He Puna Manawa, Tauranga’s new library and community hub, opens

What happened

He Puna Manawa, Tauranga's new library and community hub, opened at 95 Willow Street after hundreds gathered at dawn for a karakia and blessing. The building is the first to open as part of the city's civic precinct redevelopment, Te Manawataki o Te Papa. The land is owned by Te Manawataki o Te Papa Charitable Trust, jointly governed by the council and Otamataha Trust, established in 2022 to reconcile past land confiscations and restore mana to hapū and iwi. Construction began in early 2024 with an estimated cost of $91.5 million. Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the project finished before its original completion date and under budget, with $3 million already released and an estimated $7 million more to return from contingency funds. He attributed the result to learning from previous project failures and changing delivery approaches. The building features artwork and design celebrating local Māori culture and Tauranga's history. Drysdale said it was the first of several developments opening over the next 18 months, intended to revitalise the city centre. A community celebration takes place tomorrow from 10am to 4pm with performances, author talks, guided tours and activities.

Key facts

• Build cost: $91.5 million
• Construction began early 2024
• $3 million already released, estimated $7 million more to return
• Located at 95 Willow Street, Tauranga
• 92,000 books moved into the library

What happens next

Community celebration day at the library tomorrow from 10am to 4pm; further civic precinct developments to open over the next 18 months.

Primary source: Te Manawataki o Te Papa Charitable Trust

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