16th September 2019 issue

Visitors to the Mangawhai Heads Reserve will notice a new addition – a brand new automated external defibrillator (AED) located on the exterior of the public toilet block. 
 

For many years my bedside radio switched on around 6am or so to hear the early morning report from the National Radio station, nowadays RNZ National. It purported to deliver up-to-date news, views and interviews across the worldwide spectrum.

In her own words, local identity Christine Bygrave shares a special experience with readers – September 4 was the day she received her Queens Service Medal from Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House Auckland.

September 2018, a year ago, was the official start of my journey at Kaipara District Council. Kaipara is a great place to live, a great council and we’re facing challenges head on.

With the final granting rounds for the year coming up for one of Mangawhai’s leading community funders, the many volunteers who help make it all happen reveal that the work is a labour of love.

Box and I were recently faced with a big decision. Box is building our retirement home on a corner of our beach property with sea views. It has been our dream for 35 years and with the sale of the cottages it became a reality. 

Grassroots fund - The Northland Grassroots Fund is made available.
Tides Out Fun Run - The annual Tides Out Bream Bay Fun Run & Walk.
Chamber trio to perform - After a highly successful tour in Europe.
Manslaughter verdict - After two days of deliberation.

Get your body summer ready with a waxing and a safe tan plan. Daylight saving is just around the corner and with that comes the hint of summertime – lets get ready! 
 

Despite the soaking rain and ominous clouds, a group of devoted artists and supporters huddled under umbrellas on a wet early evening to witness the traditional first sod turned and blessing given on land destined for art and creativity. 
Mangawhai Artist Inc. 

Local young players in a recent game of ‘cerebral gymnastics’ have impressively achieved a semi-final placing in a coveted educational competition, ahead of hundreds of fellow competitors. 

With Christmas only 14 weeks, or about a hundred days away, two exciting events are being designed to create a magical festive spirit in Mangawhai. 

Organisers of last year’s incredibly successful Santa Parade – Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) and John Phillis – are now bringing another first for Mangawhai, Carols in the Park. 

Philanthropist and author Christine Fernyhough documents her extraordinary collection of mid-century and modern New Zealand objects and the stories behind them.

Lugging an assortment of weights, rope climbing, crate jumping and hand-walking in a hot, foreign climate might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but the challenge to outdo herself and competitors keeps one 60-year-old extremely fit and determined.

Otamatea Hawks junior rugby players went on a Rugby For Life bus trip recently, held at the newly-named Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei prior to the Northland vs Hawkes Bay match. 

A recent independent review on Kaipara’s resource consent process has shone a light on a council department struggling under Mangawhai’s ongoing population growth. 

The review could not come fast enough for some applicants whose pursuit of a resource consent in Kaipara has become a stressful and exasperating experience.
 

With four senior vacancies and high growth creating more demand for consents, planners at local council say they are feeling the pressure. 

 

Time is running out for artists wanting to enter the 2019 Kaipara Art Awards. Entries close on Friday September 20, with works to be submitted in October.