This fantastic photo of Mount Maunganui was taken by Bob Tulloch, and is used here with his kind permission. He recalls "I took this photo on a 'perfect day' and I think I managed to capture a really iconic image of the Mount. The light was just right, and you can even see the harbour channel in the water. I first used this photo as the cover of one of four coffee table books that I've published." Bob Tulloch is one of the Bay Of Plenty's best-known and most celebrated photographers, and you can find out more about his work at Tulloch Photography.
A couple of months ago on a bright sunny day, one fit, fine, self-balancing specimen mounted mighty Mount Maunganui.
This track was a particularly good test for the Segway miniPRO, and an opportunity to discover the practical limits for those wanting to use this small machine as an assistive solution. During the upward journey there were four instances of between 10m to 20m where the risk of losing traction on the dry, loose surface of the track was such that these portions were best navigated by dismounting and walking. The miniPRO's handy, extensible telescopic arm makes this a snap. We noticed these portions were equally challenging even for hill climbers dressed in running shoes (or in Jandals, for that matter), as footware could easily slip on the fine grained surface. Also, there were a couple of spots where ruts in the track carved out by water meant the miniPRO's stall point was reached, so dismounting for a meter or so was required. Of course, at around 12kg the miniPRO is easy enough to pick up and carry as well. 
What we learned is that if a person wants to get to the top of Mount Maunganui without dismounting, then a full-sized Segway Personal Transporter (PT) will take you there but a Segway miniPRO won't quite manage it. Almost, but not quite. We've previously ridden both Segway i2 SE and x2 SE models to the top on the Mount with ease. If it is a wet day then we'd recommend the x2 SE (with either tyre option). If using an i2 SE then ensure your tyres have plenty of tread (see this link for a tyre tread wear chart). Alternatively, fit enhanced traction tyres such as the IRC Urban Master Snow Tyres (see our earlier story here), or swap on a set of Kiwi-made MAX Wheels (these are twice as wide as an i2 SE tyre, but still fit through a standard doorway). Either way, we have shown in previous articles how the Segway PT leaves behind a lesser impression on the ground compared with a person walking or running the same route - see our story about a Segway PT on Karekare Beach, or see environmentalist politician (and rather famous singer in a rock band) Peter Garrett taking an eco-tour). On a Segway PT you're not damaging the environment while you're out enjoying it. Something else we noticed is how friendly and unobtrusive the silent, zero-emission Segway miniPRO is around other people. We photographed it in front of some bicycles for hire to show how it is narrower than the bicycle's handlebars (see third photo above). In fact, the miniPRO is narrower than an adult's shoulders. The other thing we noticed - this being New Zealand and all - is there are always sheep around every corner.... 
To finish, we gently circumnavigated the 3.4km base of this volcanic cone and enjoed everything from the golden sands of New Zealand's favourite family ocean beach, to the spectacular sights of surf crashing onto rocks, to enormous cruise liners and cargo ships squeezing through the deep channel between the Mount and Matakana Island, to Tauranga's cityscape hugging the edge of the bountiful protected harbour, to children playing in the shallows of Pilot Bay, to the sight of New Zealand's largest port (by export volume). This is surely one of the world's great short walks. 