New Zealand’s fastest growing city for decades, Tauranga can seem like endless suburban sprawl, but it does have many city parks that are often interconnected. I went for a couple of long walks around Bethlehem, Bellevue and Matua, finding myself pleasant surprised at what I found.

A decent path runs through to Belvedere Reserve.

Heading east Cambridge Park is best known for a BMX park, but I found it offered some great views, including of new road construction.

As with many parts of this walk there were attractive wetlands, home to a reasonable amount of birdlife.

The Tauranga Wetlands are extensive, and offered lovely reflections in the early morning.

There are plenty of paths through them, popular with cyclists.

Blue skies and a lack of wind was a colourful combination.

There were plenty of birds around, including at Gordon Carmichael Reserve.

I headed through York Park to Matua Saltmash Reserve.

Before heading back through Carlton Street Reserve, and returning to the Tauranga Wetlands.