Render of Te Manawataki o Te Papa
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 yesterday’s Council meeting, Tauranga City Council’s Commission approved the appointment of a Chair and one Director for the new council-controlled organisation (CCO) that will govern and lead the delivery of the civic precinct redevelopment – Te Manawataki o Te Papa.
From 31 March 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 30 April 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 3 April 2023.
Additional Information
Kim Wallace, Chair
Kim Wallace is a resident of Tauranga Moana. She has had an executive career in finance, complemented with full time governance appointments over the past 10 years. Since 2018 Kim has been the Independent Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee Risk Committee for Christchurch City Council. She is also currently Deputy Chair of AgResearch Limited and an Independent Director of Port Nelson Limited and Origin Capital Partners. In addition, Kim is Chair of several Project Steering Committees charged with the oversight of significantly large and complex Crown-funded construction projects. These include the new $97 million AgResearch Lincoln building, $1 billion State Highway 2 projects between Waihi and Tauranga, and the $870 million South Auckland (Drury) projects. Kim was also a part-time governance advisor to Waka Kotahi – New Zealand Transport Agency and KiwiRail for five years, advising on the $1.5 billion North Canterbury road and rail reinstatement project.
Barry Bragg, Director
Barry Bragg is currently Chair of Te Kaha Project Delivery Limited, a council-controlled organisation set up to independently govern the design and construction of the $683 million Te Kaha multi-use arena in Christchurch, reporting to Treasury under the Crown funding agreement. Barry is also current Chair of Pegasus Health Limited, the largest Primary Health Network in the South Island, and current Chair of Paenga Kupenga Limited, a subsidiary of Ngāi Tahu’s investment arm Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, supporting the delivery of social outcomes. Other governance roles include current Chair of Quarry Capital Limited, Deputy Chair of Stevenson Group Limited and Director of Christchurch City Holdings Limited. Of Ngāi Tahu, Whānau a Apanui and Whakatōhea descent, Barry has previous executive experience working for various energy and telecommunications organisations across New Zealand.
Greg McManus, Director of Museums
Greg recently completed a 10-year term as CEO of Waitangi National Trust, leading the development of two significant new museums from concept to completion and operation: Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi and Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship. He led the transformation of Waitangi Treaty Grounds into a world class visitor destination, securing the financial sustainability of the organisation and enhancing the mana of the site as the most important historic place in Aotearoa New Zealand. Prior to Waitangi, Greg was Director of Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa for 15 years, leading a capital construction programme that completed the famous Bathhouse building to its original 1912 plans and transforming the museum into one of the most awarded visitor attractions in New Zealand.
More information about Te Manawataki o Te Papa and the new CCO can be found here: www.tauranga.govt.nz/civicprecinct