Mauao is now the home of several culturally significant sculptures as part of the ‘Mauao Placemaking Project’. But the one question on people’s mind is how much did it cost?

Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao chair Dean Flavell says they installed three sculptures by helicopter onto Mauao, for $12,902.

“With around one million visitors walking up or around Mauao each year, it is critical that Mauao is protected, conserved, and appropriately enhanced as a taonga of exceptional cultural, spiritual, historic, and natural significance while also providing for managed public access and use.”

The Mauao Placemaking project, also known as Te Mahere Whakamahinga o Mauao, is a very important part of this, says Dean.

“This includes, continuing to meet the appropriate recreational and amenity needs of our community and visitors to the city, protecting the historical, archaeological, and cultural values, and meeting the cultural needs and aspirations of tangata whenua and protecting and enhancing the natural landscape character and ecological values of the reserve.

“Te Mahere Whakamahinga o Mauao is a collaborative initiative between Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao (the Mauao Joint Administration Board) and Mauao Trust.

“Tauranga City Council is a member of Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao and helps support projects that share the rich history and stories of Mauao with the community and manuhiri (visitors).

“Through our partnership, these projects are a way to celebrate the mana, identity, and significance of Mauao, which also reflects the connection between Mauao and Tauranga Moana iwi, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga, and Waitaha.”

Dean says this is guided by the Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan, which the Council adopted in 2018 after public consultation and hearings.

This plan includes objective 5.3.2 Interpretation (page 31):

a) Coherent, consistent, effective, and meaningful interpretation and signage will be provided across the maunga, which will provide greater appreciation and understanding of the reserve.

b) Interpretation elements will serve to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the reserve’s historical, archaeological, cultural, and ecological values. Considered and unobtrusive interpretation has the potential to enhance the visitor experience of the reserve without distracting from or conflicting with the underlying purpose of the reserve.

c) Interpretation signage will be kept to a minimum and focused in key areas to avoid over-cluttering the reserve or intruding on the experience of the reserve. Signage will be sympathetic to the character of the reserve and be designed for consistency and durability.

d) Promote the educational value of the Historic Reserve through a variety of media including interpretation panels and enabling contributions from tangata whenua.