Tauranga City Council has closed Te Ara Tūtanga - the Mauao base track due to rising swells and forecast high winds from Cyclone Gabrielle. Council has also closed Moturiki to ensure public safety.

All tracks on Mauao - the base track and the summit tracks - will be closed from 8am, Monday February 13.

"The closure is expected to be in place until at least Tuesday, February 14 when we will reassess the situation," says a council spokesperson.

Signage and barriers will be in place at all closure points.

"We ask that the public respect the signs and barriers that are in place, as these are there for their own safety."

Moturiki is also closed due to sea swells. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.