Tohu Whenua

 

Nau mai, haere mai ki te kaupapa o Tohu Whenua.

 

Tohu Whenua are the places that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with stories, they offer some of our best heritage experiences.

 

Walk in the footsteps of extraordinary and ordinary New Zealanders and hear about the deeds, struggles, triumphs and innovations that make us who we are.

 

With Tohu Whenua as your guide, journey to some of our most important landmarks and immerse yourself in our unique and diverse history.

 

Sites chosen as Tohu Whenua are places that have shaped our nation and created our defining stories. Together they form a network of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best heritage experiences, to make it easy for visitors to find the places where they can connect with our past and the stories that define our identity.

 

There are currently 24 Tohu Whenua in three regions – Northland, Otago and West Coast. 

 

For individual Tohu Whenua stories visit the Tohu Whenua website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Each Tohu Whenua region has a unique story to tell:

 

Northland - The birth of a bi-cultural nation Northland’s Tohu Whenua, and the interweaving journeys, tell the stories of our beginnings. These are the places where both our Māori and European ancestors arrived, centuries apart, and where their identities were defined.

 

Otago - The proof of a pioneering nation Otago’s Tohu Whenua are places that tell the stories of our people’s pioneering spirit – some of the cornerstones of our economic and entrepreneurial livelihood.

 

West Coast - The rise of a resourceful nation The West Coast’s Tohu Whenua tell the stories of the hardships endured for our country’s most prized resources. A region known for its incredible beauty and rich bounty, these are places where our people’s limits were tested and rewarded.

 

Tohu Whenua is a partnership between Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, with support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Te Puni Kokiri.