The Minden Steps in Te Puna are closed today for public safety reasons.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council says a group of trees are at risk of toppling over from high winds.

'There are around half a dozen wattle trees by the Minden Steps that our arborist has assessed as dangerous,” says a Western Bay of Plenty spokesperson.

"The team have scheduled the trees to be removed, but need some calm weather for contractors to undertake the work safely."

The Minden Steps, also known as the Minden Stairs, comprising over 330 steps, is part of the Minden Stairs Loop Walk, which is a 1.3km loop trail taking an average of 28 minutes to complete.

At the top of the stairs is the Minden Lookout, a small wooden terrace with a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside, harbour and ocean.

The Minden Lookout was constructed by the then Omokoroa-Te Puna Lions Club - now called the Bethlehem Te Puke Lions.

There is an unmarked track continuing uphill from the turning point of the loop walk and ending on Minden Road near the intersection with Dawn View Place.

The unmarked track up the hill gets used by walkers and by mountain bikers.

The weather conditions mean that council staff are unable to remove the wattles today.

'These cannot be taken care of today due to high winds,” says a council spokesperson.

'Therefore we have closed the Minden Steps track, and will remove these wattles when the strong winds clear.

"The steps will be closed until the trees are removed, but all going to plan it should only be a few days.

'Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.”

Minden Steps. Photo: Supplied.

Located off Ainsworth Road, the walk follows a broad grassy avenue for 300 metres before entering a bush track that travels alongside a stream through regenerating forest dominated by rewarewa and manuka trees.

After about 10 minutes, the track crosses a small bridge and doubles back downstream to a pleasant open picnic area.

A little further on, the track swings hard right down to a bridge and then climbs to rejoin the route at the grass avenue.

The public can download the Antenno app to report wet weather and other incidents direct to Council - click here for more information: www.westernbay.govt.nz/antenno

Western Bay Council can also be contacted 24 hours, seven days a week on 0800 926 732.