Last updated October 2026
Holdens Bay is a small residential suburb on the eastern shore of Lake Rotorua in Rotorua. The suburb offers a quiet, established community setting with direct access to the lake’s calmer eastern edge. Holdens Bay sits between Rotorua’s urban areas and the semi-rural eastern lakeshore, providing residents with a settled lakeside lifestyle away from busier central zones.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 610, up 14% since 2018
- Land area
- 0.44 km² (44 ha)
- Location
- 5.0 km east of central Rotorua
- Council
- Rotorua District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Ōwhata, Hannahs Bay
- Ward or local board
- Te Ipu Wai Auraki General Ward (Rotorua District Council)
- Nearby landmarks
- Waingaehe/Holdens Bay, Lake Rotorua
Who Lives in Holdens Bay
About 610 residents in 230 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Holdens Bay
One school sits inside the Holdens Bay boundary.
Also zoned for Holdens Bay
Show all 5 zoned schools
Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Holdens Bay
by 7.30am on collection day, or the night before
Streets near a suburb edge can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure.
Streets in Holdens Bay
5 streets are in Holdens Bay. Search any street in Rotorua to see which suburb it is in.
- C
- Cooper Avenue
- F
- Farnworth Avenue
- H
- Holden Avenue
- R
- Robinson Avenue
- S
- Stonebridge Park Drive
A long road is listed in each suburb it runs through.
Buses from Holdens Bay
3 bus stops inside the suburb.
Typical weekday daytime frequency.
Weather and Rent at a Glance
City-wide figures.
In Holdens Bay
Places and businesses inside the official Holdens Bay boundary.
Places
About Holdens Bay
Holdens Bay’s defining feature is its position on the eastern shore of Lake Rotorua.
Holdens Bay’s defining feature is its position on the eastern shore of Lake Rotorua. This area remains calmer and less developed than the lakefront near the city centre, creating a peaceful residential enclave with immediate lake access. The suburb’s compact size and modest population contribute to its tight-knit, low-key character.
Demographic data from the 2018 and 2023 censuses indicate a stable community with a notable proportion of residents in the 30–64 age range and a smaller share aged 65 and over. This profile aligns with a longer-term residential base rather than transient or high-turnover housing.
The suburb forms part of the broader Holdens Bay-Rotokawa statistical area tracked by Stats NZ. Its location supports everyday recreation on the lake while maintaining separation from Rotorua’s main commercial and visitor hubs.
Lake Access and Recreation
Direct access to Lake Rotorua is a primary advantage for Holdens Bay residents.
Direct access to Lake Rotorua is a primary advantage for Holdens Bay residents. The eastern shore supports activities such as fishing for rainbow trout, kayaking, and general lakeside recreation in a setting with fewer crowds than western or southern lakefront areas.
Nearby Waingaehe/Holdens Bay is noted for picnicking and lake views, with conditions suitable for water activities even on windier days.
Near Holdens Bay
Just outside Holdens Bay, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Show 2 more places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Stats NZ — Holdens Bay-Rotokawa Place Summary: Official 2018 census data and demographics for the area.
LAWA — Lake Rotorua at Waingaehe/Holdens Bay: Water quality and swimming information for the local lakeside area.
Wikipedia — Holdens Bay: Geographic and updated census overview citing Stats NZ sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Holdens Bay?
About 610 people lived in Holdens Bay at the 2023 Census, up 14% since 2018. See Who Lives in Holdens Bay
Which schools are zoned for Holdens Bay?
The zones of Mokoia Intermediate, John Paul College, Rotorua Boys' High School, Rotorua Girls' High School and Rotorua Lakes High School cover all of Holdens Bay. Zones change, so check an address with the school. See Schools in Holdens Bay
What day is rubbish collected in Holdens Bay?
Friday. Bins go out by 7.30am on collection day, or the night before. Streets near the edge of the suburb can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure. See Bin Day in Holdens Bay
What buses run from Holdens Bay?
Route 10, about every 30 min. There are 3 stops in the suburb. See Buses from Holdens Bay
Which suburbs are next to Holdens Bay?
How far is Holdens Bay from central Rotorua?
About 5 km east of central Rotorua, measured in a straight line.
Is Holdens Bay on Lake Rotorua?
Yes, the suburb sits directly on the eastern shore of Lake Rotorua with immediate lake access.
What is the character of Holdens Bay?
A quiet, settled lakeside residential community that is calmer and less visited than lakefront areas near the Rotorua CBD.
What activities are available at Holdens Bay?
Residents and visitors enjoy lake fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and general recreation from the eastern shore.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Rotorua only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Holdens Bay is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Sources and data notes 7
- Official Suburb Facts: Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.
- Who Lives in Holdens Bay: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Holdens Bay boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.
- Schools in Holdens Bay: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026.
- Bin Day in Holdens Bay: Rotorua Lakes Council collection areas.
- Streets in Holdens Bay: LINZ NZ Addresses road data, CC BY 4.0.
- Buses from Holdens Bay: Bay of Plenty Regional Council Baybus timetable data, CC BY 4.0.
- Weather and Rent at a Glance: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026.