Director of Te Manawataki o Te Papa Limited

About Te Manawataki o Te Papa Limited

Te Manawataki o Te Papa Limited (TMoTPL) was established in December 2022 as Tauranga City Council’s council-controlled organisation (CCO), responsible for the governance and delivery of a significant portfolio of city centre projects designed to benefit the wider Tauranga community. The organisation brings together extensive commercial, construction industry and governance expertise to successfully lead these transformational initiatives.

The development of Tauranga’s civic precinct represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the city centre into a vibrant civic, cultural and community destination. Over the coming years, these projects will revitalise the heart of Tauranga, delivering enduring social, cultural, heritage and economic benefits for the region.

The current programme of works, with a combined value of approximately $570 million, includes the development of a new library and community hub, civic whare (public meeting house), museum, Memorial Park Aquatics Facility, public realm and waterfront enhancements, upgrades to Toi Tauranga Art Gallery, the Haumaru Sport and Recreation Centre, and the fit-out of the civic administration building at 90 Devonport Road.

Since its establishment, the scope of the CCO has expanded to include oversight of a portfolio of major transport-related projects, with a value of approximately $838 million. This expanded portfolio includes the four Major Transport Projects of Tauriko West Enabling Works, Fifteenth Avenue to Welcome Bay, Cameron Road Stage 2 and Connecting Mount Maunganui.

As a result of this expanded mandate, the Council and the TMoTPL Board is seeking a new Director, who brings significant transport project and commercial contract governance experience. The successful candidate will join a Board currently comprising a Chair and two Directors, with strong project governance experience who have been serving since the establishment of the CCO.

Essential attributes

• Strong governance experience – Demonstrated experience serving on boards or in senior governance roles, with a sound understanding of fiduciary responsibilities, strategic oversight, risk management and organisational accountability within complex environments.
• Transport project governance expertise – Deep knowledge of the transport sector particularly related to network operational challenges, infrastructure delivery, regulatory requirements, safety, stakeholder expectations and emerging trends relevant to the local government and CCO environment.
• Commercial contract expertise – Significant experience in negotiating and managing complex commercial contracts. 
• Financial, risk and assurance capability – Demonstrated experience overseeing financial performance, capital investment, asset management, audit, compliance, enterprise risk and assurance frameworks within a transport-sector context.
• Strategic and commercial acumen – The ability to contribute to long-term strategy, investment decisions, financial sustainability and organisational performance while balancing commercial outcomes with public value.
• Stakeholder and relationship management – Proven ability to work collaboratively with councils, iwi/Māori partners, government agencies, industry stakeholders and communities within a political environment.
• Integrity, independence and sound judgement – High ethical standards, independent thinking and the confidence to provide constructive challenge while contributing to effective collective governance and decision-making.

Preferred attributes

• Experience in procurement, contractual disputes, strategic risk management, and regulatory litigation.
• Experience working in partnership with Tangata Whenua and an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori and their application within project delivery and governance contexts.
• Experience incorporating sustainability and climate change considerations at a transport project level.

Additional information

TMoTPL operates independently while working within a political environment and is required to meet the expectations of the Council and the community in accordance with an agreed Statement of Intent.

Board meetings are held monthly in Tauranga. Remuneration is provided and will be confirmed prior to appointment. The successful candidate will be appointed for a term of more than three years (tenure starting end of 2026 and ending June 2030), subject to the Council’s approval.

While applicants are not required to be based in Tauranga, the ability to build and maintain strong relationships across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty is essential.

Applications and next steps

Applications close on Friday, 21 August 2026, with the aim of interviews scheduled for September/October 2026.

To submit your application, please click through to our careers site to apply online.  All applications will be managed with strict confidentiality, and an information pack will be provided to all applicants.

All applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Council’s Appointment of Directors to Council Organisations Policy, which is available here.