Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamura' 
'When you understand the past, you know your future'

HERITAGE TOGETHER - KOTAHITANGA | OROKOHANGA POUTAMA 
Weaving a stairway from creation towards heritage unity, recognition and excellence
​Western Bay of Plenty | Tauranga | Regionally | Nationally

From the 13th century when the first waka landed on our shores, countless footprints from Tāngata whenua, through European, Asian and Pacifica settlement have been laid throughout our region. 

​It's time to hear the varied stories from our very beginnings through to the many differing cultural stories of all those who now call Western Bay of Plenty home.  

Western Bay of Plenty | Tauranga is one of the few regions in Aotearoa | New Zealand without a connected Heritage Strategy. 

Taonga Tū | Heritage Bay of Plenty (TTHBoP) is an independent registered charitable trust working with Western Bay of Plenty whānau/hapū/iwi, local councils, Heritage New Zealand | Pouhere Taonga, Western BoP heritage organisations, interested businesses and our local community.

The Trust came together in 2017 to advocate for a neutral Heritage Education Centre for Tauranga City.  Reason: All local attempts since 1873 have been fraught with political, social and financial controversy.  Read why here 

Moving forward in 2022
Today, as heritage partners together, we are embarking on two key heritage journeys:

1. Working on a Heritage Strategy under the name: Heritage Together - Kotahitanga | Orokohanga Poutama which means:
'weaving a stairway from creation towards heritage unity, recognition and excellence across the Western Bay of Plenty'

2. From a TCC Grant writing a feasibility for a  Heritage Education Centre that represents all peoples across the subregion - not just those living in Tauranga City.
    

It is our belief the Heritage Education Centre and the Heritage Strategy will bring significant social economic and influential advantages for local whānau/hapū/iwi, differing cultures and ethnicities and the community as a whole.   Support is also growing from heritage organisations, schools and the business community across the Western Bay of Plenty, including whānau/hāpu/iwi 

CLICK ON AN IMAGE BELOW TO DISCOVER SOME OF OUR RICH HERITAGE 

Acknowledgement: Photographs: Chris Taylor; Tauranga City Libraries, Tauranga Heritage Collection, CR Brown,