Last updated October 2026
Ohauiti (also known as Ōhauiti) is a semi-rural suburb on the southern edge of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. It combines established rural character with newer residential development planned mainly in the 1990s, sitting within easy reach of the city centre and neighbouring Welcome Bay.
The name is given by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage as meaning “place of little wind.” Visitors and residents find open space at Ohauiti Reserve, a small local shopping centre, and straightforward road links into central Tauranga.
Official Locality Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 5,270, up 19% since 2018
- Land area
- 40.13 km²
- Location
- 11.4 km south of central Tauranga
- Council
- Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Oropi, Welcome Bay, Waitao, Hairini, Te Puke
- Ward or local board
- Welcome Bay General Ward
- Getting there
- Main access via Ohauiti Road; connected to Welcome Bay Road and routes toward the city centre and Oropi. Bayhopper urban and school bus services operate along Ohauiti Road, Rowesdale Drive, Hollister Lane and nearby roads (including routes serving the area such as 904b).
- Main shopping
- Ohauiti shopping centre (Four Square, takeaways, Bottlezone, hairdressing salon and related local services)
- Nearby landmarks
- Ohauiti Reserve and walkway; Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (short drive); Maungatūtū; Welcome Bay
Who Lives in Ohauiti
About 5,270 residents in 1,910 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
In Ohauiti
Places and businesses inside the official Ohauiti boundary.
Places
About Ohauiti
Ōhauiti sits on the built-up southern fringe of Tauranga, with the original rural settlement lying further south and newer suburban housing extending the name northward onto the city’s edge. It is roughly a 10-minute drive from central Tauranga and very close to the Toi Ohomai campus.
The suburb forms part of the wider Welcome Bay and Ohauiti area that was planned in the 1990s; much of that planned development is now complete, though further growth and infrastructure questions continue to be examined by Tauranga City Council.
The Māori name Ōhauiti is translated by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage as “place of little wind,” reflecting the relatively sheltered setting. The wider Tauranga Moana area is associated with iwi including Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Pūkenga. Nearby Maungatūtū (formerly known locally as Mount Misery) is an extinct volcanic cone of cultural significance to local hapū.
Today Ohauiti offers a mix of lifestyle and suburban sections, open grassland and bush at the reserve, and everyday convenience at the local shops. It remains quieter and more spacious than denser inner suburbs while still linked to city employment, education and services.
Council planning work has highlighted community pressures such as traffic, schooling options and local retail, and has guided decisions on infrastructure and limited further development.
Getting Around
Ohauiti Road is the primary spine through the suburb, linking north toward Welcome Bay and the city and south toward more rural country. Side roads such as Rowesdale Drive and Hollister Lane serve residential pockets.
Public transport is provided by Bayhopper services that run along Ohauiti Road and connecting streets; school hopper routes also serve students travelling to colleges and intermediate schools across Tauranga. Most residents rely on private vehicles for daily trips, with the city centre reachable in around ten minutes under normal conditions.
Getting Outdoors
Ohauiti Reserve is the standout local green space. It features open fields, flood-plain areas and native bush walkways suitable for picnics and walking. Parts of the reserve support off-leash dog walking.
The walkway network offers a destination outing without leaving the suburb. Further afield, the coast at Mount Maunganui and other Bay of Plenty beaches are a short drive away, while rural roads toward Oropi provide quieter cycling and driving options.
History and Heritage
European settlement and farming in the Ohauiti survey blocks developed from the late nineteenth century onward. The modern suburban form largely dates from planning and subdivision in the 1990s as Tauranga expanded southward.
Local history material held by Tauranga libraries and community sources documents settler families, land titles and rural life through the twentieth century. The restoration of the name Maungatūtū for the nearby maunga reflects ongoing recognition of original Māori place names in the district.
Near Ohauiti
Just outside Ohauiti, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Tauranga City Council – Welcome Bay and Ohauiti planning study: Council overview of growth, infrastructure and community issues in the Welcome Bay and Ohauiti area.
Tauranga City Council – Ohauiti Reserve walkway: Details and map for the reserve’s bushwalks, open areas and walking opportunities.
Wikipedia – Ohauiti: Summary of location, name meaning, reserve and local shopping, with cited sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ohauiti in Tauranga?
Ohauiti is a semi-rural suburb on the southern edge of Tauranga, adjoining Welcome Bay and near Hairini, Greerton, Pyes Pā and Oropi directions. It lies roughly ten minutes’ drive from the city centre.
What does the name Ōhauiti mean?
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives the translation “place of little wind” for Ōhauiti.
Is there a supermarket or shops in Ohauiti?
Yes. A local shopping centre includes a Four Square, takeaways, a Bottlezone, a hairdressing salon and other everyday services.
What is there to do outdoors in Ohauiti?
Ohauiti Reserve offers open fields, native bush walkways, picnic spots and off-leash dog walking areas. It is the main local recreation space.
How do I get to Ohauiti by public transport?
Bayhopper bus services run along Ohauiti Road and connecting streets such as Rowesdale Drive and Hollister Lane. School hopper routes also serve the area. Check baybus.co.nz for current timetables.
Which council ward covers Ohauiti?
Ohauiti is in the Welcome Bay General Ward of Tauranga City Council.
Is Ohauiti close to tertiary education?
Yes. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is only a short drive away.
Are dogs allowed at Ohauiti Reserve?
The reserve includes areas suitable for off-leash dog walking along with open fields and bush tracks. Follow any on-site signage for designated zones.
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Explore Tauranga only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Ohauiti is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.