The northcentral shores of the North Island are defined by the Bay of Plenty. This is a large curved coastline called a bight. Historians believe this region is where some of the earliest Polynesian settlers landed their canoes during the 13th century and evolved into the Māori people. They call the area Te Moana-a-Toi. Tauranga is the region’s largest city with a population of about 140,000 residents. The boat and jet ski are approaching the city’s harbor after entering a channel between Matakana Island and Mount Maunganui.
