Early Christmas for Community Patrol

 

Christmas appears to have come early for an essential community organisation in the form of new wheels, giving the service a more professional look as well as helping to keep volunteers safer in the wee small hours.

Mangawhai Community Patrol (MCP) recently received a 2018 Mitsubishi ASX for their nightly tours complete with high-visibility decal, spotlights and rooftop warning lights, from Mangawhai Central (MC) developer, Viranda Partners. 

The vehicle has made patrolling a whole lot safer MCP spokesperson Wayne Price says. 

“It’s quiet, very comfortable, has good headlights and even air conditioning, something our old van didn’t have.

It’s also low maintenance and halved our petrol costs. We’ve had many good comments from the community about the vehicle already,” he says. “Want to thank everyone who routinely devotes their time to the patrol with the biggest thanks to Viranda for the new vehicle, we really just can’t thank you enough!”

In appreciation of the substantial gift, MCP and Community Patrol of New Zealand (CPNZ) presented Viranda chair, Andrew Guest, with a framed certificate of gratitude and photo of the new vehicle. 
Guest says the gifts will take ‘pride of place’ in the company’s office.

“Thank you and for the kind words, but it’s us who should be thanking you for setting up the patrol and for all the good work you do.” 

Gifting the car was not an effort to gratify Viranda to Mangawhai Guest says, they just want to show support for the community and the area’s central services. 

“At our last community meeting I was a bit aghast about the number of services set up here that aren’t supported by the government or other supporters of funds… which could make such a difference in the community and to the patrol which is such a major service,” he says. “Thank you for allowing us to be part of this; we’re committed to ongoing support and the doors are open to other costs. Who knows, might even get a whole fleet of these vehicles running around!”

Viranda also have plans to support other significant community organisations including St John, Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Surf Lifesavers, the Museum, MAZ and Art Society.  

Guest also gave an update on MC saying the development is proceeding fast.

“We’ve actually only owned it for 258 days. Gaining consents is a huge process due to the underfunding of Kaipara council although that is not a criticism, just how it is,” he says. “We have earthwork consents now which if all going well we should be looking at beginning site development from February/March next year but I can’t promise anything because of the process.” 

He says the project maintains unanimous support from the community.

“There are always some naysayers that fire shots but, by and large, people want to see this development.”

Travelling in style and comfort and looking professional while keeping an eye on the streets; Mangawhai Community Patrol members with coordinator Wayne Price and Viranda Partners chair Andrew Guest [middle] and associates. 

“Want to thank everyone who routinely devotes their time to the patrol with the biggest thanks to Viranda for the new vehicle, we really just can’t thank you enough!”
- Wayne Price