Timber Jack

Restored by MENZ Shed, Tairua, this logging tool was used to shift large logs and was widely used in the bush when other methods of moving logs were unavailable. The jack had a spear-shaped bar fitted into a stock, which contained a ratchet operated by a system of cogs. Turning a handle moved the bar up or down. One end of the jack was held on the ground, while the spear end of the bar was fitted under the log. The handle was then turned clockwise to move the bar up and roll the log sideways.

Photo Collections

This picture comes from a collection from a man who used to come to Tairua for his holidays from 1956 onwards. He loved the unspoilt nature of the place and the opportunities to go fishing, even though it took a long time to get here in those days. Did you realise that the photo was of Paku? It was owned by the Cory- Wright family from the early 20th Century until 1961, when it was sold to Bill Brewster and Jim Mason. They built roads and infra-structure and the development began. 

There’s plenty of information about what went on after 1961 at the Tairua Heritage Centre
 

Display Panels

Panels at the Tairua Heritage Centre include:
Generous Geology - a landscape born in fire and shaped by the sea.
The Lure of Tairua - discovered in 1964 at the base of Paku in a midden occupied in the 14th century.  This makes it one of the oldest Polynesian artefacts ever found in NZ.
Our Mountain Ko Paku Te Maunga - how it is linked to early travel to the Antarctic by the Waitaha-nui-O-Hei people. 
Kauri Gum - first discovered by Captain Cook on the beach in Mercury Bay.  
Tairua's Timber Industry - 1877 to end of WW1
There's Gold in them Hills - 1875 discovery in the upper reaches of the Tairua River by John Neaves.
An Epic Voyage according to Ngati Hei
The Early Years of Tairua Township - the first Europeans were …

Video Interviews

People who have lived in Tairua during part or all of their lives have agreed to be interviewed.  Enjoy

Bill Darrah  - Video 1 - Video 2 - Video 3 - Video 4 
Ray & Sher Finn 
Tina & Arthur Larsen 
Diane Bruce & Perrine Busby 
Jean M Clarke 
Rex Homan Rex and Patti 
Les Sinton 
Liz & John Young 
Barry MacCulloch 

Tairua Heritage Trail

Take a walk (or a few walks) through the History of Tairua. See below for 24 amazing sites significant to our history. Download our Tairua History Trail Map here to print and take with you.
Cundy's Corner is one of the 24 sites.  Mr & Mrs Arthur Cundy purchased Olive Sheppard's house and Amargh Camping ground, renamed 'Cundy's Cozy Camp'.  This became a meeting place for locals and visitors, hosting the local dairy, post office and service car drop off.
The challenge for you is to find and visit the other 23 sites.  Each site has a QR code which will tell you more about the site.

Tairua trolling lure

Auckland Museum has in the collection a unique tangible link between Maori and the East Polynesian homeland. A fishing lure made from tropical black-lipped pearl shell (Pinctada margaritifera) was found in a 1964 archaeological excavation at Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula. The lure is highly significant because it was made in East Polynesia and brought here, on a waka, with the Polynesian settlers of Aotearoa.