Heart of the Bay of Plenty, only 45 minutes from Rotorua and Whakatane, and 20 minutes drive from Tauranga. Strong farming interests in dairy, cattle, deer, sheep, forestry and horticulture are the district's background community. The district has four beaches within l0-20 minutes drive from the centre of Te Puke.
Nearby lakes offer trout fishing in season.
Maketu, some 15 minutes drive beyond Te Puke, holds a very special place in the history of the Bay of Plenty. It was here that the Arawa canoe first landed - the landfall of the early Maori migration from Hawaiki. The foreshore memorial marks its arrival. Magnificent views can be seen from the hilltops of Maketu, along the coast and hinterland that is the Bay of Plenty. Along with the widely known attractions of Kiwifruit Country theme park, Longridge Park , the and newly housed Te Puke Vintage Auto Barn, the district also offers native bush walks, the old world charm of a variety of gardens, an excellent golf course, the thrill of jet boating or horse riding, with hot pools at nearby Welcome Bay and Mount Maunganui.