Diwali
– days left
The festival of lights: warm colours to share with friends. Read our guide.
Order flowersSending flowers around the Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty, Te Moana-a-Toi, is home to about 351,500 people (Stats NZ estimate, June 2025), and its regional seat is Whakatāne. Tauranga is by far the largest city, followed by Rotorua, with smaller orchard and coastal towns between. It is one of the sunniest parts of the country, which is good news for gardens and something to bear in mind for cut flowers.
Order by 2 pm on weekdays (11 am Saturdays) for same-day delivery in many areas
- 10 towns with their own page
- Rural addresses with RD numbers covered
- Hospitals: ward rules
Popular bouquets in Bay of Plenty
Made up by a florist near the recipient.
Order by 2 pm on weekdays (11 am Saturdays) for same-day delivery in many areas
Tauranga and the Western Bay
Tauranga has about 2,400 sunshine hours a year. The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga garden, laid out from the 1830s, is one of the oldest European gardens in New Zealand south of the Bay of Islands. The Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival opens over 60 gardens across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and the Western Bay; in 2026 it runs from 19 to 22 November.
Up the coast, Katikati was named "Avocado Capital of New Zealand" in 2018 and calls itself the mural town. Ōmokoroa is becoming a commuter town about 25 minutes' drive from Tauranga, and Waihi Beach-Bowentown is also served.
Kiwifruit country
Te Puke markets itself as the "Kiwifruit capital of the world", and many residents pick or pack fruit during the April to May harvest. Ōpōtiki's economy also got a big boost from the kiwifruit boom. Orchard properties may have rural addresses: NZ Post writes these with "RD" and a number, then the mailtown and postcode, and the mailtown may not be the nearest town. Rural addresses can take longer.
Rotorua's rose gardens
In Rotorua, the Klamath Falls Rose Gardens in Government Gardens bloom from mid-November to June and are at their best in summer. Rotorua winters, on the other hand, are frosty, with about 57 ground frosts a year, so a winter bunch is best kept in a warm room away from cold windows. Ngongotahā, whose stream flows into Lake Rotorua, has its own page too.
The eastern Bay
Whakatāne has frequently recorded the highest annual sunshine hours in New Zealand, often more than 2,600 hours a year. Nearby Ōhope sits between Ōhiwa Harbour and Ōhope Beach, six kilometres east. Kawerau, Edgecumbe, Murupara and Maketu are also served; use the full street address for smaller places.
Hospitals that welcome flowers
Both Tauranga Hospital and Whakatāne Hospital say you can send mail and flowers directly to the wards throughout the day. Rotorua Hospital asks for no flowers or plants in its intensive care unit; for its other wards, check with the ward before sending.
Florists also deliver to smaller places such as Waihi Beach-Bowentown, Murupara, Edgecumbe, Maketu.
Hospital flower rules in Bay of Plenty
Upcoming occasions
Busy days book out early, so order ahead.
Christmas
– days left
A summer Christmas: red flowers echo the pōhutukawa in bloom. Read our guide.
Order flowers
New Year's Eve
– days left
Welcome the new year with flowers for family or friends. Read our guide.
Order flowersQuestions about flowers in Bay of Plenty
Can I send flowers to Tauranga Hospital?
Yes. Tauranga Hospital says you can send mail and flowers directly to the wards throughout the day.
When is the Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival?
In 2026 it runs from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, with over 60 gardens open across Tauranga and the Western Bay.
Can flowers be delivered to orchards and rural properties?
Yes, but rural addresses with an RD number can take longer. Give the full address, including the RD number and postcode.