Finding another spot 'not an option' for Mauao climbers

Rock climbers are rattled by new rules around Mauao. Photo/File

Finding another climbing area on Mauao is "not an option", according to a rock-climbing group.

A new management plan for the iconic Mount Maunganui mountain calls for a ban on rock climbing unless a different location can be found.

Climbers at present use an area on the northeastern face of the mountain.

The draft Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan says that area has safety risks and is close to a tapu site and a rare native fern, psilotum nudum, that could be damaged.

The Tauranga City Council has called for submissions on the draft plan, which is the first of its kind to be produced by new joint administration board Nga Poutiriao o Mauao.

Board chairman Dean Flavell said the plan was designed to "ensure we preserve and celebrate the natural, historic, cultural, and spiritual significance our maunga Mauao".

The board includes representatives of the reserve's owners, the Mauao Trust and the council.

Michael Donovan, chairman of the Central North Island section of New Zealand Alpine Climbers, said the group would be submitting a proposal that would allow climbers to continue using the existing routes.

He said finding another spot was "not an option," and a ban would effectively end the history of climbing on the mountain - permitted climbing, anyway.

"Firstly, there are no other suitable cliffs, climbers have searched for them but the rest of the rock is too weak to be safe."

"Secondly, the routes in existence can't simply be shifted. We'd be abandoning the history of climbing on the Mount and [when] last I checked you can't simply uproot an entire cliff face and shift it."

People had been climbing at Mauao for at least 25 years and the core area in use today was well bolted and considered safe, Mr Donovan said.

"There are concerns about the walking track running right underneath the climbing, with belayers generally having to stand on the track as they belay.

"This close proximity is a concern but as far as I know climbers have always managed the risks themselves."

Concerns about risks to walkers and flora were not new to climbing and could be managed.

"I believe that through proper consultation we will reach a compromise that is suitable for all."

Mr Donovan said "plenty of climbers" would not care about a ban, and it would take a lot to remove all the bolts to stop people.

The plan also prohibits scattering ashes and the installation of any new memorials.

Using a drone would be largely banned, with only "approved operators" allowed to use drones over Mauao.

Professional photographers have raised questions over who owns the air around the mountain.

Tauranga-based videographer Martin Cowan was not opposed to the regulation of drone use on the mountain.

"It's quite good to have rules if it stops people haphazardly flying these things," Mr Cowan said.

While professional operators had the experience and equipment to use drones safely, the same could not necessarily be said of amateurs.

Clarification was needed, however, as to whether the rule applied to operators flying drones from within the reserve, or to anyone flying over Mauao even while standing outside the reserve - for example from Pilot Bay.

He did not think anyone could own the air around the mountain.

Papamoa content creator Mark Sandoval, who produced a promotional clip about Mount Maunganui over summer, was not sure about that point, either.

But the rule's appearance in the plan was not a surprise.

He already avoided flying his drone off or too near the mountain because it was privately owned and civil aviation rules ban flying over private property without permission.

He said lots of people, especially visitors, were not aware of that and thought the land was public.

Make a submission on the plan

The plan and submission forms are available at:

- www.tauranga.govt.nz/mauaormp
- libraries around the city
- Tauranga City Council at 91 Willow St

The submission period closes September 27.