The news that the Minden Lookout will have thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs made is delighting members of the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions who built the structure decades ago.

Minden Lookout in Te Puna is one of three local attractions that Western Bay of Plenty District Council has been granted tourism funding for, thanks to a Government grant and Council co-funding.

“The Minden Lookout was one of the first big projects the club got involved with, along with the clubrooms at Park,” says Bethlehem Te Puna Lions club member Ron Stephen.

Back in the 1970s when the lookout was built, the club was known as the Omokoroa Te Puna Lions.

“We changed our name in the early 90s to Bethlehem Te Puna, as another club was formed at Omokoroa.”

The club built the Minden Lookout 45 years ago, from 1977 – 1979.

“Tauranga Electric Power Board donated the hardwood poles – they were ex-power poles. The Lions constructed it, and it took about 18 months to get it completed,” says Ron.

“The late Brian Wright was involved. And Robert Anderson, myself, Barry Roach, and Tim Higgerty – the rest of the club mucked in and we got the job done.”

The club is proud that their structure has become what Ron says is “a distinguished landmark”, and over the years they have used the lookout to hold various fundraising events.

“In August last year we had a Diabetes Foundation breakfast up there.”

The Minden Lookout offers a sweeping panorama of the District, but has been temporarily closed since March 2023, while the viewing platform’s condition was under investigation.

“With the health and safety measures now, the steps don’t meet the standards and it’s taped off.”

Ron says some of the timber treatment processes in the 70s wouldn’t meet standards now.

The tourism funding will be utilised for repairs to the structure.

“I’m thrilled to know that the council will bring it up to standards.”

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has been granted $255,000 across three projects:  Minden Lookout repairs ($125,000); Te Tawa ki Tahataharoa access trail beside the Wairoa River ($100,000) and the Kaikōkopu Trail between Paengaroa and Okere Falls ($30,000).

This will improve opportunities to take in the scenic sights of the Western Bay of Plenty, thanks to the Government grant and Council co-funding.

The view from the Minden Lookout. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund exists to help Councils across New Zealand create and manage tourism infrastructure. 

Council’s infrastructure services general manager Cedric Crow welcomes the funding.

“These grants, coupled with co-funding from council, will greatly improve how we all enjoy these local gems. We’re so pleased we can make these repairs to enhance what we already have to offer.

“We’re really proud of our home, and this funding will go some way to growing the experience that our local whānau and visitors have in this beautiful part of New Zealand.”

Repairs will also be carried out to Te Tawa Ki Tahataharoa Shared Path in Te Puna, in partnership with Tāngata Whenua.

The path provides access to the important wetland and the mahi will improve the path's resilience to future severe weather events.

Repairs at Kaikōkopu Trail will be focused near the forestry section, approximately one kilometre from Linchenstein Road.

This trail has been badly damaged from severe rain events earlier this year resulting in the hard decision to discourage using it.

“With this funding and Council’s matching contribution, Council can now commit resources to get on with these repairs and complete them as soon as possible. We’re sure this will be welcome news to those who know and love these spots already,” says Cedric.

You can read more about the Tourism Infrastructure Fund on the Beehive website.