The new Experience Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World @experiencetepuke has officially secured a home in the Capitol Theatre. Project leader Sue Matthews recently sat down with Stuart Whitaker to discuss the vision for the centre, its progress, and what this new location means for the community.
A New Chapter for Experience Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World
The Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World Heritage Society Inc. was created to bring the district’s various heritage groups together. The goal is to build something that will strengthen the community’s identity and inspire pride, connection, and discovery for generations to come.
The society, an incorporated society rather than a trust, was specifically chosen so that the community could be involved in the centre’s direction and operation. They plan to hold a workshop facilitated by a director from Stitchbird, a visitor experience and public space design company, to gather feedback from key community leaders.
Progress and Vision for the Future
The society is making great progress. They have a lease on the Capitol Theatre’s bottom floor, with a takeover date of July 1. While the main focus will be the story of kiwifruit, the centre will also highlight the unique histories of Te Puke and its nine surrounding communities: Manoeka, Te Matai, Rangiuru, Waitangi, Paengaroa, Maketū, Pongakawa, Pukehina, and Ōtamarākau.
The society wants to celebrate the “vibrant, action-focused and alive” heritage of each community. They plan to develop resources and stories for each, which will be part of the centre’s exhibitions. After an exhibition ends, the materials will be returned to the communities to be displayed in their halls and public spaces. This will create a continuous platform to recognize and celebrate the unique greatness of each area. For example, an exhibition on Pongakawa could highlight the school, the hall, and local heroes like racing driver Denny Hulme.
What Makes This Centre Unique?
This isn’t a traditional museum. The centre’s distinctiveness comes from three key areas:
- The District’s Assets: Te Puke is blessed with rich assets, including its people, high-quality agricultural industries like kiwifruit and dairying, and the exceptional soil and weather conditions that support them.
- A Living Heritage: Unlike a static museum, this centre is a dynamic space. It aims to connect with people of all ages—children, youth, adults, and retirees—and will offer opportunities for multicultural communities to engage through specific exhibitions and interpreters.
- Community Connection: The centre will link with the Te Arawa rohe and all ten distinct communities (Te Puke and the nine rural ones), working to create healthy, positive communities.
Call for Community Support
The society sincerely thanks the local iwi, hapū, communities, and business leaders for their support. They have raised $100,000 as part of their establishment strategy and are now seeking grants from funding agencies for the next phase of development. They’ve also set up a bank account to make it easier for people to donate and support the creation of the exhibition spaces.
If you have any kiwifruit-related items or other heritage artifacts gathering dust that you would like to protect and add to the centre’s story, you can contact the society at matapara-@xtra.co.nz. They believe these items, some of which may be generational, are important to preserving the community’s history.
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