Bay of Plenty local Māori traditions, the Bay of Plenty was the landing point of several migration canoes that brought Māori settlers to New Zealand. These include the "Mataatua", "Nukutere", "Tākitimu", "Arawa" and "Tainui" canoes. Many of the descendent iwi maintain their traditional homelands ("rohe") in the region, including Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāi Tai, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau, Te Arawa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga. Early Māori settlement gave rise to many of the town and city names used today. The first recorded European contact came when James Cook sailed through the Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty Steamers The quarter finals were scrapped from 2009. Bay of Plenty would have mixed results in 2010. They would win seven of thirteen matches including a rare win in Wellington. Disappointing losses to Tasman and Northland would see Bay of Plenty finish in 6th position. In 2011 Bay of Plenty competed in the new reformatted ITM Cup Premiership. It was also Bay of Plenty's rugby centenary year. Bay of Plenty would have significant wins over Waikato (36–8), Wellington (32–0) and Canterbury (35–31) to see the Steamers finish 4th. However, due to the 2011 Rugby World Cup the semi-finals were scrapped. 2012