Findings from a recent Creative Bay of Plenty Te Waka Auaha Toi study highlight strong engagement and enthusiasm among Tauranga and Western Bay youth for museum experiences.

In a statement, Creative Bay of Plenty said this bolsters the case for the development of Tauranga’s museum, which is set to open in 2028 as part of Te Manawataki o Te Papa, the transformed city centre in the heart of Tauranga.

The youth mapping study Understanding Youth Engagement with the Creative Arts Sector surveyed 100 students from five local schools, with a total of 828 responses collected from young people and parents across the region.

The results show significant interest in museums, with 90% of youth having visited a museum, and 59% of them doing so in the last two years.

Of those surveyed, 57% rated their experience as “very good” or “excellent”.

Tauranga City Council cultural and heritage director Greg McManus echoed this sentiment.

“The results of the survey show just how important museums are to communities and to people of all ages. That such a large percentage of respondents, both young people and parents, have visited museums recently shows the value of having a museum here in Tauranga.

“I am delighted that from 2028 we will have a world-class museum right here and am sure the percentage of museum-goers in our community will increase even further.”

The study also revealed that young people are eager for technology-enhanced museum experiences.

A resounding 72% of youth expressed interest in virtual reality, 62% in augmented reality and 48% in mobile apps to elevate their museum visits. This mirrors the technological preferences of parents, further showcasing the necessity of modern, interactive features that will be central to Tauranga Museum’s design.

Parents, who also reported high levels of museum visitation (99% overall), shared a strong enthusiasm for immersive and educational experiences.

Around 88% rated their visits as “very good” or “excellent”, highlighting key factors such as engaging displays, interactive exhibits, affordability, a focus on local history, cultural artefacts and compelling storytelling – elements that will be central to the Tauranga Museum experience.

Set to be a key component of the transformed city centre, Tauranga Museum will feature a permanent exhibition space showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, two temporary exhibition galleries, a discovery centre with an environmental theme, a learning hub, and cutting-edge digital tools to enhance storytelling. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the 30,000-piece heritage collection through immersive and interactive technology, creating an experience that resonates with both local and international audiences.

Additionally, the museum’s state-of-the-art facilities will enable the return of taonga Māori to Tauranga from other museums around the country and from overseas, ensuring that the city’s cultural treasures are celebrated and preserved for future generations, Creative Bay of Plenty said.