Elms asks council for hand-up

Elms Foundation chair Norah Reid at Tauranga's iconic colonial home built 168 years ago. Photo / John Borren

The end of a charitable trust has seen Tauranga's historic gem, The Elms, seeking a cash injection of $200,000 a year from Tauranga City Council to keep it running.

"We are losing our beneficiary The Tauranga Charitable Trust, so we are looking for funding to keep going," Elms Foundation chairperson Norah Reid said yesterday.

She put forward the case for a $200,000 a year grant during the hearing of submissions on the council's Long Term Plan.

The request follows the decision by businessman Des Ferrow to wind up his charitable trust by the end of the year. He will remain closely involved with The Elms.

Mrs Reid told councillors yesterday the foundation was seeking a funding "hand-up"' from the council to cover increased costs and the winding up of the trust. It was the second major heritage funding request to come before the council this week. The Tauranga Moana Museum Trust has asked the council to commit itself to the museum project and grant $100,000 to pay for a project manager and an economic impact and feasibility study.

The foundation's submission said The Elms was the second most historic house site in New Zealand and was a living history of early Tauranga. The operation of The Elms relied heavily on volunteers, including 47 guides, with the main costs being overheads. It has switched to a seven-day operation and increased tour charges from $5 to $12, including free Devonshire teas. "However The Elms does have a problem with drainage, electricity and water reticulation ..." Mrs Reid said.

She said the toilet facilities were under real pressure, with only one male toilet and no urinal. "It is most embarrassing to see tourists from cruise ships having to wait in a long queue to use the bathroom facilities."

The Elm's financial statement for the 2015-16 year has forecast an operating deficit of $86,000 plus additional expenses totalling $175,000. The additional expenses were to replace the administrator currently funded by the trust, a grounds supervisor to replace the person currently on a one-year contract, garden development, water reticulation, and upgrading the toilets, stormwater and sewerage systems.

Councillor John Robson said The Elms was really special and he asked whether $200,000 was enough for ongoing financial support.

Mrs Reid said it would help them. Mayor Stuart Crosby said the relationship between The Elms and the council was an ongoing one.

The council will decide on the submission early next month.

The Elms Main Income Sources
•Property rentals $40,000 net
•Cruise ship passengers $40,000 net
•Free and independent travellers $10,000
•Donations $5000 to $10,000

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