Curious minds will have the chance to step inside Tauranga city centre’s future civic precinct during STEMFest. Te Manawataki o Te Papa is opening for a one-day activation from 11.00am to 3.00pm on Sunday, 28 September.
Now in its fourth year, STEMFest is the only event of its kind in Aotearoa, bringing together science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The free, family-friendly festival is expected to attract more than 8,000 attendees from Tauranga and beyond to experience large-scale exhibits and interactive demonstrations.
People are invited into the construction site of the new library and community hub, set to open in late 2026, to see how the landmark project is taking shape. Delivered in partnership with LT McGuinness, the activation will showcase the tools and technology driving the build, from laser positioning systems and 3D modelling to the skill and dedication of apprentices currently working on site. Young people and their families will be able to hear their stories, ask questions, and experience the innovation behind modern construction.
“STEMFest is about inspiring the next generation, and what better way to do that than opening the doors to one of the biggest and most transformative projects in our history,” says Te Papa Ward Councillor Rod Taylor.
“Te Manawataki o Te Papa is a place where learning, storytelling, and community connection will thrive. By giving young people a behind-the-scenes look at how it’s being built, we hope to spark curiosity, create pathways into future careers, and build excitement for what’s to come in the city centre.”
For LT McGuinness, the company leading the build, STEMFest is a chance to showcase both innovation and opportunity.
“We are proud to play a part in shaping Te Manawataki o Te Papa and to share that journey with the community through STEMFest,” says LT McGuinness Project Director Craig Body.
“Construction is a world of problem-solving and creativity, powered by new technologies and the people who use them. STEMFest is the perfect platform to highlight those tools, celebrate our apprentices, and hopefully inspire young visitors to imagine their own future in this industry.”
The majority of STEMFest stalls will be hosted on Durham Street and on campus at Waikato University. The museum team’s stall will explore the theme Past, Present & Future. Displays will range from moa bones, dinosaur teeth, and a Haast eagle claw to LEGO models of dinosaurs, waka hourua, and the solar system. The library team’s stall (within the Waikato University Campus) will be a place for fun, where visitors can try their hand at robotics or coding.
Te Manawataki o Te Papa - the heartbeat of Te Papa - will eventually include the Library and Community Hub, Tauranga Museum, and Civic Whare, alongside Baycourt and the newly upgraded Tauranga Art Gallery, creating a civic and cultural anchor for the region.
STEMFest is proudly supported by the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund - a collaboration between Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, TECT, Acorn Foundation, and BayTrust. The fund provides financial support to community-led events that are inclusive, accessible, and deliver positive social outcomes, helping to enrich and strengthen our communities.
STEMFest free tickets have now all been claimed, but tickets aren’t required to check out the new library and community hub construction site on the corner of Wharf and Willow Streets.
| Image caption | The library and community hub within the Te Manawataki o Te Papa civic precinct. |