29th May 2017

Mangawhai has no shortage of people who step up to devote their spare hours and energy for the benefit of others. Long-time local Lorraine Benfield is one such person, dedicating over 20 years of service to several organisations.

 

 

I asked a couple of people: “Does the name Jack McKerchar mean anything to you?” All answered in the negative or looked blank and simply shook their heads. Similarly others have asked me “Who is this Jack McKercher character?”

 

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Former Hakaru RSA president Bill Kerr has been convicted of wearing medals he never earned bringing fresh calls to upgrade the law used to punish military pretenders.



 

In an effort to maintain the profile of skateboarding in Mangawhai, local skatemeister Daniel Hawes organised a photo competition, #mangawhaisnaps.



 

Our largest single cost by far, the area that we receive the most complaints, the area that we have the most "catching up" to do, and an area that many ratepayers have very strong views around what should be done.



 

A chapter of Mangawhai’s formative years has found its way into print, telling of one family’s major contribution to the foundations and infrastructure of the area.



 

A fever of unique stingrays have arrived in Mangawhai Village bringing a splash of colour and waves of curious visitors to the outer walls of the popular local art gallery.




 

Hundreds of submissions on possible new rules to prevent marine pests spreading, paying for marine biosecurity and updates to Northland’s harbour safety rules were being considered by regional councillors at hearings that began last Monday in Whangarei.

 

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It seems to me, following recent publicity on the selling of New Zealand’s fresh water, that there is a general lack of knowledge regarding the role that water plays in nature. In recent discussion, opinions have been expressed which clearly show that water is considered a 'right' and will always be available to humans.

 

Defending NZ  I would like to thank Mr Harris for taking the trouble to write
Pre-Maori history It is time to disclose a few facts about our pre-Maori history 
Proposal rejected Mayor Gent states that the Kaipara District Council paid legal fees 
Turehu first here? I have always had an interest in the early written accounts of the first European settlers

 

 

We represent TIKA Incorporated, a Society which has been formed by a diverse group of local design professionals interested generally in having broad ranging and constructive input in ongoing development in the Kaipara Region – but in this instance to comment on the ongoing degradation of the existing character of the Mangawhai Village township and surrounds through badly planned development.

 

Growth in Mangawhai blazes on! A real surge in activity is happening around town, school enrolments are on the rise, services and tradespeople are in strong demand, eateries are buzzing most days, housing demand runs hot, and the weekly market continues to thrive.
 

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Two recent Controlled Purchase Operations conducted at licensed premises throughout Northland by Northland DHB and NZ Police staff has resulted in a further disappointing result.

The operations saw underage volunteers, aged 16 and 17 years, attempting to purchase alcohol from licensed premises in Kaipara and Far North areas.

 

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Club members were privileged to have two guest speakers at the May meeting with the first speaker being Don Mckay, a director of Maungaturoto Residential Care Ltd accompanied by Tracy Chapman (manager, Maungaturoto Rest Home).

 

Various shades of pink have been a fashionable colour around Mangawhai throughout May, symbolising the month’s traditional fundraiser for NZ Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) the annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast.


 

Such is the popularity of the market, the Waipu Business and Promotion Group have arranged to utilise part of the Caledonian Park grounds and the Celtic Barn overhang to create space for a further 50 market stalls for the Queens Birthday Markets on Sunday June 4.
 

 

I’ve got a mate who reckons that it’s about time to shape up or ship out. He reckons we need to do some straight talking to a few crooked people because if we can’t square things up, everything is going to turn pear shaped.

 

Solid 2-3 metre waves greeted surfers at the second event of the Northland Secondary School’s Scholastic Surfing Series on May 12. With 57 entries from across the region the second event was scheduled to run at Sandy Bay.