Would a new museum make history?

People have told us they wanted a museum that is modern, welcoming, educative and entertaining.

It's time to have your say on Tauranga's Long Term Plan 2018-2028

Tauranga City Council are in the process of planning for the future, together with the community – to build an internationally competitive city, with a higher standard of living for all. Investment over the next 10 years seeks to balance the social, economic, cultural, and environmental needs of the community.

It's time to have your say on what you want for your city and how it should be funded.

As part of the Long Term Plan, Council is proposing investment in a museum for Tauranga. Following is some key information about the proposal.

What is proposed?

Council is proposing to invest in a stand-alone museum. The preferred site is Cliff road, north of the city centre.

How much will it cost to Council?

Council is proposing to invest $20.7 million in the museum, with the expectation to raise a further $35 million from external funders.

Council has capped its contribution to $20.7 million, which means that if the external funding does not come through, the museum will be reduced in size and scope.

What does it mean on your rates?

Council would spend $20.7 million over several years. The proposed museum would open in 2025 – this means that by 2025, your rates would have increased by a total of 3.1% to make this project happen. In 2018, the museum project would mean your rates would increase by 0.2%.

How does this compare?

The museum investment is a small proportion of the Council's total capital budget. As a point of comparison, Council is planning to spend $194 million in transport improvement across the city over the next ten years.

What type of museum for Tauranga?

What do you get for $55.7 million? People have told us they wanted a museum that is modern, welcoming, educative and entertaining, with interactive and digital displays and changing exhibitions. Our inspiration is Puke Ariki in New Plymouth. The scale of the proposed museum is appropriate for Tauranga, New Zealand's fifth largest city. A museum for Tauranga would provide a popular social and cultural hub for Tauranga, increase appreciation of our unique stories and people's understanding of each other.

Have your say now – go to www.goodquestion.nz

Consultation closes Monday 16 April