Thornton, Bay of Plenty

Thornton
Motto: 
A coastal area, a coastal family. Thornton School. ~Shelly Bremner
Interactive map of Thornton
Coordinates: 37°55′20″S 176°52′00″E / 37.92222°S 176.86667°E / -37.92222; 176.86667
Country New Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWhakatāne District
WardRangitāiki
CommunityRangitāiki Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityWhakatāne District Council
 • Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
 • Mayor of WhakatāneNándor Tánczos
 • East Coast MPDana Kirkpatrick
 • Waiariki MPRawiri Waititi
Area
 • Total
32.88 km2 (12.70 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 Census)
 • Total
606
 • Density18.4/km2 (47.7/sq mi)

Thornton is a settlement in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. Thornton is located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west of Whakatāne, and is on the true right of the Rangitaiki River.

In 1911 the Rangitaiki River was put into a straight channel at the current site of Thornton, which enabled draining the Rangitaiki Plains and converting this swamp land into dairy country.