Its original incarnation was based mostly around Whakatane and Opotiki districts, with the remaining population coming from Te Puke and parts of greater Tauranga.

Prior to the 2007 boundary review, it did not extend to the western side of Tauranga or to Matakana Island.

Instead it comprised a section of the central Bay of Plenty coast, from the eastern periphery of the Tauranga urban area to outside the main populated part of Whakatane.

Rapid population growth around Tauranga has driven considerable boundary change at each review.

The upper central North Island is an area where New Zealand First has done well, frequently getting a higher vote share in seats in both the Bay of Plenty region and in the Waikato than it does nationally.

Williams had the distinction of being returned unopposed in three general elections, 1922, 1925 and 1931;[2] in 1928 he was opposed by Alexander Moncur for Labour.

Key 1 Died in office 2 Died of illness while on military service 3 Resigned during term Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Bay of Plenty electorate.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.