Walker heading to the summit of Mauao at Mount Maunganui brave the elements, despite warnings from authorities which have closed the base track. Photo/Zoe Hunter
Wild weather which lashed the Bay of Plenty overnight has prompted the closure of Mauao at Mount Maunganui, but that hasn't put off die-hard walkers.
Tauranga City Council closed the base track around the popular reserve at 7am for safety reasons. However, walkers were not deterred. The track leading to the Mauao summit remains open.
One keen walker who had been up the Mount before 7am said the storm didn't scare her away from her morning walk.
"The track is in really good condition," she said.
Another two who had got around the track before the closure said it was dangerous.
"The waves are huge," he said.
Council workers putting up the closes sign said they had not heard of any damage to the track as yet. But they expected huge swells and were warning walkers.
The council also closed off Moturiki (Leisure) Island but that failed to deter groups of people taking storm selfies amid heavy rain and strong winds last night.
This summer will be critical to discover if the sharks have started returning.