Slide rules at wild and wet new ride

Lucas Dynes, 12, has fun on the GetWet MegaSlide in Blake Park. Photo / Andrew Warner

It took four years for the Florida-based slide to arrive in New Zealand, but the GetWet MegaSlide has opened the floodgates for children and adults young at heart to brave the height and experience the slide.

Chief of operations manager Dan Carr, who has been in the amusement ride industry for a number of years, said their staff and workers had contributed to bringing the large ride to Tauranga.

"We've got a great team on board both locals and foreigners, who have been well trained and are energetic and efficient," Mr Carr said.

The massive slide stood 13m high and 55m long, running with water.

Spokesperson for GetWet MegaSlide Kate O'Leary said bringing the slide to Mount Maunganui took "two years of hard work".

"It is awesome to finally have it up and open to the public for summer," she said.

Staff member Aurelie Kersaudy said the slide had been busy.

"There has been a consistent flow," Ms Kersaudy said, talking about the children not the water.

"They're good kids and well behaved," she said.

Slider 12-year-old Lucas Dynes said the GetWet MegaSlide was "a lot of fun".

"It's when you get to the top it's nerve-wrecking," Lucas said.

"Then it's really cool and exciting."

Rachel Clare, who had brought her daughter Daniella to the slide, said the attraction looked impressive.

"It's really fun and slippery and bouncy," said Daniella.

The Megaslide was Australian certified and approved by New Zealand's Registered Chartered Engineers, said Ms O'Leary.

It is in Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, near the skate ramp.

The GetWet MegaSlide costs $12 for half an hour, or $15 for an hour, and will be open Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm, until the end of March.

Sliders must be at least 4-years-old and no shorter than 1.2 metres.