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Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere facts for kids

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This page is about the bay on the north coast of New Zealand South Island. For the bay on the east coast of Great Island of the Three Kings Islands, see Three Kings Islands.
NZ-Tasman B
Location of Tasman Bay

Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere is a large, V-shaped bay in New Zealand. It is found at the northern end of the South Island. This bay stretches for about 120 kilometers (75 miles) along the coast. At its widest point, it measures about 70 kilometers (43 miles) across.

Tasman Bay is part of the Tasman Sea. It sits near the western entrance to Cook Strait. This strait separates New Zealand's North and South Islands.

The land around the bay changes a lot. On the western side, the land is rugged and covered in thick forests. This area includes Separation Point, which is part of Abel Tasman National Park. Separation Point also divides Tasman Bay from a smaller bay called Golden Bay.

To the east, the land is also very steep. Here, you can see the beginnings of the Marlborough Sounds. These are sea-filled valleys. D'Urville Island is located northeast of the bay's easternmost point. You can also find Arrow Rock off the coast of Nelson.

The land in the middle of the bay is much flatter. It includes plains around the mouth of the Waimea River. This river flows into the bay at its southernmost point. Other rivers that flow into Tasman Bay include the Riwaka, Motueka, and Serpentine Rivers. A long, low island called Rabbit Island is also near the bay's southern coast. Tasman Bay is also home to a unique natural feature called the Boulder Bank.

The soil around the bay's central coast is very rich. Farmers use this land to grow many different crops. These include apples, kiwifruit, olives, grapes, and hops. In the mid-1900s, a lot of tobacco was grown here too. There is even a tobacco museum in Motueka. This area is also the most populated part of the South Island's north coast. Several towns and the city of Nelson are located close to the shore. These towns include Motueka, Riwaka, and Richmond.

History of Tasman Bay

The bay was first named Blind Bay by Captain Cook in 1770. He was a famous explorer. The name of the bay was officially changed to Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere in August 2014. This new name honors both its European and Māori heritage.

Images for kids

  • New Zealand, Top of the South Island (Nelson), Skydiving

    The coast of Tasman Bay in Motueka

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