Cruise port
Tauranga: Cruise port at Mount Maunganui
Cruise berth at Mount Maunganui, the locations of Tauranga’s two centres, and directions to the airport and North/South Island route.
Cruise berth at Mount Maunganui
Tauranga lies on the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand’s North Island. Cruise ships berth at Mount Maunganui, on the harbour side of a narrow peninsula. The Pacific Ocean lies on one side, and the sheltered Tauranga Harbour on the other. The Port of Tauranga is also New Zealand’s international container hub and has bulk cargo wharves. Its facilities include two wharf areas separated by the harbour; cruise calls are part of this large working port and cargo hub.
Matakana Island forms a natural barrier between the harbour and the Pacific. On the island’s sheltered harbour side are bays and lagoons; on its ocean side are sandy beaches. Much of the harbour is shallow: at low tide, more than 60 percent of its bed is exposed. The shallow estuary areas provide habitat for juvenile fish, while birds nest along the shoreline.
Mauao and the waterfront centre
The distinctive Mauao headland forms the north-western end of the peninsula. The centre of Mount Maunganui lies to its south-east; the cruise berth is on the harbour side, near the port gates. Shops, cafés, bars and restaurants are about a five-minute walk from the gates. Tauranga’s city centre lies south-west of Mount Maunganui, on the opposite side of the inner harbour.
Public buses connect the port gates with Tauranga city centre, where further connections are available. The name Tauranga means “safe anchorage or resting place”, while Te Awanui is the harbour’s original name. Tauranga Moana is home to the iwi Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Pūkenga. Mauao is their sacred ancestral mountain; the Te Arawa iwi Waitaha is also connected with the mountain. Its name means “caught by the dawn”. The Mauao historic reserve was returned to mana whenua in 2007.
Bay of Plenty Airport
Tauranga Airport is near Mount Maunganui. It is five kilometres from the centre of Mount Maunganui and six kilometres from Tauranga city centre. The airport lies south-east of the cruise berth.
Tauranga and other ports in New Zealand
Tauranga and Auckland are cruise destinations on New Zealand’s North Island New Zealand. The Port of Auckland lies further north. To the south, Dunedin is another destination; the city’s cruise berth is at Port Chalmers. The call at Dunedin and Port Chalmers is on the South Island.
Tauranga: Port and surroundings
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On shore
Excursions around Tauranga
Highlights of Tauranga
By coach along the Mount Maunganui peninsula to the Te Puke kiwi plantation. Guided tour of the plantation and a visit to the Elms Mission, founded in 1835 by New Zealand's first pioneers. The return trip takes in Tauranga harbour, Maori war canoes and the impressive residential area of the Matura peninsula.
Tour of Waimangu, valley of the volcanoes
A drive from the landing stage through the gardens of Te Puke to Rotorua and the Waimangu volcanic valley. A guided tour of the Waimangu valley, considered by many to be the most beautiful place in New Zealand. A traditional Maori show will take place here. The next port of call will be the Rainbow Springs with their 19 m high trees and ferns, which are home to the Kiwi bird. Lunch is included. The return trip takes in Lake Rotorua, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the government gardens.
World of Discovery Rotorua Maori and thermal reservoir
By coach through Te Puke, a kiwi farm, and impressive landscapes to the Whakarewarewa thermal reservoir with its geysers and bubbling hot springs. A guided tour of the thermal reservoir. Next on the agenda is a visit to the Maori art and handicrafts institute. In the Agrodome, an amphitheatre devoted to sheep breeding, there will be an opportunity to buy woollen goods and traditional Maori handicrafts. Lunch will be served in a local hotel. The tour is rounded off by a traditional Maori dance and art show.
