Planning
The future Tauriko West community is the result of years of planning and collaboration through the SmartGrowth partnership and with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and since 2017 through the Tauriko for Tomorrow project, working alongside mana whenua, landowners and the community.
Following a change to the urban limits line (led by Bay of Plenty Regional Council) and a local government boundary alteration (led by Western Bay of Plenty District Council) completed between 2018 and 2021, the area was rezoned for housing in March 2025 (led by Tauranga City Council). The granting in August 2025 of a comprehensive stormwater consent for the area marked the completion of the council-led planning for the new community.
Tauriko West zones and plan areas (614kb pdf)
The Tauriko West plan change was underpinned by the goal to protect the significant cultural, heritage and landscape values of the Wairoa Awa (River), which borders the new community. Natural buffer zones will be established between residential development and the Open Space and Conservation Zones defined along the river’s edge, and strict stormwater management rules will seek to ensure runoff from the future urban area does not impact negatively on the awa.
Access to the new community is being delivered in partnership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) through the ongoing SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project . These significant improvements to SH29, from Redwood Lane to Cambridge Road, will enable the development of the first 2400 homes in the new community. The remaining development capacity of the area will be able to be fulfilled once further improvements to SH29 and SH29A have been completed (NZTA Tauriko West project).
Working with mana whenua
Te Kauae a Roopu, a partnership group made up of hapū with links to Tauriko West, was established in 2017 to incorporate Māori knowledge, perspectives, and values into decision-making processes for Tauriko for Tomorrow.
The group included Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Pango, Pirirakau, Ngāti Hangarau, and Ngāi Tamarawaho – six hapū who whakapapa to Tauranga Moana iwi Ngāti Ranginui.
The group worked on assessments and investigations relating to technical design and specifications, and to ensure key cultural values were aligned in all aspects of the project.
Development
Most of the land at Tauriko West is currently owned by Kāinga Ora, Tauriko West Limited (Element IMF), and the Tauriko Property Group with Classic Group, along with some smaller landowners. The three main landowners are contributing to the cost of improvements to SH29 (the Tauriko Enabling Works) to open the area for housing development.
What developers will deliver:
- Housing – up to 2400 new homes in a first phase. The planning rules will enable the developers to deliver a variety of housing options (e.g. standalone and attached housing)
- Up to three commercial areas: one local centre and up to two smaller neighbourhood centres for day-to-day shopping needs
- Internal infrastructure: the roads and water/wastewater pipes to service the new homes
- A Wairoa River Reserve celebrating the historic and cultural importance of the awa (river)
- Neighbourhood parks and other open space along the escarpments
- Walkways and cycleways creating connected, sustainable and healthy neighbourhoods.
What Tauranga City Council will deliver*:
- A community centre and library, providing meeting and events spaces alongside library and council services
- A destination playground, within or near the future Wairoa River Reserve
- Sports fields providing a much-needed venue for sports and recreation in the west of the city.
Transport links to Tauriko Business Estate, Tauranga Crossing, and the wider city are being delivered through the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project, providing multi-modal access to employment and shopping for future residents close to their homes.
In parallel, the Ministry of Education is working on opportunities to relocate and expand Tauriko School to support current and future communities’ needs, and considering options for a new high school in the growth area.
These future facilities, and any other public amenities council may look to develop as the community takes shape, will service not only the new community but also existing residents in the western parts of the city, like Pyes Pā and The Lakes, and beyond.
Tauranga City Council will work with the area’s developers to coordinate the delivery of the community facilities with housing developments, and to secure the necessary land.
* All community facilities are subject to funding being confirmed in future Long-Term Plan budgets.
