Vector Group Charitable Trust (CC45966) launched Te Puke's first online community connector on 27 January 2017 — directory plus youth-and-jobs pathways, not a flat phone book. Internet Archive shows 135 listings by 6 April 2017.
Vision and scope — not a flat phone book
Scope
Local business, events, jobs, classifieds, property, and Western Bay of Plenty coverage — a searchable map of Te Puke and the wider district.
Vision
A community connector — businesses, community orgs, social sector, and youth development. From the start: link youth mentoring and job placement with listed employers; pathways including driver licensing, trades, and skills training. Community infrastructure, not only advertising.
Documented to Western Bay District Council (LTP 2018–2028). Full timeline.
Timeline at a glance
- 27 Jan 2017 — tepukedirectory.co.nz live (Brilliant Directories; jobs, events, claim listings).
- 6 Apr 2017 — 135 directory results in Archive; EPIC WordPress local street directory ~50 the day before — separate operator.
- 2017–2018 — Youth hub (The Loft), Mark Boyle / Te Puke EDG, Dale Williams / Mayors Taskforce (Otorohanga mayor's youth-employment model), Giles Day / YEP; LTP submission on council file.
- Aug 2018+ — tepuke.travel on Brilliant Directories (regional directory + tourism; Wayback from 31 Aug 2018).
- 2018+ — Collaboration-first; no scaled funder support (TECT, council, BayTrust, Acorn). Details in full account.
- 2020 — COVID-19: Te Puke community-advice site, open business lists on VGCT, collaboration with Mark Boyle / Te Puke EDG business list.
- Post-BD — Move to WordPress; tepuke.travel continued on WordPress, then kiwifruit.capital (WordPress).
- Now — Te Puke online on Kiwifruit Capital + tepuke.online (Te Puke gateway).
List your business
Same idea as 2017 — add or claim on Kiwifruit Capital.