It has been a year since the launch of the Priority One Tauranga CBD Blueprint, highlighting more than $1.5b worth of investments over 20 major catalyst developments that are committed to transforming the city before 2030. With a vision of a thriving and vibrant city centre, Priority One recently hosted the first Tauranga CBD Blueprint Update event, bringing to light the instrumental changes happening behind the scenes.

Drawing a crowd of over 150 attendees, the Tauranga CBD Blueprint update highlighted progress on seven key projects; Northern Quarter, Ministry of Justice Building, Manawa Energy, 2 Devonport Road, University of Waikato, and council updates on their new administration building and the Civic Precinct; along with a renewed focus on smaller projects that have helped address the issue of underutilised spaces in the city centre.

Tauranga’s city centre continues to transform, and the CBD Blueprint update’s new aerial drone shoot brings to light the progress that is already underway. The video captures the ongoing developments across Tauranga’s CBD, and showcases the groundwork being laid for instrumental change in the city.

The Northern Quarter stands out as Tauranga’s first privately funded 6-star Greenstar rated building, set for completion by mid-2024, with confirmed lead tenant, Holland Beckett Law. As a part of the update for Priority One members, an interview with the project manager and construction team behind the development has given insight into the future of the project and some interesting archaeological finds during excavations.

A major milestone since the Blueprint’s launch is the green light for the Te Manawataki o Te Papa – The Civic Precinct. This transformative project includes a new library, community hub, civic whare, museum, exhibition gallery, and upgrades to Baycourt, Tauranga Art Gallery, and surrounding landscaping. It marks a significant step forward in redefining Tauranga’s cultural and civic identity.

Repurposing underutilised and vacant spaces in the city centre has also become key to attracting people back to the city. Edwards White, an architecture firm from Hamilton, has demonstrated how repurposing an existing building on Devonport Road offers a cost-effective and impactful solution. Similarly, The Building Intelligence Group (TBIG) embraced adaptive reuse, transforming an existing retail space into their new city centre office, emphasising the sustainability benefits of a smaller carbon footprint over new developments.

The one-year update on the Tauranga CBD Blueprint paints a promising picture of the city’s transformation. With significant progress made in major developments and a renewed focus on smaller yet impactful projects, the Blueprint is steering Tauranga towards a thriving, dynamic, and vibrant future. As the city continues to evolve, the collaboration between stakeholders remains vital in making this vision a reality.

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In the coming weeks, Priority One members will receive more information around the Tauranga CBD Blueprint update, including the three interview videos featured at the event.

To learn more about the Tauranga CBD Blueprint, click here. Or, connect with Priority One’s Tauranga CBD Blueprint Project Lead, and General Manager: Business Partnerships, Colin Baskin: colin@priorityone.co.nz.