Bay of Plenty region was formed in 1989 after a nationwide review and shakeup of top-level local government in New Zealand. The new region incorporated the former counties of Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane and Opotiki. On 5 October 2011, the MV Rena ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef in the bay causing a large oil spill, described as New Zealand's worst ever environmental disaster. The region is subdivided into territorial authorities, which include the Western Bay of Plenty District, Tauranga City, Whakatane District, Kawerau District and Opotiki District, as well as parts of Rotorua District and the town of Rangitaiki in Taupo District. The
Bay of Plenty (New Zealand electorate) for the first time, including Bay of Plenty. The current Bay of Plenty electorate is wrapped around Tauranga city, but does not include the city. It does include Matakana Island. Prior to the 2007 boundary review, it did not extend to the western side of Tauranga or to Matakana Island. Instead it comprised a section of the central Bay of Plenty coast, from the eastern periphery of the Tauranga urban area to outside the main populated part of Whakatane. It included the towns of Te Puke, Edgecumbe and Papamoa. Rapid population growth around Tauranga has driven considerable boundary change at