March 9th 2015

Clean one metre waves with light winds treated surfers from across the region at the 23rd Annual Lifeguard Longboard Nationals.


 

A petition urging the Government to retain the Kaipara District Council commissioners for a further 12 months has been signed by more than 1,300 Kaipara residents and ratepayers.

 

Once candidates are named, the ensuing electioneering is New Zealand’s version of a TV sitcom where it’s really hard to take anything seriously.


 

Mary’s display drew large crowds to the opening of the new Ruataniwha Civic Centre which was followed by workshops at Kaiapoi’s new art space ‘Art on the Quay’ where her exhibition ran throughout February.

 

This year’s Northland agricultural Field Days went off without a hitch beneath a sweltering sun last week, while the most recent fixtures have had at least one day of ferocious winds or torrential rains.

 

 

Fund dollars allocated, Demand for Domain facilities, Op Shop inspires prose, Ode to the Mangawhai St John Op Shop, ‘Milestone’ celebrated, Historic Village next project, Book donations needed, Free pest trapping workshop, snippets and more.

 

Mangawhai teen Natasha Tornquist, 16, has won a competition run by the Otamatea Harbour Care Society to design a new logo. Natasha incorporated flax leaves and a stylised koru into her design.
 

The 14-day Rotary National Science and Technology Forum for students was held in Auckland during January. Year 13 Rodney College student Rosa Campbell was there and tells us about her experience.
 

 

The incumbent National Party were the last to select a candidate for the upcoming by-election and did so last weekend after four rounds of voting to select one of the five nominations to represent the party.
 

The final line up for the Whangarei Fritter Festival to be held on Saturday March 28 at Toll Stadium is filled with local talent: Co-Lab, Legacy, Two Kay and Taylah Barker will be joining Kiwi legend Dave Dobbyn, reggae band 1814, Tahuna Breaks, Tempist Fujit and JPG.
 

April will see a changing of the guard at Mangawhai Tavern as Gillian Houser, owner-operator since August 2008, moves on to greener pastures.

 

Long-term confidence in Mangawhai has kept two large local businesses in the hands of Mangawhai residents and holiday home owners.

The Mangawhai Tavern land and buildings and tavern operation has been sold to a syndicate led by Rick Smith, whose family owned and operated the hotel between the 1930’s and 1960’s.

In reporting on the Yulia show at Kaiwaka Community Centre last issue we omitted to mention singer Jasmine Sampson (on microphone) who led a rendition of Hallelujah, accompanied by Yulia and the other guests. 

 

In the face of a buoyant market, new building company Cavern Homes opened their showhome in Estuary Drive on February 21.


 

During February sisters Niki and Laila Harre made a pilgrimage around the North Island to reconnect with people and encourage them to ‘Rethink the System’.

 

Gala Day summary - This years’ Gala Day was a huge success for the Domain
Committee update - President Mark Gash and Gala coordinator John Dickie have stepped down from their roles after several years of dedicated service.
Have your say - We are asking for expressions of interest from sports clubs and the general public

Mangawhai library is providing an opportunity to support the SPCA as they exchange library members’ late return fines for a donation of canned pet food during March.

 

Northland’s tall ship the R. Tucker Thompson has scheduled a total of 16 voyages for the coming winter, providing the opportunity for a total of 192 places for young people in the Northland region to take part in the voyage of a lifetime.

 

Since Bart Simpson took ownership of the phrase and imbued it with all his prepubescent evil, Ay Caramba! has come to describe something quite pleasingly out of the ordinary.


 

Mark Carrell is a well-known identity on the Rodney College campus. Be in the company of this ex-policeman at the school and the respect he receives from students is obvious.


 

This year’s Mangawhai Tri turned out to be a real family affair in more ways than one.

The Wallwork family – from Pakuranga in Auck-lands eastern suburbs – have been staunch supporters of the Mangawhai Tri for 10 years or more with up to sev-en or eight family members competing at any one time.

The ‘eyes’ have it
Mike and Carol-Ann Stevens have established Mangawhai Optometrists – Your Eyes on the Heads. At the February Probus meeting Mike spoke about the need to have eye tests 
Chocolate in her bones - Mary Bennett then talked of the start and develop-ment of Bennett’s Chocolate Factory.
Next meeting AGM - Mangawhai Probus meet every third Thursday in the month at the Senior Citizens Hall, Fagan Place, Managwhai at 2pm.

The Mangawhai Walking Weekend, held Friday-Sunday March 27-29, is a festival of events and glorious walks exploring our magical Mangawhai community.