Mauao base track closed after slip claims section

A section of the Mauao base track has fallen away in a large slip.

The slip exposes a drop of about 30m above where the track used to be and was on the Pilot Bay side of the mountain approaching the beach.

Parks and Recreation manager Mark Smith said he did know how long it would take to repair the slip or to restore public access to that part of the track.

''Previous slips of this type on Mauao have taken weeks, and sometimes months, to restore safe public access. Unfortunately, the base track will not be open as a complete circuit for some time.''

Slip on Mauao track. Photo/supplied

Council said in a statement yesterday afternoon staff had assessed all Mauao tracks.

Another slip site on the base track is showing signs of instability so most of the base track will remain closed until Monday at the earliest.

Kylie Derby walked up the track at about 9am.

The visitor from New York and said it was not that bad.

''Honestly, you just saw little channels in the ground where the water was coming down but it was already dry. I thought it was safe although there are a couple of spots closed off.''

Closed tracks:
•Most of the base track is closed from Pilot Bay wharf extending around the harbour entrance side.
Open tracks:
•All summit tracks are open.
•800m of the base track on the main beach side of the mountain is open.
Please use the mountain with care and do not try to use tracks that are closed