Driving across Tauranga’s harbour bridge, it’s easy to overlook the massive operation happening right before your eyes. As New Zealand’s largest port, the Port of Tauranga handled a staggering 23.6 million tonnes of cargo in the 2023/2024 financial year. Once upon a time, locals could wander freely along the wharves, even casting a line to fish. But as the port has grown and health and safety regulations have tightened, public access has become restricted.
Thankfully, the Port of Tauranga still offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes through its popular community tours. These guided bus tours take visitors on an exclusive journey from the cruise ship docks through the bustling logging wharves and container yards, where cranes, forklifts, and straddle carriers work in perfect sync to move cargo.
With more than 1,400 ship visits a year, it’s guaranteed you’ll see plenty of action as the port continuously pieces together and dismantles a massive logistical puzzle.
