Welcome Bay


Welcome Bay is a suburb of Tauranga, New Zealand. In the 2013 census the population of the greater Welcome Bay area was 8670, which includes Kaitemako, Welcome Bay East
, and Welcome Bay West. It is located from central Tauranga. Neighbouring suburbs include Hairini and Maungatapu. There are a number of schools in Welcome Bay, including three primary schools.
The name Welcome Bay has been used for the area as early as 1872 by the Bay of Plenty Times. The name may have originated from an early settler Jonathon Brown.

History and culture

The local Tahuwhakatiki or Romai Marae and its Rongomainohorangi meeting house are a traditional meeting place for the Ngāti Ranginui hapū of Pirirākau.

Climate

Welcome bay is a sub-tropical climate zone, with warm humid summers and mild winters. Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 22°C to 26°C, but seldom exceed 30°C. Winter daytime maximum air temperatures range from 12°C to 17°C. Annual sunshine hours average least 2200 hours. SW winds prevail for much of the year. Sea breezes often occur on warm summer days. Winter usually has more rain and is the most unsettled time of year. In summer and autumn, storms of tropical origin may bring high winds and heavy rainfall from the east or northeast.

Transport

Public transport in Welcome Bay solely consists of bus services. The suburb is served by one 'Bay Hopper' routes; Route 40.

Education

Welcome Bay has two co-educational state primary schools for Year 1 to 6 students: Welcome Bay School, with a roll of, and Selwyn Ridge School, with a roll of.
Rudolf Steiner School is a co-educational state-integrated primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Otepou is a co-educational Māori language immersion school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of.