Mauao under council review

Tauranga City Council has approved $50,000 for a series of specialist tests evaluating the condition of Mount Maunganui – or Mauao.

An archaeological report, conservation plan and ecological report are among assessments to be carried out as part of the Mauao Reserve Management Plan.


Mauao is to be reviewed under the Mauao Reserve Management Plan.

TCC recreation planner Stephanie Kelly says the plan is a requirement under the Reserves Act 1977, where TCC must review its reserve management plans periodically.

Mauao's plan was last reviewed in 1998.

Initially, a request by TCC staff for $10,000 was included in the draft annual plan, but during Annual Plan deliberations a request for an added $40,000 was made, and approved.

TCC councillor Matt Cowley says as Mauao is of New Zealand's most popular short walks – with more than one million users venturing around the base track each year – and it's important to review how the reserve is being managed.

'We need to make sure we are providing the right level of service to the users while also looking after the reserve/Mauao itself.

'The $50,000 will give us expert advice on the state of Mauao, as well as identify things we might need to do to ensure public safety.”

Matt says TCC will seek feedback from the community once collecting relevant expert advice.

Methods of attaining feedback, including advertising, processing submissions, and deliberations are covered in the $50,000.

TCC councillor Catherine Stewart is concerned one of the assessments, crime prevention through environmental design, could lead to a request for further funding to be spent on additional safety precautions.

'I support safety and tree trimming but I'm concerned at spending $3000 for a consultant to carry out this kind of assessment.

'Will this translate to further expenditure for lights or safety rails being installed on Mauao? I hope not.

'People walk in this environment knowing it is a natural bush setting and need to take some degree of self-responsibility with regards to their own safety.”

Stephanie says the review is in very early stages.

'The next step is for staff to present a project plan to the Mauao Joint Administration Board in August.”

You may also like....

20 comments

A $50,0000 review

Posted on 05-07-2014 08:38 | By Murray.Guy

I'm struggling to understand exactly what will be learnt for this extravagance, mindful staff asked for $10,000 initially, that apparently none of the existing staff are qualified to assess. Begs the question in the absence of information, who requested the additional $40,000 and for what purpose? It this another mechanism to provide additional funding to specific interests? Matt Cowley supports the expenditure saying reviews are important given the significance of Mauao and use - Agreed! But surely it's management and outcomes would be constantly reviewed, assessed, modified not every 16 years! Appreciate that with the 'change in ownership', now Maori, a broader review is likely long overdue. Let's hope the secret meetings and briefing mind-set of the present Council is more inclusive of the community from the outset to avoid any surprise and predetermined attacks on the public! I predict public huge costs unfolding and greater public access restrictions!


The Mount

Posted on 05-07-2014 08:42 | By fletch

I'm sorry but I thought this was handed back to Maori so why are we still paying.


let nature be

Posted on 05-07-2014 09:23 | By hapukafin

Let nature have it its way,if damages occur then repair it to a safe nature walkway.Planning ahead to prevent a disaster does not work as any bush walker will tell you.Mount walk tracks are not meant to be like Queen St.


I wonder

Posted on 05-07-2014 10:09 | By Captain Sensible

I wonder how many maori "advisors" will be on the pay roll. You kow I am right don't you Mr Crosby?!


Mauoa

Posted on 05-07-2014 14:49 | By sangrae

I agree with fletch where is the Maori money now that they own it? It is also obvious that council have not learnt re wasting more money on reviews have we not got competent staff on the payroll to do this?


Overit

Posted on 05-07-2014 14:57 | By overit

Read between the lines here folks. Mr Guy is on the button. As with all these things today,Europeans develop the land and the Maori take it back at no cost to them. Watch how this unfolds.


More Central government rubbish.

Posted on 05-07-2014 15:20 | By dgk

If this is indeed a result of the Reserves Act, then council should be talking to Simon Bridges MP about why they are being forced to do this for Maori land. Or maybe Mr Bridges doesn't actually care.


Mauao - confused

Posted on 05-07-2014 16:52 | By mlow

like the other comments - I too am confused. We GAVE the hill back to the Maori..why are we STILL paying?!! Why cant they use some of the millions of dollars already given to them?!!! Cant afford a museum..cant afford extra room at the Greerton Library...but we can lay out this??..for whom??!!


Let Commonsense Prevail!

Posted on 05-07-2014 17:02 | By Mary Faith

$50,000.00 for expert advice on Mount Maunganui? One of the assessments includes "crime prevention through environmental design". What a load of PC BS! They gave it to the Maoris - why are we the ratepayers paying for it? Wasn't it supposed to be 'shared management'. Let the owners pay at least half. I suppose they are some of the 'consultants' who will reap huge fees for such assessments as the archaeological report including the pipi rubbish dumps! The whole deal lacks basic common sense!


Tracks and Walkways.

Posted on 05-07-2014 17:32 | By Jitter

I am always amazed when I go up the mount that there are very few safety railings on the steep narrow walkways and steps. Shouldn't these be a priority as some of those narrow paths and steps are frankly bloody dangerous. I'm amazed that OSH has not had an input here. The railings that are there would in no way stop some one falling over if they tripped and fell against one.


Why pay, why monitor ..

Posted on 05-07-2014 21:05 | By Murray.Guy

Some ask, "Why pay?" sadly this identifies an unwillingness to be 'fair', or have difficulty understanding relationship the community has with the owner (Tangata Whenua) or both. Regardless of ownership, it is surely reasonable that the community at large who have virtually (not totally) 24/7 access to and benefit from Mauao (Mt. Maunganui)meet the costs associated with those benefits. I'm happy for folk to borrow, make use of my truck, trailer, mower, BUT I do expect it to be returned in the same condition as you found it and full of fuel! As I said earlier, personally I'd encourage donations as their would be many willing contributors. In regards the monitoring, that's has to be good practice. Unfortunately this process is often too late and captured by those with ulterior motives, hidden agendas, and their snout in the trough! As for safety, it's a mountain, take care, be accountable!


Here

Posted on 05-07-2014 21:51 | By Capt_Kaveman

comes another division of city aquatics were our money goes down the drain and get nothing in return


Smoke and mirrors

Posted on 05-07-2014 22:50 | By GreertonBoy

You have to stop asking questions... you know that it will end up with us getting fleeced once more. It is just a process of topping up the coffers. A classroom full of school kids could walk up the mount and note what needs fixing or to be done for prevention of accidents. But then none of the pollys would make any money? Out of the $50k, all of the consultants and their advisors will be paid, the council will get thiers and hopefully there will be a little bit of cash left over to do any work that might need doing. If not, some volunteers will have to come up with a fund raiser to fund the work. Now, stop interfering with politics and just pay up and be quiet. Don't you know the rules?


Route M(ount)

Posted on 06-07-2014 09:23 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Like route K this walkway should be tolled. One dollar per person becomes over one million dollars per year! This will pay for much maintenance, hui's and perhaps we could have a refreshment café on the summit.


Mauao

Posted on 15-07-2014 20:55 | By Number eight

As owners of Mauao,I to agree that Maori should pay for this.First one has to generate income,as presently Maori generate not one cent of income from letting thousands of people of all races,walk up and around this iconic hill,I think it is only fair that they should start to charge a fee for this privilege than once they start making money than they can start to maintain the safe upkeep of Mauao at their own expense,when/if this happens wait and see all these redneck writers say how greedy these part Maori are,how dare they charge us.At present it cost all people nothing,these so called Maori owners are damn if they do damn if they dont


Big Ted

Posted on 16-07-2014 08:58 | By YOGI BEAR

Yeah great idea, love to see the Hui's paid for from that, they could be monthly "hui's" to discuss anything and everything. A think tank kind of thing.


It's sad...

Posted on 25-07-2014 13:56 | By morepork

to see the lack of understanding shown in this thread. Mauao WAS "given back" to Maori under certain conditions, one of which was that no admission could be charged. NOBODY can OWN a national treasure and the fact that Maori hold deeds is a matter of mana and not practicality. There seems to be an obsession about who pays for what and this has probably been caused because we have seen unfair deals done before. In this case it is unfair and unreasonable to expect Maori to pay for the upkeep of public access which all of us want and enjoy. We have this incredibly beautiful landmark in our back yard, we should be GLAD to keep it in order. The Law requires a check; instead of arguing about who should pay, we should let TCC get on with it.


Don't fix what isn't broken.

Posted on 25-07-2014 14:06 | By Mike Lehan

Councillors and mayor of this city, why is there suddenly a need to carry this review, it will open the flood gates for more expenditure thus justifying people's jobs, it's time to consolidate and save the rate payers some money. This among other feel good projects and expenditure should be canned, have a good look at yourselves and stop inventing waste.


No excuses

Posted on 25-07-2014 14:10 | By morepork

The real concern here is that this "review" could become an excuse for more "consultants" and a whole bunch of unnecessary "safety features". I see 2 things: 1. Public access must remain free and unfettered. (It isn't about saving a dollar admission, it is a matter of principle.) 2. TCC must tightly control how and on what this approved budget is spent. (that requires transparency and responsibility. In the past, TCC has been short on both; let's hope the "new regime" is better.)As for safety, if you take a walk around or up the Mount take responsibility for yourself. Carry a phone (if you have one) but mostly, exercise reasonable care about where you go and how you go there. I hope Murray Guy is wrong about the increasing costs and access restrictions, but we do need to ensure that Council is kept honest. No budget overruns!


Agree Morepork

Posted on 29-07-2014 09:26 | By thegoodlife

Mauao is a treasure and of such historic importance that no manmade objects, including safety railings and lighting should be built on it. Hopefully the archeological assessment will state this.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.