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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Did You Know?
MAZ just keeps getting better
Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ), which is part of Mangawhai Park on Molesworth Drive, is indeed a hive of activity. Not only are the skateboarding facilities a real hit, but there’s the playground for the younger ones, a concrete court popular with scooter riders, and now, the mountain bike and walking tracks.
Officially opened last week, they are a ‘work in progress’, an outstanding example of community co-operation. Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust, the Corrections Department and MAZ have all worked hard to develop the 5 kilometres of tracks, constructed by the outstanding work of the boys from Corrections.
There’s a grunty mountain bike track, a downhill, plus one the whole family can ride. Walking tracks include a trek to the big pohutukawa, and links to the existing Last of the Summer Wine trail. Maps are available, so take the family, head into MAZ by the big palms and begin your exploration.
Fitness centre great value
The Fitness Centre, upstairs in the Recreation Centre next to the school, is regularly updating equipment and facilities. At just $130 for annual membership, it represents great value. Owned and operated by Mangawhai Community Trust, you can join up or renew your membership by calling in to Bammas in the Village and they will explain the workings. With the holiday season coming up, visitors can also take out a special holiday membership.
School to benefit
And the Mangawhai Community Trust annual Youth Grant has this year been awarded to Blue Light for support of youth development at Mangawhai Beach School.
Official opening for Cadet Unit
Congratulations to the Mangawhai Cadet Unit for their outstanding achievement in, once again, winning the National Skills competition, retaining their title as top cadet unit in New Zealand. On Saturday November 24 their new premises on Settlement Road, opposite the Hakaru Hall, is to officially opened at 2pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and see just what these amazing young people achieve.
Fire Brigade needs scrap
If you are having a bit of a clean out before the holiday season, don’t forget that the Fire Brigade is collecting scrap metal as part of their ongoing fundraising. Just give Maurie a ring on 431 5325 to arrange collection.
New look at Harvest
Been into Harvest Café recently? There’s a whole new look going on – very funky, very retro, very Mary Kelleher design! Vinyl chairs, cosy booth, comfy corner, and even crockery to match. Certainly something very different.
And if you’ve not enjoyed tapas evenings before, the good news is they are starting again on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm. Booking essential. Tapas is best described as ‘small, share dishes’ and Harvest has a selection of 17 from which to choose. Add in the friendly banter from Kris, and you are assured of a great night!
Spotted
Leaning up against the fence in the long grass, almost opposite 67 Moir St, a headless chicken. Well, more like a headless ceramic rooster. After all, it is the season to start running around like one!
Bird report from Sioux
The birds at Mangawhai have been a bit slow getting into breeding this season, but things seem to be getting more serious. Ten pelicans were seen in the lower harbour for two days, then gone. We have a little tern back for the summer, and a shore plover was seen on the sand spit during the recent Ornithological Society wader count.
Facebook explained
SeniorNet will be featuring a presentation on the basics of Facebook at the final meeting for the year on Friday November 30 at the Club on Molesworth Drive, 2-4pm, the cost is just $5. No need to register, just come along and you are bound to pick up loads of information about the ups, downs and arounds of this hugely popular networking website.
Farm machinery fundraiser
And if you should happen to have any farm machinery in working order that is no longer needed, the Maungaturoto & Districts Rotary Club is planning to hold a big machinery auction in March 2013, on a State Highway site at Kaiwaka. If you would like to register your interest, or list machinery, call 431 4440 before December 10.
Local business news
Lots of changes in commercial activity. Mangawhai Electrical may have vacated their premises at Wood St, but you can still get your whiteware and electrical appliances attended to by Dean by phoning 431 2911, and for FreeView, Richard on 021 1104 056.
Funky Clothing is no longer shop based as Trish Powley is now busy providing markets all over the country, plus on Trade Me. PAPO is the link. If you wish to deal direct, phone her on 431 4192 or 021 836 238.
Charlotte of Roasts 2 Go says she will need to close the shop, just for a couple of weeks at the end of November, so she can spend some time with her ill father.
Kakariki, the health store, started their closing down sale on November 19, and keep an eye out for Bazaar World opening in the Village sometime soon.
Before Six has a new owner, and at the St John Opportunity Shop, there’s destruction and construction as they incorporate a storage and sorting area.
Commissioner payment facts
Rumour and innuendo abound in the community regarding Kaipara District Council. Currently circulating is the remuneration for the commissioners, with the amount varying depending on who is telling whom! Time to go to the top to get the facts:
If they worked all those days, every week, for one year, payments would total $499,200. But they won’t of course, be working all those days – Christmas is looming for instance – so the expectation is that in year one they will draw down around $450,000. Add travel and accommodation costs, around $30,000, and the total for one year comes to approx $480,000.
Remember, council no longer pays fees to elected members. In the year ending 30 June 2012, the audited accounts reveal these as $308,453. Savings will also be made on some tasks being taken up by commissioners, which were previously outsourced. It could well be that the commissioners costs will be more than offset by the costs no longer paid to elected members and to advisors.
News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711, email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz.
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