Mangawhai Focus Newspaper

LATEST ISSUE: APRIL 14TH 2014

Brynderwyns kiwi to benefit from Easter treat

Mangrove removal work gets underway

It’s generally conceded that the harbour is the jewel in Mangawhai’s crown either from a fishing point of view or simply as the glowing fore-ground to the pearly white sand dunes that frame it.

Under constant pressure to keep it that way since the Big Dig of 1991 removed the silt build-up which was unable to be flushed by tides, Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS) also purchased a dredge to continue maintenance of this earlier work. ................READ MORE

Environmental awards fund asking schools for entries

An annual $20,000 fund which helps fund and recognise Northland schools’ environmental education initiatives is up for grabs again.

Last year a record 23 Northland schools received funding from the Northland Regional Council Environmental Curriculum Awards (ECA) for 25 schoolground projects involving everything from disappearing native frogs to re-emerging kiwi...........READ MORE

ARTICLES

ENTERTAINMENT

Sonic sound at Sail Rock New Zealand-based Swiss/Kiwi singer-songwriter/loop artist, Andre Manellat, as a full-time musician, has toured New Zealand .......READ MORE	Tavern full of laughs Coming up May 10, the Mangawhai Tavern will host quality acts featuring in the NZ International comedy festival in Auckland. The cast includes headliner .........READ MORE	Local Vocals sing for freedom The Local Vocals Choir are getting ready for another exciting opportunity for the wider communi......READ MORE

GARDENING & ENVIRONMENT

Waipu sculptor reputation building Safe from the clutches of any bad weather, the grape harvest is underway at Lochiel, Millars and Estuary vineyards and local pickers look to be enjoying their work. Reports so far are showing thumbs up for the chardonnay crop. The reds are due to......READ MORE		Gardening with Gael - Being led up the garden path Last week my sister Heather Ann came to stay. While I was out one day she took a wander around my garden at the cottages. I have a wealth of excuses why the cottage gardens on the portion I have retained loo.........READ MORE		Camellias, cakes and crafts on show The Mangawhai Women’s Institute floral and craft show is, after 60 years, certainly an institution – with the added irony that one of the longterm office holders is the appropriately named Dorothy Gardner, .......READ MORE

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Impact on community rewarded In recognition of her years of community service, Christine Bygrave was presented with a yellow rose plant by Mangawhai Zonta Club president, Jan Barnett, and yellow rose certificate by Kay Hurley to mark International Women's Day at a break......READ MORE		Three main passions for man of the sea OBITUARY: Wayne 'Dolphin' Glover Wayne Glover passed away during the evening of Sunday March 16, 2014, surrounded by loved ones. He has left behind his wife Adrienne .........READ MORE		Tsunami sirens chance to educate community Whangarei and Kaipara District tsunami sirens will be tested in coastal and harbour locations along the east coast from Bland Bay through to Mangawhai Heads on Sunday April 6th. Sirens will sound .......READ MORE

ANIMALS

New Waipu vet practice to offer best of both worlds

A dream becomes reality for four vets this week as their new vet clinic and rural store opens its doors.

Husband and .......READ MORE

Shelter shows home where the heart is

While most of us have had our heads buried under the quilts this winter, our local animal shelter has been on the move from the top of the Brynderwyns to its new home at Whakapirau.
.......READ MORE

Record profit reward for effort

Friends and supporters of Mangawhai Beach School can give themselves a big pat on the back for their efforts, again pulling off another big fundraising coup. Of course it’s also a big thanks to the out-of-town visitor .......READ MORE

ARTS

Fashion a passion for designers

Fashion and design students at Rodney College provided a visual feast as they modeled clothes at their own fashion show recently, with the drama.......READ MORE

Heritage house and garden about to open

Matakohe’s historic Totara House is a kauri villa built in 1896 and bequeathed to the Kauri Museum by the late Mavis Smith. It will be officially opened for .......READ MORE

Artists open homes and galleries

Artists open homes and galleriesMangawhai’s upcoming Labour Weekend Art Trail will feature 40 artists displaying their works at 12 venues ........READ MORE

SPORT

New executive for lifeguard service

Saturday November 23 saw the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) hold its 2013 Annual General Meeting, marking the start of a new season for its committee.
.......READ MORE

Big snapper bite early at comp

Once again there were good entries for Mangawhai’s first fishing competition of the summer held by Mangawhai Boating and Fishing Club over Labour Weekend...........READ MORE

Hakaru Ribbon Day

A great time was had by all at the recent Hakaru Pony Club Ribbon Day thanks to a band of dedicated volunteers and a group of over 30 riders. Winners pictured by merit......READ MORE

winners 681(hp)

POLITICS

Report: Council out of their depth on all levels

MP for Northland, Mike Sabin, has called for the Office of the Auditor General and their insurer to engage with the Kaipara District Council to resolve – by negotiated settlement – the cost of the failure from the Council Auditor who has shown to have departed from the minimum professional standards and expectation required of an auditor.

The report of the Office of the Auditor ...........READ MORE

Your questions answered - Kaipara Commisioner John Robertson - Report signals time to move on

The Auditor General has released her report into the design, development and construction of the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme.

It makes for sombre reading. The report finds no criminality..........READ MORE