A new covered viewing platform is being built at Minden Lookout, to replace the original structure which was removed by Western Bay of Plenty District Council last year due to safety concerns.
The popular sightseeing location, near the corner of Minden and Junction Roads, is 286m above sea level and offers panoramic views over Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Matakana Island and the surrounding coastline.
Built around the existing stone plinth and viewing dial, the new structure will be single-storey and is expected to be finished by the end of January 2026.
Designed to meet modern building code requirements, one of the key differences will be steel roof beams, compared to the original platform which was mainly made of timber. A new accessible path will also be built, to make the platform easier for everyone to reach.
Under the Kaimai Reserve Management Plan 2025, Council has committed to working with mana whenua to include heritage information at the lookout site in the future.
The original two-storey lookout structure was built in 1977 by the Ōmokoroa Te Puna Lions Club (now the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club) and handed over to the Tauranga County Council in October 1978, which later merged with other county councils to become Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Closed in March 2023 for a structural investigation, the viewing platform was removed in early 2024 after it was deemed unsafe.
Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club was involved in the design process for the new $220,000 structure, which is being funded from Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Facilities and Reserves Asset Renewal Fund.
“We’ve worked closely with the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club to make sure the new design meets modern safety standards while respecting the history of this much-loved community facility,” says Council’s Reserves and Facilities Manager, Peter Watson.
“Minden Lookout is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The new platform means everyone can continue to enjoy the panoramic views safely.”
Ron Stephens, of the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club, says the original platform was designed to benefit the whole community, providing a comprehensive view of the Bay of Plenty.
The club raised $6,650 and received $2,850 in donations to build the structure, and the Tauranga Electric Power Board shifted the power lines so they wouldn’t interfere with the view, he recalls.
There was also a donation box on site, which raised hundreds of dollars for the then Royal Foundation of the Blind.
“Since its completion, many families and tours have used the lookout to show off the Bay of Plenty,” says Mr Stephens.
“It served the community well for a long time, and it’s great to see a new platform taking its place. It carries on what the club set out to do all those years ago, and wonderful to know this special view will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.”
To stay up to date with the project, visit yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/minden-lookout.
