Last updated October 2026
Bellevue is a residential suburb on Tauranga’s western side, part of the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula and the Matua-Otūmoetai General Ward. It sits between Matua and Otūmoetai to the north and east, with Bethlehem and Brookfield nearby, and offers a settled suburban feel close to the harbour and city centre.
The area is known for its cluster of schools, including Bellevue School, Ōtūmoetai Intermediate and Ōtūmoetai College, which draw families to the neighbourhood. Quiet streets, local reserves and easy access to peninsula amenities make it a practical base for everyday living and short trips around western Tauranga.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 4,060, up 1% since 2018
- Land area
- 1.73 km²
- Location
- 3.3 km west of central Tauranga
- Council
- Tauranga City Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Matua, Otūmoetai, Brookfield, Bethlehem
- Ward or local board
- Matua-Otūmoetai General Ward (Tauranga City Council)
- Getting there
- Main routes include Bellevue Road, Ōtūmoetai Road and links via Cambridge Road and Brookfield. Baybus urban services (Bay Hopper) serve the peninsula; school bus routes also run through the area. Check baybus.co.nz for current timetables.
- Main shopping
- Local needs are met at nearby Cherrywood shops in Otūmoetai and the larger Bethlehem Town Centre; city centre and other Tauranga retail are a short drive away.
- Schools
- Bellevue School (Years 1–6, with Montessori option); Ōtūmoetai Intermediate; Ōtūmoetai College
- Nearby landmarks
- Ōtūmoetai College and Intermediate campus area; proximity to Tauranga Harbour and Waikareao Estuary; Carlton Reserve (nearby on the peninsula); links toward Matua and Otūmoetai waterfront areas
Who Lives in Bellevue
About 4,060 residents in 1,390 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Bellevue
Bellevue forms part of the established residential fabric of the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula in western Tauranga. The peninsula is bounded by the Waikareao Estuary and Te Awanui (Tauranga Harbour), giving many parts of the wider neighbourhood a sense of closeness to the water even where streets are inland. Council describes the Matua-Otūmoetai area as well placed because of its central location, green spaces, schools and commercial centres.
The suburb itself is primarily residential, with a mix of family homes on quiet streets. It developed as Tauranga expanded and now sits alongside neighbouring Matua, Otūmoetai, Brookfield and Bethlehem.
The name Bellevue appears in local history in other contexts (including an early hotel elsewhere in the city), but the modern suburb is defined by its housing, schools and everyday peninsula living rather than a single landmark building.
Education is a defining feature. Bellevue School is a state contributing primary (Years 0–6) on a terraced site with fields, playgrounds and a pool; it also offers Montessori classrooms.
Most students progress to nearby Ōtūmoetai Intermediate and then Ōtūmoetai College, both located in Bellevue. The three schools create a strong local education pathway and a lively daytime rhythm around school hours.
Residents value parks, walkways and cycle connections across the peninsula. Council projects such as Accessible Streets for Ōtūmoetai have focused on safer walking, cycling and bus travel through Bellevue, Brookfield, Otūmoetai, Matua and related corridors, reflecting community interest in better local transport options.
Getting Around
Bellevue is reached mainly by car via Bellevue Road and connecting peninsula routes such as Ōtūmoetai Road and Cambridge Road. The area is close enough to central Tauranga for short drives while remaining distinctly suburban.
Baybus urban services cover the wider peninsula; school hopper routes also serve Bellevue Road and nearby streets. Journey planning is available through the Baybus website. Walking and cycling are practical for local trips to schools and nearby shops, with ongoing street improvements aimed at safer shared use.
Community Facilities and Outdoors
The suburb’s character is shaped by its schools and residential streets rather than a large commercial strip of its own. Everyday shopping and services are found at Cherrywood in Otūmoetai and at Bethlehem Town Centre a short distance away.
On the peninsula, parks and reserves support recreation; Carlton Reserve is one of the nearby green spaces that serve the wider Otūmoetai–Bellevue community. Harbour edges and estuary margins in the broader Matua-Otūmoetai neighbourhood provide open-air options for walks and views without leaving western Tauranga.
Near Bellevue
Just outside Bellevue, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Tauranga City Council – Ward boundaries: Official description of the Matua-Otūmoetai General Ward, which includes Bellevue, Matua, Otūmoetai and Brookfield.
Wikipedia – Bellevue, New Zealand: Overview of the suburb, location, education facilities and census-derived context with primary-source citations.
Let’s Talk Tauranga – Matua-Ōtūmoetai neighbourhood: Council neighbourhood page covering the peninsula setting, community focus and local projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bellevue in Tauranga?
Bellevue is a western Tauranga suburb on the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula, within the Matua-Otūmoetai General Ward, near Matua, Otūmoetai, Brookfield and Bethlehem.
What ward is Bellevue in?
It is in the Matua-Otūmoetai General Ward of Tauranga City Council. The city-wide Māori ward is Te Awanui.
What schools are in Bellevue?
Bellevue School (primary, Years 1–6, including Montessori), Ōtūmoetai Intermediate and Ōtūmoetai College are all in the suburb.
How do you get to Bellevue?
By car via Bellevue Road and connecting peninsula roads such as Ōtūmoetai Road and Cambridge Road. Baybus urban services and school buses also serve the area; check baybus.co.nz for routes and times.
Where do people shop near Bellevue?
Cherrywood shops in Otūmoetai cover many local needs. Bethlehem Town Centre and central Tauranga retail are a short drive away.
Is Bellevue a good area for families?
Yes. The concentration of primary, intermediate and secondary schools, residential streets and peninsula parks make it popular with families.
What is the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula like?
It is a well-established residential area bounded by harbour and estuary, with schools, green spaces and commercial centres close to the city. The name Ōtūmoetai is associated with the idea of the tide standing still as if asleep.
Are there parks near Bellevue?
Yes. The wider peninsula has parks and reserves used by Bellevue residents, including spaces such as Carlton Reserve, plus harbour-edge walking options in neighbouring parts of Matua and Otūmoetai.
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Explore Tauranga only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Bellevue is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.