Why this work is needed
Safe access to Mauao and reopening remain a key priority. Work is underway to understand how parts of Mauao could safely reopen as recovery progresses.
How we are working towards safely reopening Mauao
As the hot pools, holiday park and boat ramp area sit alongside this space, we want to make careful, considered decisions about how we care for this precinct.
Council and our partners, Mauao Trust, iwi and hapū, Bay Venues Limited and Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, are collaborating together to explore what the options are for the future of the Mauao Precinct. We are working closely with the local businesses, residents and community about how people would like to see this area used and protected in the long-term.
No decisions have been made, as it's up to all of us to decide together.
The area and facilities
There are two separate reserves at Mauao, with different ownership and management structures. Mauao Historic Reserve is owned by the Mauao Trust, representing Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāti Pūkenga. Mauao Recreation Reserve is owned by Tauranga City Council and includes Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, Mount Hot Pools and the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service Building. You can learn more about the ownership and decision-making structures and view a map of these two reserves on our frequently asked questions page.
Mauao landslide frequently asked questions
The Mauao Recreation Reserve and Pilot Quay area is the focus of this work and is collectively known as the Mauao Precinct. This precinct incorporates the Mount Hot Pools, Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park and Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service Building, and Pilot Quay which includes the Pilot Bay boat ramp, shown below. This area and these facilities hold much value for the people of Tauranga and beyond.
Planning together for the future of the Mauao Precinct
Following the January landslides, Council has worked with geotechnical experts to understand the risks at the Mauao Precinct, including the hot pools and holiday park area. The technical assessments conclude that Mauao is an active landslide and rockfall environment, and that these hazards will continue to affect surrounding areas in the future. It identifies the Beachside Holiday Park and Mount Hot Pools as the highest-risk locations and provides the technical evidence Council will use to evaluate future land use, risk management and mitigation options.
We also heard from hundreds of people during the "Share your story about Mauao" survey. You told us that exercise, the natural environment, and wellbeing are important to you, and we're keeping this feedback in mind throughout this next phase of work.
History of this area
To learn more about the history of this area, check out some insights by Tauranga Historical’s local historian Justine Neal on the Mount Hot Pools and Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.