Bay of Plenty 

Long before the first Europeans arrived in the Bay of Plenty, Maori were drawn to the area by its easy access to the coast and its “fruit bowl” qualities.

The region, with the major city of Tauranga and the popular Mount Maunganui, is blessed with a mild climate year-round, which enables produce such as kiwifruit and citrus to prosper.  The vast harbour, islands and proximity to the open sea ensure that seafood is a local specialty.  The region’s legendary beaches attract swimmers surfers, kayakers and kitesurfers throughout the year.

The coastal Bay of Plenty region offers a great base for those exploring the central North Island, with easy road access to the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua (just 45 minutes inland) and the snowy peaks and deep lakes of the Taupo region.

The Bay of Plenty Times is the 6th largest read daily publication with five years in a row of circulation growth. In 2001 and 2003 it won the Qantas Media Award for Best Daily Newspaper up to 25,000 circulation.  Each month over 22,000 advertisements are published.

The Bay of Plenty Times celebrated 130 years of publishing in September 2002.  The first issue of the Bay of Plenty Times was printed on Wednesday September 4, 1872 and was a four page tabloid newspaper published twice a week.

The Bay of Plenty Times is an intrinsic part of the Bay of Plenty experience.  The region's most successful daily newspaper, covering all aspects of news from local, national and international events to a full round up of sporting results and a wide range of reader interests.

Two daily newspapers publish in the Bay of Plenty region ... Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.