Living Here

Lifestyle plus

The Whakatane region offers you a superb lifestyle. It’s a great destination for anyone looking to escape the big city grind – and it’s brilliant for families.

The eastern Bay of Plenty sits in the rain shadow of Te Urewera and Kaimai ranges. That means the weather here is extremely good. Whakatane is one of New Zealand’s sunniest towns. Winds are generally light. Winters are mild.

Whakatane has numerous parks and reserves, walking trails and playing fields. There’s a modern aquatic centre, numerous sports clubs, and a thriving arts and culture scene.

Do you have children? In Whakatane you’ll have the option of two secondary schools, several primary schools, and a number of childcare centres. And at the weekend - there are kilometers of beautiful beach as a playground.

Environment

Whakatane is pure paradise for the outdoors enthusiast. Sport? You can run on the beach, fish the Pacific Ocean, surf the Heads, play golf, croquet or bowls, sail on Ohiwa harbour – and much more.

Whakatane is home to many top sports people. A number of major sporting events are hosted here. Multi-sport has widespread appeal, with participants ranging from school children to some in their seventies.

Waka racing, kayaking and rowing are all very popular, with regular events held on the Whakatane river, right beside town.

Do you prefer to enjoy the outdoors in a non-competitive way? You’ll find excellent tramping terrain within an hour’s drive of the town centre.

Around Whakatane, there are a range of groups involved in caring for, and enjoying, spectacular bush, marine environments and birdlife. There’s a kiwi sanctuary a few minutes’ walk from the centre of town.

Employment

Whakatane has a busy commercial centre, so there are plenty of opportunities for work in the retail sector. With a fully-serviced hospital, there may be openings available for skilled health staff. The building and home hardware sectors are robust.

Around the region, there is a good deal of seasonal and casual work linked to tourism and horticulture.

Contact WINZ for more information about employment.

Services

Whakatane enjoys comprehensive medical and town services. There is a public hospital, and a number of medical practices.

All the local council services of a larger city are available. Find out more at www.whakatane.govt.nz

Whakatane has good road access. It is less than 90 minutes’ drive from Tauranga and around four hours from Auckland. Whakatane airport offers a range of flights each day, with regular connections to Auckland.

Buying property

You’ll find some spectacular coastal properties here, notably in Ohope and Coastlands. Prices naturally reflect the quality and stunning views – although you’ll pay significantly less for a premium home here, compared to many other parts of the North Island. 

Away from the coast, many properties are very competitively priced. If you’re keen to build, there is a range of developments offering lifestyle properties. Find out more on our Real Estate page