New options for Maungawhau-Mt Eden

From City Scene, published on 20 April, 2008

New options: Auckland City Council is considering a new option to improve visitor experiences and protect Maungawhau-Mt Eden as part of the mountain's management plan.

Auckland City Council is considering a new option to improve visitor experiences and protect Maungawhau-Mt Eden as part of the mountain's management plan.

The option proposes refurbishing the old tea kiosk (currently known as Langtons) into a cafe and information centre, and starting work on track and signage improvements from Langtons to the summit.

With uncertainty around regional governance and treaty issues, this proposal is considered more cost-effective than the previous council's preferred option.

The previous choice involved building a visitor centre in Tahaki Reserve West and using lightweight electric vehicles to transport visitors to the summit.

Chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, Councillor Greg Moyle, says council staff will investigate how a public-private partnership could help reduce council costs for refurbishing the existing building. They will also consider user-pay alternatives to heavy vehicles using the summit road, such as shuttle buses.

"We recognise the need to preserve the mountain's special features and manage demands from competing user groups," Mr Moyle says. "The proposed option is practical and affordable, will improve the overall visitor experience, and help protect this treasure for future generations to enjoy," he says.