Did You Know?

Church funds raised

Public interest and support for the Mangawhai Artists Inc. exhibition and auction raised a most gratifying $16,000 towards the relocation cost of the former Anglican Church. President Jan Grover says they are delighted with the response and are looking forward to obtaining site approval in Mangawhai Park for the building which will be used for workshops and exhibitions.

 

Spare change needed!

The old adage ‘watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves’ is certainly true when it comes to those spare change charity donation boxes on shop counters. It’s cents and dollars now, but make sure you support local organisations in this painless way.

 

MRRA appointments

The executive committee of Mangawhai Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) has re-elected Bruce Rogan as chairman, with Bill Bygrave as deputy, and Gary Colhoun as treasurer. Other executive members are Joel Cayford, Graham McKenzie, Martina Tschirky, Helen Curreen, John Hale and Tineke Hosking.

 

NorthTec course ‘fees free’

If you are 16 years and over, left school without completing your secondary education, and are now keen to make yourself work-ready, a Certificate in Vocational Studies is designed for you. Level 2 Introduction to Agriculture/Horticulture course starts in Wellsford (and Whangarei) on February 25, so you’ll need to enrol as soon as possible. This is a ‘fees free’ course of 34 weeks, finishing on November 29. Phone NorthTec now on 0800 162 100, or check out the website www.northtec.ac.nz/hort. 

 

Apply for funds now!

Remember, applications for grants from the Mangawhai Endowment Fund close this Friday, February 15. Application forms available from council offices, or online www.kaipara.govt.nz. The committee is made up of Commissioners John Robertson (chair) and Colin Dale together with community representatives Alan Russek and Joanna Roberts.

Creative Communities funding applications close on February 22. Your local representative on this committee is Jan Grover.

 

The little digger

Inspired by archaeological programmes on television, the youngster convinced his granny to let him dig up her back yard. After all, she lived in the village where a lot of gum digging activity took place. They agreed on a square metre, which much to his delight, yielded pieces of china and glass. Enterprising grandma then set to work to cultivate the small area which is now producing corn, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and silver beet. All from one metre square.

 

Spotted…

A new business in Kaiwaka. Mormors is a quirky cafe specialising in home cooking, fine china, and quality products. There’s even a tastefully decorated room set aside for high tea. Check out the art work on the walls – some stunning work by the owner/artist!

Honorary Fisheries Officer Murray Fell (one of two local officers) with the education trailer, frequently parked in the village on a Saturday morning. There’s all the information you could ever need provided on this display stand about the rules and regulations for fisher folk, and Murray is always around to explain things to you. He says he really enjoys the education aspect to his work, and is only too happy to talk to school groups, local clubs and organisations. You’ll spot Murray and the education display in all sorts of places over the summer months – most interesting. Quickly, how many pipis per person can you gather?

 

Amazing organics

Gardeners enjoy swapping notes, which is how we came to hear about Outcrop Organics, a company which has an organic fertiliser and soil conditioner created from food waste. It is made by an aerobic process which retains 100 percent of the original nutrients and bacteria. PH neutral, you mix it into the soil, and the results are amazing. Check out their website www.outcroporganics.co.nz. Long-time holiday home owner here in Mangawhai, Simon Lempriere, says the company products are already being used on commercial properties with proven results, and are now available for domestic use. If you’d like to put some health back into your garden, start by contacting Liz Ritchie for orders on 431 4034 or 0274 882 827. 

 

Bird report from Sioux

Three juvenile NZ fairy terns are being seen with their respective parents learning to forage on the lower end of the tides in various parts of the harbour.

Our summer visitors from the northern hemisphere are all starting to upgrade their plumage into their best look for their upcoming breeding season. Some of the red knots are already looking pretty flash!

Is anybody in the Pearson St area still seeing the kaka that has been frequenting the neighbourhood? Fantastic to see it flying about…

• Avanti Plus Mangawhai Triathlon is coming up - Sunday 24th February. All entries close on 20 Feb, so enter now at www.northlandtri.co.nz or contact Sport Northland 09 437 9600. Great spot prizes too!
• A reminder about Boyzdance, a hip-hop class for boys, run by Mary Madden of Love 2 Dance. Register on 431 4351, or email love2dance@xtra.co.nz.
• Kaipara District Council commissioners are holding public meetings throughout the district to share their findings, explain the actions taken so far and explain the planned next steps. Monday February 18, 9.30am at The Club on Molesworth Drive. Come and hear their views, get the facts, and learn about the priorities for now and the future.

News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711, email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz.