About Northland

Whangarei: Live the Life!

Whangarei District covers the south eastern part of the Northland region.  It has an area of 270,000 hectares and includes coast and islands on the east of the North Island.

Whangarei Falls, on the outskirts of the city, provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the urban environment

With a population of approximately 74,500 the district extends from Bland Bay on the North to Langs Beach in the South. Picturesque communities populate the coastline including Whangaruru, Whananaki, Tutukaka Coast, Whangarei Heads, Bream Bay and Waipu.

Abundant native forests and a great variety of marked trails interlace this sub-tropical walking and tramping paradise.

The primary sector, including agriculture, horticulture, forestry and woodprocessing, is a key driver for the local economy. Whangarei is home to the New Zealand Refining Company (NZ's only oil refinery) and Golden Bay Cement, New Zealand’s largest cement manufacturer and supplier.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients, a major supplier of fertiliser to rural industries is based in the Whangarei Port precinct, and NZ dairy products giant Fonterra has a plant based to the north of the city.

Whangarei Harbour is the largest in Northland at 45km long and up to 6.5km wide. Small settlements and beaches are dotted along the harbour’s wonderful bays and the harbour is also home to the deep water port that provides general bulk/cargo facility for the region. The harbour is of vital importance as a shipping port and boatbuilding centre.

Should you choose to, your cappuccino is only a short row away

The Town Basin, at the city end of the harbour, is a marina known to yachties from around the world as a haven from the Pacific hurricane season and with all the amenities of a small city literally within walking distance.

To the North of Whangarei Harbour off the Tutukaka coast lies the iconic Poor Knights Islands, the fabulous surf beach, Sandy Bay and an area world renowned for diving and gamefishing.

Back in the city, Whangarei airport is centrally located and has daily flights to the Auckland International Airport and Wellington Airport.

The magnificent Mount Manaia, here framed by gorgeous Pohutukawa blossom, overlooks the entrance to the Whangarei Harbour

Whangarei city is well served by a buoyant retail centre, has many art galleries, museums, restaurants and cafes, library, festivals and everything else you would expect in a small, vibrant, growing city.

There is a large range of property choices, whether you are buying or renting, from apartments, detached town houses or prime coastal properties to lifestyle rural properties.

Related Websites

• Whangarei District Council
  The Whangarei District Council website will provide you with information and links to all sorts of information about the Whangarei District
• Whangarei Quarterly Review
  Statistics for the Whangarei District including population, labour force, business locations, economic indicators and much more
  

The following websites all provide information about visiting and living in Whangarei, including Event Calendars

• Whangarei Information & Travel Centre
• Whangarei NZ
• Whangarei
• Whangarei Heads
• Tutukaka Marina
  
• Bream Bay
• Waipu
• Whangarei Airport
  The Whangarei Airport provides information for visitors and aviators
• Destination Northland: East Coast & Bay of Islands
  Find out about the Whangarei District as a destination
• 2CU
   Northland community services directory
• New Zealand Refining Company
• Golden Bay Cement