A significant coastal pathway has opened in Mount Maunganui, albeit with the final few sections to be completed by Christmas.
The pathway is located between Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve) and Oceanbeach Rd. It was officially blessed on Tuesday morning.
Tauranga City Council Commissioners, members of local hapū Ngāi Tūkairangi and Ngāti Kuku, and the public enjoyed food stalls, coffee and ice-cream.
The pathway stretches more than 3km and is 4m wide, designed to safely accommodate a diverse range of users including pedestrians, cyclists, users of wheelchairs and mobility devices, skaters and scooter riders.
Tauranga City Council Commission chairwoman Anne Tolley told 1News the pathway was a no-brainer.
"I couldn't believe that you had to either walk on the beach or you had to walk on the other side of the road, so it was just a natural 'what do you think we should do', people told us, and as I say it's just fantastic," she said.
It cost around $7 million to complete and includes more than 1km of timber boardwalk, 10,184sq metres of concrete, 41,080 screws, and 123,240 nails.
The Marine Parade pathway is a continuation of the existing Main Beach boardwalk, which was built in 1999.
Construction for the project began in April this year, and those using the pathway said it was "brilliant" and accessible for those who can't walk, and will make a huge "difference".
Finishing touches to the pathway will be completed early next year, and dune restoration work will continue through the seasons as more native species are reintroduced to the area.
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