An online webinar is providing one of many opportunities for Mount Maunganui residents to respond to Tauranga City Council's request for feedback and ideas on the future of the Mount to Arataki area.

'We're planning for the future of the Mount to Arataki area and want to hear your ideas for making it easier to get around, enhancing our natural environment, improving parks and community facilities, keeping our community healthy active and safe, and improving our shopping entertainment and business districts,” says a council spokesperson.

Council staff have been conducting meetings around the Mount community over this last week, with the next being held online in a Microsoft Teams Meeting from 7pm – 8pm, Tuesday March 28.

Anyone joining the meeting may first need to check they have the Microsoft Teams app downloaded to the computer, mobile app or room device. To download Teams click here. To join the meeting on Tuesday evening click here

The Mount to Arataki area cover Mount Maunganui, Whareroa Marae, Omanu and Arataki.

Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley says that although some work is already underway, the community's input via the online survey or engagement events is vital and will help shape a plan for the area for the next thirty years.

'We know locals and visitors alike are passionate about the Mount and we want you to tell us what you love about this area, what needs to change, and what matters most to you and your whanau,” says Anne.

With Mauao, the beach, great schools and neighbourhoods, fantastic shopping, cafes, dining and entertainment options and a relaxed vibe, the Mount to Arataki is a unique and special little corner of the world, and it's no surprise people want to come here says Council.

'We are not starting from scratch here. We have heard a lot of feedback about the Mount to Arataki area but capturing a wider range of views now will help us build on what we already understand and give us a clearer picture,” says Anne.

Why the focus on Mount Maunganui and the surrounding area?

The Government has told Tauranga City Council they need to provide more housing choice to meet the diverse needs of our community and intensify development across the city, including within the Mount area.

As the Mount is one of New Zealand's most desirable place to live, work and visit, it is likely that it will continue to attract interest from developers. The Government's directive to allow more intensive development makes this an even more desirable area to invest in.

'We need to provide and manage infrastructure - such as transport and stormwater; public facilities - such as parks, sports facilities and playgrounds; green spaces, and new private developments in a coordinated and complementary manner to ensure that these are provided in a way that makes the Mount an even better place to live, work and play,” says a council spokesperson.

There's no doubt the area's getting busier and Tauranga City Council is getting busier too - building the infrastructure needed to support our communities, now and in the future.

'There is some catching up to do and there are some projects already underway to provide essential infrastructure. We know this causes disruptions, but we need to do what's necessary now, while continuing to plan for the future,” says Anne.

Feedback from the online survey, as well as engagement workshops and other conversations with tangata whenua, key community and business groups, clubs, schools, facilities and organisations, will help council to form a draft plan, connecting all projects to create an overall vision for where the Mount to Arataki area is heading.

'Later in the year, we'll ask people to let us know what they think of the draft plan, and the areas of focus and priorities proposed, before it goes to council for approval.

'We are also getting ready to have a conversation with the community about some other important issues, including how we manage parking for the area and planning for natural hazards, flood prevention and impacts of climate change.”

Share your thoughts here: www.tauranga.govt.nz/mounttoarataki, or come and have a chat at one of the Tauranga City Council community events.

To join the Online Webinar –a Microsoft Teams Meeting - on Tuesday March 28 from 7pm -8pm, you can join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 457 452 480 156
Passcode: eDtVAU
Download Teams | Join on the web

There are two more community meetings available for Mount Maunganui residents:

9am -2pm, Saturday April 1 at Little Big Markets at Coronation Park, 9am-2pm

4pm – 7pm Tuesday 4 April at 9 Prince Avenue, Mount Maunganui.

Consultation with the Mount Maunganui community closes at 5pm on Monday April 10, 2023.

To read more about the Mount to Arataki Spatial Plan click here

To complete the online survey click here