Tauranga Centennial Programme. Courtesy of Tauranga City Libraries
I was recently given a pamphlet that was produced in 1982 as part of the yearlong centennial celebration of Tauranga becoming a borough. The official programme boasted one hundred and sixty-three events, with promoters, the Tauranga Public Relations Office, promising there were more to come. Several of the events listed left me pondering their connection to Tauranga becoming a township in 1882. The ‘Centennial North Island Midget Car Championships’ and the ‘Centennial Deerstalkers Championships’ are a long way from the trials and tribulations of our first council election.
Tauranga Centennial Motocross event held at Rocky Cutting Road, Welcome Bay, on
3 January 1982
Screen grab of video, Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. F40328
A film of the celebrations, shot by J.B. Kirk, C.R Thomas and N.W. Blackie and preserved by Tauranga City Libraries and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, fortunately provides a clue to the motivation of organisers.[i] Simply, the greater the diversity and number of contributors and participators, the greater the success of the celebrations. Bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging was paramount.
“The element of success lies in getting every group involved. Every group within the city in this centennial celebration has contributed its share to our tremendously successful activity. I wish everyone all the very best for the planning of the second centenary.” Mayor Ray Dillon
Mayor Ray Dillon speaking at the end of the film documenting the centenary
Screen grab of video, Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. F40328
An event that brought people together was the much-anticipated Centennial Gala Parade held on Saturday 20 February and organised by Tauranga Rotary clubs. Despite unseasonal rain locals lined the footpaths along Devonport Road from 6th Avenue to The Strand to watch Army and Navy representatives, marching bands and floats. The parade was followed by an air show, yacht regatta and harbour swimathon. Governor General Sir David Beattie was on hand to present the winners of the swimathon with trophies.
The Historic Village double decker bus enthralls onlookers at the top of
Devonport Road,
as part of the Centennial Parade, 20 February 1982
Collection of Tauranga Museum, Ref. 0129/15
Beyond the centennial programme, there are other tangible reminders of the commemoration. For many of us interested in the history of Tauranga, the publication Tauranga 1882-1982: The Centennial of Gazetting Tauranga as a Borough, is the greatest legacy of the centennial – I may be biased as I’ve often turned to it as a starting point in my research.[ii] The museum collection also holds several souvenirs, including a coin minted in Tauranga and, of course, Bob’s Centennial Brew featuring Sir Robert Owens on the label.
Souvenir centennial coin commemorating Tauranga becoming a borough
Made by H.K. Graham Ltd., Tauranga
Collection of Tauranga Museum, Ref. 0123/22
Bob's Centennial Brew. Tauranga 1882-1982
Bottled in Hastings for Sir Bob Owens
Collection of Tauranga Museum, Ref. 0091/04
[ii] Known as ‘the brown book’, Tauranga 1882-1982: The Centennial of Gazetting Tauranga as a Borough was edited by A.C. Bellamy and had many contributors and supporters.
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