Tauranga council helps save The Elms

The Elms, Mission House. Photo/ file

Tauranga City Council have decided to fund part of the $200,000 cash injection towards the running of Tauranga's historic house, The Elms.

After a debate yesterday, the council decided to grant $150,000 a year for the next ten years to ensure the significant heritage site will keep running and maintain protection.

Read more: Local historic house seek $200,000 from council

The submission from The Elms Foundation looked for assistance from the council for ongoing operational funding after losing their beneficiary Tauranga Charitable Trust.

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 annual grant would cover outgoings and help assist with capital works.

The historic house is also one of the most popular wedding venues in Tauranga.

The operation of The Elms relied almost entirely on volunteers, with overheads like rates, insurance and property maintenance the main costs.

It has switched to a seven-day operation and increased tour charges from $5 to $12 with 47 guides,