YOUR NEW COMMITTEE

Bruce Brown: THS Life Member | Honorary Solicitor | Guide

Retired Te Puke solicitor Bruce Brown has been a member of the Tauranga Historical Society since 1974. He hails originally from Christchurch and has always had an interest in visiting New Zealand historical sites. Bruce is a member of the New Zealand Archaeological Association, a keen walker, and a New Zealand book and model car collector. He lives in Te Puke with his wife and has travelled extensively throughout New Zealand.

Loretta Crawford: Marketing Advisor

Loretta is Head of Destination Marketing at Tourism Bay of Plenty She has extensive experience in marketing and communications and holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in History and English Loretta loves the story-telling aspect of her role at Tourism Bay of Plenty and the opportunities it provides to continually uncover new parts of our region Her first impression of the Brain Watkins House Museum was that it was a delightful historical gem and fascinating snapshot of late 19th century New Zealand life

Joseph McAuley: Architectural Advisor

Joseph is an Architectural Designer with a passion for heritage architecture and local history in Tauranga. He has worked across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and London and is currently a kaiako Te Pūkenga | Wintec. Completing a Masters of Architecture (Prof) while based in Tauranga he is also has ongoing studies in Te reo Māori and Whakairo. His favourite whare in Tauranga (after Brain Watkins of course!) is the wharenui at Huria Marae, Tamateapōkaiwhenua. Joseph is a past member of the Tauranga Historical Society Committee and excited to come back on board!

Beth Bowden: Immediate past-President

Beth Bowden graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1974 with a BA majoring in English and History and an MA (1st Class) Hons in English. She has intermittently interested herself in writing essays on politics, local culture and history, and is currently involved in researching and writing a history of the Te Puna Quarry Park.