The long coastal sweep to the east of Auckland is split into three distinct areas, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the East Cape, the first two are among the most popular summer-holiday destinations on the North Island

Coromandel Peninsula is blessed with some of the country's best sandy beaches and a gorgeous climate.

This is a place of great coastal scenery, solitude, walks to pristine beaches, and tramps in beautiful mountainous rainforest.

Things to see and do:

• Coromandel Forest Park.
• Thames, a small town rich in gold-mining history,
• Coromandel township
• Whangamata
• Whitianga
• Hot Water Beach
• Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve
• Open-cast gold-mining town of Waihi
• Opotiki

The western part of the region is home to one of the country's fastest-growing urban areas, centred on modern, vigorous Tauranga and the contiguous beach town of Mount Maunganui. Another must see is volcanic White Island

Contrasting with these two regions is the splendid, rugged and isolated East Cape with a dramatic coastline, and a rich and varied Maori history

Tauranga is the biggest town in this region with 118,200 people.

Located at the entrance to a beautiful natural harbour in the Bay of Plenty and nestled beside the magnificent Mauao (Mount Maunganui), Tauranga is a thriving commercial centre with a passion for good food, wine and stylish shopping. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

The harbour hosts many cruise ship visits each summer and is popular with windsurfers, jet skiers and all those who love to spend their leisure time on the water.

The Strand area also has a number of cafés, restaurants and pubs plus a vibrant nightlife.

Other towns with English Schools are Coromandel Township, Thames, Mt Manganui, Whitianga and Whangamata.