Tauranga City Council team leader parks and environment Warren Aitken talks about the dangers of Omanawa Falls.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission. Members of a Tauranga hapū will be taking time off the marae this summer to keep an eye on visitors to a dangerous waterfall that has proved irresistible to snap-happy tourists. The Omanawa Falls in the Kaimai Range near Tauranga can only be accessed by climbing down a hazardous cliff face. The falls have always been closed to the public due to safety concerns. In 2018, one person drowned at the falls, in addition to a number of people getting seriously injured getting to the falls or having to be rescued over the years.
SunLive - Local hapū to watch over Omanawa Falls this summer sunlive.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sunlive.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Omanawa Falls: Dozens of people a day are being turned away from trying to visit closed western Bay of Plenty beauty spot
29 Dec, 2020 07:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Local Kaitiaki and Omanawa Falls park ranger (cut out) have a safety message for visitors. Photo / Sandra Conchie
A guardian posted at the entrance to the closed Omanawa Falls access says dozens of people are being turned away every day – with some still slipping through and risking injury to themselves and rescuers.
Social media posts promoting the beauty of the falls seem to be part of the problem, with some would-be visitors saying that s what drew them to the falls in spite of official warnings.
Zoe Hunter: Don t ignore the safety signs, stupid
24 Dec, 2020 08:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Omanawa Falls are closed for your safety. Photo / George Novak
Don t ignore the safety signs this summer. It s summer and it s hot and the Bay is home to some of the best swimming spots in the country - I get it. But don t be stupid and step right into danger.
If a sign says don t swim here. Don t.
If a lifeguard says swim between the flags. Swim between the flags.
If a gate is closed and a sign says do not enter. Don t jump the fence.
It s not rocket science.