We're getting on with projects that will help transform our city centre.

We're committed to refreshing the city centre in partnership with Trust Tairāwhiti and guided by community input. This includes planting, tidier public spaces and updates that help make the CBD more vibrant, welcoming and easy to get around and enjoy.

• We invited artists to light up the city centre with colour, creativity and aroha - transforming empty windows into vibrant showcases of local art. Look out for the Art in the City logos!
• We're also inviting building owners to help bring new life to our streets, with funding to repaint heritage facades and restore the city's character.
• We held summer fun events. The Downtown Lounge pop-up bought a touch of retro charm to our streets with comfy lounges and live local music. It's now wrapped up, but we're keen to keep the music going - musicians keen to busk can find more information on our website.

Our Action and Investment Plan is a step closer. We've selected the team who are on board and shaping what's next for the heart of the city.

What’s happening next for our City Centre

Work’s underway to help shape the future of Tūranganui‑a‑Kiwa / Gisborne’s City Centre. The goal’s simple: create a place that feels welcoming, vibrant and easy for all of us to enjoy.

Right now, a plan is being put together to map out what changes could happen in the city centre over the coming years.
The Action and Investment Plan looks at practical ideas that will make the biggest difference for our community.

What the plan will help answer

• What improvements would make the city centre better to spend time in.
• Where might these changes happen.
• When could different parts of the work take place.
• How could these improvements be paid for.

Once the plan’s finalised, it will help everyone understand what’s possible and what the next steps could look like.

Investment and funding by Council and partners for any major work is still to be confirmed. But doing this planning now helps us prepare and make good decisions when opportunities for funding come up.

Why the plan is needed

Our city centre is an important place for our community, but it doesn’t yet fully reflect our shared aspirations, mana whenua values, or the unique cultural identity of this place.

The Action and Investment Plan (AIP) will help guide future improvements so that any changes to the city centre:

• Reflect the identity, history and values of Tūranganui‑a‑Kiwa
• Support a vibrant, welcoming and accessible city centre
• Deliver social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits for our community.

There are also financial realities to navigate. Council is working within tight budgets and ratepayers alone can’t fund everything the city centre may need over time. A strong AIP will help:

• Clearly set out why change is needed
• Prioritise projects and investments
• Strengthen future funding applications to central government and other partners

What the plan will include

The AIP will bring together 3 main parts:

1. Urban Design Concept Plan
A clear outline of priority projects and ideas for improving the city centre, including what could be delivered and where.

2. Funding and investment approach
Information on the costs, benefits and wider economic impacts of potential projects, along with options for how they could be funded or delivered.

3. Delivery roadmap
A staged and affordable pathway showing how improvements could roll out over time, helping the community see how benefits will be realised.

Together, these pieces will create a realistic and achievable plan for revitalising the city centre.

How the plan's being developed

The AIP is being developed with input from Council, mana whenua, Trust Tairāwhiti, key stakeholders and the wider community.

An experienced supplier has been appointed to help lead this work. Their approach is grounded in listening to the people of Tairāwhiti and building on the knowledge, plans and mahi already completed.

This includes:

• Listening and learning about the place and its people
• Building on existing plans and work already completed
• Meaningful engagement with mana whenua and stakeholders
• Providing opportunities for community wānanga and feedback

Area of focus

The AIP focuses on the city centre area identified in Council planning documents, including the Proposed City Centre Zone and the Catalyst Project focus area.

Keeping the focus clear helps ensure the plan is targeted, strategic and aligned with existing planning frameworks.

See the city centre focus area on the map.

Timing and next steps

Work on the plan is already underway.

A refined concept and updated costings are expected by 30 June 2026, with the final Action and Investment Plan due in September 2026.

This timing lines up with Council’s next Long‑Term Plan (2027–2037), so the AIP can help guide future investment decisions for the city centre.

There will be opportunities for the community to be involved as the plan develops. We’ll share updates and invite feedback as key milestones are reached.