Tairua and Pauanui are twin harbour towns on the Coromandel Peninsula, on the north-east coast of the North Island, and is located around the shoreline of the long, natural Tairua Harbour, fed by the Tairua River, which springs from the Coromandel Forest Park, in the Coromandel Range, 22miles (35kms) south of the town.

The name Tairua means "two tides" in Maori, which is symbolic of its location on seashore and harbour.  The town has its eastern boundary on the Pacific Ocean, and its southern edge on the harbour, giving 2 water aspects offering very different views.  On the opposite side of the harbour, you can see the smaller town of Pauanui, whos northern edge borders the harbour.   Offshore, there are a number of small islands, including Shoe Island, Slipper Island, and further out to sea, the Alderman Islands.

With a resident population of around 1,500 people in Tairua, and 800 people in Pauanui, the towns are a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders (many with holiday homes in the towns), as well as foreign tourists, due to their beautiful scenery, wide, safe beaches and numerous water activies available, and the population can grow up to 15,000+ during the busy summer holidays.

The watersports and reef and wreck diving is one of the main attractions in the area, and the wide sandy beaches are popular for safe swimming, surfing, kayaking and sunbathing, but the region also has stunning scenery due to a number of extinct volcanic hills and valleys, offering great walking and hiking, golf courses, tennis courts and mountain biking to enjoy.

Both towns offers all the amenities you need during your stay, including cafes, restaurants and pubs, butchers, bakery, gift shop and art galleries, Medical centres and chemist, and other general stores. They have a few well stocked supermarkets, and large city style supermarkets, as well as substantial shopping areas, are just over 30 minutes drive away in the nearby towns of Whangamata, Whitianga or Thames.

Accommodation options in the towns are numerable and varied, ranging from backpackers hostels, budget motels and campgrounds, to apartments, hotels, friendly bed & breakfast guest houses and luxury lodges.