The civic whare, exhibition gallery and museum project, part of the $306 million civic precinct was voted to continue to proceed by the Tauranga Councillors.

The decision to continue with the $128.4m build passed after a five-hour discussion and museum supporters presenting submissions.

The city centre precinct, named Te Manawataki o Te Papa, also includes a library and community hub which is under construction and due to be finished in 2026.

Te Manawataki o Te Papa was approved by the council’s government-appointed commission in 2022.

Alan Withy spoke on behalf of the Elms Trust, Tauranga Historical Society and Taonga Tu Heritage Bay of Plenty, saying there were thousands of artefacts in council storage waiting for somewhere to be displayed.

Museums were more than a repository — they were a gateway and window to a city, its history and culture, said Withy.

Manawataki means heartbeat, and he questioned how there could be a heartbeat without culture and history.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said it was another project the new council had inherited from the commission and was already under way. The best decision as a council was to deliver the project as planned; it would help revitalise the CBD and was a significant attraction for people, he said.

Two councillors opposed the spending, citing large operational costs, projected at more than $30m per year, making it one of the most expensive library and museums in the country.

The museum project is due to be completed at the end of 2028.