The Elms Te Papa Tauranga

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!

31/05/2026

The Elms will be closed today Monday June 1st, acknowledging the Kings Birthday.
Open again Tuesday 2nd June.
https://theelms.org.nz/plan-your-visit

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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.

28/04/2026

We are really looking forward to this event, book now so you don't miss out.
Register online today: https://forms.gle/P7BwExnuyogmSab57

Have you registered for this historical lecture yet, 25th June at The Elms Te Papa Tauranga?

Link to register in the comments ⬇️

24/04/2026

2026 Anzac Day hours at The Elms | Te Papa
The Elms will be closed Sat 25th, Sun 26th and Mon 27th April.
We recognise and commemorate the contribution of all people who have served New Zealand in times of war.
Lest we forget 🇳🇿