People are “still vibing” from their 12-hour marathon climbing 232m landmark Mauao to raise money for a sick Tauranga councillor.

Hundreds turned up for the Mauaoathon on Saturday, which raised $35,802 for the city’s first Māori ward councillor Mikaere Sydney, who has been in hospital since July.

He was elected to Tauranga City Council that month but was unable to take up his position and is on medical leave until December 31.

Sydney recently transferred to Tauranga Hospital from Waikato Hospital.

He was admitted in July with a rare form of encephalitis that developed after he contracted a virus. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.

Sydney’s mother Lee Taingahue said he was continuing to make positive progress.

Sydney grew up on Rangiwaea Island, an island at the eastern end of Matakana Island in Tauranga Harbour. He said in his election profile he was an active member of the community, including as a netball coach, Tauranga Netball director, kapa haka judge and “young leader in our moana”.

Taingahue said Sydney’s whānau were humbled by the love and support from the community, especially the Mauaoathon.

Some of the hundreds of people who climbed Mauao to raise money for Tauranga Māori ward councillor Mikaere Sydney. Photo / Supplied

Mikaere was the focus but the values of kotahitanga — coming together — keeping healthy and love for Mauao and the environment underpinned the event, she said.

Taingahue took part in the Mauaoathon alongside other members of the family,

“In light of the recent vandalism of the pounamu touchstone at the summit of Mauao, Saturday’s Mauaoathon and was an uplifting and positive way of showing aroha for Mikaere and bringing us closer to each other and healing for our beloved maunga Mauao,” she said.

The large pounamu touchstone on top of the kāpehu (cultural compass) at the summit of Mauao was found vandalised on Friday.

The maunga was closed on Tuesday while the stone and compass were repaired.

Hemi Rolleston did 10 climbs on the day to support his nephew Mikaere Sydney, inset. Photos / David Hall and Supplied

Hemi Rolleston organised the Mauaoathon for his nephew to help him and his whānau while Sydney was unable to earn an income.

In September, the council voted not to pay his $135,900-a-year councillor salary while he was on leave.

Rolleston was expecting the total raised on Saturday to crack $40,000, doubling the $20,000 target, because money was still coming in.

Climbers obtained sponsorship for their climbs, and others have donated directly to the Givealittle page.

Hundreds gathered for the opening karakia at 5.30am on the summit of Mauao, including Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale and seven councillors.

Rolleston said there were at least 100 people climbing the maunga at once during the day.

Hemi Rolleston, Jack Thatcher, Turi Ngatai and Lee Taingahue at the opening karakia on Saturday morning.

“The whole thing was just uplifting. When you’re walking up and you’re high-fiving [somebody] pretty much every 50m.”

“Everyone’s still vibing from it all. We couldn’t have asked for much more in terms of the wairua, the spirit, that was coming through.”

Rolleston met his goal of 10 climbs and others in the group did 12.

“There were some milestones that were made. For some people getting up and down that mountain was a massive achievement.

“A lot of people had never climbed that mountain and probably weren’t in the greatest fitness to climb it, but they did it for Mikaere.”

The vandalism the day before galvanised people and the fundraiser brought aroha and strength back to Mauao, he said.

The pounamu touchstone on top of the cultural compass on Mauao was vandalised on Friday. Photo / Tauranga City Council

“The maunga has been uplifted, our spirits have been uplifted, our wellbeing has been uplifted and Mikaere and his whanau have been uplifted.”

Drysdale said he and the councillors joined the first climb to support their missing teammate.

“It was an awesome ceremony at the top and being up there for the sunrise was pretty special.”

The money raised so far was an awesome contribution from the community for Sydney and his whanau who have been doing it tough, Drysdale said.

“We’re wishing Mikaere our best and hope to have him join us around the council table as soon as he’s able.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.