The newly-elected Mayor of Tauranga, Tenby Powell is already making strides to repair the Mauao base track.

Tenby, Cr Steve Morris, Cr Dawn Kiddie and Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell met with Mauao Trust trustees last week to further discuss repairing and reopening the track.

Current temporary access includes box steps that have been built up and around the slip site, which is not accessible for wheelchairs users or prams. Repairs are predicted to cost $5.2 million.

The Weekend Sun asked local track users if they think it's worth investing in the repairs and why.

Dylan Mills, Mount Maunganui

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? I haven't been up here much recently, but absolutely yeah.

Why? We need access for people in wheelchairs and people pushing prams. It probably will be nicer for tourists coming round the Mount if it's repaired.

Rob Bedford, Mount Maunganui

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? The track is still well used, I don't think repairing it is critical. I'm sure it makes it easier for people with wheelchairs but for the majority of people it's fine as it is.

Why? The track is still quite functional, and the extra bit of climbing is part of the parcel of it.

Harvey Tippler, Papamoa

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? Most definitely, it's a no brainer question.

Why? We need to allow more access to more people, particularly families with young kiddies. We need to look at some cheaper options.

Nina Henderson, Arataki

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? I must say I quite like the track how it is at the moment. I just think of someone in a wheelchair or a mother in a pushchair, and that's a bit hard for them.

Why? I don't mind the stairs, it is a good short term solution and now I am used to it. The repair would just cost so much money and Tauranga has so many other problems.

Torben Hitchfield, Mount Maunganui

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? Yeah, I think it would be ideal.

Why? If they have the money to put the stairs in, why don't they have the money to repair it? People walk around the Mount to get away from the stairs, and there is always mum pushing prams who go round here because it is flat. It would just give more people the opportunity to enjoy the Mount.

Laurie Evans, Mount Maunganui

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? Yeah, if it's feasible, of course.

Why? Everyone wants it to happen, so it comes to down to what are our options and how much is it going to cost. There are many ways to fund it, why can't they put advertising sings of companies who want to donate towards the repair? That would alleviate some of the cost for ratepayers.

Lynette McGaughran, Tauranga South

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? Yes, I do.

Why? At the moment it's limited access for those with wheelchairs and those using prams. Everyone should be able to use the path, it's beautiful.

Jo Torlesse, Mount Maunganui

Would you like to see the Mount base track repaired? Yeah, I think it needs to go ahead, but for me, it depends how much it is going to cost.

Why? There are a lot of people who struggle to get up and over the stairs so repairs would be great for them, but I am always conscious of the fact that there is only so much money that the council has.