A wartime map of Mount Maunganui

First published September 2, 2025 on the Tauranga Historical Society Blog.

The Bay of Plenty in the early 1940s was marked by mounting anxiety about the war raging overseas, particularly the possibility of it reaching New Zealand shores.

An interview with 1940-1945 Katikati teacher Jenefer Thomson (née Martin) in 1980 revealed that the High School had slit trenches on the grounds and, in the event of a Japanese invasion, an escape plan over the Kaimai Ranges via Thompson’s Track. She would regularly take older students on tramps across the track, with the hidden intention of preparing them to lead the younger children over and onto Matamata. The Home Guard quietly maintained food caches at intervals along this route, and another, the Te Hua Track beginning at Sapphire Springs (AMS 525/17).

Katikati Home guard in 1942

In April 1940, a further 214 acres of land next to Whareroa Marae, near Mount Maunganui, was taken from Ngāi Tukairangi under the Public Works Act to expand and upgrade the recently opened aerodrome. Opened just the year before, it was immediately taken over by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for use as a Flying School.

Japanese submarines were reported surfacing off the coast more than once, including near Mayor Island, where they launched small reconnaissance aircraft. It is in this atmosphere that technical students at Tauranga High School created in 1941, a detailed map of Mount Maunganui. According to the donor, Alan Galletly, the map was likely commissioned by the New Zealand Army. Regardless, it stands as an excellent record of the region in 1941. It shows some blotching and foxing and has spent much of its 85 years folded. It is a great example of why archives digitise material, not only to provide better access but also to reduce handling of fragile originals.

The map has a practical, orienteering feel. Vegetation is detailed—fern, gorse, lupin (which seemed to be everywhere), blackberry, scrub, tī tree, raupō, and plantations. Buildings are shown too: cowsheds, halls, old railway stations, motor camps, schools. The police station is where you’d expect to find it, and Whareroa Marae is simply marked “Kainga” and “Hall”. Much of today’s light industry and residential areas were clearly pastureland in 1941. Other features such as water wells are recorded as “OW”.

The map is simply described as Mount Region – Sheet 2, which begs the question—what was Sheet 1? (No answer, sorry.) It’s best viewed on Pae Korokī using the site’s “Zoom to 100%” tool pictured below. This reveals the high-quality surrogate behind the quick-loading preview.

 

Screenshot showing 100% view tool on Pae Korokī

What follows are a few close ups that grabbed my attention, but click the link below and have a play yourself.

https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/108134

 

Mauao, an inset in "Mount Region - Sheet 2" on Pae Korokī

 

 

Moturiki opposite the Mount coast line "Mount Region - Sheet 2" on Pae Korokī

 

 

What is now Coronation Park on Salisbury Ave Mount Maunganui in "Mount Region - Sheet 2" on Pae Korokī

 

What would today be Hewlets Road passing Whareroa Marae toward the Marina in "Mount Region - Sheet 2" on Pae Korokī