Last updated October 2026
Poike (also known as Windermere) is a compact residential suburb in eastern Tauranga, set beside the Waimapu Estuary and reached mainly via Poike Road. It is home to the Windermere Campus of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and carries a strong connection to Ngāti Ranginui.
The name reflects traditional night-time gatherings of local hapū. Quiet streets, proximity to Greerton amenities and estuary views shape daily life here for residents, students and visitors exploring eastern Tauranga.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 880, up 46% since 2018
- Land area
- 1.38 km²
- Location
- 5.2 km south of central Tauranga
- Council
- Tauranga City Council
- Ward or local board
- Tauriko General Ward (Tauranga City Council)
- Getting there
- Main access via Poike Road from Greerton, Hairini and Ohauiti directions; Bayhopper urban bus services run along or near Poike Road and connecting routes
- Main shopping
- Limited local retail; residents typically use Greerton village shops and larger centres such as Tauranga Crossing
- Schools
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (Windermere Campus); Te Whakatipuranga (teen parent unit on the same campus)
- Nearby landmarks
- Waimapu Estuary, Yatton Park (views across to Poike), Toi Ohomai Windermere Campus, Greerton
Who Lives in Poike
About 880 residents in 280 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Poike
Poike sits on the eastern side of Tauranga between Greerton and Hairini, with the Waimapu Estuary forming a natural edge. Residential streets such as Windermere Drive, Lagoon Drive and connecting lanes sit close to the tertiary campus that dominates the suburb’s identity.
The area feels settled and relatively low-key compared with busier coastal suburbs, with many homes oriented toward quiet living and easy access to the wider city.
The name Poike comes from the Māori words pō and ike, roughly meaning to arrive late at night. It recognises the significance of the land to Ngāti Ranginui hapū, who traditionally held meetings here after dark.
The surrounding whenua has long been important to Tauranga Moana iwi, and the campus site itself sits on land of cultural value to local hapū.
European-era development accelerated after the mid-nineteenth-century conflicts and subsequent land changes in the Tauranga district. In more recent decades the establishment of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (later part of Toi Ohomai) on Poike Road anchored the suburb as an education hub.
The Windermere Campus occupies a substantial site with gardens, teaching facilities, student amenities and specialised centres. A secondary-school teen parent unit, Te Whakatipuranga, also operates on the campus.
Today Poike functions as both a residential neighbourhood and a daily destination for students and staff. Its position near the estuary and established road links makes it convenient for those studying or working locally while remaining close to Greerton’s services and the wider Tauranga network. The suburb continues to evolve with housing and infrastructure that support its mixed residential and tertiary character.
History and Heritage
Poike forms part of the traditional rohe of Ngāti Ranginui. The night-meeting association of the name points to its role as a gathering place. After the battles of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina) and Te Ranga in 1864, large areas of Tauranga land were confiscated under the New Zealand Settlements Act.
Portions were later returned or reserved, while other blocks were surveyed and settled. Public-works acquisitions, including for roading and later motorway corridors, further shaped the Poike Block over the twentieth century.
The Bay of Plenty Community College opened on Poike Road in 1982, later becoming the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and then merging into Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. The campus development acknowledged the cultural significance of the land to Ngāti Ranginui.
Aerial photographs from the late 1960s already show the Poike and Hairini landscape beside the Waimapu Stream and State Highway 29 corridor, illustrating how the area has transitioned from more open land to a defined suburban and educational precinct.
Getting Around and Nearby
Poike Road is the primary spine, linking toward Greerton, Hairini, Ohauiti and Oropi directions. Bayhopper bus services connect the area with the wider Tauranga urban network; school and urban routes pass along or near Poike Road.
Drivers commonly use links toward State Highway 29 and the southern approaches to the city. The compact layout means many local trips are short, though residents often travel to Greerton or larger retail centres for shopping and services.
The Waimapu Estuary edge and nearby green spaces such as Yatton Park (which offers views toward Poike) provide outdoor options without leaving the immediate eastern suburbs. Greerton supplies everyday retail, cafés and community facilities a short distance away, while the tertiary campus itself includes student-oriented amenities.
Near Poike
Just outside Poike, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia: Poike, New Zealand: Concise overview of the suburb, location, education facilities and census summary.
Tauranga City Council: Official council information, community dashboards covering Poike with neighbouring areas, and local service updates.
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology: Details on the Windermere Campus in Poike, programmes and campus facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Poike in Tauranga?
Poike is an eastern Tauranga suburb beside the Waimapu Estuary, between Greerton and Hairini, mainly accessed via Poike Road.
Why is Poike also called Windermere?
Windermere is the common alternative name linked to the tertiary campus and surrounding streets such as Windermere Drive; both names refer to the same suburb.
What does the name Poike mean?
It derives from Māori words associated with arriving late at night, reflecting traditional night-time meetings of Ngāti Ranginui hapū on this land.
Is there a tertiary campus in Poike?
Yes. The Windermere Campus of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is based on Poike Road and is a defining feature of the suburb.
What schools are in Poike?
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (Windermere Campus) and Te Whakatipuranga, a teen parent unit on the same campus. Primary and secondary students generally attend schools in neighbouring suburbs.
How do I get to Poike by public transport?
Bayhopper urban bus services operate in the Tauranga network and include routes serving or connecting via Poike Road; check current timetables on the Baybus website.
Where do Poike residents shop?
Local retail is limited. Most people use Greerton village shops and larger destinations such as Tauranga Crossing or other city centres.
Is Poike close to outdoor spaces?
Yes. The Waimapu Estuary borders the area and Yatton Park nearby offers views and green space; further walks and reserves are reachable in adjoining eastern suburbs.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Tauranga only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Poike is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.