Western Bay of Plenty District Western Bay of Plenty District Western Bay of Plenty District is a territorial authority within the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. The district envelops Tauranga City by land, and includes Matakana Island, at the entrance to Tauranga Harbour. The district's population at the census was , of whom 16% are Maori. Of these, 1773 live in Waihi Beach, 3579 in Katikati, and 7080 in Te Puke. The district has a land area of 2,120.675 km² (818.797 sq mi). The seat of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council is at Greerton in Tauranga City (which is a separate
Bay of Plenty the region lies within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which extends from the centre of the North Island northwards to Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic mountains and lakes, geothermal areas and geological fault lines all dot the landscape. The geothermal region around Rotorua is a major tourist site, while many hot springs in the region are used as swimming areas. The geothermal field near Kawerau is the site of a geothermal power plant that will reportedly meet up to one third of residential and industrial electricity demand in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Whakaari/White Island, the site of a former sulfur-mining operation, is