1 October 2026
A long-term vision to bring more people, activity and investment into Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne’s city centre has reached a major milestone, with Council endorsing the City Centre Action and Investment Plan (AIP) and supporting Business Case.
The endorsement establishes a strategic direction and staged approach for revitalising the city centre over the next decade, creating a framework Council can use to coordinate infrastructure investment, pursue external funding and help encourage further business and private development.
It does not commit Council to rates funding for the projects identified in the plan, or approve detailed designs for individual streets and spaces. Those decisions would come later and include further engagement with businesses, residents and affected users.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said having a clear vision was important to creating confidence and encouraging future investment in the city centre.
“This is about having a plan for where we want our city centre to go and being ready to make the most of opportunities when they arise,” says Mayor Stoltz.
“A thriving city centre supports our whole region. We want more people spending time there, more activity, successful businesses and an environment that encourages others to invest and develop.
“If we want that to happen, we need a vision and a strategy rather than making decisions one project at a time.”
The AIP sets out a staged roadmap incorporating public space improvements, renewal of ageing infrastructure, stronger connections to the awa (river) and initiatives intended to support businesses, activity and community life.
Mayor Stoltz said Councillors were also clear that endorsing the direction was different from committing Council funding.
“We know affordability and getting the basics right are priorities for our community. Endorsing this plan does not mean Council has agreed to fund everything in it through rates.
“Any Council investment will still need to be considered alongside roads, water, resilience and all the other priorities facing our region through the Long Term Plan.
“What we now have is a well-developed strategy that allows us to plan ahead, coordinate work and pursue other funding and investment opportunities.”
More than 850 pieces of feedback from residents, businesses, stakeholders and community groups helped shape the plan.
While views differed about the scale and pace of change, several consistent themes emerged. People wanted a city centre that was more vibrant and welcoming, better connected to the awa, reflective of Tairāwhiti identity and supportive of business and investment.
People also emphasised affordability, accessibility, investment in core infrastructure and a staged and practical approach to change.
The programme identifies three broad stages, beginning with Lowe Street, followed by Gladstone Road and Peel Street, and then longer-term opportunities around Reads Quay and the riverfront.
The concepts provide direction for further investigation rather than final designs. For example, concepts identified for Reads Quay would require detailed design, technical assessment and further engagement before decisions were made.
Council Director of Engagement and Māori Partnerships Anita Reedy-Holthausen said continuing to work alongside businesses, property owners, mana whenua and the wider community would be critical as individual projects were developed.
“What was clear from feedback was a staged approach that responds to those different perspectives and gives us flexibility to make decisions progressively based on affordability, evidence and community priorities.”
“When infrastructure needs to be renewed, we should be asking what else makes sense to do at the same time so we avoid digging things up twice and get the best long-term value from that investment.
“The Action and Investment Plan gives us the overall direction, but the detail still needs to be worked through with the people who use these places every day.”
Future Council investment will be considered through the 2027–2037 Long Term Plan alongside other community priorities, with further community consultation in March 2027 before significant funding decisions are made.
Read the Action and Investment Plan