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
Radio Bay of Plenty station, broadcasting throughout the Bay Of Plenty on 93.7 MHz and at Ohope Beach on 100.1 MHz, with an additional frequency in Wanaka in the South Island on 93.0 MHz. It also streams online.Its programming includes Bayrock Breakfast with LJ, a Bayrock Workday themed show, a drive show, the Bayrock Hard Show every evening, and a late night Killa Kiwi and Midnight Metal shows. The station was previously broadcast throughout the Bay of Plenty of 97.7 and in Ohope Beach on 99.3. In summer 1993/1994 1XX ran an album rock format station, Bayrock 97.7FM. Bayrock went on the air on