Four cultural centres/museums are planned for Tauranga City within 10 years. Three within the city centre. All will receive some funding/operational expenses from Tauranga city Council – and require the gifting of land. All will display objects from The Tauranga Heritage Collection.

Why are the Commissioners not giving this broad-brush of heritage projects during their consultation process for their 306m civic centre museum?

The four are: The Elms/Te Papa cultural & visitor centre, Mission St; a mana whenua/Anglican church influenced-cultural centre on Cliff Rd; the Tauranga City Council museum/cultural centre in the Civic Centre; and the Gate Pā (Pukehinahina) cultural centre opposite St George's Church, on Cameron Rd.

Independent specialised cultural centres/museums are pure gold for attracting those wanting to discover the rich history of our city, so why do we need a TCC museum/cultural centre in the civic centre at a cost to ratepayers of $306m plus annual operational expenses?

C Brown, Tauranga South.

TCC general manager: central city development Gareth Wallis:

We believe it is vitally important to and for the people of Tauranga Moana to have a place where our taonga can be showcased and our stories can be told. Council is exploring opportunities to achieve that, including a centralised facility on the Civic Precinct site – Te Manawataki o Te Papa.

The four projects your correspondent cites are very different in nature and scope, but all will contribute to heightened awareness of our rich and complex cultural heritage.

The estimated cost of the entire civic precinct refresh proposal is $303 million, which in addition to the proposed museum, includes the library and community hub facility (approved through last year's long-term plan), a civic whare (a meeting place for Council and the community, where visitors can also be welcomed), an exhibitions and events space, improvements in the waterfront area between Hamilton and Wharf streets and landscaping of the precinct area through Masonic Park to the waterfront. In combination, these project elements would contribute significantly to the revitalisation of our city's heart and create a unique attraction for locals and visitors to enjoy.