Regular users of Mauao can expect to see some changes happening early next month.

To maintain public safety during necessary tree maintenance work, some track, boat ramp and car park closures will take place between Tuesday June 7 and Wednesday June 15.

The Te Ara Motukauri track, which is a four-wheel drive track, was once home to early tangata whenua. This site, situated on the Pilot Bay side of Mauao, is called Te Uru Karaka, and is a historic Pā site.

Locals may recognise the large pine and macrocarpa trees visible from the track, however, these trees are threatening the ancient karaka trees and archaeological sites which they share the land with.

'The pine and macrocarpa trees sit on sensitive archaeological sites and are showing significant signs of deterioration which, if left unattended, these trees could damage the site,” says Tauranga City Council Manager: Parks and Recreation, Warren Aitken.

An ancient karaka tree sits in front of a decaying pine tree. The pine tree will be removed via helicopter to prevent any potential damage to the karaka. Photo: Supplied.

Mauao Natural Environment advisor Josh Clark says that given the sensitive nature of the site the trees are sitting on, it's important that damage is kept to a minimum during the removal process.

To do this, the trees will be lifted out by helicopter. This means no wood will be cut down onto the site and the culturally significant karaka trees growing under the pine and macrocarpa trees will be preserved.

This work has been prioritised in line with the 2018 Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan, which specifies that exotic trees are to be progressively removed from Mauao given its status as a special ecological area.

In order for these works to take place and to maintain public safety, some closures will be needed:

• Full closure of Mauao - from 5am Wednesday, June 8 until 5pm Thursday, June 9 2022
• Pilot Bay boat ramp and car park closure - from 7am Tuesday, June 7 until 5pm Wednesday, June 15 2022 (may open earlier depending on progress of works).

Access to the maunga from Pilot Bay will be maintained from Friday, June 10 to Wednesday June 15 2022.

Mauao Historic Reserve is private land owned by the Mauao Trust, and is available and enjoyed by all as a public space. Ngā Poutiriao o Mauao is the joint management board for Mauao made up of representatives of the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council. The joint management of Mauao is guided by the 2018 Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan, which was created though public consultation and through the aspirations of the Mauao Trust. This work is carried out in partnership with Ngā Poutiriao o Mauao.

Toku maunga, tō maunga. My mountain is your mountain.