10 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tauranga City Council - Te Manawataki o Te Papa T T Karen Phelps Transforming the heart of Tauranga Te Manawataki o Te Papa, the city’s civic precinct, will have a library and community hub, civic whare (public meeting space) and museum and exhibition gallery. “Te Manawataki o Te Papa’s emergence as a centre of economic activity presents exciting opportunities for Tauranga and the surrounding areas.” The heart of Tauranga city is transforming and at the centre of all the changes is Te Manawataki o Te Papa – the heartbeat of Te Papa. After decades of indecision regarding the city centre, Tauranga City Council is working with city partners and the community to create a very special place for the community. “I was brought up in Tauranga and the opportunity to be part of something that is going to benefit our communities in the future is what drives me,” says General Manager City Development and Partnerships Gareth Wallis. The ‘heart’ of this concept is Te Manawataki o Te Papa, the city’s civic precinct, where a library and community hub, civic whare (public meeting space) and museum and exhibition gallery will take shape over the next five years. Upgrades to Baycourt and Tauranga Art Gallery, along with associated landscape and waterfront improvements, will also add to a greatly enhanced environment. These long-awaited community facilities will see $306 million invested and with more than $1 billion in private and public sector investment also committed over the next eight years, the city centre will undergo an economic, cultural and social renaissance, bringing far-reaching benefits for generations to come, says Gareth. Bolstered by a $21 million grant towards Te Manawataki o Te Papa from TECT, and $12.1 million in central Government Better-Off funding, the project has solid support to reach completion goals, he says. “Te Manawataki o Te Papa’s emergence as a centre of economic activity presents exciting opportunities for Tauranga and the surrounding areas. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we can unlock the full potential of our region and create a prosperous future for all,” says Gareth. Te Manawataki o Te Papa is projected to add an estimated 10,000 new jobs to the Tauranga region by 2041 and contribute approximately $2.7 billion to Tauranga’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2041. Te Manawataki o Te Papa’s economic growth is anticipated to drive a 71% increase in retail spending in the Tauranga region by 2041. While a lot of the team’s work is future-focussed, significant attention is also focused on the here and now, says Gareth. Work is complete on the upgrade of Tunks Reserve and Elizabeth Street East in the city centre, and upgrades are already underway on several other significant community amenity projects in the city centre including the redevelopment of Masonic Park, which will link the civic precinct to the waterfront. “Because we have many projects going on simultaneously, there has been a lot of disruption in the city centre for our community. We’ve tried to minimise the disruption as much as possible but we acknowledge that this transition has not been easy. We meet regularly with local business owners and retailers to listen and, where we can, implement any ideas that could help to reduce any shortterm disruption to their operations.” Construction on the library and community hub has begun and will be followed by the new museum in May. “I’m excited about the benefits and opportunities that Te Manawataki o Te Papa will bring to our community in the future. “Once completed, it will be a place where everyone belongs and be a significant driver for economic growth. The future looks bright for our home and I’m excited.” 07 575 6080 31 Te Maire Street, Mount Maunganui www.jensensteel.co.nz
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