79 sq mi) and includes the communities of Bethlehem, in the southwestern suburbs of the city; Greerton, on the southern outskirts of the city; Matua, west of downtown overlooking Tauranga Harbour; Maungatapu; Mount Maunganui, located north of the city center across the harbor from the Bay of Plenty; Otūmoetai; Papamoa, Tauranga's largest suburb, is located on the Bay of Plenty; Tauranga city; South Tauranga; and Welcome Bay. By 1996, Tauranga's population had grown to 82,092 and by 2006 to 103,635. Bethlehem College, a state-affiliated Christian school that offers Kindergarten and Grades 1-13, with approximately 1,500 students. It offers daytime and nighttime events programs for people of all ages, and the festival itself turns the park into an illuminated wonderland every night. The New Plymouth district is well known as a hub for events, with major festivals (annual TSB Bank Light Festival, Taranaki Powerco Garden Spectacular, WOMAD and biennial Taranaki Arts Festival), sporting events sports (including international rugby, surfing, cricket and tennis matches and the annual ITU World Triathlon Championships) and concerts (by Sir Elton John, Jack Johnson, REM, John Farnham and Fleetwood Mac). 1976, Tauranga is a medium-sized urban area with a population of about 48,000 people. Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty lie along a fault line and therefore experience (infrequent) seismic activity. However, the completion of a jetty in 1988 brought Tauranga and The Mount closer together (they merged in 1989) and regenerated the economies of both parts of the wider city. 3 million. Ngamuwahine River is located 19 km southwest of Tauranga.
