A history hub signposting Tauranga's diverse stories from Mauao to kiwifruit is planned to open in the downtown next summer.
Using touch-screen technology, the hub called Waharoa (gateway) would direct people to up to 16 significant sites and attractions, providing snapshots of why they were important.
The $100,000 to $150,000 project would see two shipping containers transformed into a destination for locals and visitors who wanted to taste the Bay's history.
"It is going to be fantastic," Tauranga Moana Museum Trust member Anne Pankhurst said.
The history hub would also keep the momentum going towards the day when the city achieved the goal of getting a museum.
Ms Pankhurst said the hub was a once-only installation that would close when the museum opened. The transportable back-to-back containers could then be used for pop-up exhibitions.
The hub was inspired by the city's highly successful World War I exhibition. One of those who helped create the exhibition, Michelle Whitmore of Metro Marketing, joined Ms Pankhurst to deliver their vision to a meeting of the city council this week.
Planning was reasonably well advanced, with Ms Pankhurst's preferred site on the corner of Willow St and Hamilton St, once the council's old civic block had been demolished. Other potential sites were the waterfront and Masonic Park.
The trust would seek funding from the private sector after it had secured a site from the council. Admission would be free, with volunteers on hand to help out.
Ms Pankhurst wanted the hub to engage public opinion on the museum and for people to share their family histories that related to Tauranga. "It won't just be us telling you, you will be telling us."
She said the trust would be unlikely to display artefacts of significant cultural value because they would require special storage conditions and security.
Tauranga Historical Society president Stephanie Smith said the hub would offer condensed versions of stories and put people in the direction of where to go.
''Anything that raised awareness of Tauranga's history and heritage was great.''
The historic hub would hopefully become a useful tool for the society, she said.
Mayor Greg Brownless said that using the hub to gauge public interest for a museum was a good idea. He had thought of using Baycourt to display some of the museum collection but the hub was an overall better option.
Mr Brownless said his initial thoughts were that Masonic Park would be a good location because it was used by large numbers of people.
The council was funding the preparation of a museum business plan this year so that the project could be considered for inclusion in the 2018-28 Long Term Plan.
Some of the history hub's potential stories
- Mauao's cultural significance
- Otumoetai's early importance as a harbour-front trading centre
- The Gate Pa battle site
- The Elms and Mission Cemetery
- Development of the Port of Tauranga
- The emergence of kiwifruit as an export crop
- Brain Watkins House