Three key appointments relating to Tauranga's civic precinct have been confirmed, helping to set the once-in-a-generation development up for future success.

At Monday's Council meeting, Tauranga City Council's Commission approved the appointment of a Chair and one Director for the new council-controlled organisation that will govern and lead the delivery of the civic precinct redevelopment – Te Manawataki o Te Papa.

From March 31, 2023, local resident and experienced director Kim Wallace will take on the position of Board Chair, while the similarly-experienced Barry Bragg will join the CCO as a Board Director.

These decisions follow last week's appointment of Greg McManus to the role of Director of Museums. The future museum will form a major part of the civic precinct redevelopment, alongside the library and community hub, civic whare (public meeting house) and exhibition gallery, which is set to the revitalise the city's heart over the coming years.

Commission Chair Anne Tolley says appointing people with such high calibre skills and experience, at both a governance and operational level, is vital to setting this transformative project up for success.

'This will be the most significant public space investment ever seen in Tauranga's city centre, so it's important that we appoint people who have significant expertise and experience in governance and project delivery,” says Anne.

'Te Manawataki o Te Papa will be a key cultural, heritage and economic driver for the region, and these appointments should give everyone – be it our funders, partners, or the wider community – the confidence that this project will be delivered effectively and efficiently, and ultimately, be a place that everyone can be proud of.”

Commenting on her new appointment, future CCO Chair Kim Wallace says her decision to take on this role was driven by her passion to see Tauranga's city centre thrive.

'Having grown up in Tauranga, and as a returning local resident, it's been difficult to see the demise of our city centre over recent years,” says Kim.

'It's imperative that Te Manawataki o Te Papa is brought to life in a way that delivers the best possible outcomes for everyone. I'm looking forward to working with a strong Board to oversee the implementation of this hugely significant project, which has the potential to provide far-reaching benefits for our community now, and for generations to come.”

Kim and Barry will serve respective terms of three years, running through until April 30, 2026.

Future Director appointments are expected to be made over the coming months, while the new CCO is in its final establishment stages and a transition from the previous Te Manawataki o Te Papa Governance Group takes place.

Meanwhile, soon-to-be Director of Museums Greg McManus says he is passionate about creating compelling and meaningful visitor experiences that are sustainable, repeatable and world class.

"Te Manawataki o Te Papa is such an inspiring and transformational project, and I'm thrilled to be joining the team that will deliver it,” says Greg.

'I was privileged to lead the development of two beautiful new museums at Waitangi in recent years and having the opportunity to build another in Tauranga is a dream come true for a museum director.

'I'm honoured to have this opportunity and look forward to delivering a museum that the people of Tauranga can be truly proud of."

Greg will officially take on his new role on Monday, April 3, 2023.