Greerton
Greerton – the southern gateway to Tauranga and traditionally among Tauranga’s cheaper areas – is now on the rise, as buyers have recognized its comparative affordability and advantages. Greerton has been popular with active retirees and young families, and retains a ‘village’ feel. Today the township has a character of its own that has blossomed as rural development has skyrocketed on its outskirts - Particularly Pyes Pa And Tauriko. Greerton is home to Tauranga’s race course, and the Tauranga Golf Club.
Ohauiti
About 8 minutes drive from downtown Tauranga, Ohauiti has a cross section of lower to medium-priced homes. Out through this modestly priced area, Boscabel is a top end housing estate with large family-type executive homes, many on larger, lifestyle sites. Ohauiti has its own small shopping centre, a garden centre, and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is only minutes away.
Pyes Pa
A few short years ago, Pyes Pa was mainly farmland and orchards. Residential Tauranga has spread southwards over this rural area - with residential developments including Stableford and Freeburn Park. Growth has been helped by the opening of Aquinas Catholic College, and sealing of the back road to Rotorua that is now a state highway. Larger, expensive lifestyle properties are common once you travel beyond the more densely populated residential area. Minutes away, Oropi Road is a rural area that has raced ahead in a similar manner.
Near Tauriko (in the lower Kaimai Ranges) only 7 kms from Tauranga, The Lakes is a major development in several stages with farmland has been turned into a large suburb. The plans call for 2000 residential sections, a shopping centre, lakes, parks and cycleways.
Amenities: Oropi Hot Pools, Aquinas Catholic College. Greerton Shopping Centre (nearby), Greerton Swimming Pool, the Bay of Plenty Racing Club & Tauranga Golf Club, Oropi mountain-biking track, Tauranga Crematorium & Cemetery.
Te Puke
New Zealand’s kiwifruit capital, the town is about 20 minutes drive south-east of Tauranga. With a population of over 7,000, Te Puke has been called a sleeping giant by its Mayor. With new industrial land destined for its outskirts, this horticultural heartland is set for growth. Te Puke has everything from modestly priced brick retirement units, to a productive kiwifruit orchard with a large home thrown in for under $2 million.
Amenities: The town has a thriving commercial centre along with an elegant art deco movie theatre dating back to 1929. Nearby is the popular kiwifruit theme park, Kiwifruit 360. Comvita, the well known local natural health products company is minutes drive away, along with Spring Loaded Fun Park, with its jet boat rides, children’s farm park and off-road driving. A social highlight of the year is the kiwifruit Festival that celebrates the local harvest. Great beaches such as Maketu are only 10 minutes away.
