Bay of Plenty in the region. Missionary activity in the region also increased during this time. In 1853, New Zealand was subdivided into provinces, with the Bay of Plenty incorporated into Auckland Province. Conflict returned to the Bay of Plenty during the 1860s with the New Zealand Land Wars. Initially this stemmed from Tauranga iwi supporting the Waikato iwi in their conflict with the government. In retaliation, British Crown and government-allied Māori forces attacked the Tauranga iwi, including at the famous Battle of Gate Pā in 1864. Further conflict with the government arose in 1865 when German missionary Carl Völkner and interpreter James
Bay of Plenty Steamers the 2001 NPC division 1 season with an upset win over the defending champions Wellington 14–11 in the Capital. Bay of Plenty would only win one more came that season defending Counties Manukau in Tauranga. They would play second division winners Hawkes Bay in a promotion/relegation match winning 32–12 in Rotorua. The 2002 season was a roller coaster ride for the Steamers, as they would only win one match beating Southland 24–11 in Tauranga. Again Bay of Plenty would play Hawke's Bay in a promotion/relegation match at the Rotorua International Stadium. Bay of Plenty won 37–21 to stay in the