Summerhill near Pāpāmoa has reopened its gates to the public following the recent weather event.

This year Tauranga recorded its wettest January since record-keeping began in 1910, with 408.9mm of rain observed at MetService’s weather station at Tauranga Airport.

MetService said Tauranga’s official wettest day (9am to 9am the next calendar day) was January 21, with 274.0mm.

Tauranga experienced a wetter 24-hour period between May 17-18, 2005, but this rainfall was spread across two official reporting days, as daily rainfall is measured from 9am to 9am for climatological records.

The severe weather caused a number of slips across the region and forced the closure of popular walking tracks at Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council hoped to have an alternative walking track open in March.

The heavy rain caused significant damage throughout the park, blocking walking tracks and restricting vehicle access, the council said.

The council’s coastal catchments manager, Pim de Monchy, said the scale of damage was substantial, and reopening the park safely required careful planning.

Meanwhile, visitors are welcome to enjoy walking and running across pasture land at Summerhill on the eastern Side of Reid Rd.

“Our popular beginners’ orienteering course is also open, offering a fun and active way for families, groups and individuals to explore the farm and access to our wetlands area is also available and a fun place to explore,” Summerhill Charitable Trust administrator Nadine Bailey said.

“At this stage, our forest tracks on the eastern side of Reid Rd remain closed to walkers and runners, however, we have reopened a forest loop track on the western Side of Reid Rd, which takes about an hour to walk.”

Access to the Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park via Summerhill remains closed at the regional park boundary.

Summerhill Base is available for hire and continues to serve as a welcoming hub for community activity, learning, and connection.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and support and look forward to seeing people back out enjoying Summerhill.”

For more information about current access to Summerhill trails, visit their website [email protected]