Aongatete
Aongatete is a settlement and rural community in the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on State Highway 2, south of Katikati and north-west of Omokoroa. The landscape consists of a long valley descending into the Tauranga Harbour.
The local Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, managed by the Department of Conservation, including walks through puriri and kohekohe forest, along the Aongatete Stream, and to swimming holes. Ngai Tamawhariua are guardians of the 500 hectare native forest, and a Forest and Bird volunteer group helps maintain it. A restoration trust was established in 2006 to trap or poison pests like stoats, rats, cats and possums.
The Aongatete Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre, located in the forest, hosts school camps and events like the International Juggling Association Oceania Competition.
The settlement includes Aongatete Coolstores, a kiwifruit orcharding, packing and coolstore business. Seeka Limited, a produce company listed on the NZX, purchased the business for $25 million in March 2019.
Vodafone installed a cell tower at Aongatete in January 2014. Ultra fast broadband internet was introduced to Aongatete in December 2019.
During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, a local couple tried to cheer up the community with humorous displays featuring teddy bears.Education
Matahui Road School is a co-educational private primary school, with a roll of as of.
The school was established in 1988 and is governed by the Matahui Road School Charitable Trust.
