Article by Matthew Rilkoff, published on stuff.co.nz, 29 Sep 2023

Heritage Month returns to Taranaki this weekend after a successful first run in 2022.

Rob Green, co-ordinator of the event and secretary of Heritage Taranaki, said the inaugural event was a great success with about 30 events around the region.

“The highlight for me was the panel discussion which about 300 people attended.”

This year’s Heritage Month, which runs from October 1 to November 5, will feature another panel discussion on the topic of who owns history and who gets to tell the story on October 6 at Plymouth Hotel.

Chaired by Dr Ruakare Hond, panellists will include Andrew Coleman (CEO Heritage NZ), Jay Ruka (Dean Taranaki Cathedral), Richard Shaw (Professor in Politics at Massey University), (Peter Adds, Professor in Te Kawa a Māui at Victoria University), Tamzyn Pue (Tumu Ahurea o Te Kāhui Maru), and Liana Poutu (Te Pouwhakarae o Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Trust).

There will be a range of field trips taking place during Heritage Month including to the Waireka Battle site and to Hawera, where former South Taranaki mayor Ross Dunlop will do a tour of the city’s heritage buildings.

There will also be a traditional lamb and calf day at Coastal School and heritage walks around New Plymouth led by Puke Ariki.

“We’re co-ordinating offers from various groups including hapu, museums and historical societies and inviting people to tell their stories,” Green said.

Green said a standout event will be ex New Plymouth District councillor Colin Johnson’s private museum of antiques and memorabilia.

“I was completely blown away, no one knows about it”

“He’s got so many gramophones and the media to play them as well. It’s a grand collection.”

Chair of Heritage Taranaki Ivan Bruce is leading the field trip to the Waireka Battle site and said they were lucky to have the event as so many archaeological sites are on private land behind closed farm gates.

“It’s a great way to get out into the country and see some of Taranaki’s archaeological sites.

“I’m also really looking forward to Ross Dunlop’s tour. He’s heavily invested his time into heritage projects, so he’s a pretty inspirational figure.”

More about Heritage Month and a full programme can be found at heritagetaranaki.com. Some events require registration.