Strong community support has paved the way for changes that will reshape how people move through and park along Miro Street in Mount Maunganui.
Tauranga City Council has confirmed a new one-way layout and improved pedestrian access for the highly developed street.
The new design will see a section of Miro Street, between Matai Street and Hinau Street, changed to a one-way, Mount Maunganui-bound street, along with the addition of a recessed parking bay on Matai Street.
Together, these changes will deliver 22 new on-street parking spaces to ease parking pressure in the area and improve access without the need for major construction.
A new footpath will also be built on the eastern side of Miro Street to improve accessibility and help address ongoing issues with berm parking.
Miro Street is located next to Blake Park, with around 111 properties along the 220-metre section between Matai Street and Hinau Street – the most densely developed part of the road. With rapid residential growth and a rise in sports tournaments at Blake Park, parking in the area has been increasingly difficult.
The one-way proposal was developed in response to residents’ concerns about the limited parking available, which led to vehicles parking on grass berms, affecting pedestrian safety and accessibility.
Community engagement took place in late 2025 to understand local views on the proposal, and whether similar changes should be considered for surrounding streets.
Feedback showed that 69% of survey respondents (60 people responded in total) supported introducing the one-way system on Miro Street. Of the 25 responses from Miro Street residents, 21 were in favour of the proposal.
A key change in the design is the direction of travel for vehicles, which will now be northbound toward Mount Maunganui, rather than toward Blake Park, to support smoother traffic movement particularly after Blake Park events.
Alternative options to maintain two-way traffic flow while adding angled car parks were also explored during the design process, however these options required more extensive construction and higher costs.
Deputy Mayor and Mauao/Mount Maunganui Ward Councillor Jen Scoular says people’s feedback has been carefully considered.
“The feedback from residents along Miro Street for a one-way street was positive. Overall feedback showed strong support for addressing parking pressure and safety, while also highlighting concerns about cost and how the street will function day-to-day.‑to‑day.
“Having spent a lot of time on the street myself, I’ve seen firsthand that parking demand far exceeds the available spaces, with cars ending up on berms creating real safety concerns.
“This one-way option offers the best value for money with the lowest cost per parking space. It’s a practical improvement that addresses the community’s concerns, improves pedestrian access with footpaths on both sides, and maintains easy vehicle access to both Maunganui Road and Totara Street.”
Construction is expected to begin in late March or early April 2026, with works taking approximately three weeks to complete. Confirmed timings and further information will be provided to residents and businesses prior to works starting and will also be published online.
For more information about the Miro Street parking improvements and to view the engagement summary report and design, visit: letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/miro-street