national and regional initiatives that aim to improve the lives of the people in our region and across New Zealand.
About the Bay of Plenty
Forests, beaches and mountains create a wide range of natural recreational and scenic opportunities in the Bay of Plenty. The region is also home to some of the country’s most spectacular active geothermal areas, which are utilised for both tourism and electricity generation. Because of our great weather, beautiful beaches and the stunning lakes, the Bay of Plenty is popular for pleasure boating and game fishing.
Our population
At the last census, our population exceeded 300,000 people, giving us the third highest population density in the country.
- one quarter of our people identify as Māori
- one third of our people are aged under 25
- fifteen per cent of our people are aged 65 or above
- the working age population of our region is 198,400 people, of whom 130,500 are in the labour force.
Our economy
Our principal industries are forestry, agriculture, tourism, horticulture and retail.
A favourable climate and growing conditions make the coastal area of the Bay of Plenty a major fruit and vegetable growing region, with crops including kiwifruit and apples. Productive pastoral land is used for sheep and dairy farming.
Tauranga is New Zealand's largest commercial port, with the Port of Tauranga handling large consignments of timber from the forested regions of the North Island's interior.
Seasonal industries are important in the Bay of Plenty. Kiwifruit, avocado and mussel farming provide significant seasonal employment within the region.
