The Bay of Plenty eco-region is a geologically active area made up of five districts. Offshore, Motiti and Whakaari/White Island are volcanic islands, with Motiti serving as an important sanctuary for tuatara. On the mainland, Tauranga consists of farmed coastal plains and wetlands, still home to a rare mainland population of moko skinks. Further inland, the Otanewainuku and Rotorua districts are shaped by ignimbrite plateaux, basins, and geothermal activity. These areas support extensive podocarp–hardwood forests, with Rotorua distinguished by its volcanic landscapes, lakes, and geothermal features that sustain rich waterfowl habitats and rare bird colonies.