Tauranga
Welcome to Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty
Our vision for 2050
Tauranga Moana will be a vibrant, green-led region, with a thriving economy and natural geographical resources that provide residents with a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Knowledge-led, export businesses will thrive, leading to opportunities for all. The city and region will attract and retain top talent through an unbeatable lifestyle, collaborative leadership and meaningful partnerships, including with mana whenua (indigenous Māori).
Overview of Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty region
Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city – it is strategically located within New Zealand’s key upper North Island economic corridor, encompassing Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. Tauranga and the surrounding Western Bay of Plenty district is a vibrant and ambitious city/region – home to 220,000 people. Over the last decade, Tauranga has successfully attracted innovative and progressive businesses alongside highly-skilled and entrepreneurial talent. The city is especially attractive to young families all who relish the enviable balance of work and career opportunities, that sit seamlessly with an active outdoor lifestyle and access to markets afforded by New Zealand’s largest port city.
The Port of Tauranga, New Zealand’s largest port has helped underpin the region’s economy, providing a critical link in the national supply chain. The Port currently handles 32% of all New Zealand cargo, 36% of New Zealand exports and 42% of all shipping containers. With continued population growth expected in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland regions the freight and logistics sector is predicted to grow between 45-65% across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty between 2020-2030.
New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry provides another backbone to the local economy with 82% of production originating from the region. In the last decade Tauranga’s horticultural sector has driven rapid transformation in the regional innovation ecosystem, with strong growth in the agri-tech, marine, logistics, construction and professional services sectors. In addition, the city’s capital networks have grown to include deep-tech seed capital, a thriving angel investment community, impact investment, and private equity.
Tauranga has also invested heavily in research, development and education to enable a highly skilled workforce, innovation-led businesses and better employment outcomes. The region offers excellent public and private sector primary and secondary school education, as well as post-secondary vocational and University education.
Regional economic development and local Councils
Priority One is the business-led economic development agency, working in partnership with local authorities – Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Priority One works collaboratively with local businesses, Iwi, education providers and local/central government partners to align and champion the region’s needs and aspirations. We have a track record of successfully supporting investor migration, skills attraction and business growth that improves the productivity and prosperity of our city and region.
Tauranga's Vital Statistics
The Demographics
Tauranga City's total population was 162,800 in 2024, up 1.6% from a year earlier. Total population grew by 1.8% in New Zealand over the same period. Population growth in Tauranga City averaged 2.1%pa over the 5 years to 2024 compared with 1.4%pa in New Zealand.
The Economy
GDP in Tauranga City measured $10,113.6m in the year to March 2023, up 4.5% from a year earlier. Growth was greater than in New Zealand (2.8%). Tauranga's is New Zealand's number one location to economically distribute products on and offshore. Why? Because it hosts New Zealand's largest and Australasia's most efficient port; it is strategically located within the country's golden triangle; and its central location provides access to 50% of the population within a 2.5 hour drive.
Tauranga has seen the rapid transformation of the innovation ecosystem over the last five years with significant R & D growth across horticulture, marine and logistics industries; government investment into WNT Ventures and PlantTech; and the country's largest Angel investor group. Grassroots movements such as the Groundswell Festival of Innovation reflect the level of collaboration that exists in the region.
Tauranga is a vibrant and ambitious city - attracting innovative and progressive businesses alongside highly skilled and entrepreneurial talent. All relish the enviable balance of work, lifestyle and access to markets that only Tauranga can offer. To find out more about moving here contact us.
Priority One
Te pai me te whai rawa o Tauranga Moana ki te ao
The prosperity and splendour of Tauranga Moana to the world
Priority One is the Western Bay of Plenty region's economic development organisation. Our role is to grow a sustainable economy that improves productivity and delivers prosperity to local people and communities.
Priority One can work alongside you every step of the way if you are thinking of establishing or relocating a business to Tauranga Moana.
What investors in the region say:
"Moving to the Bay meant we could be within 80 percent of our orchards within two hours. It also put us on the doorstep of New Zealand's largest port which has always been critical to our supply chain, with over 500,000 tonnes of kiwifruit exported annually." - Carol Ward, Zespri
"Our philosophy has always been to live somewhere where people want to holiday. We also wanted somewhere that had good business opportunities, but was not as busy as Sydney or Auckland" - Rich Mullaney, RM Build
"From day one we felt Priority One was excited about Good Buzz coming to Tauranga. With their help, we were able to relocate our business and achieve in seven weeks what we could not achieve in another city. Priority One removed any associated barriers to ensure the business was up and running right from the start." - Alex Campbell, Good Buzz
