500m above sea level, with some areas able to see towards the coastline of the eastern Bay of Plenty.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "large net" for Kaharoa.

[3] In the main the area is used for farming, formerly dry stock, but increasingly this is being converted to dairy.

Some areas have been used for small blocks of forestry and there are areas of native bush, preserved to maintain and support the North Island kōkako, a native bird.

[4] Increasingly subdivision of land has taken place, with many former farms also being used as lifestyle blocks.

Kaharoa is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 9.45 km2 (3.65 sq mi).