Life at No.22, Snapshots of Tauranga

Snapshots of Tauranga #22

Suzanne

We are now presented with a stunning opportunity to take a leisurely stroll along the now extended boardwalk, mirroring the tranquil harbour waters. The Tauranga Council has unveiled this new walkway, a picturesque path that connects the harbourside to Tunks Reserve and Elizabeth Street East via a flight of steps.

Building Progress – I took an interest most weeks when heading to basketball.
The Entrance to the new boardwalk.
It’s finished. Looking back towards the South and Matapihi Bridge.
Heading North towards home.

A warning.

Don’t venture up the stairs like I did, with a heavy electric bike up the cycle funnel, unless you’re lucky and find a willing person half your age to assist in moving upwards of said bike. It was slightly embarrassing, I must admit. Even when I said I could manage, I grunted once too many times. Then, I heard a loud exhaling of breath behind me, and my cheeks became pinker, with a voice saying, “Come on, let me help.” I smiled and let the young chap assist.

The cycle runnel is on the right, which you can’t see – I need a more up-to-date photo as the planting area looks more attractive.
To the right – the before photo of the area before the steps heading to Tunks Reserve were completed. In front of those houses, the council proposes another walkway connecting Memorial Park with the City Centre. As you can imagine, those homeowners aren’t happy with that proposal.

Tunks Reserve

After reaching the top, I arrive at Tunks Reserve, the end of an inner-city cul-de-sac. This little oasis at the top of town includes a small pocket of grass, seats, trees, plantings, and sweeping Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour views above the rail bridge.

Tunks Reserve
The cycle that nearly didn’t make it up the steps to Tunks Reserve.
One of a few delightful Kiwis adorning local artwork – more on these in another post.

A nightingale might have famously and romantically sung in Berkley Square, but only seagulls squawk and caw over Tunks Reserve as it’s a short flight to the sea.

Generations of Tauranga people have wandered over, around, sat on, and given it little thought. Tunks Reserve hasn’t figured large on the cityscape. I had no idea where it was or who it was named after, even though places like parks usually require the name of someone prominent. I wasn’t alone after asking a few people if they knew? Many gave me vacant stares.

As the Tauranga Council is committed to acknowledging the area’s rich history, I thought it worth researching more about Turk’s Reserve. It didn’t take long before I found out he was a former mayor—no surprises. Alfred Francis Daly Tunks was the mayor of Tauranga between 1933 and 1935, the first Tauranga-born Mayor, a one-term Mayor, and a two-term councillor.

Mayor Tunks – Photo credit: Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga City Libraries

I’m surmising that he was a gritty bloke as he contested the mayoralty four times before finally getting his hands on those chains. Obviously, Alfred Francis Daly Tunks didn’t accept rejection. He was also renowned for his ‘sterling qualities as a Christian gentleman”. So a fine, upstanding chap, they would say, back in the day.

He was industrious during his 66 years as a sheep farmer, stock auctioneer, and Public Trust agent before serving as a captain with the Tauranga Mounted Rifles in Belgium, France, and Egypt during WWI. He was even presented to King George V at Buckingham Palace.

And for that, and his service to the citizenry, Alfred Francis Daly Tunks was memorialised with his own patch of grass, albeit a postage stamp patch, in the cul-de-sac right at the top of Elizabeth St, just off Devonport Rd.

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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

31 thoughts on “Snapshots of Tauranga #22”

  1. Beautiful photos. “Find a willing person half your age to assist in moving upwards of said cycle.” Oh this made me laugh out loud. I’d say that’s an example of aging gracefully! Well done.

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    1. Well, I did come to the conclusion that the cycle runnel is for the young in lycra with racing bikes. Then, funnily enough most of those I now see are carrying their bikes. Sometimes the more local councils try to please the less than succeed. Overall the city transformation is going well.

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  2. I love the way you antipodeans create boardwalks around your coasts. So much nicer to walk on than slippery, stony paths. I hadn’t realised an electric bike was heavy, but I suppose that’s the battery?

    The scenery is beautiful, as are your photos.

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    1. In many places, not in the instance, the boardwalks protect the roots of trees which is a good thing. Cheaper to use wood than stone paths down here. Thanks Jude, it’s lovely walking along the harbourside.

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  3. It’s a lovely new boardwalk. Good on you for researching who the place is named for. We had to do a big runnel stair climb with bike on our recent trip. Not so bad with the regular bikes. The e-bike have a “walk” (self-driving) function, but impossible to do on the stairway when you really need it! Apparently you have to hold down a couple different buttons the entire time.

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    1. My bike doesn’t have the self driving function which I find scary. I still use my energy to cycle and use the power on the way home after a long cycle or up hills. Looking forward to reading up about you cycle and barge trip in Europe. Brilliant idea.

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  6. Progress always upsets someone, Suzanne. The water pipes throughout Tavira are being renewed and creating an unholy mess everywhere. Hopefully when all is complete we’ll be grateful. This walkway obviously benefits many, with easy access to a beautiful area (unless you’re lugging an electric bike- thank heavens for kind young men). I look forward to seeing the next stage.

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    1. Here’s to more kind people. Unfortunately, people feel threatened by change. Others just like to moan and groan about the Council. Many more of us just appreciate the changes.
      Here’s hoping to Tavira getting back to normal infrastructure.

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    1. I thoroughly enjoy walking along the harbour side. Tunk does look serious. Thankfully, we have a wider selection of candidates now, though only one woman elected onto the council, which isn’t good at all.

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