Summer reopening aimed for landslide-hit tracks in Mt Maunganui
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale aims to reopen walking tracks on Mauao by early summer following significant landslide damage. The council is prioritizing safety by ensuring two access routes are available before fully reopening the summit.
Why it matters
The reopening is vital for local tourism and community recreation, though it remains subject to ongoing risk assessments and government inquiry findings.
<p>Some walking tracks on Mauao should open for summer, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says.</p> <p><b>By Ayla Yeoman of Local Democracy Reporting</b></p> <p>These include summit route Te Ara Motukauri, also known as the 4WD track, Waikorire Track or the stairs track; and some of Te Ara Tūtanga, the base track.</p> <p>In a community meeting in Mount Maunganui last night, Drysdale, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular and Tauranga City Council recovery manager Charlie Rahiri answered locals’ burning questions about progress following January’s devastating landslides on the mountain.</p> <p>Drysdale told Local Democracy Reporting he couldn’t give a reopening date yet as there were still a few “wild cards” that could influence plans, but “good progress” was being made.</p> <p>“Summer is a good target to have and hopefully it’ll be early summer rather than late summer.”</p> <p>Drysdale said the summit would not reopen until there were two access routes available.</p> <p>This was important for safety…
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