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

When historic heritage connects across our communities,
​the more it enriches our lives, helps drive
our economy and grows our identity.

  
Taonga Tū Heritage Bay of Plenty is an independent Charitable Trust.

Purpose: To act as an independent historic heritage charity working in partnership with the heritage sector inclusive of hapū/iwi, individual heritage organisations councils and businesses to promote, advocate, enable, action and connect heritage journeys across the Bay of Plenty. 
​
Vision:  To inspire historic heritage kotahitanga (unity) and action 

Values: Trust, Integrity, Manaakitanga (respect), Vision
 
Kaupapa: Remaining independent entities, but working together to create inspirational ways to grow our Bay of Plenty identity through promoting meaningful heritage experiences that connect us to our past, present and future, to our communities and to each other.

Fact Sheet: About us at a glance

Important Notice
This website - currently operated by volunteers - is a continual work in progress:  It's strategy over time is to connect historic heritage across our towns - inclusive of hapū/iwi, our ecology and fauna & flora.  It is a slow process but are committed and have excellent relationships forming across the region. 

Our current project is in development.  It is the second in a Map,Guide and Website series designed to connect the historic heritage footprints of the Western Bay of Plenty. The first in the series, Ngā Tapuwae ki Te Papa Footprints on Te Papa concentrates on the CBD in Tauranga. 

Please keep visiting with us as we move forward a little bit further each year. 

Did you know?
There are 6,675 recorded heritage sites across the Bay of Plenty rohe, few of which are known to locals, schools or visitors. Source: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 

What to do this spring: we encourage families and visitors to explore heritage trails across the    Bay of Plenty:  here are three to start the plan....

Visit Maketū
Historic Maketū is located on Ōkūrei Point, also known as Town Point or ‘Te Okureitanga o Te Ihu o Tamatekapua (the point that is the prow/nose of Tamatekapua). This point is significant in traditional and spiritual senses. This significant headland is imbued with the mana (inherent authority) of Tamatekapua, the captain of the Te Arawa waka (canoe) which left Hawaiki around 1340 AD and arrived at Maketu circa 1340AD. 

• Maketū is predominantly Māori from the Whakaue Hapū of Te Arawa Iwi.
• Located east of Te Puke township, Makeū is the traditional landing site of Te Arawa canoe more than 800 years ago when several migrations came from Polynesia. Maketū is named after an ancient kumara pit in Hawaiki – the place from which Māori originally sailed their waka to New Zealand.
• Kotukutuku Gully – a delightful walk and insight into local history
• Maketu Ongatoro Wetlands – a group that looks after the beaches and wetlands that surround Maketu. The group also looks after the endangered NZ Dotterel that nests on the Maketu Spit. 
• Also home to the famous Maketū Pies and delicious fish & chips
• For more in-depth information and the history of magical Maketū, Te Puke, Paeangaroa and surrounds, along with our wonderful kiwifruit story, talk to Kiwifruit Country Tours 

Te Puna Quarry Park - 
Te Puna Quarry park started life as a Rock Quarry in the early 1900s, through until 1979. Ten years later, the council planted some pine trees, and the Te Puna Quarry Park Society was formed in 1993, beginning work on the park three years later. Nearly 20 years since we started developing this park into a local and national treasure, we’ve come a long way, and we’re excited to see what will be next. 
Read more about Te Puna Quarry Park
Explore the Park this Spring it is open everyday
110 Te Puna Quarry Road
Te Puna, Tauranga​

Papāmoā Hills - Western Bay's best secret
This is an outstanding trail: the view from top is unsurpassed. Seven pā sites can be found in these hills, and the terracing they created in the hills can quite clearly be seen. The regional park was formed in 2003 to help protect the site’s cultural heritage (which may date back as far as 1650AD or even earlier) and there are over 1,630 individual archaeological features recorded within the park. Predominantly the features are terraces (tuku) and platforms (papatahi), pits, middens and defensive earthworks such as ditches (maioro).
Read more about the Papāmoā Hills Project 

Best time to explore Papamoa Hills is all year round
Poplar Lane, off Te Puke Highway
1​7km south of Tauranga along the Te Puke Highway. You'll find the Papamoa Hills Regional Park at the end of Poplar Lane. 

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, or the 'Footprints of Toi'
Whakatāne: this trail captures the essence of the Whakatāne District. It includes pā sites of major historic significance, superb native forest, spectacular pohutukawa stands, unsurpassed coastal views, seabird colonies, forest birds in abundance, plantation forest and rural vistas.
Read more about the trail
​Starting Point:
Kohi Point Walkway steps at Canning Place in Whakatane.

2023 Delivered Projects:
​Supported by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 

Ngā Tapuwae ki Te Papa
Footprints on Te Papa
MAP & GUIDE
​click image to enter

Tauranga Western Bay Heritage Strategy
Orokohanga Poutama 
'weaving a stairway from creation towards heritage unity, recognition and excellence' 
A strategy towards connecting our heritage

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Current Projects:  
More information coming soon

Past Projects​:
Visit our Events page to see past projects ​

Discover
Western Bay of Plenty
​more entries coming soon

Discover
Eastern Bay of Plenty
more entries coming soon

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