The Elms
4.5
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Kia ora and welcome to The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga, one of the Bay of Plenty’s oldest heritage sites. As a place of early contact between Maori and Pakeha, 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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- travelbob1New Windsor, New York1,135 contributionsWorth the Visit and TourVery happy to have the opportunity to visit this historical home and property. All the rooms are well appointed with artifacts. The tour guide was well informed, patient and easy to follow. This is one of the stops using the hop on/ hop off bus.Visited January 2023Written 20 February 2023
- Ian K11 contributionsA must do for locals and visitorsWhat a hidden gem. Even as a local I can’t believe I’ve never been here before. Thank you to phillipa for our guided tour (highly recommend). The perfect way to get a real understanding of the cultural and geographical significance of the area. A must for all, locals and visitors alike.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 March 2023
- Tasman Travels56 contributionsBeautiful and interesting!We popped into The Zelma Te Papa Tauranga just a couple of days ago and had a lovely experience. As soon as you walk through the picket fence gate you’re taken back to another time. Immaculate gardens and floral smells. We were greeted by Esther and the gardener, very nice and then give a tour from lovely Rose. The buildings are exceptional examples of historic buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand and we highly recommend coming and getting a tour. We then spent some time on a self-guided wonder. Really enough The Elms, highly recommend.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
136 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
57
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
David C
4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Visited on excursion from a cruise ship. Well organised (and welcoming) on site, interesting history.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tasman Travels
56 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We popped into The Zelma Te Papa Tauranga just a couple of days ago and had a lovely experience. As soon as you walk through the picket fence gate you’re taken back to another time. Immaculate gardens and floral smells. We were greeted by Esther and the gardener, very nice and then give a tour from lovely Rose. The buildings are exceptional examples of historic buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand and we highly recommend coming and getting a tour. We then spent some time on a self-guided wonder. Really enough The Elms, highly recommend.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian K
Tauranga11 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
What a hidden gem. Even as a local I can’t believe I’ve never been here before. Thank you to phillipa for our guided tour (highly recommend). The perfect way to get a real understanding of the cultural and geographical significance of the area. A must for all, locals and visitors alike.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbob1
New Windsor, NY1,135 contributions
Jan 2023
Very happy to have the opportunity to visit this historical home and property. All the rooms are well appointed with artifacts. The tour guide was well informed, patient and easy to follow. This is one of the stops using the hop on/ hop off bus.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JackofPBFL
Palm Bay, FL1,270 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
The Elms was the former missionary station. Anglican, missionaries from England came to convert the Maori to Christianity. They also taught a lot to the Maori people who were interested in new technologies and thinking. It was a fantastic tour that really gave us a flavor of what it was like during the missionary days. The grounds and buildings are beautiful, the guide was excellent. Her name was Mary. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get a feel for the history of the area.
Written 4 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllanJGJ
Wellington, New Zealand3,833 contributions
Nov 2022
If you have any interest in early New Zealand history or colonial architecture or gardens then this is a must visit when you're in Tauranga. And it's well worth paying the small sum for the guided tour. Our guide, Esther, was charming and highly knowledgable; she really made the early residents of the house come to life. Highly recommended.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
London, UK522 contributions
Oct 2022
The Elms/Te Papa is easily the oldest local building. One of NZ’s important heritage sites from the early European settler era, an Anglican mission was established here on a former Māori pa, by the CMS, concerned in London about developments in “the colonies”. After Captain Cook put NZ on the map, it was targeted by whalers and traders from Europe, bringing with them liquor, weapons and unwelcome European diseases. Into this mix were thrown tales of Māori cannibalism. The guides tell a clear story of how it was thought a Christian mission could remedy this situation. The Elms was at first a success, with Rev Brown winning the trust of local people, both Māori and Pakeha, and establishing a Christian community on this then waterside site. The buildings represent a fine and well-preserved example of those of that period, all charmingly fashioned from kauri wood. It was an embarrassment to the missionaries when the settler government became increasingly aggressive against Māori. But Archdeacon Brown made a serious mistake in 1864, hosting a dinner party from some officers of the government forces on the eve of the Battle of Pa Gate (you see the dining room where this happened). The next day they were all killed, except the surgeon. CMS pulled out, but the Brown family bought the property from them and the family continued to live there until 1998, which it was given in Trust to the city. Don’t miss the recently constructed Māori Pavilion, symbolising the unity of the two cultures.
Written 26 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mlgjs
17 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Great that they are saving New Zealand's heritage instead of bowling it. A very informative, guided tour. Beautiful buildings and garden.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda S
Auckland109 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Extremely interesting. A wonderful little museum which strongly conveys the lives of the people who lived in the dwellings on this site. Most of the artefacts on display belonged to the various owners of The Elms. So it feels quite personal. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The grounds peaceful and well maintained. Well worth at least 90 minutes.
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shona
15 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Awesome visit with 10 & 13yr old kids. Cheryl our tour guide was so knowledgeable & made the trip. We learnt so much of earlier NZ history. The gardens were beautiful & history packed. We visited the mission cemetery afterwards, which was humbling & completed the visit. Great couple of hours spent as a family.
Written 2 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingTHE ELMS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Elms
- Hotels near The Elms:
- (0.09 km) Roselands Motel
- (0.19 km) Hotel Armitage and Conference Centre
- (0.26 km) Trinity Wharf Tauranga
- (0.39 km) City Suites
- (0.47 km) Clarence Boutique Hotel
- Restaurants near The Elms:
- (0.26 km) Trinity Wharf Restaurant
- (0.48 km) Clarence Tauranga Restaurant
- (0.49 km) Bobby's Fresh Fish Market
- (0.64 km) Macau Bar Kitchen and Lounge
- (0.40 km) Chapel Cafe