Mount Maunganui

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Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is a town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, located on a peninsula to the north of the neighbouring city Tauranga, and north west of the suburb Papamoa. It is also the name of the extinct volcanic cone which rises above the town (which is now officially known by its Māori name Mauao^[1]).According to Maori legend, this hill was a pononga [slave] to a mountain called Otanewainuku.^[2]. It is colloquially known in New Zealand simply as The Mount. The town itself is located on top of a sand bar that connects Mauao to the mainland, a geographical formation known as a tombolo. Because of this formation, the residents of Mount Maunganui are lucky enough to have both a harbour beach (Pilot Bay) and an ocean beach with great surf, within a short distance (At the base of Mauao, the distance between the harbour and ocean side is a couple of blocks).

1 Character
2 Artificial reef
3 Ownership
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Character

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View from the summit of Mount Maunganui (Mauao).

The mountain in summer.

View from the mountain.

Mount Maunganui is regarded as a coastal resort town, although Port of Tauranga, a major facility, is also partly located on the western (harbour) side. It is also well-known for the quality of its surfing conditions, though parts of the beach are notoriously dangerous. The harbour bridge was opened in 1988, linking Mount Maunganui with Tauranga. Currently, a duplication bridge is being built which will form the link in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui's growing motorway system.

A large container terminal and overseas wharf is located at Mount Maunganui. A branch railway from the East Coast Main Trunk railway runs between Te Maunga and Mount Maunganui.

The conical headland which gives the town its name is 232 metres in height, and dominates the mostly flat surrounding countryside. It was formerly a Māori pa, and the remains of trenches can be seen in the ridges, as well as ancient shell middens. Today, it is open to the public year round, and is a popular place to either walk around, or climb up. From the summit, a good stretch of coastline can be seen in either direction, as well as the Kaimai Ranges to the west.

The town was the home of American actress Jessica Rose of Lonelygirl15 fame.

Mount Maunganui also features the popular Bayfair shopping centre. The centre is one of the largest in the North Island outside Auckland and Wellington. It features a large Farmers, Kmart, Countdown, Woolworths, plus over 80 specialty stores and a food court all situated on 1 level.

[edit] Artificial reef

New Zealand's first artificial reef has been installed at the Mount ^[3]. Construction of the reef was hampered by lack of funds and ironically, too many waves^[4]. Initially the public was told the reef would cost about $500k^[5], but costs escalated to $800k^[6], then $1M^[7] and to date have to date exceeded $1.5M^[8]. Recently the media has reported that local surfers are disappointed with the waves produced by the reef^[9]. The reef has also been blamed for creating rips^[10].

Every year the Mount beach hosts the National Surf Championships, and other events like the NZ Under 14 Ocean Athlete Championships and the Pro Volleyball Tour.

Population Mt Maunganui & Suburbs (2001 census): 30,387.

Panorama of Mount Maunganui and the Main Beach

[edit] Ownership

On May 14, 2008, New Zealand's Parliament adopted legislation whereby ownership of Mount Maunganui was transfered from the Crown to the Ngati Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga iwi. The land had been alienated following the 1863 land wars.^[11]