Our town, Te Puke, has long been known as the Kiwifruit Capital of the World. It’s a title we’ve earned through grit, innovation, and a deep-rooted sense of community. Now, that legacy is set to be enshrined in a new hub, a place where locals can celebrate our district’s history for generations to come.
This ambitious dream is being brought to life by the dedicated team behind the Experience Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World initiative. Their mission? To secure a permanent home to tell our stories and celebrate what makes Te Puke so special.
A Vision for Our District
For years, the Western Bay Heritage Trust has been showcasing exhibitions that include elements of Te Puke’s past. But according to project leader Sue Matthews, the time has come to create a dedicated space for our community.
“We strongly believe that the time has come to develop a community heritage hub to tell our Te Puke district stories,” says Matthews.
The vision is clear: a space with free admission that is accessible and affordable for everyone, especially our youth. The project team has already met with local school principals to ensure the hub can support the school curriculum, making history an engaging and hands-on experience for students. This hub isn’t just for visitors; it’s a place for us, a place to foster pride and belonging.
From Humble Fruit to Global Icon
The central theme of the hub will be the incredible kiwifruit story. Visitors will be taken on a journey back in time, tracing the fruit’s transformation from the ‘Chinese gooseberry’—with seeds first brought to New Zealand in 1904—to the multi-million dollar global industry it is today.
But the hub’s mission is even broader. It will feature interactive exhibitions that celebrate our local environment and share stories from all across the Te Puke district. It’s about honoring not just the golden fruit, but the diverse workforce and communities who have made Te Puke the vibrant place it is today. Many popular exhibitions previously displayed at the Western Bay Museum could easily be featured in our new local hub.
A Community’s Commitment
To secure a building and make this dream a reality, the project team set a goal of raising $80,000. So far, the support has been truly inspiring. Pledges have already reached an amazing $55,000, but the team is adamant that we must “keep the momentum up.”
This incredible progress has been driven by the generous support of local businesses and individuals. Seeka has come on board as a Gold sponsor, while Zespri, Hills Lab, Matapara (Sue and Roger Matthews), and Marmatsar Trust (Paul and Natalie Hickson) have all pledged as Bronze sponsors. On top of that, 15 kiwifruit industry-related groups and individuals have committed as “Friends” of the project.
This is a powerful demonstration of our community’s belief in this project. The future of the Experience Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World hub is within our grasp, and every contribution gets us one step closer to making it a reality.
If you would like to help secure this pivotal next step and contribute to Te Puke’s legacy, you can make a pledge by emailing either tpedg@tepuke.co.nz or Matapara-@xtra.co.nz.