Bream Bay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bream Bay Whanga-a-Tamure
Bream Bay Location in Northland Region
Country	New Zealand
Region	Northland
Territorial authority	Whangarei District
Pre 1989	Whangarei County
Population  (2018)
• Total	2,073
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)

Bream Bay is a large bay and area located south-east of Whangārei, on the east coast of New Zealand. The bay stretches about 22 kilometres. It goes from Bream Head, near the entrance of Whangārei Harbour, all the way south to Bream Tail. This tail is east of Langs Beach and north of Mangawhai.

Captain James Cook gave the bay its name. The Bream Bay area includes the towns of Ruakākā, One Tree Point, and Waipu. There are also some special nature reserve islands just outside Bream Bay. These are the Hen and Chicken Islands and Sail Rock.

Discovering Bream Bay's Name

Captain James Cook named Bream Bay. He thought he saw many 'bream' fish in the bay's waters. However, it is now believed he might have seen 'snapper' fish instead. He also named Bream Head and Bream Tail. These are the northern and southern ends of the bay.

Towns and Areas of Bream Bay

Bream Bay is home to several interesting towns. Each place has its own unique features and history.

Ruakākā: A Growing Community

The Ruakākā area includes Ruakākā Beach, Ruakākā Township, and Marsden Point. Ruakākā has grown a lot over the years. This growth happened because of the oil refinery at Marsden Point. It is the only oil refinery in the country. A timber processing plant at Marsden Point has also helped the area grow.

One Tree Point: Living by the Harbour

One Tree Point used to be considered part of Ruakākā. But it has grown into its own community. It is located along the Whangārei Harbour. One Tree Point is a fast-growing area. It offers a great lifestyle for people who enjoy living near the water. This area includes Marsden Cove and Takahiwai. You can reach it by road from Ruakākā or by boat.

Waipu: A Scottish Heritage Town

Waipu is the largest town in the southern part of Bream Bay. It offers many fun things to do. You can visit surf beaches, explore caves, or see waterfalls. Waipu is located up the river from the coast. This was once the furthest point large boats could travel.

Waipu has strong ties to its Scottish past. Scottish immigrants settled here in the 1850s. They were led by the inspiring Rev Norman McLeod. Today, Waipu still celebrates its Scottish traditions. It has its own pipe band and the Waipu Museum. The museum tells the story of the Scottish migration to New Zealand.

Islands: Nature's Reserves

The Hen & Chicken Islands and Sail Rock are special nature reserve islands. They are located just off the coast of Bream Bay. No people live on these islands. They are important places for wildlife.

People of Bream Bay

In 2018, the Bream Bay area had a population of 2,073 people. This was a good increase from previous years. There were more males than females living in the area.

About 21% of the people were aged 15 or younger. Most residents (87.6%) were of European/Pākehā background. About 21.3% identified as Māori. A smaller number of people were from Pacific Islands or Asia. About 14% of the people living here were born outside New Zealand.

Many people in Bream Bay (60.6%) said they had no religion. About 27.8% were Christian. The average income for people aged 15 and over was $30,300. Many people worked full-time (47.1%).

Bream Bay's Weather

Bream Bay has warm, humid summers and mild winters. In summer, temperatures usually range from 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F). It rarely gets cold enough for frost on the ground. January and February are the hottest months. The area typically receives 1500–2000 mm of rain each year. Winds mostly come from the southwest throughout the year.

Learning in Bream Bay

Bream Bay has several schools for students. These include:

• Bream Bay College (in Ruakākā)
• Ruakaka School
• One Tree Point School
• Waipu Primary School

Fun Places to Visit

Bream Bay offers many attractions and landmarks for visitors to enjoy:

• The Cove Cafe, Waipu Cove
• Waipu Caves (explore amazing rock formations)
• Waipu Museum (learn about the area's history)
• Waipu Pizza Barn (enjoy delicious food)