Want to be part of history in the making? This Children’s Day on Sunday, March 3 the construction gates at Te Manawataki o Te Papa on Willow Street will be swinging open for the first time. 

Organised by Tauranga City Council, in collaboration with construction partners LT McGuinness, the construction zone will be a buzz of activity and a unique behind the scenes opportunity for all little - or not so little) - builders and engineers to get up close to some of the machines helping build the future library and community hub. 

There will also be a chance to add a handprint to the community art board going up on display, snap a picture in the photobooth, get an inside look at the groundwork underway, and learn more about how Te Manawataki o Te Papa will transform the heart of the city into a vibrant community space.

Children's Day on the Tauranga waterfront will be a good opportunity to also visit the Te Manawataki o Te Papa construction site on Willow Street. Photo: SunLive.

Work to clear the site began late last year with ground works now underway to prepare the site for the new library and community hub.

Over the next few weeks people may start noticing more activity around this site including the installation of a tower crane in mid-March.

This important preparation work is expected to be complete later this year when the building itself will begin to take shape. As well as the new library, Te Manawataki o Te Papa will include a museum, a civic whare - public meeting house, and an exhibition gallery.

Artist's view of future city centre. Image: Supplied.

City Development and Partnerships General Manager Gareth Wallis says it’s a unique opportunity to open up a construction site to the community, but as the future heart of the city centre, we want people to feel part of this exciting development and understand its significance for Tauranga.

“Our tamariki are the future of our city and giving them the opportunity to step inside the Te Manawataki o Te Papa construction zone and see some of the machinery up close, will be an exciting experience we hope many whānau will come and enjoy, and remember for years to come.

“As the library and community hub is the first building getting underway on the site, it’s an important progress milestone for us to recognise with the community as it will in-turn be a place for people to spend time together, relax and learn – a place the community can thrive in.” 

LT McGuinness Project Manager for the library and community hub, Matt Campbell, says it’s an honour to be involved in such a significant project for Tauranga city centre and open the site to the community for the first time.  

“We know some children are as excited by construction as we are, and with the ground works well underway for the future library and community hub, we can safely open up the site for the day to create a unique experience for the children of Tauranga to enjoy.” 

Children’s Day 2023 on Tauranga waterfront. Photo: Supplied.

Children’s Day 2024 will include six activity zones, with the Te Manawataki o Te Papa construction zone on Willow Street set to be a key highlight.  

Children’s Day in the city centre will run from 10am - 3pm on Sunday, 3 March from 10am-3pm and will be bigger and better than ever before! Organised in celebration of National Children’s Day, this free family event will be a hive of activity with something for everyone to enjoy.

Tauranga city centre will come alive with performances, face painting, arts and crafts, superheroes and more - spanning across six different activity zones including The Strand, the waterfront, the Cargo Shed, Willow Street and He Puna Manawa.

Event information will be updated leading up to the day, so check back here or join the Facebook event to stay informed.

For more information about Children’s Day and the other activity zones happening across the city centre on Sunday,  March 3 head to www.mytauranga.co.nz/childrens-day.   

For more information about Te Manawataki o Te Papa and the transformation of our city centre visit: tauranga.govt.nz/ourfuturecitycentre.