WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY HERITAGE - HAVE YOUR SAY

Help us to shape the heritage map for the Western Bay of Plenty.    Let YOUR voice be heard - have YOUR say - take our survey - and help our region on its heritage journey.

From the 13th century countless footprints from Tangata Whenua, through European, Asian and Pacifica settlement have been laid throughout our region; each telling diverse and often harrowing stories which reverberate today. Alongside, inspiring and uplifting stories also resound. Sadly, few know these stories or how they became interwoven over time in dramatic, strange and often wonderful ways that will inspire our future generations.

Since 1873 all attempts by local government to establish a regional museum or heritage centre that represents all has been fraught with highly documented political, social, and financial controversy.

Let's avoid history repeating itself. The focus must now come from our diverse Western Bay of Plenty community that today is home to many differing ethnicities.  To have real chance of success, and to encompass our diversity while working to Te Tiriti values and principles, our regional heritage initiatives need to be independent in nature and structure. They need to be about all the people living and working in abundant Western Bay of Plenty which includes Tauranga city.
 
For more information, please contact our strategic communications partner, The Shine Collective, who are assisting us in creating a community-led Western Bay of Plenty Heritage Strategy.