Mangawhaifocus
New opportunities to support crucial conservation projects
The goal for the tara iti project is to raise $1.3 million over the next five years. “ ”
Efforts to save the endangered tari iti / NZ fairy tern are set to get a boost with a partnership by the Department of Conservation and New Zealand Nature Fund to create opportunities for donors and philanthropists to support high priority conservation projects.
DOC has selected projects to save the tara iti, the Alborn skink and a rare limestone plant ecosystem, and donors can choose which to support, through a nature prospectus launched this month. The NZ Nature Fund will raise and manage the funds.
“New Zealand’s unique biodiversity is in trouble with more than 4000 native species threatened or at risk of extinction, so we’re innovating to get action for nature,” DOC’s deputy director-general of public affairs Sia Aston said.
“There are passionate people in New Zealand and overseas who want to make a difference for nature and we’re making it easier for them to contribute.”
Aston said DOC created the prospectus to accelerate work on threatened species and ecosystems, and the NZ Nature Fund could expertly attract investment to the projects.
NZ Nature Fund founding trustee and former conservation minister Denis Marshall said the partnership provided new avenues for private donors, large and small, to make a real impact on the ground.
“We are in an urgent fight against time and our most critically endangered species need help right now. This helps DOC to build awareness about where the effort is urgently needed, while also enabling donors of every
size to participate and make a difference.”
The initial goal is to raise $4.6 million for the three projects, extending and accelerating crucial conservation work. The goal for the tara iti project is to raise $1.3 million over the next five years.
According to DOC, tara iti is New Zealand’s most endangered endemic bird with fewer than 35 left in the Northland and Auckland regions.
The tara iti project will build on existing conservation activities and include the creation of new safe breeding sites, predator control and surveys to understand how the coastal bird uses the Kaipara Harbour over winter.
With a population of just 40 to 100 individuals, the Alborn skink is at high risk
of extinction. The Alborn skink project will create a five-hectare predator-free fenced sanctuary in beech forest near Reefton to protect its only known population and safeguard its future.
A groundbreaking project to restore the mauri (life force) of a rare limestone ecosystem in the Waitaki Valley will save critically endangered limestone plants and reset the ecosystem to be self-sustaining.
The project involves removing weeds, propagating and replanting the threatened plants in their special limestone habitat, and creating a forest buffer around the site to protect against extreme weather and weed invasion.
For more info, and to donate: https:// nznaturefund.org/projects/tara-iti/
An adult tara iti. Photo: Jacob Ball
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November 18, 2024 - Issue
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Fewer queues, more detours this summer
Motorists in Whangārei District can expect more detours but fewer stop/go queues as council contractors try out new ways to manage traffic during roadworks this summer, in a bid to get more work done faster.
A big programme of work is planned for council roads and state highways this summer, and council’s infrastructure committee chairman Simon Reid says it will mean total closures of some roads from time to time.
“We want to try something different this year to see whether it lets us get through entire jobs faster, while also reducing the time drivers sit in queues,” he says. “Where possible, and when there is a safe detour available, we plan to close the road completely and direct drivers along the detours while we work on the full width of the closed road, hopefully for a shorter period overall.”
Reid says in the past, one lane has been closed for work while the other is under stop/go management. The process is then reversed for work on the second lane.
“On one hand, the traffic has continued moving through the site during the works, even if slowly. On the other hand, we think it may have been taking more time overall to do both sides of the job separately.
“We also know people get frustrated sitting in stop/go queues, and it’s hot and dusty for the crews as cars go through the worksite, not always observing the speed limit. With a bit of luck, the detours will mean people can stay on the move, the crews can make the most of the empty road and we’ll get more done overall.
“Usually, the roads will be closed after the
morning peak and reopened that night.” Reid says summer is the best time of year to do roadworks because the weather is dry and the days are long. Roading layers adhere well to each other, curing faster and providing a surface that is longer wearing and needs repairing less often.
Fewer repairs mean fewer delays, better driving over the course of the year and lower costs for the ratepayers.
“The time saving with closures means that the crews could be moving off and setting up for the next job, while the good weather lasts,” he says.
“Everyone in the Whangārei District knows how unpredictable the weather can be, so every sunny hour of daylight should be used to its fullest extent.”
Whangarei council will trial a new approach to managing traffic through work sites this summer.
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Petition targets Bream Bay sand mining push
The government’s decision to include a proposal to mine sand in Bream Bay for 35 years in a list of projects for fast-tracking is being challenged.
Natalie Jessup, general manager of the Endangered Species Foundation – Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, has called the decision “a heartbreaking blow for Aotearoa’s coastline”. The group has launched a petition.
McCallum Brothers’ mining of sand along the Mangawhai Pākiri coast has long been legally contested. The company’s bid to start dredging in Bream Bay has been included in a list of 149 projects, which Cabinet has chosen to add to its pending fast-track legislation. The proposal is to mine some 17 square kilometres of Bream Bay seabed, extracting 25,000 cubic metres of sand a month for a term of 35 years.
“Bream Bay, like Mangawhai and Pākiri, is home to some of our most vulnerable species, including the critically endangered
tara iti (New Zealand fairy tern),” Jessup said. “Approving sand mining here is not only environmentally destructive but a betrayal of the communities who have fought to protect these areas for decades.”
Iwi, local communities and conservation groups including Ngāti Manuhiri, Te Whānau o Pākiri, Save Our Sand Mangawhai Pākiri, Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Trust, Friends of Pākiri Beach, Department of Conservation and the NZ Fairy Tern Trust have worked for decades to protect the fragile coastlines.
Jessup said the decision by the government had ignored those voices, and that it looked set to approve “further destruction”.
“This decision shows a total disregard for environmental sustainability and community concerns,” she said. “We need to prioritise restoring our democracy, giving people a voice, and stopping harmful practices like sand mining and bottom trawling”.
She called for sustainable alternatives to sand, pointing to Kayasands, an initiative in Waikato using technology developed in Japan, which produces a sand substitute from quarry materials and waste products.
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora says as severe weather events intensify, the need to protect the coastlines has never been more urgent, and that sand mining erodes natural coastal defences, irreparably damages sea floors, and threatens marine biodiversity.
“Our future lies in nurturing our natural world, not destroying it,” Jessup said. “It’s time to take a stand for our whenua, our moana, and the endangered species that call these precious ecosystems home.”
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora says opponents of the plan can help protect the coastlines by signing its petition and urging Ministers Chris Bishop and Shane Jones to reconsider. Info and petition: www.endangeredspecies.org.nz
Sand miners slapped with hefty court costs
Auckland aggregates firm McCallum Bros Ltd (MBL) has been ordered to pay a hefty $500,000 in costs to two sand mining opponents by the Environment Court.
Judges Jeff Smith and Aidan Warren awarded $450,000 to the Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust (MKCT), Ngāti Manuhiri’s operational arm, and $50,000 to Friends of Pakiri Beach founder Damon Clapshaw for costs they incurred during MBL’s lengthy, but unsuccessful, appeal to continue dredging sand from the seabed off Pākiri and Mangawhai last year.
The court dismissed MBL’s view that it should limit costs to 25 per cent of the total amount sought by each party, and more than doubled it to well over 50 per cent in each case, due in part to errors, delays and a last
minute application by MBL to strike out MKCT’s evidence.
The judges were particularly critical of the “ill-conceived” strike-out bid, which was made on the very last day of the hearing and came as a bolt from the blue to all concerned, right at the end of what had been a complex and drawn out case between July and September last year.
“From the court’s perspective, the application was without any merit and should not have been made,” they said. “The entire costs surrounding the strike out application should be borne by McCallum Bros as an ill-conceived interlocutory step in the proceedings.”
The money awarded to MKCT and Clapshaw is in addition to claims for costs by other organisations and entities opposing MBL’s
bid to keep dredging – Auckland Council, Friends of Pākiri Beach, DOC, Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society, Pākiri Te Whānau Community Group, Forest & Bird and the New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust – which were settled outside of court.
While the sums involved have not been revealed, Clapshaw estimates they could be as much as another $500,000, or even more.
MBL has appealed the Environment Court’s decision to refuse it consent to continue offshore dredging, which is due to be heard in the High Court in November next year.
In the meantime, the aggregate supplier continues to dredge using a temporary offshore consent that was granted during last year’s hearing, in exchange for MBL ceasing to mine inshore.
Lions revive
Food and Wine Festival
The Mangawhai Lions Club is bringing back the Food and Wine Festival, a popular attraction and fundraiser that has not been held for several years.
The festival in the Mangawhai Domain is planned for March 15 and the club is expecting a turnout of 2000.
Lions secretary Mandy Hebben says the former organisers, Mangawhai Walking Weekend, are pleased that Lions will reconvene the festival as an annual community fundraiser, rather than commercial, event.
Mandy says organising an event of this size entails a lot of red tape, but Kaipara District Council staff have been very helpful.
Ticket sales and vendor site fees will go back into the community, with 50 per cent going to the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service for the repairs to its clubrooms, and the remainder going to other local community groups.
New World Mangawhai is a platinum sponsor, and Mandy says the Lions were looking for further sponsorship support, since the more costs that are covered, the more the fundraising effort will achieve.
The club has signed up three local wineries, a couple of breweries and a wide selection of food vendors.
Entertainment will be provided by Solid Gold 70s Band, Legacy Band, and Mangawhai Tavern Market regulars Loose Covers and Raw Jam. An area in front of the stage will be set aside for dancing.
A VIP marquee near the stage offers 10 tables of eight for corporate entertaining, several of which are still available.
To ensure that attendees get home safely, the club is organising a bus, with a route likely similar to the summer loop bus route. There will also be plentiful parking at the Domain, and residents of the village are encouraged to walk.
Early bird entry tickets are still available at $40 each, although the price will go up to $50 soon. https://www.trybooking.com/ nz/events/landing/13774
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The fight goes on to save the sand on east coast beaches.
Community park masterplan finalised
A new masterplan for Mangawhai Community Park allows for the possible future provision of a rescue helicopter landing pad, and supports some expansion of the existing fire and ambulance service facilities.
Kaipara District Council endorsed the plan at its October 30 meeting, following a drafting process that included public feedback.
A council-appointed committee received 37 submissions, and heard from five submitters during a hearing in May, before making amendments to the draft plan.
The 34-hectare park incorporates the Mangawhai Museum and historic village, and stretches as far as the bowling club and golf course. It is home to the Mangawhai Activity Zone, St John Ambulance, Mangawhai Fire Station and the wastewater treatment plant.
The master plan, which governs the future direction of the park, backs the expansion of the fire and ambulance stations, “within their existing license to occupy footprints”.
It envisages the possibility of a permanent helicopter landing pad, which would allow rescue helicopters to land and evacuate patients without the Volunteer Fire Brigade having to set up a temporary landing site each time.
The plan directs that the park’s natural landscapes – ecological and geological – will be its dominant feature, with mostly native vegetation for future planting.
With the park’s primary focus being as a space for informal play, recreation and community participation, expansion of walking and cycling tracks will be supported, along with the establishment of additional play equipment and picnic facilities.
On the other hand, formal competitive sports such as those requiring full sized sports fields would be better accommodated elsewhere.
Future projects for distinct areas within the park include expansion of the historic village, preservation of the Gumdiggers/George Merz Hut and replacement of the old observation tower.
The plan identifies significant natural and heritage features within the park for protection, along with the need to control weeds and predators and to maintain and
restore the forested area and wetland.
The plan says the future presence of community groups that are already established in the park will be assured, but their expansion, as well as the establishment of additional groups, will be limited, to maintain the dominance of the park’s natural elements.
It also tackles the issue of commercial activity in the park.
Historically, some not-for-profit groups have been allowed some commercial activity, contributing to their ability to be selfsustaining.
“Mobile food trucks and market stalls have also been permitted, subject to securing relevant permits, as it has been deemed they can add vibrancy to the park and be relocated as need-be.”
The plan keeps open the possibility that council may, in the future, consider allowing other commercial options.
The area below the Mangawhai Club is identified as a potential location for a future council office, library, community hub or
similar civic building. While walking and cycling links are a priority, the plan recognises the importance of vehicle access and provides for additional parking and drop off zones.
“Mangawhai is growing, with many choosing to live more rurally or in areas further afield
from the park and not serviced by public transport. The park should therefore include ample parking, recognising its prominence as a destination park for not just local residents but also those living on Mangawhai’s outskirts, as well as visitors.”
Suspicious seagull activity
Taps at Mangawhai Beach School (MBS) remained off last week as further tests were done on the water supply after increased levels of E.coli were detected on November 7.
Parents were asked to equip their children with drinking bottles, and hand sanitisers were being used at the school while ongoing tests were conducted. E.coli is caused by fecal matter.
Principal Aaron Kemp says a flock of seagulls who enjoy lunchtime at the school are possibly the culprits.
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“The gulls actually wait for the morning break and lunchtime bell,” he says. “We also haven’t had much rain lately and find we tend
to get a little bit more E.coli if it’s been dry for a while.”
Kemp says the water is tested every month.
“According to Ministry of Health guidelines, an E.coli test has to be less than one and unfortunately we got a two.”
Before turning the taps back on, three consecutive tests must show a presence of less than one. UV filters will also be changed, Kemp says.
“If the latest tests still show a high presence of E.coli we will look at getting the tanks cleaned, too.
“We thank all parents for their understanding and support.”
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Nearby Mangawhai Heads surf beach
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A drone image of Mangawhai Community Park. Photo, Andy Bruce, Elevated Media.
Likely rates rises loom as Kaipara
District Council consults on changes
Kaipara District Council is consulting ratepayers over proposed changes to rates that include a shift from basing them on land value (LV) to capital value (CV).
Council said the change would not affect the total take, but would make the way rates were distributed fairer and more equitable. For many ratepayers in the district, that will mean more to pay.
A document on revenue and financing policy says that having considered the overall rating impacts across all groups of ratepayers and individual properties, council intends to apply CV to general rates, based on the view that CV “has more of a connection to wealth and the ability to pay rates than just the land value, as CV includes the value of the improvements on the land”.
A move from LV to CV in setting rates was a key issue in community feedback during the consultation process for the 2024-2027 Long Term Plan.
“We heard community feedback earlier this year asking us to review how we set rates,” Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson said. “We’ve made a number of changes to update the policy and now it’s time for you to tell us if we have it right.”
Council is also proposing a change to the
way it charges for stormwater.
Currently, they are based on catchment targeted rates, but the change would see capital costs of stormwater equalised across the district, like water and wastewater.
Charges would be based on properties’ LV.
The overall impact of the proposed changes to general and stormwater rates would result in increased rates for 66.8 per cent of residential ratepayers and 26 per cent of commercial/ industrial ratepayers, while 93 per cent of rural ratepayers would experience a reduction in rates.
A consultation document available on council’s website explains the changes, and a bespoke property search tool allows ratepayers to check to see the proposed rate changes for their individual property.
“These proposed changes will be different for each ratepayer depending on what type of property they own and where they live,”
Jepson said. “So it’s important people read the consultation document, and look up their property to help understand what the changes might mean for them.”
Consultation runs until December 15.
More information and online submission form: https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/ revenueandfinancingpolicy
Mayor’s Memo
Greetings,
I am often asked about whether there is a disparity between what we spend in Dargaville and Mangawhai, our two largest towns in Kaipara. Earlier this month I met with a group of Dargaville business owners and we talked about that.
Taking a balanced view across the district does not mean we spend the same amount of money in every ward. We need to look at the needs, the opportunities, and what funding is available to be able to make decisions.
Which is why, over the next three years we have planned to spend more on capital projects in Mangawhai than in Dargaville. There is important context to that.
Currently there is a much higher rate of growth in Mangawhai than in Dargaville, especially around the outer edges of Mangawhai. It hasn’t always been that way.
In the past Dargaville was the biggest town in the district and so most of council spending on infrastructure, parks and libraries was invested there.
With growth comes greater need. When a town grows, the facilities and infrastructure need to keep up. Fifteen years ago Mangawhai was a seaside bach town with basic facilities. Now we are in catch-up mode to add footpaths in high traffic areas, parks, stormwater, public toilets and expand the wastewater system so that infrastructure can keep pace with population growth.
You’ll be aware we have just partially staffed the Mangawhai library, which is something Dargaville has had for years.
When a town is developed, developers must make a contribution to reserves and infrastructure. Contributions must be spent predominantly in the area they are raised to meet the needs of the growth – that’s how we had funding to purchase the land for Urlich Park. The money used had to be spent on reserves in the Mangawhai area. Development contributions have also been supporting much-needed infrastructure improvements in Mangawhai. Recently Dargaville hasn’t had as much growth but it is coming.
I know some believe Dargaville ratepayers are funding growth and new infrastructure in Mangawhai. That’s not true – in fact it’s the opposite. The reality is, is that higher property values and higher population means a greater proportion of our rates are raised in Mangawhai.
Our towns are at different stages of the infrastructure lifecycle. When a town grows we need to provide new, additional services. In Dargaville we are looking to replace aging infrastructure – increasing resilience of what we have. We spend more on maintaining facilities in Dargaville, like replacing pipes, maintaining wastewater ponds than we do in Mangawhai. These things are much less visible.
There are some great future opportunities for Kaipara, and especially Dargaville, that have benefited the area and will continue to benefit locals in the future.
We access government funding for many of our projects. Over the last five years government funding has supported the following projects:
Kaipara Kai; sealing 10km of Pouto road and remediating unsealed roads; three wharves – Dargaville and Pahi wharf pontoon and wharf upgrades, and the new wharf at Pouto; public toilets in Pahi, Baylys Beach, Maungaturoto, Taharoa Domain, Mangawhai to name a few; Baylys Beach boardwalk and boardwalk extension; first stage of the Kaihu Valley Trail; Mangawhai shared path; and a number of stopbanks and floodgates. Six projects to increase Dargaville storm resilience (Awakino railway embankment, Beach Road Culvert, Dargaville wastewater treatment plant bund raising, Awakino river mouth cleaning, and Dargaville floodwall stopbank repairs. Council also contributed to some of these projects. Much of this investment has been to support the development and resilience of the western side of the district.
With recent private plan changes accepted into the operative District Plan, and new developments proposed for Dargaville, more local funding will be available to fund recreation and infrastructure in the local areas.
The other opportunity I want to raise is contestable funding. In addition to our community grants, 10 per cent of reserve contribution funding from across the district – up to a level of $200,000 per year – is contestable. That means community groups, organisations and initiatives can apply for it from anywhere in the district. It doesn’t matter where the reserve contributions have been collected from.
Lastly I also want to speak on the Kauri Coast Community Pool, which some people have raised with me recently. It is owned and operated by Sport Northland, not KDC. Council supports Sport Northland with an annual pool grant (around $360,000+GST), paid from general rates collected across the whole district and is set to expire in June 2025. We will discuss a preferred future ownership model and funding options in an upcoming council meeting.
When elected members start in their roles they take a formal oath to serve Kaipara District as a whole and not simply serve the wards they were elected into. There are always tough decisions to make, and not everyone will agree with what we decide, but we do take that oath seriously and consider the entire district with every decision.
Mayor Craig Jepson Kaipara District
Wellsford North approved
A private plan change that would allow the development of around 800 new homes on 75 hectares of land north-east of Wellsford has been been given the green light by independent commissioners. A panel chaired by resource management consultant Greg Hill, together with planners Lisa Mein and Trevor Mackie, approved Wellsford Welding Club Ltd’s application to rezone land bounded by SH1 to the west, the railway line to the east and Bosher Road in the north for a mixed housing development and neighbourhood retail zone. The Wellsford North land is currently zoned predominantly as future urban, with some countryside living, rural production and single house. The plan change will rezone the area to predominantly single and mixed house residential, with some large lot housing and a neighbourhood centre. The hearing on the proposal was held in August.
Craig Jepson, Mayor Kaipara Council
‘Anti-science, anti-fact ideas’
When I did my science degree, a mentor drilled into me that bad science must always be contested. With this in mind, I respond to the mayor’s Viewpoint column (MF Nov 4)
There is irony in the mayor espousing the values of democracy and vigorous, healthy discussion while using his privileged position as recipient of a dedicated space in your newspaper to preach to an audience who can’t talk back. He has power and privilege that makes his opinion heard far louder and more widely than a normal citizen, but he has chosen to use that to express his anti-science, anti-fact ideas.
Mr Jepson urges us to give up ‘trying to change the climate’, imagining somehow that humans are not changing the climate, for the worse, every day. In taking his contrary stance on climate change, Mr Jepson seeks out niche ‘experts’ for his information and ignores the vast majority of scientists who have moved on past his ‘denial’ phase and are now actually working on retreat, repair and mitigation. He also mocks the idea of the current rate of climate change being a ‘crisis’ while simultaneously having to rewrite the council budget to allow for the massive damage done by Cyclone Gabrielle and the subsequent massive rain event. As someone with strong links to the concrete industry and waste-to-energy plants, both of which have a difficult relationship with carbon production, it is understandable that the mayor might put his financial interests ahead of sound scientific opinion. However, he is using his status as mayor to impose on the readers of this newspaper personal fringe views.
The mayor also made the most of his captive, silent audience to take
an equally ill-informed, shot at vaccination. Again, one can find an ‘expert’ for any opinion on the internet, but you are running stubbornly against a majority of scientific opinion to do so.
And, finally, the mayor castigates ‘the media’ (Mangawhai Focus excluded) for not wanting to promote his minority opinions. What he is actually seeking is unfettered rights to national media to express his personal, fringe ideas. That is not what national media is for and they are quite right to take a scientifically sound editorial stance. So, when it comes time to vote in the 2025 local body elections, ask yourself if you wish to support for mayor someone who chooses wilful ignorance and anti-science values as the basis for their world-view. We’ve seen the mayor be petulant, divisive and dismissive towards our Māori community, and now he shows he is equally dismissive of logic, fact and sound science. I don’t believe this is the sort of person we need leading our council.
Luke Williamson, Kaiwaka
Stop polluting
In response to the mayor’s Viewpoint column (MF, Nov 4), I’d like to contribute my perspectives on those issues. He and I don’t agree on everything, but we do agree on the need to enable differing opinions to be expressed. My own view on the climate change issue can be expressed through what happened in extreme weather events such as at Tolaga Bay as a result of forestry (and native forest) slash. Never mind if the Tolaga Bay community decided to aim for being carbon neutral in their local environment, never mind if they should achieve that, it would do nothing to protect them from future slash deluges unless land management
in the whole catchment were to change.
New Zealand is officially seeking carbon neutrality as a nation, but that will do nothing to stop the weather bombs from brewing up in the equatorial Pacific and dumping on us. We do not make our own weather; we are bit players in a global weather system.
We do, however, make our own pollution, and that is where I believe we should collectively be focusing our attention as a nation.
If we manage to tread more lightly on this part of the Earth we will improve our own quality of life as well as improve the health of the planet. Of course, the ‘win, win, win’ would be solutions which improve our quality of life, improve Planet Earth’s wellbeing, and also save us money. This must be possible, and should be the focus of further research. Any savings made should be spent on more resilient infrastructure.
I see carbon farming encouraged by the Emissions Trading Scheme as little more than a licence to pollute. Let’s just produce less pollution!
As a council, we used to measure our organisation’s carbon emissions but we did little with the information so the measurement was cancelled as a cost-saving measure. Short-sighted in my view. It may come as no surprise that the main source of our pollution/ carbon emissions is from our sewage treatment plants. I think we should be treating the output of these schemes as a resource to be harvested, not as waste to be disposed of. I am advised that it is not yet economically viable to do this. That’s where technology needs to catch up with our needs. The mayor might even agree with me on that.
Mark Vincent, Otamatea Ward Councillor, Kaipara District Council
Views of Mangawhai for sale via Lions fundraising calendar
With Christmas less than 40 sleeps away, the hunt for ideal gifts is on and for those who like to buy local, a pictorial art piece showcasing Mangawhai’s beauty every day of the year is now for sale.
Following Mangawhai Lions photography competition in May, the winning images have been collated and can be enjoyed as a 2025 fundraising calendar.
All sale proceeds go towards Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service to help with ongoing repair work after the landslide, which smashed into
the clubrooms in January last year.
Lions member Mandy Hebben says the calendar is ideal to send friends and family overseas for Christmas as well as a corporate gift for clients, “to show them the paradise we call home”.
Calendars are available for sale at the Village’s Barfoot and Thompson and Hospice shop, at stalls outside Mangawhai Heads Four Square and Bunnings on Saturday mornings or by emailing mangawhailions@ gmail.com. For bulk orders, call Mandy on 021 419 224.
Mangawhai Lion’s members Karen and Eric Carter on duty selling the 2025 calendar to help an important cause.
By Doug Lloyd, Chair
The importance of visitors to Mangawhai’s retail sector
It is unlikely that the large retailers, Bunnings and New World could be sustained without the important spending from visitors, a 2024 study of retail spend in the Mangawhai area has shown.
Mangawhai Matters has released its 2024 report on visitor spending in our town.
This is one of several studies intended to indicate what the risk is to the community if the more frequent storms associated with climate change undermine the usability and appeal of the harbour and coast. It forms part of a Sustainability Study that focuses on ensuring the future of the Mangawhai Estuary and Distal Spit.
One of the questions the report seeks to answer is: If fewer holiday-makers come to Mangawhai, what would the consequences be for our retail sector?
This research provides some clues. It indicates that the local economy and jobs still rely heavily on visitors who account for $50m of spending in 2024, or 42 per cent of all sales. However, it also shows that while visitor spending is growing strongly, a muchexpanded retail sector is capturing a larger share of local resident spending. As a result, dependence on visitors for sales has fallen from over 60 per cent five years ago. Visitor spending, however, is still highly important. If it were to fall, the level of retail services that the community currently enjoys could not be sustained.
The report shows significant growth in spending overall, by over 30 per cent in the year ending March 2024. This was in addition to a post-covid bounce back the year before.
The total estimated spend of $117 million was more than twice the level recorded in 2019 (in constant 2024 dollars). This is well ahead of the 40 per cent growth in
population, which is a spectacular figure in its own right, compared with the rest of New Zealand. What this means is that half of the increase in retailing in Mangawhai resulted from residents spending closer to home rather than just population growth.
By explanation, the way in which the data is collected means that all of Kaipara District is counted as local. In practice, the majority of ‘local’ spending will come from people living in and around Mangawhai itself, although the increase in retail capacity last year will have expanded the catchment within Kaipara.
The figures also show that around one-third of the growth was accounted for by people living outside Kaipara. Three-quarters of these people were from Auckland, highlighting Mangawhai’s role as a recreational and holiday destination for the wider region So, the level of dependence on holidaymaker spending has diminished as a much-expanded retail sector meeting more household needs encourages more local spending by local households and, no doubt, by visitors when they are here.
Visitor spending remains particularly important for restaurants, hotels and cafes, which still rely on visitors for about 60 per cent of sales and which grew only 8 per cent in 2024. This compares with grocery sales which grew by 34 per cent and rely on visitors for around a third of sales.
Our main finding, then, is that the introduction of the New World and Bunnings stores enables locals to meet more of their shopping needs in the town. While that may provide some insulation from dependence on visitors, the fact is that visitors remain a major component of their market and are critical to the smaller retailers, which provide some depth and diversity to the Mangawhai shopping experience for both local and visitor markets.
Summer buses need sponsors
Mangawhai’s summer bus service will need a push from a sponsor to get it running for longer next year. Kaipara District Council says that with local sponsorship, it hopes to run the daily service until after Waitangi weekend.
The free summer buses in Mangawhai have operated for a number of years and were introduced to help ease congestion when thousands of visitors descend on the town during summer. It also helps take some of the pressure off carparking hotspots.
A council spokesperson says bus patronage has grown year-on-year with more people enjoying a hassle-free ride around town. Feedback from the community consistently asks for the bus to run for longer through the summer and later into the evening.
To meet this demand, council is seeking sponsorship from local businesses to offset the additional costs. Sponsorship will see the bus running daily from 10am to 6.30pm until February 9. The service will also be available on Easter weekend.
Sponsorship packages start at $1500 and expressions of interest can be lodged on the council website at kaipara.govt.nz/summerbus
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9.40am Departs Waipu Cove Beach Car park
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4.00pm Departs Waipu Monument Bus stop 4.10pm Departs Waipu Cove Beach Car park
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News from Kaipara District Council
Have your say on how we set rates
We’re asking for feedback from residents and ratepayers on a number of changes to our Revenue and Financing Policy. The policy sets out how council activities and services are funded and why. It does not increase the overall rates take for Council. There are some key areas we are seeking your feedback on:
Moving from land value to capital value for the general rate
We want to know if you support a change from using land value (LV) to using capital value (CV) to calculate our general rate. Land value (LV) is the value of your land. Capital value (CV) is the land value plus improvements made to the land, such as buildings. This affects everyone. Currently, we are in the minority of district councils in New Zealand who still rate on land value. Council considers CV has more of a connection to wealth and the ability to pay rates than just the LV as it includes the value of the improvements on the land. CV is also generally more stable than LV, as it is less affected by fluctuations in the property market.
Changing the differential for commercial/industrial properties from 1.55 to 1.1
Rate differentials apply to the general rate and are used to change the proportion of rates that we collect from each group of ratepayers.
Mangawhai shared path
The team and contractors are winding up work on the Mangawhai shared path, with the last bits and pieces being completed over the next week. The path improves safety and connectivity between the village and the heads, making it easier to travel by foot, bike, or scooter along busy Molesworth Drive.
We are celebrating the completion of the work with an opening event at 9am Tuesday 26 November. If you would like to come along and celebrate with us please RSVP to mangawhaicommunityplan@kaipara.govt.nz
Check out the latest roading report on our website kaipara.govt.nz/kaipara-roads
Currently there are two differential categories for rates:
Residential and small sized lifestyle properties All land that is used exclusively, or almost exclusively, for residential purposes including investment flats, or used for lifestyle purposes and is less than two hectares. The differential for residential and small life sized properties is 1.
Other All land that is not included in the definition of residential and small lifestyle properties. Other includes land used exclusively, or almost exclusively, for dairy, horticultural, forestry, pastoral and specialist purposes, commercial, industrial or mining purposes and as a utility asset. Commercial includes resthomes and short stay accommodation such as motels and hotels. The current differential for Other (not residential and small sized lifestyle properties) is 1.55. With the move to using CV for the general rate, there is a significant increase for commercial and industrial properties as they have a larger ratio of CV to LV based on the improvements on the land. We are proposing to reduce the differential for commercial/industrial to 1.1 as this is considered sufficient to reflect the benefits of the general rate to commercial/industrial properties, as opposed to other property types.
Equalising the capital costs of stormwater across the district
This proposed change affects those who are currently paying the targeted stormwater rate – those on the Baylys Beach, Dargaville, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and Te Kōpuru networks. If you are not sure if you pay this rate, have a look at your last rates invoice. Council considers that equalising the targeted rates across the networks simplifies the rates and removes large increases when capital is spent. This means that all people on any of the five stormwater networks would pay the same rate in the dollar.
Feedback closes Sunday 15 December 2024. Our consultation document, the full draft Revenue and Financing Policy, online and printable submission forms as well as frequently asked questions can all be found at kaipara.govt.nz/haveyoursay Come and talk to us:
• Saturday 30 November Mangawhai Community Market
• Saturday 7 December Dargaville Christmas market
Ngā whare pukapuka o Kaipara
Kaipara District Libraries
Join Kaipara Libraries for free access to thousands of digital titles! Use your library card to enjoy eBooks and audiobooks on Libby and Borrowbox, read newspapers and magazines on PressReader, and stream TV, movies, and music on Hoopla.
Call 0800 532 542 for assistance or pop into to see one of our librarians.
KDC agrees on eight councillors and a boundary change for 2025
The Kaipara District Council will make a small boundary change ahead of next year’s local government election to better balance the average number of residents represented by elected members.
Following its decision to abolish the Moananui O Te Kaipara Māori ward, council was required to carry out a shortened representation review, inviting submissions from the public.
At its October 30 meeting, council adopted the final proposal for its review, setting arrangements for the 2025 elections, with a mayor elected at-large and eight councillors elected across three wards.
The proposal retains the existing wards –Kaiwaka-Mangawhai, Otamatea and Wairoa – but with a small boundary change to move 110 voters from the Wairoa ward into the Otamatea ward.
The Kaiwaka-Mangawhai ward will have 10,050 eligible voters in 2025, voting for three representatives. Wairoa will have 11,030 voters and three council representatives. Otamatea will have 6180 voters, voting to fill two seats.
This will result in Wairoa having one councillor for every 3677 voters, KaiwakaMangawhai having one councillor for every 3350 voters and Otamatea having one councillor for every 3090 voters.
The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires that each councillor represents approximately the same number of people, plus or minus 10 per cent.
Consultation
The confirmed representation arrangements came after formal community consultation on an initial proposal, although the final proposal contained no changes from the initial one.
With the adoption of a final proposal, anyone who made a submission to the initial proposal is able to lodge an appeal against the council’s final proposal, relating to matters raised in their submission.
An appeal period runs until November 26 and any appeals received will be submitted to the Local Government Commission, along
with the final proposal for decision.
During the earlier consultation period, 62 submissions were received, of which nine were ruled invalid since they related to the scrapping of the Maōri ward, a subject outside the scope of the review. Of the valid submissions, 32 were in favour of the proposal and 21 opposed.
Among those opposed, 10 submitters felt the initial proposal did not give fair representation. They wanted consideration to be given to a broader approach of community boards and communities of interest, rather than traditional location boundaries.
Council staff in a discussion document ruled out a community board approach, noting that legislation requires ward boundaries to coincide with meshblock boundaries.
“On this occasion the options were geographically focused with consideration given to other aspects such as history, cultural boundaries, and a sense of belonging.”
Currently the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai ward is represented by Jonathan Larsen, Mike Howard and Rachael Williams; the Otamatea ward by Ron Manderson and Mark Vincent; and the Wairoa ward by Gordon Lambeth, Ash Nayyar and Eryn Wilson-Collins. Pera Paniora represents the Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori ward.
Council’s August 7 vote to disestablish the Maōri ward is the subject of an Auckland High Court challenge brought by Ngāti Whātua. A court ruling is awaited.
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Factory funds celebrate local youth accomplishments
Mangawhai’s love affair with a second-hand shop, which funnels funds back into the community, has not abated in the past seven years with grant round number 14 receiving a record number of applicants.
Since first opening in October 2017, Mangawhai Community Op Shop (MCOS) aka The Factory, has given out an outstanding $750,000 to local clubs, groups and organisations which support the social wellbeing, and dreams, of the community.
Last month, 20 recipients received a total of $68,000, the largest amount given out since the scheme started.
MCOS trustee Catherine Dilly says what was especially pleasing with the recent grants was the focus on young people, with the Youth Achievement Grant (YAG) awarded to talented basketball player, 16-year-old Isaiah Pere.
“We love that we have been able to gift this special grant and want to grow awareness and encourage people to apply for it,” she says. “There are a lot of young people doing incredible things in the community and a diverse range of youth community initiatives so we were pleased to be able to support and celebrate them.”
Dilly says the increase in applications shows not only the growth of Mangawhai but the real need in the current financially tough climate.
“We’re just really pleased to be able to help as many groups as we can, that's why we’re here,” she says. “We’re also grateful to the community for their amazing quality donations as well as shopping with us, because everything spent here, goes back and stays here in Mangawhai.”
The YAG will help Isaiah attend and play in the Las Vegas Classic tournament next July, paying travel and uniform costs, gym membership and training practices. Isaiah, who is in Year 14 at Otamatea High
School, says he is excited about the trip. “It will be a good experience and really good exposure as I could be seen by American colleges,” he says. “It also might help me get work in basketball, which is what I want to do.”
Mangawhai Beach School received money to pay for riding lessons for kids with social, cognitive and physical impairment, as well as intermediate students who competed in this year’s Tournament of the Minds (TOM).
Two groups of Year 7 and 8s won the Auckland regionals, earning them a place at the national comp held in Wellington where the Year 8s placed third place.
The students said that attending TOMs was a great opportunity, which helped challenge their minds and made them think outside the box. While in the capital, the students also visited the Weta Workshop and Te Papa, and rode the famous Wellington Cable Car.
“We couldn’t have gone without the grants … not many kids get to go on a plane for a school trip, and we collectively say a big thank you to the Factory for their support.”
A special award was also granted for two altruistic teenagers who have been delivering baked goods to locals who are either sick, elderly or going through a hard time such as divorce or grief.
Although not meeting the grant criteria, the ‘Secret Scone’ pair, who wish to stay anonymous, have received a $500 Mangawhai Heads Four Square gift voucher, MCOS manager Honor Stratton says.
“We like to encourage community service so we decided to support them with a voucher instead,” she says. “I just feel really proud of our youth. To see these young people doing amazing things and to celebrate them by supporting what they're doing, is just beautiful, it’s what community is all about.”
Mangawhai Community Op Shop recently distributed several youth-focused grants to support mind games, basketball and even baking scones. From left, store manager Honor Stratton with recipients Mangawhai Beach School students and basketball player Isaiah Pere (white t-shirt) with trustee Catherine Dilly.
Auction (unless sold prior) 2pm, Thu 28 Nov 2024
Bayleys, Main Street, Mangawhai Central
Stephyn St James | Natalie Crook 021 359 425 | 027 202 7227
stephyn.stjames@bayleys.co.nz, natalie.crook@bayleys.co.nz
MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
Three bedroom, plus study seaview home on the Golden Circle's edge - ready for a refresh or enjoy as is. This solid, split-level home’s ground floor includes an internal garage, laundry, and welcoming foyer. Upstairs, a wrap-around deck with north-west and north-east views is perfect for enjoying the sun and view. The master bedroom offers an ensuite and private deck access. Mature trees, level lawn and mostly fenced 908sqm site (more or less). An approximate seven minute walk to the estuary edge. bayleys.co.nz/1153949
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20b Valley View Lane
1.4774 ha
Price by Negotiation
View by appointment
Stephyn St James | Natalie Crook 021 359 425 | 027 202 7227
stephyn.stjames@bayleys.co.nz, natalie.crook@bayleys.co.nz
MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
This land is ready for your new build with threephase power at the boundary, and 150 metres of conduit trenched for future use. An attractive postand-rail fence with timber gates opens onto a concrete driveway that transitions to gravel, leading 150 metres into the property.
The land is fully fenced and includes an established wetland. Practicality and aesthetics come together with new culverts and gabion rock swales.
Positioned on a north-east facing slope, the section is sunny and protected from flooding. bayleys.co.nz/1153956
There
Studio: 40sqm separate self-contained studio
Shed: Three bay, clear span, with high stud
Stables: Tack shed and two stables with matting
Land: Four paddocks with 60 x 20m grassed arena
Add to this ocean, island and country views, on tar seal and under 4kms to village.
Absent vendor wants sold! Don't delay. bayleys.co.nz/1153936
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Price by Negotiation
View by appointment
Letitia Partridge 027 274 8779
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Steps from the water's edge and boat ramp
Escape to one of Mangawhai
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Mangawhai 4 Lawrence Road
Council green-lights The Rise plan change
Kaipara District Council has given final approval to a private plan change to rezone 56.9 hectares at Cove Road and Mangawhai Heads Road from rural to residential, paving the way for a future development of up to 380 homes.
The application brought by The Rise in late 2022 went through the Resource Management Act process, with a council-appointed panel conducting hearings on private plan change 83 (PPC83), considering submissions and making recommendations to council.
Council adopted the panel’s recommendations in June, the decision was notified, and Mangawhai Matters, a society focused on
environmental issues, lodged an appeal with the Environment Court.
Through negotiation an agreement was reached between the parties, relating to reducing sediment loading discharged from the area into the Mangawhai Estuary.
The Environment Court then approved the amended provisions, resolving the appeal.
Council on October 30 agreed to incorporate PPC83, the Cove Road North Precinct, into the Operative Kaipara District Plan. The step takes effect on November 26.
Last year, Mayor Craig Jepson declared a conflict of interest and throughout the process removed himself from any decision-making
Kaipara Kōrero
Council services during holiday period
Summer holidays are fast approaching. During this time critical council services continue, with some changes due to staff availability.
Building inspections Our last inspection day is Friday 20 December. Inspections start again Monday 6 January 2025.
Building and resource consents Consent processing pauses at 4.30 pm on Thursday 19 December and resumes Friday 10 January 2025. Consent applications received after Monday 25 November may not be completed before the holidays.
RMA The period from 20 December to 10 January doesn’t count as ‘working days’ for RMA timeframes, so processing will resume 11 January for any applications submitted just before the break.
LIMs and LGOIMAs The close-down period for LIMs and LGOIMAs runs from Friday 20 December 2024, to Friday 10 January 2025. Regular processing resumes Monday 13 January. Alcohol licensing Processing stops Thursday 19 December 2024 and resumes Thursday 16 January 2025.
Information on rubbish and recycling services over the holiday period will be included in the next issue.
“Mangawhai Matters are not anti-progress but we will fight to ensure developments do not impact the estuary environment.”
with satisfying various engineering issues, also gave people the chance – at five different times – to comment on the development.
Rowbotham said the land had been identified as long ago as 2000 for future growth when a spatial plan was drawn up, but never made operative within the old district plan.
Another spatial plan completed in December 2020 again identified the area for future growth.
relating to the application.
The Rise proposes a development with average lot sizes of 600 square metres. In its application to council it said that it envisages that the proposed plan change will provide viable and sustainable residential development which integrates with surrounding residential uses and provides residential capacity and growth opportunities within Mangawhai.
Co-directors Mark Rowbotham and Shane Cullen said they were pleased with the council decision, which had taken several years to achieve.
Rowbotham said The Rise had worked through the private plan change process, which along
“It should be noted that council has also included the area in its future wastewater management plans that are outlined in several documents, including the Long Term Plan. Mangawhai Matters chair Doug Lloyd said the group submitted its appeal to the Environment Court as the conditions around stormwater and sediment runoff were not robust enough to protect the Mangawhai Estuary. The health of the estuary is a major focus for Mangawhai Matters.
“Mangawhai Matters are not anti-progress but we will fight to ensure developments do not impact the estuary environment,” he said. “Our other major concern is the impact of major developments on our infrastructure. It struggles to cope today – Mangawhai has doubled in size in the last 10 years – and future growth will just swamp it.”
Council meetings
Economic Development Committee Briefing, 1.30pm Wed 20 Nov, 1c Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai
Raupo Drainage Committee, 10am Thur 21 Nov, Ruawai
Tokatoka War Memorial Hall, 25 Ruawai Wharf Road, Ruawai
Taharoa Domain Governance Committee, 11am Tues 26 Nov, Lake Waikare Centre, Taharoa Domain
Council Meeting, 10am Wed 27 Nov, Sportsville DargavilleMemorial Park, Dargaville and on YouTube
Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, 9.30am Thur 28 Nov, 1c Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai
Council Briefing, 9.30am Wed 4 Dec, 1c Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai and on youtube
Local sponsors sought for summer bus service
The Mangawhai summer bus is back and could be better than ever this season. For the first time, we’re seeking local sponsors to enable the bus to run for longer and later.
Sponsorship packages start at $1,500 and expressions of interest are welcomed via the KDC website. Want to know more? Visit kaipara.govt.nz/summerbus
The site of the proposed development lies north of Mangawhai Heads Road.
News from Kaipara District Council
Surfing a wave of generosity
The generosity of more than a 100 mostly local businesses, tradesmen and their suppliers will deliver much more than a new home when 55 Spars Road Milldale goes under the hammer on Saturday November 30.
Coordinated by G.J.Gardner Homes Rodney East, the proceeds from the charity auction will be donated to the Orewa Surf Life Saving Community Hub project.
Company principals Elaine and Ross Morley say their vision to build a beautiful home in Milldale and support the surf club quickly rallied a dedicated team, who generously contributed their time and resources free-ofcharge to make the vision a reality.
“We’re so grateful to all of them for making this house and sale possible,” Ross says. “It’s thanks to them that the build has cost next to nothing so every dollar for the house will go to the surf club.”
Morley says the cooperation, even among competing businesses, reflected long-standing relationships.
“GJ Gardner has been in Orewa for 27 years and has built strong relationships with tradesmen over that time, so when we asked
for support, no-one hesitated.”
Morley says the surf club’s vision of a community hub similar to surf clubs in Australia, which serve both the club’s needs and provide recreational and meeting facilities for the wider community, made it the obvious choice for support.
“So many people in the community, including our daughter Jaimee and some of our staff, have had an association with the club, and we have sponsored surf boats and other club activities.
“But it’s not just that. The club works with kids, getting them away from their screens and out in the fresh air, doing exercise, and that’s certainly worth supporting.”
The proposed surf club hub will house lifesaving operations, youth programmes, and community recreation spaces.
“By bidding on this property, people will not only own a beautifully crafted home but also play a pivotal role in supporting a legacy of community, safety and service for generations to come.”
The house will be auctioned by Bayleys on site, with the event due to start at 1pm.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom family home in Milldale reflects quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. It has an open-plan kitchen featuring highquality Fisher & Paykel appliances, and oak flooring.
An acknowledgement plaque with the names of the first owners of the house will be placed in the new surf club hub.
GJ Gardner principals Elaine and Ross Morley.
Museum plans birthday bash
The sparkling glass doors opened for the first time on the Mangawhai Museum a decade ago and a celebration is planned to mark the milestone.
Architecturally designed to represent the feeding habitat of the area’s marine icon, the stingray – Manga meaning to eat, whai meaning stingray – the museum officially opened on December 6, 2014.
Festivities this December 6 will include free entry to the exhibit hall, live music, face painting, refreshments and, of course, a birthday cake.
Museum manager Angela Cook says everyone is welcome to the celebration.
“We have a lot planned,” she says.
“The celebration will be a chance to recognise all the people who have made this facility possible and who give so much. That’s what this birthday celebration is about.”
Mangawhai Museum Birthday Celebration, Friday December 6, 10am-4pm.
For coming events visit mangawhai-museum. org.nz and Mangawhai Focus’ Whats On.
Long journey from conception to reality
Mangawhai Museum’s journey began more than 50 years ago when a small group, who were keen to preserve and share the fascinating history of the district, formed the Mangawhai Historical Society (MHS) in 1970.
The group held their first public display in the original Mangawhai Post Office in the late 1970s, a small building which used to sit alongside Mangawhai Library Hall and can now be found at the Historic Village. Inspired by the event, MHS started to contemplate the possibility of a larger facility and by the mid-1980s, a building fund and sub-committee had formed.
Financed by an Otamatea County Council
$12,500 grant, fundraising and generous donations from locals, Mangawhai’s first purpose-built museum was built alongside the Library Hall in the late 80s – the current Mangawhai Art Gallery.
Ten years later, MHS members decided more space was required and eventually secured approval from Kaipara District Council (KDC) to lease a one-hectare site on the corner of Molesworth Drive and Thelma Road. After a public presentation in early 2001, the community rallied behind the
idea of the museum and generously donated money to the cause.
However, despite this local interest, the KDC wavered on its initial support for a building on the prestigious corner, even suggesting the Domain as a potential site instead.
By 2003, the determination and perseverance of the MHS won through and KDC granted conditional approval for the facility to be established on the Molesworth/Thelma corner, kicking off more fundraising and a sub-committee dedicated to the build.
Professional advice was sought from museum experts and architects, and members also attended workshops by Te Papa and the Northland Museum Association.
Inspired by these experiences, a decision was made to engage professional museum designer Chris Currie to capture within the building’s design an overall display theme based on people’s enjoyment and protection of the estuary and coastline.
The end result is an engaging natural display of local artefacts and stories housed in a museum costing just over $3 million and shaped in the form of Mangawhai’s icon, the stingray.
Daring volunteers wanted
The team of volunteers at The Daring, the salvaged kauri schooner at the Mangawhai Museum, are looking for help. “We have been blown away by interest in the ship, and our small team of volunteers is getting to the stage where it needs to grow.” Volunteers are needed to help run tours of the ship and share its history with visitors. Built in Mangawhai in 1863, the Daring was grounded near Muriwai two years later and remained buried there until uncovered by shifting sands in 2018, and transported by volunteers back to Mangawhai. “It’s an awesome place to spend some time, and everyone who comes through loves the story!” Get in touch directly, or by emailing contact@daring.org.nz
Mangawhai Museum manager Angela Cook is throwing a party to celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary.
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Pink riders put their foot down to fight breast cancer
Decked out in pink and turning full throttle, a large group of motorbike enthusiasts collected thousands of vital dollars on a recent road trip combining charity with the love of the open road.
More than 80 riders aged 16 to 77 years joined this year’s Northland Pink Ribbon Ride (NPRR), raising $9291 for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
The ride was organised for the first time by local club, 1 Down 5 Up Kaipara Lady Riders (KLR), which had just six weeks to arrange the event – a task normally achieved in five months.
With support from a long list of Northland businesses and individuals, KLR founder Teresa Woolley says she was left speechless by the final tally.
“I thought our fundraising goal could be around $2000 since it was so last minute in organising, but I was crossing my fingers for $5000,” she says. “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the support we have received from members of the public and our sponsors. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Kicking off the three-hour round trip from
Whangārei’s Wynn Fraser carpark, the convoy headed north on SH1 to Haruru’s Phathouse Brewery for a quick pit stop before cruising down SH15 to the Old Parakao Store Café.
NPRR began in 2019, coordinated by the Far North social riding group, Let ’em Roll.
“In the last four years, the event has raised over $30,000 for breast cancer. The group confirmed this year they may not continue so I contacted them to see what could be done to continue this ride into the future.”
Teresa set up KLR two years ago to meet other female riders and says it has grown to a group of amazing women who get together for rides and fun.
“Now we are also proudly running the Northland Pink Ribbon Ride,” she says.
“I’d like to say a big thanks to nurse Alison Smith, from Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, for talking to us about how this cancer can affect anyone. I’d also like to thank all our fabulous sponsors who donated time, cash and prizes, the group’s planning committee and everyone who supported this great cause. Your generosity knows no bounds and I hope you all had a blast on the day.”
Wastewater paper wins award
The authors of a joint paper on upgrades for the Mangawhai wastewater treatment plant have won the prestigious Paper of the Year award at the Water NZ conference.
“This paper showcases a visionary approach to addressing the challenges faced by Mangawhai’s wastewater treatment system in a high-tourist area,” the judges said in their remarks on the paper, co-authored by Kaipara District Council (KDC) general manager of service delivery Anin Nama and several contractors.
“The authors demonstrated that through a series of innovative yet minimally disruptive upgrades, existing infrastructure can be optimised to unlock capacity and enhance performance, reducing both capital and operating costs by over 30 per cent.”
KDC chief executive Jason Marris said the award recognised the work staff had put in over recent years to utilise and maximise the existing infrastructure of the plant, ensuring ratepayers and residents were getting the best service possible for the lowest cost.
“I am extremely proud that the work of our staff, team of technical experts, and our contractors has been recognised on a national
stage,” he said. “This paper really showcases their talents and the excellent work they have done to improve the capacity at the plant and improve its performance in a cost-efficient and innovative manner.”
Under the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme (MWWS) master plan strategy a series of upgrades are underway designed to meet the needs of the town for the next 30 years.
Stage one, completed earlier this year, saw the implementation of an “inDENSE” system –patented technology for separating sludge –to increase the capacity of the plant by 550 connections, to a new total of 3550.
Further stages will result in a capacity increase to 5500 connections, and the ability to enhance effluent quality to allow further use of the treated effluent, including development of a subsurface irrigation system at the Mangawhai Golf Course.
The award-winning paper was co-authored by Nama, Craig White and Liam Tamplin of Beca Hunter H2O, Clinton Cantrell of SCO Consulting, and Terry Roche and Aidan van Rysewyk of Downer. The latter two both worked at the plant, with Roche managing it for around 15 years until retiring recently.
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11 The Centre Waipu ph 021 719 773
em surfshackwaipu@gmail.com @surfshackwaipu surfshackwaipu
Summer: Open 7 days, 9am-5pm (winter hours vary, check online or get in touch to confirm)
Organised by local women riders, a large contingent of bike lovers roared up for the recent Northland Pink Ribbon Ride, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer.
From left, co-authors Clint Cantrell from SCO Consulting and KDC’s Anin Nama, holding the Water NZ award, with Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson and council chief executive Jason Marris.
Waipū businesses step up destination marketing
Waipū, a thriving town of 3000, has much to lure visitors, ranging from eateries and boutique shops to attractions and events marking its strong Scottish heritage, and proximity to the pristine beauty of the area’s beaches.
A range of retail outlets and service businesses rub shoulders with speciality stores, clothing
boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants, meeting the needs and wants of both visitors and locals.
The town has important heritage buildings and the Waipū Scottish Migration Museum is a must-do on any visitor’s itinerary. Built by settlers’ descendants, the museum has
won Unesco recognition for its collection of historic documents. Its projects include a heritage walk and a long-running exhibition commemorating Waipū’s involvement in the Great War. The exhibition is in the form of storyboards around the village and in Waipū Cove and Langs Beach, telling the stories of some of the more than 680 people with strong Waipū connections who were involved in the war.
Waipū offers a host of popular events, including the Highland Games, organised by the Caledonian Society and marking its 152nd edition on New Year’s Eve this year.
Among others are the Winter in Waipū Tartan Festival Month, Art ’n Tartan wearable art festival, Christmas Eve Street Parade, Easter Carnival and street markets.
Further afield lie the seaside townships of Waipū Cove and Langs Beach, walking and cycle tracks, Piroa Falls, the wildlife refuge on the Waipū estuary and the spectacular Waipū Caves with their glow worms.
Promote Waipū is a growing voluntary organisation with the objective of promoting the area as a destination.
Stockists of genuine vintage items that are handpicked, respectfully restored and creatively curated. We focus on quality items that have stood the test of time.
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10-4, Sunday 10-3 and 7 days over the Christmas holidays.
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Chair Gill Webb says it currently has about 80 business members.
It runs key community events including quarterly street markets, Winter in Waipū and the Christmas Eve Parade. The events attract up to 10,000 people each, and are seen as cornerstones for bringing the community together.
“The community spirit reflects in the drive for locals to shop in our main street, and support local businesses delivering goods and services,” Gill says.
“With the Brynderwyns closures this year, on the back of a slow economic recovery postcovid, our local businesses need support. Promote Waipū runs regular networking events for local businesses to showcase what they have to offer.”
A recent Whangārei District Council-funded project saw the organisation update its local map for people new to town or visiting. The map is free for anyone wanting to know what’s available in terms of attractions, events and services.
For more info: https://www.promotewaipu. co.nz/about-us
Vatika at Waipu Eatery is a Summer pop-up garden bar in the heart of Waipū. Indulge in bespoke beverages in a lush oasis. Relax in our vibrant ambiance, perfect for any occasion. Child & Pet friendly.
Centre, Waipu
Art and Soul
Vernon media@mangawhaiartists.co.nz
Working with wood Inside Out
Inside Out, the new exhibition at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, celebrates art created in wood by artists Rupert Herring and John Allen.
For Rupert the idea of “Inside Out” is powerful inspiration and defines his artistic practice. He takes historical wooden furniture (for example turned table legs), quarters them lengthwise and reassembles them in a new form ‘inside out’.
“The core and essence of each table leg which was once hidden inside is now visible on the outside, seemingly new,” says Rupert. “The history is present, honoured within and in edge profile, and yet honoured in the new as well, with a clean, modern, angular and sharp outer aesthetic.”
For John the idea of “Inside Out” is also at the centre of his inspiration and practice and there’s another and aligned meaning for him arcing history and time.
“It is about the process of self-actualisation – about becoming more conscious of what’s inside one’s being, and allowing this out,” explains John. “This is an opening inward, exposing one’s history to oneself (for example: inner drives, childhood events, unseen shadow, purpose), realising that there’s peace and joy inside, underneath, and then opening outwards to know others are the same.”
John’s sculpture is an expression of this inside-outing.
“My current work uses pōhutukawa roots, symbolic of inner depth, split lengthwise like Rupert’s, to create mirrored halves. With careful choice of curves, the halves can be brought together side by side in unity.”
Rupert Herring is an artist and designer, combining skills as a cabinet maker and knowledge of materials to create work
which projects ideas of transformation and new potential. Making something new from something old. Born in the UK, Rupert is now a full-time artist and designer based on the Kaipara Harbour.
In a world of throw away excess and economic efficiency gone awry, Rupert’s works hark back to earlier times, springboarding off the past by allowing old forms to stand again renewed.
“Society’s cast offs are remade beautiful through alliteration of form; playing with the tension of how they are altered, and seizing the opportunity to renew their relevance,” says Rupert.
John Allen, of Celtic, English and Samoan descent, has been sculpting for more than fifty years, crafting pieces from fallen and found native timbers.
Having followed a career path in the corporate world to mid-career, in the 1990s, feeling a deep restlessness and time for change, he started diving into philosophy and the practice of art.
“My art practice is a journey of discoveryseeing and removing layers of constriction in the wood, layers which distract from the essence of its shape, making features coherent in their context, smoothing, and sensing wholeness, to build the feelings of inner peace and luminosity. It is always a progressive reveal. My work is an expression of this everpresent inner healing and self-actualization process.”
Inside Out is open daily from 10.30am to 3.30pm until Thursday November 28 at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery, 45 Moir Street, Mangawhai (from 9am on Saturday November 23).
We sell a range of delicious macadamia nut products and other New Zealandmade goods. We take great care of our macadamias from the tree to the table to ensure a high quality result that captures the unique characteristics the nut is so coveted for. SHOP IN STORE OR ONLINE WWW.NUTTYFORYOU.CO.NZ Phone 027 497 0587. Email nuttyforyou.nz@gmail.com
Belinda
Artists John Allen, left, and Rupert Herring bring out the best in wood.
love the locals feature
Adventure park showcases underworld beauty
Come on down; despite the deceptive small entrance, the inner sanctum of the Milky Way Cave has plenty of walking space and headroom, no crawling necessary.
Located in the outback of Waipū, a natural adventure playground offers visitors a chance to discover an ancient world both above and below the ground, from beautiful limestone forest to the quiet depths of local middleearth.
Since opening in February last year, Waipū Caves Farm Park has taken many intrepid explorers and the cave-wary on an immersive experience into a world millions of years in the making, a place of stalactites, cavedwelling creatures and fossilised old bones.
Owned by Ian and Cindy Fox since 2018, the 130 hectare park sits alongside the Waipū Caves Scenic Preserve, which is managed by Whangarei District Council. The privatelyowned park offers people a safe and secure way to explore the underground atmosphere with guided tours along concrete paths and handrails.
Experienced caver and member of Northland Search and Rescue, Ian is one of 10 guides
who take tourists and school groups on a wander through lush forest and craggy limestone formations before equipping visitors with lights and descending into the Milky Way Glow Worm Cave. Although the caves are large and spacious with plenty of headroom, he says the team is aware of the conflicting emotions some people have about going underground.
“We support each person. Each guide’s got a different sort of strength and personality so if we know someone might be anxious, we’ll put them with the right guide,” he says.
“Since we’ve been open, we’ve only had about three people who want to go in but have backed out.”
The guides also give a fascinating narrative about the natural formation of cave systems and lifestyle of glow worms to trace fossils such as belly prints of sea cucumbers and slugs. Numerous caves of different sizes have been found within the park’s boundaries
which have to meet certain specifications – be a large natural space, deep enough for no light infiltration and fit an average sized human -- to be classed as a cave.
“Once upon a time our entire valley would have been a cave system and over time eventually the natural chemical process of weathering and dissolving of the roof and walls broke it all down.”
Passionate about nature, Ian says he has always had an interest in getting underground and as an older teenager would often go off exploring to find caves.
“Just like any activity, you learn progressively, you push yourself a little bit more each time and advance your skills and tolerance to things, which for other people, might seem very scary. Some holes I’ve gone into I have to effectively deflate and relax my entire body so I can collapse through holes,” he says.
Besides the star attraction of the glow worm’s habitat, the off-grid, solar powered sanctuary
includes 10 kilometres of walking tracks and bike trails, the Jurassic Crags – three limestones with 75 climbing routes and abseiling – as well as camping and campervan sites.
The focus of the park is on outdoor education and conservation, a natural playground where visitors can immerse themselves in adventure and relaxation, where children and adults can connect within nature.
“I love everything natural. There is no constructed playground, no TV room or wifi and minimal cell phone coverage. There are trees with rope swings, a river to explore and rocks everywhere to climb,” Ian says. “We have over 80 hectares of diverse native bush, two kilometres of rocky bottom stream and lots of fluted limestone rocks and caves. Conservation and management of the natural environment also means there are many rare creatures and birds. Visitors will appreciate this masterpiece of nature.”
Woodys Winners
Spectacular terrain of the underground: park owner and experienced caver Ian Fox shines the light on the marvel of stalactites for trainee guides, Bella Watt and Corina Tweedie.
Repair Café keeps local goods out of landfill
Although visitor numbers were down due to the small matter of a national rugby game on November 9, the Repair Café still had people dropping by to get some fix-it advice for various items.
Hosted by environmental advocates Sustainable Kaipara (SK) and the communityminded crew at Mangawhai Shed, such events enable owners of broken or damaged belongings to get advice, as well as get minor repairs done by a skilled team of volunteers who are experienced in clothing, electrical and woodwork.
Sponsored by Mangawhai ITM and Coastal Homes, Repair Cafes help to foster an important culture of fixing rather than dumping items, reducing the huge amount of product which ends up in landfill every year. Shed founder and chair Steve Mackay says
the organisation has a number of talented craftsmen and women who can turn their skills to repair or renovation.
“Saving stuff from is what we do in the Shed, bringing joy back to loved treasures that have had a hard time,” he says. “Sustainability costs time and energy. It takes time to come up with a creative fix or find ways to redefine how something is used. You can either see it as fun and a challenge or take the easy route and biff it to landfill. I love seeing Shed members applying their skills to avoiding landfill and bringing a smile back to our community.”
Thinking of Selling?
Thinking of Selling?
Thinking of Selling?
Repair Café Aotearoa NZ has been campaigning for the Right to Repair and the Green Party’s Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot in April and is due for a First Reading in Parliament.
Thinking of Selling?
For more information about Right to Repair, visit: www.repaircafeaotearoa.co.nz
A happy place to visit and browse, nestled in Waipu behind Origin Northland. Gifts for all generations, decor, baby and more.
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Above: Shed founder and chair Steve Mackay (right) with Colin Anderson, whose skilled hand restored this old corner shelf helped by John Taylor whose woodturning talent created the finials – small chess-like pieces on top of the piece, which are said to ward off bad spirits. Right: SK director Sarah Bray and sparky whizz Chris den Boestert with a couple of customers hoping to keep their electric frying pan out of landfill.
Castaways’ booty boosts local causes
Dressed in their shipwrecked best, a strong crowd of partygoers rocked up to Hakaru Hall on October 19 for Mangawhai Rotary’s fundraiser, the Castaway Island Ball.
Supported by a long list of Mangawhai businesses and individuals, the event raised $14,500 in ticket and bar sales, as well as an auction which collected $7000 alone. Big and small prizes were up for grabs
including a Rarotonga trip and 2.4m Townson sailing dinghy, an e-bike and signed Black Caps shirt, food vouchers and goodie baskets filled with local produce, beauty care and art work.
Rotary members Isabel Hollis and Carolyn Miller organised the ball after the August 31 Wood Street ram raids to buy CCTV cameras for the shopping centre.
Proceeds will also be shared with Rotary’s Learn to Sail Project for local youth. The lessons have proven popular over the last four years, with this season already fully booked from October to April.
Rotary would like to hear from anyone interested in lending a hand, from supervising the kids to transporting sailboats to the estuary, Isabel says.
“The event went really well, and everyone seemed to have a great time. Carolyn and I would like to say a big thank you to all who attended, to our sponsors Ray White and Scott Electrical, Home Brew for playing for free and to the many generous locals and businesses for supporting this fundraiser event.”
Helping the rescue helicopters to soar
Personnel from Northland factory-tofarm business FarmShop recently handed over $10,000 raised for Northland Rescue Helicopters, in recognition of its life-saving role in the region.
Team members collected individual donations, and general manager Mike Wearmouth matched them.
“The dedication of Northland Rescue Helicopters’ paramedics and pilots could be a lifeline for any of our families or friends,” Wearmouth said. “Generosity is a core value here, and we give back to causes that really matter every year. It doesn’t take long to scan the true stories tab on their website to see just how many rural residents have relied on their incredible service.”
The funds will be put towards the purchasing of three mechanical ventilators, a vital piece of equipment used to provide breathing support to critically unwell patients. They will cost approximately $200,000.
“While we receive 85 per cent of our operational funding through central government, we need to find the other 15 per cent, along with the replacement of much needed equipment through the community and corporate support we receive,” said Jan Hewitt, Northland Rescue Helicopters marketing and fundraising manager. “We want to thank FarmShop, who have played a crucial role in that support.”
To support Northland Rescue Helicopters visit: www.nest.org.nz
Local band Home Brew rocked the rafters and guests for free on the night.
Event organisers, from left, Rotary members Carolyn Miller and Isabel Hollis with husband-helpers, Glenn and Brian.
Sponsors sought for farmers’ summer surf sessions at Waipu
Summer’s coming, which means it’s time for farmers and growers to take time out from the land and get into the sea again, thanks to another Surfing for Farmers season at Waipu Cove.
The weekly surf lessons and post-session barbecues have become a popular way for rural people to take a break from the farm and meet up with like-minded people, since Stephen Thomson started the initiative in Gisborne seven years ago.
Since then, Surfing for Farmers sessions have expanded quickly to include 25 beaches around the country, with more than 8000 people in the agricultural and horticultural sectors taking part to date.
Organisers say the sessions give farmers and growers a good reason to get off the farm and away from day-to-day pressures that can become all-consuming.
Thanks to national and local sponsorship, plus volunteer coordinators, all equipment, food and drink are free, making it accessible to all.
This summer, the Waipu Cove sessions are moving to Wednesday evenings, starting on January 8 at 5.30pm.
Local coordinators Sophia Wood and Katrina Stead say they are already gearing up for
another great season, which regularly sees at least 20 or 30 farmers catching some Waipu wave action, but they are still looking for some sponsorship.
“Let us know if you or your business are keen to be a ‘local legend’ sponsor,” they say. “This could be financial or in-kind – get in touch and we can talk through some options.”
Surfing for Farmers is open to all ages, abilities and fitness levels, and no surfing experience is necessary. Lessons at Waipu are provided by local instructors from Learn 2 Surf Waipu Cove, and there is no obligation to attend every week – just turn up on the night.
Surfing for Farmers says the summer evenings, which run for around three months, offer a respite from the all-encompassing demands of rural life, as well as fostering social connections.
“We recognise the importance of providing an outlet that liberates individuals from the daily grind and overwhelming to-do lists,” says a spokesperson. “By engaging in surfing activities, our farmers and growers gain a renewed perspective and prioritise their own self-care.”
For more information or to discuss local sponsorship, contact Sophia Wood on 021 227 4379 or Katrina Stead on 027 489 7343, or see Surfing for Farmers – Northland on Facebook.
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Rambling fundraiser grows cash for kindy
With sunshine lighting the way and ramblers travelling from as far south as the Waikato, this year’s Mangawhai Kindergarten Garden Ramble has been deemed yet another blooming success by organisers.
From majestic rural acres to suburban plots of paradise, the 22nd event was a floral smorgasbord of the wild and tame, with 18 homes welcoming hundreds of visitors over the weekend of November 9 and 10.
The ramble is a showcase of locals love for getting their hands in the dirt, creating sculpted shrubs and manicured borders, enticing hidden pathways and charming beds of blooms, as well as the sweet and enchanting kindy gardens, grown by the youngest green thumbs.
A major fundraiser for the preschool, the event raised over $15,000, which will be used to repair the remaining damage from last year’s storms, kindergarten head teacher Jo Roycroft says.
“This year we had a bus load up from Matamata who stayed in the Heads and were excited for their weekend away. Ramblers were very impressed. They gave great feedback and were heading back to their own gardens with lots of inspiration.
“We want to say a huge thank you to the Garden Ramble committee, the gardeners for all their hard work and effort, and the parent helpers working on the day and behind the scenes.”
Discounts, payouts for Northpower customers
Northpower’s electricity consumers in Kaipara and Whangārei will receive $15.8 million in pricing discounts and a further $2.2 million distribution payment over the coming months.
The discounts and payments are thanks to Northpower and the Northpower Electric Power Trust – which owns Northpower on behalf of the 60,000 consumers connected to its electricity network.
Up by $1.7 million from last year, it’s the sixth year in a row that the discount has increased.
The trust said it was satisfying to see Northpower’s consumers continuing to benefit from the consumer ownership model that since 1993 has returned more than $278 million to power users in Kaipara and
Whangārei.
Northpower Trust chair Phil Heatley welcomed the discount because it flows back directly to consumers in the two districts.
“We know how much people appreciate the discount because we hear from our consumers when we see them in the community.”
Most residential and business customers connected to Northpower’s electricity network will benefit from a discount, which will be calculated on individual usage.
Payments will be different for everyone this year and will be made in two separate amounts of up to $149.89 including GST, the first in November and the second next May.
The splitting of the payment this year is an interim step as the payments are moved out to May annually from 2026. The change to payment timing is required to align the discount to the network pricing year which runs from April to March.
In addition to the discount, the trust is distributing a further $2.2m to its consumer owners. Every connected customer will receive a one-off payment of $35 (GST exempt) in the November-December 2024 payment.
To qualify as eligible, consumers must have had an active network connection as of November 1, 2024 for the first payment and May 1, 2025 for the second.
Storage Mangawhai
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Want to advertise in the classifieds? Email Hayley on focus1@localmatters.co.nz
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, the Kaipara District Council hereby gives notice that the following roads will be temporarily closed on the days and at the times below for the purpose of holding the Northern Bass 2023/24 music festival.
KNIFE SHARPENING SERVICE - RUAKAKA/OTP AREA
Thursday 28 December 2023 at 00:01 until Monday
01 January 2024 at 23:59
Lawnmower blades, knives, chainsaws, scissors, chisels, hedgetrimmers. Call Dave 027 497 3378.
• Settlement Road, Kaiwaka – Restricted access. Access for resident and local traffic only.
PROPOSED TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2024
NEED SOMETHING PICKED UP OR DELIVERED?
• Valley Road, Kaiwaka – from Settlement Road to Pritchard Road, Kaiwaka – Restricted access. Access for resident and local traffic only.
CHATEAU MANUFACTURING
Pursuant to the Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 10, 11(e), the Kaipara District Council hereby gives notice that Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club Inc has made an application to have roads within the Kaipara District closed on the day and at the times set out below for the purpose of the HCMC Arcadia Road Rally
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• Lawrence Road to Cames Road, Kaiwaka –restricted access. Access for resident and local traffic only.
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Further information, if required, relating to this temporary road closure can be obtained from the Customers Services Team, Kaipara District Council. Kaipara District Council
Sunday 25 February 2024 from 09:00am until
• The entirety of Arcadia Road, Paparoa Any objections to this proposal should be in the hands
Netball Rodney Centre 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday 15th February 2024, 7pm at the Netball Rodney Centre office in Centennial Park, Wellsford.
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NOTICE OF INTENTION FOR TARGETED SPRAYING
Kaipara District Council advises all property owners and residents of the district that weed spraying for vegetation control on edges in parks and reserves, weed control in gardens, poles/trees, urban and rural roadsides will be carried out between December 2023 and March 2024, weather permitting.
If you would prefer not to have your frontage sprayed, Council operates a “No Spray Register” which outlines agreed areas where no spraying will be undertaken during this period. You must apply to Council to be included on this register. No Spray Zone Application forms can be found on our website at kaipara.govt.
Spraying will be undertaken by Downer NZ on behalf of Council. To find out more details about this particular spray programme, call Bernie on 021802095 between
For more information about Kaipara District Council’s spraying and vegetation control, head to nz/residents/trees-and-vegetation-2/no-spray-zone
MANGAWHAI REBUS DECEMBER CHRISTMAS LUNCH
The Rebus annual Christmas lunch will be held at the Mangawhai Golf Club, noon on Thursday December 21. Entertainment by ukulele singers. Cost $30 for members (subsidised), $40 for non-members. At the last meeting in November Rebus members were royally entertained by some members of the Mangawhai Beach School Kapa Haka group – rousing hakas and quieter waiata and poi songs accompanied by principal Aaron Kemp on his guitar. Aaron then spoke, with questions and answers, his 15 minute talk extended to 90 minutes,
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Families welcome to sign up to the silver wall
Since Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) introduced its Community Partnering plan in April, locals have jumped at the chance to support the popular playground.
One MAZ committee member, Ken Rayward, believes in the benefits of the scheme so much, he has joined the long line of Silver sponsors.
“I thought if it’s such a good idea, then maybe I should do it, too,” he said.
The Community Partnering initiative offers locals various ways they can support the popular zone through
four categories: Gold – sponsorship to maintain one of 12 areas such as the pump tracks, skate bowls, courts and playgrounds; Silver – an annual donation; Bronze – raised funds gifted to MAZ; and a “Community – Family, Group and Individual” category involving monthly automatic donations.
The Silver class includes an annual $1500 donation or $125 per month as well as a large sign pinned along the Montage Appreciation Wall, which borders the playground area.
Although businesses feature mainly on
Free barbecue for farmers
There’s a free barbecue dinner for farmers, growers and other rural residents in the Tomarata area next month, thanks to the combined efforts of more than a dozen primary industry bodies and community organisations known as the Northland Collaborative Group.
Volunteers will be firing up the barbie at the Tomarata Hall from 6pm on Thursday, December 12 for a preChristmas community get-together.
Originally held to help build morale during the last drought, the dinners have been run throughout Northland ever since.
“As rural communities continue to experience the pressure of tough financial times, significant weather
the wall, Ken says personal signs from individuals, groups or families – like his, which includes the names of his four grandchildren – are also welcome.
“Over the years I’ve been approached by so many people asking how they can help support MAZ. So I thought instead of just the business houses, it would be good to encourage and let the community know they could also be a part of the appreciation wall,” he says.
“Just give us your design and we’ll put your sign up there. My family think it’s the best thing ever.”
events and changing land use, the free dinners aim to bring the community together for an easy, stress-free, enjoyable evening off the farm,” a spokesperson says.
“We will be serving dinner from 6.30 pm onwards – bring along your family, neighbours and farm team; everyone is welcome.”
Northland Collaborative Group members include the Rural Support Trust, Fonterra, Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, FMG, Dairy Women’s Network, MPI, Civil Defence, Bayleys, Forsyth Barr, Rural Women NZ, police and Young Farmers.
Anyone attending is asked to RSVP for catering purposes by emailing Hazel MacMillan at nh.macmillan@xtra.co.nz
REST ASSURED
Tiny aquatic Northland plant wins national poll
A tiny and endangered plant found only in Northland’s dune lakes has been voted the country’s favourite plant in an online vote run by the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.
Trithuria (Trithuria inconspicua) grows just 55 millimetres high, partly buried in the sands of the lake floor. Fine, hairlike leaves hide tiny flowers that look like miniature water lilies.
According to the latest scientific research, Trithuria belongs to a plant family that has been around for more than a hundred million years. The Northland Regional Council, which works in partnership with mana whenua, landowners and the Department of Conservation to protect dune lakes, said it was delighted to celebrate Trithuria’s success.
“It’s so exciting that a Northland aquatic plant has won, and that people know and love this remarkable little plant,” council’s biodiversity manager Lisa Forester said.
Kaumātua Ric Pārore, speaking on behalf of Kai Iwi Lakes hapū Te Kuihi, said it was thrilled to see Trithuria recognised, but also sad the plant has become so rare.
“It’s important that everyone who visits or uses our lakes is careful to look after them so this plant can thrive.”
Trithuria is listed as threatened-nationally critical – the highest threat category – and while previously found in 13 dune lakes north of Poutō has, since 1998, declined to viable populations in only five lakes.
The plant needs clean sand and water to survive and is threatened by deteriorating water quality due to nutrient enrichment, the impact of pest weed and fish and recreational pressures.
Three of the five lakes where Trithuria grows are lakes where people swim or boat, putting it at extra risk.
NRC urged anyone who sees Trithuria not to dig it up or trample it, but to leave it undisturbed.
MAZ committee members John Phillis and Ken Rayward want the community to know that personal signs such as The Rayward Kids, are also welcome on the Montage Appreciation Wall.
Trithuria-inconspicua. Photo: Dennis Gordon/NIWA
What’s on ...
November
To list events, email: online@localmatters.co.nz
21 Fish to Fish, outside Origin on The Braigh, Waipu, 9am-noon
23 Villy Day Out, Tamingi Reserve next to ambulance station Ruakaka, cnr Te One. Community day with fun activities, food entertainment and prizes to be won; 10am3pm.
23 Mangawhai Tavern Market, 9am-1pm
23 Mangawhai Museum special exhibition opening: 10 years 10 photos | Echoes of Voices from the Past
27 Community Bingo, last Wednesday of the month, Waipu Citizens & Services Club, 7.30pm. Restaurant opens 5.30pm. All welcome
28 Fish to Fish, outside Origin on Te Braigh, Waipu, 9am-noon
30 Mangawhai Tavern Market, 9am-1pm
30 Mangawhai Beach School market, 9am-1pm
30 Classics at the Cove, Tahamoana Angora Goat Farm, 566 Cove Road, 6pm-8pm. Featuring Maia Mila Amosa (nee Vega) and husband baritone Joel Amosa. General admission $49.42. Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz
30 Kaipara District Council rates and financing policy consultation, Mangawhai Community Market, Mangawhai Beach School, 9am-1pm
6 Mangawhai Museum 10th anniversary celebration, 10am-4pm (see story p 13)
6 Marsden Cove Sunset Food Market, 4pm-7pm, Marsden Cove Marina
7 Mangawhai Tavern market, 9am-1pm
7 Mangawhai Beach School market, 9am-1pm
7 Santa Donkey Day, Highfield Gardens, Algies Bay, 11am-1.30pm. Santa, donkey rides, traditional games, free BBQ & more
7 Warkworth Santa Parade, 2pm
7 Carols in the Park, Lucy Moore Park Warkworth, 6.30pm
12 Free BBQ for farmers, Tomarata Hall, from 6pm (see story opposite) 14 Mangawhai Karaoke, The Club Mangawhai 7pm
Mangawhai Santa Parade & Christmas Concert
See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events
Record number of Kiwis learn CPR skills
More than 35,000 more Kiwis now have the life-saving skills to help someone suffering from a cardiac arrest thanks to recording breaking Hato Hone St John’s “Shocktober” CPR awareness campaign.
Throughout October more than 80 St John educators delivered training sessions in 72 towns and cities. Sixty-two schools took part in the “Save your Teddy”, with 6307 students learning how to help someone in cardiac arrest by getting hands-on practice with their favourite teddy bear. This was part of World Restart a Heart Day, which fell in the middle of the month.
Cardiac arrest is one of Aotearoa’s biggest killers, with seven people a day treated for
an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. That’s more than 2000 a year, 68 per cent of them males. Survival chances dramatically improve the sooner CPR begins. The three steps that can double a person’s chance of surviving are: call 111, start CPR, use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
St John national manager, community education Jacci Tatnell said the organisation was delighted with the community’s response. “Our aim was to teach as many kiwis as possible the three steps for life to empower them with the knowledge and confidence to act quickly in an emergency and these numbers have exceeded our expectations.”
Artists encourage re-think of disposable coffee cup menace
First a gigantic skateboard and now an oversized mug has landed in Mangawhai, filled to the brim with smaller cups and a shot of facts on the waste linked with grabbing a coffee-to-go.
Launched over Labour Weekend by local environmental advocacy group, Sustainable Kaipara (SK), the mobile reusable cup library is an immersive exhibit designed to provoke thought about the environmental impact of disposable cups.
The large mug features 300 upcycled singleuse vessels – indicative of the number used and discarded every year by a one-coffee-a-day consumer – as well as an assortment of free reusable cups, which visitors are welcome to
take instead of relying on a single-use item.
Using recycled materials for 90 per cent of the project, the large mug was created by “many hands”, SK director Sarah Bray says, offering a big thank you to local sculptor Aaron McConchie, graphic designer Jess Holdaway, The Mangawhai Shed, Bunnings Mangawhai and Kaipara District Council.
“We’ll be doing further pop-ups at Wood Street shops and the display is available for events and markets,” she says. “The Sustainable Kaipara cup library will last a long time and we hope it will change behaviours for decades to come.”
SK chose to focus attention on takeaway cups because of their huge environmental impact.
Billions are discarded worldwide every year contributing significantly to global waste, Bray says.
“Many disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic, making them difficult to recycle and their widespread use in urban settings creates a visible and immediate environmental issue. By targeting this single item, it’s possible to raise awareness about sustainability in daily habits, making it a simple yet effective starting point for broader environmental behaviour change.”
Although compostable cups sound like a sustainable idea, it’s not a “great solution”, as many are not composted but left to slowly decompose in landfills, adding to methane emissions.
“Even when composted, the packaging doesn’t create good compost for our soils as it often contains PFAS – forever chemicals,” Bray says. “Compostable cups still use valuable resources and are then discarded after only a few minutes. This isn’t contributing to a circular economy.” After covid, Bray says SK members noticed some hesitation from consumers around using reusable cups.
“We believe art and creativity can be powerful tools for fostering behaviour change by engaging people on an emotional and cognitive level,” she says. “It’s a good time to remind people of the need to move to a circular economy, where reuse of items is at the heart of how we live our lives.”
‘Take, use, clean and reuse.’ Wood Street shopping centre visitors were welcome to take a free mug to hold their morning cup of java or tea instead of using a single-use throwaway cup.
Sustainable Kaipara’s mobile reusable cup library: a work of art and a vessel carrying an important environmental message.