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Exploring/Parks and reserves/Walkways/Mauao walkways

Mauao ara hīkoi

Mauao walkways

An icon and taonga here in Tauranga Moana, Mauao has long stood as a beacon for those returning home or visiting.

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.

With around one million visitors walking up or around the maunga each year, Mauao is one of New Zealand’s most popular locations for scenic walks. Stroll around the 3.4-kilometre base track (Te Ara Tutanga) and take in the stunning natural environment, with views across to Tauranga and Matakana Island. At 232m high, venture to Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao) to take in breathtaking views across Te Awanui, surrounding islands and Te Moana nui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean).

The significance of Mauao

Finding your way around Mauao

Find out how to get around Mauao. This guide features a map, track names, locations and places of significance.

Mauao - map and guide brochure (5.26mb pdf)

Walking track information

We encourage visitors to take water, wear a hat and sunscreen, leave gates as you find them and take all rubbish with you. Tracks are busy, so please keep left and share with care.

Te Ara Tutanga (base track)

Te Ara Tutanga (base track) is 3.4km and takes about 45 minutes to walk. This loop track will take you right around this extinct volcano and can be walked from either direction, from Pilot Bay (Waikorire) or Main Beach (Hinekite Takutai). Please take care as there are areas with steep drop-offs and rock falls.

The track is suitable for people with experience on outdoor trails, experienced outdoor mobility equipment users, and trail users with a support person physically able to assist them on-trail, if needed. Assistance is recommended on steeper sections of the track. The track is generally well formed; some sections may be rough or steep. Variable conditions are to be expected.

It is suitable for modified outdoor equipment, all-terrain wheelchairs, and off-road wheel attachments are recommended. People with service dogs should be mindful of narrower sections of the track, and an outdoor cane tip is recommended.

Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao)

Mauao is 232m high, and can take around 45 minutes to get to the top. There are several tracks to the summit, these are identified below. Pace yourself and take extra care climbing the summit of Mauao.

View from Mauao summit

View from Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao)

Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track)

The Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track) starts at the end of Pilot Bay. You can use this track to walk to the summit. Vehicles are not allowed except for maintenance and emergency purposes.

The Motukauri track can be steep and slippery in places. This track does not feature stairs. Shoes with grip soles are recommended.

Views from the 4WD track - Te Ara Motukauri

View from Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track)

Waikorire and Oruahine tracks

Both of these tracks start from the ocean side of the Te Ara Tutanga (base track). Follow the boardwalk in front of the surf club near Mount Main Beach to the start of Te Ara Tutanga (base track). The summit climb begins a few metres from the end of the boardwalk.

The Waikorire track is the quickest and easiest route to the summit. It is a steep track with a lot of stairs. Turn right at the lookout intersection to go to the summit.

The Oruahine track ends part way up Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track). Turn left onto Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track) track and continue to the summit or turn off the track, then turn left at the lookout intersection to go to the summit. To assist your climb, you will find wayfinding signage across the maunga.

The view at the top is worth the effort!

Key information about Mauao

Manaakitanga

We encourage behaviour and activities which are mana-enhancing towards the maunga, including, generosity, care, respect and reciprocity. Please enjoy Mauao for culture, nature, fitness and wellbeing, reflection and mental health.

Accessibility

Our disabled whānau and friends can also enjoy the views from the summit of Mauao summit and other locations - all from the comfort of an all-terrain wheelchair. Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider is a single-wheeled mobility transport supporter. The single wheel supports the rider’s weight while the handles at the front and the back allow two, three or four helpers to guide the rider up and down tracks.

TrailRider bookings and information

Toilets

For cultural reasons there are no toilets located on Mauao. There are toilets in front of the surf club near Mount Main Beach and opposite the boat ramp at Pilot Bay. Please be sure to use these before enjoying your walk.

Driving and parking

You cannot drive up Mauao, parking can be found in nearby streets, along Pilot Bay and along Mount Main Beach. Public transport options are also available close by.

Dangers

Parts of Mauao are prone to rock falls and landslips. Caution is recommended at all times, especially in wet weather or significant storm and swell events.

Emergency markers

There are 75 rescue markers on Mauao. These help to make it easier for emergency services to locate anyone that has fallen or suffered a medical event on the maunga. The markers are clearly located on wooden posts, gates and seats, and are all within 50metres of each other and hard to miss. We encourage everyone to be mindful and take note of the nearest marker number when passing.

If there is an emergency event on Mauao, call 111. All markers have associated GPS coordinates so that emergency services can identify exactly where on the maunga the call-out squad need to be.

Emergency markers - getting help on Mauao