A new waharoa was unveiled at Masonic Park in Tauranga today, signalling fresh progress on Tauranga’s long‑awaited $306 million Te Manawataki o Te Papa civic redevelopment.

The gateway, located on the Strand side of the park, was developed in partnership with Otamataha Trust and Te Kahui Toi Artist Collective, following a co-design process led by mana whenua alongside artists Kelcy Taratoa and Quinton Bidois.

Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor spoke of the significance of this milestone.

“This not only marks the completion of the Masonic Park.

“It also creates a special location for our city, a welcoming space that leads us to the heart of Te Manawataki o Te Papa.”

Josh Te Kani who chaired the unveiling with Puhirake Ihaka. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

He said that with the art gallery open, Masonic Park finished, the library a few months away, and the civic marae finished within 18 months, “our city is coming back to life”.

“We needed a bit of positivity, I think we’ve had a pretty harsh three months in this city, and this is something that is literally brightening our horizons.”

The waharoa marks a milestone as the civic precinct continues to take shape. Photo / Zoe Blake

At the blessing, Taratoa reflected on the way the artwork referenced their tīpuna.

“Acknowledging that moment between the two lights that kind of govern our activities at night and during the day ... our tīpuna were directed and influenced by because of those two lights.”

Bidois said the project was grounded in the idea that knowledge must be drawn from the whenua and passed on.

“It’s an example of striving for the heights so that one day our kids can be like these men here.”

For the co-artists, the main kaupapa was visibility.

“This is a huge thing for our hapū, our people and seeing the beautiful partnership between council and mana whenua and being visible in this space now,” Bidois said.

Te Awanui ward councillor Hēmi Rolleston said the council is privileged to be a part of the project going forward.

“The heart of Te Manawataki is starting to come back.”

Zoe Blake is a multimedia journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.