Loading

search locations
Guide to Historic Tauranga Brochure cover

Contact Footprints on Te Papa

kiaora@footprintsontepapa.nz
< Back

Tauranga Bond Store

Est. 1883. Historic Place Category 1. Tauranga Bond Store is the oldest remaining commercial building in Tauranga and was originally sited on the waterfront before land reclamation.

Map No. 29.
No. 1 The  Strand
Tauranga, 3110

Current: in process of restoration

Standing Strong

Standing strong at the northern end of The Strand is Tauranga’s oldest commercial building, now one of 72 featured locations in the Ngā Tapuwae ki Te Papa | Footprints on Te Papa self-guided map.

The Strand, Tauranga (c. 1890)
The Strand, Tauranga (c. 1890). A lithographic print of a view taken from Monmouth Redoubt looking south along The Strand. Taken after 1877 as both wharves are shown. Brain’s boatyard in left foreground and Bond Store and Māori Hostel (burned down c.1903) in right foreground. Image Credit: Tauranga Heritage Collection 0124/12.

The Bond Store, a Category 1 historic place.  Constructed in 1883 as a warehouse for cargo transiting the adjacent wharves, the Bond Store received its moniker because owner James Mann held the ‘Bond’ for receiving overseas goods, collecting revenue for the Government.

Mann & Co., Maori Hostel, Tauranga (pre 1902).
Mann & Co., Māori Hostel, Tauranga (pre 1902). A sepia print showing a view from Monmouth Redoubt, Tauranga. The former Bond Store (Mann & Co.) and the Māori Hostel are visible in the foreground. Pre dates first Māori hostel fire of 1902. Image Credit: Tauranga Heritage Collection 0355/08.

The solid brick construction and huge kauri beams were designed to carry great loads of cargo on both floors. The bars on the windows allowed air to circulate, but prevented the locals helping themselves to goods before the tax was paid.

Later it became the home of Guinness Bros who sold a diverse range of items such as liquor, farm equipment and appliances.

The macrocarpa stairs replace what was originally a steep kauri barrel ramp, and a unique feature is the brickwork over the doorways and windows, rare examples of simple but masterful workmanship.

The beautiful red bricks are held with mortar from the beach sand, mixed on-site.

Guinness Bros Building, The Strand (c. 1920) [Ams 12]
Guinness Bros Building, The Strand (c. 1920) [Ams 12]. Guinness Bros building on The Strand, Tauranga, north end, c. 1920. Part of Ams 12 (Records of Guinness Bros, formerly Mann and Co.). Image Credit: Tauranga City Libraries Photo 99-1157.

“Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural significance,” says Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga lower northern area manager Ben Pick.

In 1986 wine and spirits dealers Hughes & Cossar took over the property; followed by Saunderson Packaging, Tulloch Photography (1987-1997), Creative Tauranga, No. 1 The Strand Restaurant and Bar (1999). Current owner Sun Media Ltd purchased the building in 2008.

The Bond Store. Arabin, Shirley (2020). Tauranga Historical Society.  

Tauranga Bond Store. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (2008).  Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Tauranga Bond Store (est. 1883). McCauley, Debbie (2021, updated 2022).