M Stanley's call to establish a gondola system on Mauao (Weekend Sun, January 24) is not new.

Some 30 years ago, I attended a ceremony officiated by Maori elders Riini Paraire, William Ohia and then-Mayor of the Mount Maunganui Borough Council, held on the summit of Mauao in response to an identical proposal launched by corporate interests.
The proposal was actively opposed by Maori then, and my guess is the current generations of Kiwis of all different heritages will not tolerate such blatant despoiling of a famous icon.

The idea of steel towers embedded into its slopes, holding up miles of steel cable, descending down to Mr Stanley's '100-space carpark” is appalling and will constitute an ugly blight on the landscape.

Mauao is visually stunning in its natural state. If people want to view the world from the summit of Mauao they are free to climb it at no cost.

And Mount Maunganui does not need another carpark, as carpark space is already at a premium.

Finally, Mauao is of immense cultural significance to Tauranga Maori and this wonderful environmental asset is available to be enjoyed by all.

Mr Stanley's suggestion to rename of Mauao in order to pander to passing tourists is also abhorrent. The name Mauao has its origins in a traditional Maori narrative, which together with its history makes it a very special mountain.

I take comfort in that any attempt to implement Mr Stanley's gondola and other suggestions will be strongly opposed by the good people of Tauranga-Mount Maunganui, who identify with Mauao as part of their local landscape.

Plus, M Stanley's plan will be thwarted by an array of legislation, such as the Resource Management Act 1991, Historic Places Act 1993 and Mauao Historic Reserve Vesting Act 2008.

C Reeder, Welcome Bay.