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Tantalising tales, fun facts, itineraries and travel tips - find out more about the Tohu Whenua you love.

31/05/2022

Royal visits to Tohu Whenua

Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II has visited Aotearoa New Zealand on ten occasions, between 1953 and 2002? Here are some of the Tohu Whenua she included in her itineraries.

27/12/2021

Flat-pack furniture at NZ's oldest house

The story behind the 200-year old mahogany dining chairs at Kemp House at Kororipo Heritage Park in Kerikeri.

19/09/2021

Explore Queenstown’s top three heritage sites by bike

Want to combine a Queenstown cycling adventure with some unique Kiwi culture?

18/08/2021

Brunner Mine’s iconic bridge

The Brunner Bridge which has linked coalfields on either side of the Grey River since the 1870s has a colourful past.

26/07/2021

Jane Takotowi Clendon

Jane Clendon was a strong woman of Hokianga Māori descent who had the odds stacked against her.

17/05/2021

Te Pahi

Te Pahi was a Māori leader who saw the benefits of trade with Pākehā for his people.

26/04/2021

Rongo Hongi, a remarkable wahine toa of the 1800s

Have you heard of Rongo Hongi? She was a remarkable woman.

13/04/2021

5 best half-day heritage walks for autumn

Bright blue skies, trees ablaze with colourful autumn foliage, and tranquil tracks - smart walkers know that autumn is one of the most glorious seasons to be in the great outdoors. It’s also a great time of year to discover more of New Zealand’s unique history with Tohu Whenua.

20/03/2021

Central Otago Touring Route

One of New Zealand's finest road trips takes you to nine of Otago's Tohu Whenua heritage experiences.

01/02/2021

West Coast heritage by campervan

Mining tunnels, ghost towns, stamper batteries, shipwrecks, all in mind-bogglingly beautiful locations. When it comes to heritage, the West Coast has plenty of iconic hot spots and hidden gems that await discovery. Claudia Babirat explores some of the places that defined the West Coast and shaped our nation.

Latest News

Learn how our Tohu Whenua continue to make history.

20/06/2022

Matariki 2022 - Tohu Whenua events near you

Tohu Whenua landmarks across the country are celebrating Matariki 2022 - and you're invited!

10/05/2022

Vote for Kororipo's historic pear tree for Tree of the Year!

Rākau o te tau / Tree of the Year Aotearoa is here!

31/03/2022

Waitangi Treaty Grounds supporting teachers with new histories curriculum

01/10/2021

Hayes Homestead Centenary

Hayes Homestead celebrates 100 years of Kiwi engineering and ingenuity, including what must have been one of the first whole-home audio systems in New Zealand.

01/09/2021

Totara Estate stonework repairs underway

“A craftsman who worked on the great cathedrals in Europe could walk onto a job now and the tools would be virtually the same,” says Totara Estate stonemason, Allan Ward.

12/07/2021

3D snapshot of Kerikeri's Stone Store

A Kerikeri engineering firm has used state of the art 3D laser scanning technology to create a high-precision model of New Zealand’s oldest stone building – and the results are amazing.

26/06/2021

Matariki the star attraction at Kerikeri Mission Station

Kerikeri Mission Station is celebrating Matariki with events for an entire month! (19 June - 11 July)

26/03/2021

125 years ago today: NZ’s deadliest industrial disaster

Today marks the 125th anniversary of our country's most deadly industrial disaster, the explosion at Brunner Mine that killed 65 men and boys.

15/12/2020

Waiuta joins Tohu Whenua today

Historic West Coast goldtown “Waiuta” will join Tohu Whenua today, recognising it as one of New Zealand’s most treasured heritage places.

30/11/2020

The Secret Lives of Stencils exhibition now open at Totara Estate (Oamaru)

If you’ve ever visited an old woolshed on a farm, chances are you spotted an old stencil or two hanging up on the walls.

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