The Elms Te Papa Tauranga

The Elms Te Papa Tauranga Kia ora and welcome to The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga, one of the Bay of Plenty’s oldest heritage sites.
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As a place of early contact between Māori and Pākehā, this historic site remains at the centre of Tauranga’s history and identity today. Encompassing category one listed heritage buildings and nationally significant collections – all set within a diverse and tranquil garden setting – this one hectare property is a must-see destination for visitors to the region. For generations The Elms | Te Papa

Tauranga has been a place for community to gather and learn - this tradition continues today. We invite you to come and journey through the expansive grounds, and enjoy a guided tour of the historic house and library. As you do you will get a rare glimpse into the past of this now bustling city. The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga has in time become a well known venue for special events in the Bay of Plenty. With stunning grounds and vintage buildings available for use, please consider The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for your wedding or next function. With experienced co-ordinators on site we are ready to help plan your special events at this beautiful venue.

Celebrating ALL our amazing Volunteers on National Volunteer Week, You are the heart of The Elm's and we couldn't do it...
14/06/2026

Celebrating ALL our amazing Volunteers on National Volunteer Week, You are the heart of The Elm's and we couldn't do it without you, so THANK YOU! 💐💐

Guide Spotlight – Meet SueSue began guiding at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga in 2022. When asked to choose her favourite p...
08/06/2026

Guide Spotlight – Meet Sue
Sue began guiding at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga in 2022. When asked to choose her favourite part of the site, she says she “loves it all”, but especially the Heritage Gardens.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Sue has had a long career in education. Recruited by the NZ government, she taught French, Latin and English in various Secondary Schools for many years before specialising in English as a Second language (ESOL) at Tertiary level in both Tauranga and Auckland.
Sue is an avid reader, particularly of historical novels and that is why she so enjoys the stories we tell about the inhabitants of The Elms. She plays pétanque, swims, loves all kinds of music and really likes to travel, both overseas and around NZ.
Ngā mihi, Sue!

Volunteer Spotlight – Meet CarolineCaroline has been volunteering at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for over a year and is ...
01/06/2026

Volunteer Spotlight – Meet Caroline
Caroline has been volunteering at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for over a year and is part of the garden volunteer team. With a strong love of nature, it’s no surprise that her favourite part of the site is the gardens.
Caroline enjoys a range of activities, including cycling and crafts, and has a particular interest in supporting health and wellbeing. She works with people through practices such as Reiki and NLP coaching.
Caroline and her husband recently spent three months living off-grid on an island near Tonga, an experience that deepened her appreciation for the natural environment and sparked a love of snorkelling.
Originally from Rotorua, Caroline moved to Tauranga from Te Awamutu in 2024.
Ngā mihi, Caroline!

Guide Spotlight – Meet ElaineElaine’s association with The Elms | Te Papa has lasted for more than 20 years. She has a d...
25/05/2026

Guide Spotlight – Meet Elaine

Elaine’s association with The Elms | Te Papa has lasted for more than 20 years. She has a deep appreciation for sharing the stories of the house and its history, and played an important role in cementing The Elms as a place for school visits.

Born in the lower North Island, Elaine and her husband lived in both the North and South Islands. She trained as a teacher and raised their three children while her husband worked as a captain on one of the last sailing ships. Together, they shared a love of travel whenever the opportunity arose.

Elaine retired to Tauranga around 35 years ago and continues to enjoy an active life. She is involved in U3A groups, enjoys playing Scrabble and Rummikub, and values time spent with her family.

Ngā mihi, Elaine!

Update: Karuwhā is holding three fantastic events, celebrating the Bi-Centenary commemoration of the arrival of Henry W...
24/05/2026

Update: Karuwhā is holding three fantastic events, celebrating the Bi-Centenary commemoration of the arrival of Henry Williams into Tauranga Moana.
The Samuel Carpenter lecture at The Elms is sold out but, there are still tickets available for the evening symposium with: Joe Williams and Dr Alistair Reese.
Thursday, June 25th, Holy Trinity, 215 Devonport Rd, Tauranga.
This will an evening for reflection and discussion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – its origins, its intent and its enduring promise.
Tickets $10.00
Available from: www.httvenues.nz
or
https://www.holytrinitytauranga.com/event-details/waitangi-a-treaty-of-hope

Guide Spotlight – Meet MikeMike has been guiding at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for more than six years. He enjoys shari...
18/05/2026

Guide Spotlight – Meet Mike

Mike has been guiding at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for more than six years. He enjoys sharing “The Elms story” with a wide variety of visitors, including cruise ship passengers and school groups. His favourite place on the site is the Chapel.

Born in Lower Hutt, Mike married his wife Dorothy in 1975. They have two adult daughters and four grandchildren. Mike worked as a funeral director for 35 years.

Outside of guiding, Mike enjoys spending time with family, being involved in his church, and keeping active through running and walking.

Ngā mihi, Mike!

Guide Spotlight – Meet RosieRosie has been volunteering at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for more than six years and is pa...
10/05/2026

Guide Spotlight – Meet Rosie

Rosie has been volunteering at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for more than six years and is part of the garden volunteer team. When asked to choose her favourite part of the site, she says she enjoys all aspects of The Elms gardens.

Originally from Cambridge and educated in Te Aroha, Rosie trained as a nurse at Waikato Hospital and spent 20 years in a range of nursing roles before moving into corporate communications.

Rosie and her husband Mike have lived in Tauranga since 2013.

Now semi-retired, Rosie enjoys gardening, time at the beach, walking and reading.

Ngā mihi, Rosie!

Guide Spotlight – Meet LynleyLynley has been guiding at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for more than 12 years. Her favourit...
04/05/2026

Guide Spotlight – Meet Lynley
Lynley has been guiding at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga for more than 12 years. Her favourite place on the site is the front lawn, where she enjoys the view back towards the house. She takes pleasure in sharing the stories of The Elms with a wide range of visitors, including cruise ship passengers, casual visitors and school groups.

Born in the South Island, Lynley moved to Tauranga in 1985, when the city’s population was around 60,000 and The Elms remained under the careful guardianship of Duff Maxwell.

Lynley has a wide range of interests, including reading, New Zealand history, international travel, gardening, art and literature. She also enjoys cycling and tramping in New Zealand’s great outdoors.

Ngā mihi, Lynley!

The secrets of the Medicine ChestThere is a book in The Elms Library titled “Family Medicine Chest Book” which came with...
29/04/2026

The secrets of the Medicine Chest
There is a book in The Elms Library titled “Family Medicine Chest Book” which came with the original chest we have on display. It describes the contents and uses and defines the conditions it could be used for.
Rev. Alfred Brown used this box all the time, we are sure he took it with him on his journeys around the country. The ‘germ’ theory of infection was only proposed in the late 19th century and confirmed by Louis Pasteur in the 1860’s Rev. Brown would have known this prior to coming to NZ.
The Family Medicine Book describes several common disorders, different sorts of fevers, inflammations, coughs, worms and various poisons. The book described that the noxious agents must be driven out of the body by one means or another and these choices were limited at the time.
Curiously, death is not mentioned as a possible outcome in spite of its inevitability in many situations. At the time, this box cost in the region of one and a half guineas, well worth the investment.
We care deeply for our medicine box and feel it cared for many souls in the past.

Address

15 Mission Street
Tauranga
3110

Telephone

075779772

Website

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