Scene & Heard Buzz in the Bay

---

Mangawhai has it all. Forget Sydney or Auckland malls as Christmas shopping venues. Local lady says apart from a few things found online she has done all her Chrissy shopping in Mangawhai. Between Bennett’s beautiful chocolates, fabulous kitchen ideas from Fresh, Mangawhai Pharmacy for all sorts of goodies, Bammas for clothing and beach stuff and something for everyone at Mangawhai Books and Gifts plus those handy vouchers, job done in two hours without leaving town!

Great Christmas gift for residents of Estuary Drive: a sealed road.

There are many breeding birds on the Mangawhai Sandspit, the main one being the endangered fairy tern. At present they and many other shore birds are nesting out there and need to be given a chance to raise young in peace. There are single tape fences around fairy tern nesting areas, and there may be eggs or chicks in these enclosures at any time. Please do not walk behind these fences as you may walk on eggs or chicks which are very hard to see. Do not take dogs out there as this area is a wildlife refuge.

Local camp grounds report the usual full house signs are about to go up for the Christmas/New Year period but bookings are strong through late January and well into February with one camp manager reporting around 30 percent increase in night stays over the past year, and a number staying longer than usual. Richard Carey, marketing manager for Bachcare, reports similar growth overall in the take-up of holiday rentals but Mangawhai Bachcare manager Janice Young who now manages 45 properties says her uptake is probably 80 percent up on last year citing the proximity of Mangawhai to Auckland as one of the main drawcards.

The near tragedy of a yachtie last week should be a timely reminder to sailors and drivers especially over the holiday period. Both need to be aware of the weather. For the sailor – maps, locator beacons, cellphones, flares and life jackets should be standard fare and for the driver, no alcohol, seat belts on, give yourself plenty of time, plus a fair degree of patience should get everyone safely to where they’re going.

Don’t forget the legendary Waipu Highland Games, New Year’s Day. Be the first to know about the photo competition to be held this year. Prizes for the best shots of the show, and don't forget to have your best Scottish gear ready to enter Tartan in the Park. Great prizes to be won. Check out the website waipugames.co.nz.

A different kind of entertainment is the Ruakaka races. The Interislander Summer Festival is a great day out with entertainment for the whole family. Hospitality (marquee) options on sale now. Free kids entertainment area. Thrilling racing action in an idyllic beachside location, Tuesday January 5. Check it all out online at theraces.co.nz.

Support Ruakaka Dog Rescue and be in to win a gorgeous handmade quilt and Barty Bear, an amazing hand made bear by Bells Stuff. The workmanship in both these items is amazing. Barty is handcrafted using mohair, suede, glass, hand painted and needle sculpted. A very special collectible worth over $150! To buy a ticket deposit $2 into our account 03 0498 0004438 00 with 'raffle', your name and contact number. Your entry will be confirmed when payment has been received.

The new gym at Ruakaka is looking fabulous. The painters are busy on the inside right now. Another week or two it will be up and running.

Ruakaka Rec Centre has awesome news: They have just received a $1000 donation from Pelorus Trust which will enable them to replace three workout benches in their gym.

The Snake Bank Challenge is a race for any person of any age with any craft powered by a paddle or hand. The challenge is to get around the 4km course. The race is to be the first or the fastest in your division. Whether you’re racing or challenging yourself or others it will be a great day out for you and the family. Saturday January 30, Marsden Yacht & Boat Club. Check it out at marsdenyachtclub.co.nz.

A gala like no other on January 2, Mangawhai Domain is the place to be. Hundreds of displays, stalls of all shapes and kinds of clothing, crafts and goodies, food and entertainment. Safe parking and lots for the kids to do. 9am–2pm.

Marsden Lions Club held their annual fundraising dinner for Ruakaka Ambulance last Saturday night. Special guest Vice District Governor Richard Simmons ran the auction and raffles. Special thanks also to the Fire Station, Atlas Quarries Ruakaka, Body Warrant, Marie Gutry, local businesses who donated auction items and to the ladies for the yummy meal.

Sky Tower stair climber Laura Andrews is at it again representing Waipu. Firefighters all over NZ are gearing up for next Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge in May 2016. Head to firefightersclimb.org.nz to support your local brigade and raise funds to fight leukaemia.

Ruakaka Skate Park is on a roll, holding a roller disco and car boot sale at Atlas Concrete, January 3 10am - 1pm. Clear out after Christmas, book a car boot spot for $10 by calling the Rec Centre on 432 7962. There’s skate hire and safety equipment for adults and kids, $7 hire for the three hours or just come on down and shop. Sausage sizzle, cake stall just $2 entry. Proceeds to the Ruakaka Skate Park.

Born to Pipe. Come and listen to an evening of freestyling bagpipers playing in a unique way. Experience many highland pipers battling it out in a competition in the Helen McGregor Memorial Medley. A wonderful night out. Coronation Hall, Waipu, Dec 31, 7pm, just $5.

n Scene & Heard anything newsworthy? Tell everyone about it. Just email your news briefs to info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz.



NZ Warriors on secret mission. The last few days Camp Waipu Cove has played hosts to special guests – the NZ Warriors – who have been enjoying the beach while attending a training camp – and getting into a little Christmas spirit.