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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Did you know?
Future looking brighter?
Commissioners are taking over from our elected representatives at the Kaipara District Council; new leaves on the trees, and bit of sunshine, perhaps we can now put the dismal winter behind us to concentrate on the future. The birds are doing just that says bird reporter Sioux Plowman. White-faced herons are starting to build nests, pukeko chicks have been seen in Black Swamp Road, and NZ fairy terns seen and heard in Blind Bay, also roosting on the spit. Kaka have been seen in the vicinity of Devich Road.
Big money boost
Good news for the Mangawhai Historical Society, receiving a $150,000 ASB grant. This money is to be used for the interior display in the new museum. There’s always some activity on site: Jim Wintle and Bert Sainsbury have been spotted working on cutting and nailing the timber panelling in the reception area, and books are starting to arrive for the Book Fair next Easter.
Youth opportunities
Applications close this Friday August 24 for the Mangawhai Community Trust youth grant – contact Sharan McNaughton 431 533. And you have until Friday September 7 to send in your application for the Zonta Club of Mangawhai’s second annual Spirit of Adventure Award. This is for young women in the area to take part in a 10-day youth development voyage. Contact Cheryl 431 4829 for details and application forms.
Local artist on show
Local artist Jeanette Vickers has some stunning work prepared for the group show Artspaces 2, an exhibition for ten artists at the Mairangi Art Centre, 20 Hastings Road, Mairangi Bay. Jeanette thinks there will be enough space for her to exhibit nine of her photos, the largest of which is 100cm x 75cm titled ‘The Glitter of the Theatre’. An all-consuming passion for her is the weather and what the tide is doing so she can capture the underwater activity in the rock pools on film. Printed on canvas and stretched over frames, Jeanette’s work is unique. Go to www.mangawhaiartists.co.nz for a preview. The exhibition opens on Wednesday August 29 at 5pm, (opening night always a lot of fun!), closes Saturday September 18, and gallery hours 9am-4pm Monday to Saturday. Well worth a detour if going down or coming back from Auckland.
Kaipara art awards
Mangawhai artists are also looking forward to participating in the Kaipara Community Gilmore Brown Art Awards, hosted by the Kauri Museum at Matakohe. All the award winners will be announced before it is opened to the public on Saturday September 1.
Give generously
Daffodil Day in Mangawhai means morning tea mixed with Bingo at the Golf Club on Wednesday August 29. Your $10 donation includes morning tea and one Bingo game, but you are encouraged to purchase more! Everyone is welcome, but please RSVP for catering numbers to Dorothy Freeman 431 5950 by Friday August 24.
Spotted…
… the new takeaway shop Madly Indian, in Wood St, open 11am until late. The range of food on offer is very extensive – ‘very Indian, very authentic.’
Staff changes at Naja
Shannon has left on maternity leave, with Jan Grover joining the team on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturday, and knowledgeable Jacqui working Tuesdays and Wednesdays in addition to the weekends.
Mangrove story presented
Mangroves are quite a talking point here in Mangawhai. As part of the museum Winter Series of lectures, Helen Curreen will present an historical overview of the mangroves in the harbour on Monday August 27 at 1.30pm in the new museum. Helen was the lead witness in the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society’s appearance in the Environmental Court, and this PowerPoint presentation was what formed their position.
Gardening for Beginners
A bit of warm weather and we start getting interested in the vegetable garden again. Kaiwaka Organics have a workshop coming up – Gardening for Beginners – on Saturday September 15. It’s your opportunity to learn how to create your own vegetable garden and orchard. Bookings essential on 431 2732, or email shop@kaiwakaorganics.co.nz
Fathers Day bargains
Fathers Day, Sunday September 2. Check out the St John Op Shop for inexpensive ways to honour dad…
Run rabbit run
DoC will be carrying out a rabbit extermination night shoot on the Mangawhai Spit from August 27 to September 6, so for those living in the vicinity please be aware this is NOT an invasion. The rabbits are there in large numbers and eating the pingao. They attract ferrets, stoats, weasels and harriers all of which are a danger to shore and nesting birds.
A piece of local history
Did you see the well-researched article in the Kaiwaka Bugle contributed by local historian Bill Leslie? Reprinted, with permission:
Another pair of enterprising men were James McDonald (whose farm was later the Wright’s on Kaiwaka Mangawhai Rd) and Pukekaroro settler John Cook (who lived where Anderson’s farm is on Baldrock Rd) who, after the causeway was built to Head Rock, took over the lease of the quarry beside the present Surf Club at Mangawhai Heads.
There was already a stone wharf in place and from 1869 they started shipping flagstones to Auckland for footpaths. In Papers Past (see paperspast.natlib.govt.nz - Daily Southern Cross 14 Dec 1870) are articles written about the superiority of Mangawai stone then in use in Queen, O’Connell , and Fort Streets, giving great hope for more interest in the local stone which could be supplied cheaper than the stone being imported from York and Scotland.
When I was young I can remember one of those big flat stones that had the cowshed hot water cylinder on it which, before electricity, bore the wood-fed copper. Many of the early homes had fireplaces built of this same stone. One can still see the gad, or large stone chisel marks, used to square the stones on some of the big stones used in the causeway to Head Rock.
Fascinating. Thank you Bill.
News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts on 431 4711, or email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz. |
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