Back in 1989, the Government took 25 organisations and turned them into the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. As caretakers of our land, air and water, Bay of Plenty Regional Council monitors the effects of human activities on our environment. We also promote the sustainable management of our natural and physical resources for present and future generations.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council's work guides and supports the sustainable development of the Bay of Plenty. We want to make sure our region grows and develops in a way that keeps its values safe for future generations.
A major focus of our work involves looking after the environment. We manage the effects of people's use of freshwater, land, air and coastal water. However, we also have a broader responsibility with others for the economic, social and cultural well-being of the regional community.
Our other work includes:
Managing the risks posed by our major rivers including the region's major flood control schemes.
Planning and prioritising the region's land transport needs, including major roading improvements.
Organising passenger transport services, including Tauranga's Bay Hopper and Rotorua's Cityride.
Navigation and safety on our harbours and lakes.
Supporting sustainable economic development.
Strategic thinking for our region's future.
A welcome upgrade for public transport in Tauranga! The newly upgraded bus hub at Farm Street is now open, offering a safer, more welcoming space for everyone passing through Arataki.
This isn’t just about better transport facilities — though the improved shelters, shared path, and lighting will make catching the bus easier and more convenient. It’s also about creating a space that reflects the local environment and connects to the identity of the community.
Heading to Bayfair or beyond? Hop on Baybus and experience the new hub for yourself!
Arataki is a bustling area, with thousands of people passing through each day. With the opening of the newly upgraded bus hub this week, this place of connections now provides a safer, friendlier welcome to all those who journey through it. The upgraded facility features vibrant mahi toi (artwork) elements from local hapū, a new shared user path, improved streetlights and more.
Local artist Stu McDonald (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngati Rehua, Ngāti Tapu) in conjunction with rangatahi/students from the Ahipoutu Collective, has woven various elements into the new shelters including kera wēra (killer whale), kōtare (kingfisher), tui, tuna (eel), and matuku moana (white-faced heron).
“Throughout the shelters, we’ve chosen to use kaitiaki (guardians) or spirt animals to emphasise how our tūpuna (ancestors) lived in harmony with everything. One of the things I wanted to show was kotahitanga (unity), not just unity as a people but our unity with the environment.”
👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g5kp2ERj
We’re delighted to announce that our Chief Digital Officer, Evaleigh Rautjoki-Williams, has been named as a finalist for the Emerging Leader of the Year award at the Tauranga Business Chamber Business Awards. Evaleigh has been with Toi Moana for two decades and is the epitome of an outstanding leader. We’re incredibly proud of everything Evaleigh has achieved so far.
Last week, Regional Council staff, alongside members of iwi collective Te Wahapū o Waihī, officially broke ground on a first-of-its-kind wetland bordering the Waihī Estuary.
Currently known as the Cutwater Road wetland, this unique project is the first of many which aims to create a ‘korowai around the Waihī Estuary’ – a protective buffer of wetlands that will help restore the health and mauri of this highly degraded area.
Meet Debz – one of our regular Baybus riders. As someone who lives with an impairment, Debz says Baybus helps her stay connected to her community.
“The Accessibility Concession allows me to get out and about without worrying about costs, which is so important when you’re on a tight budget,” Debz shares. “I use the buses every day for shopping, visiting, and attending groups. It allows me to get out and meet people.”
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities and we are marking it by celebrating Baybus’ commitment to removing transport barriers for people like Debz.
Find out more by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gT7JPzCQ
Baybus OnDemand is reshaping how Tauranga South connects and commutes. 🚍
In just six months, the trial service has achieved remarkable results: a 536% increase in patronage compared to the fixed route it replaced. While customer satisfaction and accessibility improvements shine, balancing financial sustainability is an ongoing challenge. Fare adjustments are on the horizon to ensure this flexible service remains viable.
Curious about the results and what’s next for Baybus OnDemand? Check out the six-month review highlights below 👇
Here at Bay of Plenty Regional Council we know we have a team of customer service superstars – and last week it was confirmed with the team winning the ALGIM Best Customer Experience Award at the annual ALGIM conference!
This award is the culmination of several months of rigorous evaluation by ALGIM, which conducted mystery shopping across every council in New Zealand, evaluating both phone and email channels multiple times. We couldn’t be prouder of our team for this award – it’s a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers and the community. It’s incredible to see their efforts acknowledged in such a meaningful and prestigious way.
Huge congratulations team!
The award was accepted on our behalf by Marion Dowd from Western Bay District Council, as unfortunately we weren’t able to have someone attend the awards on this occasion. The ALGIM award was sponsored by Synergy Enterprises Solutions.
It's hard to believe it's already been a year since the new visitor experience at Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park opened. In that time, we've seen a massive 126% increase in visitors to the park!
We're excited to see so many people discovering the parks upgraded features, exploring some of the lesser-known tracks and connecting with the rich cultural stories of our area through the interpretation panels.
Meet Te Wakaunua Te Kurapa (Waka), biosecurity officer and film star. Yes, you read that right.
The self-confessed introvert has found himself on the big screen in not one, but two, movies: We Are Still Here and Ka Whawhai Tonu. Although both films are unrelated, they feature Waka’s direct ancestor Te Whenuanui, who he plays in both films. Te Whenuanui was a renowned Tūhoe rangatira who in 1864 had to decide whether to support neighbouring tribes in their fight against colonial forces.
“Leading up to filming, my elders had assured me that no one else could play this role but me. They told me, ‘Kei roto i a koe te ira o tō tūpuna,’ meaning in a sense that I AM Te Whenuanui.”
Outside of acting, Waka loves his day job as a biosecurity officer, saying “looking after the environment gives me energy”. He works closely with Te Arawa Lakes Trust, an iwi agency that does most of the pest management work in the lakes area.
He says there is a lot biosecurity can gain from Mātauranga Māori, citing the use of uwhi mats (native flat mats) to suppress the growth of invasive weeds on lakebeds and support native species as an example. These have been successfully trialled since 2021.
“For Te Arawa, the lakes are more than just a place you go to launch your boat. They view the wider picture as opposed to just the job in front of them. That’s reflected in the effort that hey give when they’re doing the work. It’s a very satisfying part of my job, seeing more Te Arawa people being paid to look after their taonga.”
Today is Bus Driver Appreciation Day – a day to celebrate those who help keep our region moving. To celebrate, we’ll be introducing you to some of our drivers. Today, meet John👋
John is a familiar face for many who catch Baybus in Rotorua. For more than a decade, he has been an integral part of the team ensuring our communities get from a to b.
But he didn’t always think he could be a bus driver. In 1987, John was looking for a driving job when his friend recommended bus driving.
“I didn’t think I could do it, but I passed my driving test, and the rest is history”.
During the early 2000’s, John took a short break from buses to give truck driving a go. While he enjoyed this work, this cemented his decision to go back to driving buses.
For John a few of the perks of buses over trucks include staying warm and dry when the weather was bad and of course, the friendships he has made at work.
“I have never had any worries coming to work. I just love this job”.
🚍 So, the next time you are catching John’s bus, join us in thanking him for his hard work!
