While still four years away preparations are underway to commemorate the 250th anniversary since Captain Cook journeyed to New Zealand

Mercury Bay was one of the four landing sites and is significant as it was the first positive interaction Captain Cook his crew had with Māori, in this case local iwi Ngati Hei.

A portrait of Captain James Cook painted by Nathaniel Dance-Holland, c. 1775. Image: Wikipedia

The Mercury 250 Anniversary Trust has recently been established to look at developing ways to commemorate Cook's landing in Mercury Bay when the anniversary rolls around in November 2019.

Making up the trust are local iwi representative Hie Davis, Mercury Bay Area School Principal John Wright and local historian Richard Gates. Sir Michael Fay is the patron.

Chairperson Paul Kelly says this is an occasion of national significance as well as of major importance to the historic heritage of our ward and our district.

'The Trust has identified three core themes - navigation and exploration, discoveries of science and meeting places/sharing of cultures,” explains Paul.

'[These] will be integrated into projects and events and are relevant and enduring to Mercury Bay, but also has the ability to link into the whole of the Coromandel and nationally.”

The purpose of the trust is to develop events and design monuments that will be delivered in 2019 which recognise the significance of Cook's landing at Mercury Bay.

Those monuments and events will also highlight the importance of our own Maori history and heritage.

For more information visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/mb250