Tauranga Historical Society, Est. 1952

Tauranga Historical Society, Est. 1952 Tauranga Historical Society (Est. 7 July 1952). Preservation, Interpretation & Promotion. Built in 1881 by shipwright Capt. Entry by koha.

Established on 7 July 1952, the Tauranga Historical Society are kaitiakitanga of Brain-Watkins House Museum (Est. 1881) and aim to facilitate the Preservation, Interpretation and Participation of our community in the rich natural, cultural, and built heritage of Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty. Committee
■ President: Debbie McCauley
■ Vice-President: Meg Jones
■ Secretary: Erin Nichol

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■ Treasurer: Diane Bain
■ Iwi Representative: Buddy Mikaere (Ngāi Tamarāwaho)y
■ Committee: Bruce Brown
■ Committee: Loretta Crawford
■ Committee: Joseph McAuley
■ Committee: Sophie McCauley
■ Past-President: Beth Bowden

Brain-Watkins House Museum is a unique historic property located near the CBD in Tauranga. Joseph Brain for his family, it was registered by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a Historic Place Category 2 on 4 April 1983. The Victorian square villa was occupied by the Brain family for 98 years, and when the youngest of the five Brain sisters died in 1979, the house and contents were gifted to the Tauranga Historical Society. Tauranga Historical Society Membership
■ Household $40 (annual subscription, donations welcome)
■ Bank account: SBS 03 1355 0660053 00 (please email us your name and contact details)

THS Talks: Lecture Series
■ Held in the Brain Watkins Hall on the first Sunday each month from 2-3pm. Entry to Brain-Watkins House Museum
■ $5 Adult
■ Children free (up to 16 years of age)

Group Bookings
■ Tours are available to groups, clubs, societies and school groups.
■ Prices by arrangement
■ To pre-book a tour please email [email protected]

Brain-Watkins Hall for Hire
■ Meeting hall with kitchen and toilet facilities
■ Suitable for up to 25 people
■ $30 per half day | $50 full day.
■ Email bookings: [email protected]

The opinions of contributors to this page are not necessarily those of the Tauranga Historical Society.

Who is this man? An adventurer, a sailor, and a local…His name was Te Anaru, and this sketch portrait of him is by Hora...
31/10/2025

Who is this man?

An adventurer, a sailor, and a local…

His name was Te Anaru, and this sketch portrait of him is by Horatio Robley.

You can find out more about him in Trevor Bentley’s new book, Te Kaewa-The Wanderers – Māori Sailors on Euro-American Whalers, 1790s – 1890s
(https://www.kereruhistorynz.co.nz)

And you can find out more about Trevor’s book on the Tauranga Historical Society’s blog, https://taurangahistorical.blogspot.com/

Our blog is full of fascinating articles and images about Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty’s past, so take some time to scroll through its pages – you are sure to find something that will surprise you!

The Tauranga Museum team are excited to launch the ‘Tauranga in Spring’ Photography Competition, inviting you to showcas...
01/09/2025

The Tauranga Museum team are excited to launch the ‘Tauranga in Spring’ Photography Competition, inviting you to showcase the beauty, charm, and vibrancy of our city during the most colourful season of the year. Whether it’s the vibrant pink cherry blossoms, birdlife around Mauao, people enjoying the parks and boardwalks, or light glinting off historic buildings – we want to see how you capture Tauranga in bloom. If you’re 18 years or older you need to be a Friends of Tauranga Museum to enter the competition. Here’s a link to the free membership form: https://tauranga.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3lapiU8ES1FUlMO

The Tauranga Museum team are excited to launch the ‘Tauranga in Spring’ Photography Competition, inviting you to showcase the beauty, charm, and vibrancy of our city during the most colourful season of the year.

Sarah Ell, author of this exciting new history of The Elms Te Papa Tauranga, will be speaking about the writing of this ...
29/08/2025

Sarah Ell, author of this exciting new history of The Elms Te Papa Tauranga, will be speaking about the writing of this amazing book launched on 16th August. She will be at Tauranga Historical's meeting 2p.m. on Sunday 7th Sept. at The Elms Chapel followed by refreshments and a chance to see and purchase a copy for yourself. Gold Coin donation appreciated.

Tauranga Historical would like to congratulate The Elms Foundation and Sarah Ell on the launch of their new history of T...
29/08/2025

Tauranga Historical would like to congratulate The Elms Foundation and Sarah Ell on the launch of their new history of The Elms Te Papa. This beautiful volume will be of interest to serious history buffs and can be obtained by contacting The Elms Te Papa Tauranga

Address

233 Cameron Road
Tauranga
3110

Telephone

+6475781835

Website

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