The Elms Foundation trustees are seeking $200,000 in financial support from council for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the historic Elms mission house and grounds.

The Elms has been supported by the Tauranga Charitable Trust since they bought the property off the Maxwell family in 1998.

The Elms' cash reserves are expected to be completely depleted by mid-2015. Photo: File.

'In addition to donations and funding, personnel from within the Tauranga Charitable Trust have also volunteered their time undertaking a range of roles within the foundation,” says trustees chair Norah Reid in the their submission to council's Long Term Plan today.

'These roles have included managerial, administration, public relations and hospitality roles.

'This trust has now divested all assets into the Tauranga community and all cash reserves should be depleted by mid-2015.”

It leaves one of the most historic sites in New Zealand and a living history of early Tauranga without funding.

The Elms Trust's asset base has grown from the initial $1.5 million to around $9 million, including the acquisition of neighbouring properties, with no debt. It is completely freehold.

The Mission House itself has recently undergone extensive restoration and repair, with floor boards replaced on both levels, windows restored and repaired and the house repainted.

The Elms Trust collection has also been collated for the first time and Norah says it is the owner of the largest historic textile collection in the country.

The trustees of The Elms Foundation mission want an annual grant of $200,000 to cover increased costs and the fall off of funding and services from Tauranga Charitable Trust.

The Elms will also be seeking capital funding from the broader community and other sources to upgrade facilities such as toilets, communications and signage.

'Signage is fast becoming necessary as tourists are taking a much greater interest in the gardens and trees,” says Norah. 'Environment Bay of Plenty provided $24,000 ten years ago for the previous signs.

'Trustees have always appreciated the strong interest taken by council in the wellbeing of The Elms. In addition to this, council assistance with the grounds on a fortnightly basis is most welcomed.”

Overheads such as rates, insurance and property maintenance are the main constant factors with wage and salary payments kept to a minimum. There are no payments to Trustees, accountancy staff, the 47 guides, consultants or the very active gardening team.

The Elms does have a problem with drainage, electricity and water reticulation due to it being the oldest installation in Tauranga.

'Toilet facilities are under real pressure with only one male toilet,' adds Norah, 'and it is most embarrassing to see tourists from cruise ships having to wait in a long queue to use the bathroom facilities.”

Funding is also required for garden watering, which is now an urgent necessity, as the gardens have become such a feature.

Weddings at The Elms are enjoying increased business, and upgrading the area in front of the chapel is on a list of projects.

Over recent months The Elms has had a big lift in exposure and community awareness, largely thanks to a new website as well as a series of brochures and pamphlets being distributed within Tauranga.

In addition to cruise ship tourists and schools, marketing is now being directed to retirement villages, aged care facilities, Probus and Rotary and Lions clubs as well as smaller tour groups throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.