Mount Maunganui Residents Propose Community Panel Amid Stalled Recovery Efforts

Frustration grows in Tauranga as locals feel excluded from decisions regarding the fatal January landslide recovery and the future of Mauao tracks.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 3:56 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

A Community Feeling Excluded from the Heart of the Mount

The tension in Mount Maunganui has reached a breaking point as the local Ratepayers, Residents and Retailers Association warns of potential protests. Association president Michael O'Neill stated that the council has effectively closed its doors to the local population, despite Mauao being the cultural and social "soul" of the community. This perceived exclusion has fostered a sense of distrust, with many locals recalling previous delays following a 2019 slip that took years and nearly $7 million to address. Residents fear that without direct community oversight, the current recovery will be plagued by similar fiscal inefficiency and bureaucratic stagnation.

The Push for a 11 Member Community Advisory Body

In response to the perceived lack of transparency, a petition has garnered over 2,400 signatures calling for the establishment of a community panel. Petitioner Barry Scott argues that the current landslide review terms of reference notably omit any role for community participation. The proposed body of a dozen locals would serve as an "influencing body," providing a platform for residents to discuss safe and sustainable ways to reopen the 232 meter mountain. While the panel would not hold final decision making power, it represents a formal demand for the council to acknowledge local expertise and the emotional stake residents have in the landmark's future.

Economic Limbo and Business Frustration

The prolonged closure of Mauao, the holiday park, and the hot pools has left the local business community in a state of strategic paralysis. Jo Veale, chairperson of the Mount Maunganui Business Association, described the recovery as being "in limbo," noting that while local loyalty has kept the town centre vibrant, the lack of a clear timeline prevents businesses from planning for the future. Despite the council's biweekly meetings with business leaders, stakeholders report that very little concrete information is being shared, leaving hospitality and retail sectors without a roadmap for when high volume tourism might return.