notoriously dangerous. The harbour bridge was opened in 1988, linking Mount Maunganui with Tauranga. The construction of a duplication bridge was completed in December 2009, forming a vital link in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui's growing motorway system. A large container terminal and overseas wharf is located at Mount Maunganui. A branch railway from the East Coast Main Trunk railway runs between the Te Maunga and northern parts of the suburb. Mount Maunganui also features the popular Bayfair Shopping Centre. The centre is one of the largest in the North Island outside Auckland and Wellington. Mount Maunganui is a popular New Years destination, with over 20,000 people frequenting the suburb over the New Years period. Many festivities take place on and around the main beach in the north of the suburb. As part of the Port of Tauranga is located in Mount Maunganui, there are many cruise ship visits annually to the suburb. Sport The suburb is home to the cricket ground Bay Oval, which held the 2018 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup final on 3 February 2018 as well as international cricket matches. Every year Mount Maunganui hosts the Northern Regional Surf Championships (NRC's), and other events such as the NZ Under 14 Ocean Athlete Championships, the Pro Volleyball Tour and The Port of Tauranga Half Ironman triathlon. Artificial reef New Zealand's first artificial reef was installed at the Mount. Construction of the reef was hampered by lack of funds and ironically, too many waves. Initially the public was told the reef would cost about $500k, but costs escalated to $800k. Media reported that local surfers are disappointed with the waves produced by the reef. The reef has also been blamed for creating rips and has now been removed. Climate The climate is mild subtropic: Summer = 20 °C / 30 °C. ( Jan/Feb ) Winter = 10 °C / 15 °C. ( Jun/Jul ) Frosts Avg/Yr = 12 ( -1 °C −2 °C ). Rainfall = 1280mm/Yr.Avg Sunshine = Min 2200hrs/Yr. Beach Temp avg. Summer = 21 °C. Winter = 14 °C. Education Mount Maunganui Primary School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students, with a roll of as of . Several schools are located in the suburbs of Omanu and Arataki, including Mount Maunganui College and Mount Maunganui Intermediate. See also Mauao (Mount Maunganui) References External links Mount Maunganui Tourism Website Maunganui,