Ko Mauao te Maunga, ko Tauranga te Moana. Mauao is the mountain, and Tauranga is the sea.
Temporary closure of Oruahine track on Mauao
The Oruahine track on Mauao will be temporarily closed for maintenance from 7am Tuesday, 13 May until 4pm Friday, 16 May 2025 (weather dependent). This closure is to ensure public safety while pest plant control work is undertaken via abseilers above the track. Please use the Waikorire or Motukauri tracks if climbing to the summit. Te Ara Tutanga (base track) will remain open throughout.
For more information about tracks and locations on Mauao, view this map. We appreciate your patience.
New cultural touchpoints and enhancements on the way for Mauao
Starting in early May, you can expect to see additional cultural touchpoints and enhancements being added to Mauao. The installation process is expected to take approximately six to eight weeks, and will include:
- Protective fencing at the pā site, located at Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao).
- Finishing touches to the tomokanga (entry posts) on both the Waikorire (Pilot Bay) and Hinekite Takutai (Main Beach) sides of the maunga.
- Two new curved benches along Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track).
- A new curved bench at the summit lookout.
All tracks will remain open with minimal disruption, but some areas may have stop/go traffic management to safely transport materials and vehicles. Thank you for your patience as we complete these works as part of the Mauao Placemaking Project.
Water reservoir maintenance on Mauao
We’re undertaking maintenance on the Mauao water reservoir. This houses Mount Maunganui’s main water supply. A waterproof membrane will be applied to the reservoir roof to ensure the ongoing safety of the water supply. Due to wet weather, this work is anticipated to be complete by mid-late July. Dust and debris from construction will be monitored throughout. The Motukauri track will remain open while work is underway. When work is complete a temporary track closure will be required. For more information, read the media release or view the map of track locations.
The significance of Mauao
Renowned for its beautiful beaches and natural environment, Mount Maunganui is home to Mauao, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic landmarks. Mauao, which means caught by the dawn, is the sacred tūpuna maunga (ancestral mountain) of the three iwi of Tauranga Moana – Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti Ranginui and Te Arawa iwi, Waitaha. Mauao historic reserve was returned to mana whenua in 2007.
With around one million visitors walking up or around Mauao each year, it’s vital that Mauao is protected, conserved, and appropriately enhanced as a taonga of exceptional cultural, spiritual, historic, and natural significance, while also providing for managed public access and use. Mauao is owned by local iwi and is jointly managed by the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council under the direction of the Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao (the Mauao Joint Administration Board).
The legend of Mauao (33kb pdf)
Walking tracks on Mauao
Te Mahere Whakamahinga o Mauao (The Mauao Placemaking project)
As a means of celebrating the mana, identity and significance of Mauao, over the past year, new cultural touchpoints have been added to the maunga as part of Te Mahere Whakamahinga o Mauao (The Mauao Placemaking project) the project set out to share the rich history and purakau (stories) of Mauao for ahi kā (locals) and manuhiri (visitors).
New cultural touchpoints across the maunga include:
- new wayfinding and interpretation signage – sharing the ecological and cultural narrative of Mauao,
- new seating and resting areas providing the opportunity for our community to reflect and connect with this maunga,
- a cultural compass located at Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao) identifying significant landmarks and islands that connect Mauao to Te Moana nui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean),
- a viewing platform at Te Awaiti, funded by the Port of Tauranga. The viewing platform is located near the channel where the Takitimu waka landed.
- a total of five kōhatu whakairo (stone carvings) across the maunga which illustrate traditional legends and depict kōrero nehera (ancient stories). Each kōhatu represents different themes.
- new pouwhenua welcome visitors at the entrance ways to Mauao at Waikorire (Pilot Bay) and Hinekite Takutai (Main Beach) and additional pou can be found across the maunga at other places of significance.