Local projects to benefit from millions of government funds

Julia Wade

Announced on July 25 by First National MP Shane Jones, three east Kaipara community projects are set to receive a financial investment from the governments ‘shovel-ready projects’, totalling $3.75 million.

At an event held late morning in the scenic outdoor area of the Mangawhai Tavern, Jones made the declaration to the gathered crowd which included Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith, Northern MP Matt King, Kaipara District CEO Louise Miller, councillors and staff as well as members of community groups and curious Tavern market shoppers.

Mangawhai Historic Wharf Trust will have $600,000 for the historic jetty to be rebuilt; Kaiwaka township will receive $750,000 for much-needed footbridges; and a large chunk, $2.4m, will be contributed towards turning Molesworth Drives trecherous ‘goat track’ into a safe pathway for all users.

Representatives of the community groups, Mangawhai Community Advisory Panel chair Belinda Vernon, [Molesworth Drive path] KaiwakaCan’s Derek Christenson and Mangawhai Historic Wharf Trust chair Colin Leach, also spoke, expressing their gratitude and explaining just what the financial boost will mean to the individual projects.

Jones says it was a privilege to make the announcements on behalf of the Crown.

“If anyone is wondering why the government is dedicating capital to jetty’s and wharves, I say to you as fellow Kiwis, we must ensure our coastal environment remains accessible, remains enjoyable not just for people who have wealth and can afford to live right next to the beach,” he says. “That is why my leader… identified jetty’s and wharves as avenues of access to our coastal environment for boaties and the young and old alike, so we are not locked out of our marine playground. That is why we’ve been so enthusiastic not only for this project, but many involving jetty’s, across Northland. Please get in behind this project.”

A big day with a big boost for three vital community projects: [from left, standing] Mangawhai/Kaiwaka councillor Jonathan Larsen, KDC GM Infrastructure Services Jim Sephton, Mangawhai Community Advisory Panel chair Belinda Vernon, KaiwakaCan’s Derek Christenson, Mayor Jason Smith, Mangawhai/Kaiwaka councillor Peter Wethey, with [kneeling] NZ First MP Shane Jones and Mangawhai Historic Wharf Trust chair Colin Leach.