The Bay of Plenty lives up to its name when it comes to sunshine, lifestyle, housing, amenities and employment opportunities.

Beach volleyball, Mount Maunganui

Minutes from the centre of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty folk find world-class beaches, bush clad mountains, beautiful rivers and excellent recreational facilities. With a stunning harbour and pristine coastline sailing, swimming, fishing and surfing are on the doorstep, along with everything from whitewater rafting to kayaking, scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing and skydiving. More laidback pursuits include bush and waterfront walking trails, golf courses, wineries and markets to visit.

The city of Tauranga has events throughout the year highlighting food and wine, music, arts and culture and sporting spectacles. There’s a thriving café and restaurant scene and nightlife. Half of New Zealand’s population lives within 2½ hours of Tauranga, but it’s five minutes to the beach and only two hours to ski fields. The cost of living is low compared with other parts of New Zealand. Homes are affordable – and you can live minutes from work.

The Bay of Plenty is New Zealand’s most sought-after place to live, so high-calibre teachers are easy to attract to its schools and colleges. At the tertiary level the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waikato University at Tauranga offer a wide range of study options. The region is well-served by a modern health service. Tauranga has five private hospitals, a major public hospital and there are medical centres throughout the region.

Jobs Aplenty

Cruise ship, Tauranga Harbour

The Bay of Plenty’s rapid growth and booming economy provide a stimulating environment for innovative, leading-edge companies – so job opportunities for skilled people are plentiful. Horticulture, boatbuilding, aquaculture, transport and distribution, manufacturing, engineering and food processing are some of the Bay’s leading sectors. It is also home to innovative niche manufacturers who concentrate on export markets. The Port of Tauranga is the most efficient port in Australasia and the country’s largest export gateway and a number of New Zealand’s largest exporters are based in the region.

Skilled migrants will find many opportunities in the following sectors:

• Health (nurses, dentists, doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, caregivers).
  
  
• Manufacturing and engineering (fitters/turners, welders,
  machinists, engineers, cabinetmakers).
  
  
• Construction (all qualified trades people, surveyors, architects, drivers, engineers).