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The Bay of Plenty was one of the first areas in the New Zealand where Maori made their home and with the regions central location, fertile soils and safe harbour it's easy to see why.

Historical sites

The Battle of Gate Pa, Tauranga
One of the most recounted and notable battles in New Zealand history is that of the Battle of Gate Pa; firstly because of the resounding defeat of Bristish soliders by a small number of Maori and secondly becasue of the honourable conduct of the Maori towards the dead and wounded soliders. In January 1864, hundreds of Imperial troops landed in Te Papa (Tauranga). The Maori prepared themselves for fighting and these not only included weapons and tactics, but a code of conduct for impending battle drawn up by a young mission-educated man Henare Taratoa. The Maori fought furiously with the odds stacked up against them and the British and resulted in a outstanding victory.

The Elms Mission House: Mission Street, Tauranga
Step into the past with a visit to the Elms Mission House, Tauranga's former mission house and one of the oldest historic buildings in the country. Completed in 1847, the mission house is one of New Zealand's finest Georgian homes. On site is the country's oldest free-standing library which which still has the original books many of which were brought to New Zealand in 1829 by Archdeacon Brown.

The Mission Cemetry, Tauranga
A visit to the mission cemetery gives the visitor an insight into Tauranga’s early history. This northern point of the Te Papa peninsula was once the site of the busy Otamataha pa. In 1828 a raid by Ngati Tapu from the Thames district led to the death of most of the inhabitants, and the abandonment of the pa. Bones dating from this time are still sometimes found when erosion of the cliffs occurs.

When the nearby mission station was established in 1838, this tapu (sacred) area was chosen by the missionaries as a suitable place for a graveyard. The first burial took place all too soon. Ann Catherine Wilson, wife of one of the missionaries, died of breast cancer in November of that year.

As well as the graves of mission families, monuments in the cemetery tell the story of soldiers, sailors and Maori who died during the land wars of the 1860s, enemies in battle, but all equally honoured in death.

Te Awanui Waka: The Strand, Tauranga
The canoe Te Awanui is held under cover on this main street in Tauranga. Carved from totara in 1973 by master carver Tuti Tukaokao, the waka is used on ceremonial occasions. Te Awanui is the original name of Tauranga Harbour.

Paparoa Marae/ Tutereinga Marae
Visit the whanau (family) of a Maori Marae to experience Maori culture, traditions and the renaissance of Maori in today’s New Zealand. The Paparoa and Tutereinga Maraes in Tauranga and numerous attractions in Rotorua, offer informative, fun tours of their village, waka (canoe), with experienced guides explaining the language, traditions, greetings, carvings and much more.

Katikati Heritage Museum
Hands on exhibits and guided tours of the historic life and times of an Irish settlement in the developing Katikati district.

The Papamoa Hills
Almost one hundred hectares of the historically significant land of the Papamoa Hills has recently been purchased to establish a cultural heritage park. The hills have significant cultural and scientific importance, holding 10 Maori Pa sites with some of their construction thought to date back as far as 1500AD – some of the oldest in New Zealand.

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