People curious to see inside Tauranga city centre’s future civic precinct will get the chance this weekend when Te Manawataki o Te Papa opens its doors for one-day.

The civic whare, exhibition gallery and museum project – part of the $306 million civic precinct – was approved by Tauranga City Council in 2024.

The decision to continue with the $128.4m civic whare, museum and exhibition centre passed in a 7-2 vote after about five hours of discussion.

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.

The opening this weekend, from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, September 28, is being held as part of STEMFest 2025, Tauranga City Council said in a statement.

A council spokesman said one zone in the library construction would be opened.

Now in its fourth year, STEMFest brings together science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The free, family-friendly festival is expected to attract more than 8000 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 project is taking shape.

“Te Manawataki o Te Papa is a place where learning, storytelling and community connection will thrive,” said Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor.

“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.

Project director Craig Body said 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 tour 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.

The majority of STEMFest stalls will be hosted on Durham St and on campus at the University of Waikato.

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 Sts.