Papamoa (Te Rae o Pāpāmoa) is New Zealand’s Gold Coast, with long white sandy beach and a wealthy and sorted community. With a population of 37,800, it’s Tauranga’s largest and fastest-growing suburb. The average house price as of December 2024 is $968,800.
The area is home to shopping hubs like Pāpāmoa Plaza and Coast Pāpāmoa, but soon, it will also see the arrival of The Sands - a $1 billion town centre currently under development in Pāpāmoa East. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the precinct already has a New World supermarket up and running and retail outlets, a health hub, government services, community facilities, and aquatic centre in the pipeline.
Schools and community activities bring people here together and it’s an easy 20-30 minute commute to Tauranga central for work.
The stunning beach stretches from the Kaituna River in the east to Mount Maunganui in the west. It’s a haven for dog walkers, with an off-leash area extending from south of Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) to Papamoa East, available year-round.
Inland, you’ll find Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park, with panoramic views of the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, and as far as Mount Maunganui. A network of walking tracks, including a climb to a historic Māori pā site at the summit, attracts plenty of day trippers and serious hikers.
The summers are warm and winters mild and great surf --mellow waves for beginners as well as bigger swells for experienced surfers.
With a small-scale urban vibe, vibrant coffee culture, abundant amenities, and natural beauty, Pāpāmoa truly offers the best of both worlds.
