MAZ volunteer reaches milestone

JULIA WADE

Dedicated workers who put up their hands for a recent working bee at Mangawhai’s fun zone despite the heavy deluge of rain, have tipped the number of donated hours into a significant milestone.

Mangawhai Activity Zone [MAZ] recorded 20,000 hours of community volunteer support on May 31, spokesperson Ken Rayward says.

“Mangawhai presented itself again as the volunteer capitol of New Zealand, our wonderful helpers making this park the envy of all regions across the country and the reason so many families visit or move here.”

MAZ also unleashed the ‘awesome’ new pump track on May 30, which drew a large crowd, further testimony to the park’s popularity.

For ten years MAZ has relied upon the drive and ingenuity of locals to create a park environment which caters to kids of every age group, and the mums, dads and carers that rightly treat the park as their own. With respected locals, MAZ chair Colin Gallagher driving the growth of the park, supported by Mangawhai Citizen of the Year John Phillis, it is no wonder, Rayward says that locals willingly ‘offer their skills and time to sustain this community treasure’.

“The exciting thing being observed now with MAZ volunteers is after years where the average age was 71, kids who have grown up with MAZ are now turning up on Working Bee Sundays, bringing down the average volunteer age,” Rayward says. “The younger workers also add to the enthusiasm and ownership that this park provides, ensuring it’s very sustainable future!”