The campaign to protect The Elms historic site from encroaching development has taken a decisive step with the purchase of a property on its eastern boundary.
The property bought is formerly owned by the Capamagian family.

The Elms Mission House.

The 163 year old Elms Mission House is considered a premier New Zealand historic site, on a par with the Waitangi treaty house in Russell.
Buying the adjacent properties has been an ongoing campaign since Tauranga City Council chief executive Stephen Town has been in the job, he told the council this week.
He was replying to questions from Councillor Bill Grainger, who wanted to know why the councillors were not informed of the council's $400,000 contribution towards the recent purchase.
"We are talking about a site 100 metres away on Cliff Road, I think that purchase is quite significant and we should have been told," says Bill.
The council has been working with The Elms Trust to obtain seven and 11 Mission Street, since he joined the city, says Stephen.
The part contribution to the purchase was made through an account set aside for that purpose and three councillors were contacted to obtain approval.
"There was nothing untoward about this purchase at all," says Stephen.
"It was purchased as part of the policy of trying to protect The Elms from encroaching residential development."
Three years ago, Tauranga Energy Consumers Trust and the council paid $1.6 million to secure the site on The Elms' Marsh Street frontage.
Bill's questions were raised during discussion about the future regional museum.