Mount Maunganui RSA — Local services in North Island

With the newly refurbished restaurant, and urging to support the Mt Maunganui site, following the talks to combine with the Tauranga RSA, our party of four went along on Saturday 5th July 2025 for an early 6pm meal.

The restaurant wasn't particularly busy even though it was an All Blacks test night, but when we went to order just after 6pm we were told the kitchen was too busy and to come back and order in 10-15 minutes. We asked nicely if they could just take our order and we would just wait longer but were told that wasn't an option as the kitchen had asked for no more orders to be taken at that time.

Not only that but we were also told that two of the main meals weren't available as even at 6pm they had run out.

6.15pm came around and luckily we got in first to order, as shortly after there was a long queue as everyone had been told to come back and order at the same time. Not sure why they couldn't have just taken the orders originally and just asked people if a longer wait for food would be ok - I'm sure the oldies in the queue would have rather that than having to get up and down and then wait in a long queue.

Meals were actually quite good although the whole prawns were pretty difficult to eat. The service system telling people to come back and order later was just plain silly.

We tried to support them but won't...

Set on a peninsula, Mount Maunganui is a laid-back suburb known for the extinct Mount Maunganui volcano, a sacred Maori site with ocean-view hiking trails. Long, sandy Main Beach is popular for its surf breaks, while Pilot Bay Beach has calm waters for paddle boarding. The Mount Hot Pools complex offers saltwater bathing and spa treatments, while brunch spots, global restaurants, and boutiques fill the town centre.

Mount Maunganui is also the name of the large lava dome which was formed by the upwelling of rhyolite lava about two to three million years ago.[3] It is officially known by its Māori name Mauao, but is colloquially known in New Zealand simply as The Mount.[4]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "large mountain"...

Ordered fish & chips $20. Ok with the price but a heap of chips and one battered fish. When eating I noticed there were two bits of fish together and battered and OVERCOOKED. My friend ordered the same and received two nice battered fish and chips. I went back to the pick up point only to be told the fish is sold by weight so that’s why I received one piece. So I end up with a piece of fish that included part of another fillet no doubt to make the weight.

No discussion that’s what it is was the impression.

I looked at other fish & chip plates around the club all had two battered fillets that I could see anyway.

This is the second bad dinning experience in a row. Never again...