The Fencible Cottage (The Elms Mission House)

The Fencible Cottage, was originally constructed in Onehunga in the late 1840s. It served as housing for retired soldiers of the Royal New Zealand Fencible Regiment. These “Fencibles” were recruited from Britain to New Zealand for defensive purposes,  tasked with protecting their homes and communities in case of local attacks. Unlike front-line soldiers, they functioned as a reserve defence force.

Alice, Emma and Willie Bickers (with penny farthing) late 1890s. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 02-197

In 1871 or 1872, the cottage was dismantled and transported by ship from Onehunga to Tauranga, where it was reassembled on Third Avenue. This relocation may have been facilitated by the Armed Constabulary, who were active in road-building projects in the area. The cottage then  became the residence of Henry and Maria Beckers, who had purchased it from the Army. It remained in the Beckers family until the 1960s when it was sold to the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Society.

The Cottage is modest in scale, typical of the early colonial cottages built for Fencible families. As part of its preservation, original features, including sash cords and structural elements, were restored during its transition to The Elms property. Adjustments such as the addition of a chimney, removal of a partition wall, and a new porch were incorporated to align with contemporary preservation standards.

In 1972, L.J. Dickson donated the cottage to The Elms Family Home Preservation Trust. It was relocated to The Elms property on Mission Street to serve as a reading room and storage facility, helping to preserve its legacy as part of Tauranga’s colonial heritage. The relocation was supported by the Tauranga City Council, which viewed the cottage as a valuable piece of the region's history. Situated alongside The Elms Mission House, it now contributes to the historical narrative of early European settlement and defense in Tauranga.