From the arrival of the first Polynesian voyaging canoes at Tauranga Moana to the era of European missionaries,traders and settlers, 'The Spirit of a Place' captures the complex interactions that unfolded at Te Papa. Ell traces the construction of the iconic mission house, the evolution of its gardens and farmland, the impact of the New Zealand Wars, and the steadfast efforts of three generations of the Maxwell family, who preserved this unique taonga as Tauranga grew around it.
 

“This is not just a local history,” says Ell. “It’s a window into the broader story of Aotearoa — colonisation, resilience, relationships and remembrance — all played out on a single site that continues to speak to our national identity.”
 

Richly illustrated with archival images, original photography by Amanda Aitken, and rare ephemera, the book invites readers inside the lives of Māori, missionaries, women and children, builders and gardeners, and the kaitiaki who have protected The Elms’ legacy. Every page honours the layered narratives and enduring mana of this special place.
 

''The Spirit of a Place' has been developed in full collaboration with mana whenua, including Ngāi Tamarāwaho and Ngāti Tapu, ensuring that Māori voices are authentically represented throughout. A mihi from Puhirake Ihaka ONZM of the Ōtamataha Trust further affirms the cultural importance of the project.
 

Sarah Ell was born, raised and lives on Auckland’s North Shore. She trained as a newspaper journalist before working in magazines and book publishing and has a Bachelor of Arts in New Zealand history from Massey University and a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Auckland. Sarah is the author of 13 books for children and adults, including popular histories 'Ocean: Tales of Voyaging and Encounter that Defined New Zealand' (2018) and ‘Lost Wonders: Vanished Creatures of Aotearoa' (2020).

The Spirit of a Place will be officially launched at The Elms Te Papa, Library Lawn, on Saturday 16 August 2025, commencing with a karakia and book signing at 1:00pm. 

SARAH ELL IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW / EXTRACTS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST 

Media contact: Sarah Thornton, Thornton Communications, sarah.thornton@prcomms.com, 021 753744