Whakatane is the Sunshine Capital of New Zealand, and Ohope Beach won NZ’s Best Beach title for 2013. This district in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is one of the most diversely beautiful areas in New Zealand. Sandy beaches are predominant along the coastline that stretches from Otamarakau in the west to Ohiwa in the east. Central areas include fertile lowlands and farming areas on the Rangitaiki Plains through to Murupara. Te Urewera National Park in the south, is protected native forest and is home to a rich array of flora and fauna.
The region is rich in forestry resources and has some of the country’s best dairy farms, along with a large dairy processing plant located at Edgecumbe. The fertile soil of the district supports a variety of horticultural activities including market gardens, apple and kiwifruit orchards and flower growing. Bottling water for export is an emerging industry. The pulp and paper mills at Whakatane and Kawerau are big employers in the region. The close proximity of the Port of Tauranga, less than 100kms away, is an important factor.
The district is serviced by excellent air, rail and road transport links. Whakatane is less than 100 kilometres from two large cities, Rotorua and Tauranga.
Ohope is also a growing residential area, with superb views and a range of attractive properties beckoning new residents from all over New Zealand. Its current population is 2,760. Port Ohope and Ohiwa Harbour are magical areas, with hundreds of seabirds making their summer home on the rich mudflats and sandbanks of the inner harbour. The harbour also provides a range of recreation opportunities, including fishing, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing.
