'''Te Puke''' is a town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
A service town with an urban population of approximately 6,700, "Te Puke" should be pronounced "teh-pook-eh," which means "The Hill" in Maori.
Te Puke's warm climate and fertile volcanic soils make it a very horticultural district, allowing it to grow a wide variety of citrus fruit such as lemons and oranges, in addition to kiwifruit. The town markets itself as the "Kiwifruit capital of the world," and is the center of an industry which supplies a large percentage of the total world production of the fruit. Livestock are also farmed, notably dairy cattle. The surround area contains many fruit orchards and avocado orchards, and supporting these forms the backbone of the region's economy. Many locals also commute to nearby Tauranga and Mount Manganui.
Get in
Drive southeast from Tauranga on State Highway 1, or take one of the Bayhopper busses from Tauranga, Mt. Maunganui, or Rotorua. Shuttle busses are also available that will get you to Auckland airport, although the firms operating these (and the tariffs they charge) seem to change quite regularly.
Get around
There is no public transport to speak within the town itself, though long haul bus services and the local Bayhopper busses pass through regularly.
See
Do
Go swimming on the local beaches at Papamoa (about 10 minutes' drive northeast on State Highway 1, then follow roadsigns), or Maketu (Drive south 4 km or so on State Highway 1, then follow the signs east). Pristine, unspoiled beaches.
Kiwi360. -4 km south of Te Puke on State Highway 1. ww.kiwi360.com. An interesting look at the local kiwifruit industry, offering orchard tours, a good cafe, and a good souvenir shop.
Spring Loaded. km south of Te Puke on State Highway 1. ttp://www.longridgepark.co.nz/. Jet boat tours, helicopter flights, 4WD tours and you-drive 4WD experiences, farm tours, and kiwifruit wine tasting.
Horse Trekking . +64) 7 533 2582 . ttp://www.briarshorsetrek.co.nz . Horse trekking on the local beaches (which are uncrowded, unspoilt, and beautiful in any season)
Comvita Honey Tour. km southeast of Te Puke on State Highway 1. ttp://www.comvita.com/visitorscentre.html. Tour through the honey and health product manufacturing facilities of Comvita. They have an interesting visitors center as well.
Work
There is usually seasonal work available in the kiwifruit industry provided your visa status permits you to work (this is often checked by potential employers). Peak season for picking and packing is from late April through to June. The work can be physically hard but pays a reasonable wage for labor (by New Zealand standards) and is not difficult.
Buy
Eat
There are numerous few cafes and restaurants on Jellicoe street (State Highway 1 as it goes through Te Puke), all offering reasonable to good food. In addition to the many take-out businesses offering pizza, gyros, a variety of asian food, and the ubiquitous New Zealand fish and chips, Jellicoe street has a good Indian restaurant (the Mini Punjab) and a few bars that also double as restaurants.
The Te Puke Hotel. +64) 7 573 7504. ttp://www.tepukehotel.co.nz/. A reasonably good restaurant and bar.
The Trading Post Cafe. nr Hall and Wilson Roads,Te Puke. km south of Te Puke on State Highway. +64) 7 533-1900. ttp://www.bayofplentynz.com/ViewServices/OverView.aspx?IDSup=2557. Has a very good reputation locally, offering high quality meals from brunch through to a late dinner.
Mini Punjab Restaurant. +64) 7 573-3350. Indian food at reasonable prices.
Drink
There are bars and pubs on Jellicoe street, though the nightlife is far better in Tauranga and Mt. Maunganui.
Sleep
There are 2 reasonable camping grounds within easy driving distance that offer a cheaper alternative to staying in a motel. Motels in Te Puke may be a lower cost alternative to those in Tauranga or Rotorua, and the town's location between the two areas makes it a reasonable choice if you are planning to explore the Bay of Plenty.
Junction Motel. 46 State Highway 33, Paengaroa, Te Puke. pproximately 5km south of Te Puke on State Highway 1. +64 7) 533 1023. ttp://www.junctionmotel.co.nz/. Z$105. +64 7) 533 1022.
Beacon Motel. 73 Jellicoe St, SH2, Te Puke. cross from the railway station. 4 7 573 7825 . Z$85+.
Princess street apartment. Princess St, Te Puke . 64 7 573 9345 . 90. Serviced apartment, in a quiet urban area of Te Puke.
Get out