In a decisive response to the commnity's resounding voice, Tauranga City Council has reached a verdict on the fate of Mount Maunganui's iconic smiley face adorning a local roundabout.

Following an extensive poll conducted to gauge public sentiment, the council has chosen to embrace the cheerful symbol, allowing it to retain its place at the base of Mauao and in the heart of Mount Maunganui.

"I couldn't help smiling when I first saw the roundabout," says Tauranga City Council's Head of Transport Nic Johansson.

The Mount smiley face, seen from the summit of Mauao. Photo: Supplied.

The decision comes after a period of feedback and debate in online groups and public engagement with the council via the online poll, reflecting the community's strong attachment to the already beloved smiley face.

"We're really pleased so many people gave us their feedback and we've heard them loud and clear," says Nic.

"It makes people happy, it works, and it doesn't compromise safety or functionality so it's here to stay."

The yellow roundabout at the intersection of Adams Ave and Maunganui Road will be keeping its smiley face. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Tauranga City Council says that 983 people voted in the poll, "with a whopping 939 people loving the cheeky addition".

The council posted an update to the council Facebook page on Friday afternoon.

"We couldn’t help but smile reading all your feedback which made the decision a no-brainer."

Prior to the decision, American urbanist and friend of Tauranga Peter Kageyama weighed in on the online discussion, saying he thought the Mount Maunganui smiley face “is a lovely expression of community pride and fun”.

As an American community and economic expert, and a lover of cities, Peter offers fresh perspectives on how councils and citizens can better engage 'and create loveable places”.

He is delighted to hear of Tauranga City Council's decision to keep the smiley face.

"Great news! Glad happiness won out over proceduralism," says Peter.

Members of the community have also been quick to respond to the council's social media update.

"It’s awesome. In a sea of concrete it brings a certain je ne sais quoi," writes Mote Butler.

"To the 44 people that voted no, free hugs all round!!" writes Melissa September.

"A few more around the CBD and such would just lighten things up. Tauranga City Council why stop at one?? (just don't go overboard}," writes Karl Smith.

Painted on November 29, 2023, by one of Tauranga’s busy road markers and without the blessing of Tauranga City Council, it went unnoticed by many for weeks. Council staff saw it though.

The face painted onto the roundabout on November 29, 2023. Screenshot: Supplied.

“I got into a bit of trouble,” says Julian Sim, who has been working on Tauranga roads since 1998.

“I did it for a laugh but I’d always wanted to put a smiley face there.

"It was only supposed to be a bit of fun."

Julian says there has “always” been a large painted yellow dot at the intersection.

“They used to have a concrete dome. It has always been yellow, it’s been there for 15 to 20 years.”

Google Maps shows the roundabout at the intersection of Adams Ave and Maunganui Road has been painted yelllow since at least 2010. In 2010 it also had three arrows circling it. Image: Google Maps.

As Christmas drew closer, Julian knew it was coming up time for him to get out the yellow pot again and repaint what was now a flat roundabout.

“I had been repainting all the roads at the Mount, and was doing from Pilot Bay to Main Beach.”

At around 2am, he reached the Mount Maunganui Rd/Adams Ave intersection opposite the Mount Hot Pools.

“I decided once I was there to put a smiley face on it and make everyone happy.”

Personally, Julian found that 2023 hadn't been a great year.

“Last year my father-in-law died in May, and I had to put my dog down in November just about the same time as I painted the smile.”

Julian returned at a later date to spruce up the job.

“I had to go back and repaint the eye and mouth as they were fading, so thought while touching them up, I’d add a tongue.”

The Mount smiley face, seen from the summit of Mauao. Photo: Supplied.

The smiley face can be seen from the summit of Mauao. Although appearing upsidedown to climbers 232 metres above, it's easy to pick out while taking in the stunning panoramic view.

Not everyone is a fan of the tongue added to the smiley face, and council have made a decision about that.

"We will remove the tongue when it’s time to freshen up the paint, but the smile is here to stay," says a council spokesperson.

A tongue, which was later added to the smiley face in the yellow roundabout, will be removed. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.