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'Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamura' 
'When you understand the past, you know your future'
In the words of King Tawhiao: "Ki te kotahi te kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati. (Nā Kīngi Tāwhiao tēnei tongi). 
​If there is but one toetoe stem it will break, but if they are together in a bundle they will never break.
Message from Bruce Farthing, ​Chair of Taonga Tū Heritage BoP 
The Western Bay of Plenty's heritage goes back as far as the first waka arriving in the 13th century: Takitimu, Mataatua and Te Arawa.  

Many do not know how our Tāngata whenua settlements work throughout the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga City - nor that our Tāngata whenua are represented across the Western Bay of Plenty under both Tauranga Moana (Waihi Beach to Papamoa) and Te Arawa Coastal (Te Puke -Maketu - Otamarakau).  Nor do we know the rich, varied and wonderful stories each whānau/hāpu/iwi bring to our region, or how these stories could shape our future to become enriched and all encompassing. 

Our Trust is currently working towards two key things:

1. advocating for a neutral Western BoP Heritage Centre located in Tauranga.
2. Developing our region's inaugural Heritage Strategy called Heritage Together - Kotahitanga | Orokohanga Poutama  which means: 'weaving a stairway from creation towards heritage unity, recognition and excellence'. 
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The Western Bay of Plenty | Tauranga is also home to New Zealand's kiwifruit and avocado industries,  our country's most successful Port and many other lucrative and exciting businesses.  We are a favourite tourist destination for New Zealander's and off shore visitors alike.  For this reason, Tauranga is known as 'The Gateway to the Bay of Plenty.  

There is much to learn about our heritage.  We hope you all embark on this journey with us...

Bruce Farthing
Chair
Taonga Tū | Heritage Bay of Plenty 

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Actions expected out of the Heritage Strategy 
  • Bring natural, cultural and built heritage stories together in ways that create vibrancy and togetherness.
  • Support the new Aotearoa | New Zealand history curriculum with integrated Western Bay of Plenty heritage stories.
  • Highlight commercial heritage through our Natural, cultural and built heritage in ways that will inspire locals, visitors and those wishing to relocate here.
  • Develop strong relationships and partnerships across the heritage sector.
  • Recognise and connect significant heritage places for viewing or gathering, welcome and orientation.
  • Sharing integrated knowledge of our taonga (treasures).
  • Provide contemporary, fun, informative experiences for both locals and visitors.
  • Provide stimulating heritage education experiences for all cultures and age groups.
  • Provide a forum for innovative ideas about our future.
  • Showcase external awareness programmes such as bi annual heritage festivals, speaker events, exhibitions and symposiums all designed to stimulate and create interest in heritage.
To know your heritage is to create a thriving connected community 

Acknowledgement: Header image: Te Kura Waka