Energy

Whakatane-based power supplier Bay of Plenty Electricity is widely recognised as an innovator in the New Zealand electricity industry and combines leading-edge generation technology with highly personal service to its customers in the Bay of Plenty region.

Backed by leading New Zealand energy producer Todd Energy, Bay of Plenty Electricity supplies both gas and electricity. Highly competitive pricing, reliable supplies and the company's customer service focus have ensured the company remains the preferred supplier to the region. As a local business, Bay of Plenty Electricity is also heavily involved in local community support through schools, sports, aged care and a wide range of worthy initiatives.

Bay of Plenty Electricity’s  retail business is supported by generation that is also based within the Bay of Plenty. This generation  is  a mix of hydro, geothermal and highly efficient co-generation facilities that utilise natural gas to generate steam and electricity .

Other major electricity companies can also supply energy needs for consumers in the Whakatane District, ensuring very competitive pricing. Natural Gas is available in parts of Whakatane and Edgecumbe.

Transport

Whakatane is less than 100 kilometres from the Bay of Plenty's main population centres at Rotorua and Tauranga. Auckland is less than four hours away by road and just 45 minutes by air, while Hamilton is approximately 2.5 hours away. This puts Whakatane within relatively easy reach of 40% of New Zealand's population.

Whakatane has excellent road transport links. SH2 is the main route to Tauranga and SH 34 to Rotorua. The railhead at Murupara connects with Kawerau and the Port of Tauranga. This line is used to transport freight to the Port.

Whakatane airport is situated 12kms from the town centre. Three flights a day go to Auckland where connections can be made to other parts of the country.

Health

A modern hospital facility run by Pacific Health provides a range of core health services to the district residents and those from the neighbouring Kawerau and Opotiki Districts. These include a 24-hour emergency service, plus obstetrics (a new maternity facility has recently been constructed) and surgical services. The hospital is also the base for a wide range of community health services.

There are over 20 general practitioners in Whakatane and doctors in Edgecumbe and Murupara.

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Education

The Whakatane District has five secondary schools and 31 primary schools serving the main urban and smaller rural communities. A recent analysis of the Eastern Bay of Plenty economy prepared by Infometrics found that the Eastern Bay of Plenty are well served by their schools in terms of NCEA achievement.

Waiariki Polytechnic (Rotorua) has a Whakatane campus offering a variety of tertiary education courses while Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi (University of Awanuiarangi) in Whakatane offers degree and post graduate courses in Maori studies, teacher training and environmental sciences. In addition, other private training establishments provide further tertiary education opportunities in teacher, early childhood and teacher aide training.

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