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Maungatapu Penninsula
Historical Background
In 1828 The mission schooner "Herald" with the Rev. Henry dropped anchor at Cemetery Point or Te Papa. At that time Tauranga must have been densely populated, as the visitors counted a thousand canoes on the shore between the mouth of the Wairoa River and Te Papa. The principal Pas were Otamataha (Cemetery Pt) belonging to Ngati Tapu, Maungatapu held by Ngati He, Te Mutu and Taipari, and Otumoetai under Te Waru, Tupaea, Taharangi and Hikareia. Three days after the "Herald" mission schooner sailed Cemetery Pt was attacked by Te Rohu from Thames. Seven hundred of the Ngati Tapu were slain and their tribal leader Koraurau killed.
1834-35 the English Church Mission was established at The Elms, Tauranga.
1842 Major Bunbury with the Eighteenth Regiment was sent to Tauranga with the purpose of curbing the Arawa Tribes.
1845 peace was happily inaugerated between all parties. A stone inscribed "Te Maungarongo 1845" (the peace-making) was set up at Maketu, and at last after several hundred years, peace reigned throughout the Bay of Plenty.
1864 (April) The Battle of Gate Pa took place and the Maori were successful. Then in June of that same year the Battle of Te Rangi saw the Imperial Troops take victory. Formal peace making then occured in August 1864.
1882 - Tauranga gazetted as a Borough - population 1258.
Maungatapu Penninsula
1836 - Archdeacon Brown visited Maungatapu and found that Christianity was strong in the area.
1836 - Chapel established on land belonging to the Maungatapu Marae.
1840 - Treaty signed at Maungatapu Pa by Nuka, but Tupaeo (Otumoetai) refuses.
1881 - Maungatapu Maori School opened - Principal Mr Duffus.
1882 - Hairini Bridge completed.
1886 - New Maori Church opened.
1889 - Maori School closed.
1895 - Maungatapu Maori Brass Band established.
1906 - Another Chapel built on same Marae site.
1934 - Visit of Ratana Church to Maungatapu.
1959 - Maungatapu and Hairini added to the Borough of Tauranga.
1959 - Maungatapu Bridge linking Matapihi and Maungatapu opened.
1970 - Maungatapu Community Shopping Centre established.
1972 - State Highway 29 and State Highway 2 re-routed from Maungatapu Road to newly created highway.
1976 - The Chapel was expanded (incorporates parts of the one built in 1906) and could now accommodate one hundred people at services.
1995 - The land on which the Chapel stood was transferred to the Anglican Church; at which time the Maori Church began to operate seperately.
1996 - Onwards. Both Ti kanga Pakeha and Ti kanga Maori enjoy bilingual services at the now All Saints Anglican Community Church.
2011 - Commemorative services were held to celebrate 175 years of Christian worship on the site.
About the Maungatapu Community
A sought after area with a variety of homes to suit any discerning Buyer. Some of Tauranga's most spectacular inner harbour views and scenery can be enjoyed from the Maungatapu Penninsula.
Maungatapu is a centrally located suburb which means it is only a short drive into Tauranga's CBD, Mount Maunganui (Bayfair Shopping Centre)/beaches, and Papamoa. Maungatapu's close proximity to state highway 29 enables quick egress in and out of Tauranga.
Maungatapu Community boasts a top Primary School, Maungatapu Kindergarten, and Maungatapu Pre-School . It is zoned for the Tauranga Intermediate School, Tauranga Girls College and Tauranga Boys College. The Community's hub is its Shopping Centre which has a good mix of convenience/service shops such as; Chemist/Pharmacy, Stationery Shop ( Magazine/card/Lotto, Post, & Dry Cleaning Outlet), Hairdresser, Superette, Nail Care, Bakery, AJ's Bar, Chinese/Fish & Chips Takeaway, Indian Cuisine Dine In/Takeaway. Maungatapu also has a Petrol/Service Station. Resident Artist's Gallery/Studio LA MU lizmonty@xtra.co.nz
Maungatapu Marae is a landmark and its prominant location near the Maungatapu bridge is a treasured spot.
Recreational Parks/Beach Reserves.
Ariki Park is the home of the Rangataua Sports and Cultural Club (Rugby and Netball).
Rotary Park- Beach Reserve for BBQ's, swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, etc
Te Wati Park facilitates Touch Rugby, and football as well as a childrens playground.
The Esplanade Reserve ; Off Egret Avenue- Petanque facilities available
Anchorage Grove Beach Reserve provides a restful north facing view of the inner harbour.
Public access to watersedge and small boatramp with adjacent public parking area close to Maungatapu Bridge (off Wikitoria Street).
There are also a number of Public access points to the harbours foreshore (Waimapu Estuary) to enable low-tide walks around the shoreline (eg. off Vine Avenue, Miriana Street, and Taipari Street).
Fishing off the Maungatapu bridge is a favorite pastime for many of the local residents.
Public Transport
The Bayhopper bus service provides hourly pickup/dropoff, and has 11 bus routes to and from the greater Tauranga/Mount Maunganui/Papamoa area. (www.tauranga.govt.nz or www.baybus.co.nz)
Buses to and from the Tauranga Intermediate School and Colleges are available.
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