Did You Know?

Funds available

Numerous community projects could be eligible for a helping hand through two council-administered funds currently open for applications.

Mangawhai Endowment Fund grant application forms are available from council offices or online at www.kaipara.govt.nz. Check out the eligibility of your project against the criteria and make sure you get your application in by the closing date of February 15. 

Much rumour and innuendo circulates in our community regarding this fund so reading the full text of the Mangawhai Endowment Fund policy, available at council offices in Dargaville and Kaiwaka, could help clarify matters for you.

Arts funding through the Creative Communities scheme is also open for application with  criteria based on opportunities for communities to engage with and participate in diverse arts projects. Forms are available online, with the amount of funding for the whole district around $14,000. Friday February 22 is the closing date.

 

Book walks early

Something else to fill out and get in on time – Mangawhai Walking Weekend guided walks. As always, many of the walks for the April 4-7 event are over-subscribed so it is advantageous to book your choices as early as possible. Pick up a brochure from the Info Centre or many local businesses, or simply go online www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz.

 

Top of the Rock

Before all that happens though, there’s the Kaiwaka Sports Association ‘Top of the Rock’ event on Sunday February 10 – a scenic walk/run of various lengths, or the Baldrock Adventure Race of a testing 10km cross country run and a 15 km mountain bike ride. And new this year, a mountain bike only route of 30km! There’s free camping on the KSA grounds on Saturday night so you can be prepared for the morning start. Check out the details and entry on www.kaiwakasports.co.nz. Could be part of your preparation for the Mangawhai Triathlon on February 24…

 

Improve your fitness with Mary

Mary Madden is someone who is making sure we all have a chance to improve our fitness. Pilates on the beach over the summer holidays was ‘fabulous and crazy’ she reports, so intends to continue over the rest of the summer. Meet at the Heads car park at 8am, walk to the Clifftop stairs, with a climb to the top and back optional, pilates/stretch at the bottom then walk back. Great fitness package for only $5. 

But wait, there’s more! Free intro to pilates on February 4 & 7, Love 2 Dance classes starting on February 12, and Boyzdance, a hip hop class for boys. 

Get details by phoning Mary on 431 4351, mobile 021 0348 450, or email love2dance@xtra.co.nz.

 

Buying local good idea

‘Think global, act local’ applies to everything we do. Mangawhai has had a resident optometrist for the past two years, so with the age-old problem of print becoming smaller (!) it was time to stop having ‘out of town’ checks and make an appointment with Mangawhai Optometrists at the Wood St shopping centre. 

A welcoming response to my phone call, an appointment made, and a week later, Mike Stevens was giving me a thorough eye test. Every action and test was explained, and choices outlined. My $2 Shop magnifying glasses were no longer adequate, and I required prescription lenses. Should I have progressives, or just the reading half lens? This is where Carol-Ann excelled, helping me to define exactly when, where, and yes, how I would be wearing my new glasses. Five days later, I collected my new eyes from this exceptionally friendly team, with Mike adjusting the frames to fit perfectly. How’s that for service? 

Mangawhai Optometrists also quietly support many local activities and events – all part of their commitment to the community. Contact 431 4861, mobile 029 7701 930, or email eyesonheads@clear.net.nz.

 

Bird report from Sioux

Three New Zealand fairy tern have been banded at Mangawhai this season, flying well and looking nearly ready to head off with their parents.

The pelican spotted in the harbour did not stay around unfortunately, although perhaps the harbour would have been too busy for them.

It was disappointing to see people still taking their dogs over to the sand spit. It is a designated Wildlife Refuge from which dogs are banned.

 

Get the goodness of garlic

Garlic – traditionally planted on the shortest day, harvested on the longest – was not a success in my garden this season, so I’ll probably be one of many taking advantage of Gabrielle and Craig’s garlic plaits at the village market on Saturday. At $18 per kilo, plaits range from $22–$50, most around $30. 

 

“How are you?”

One of our ‘annual newsletter’ friends has moved into a retirement villa, and delighted us with her observations of other residents. “I’m learning not to ask how they are,” she writes, “for fear of getting what I call a lengthy organ recital!”

 

•  On TV3 news last week. Robbie Robertson (and Dianne) at Paul Holmes’ investiture. Sir Paul is Robbie’s cousin.
•  Daily surf report written up on the whiteboard in Bammas’ window… good stuff. Did you know you can hire boards from there?
•  Rob Klink with his ‘best Christmas present ever’ black staffy puppy Mia, and Ian (Box) Milestone with his new border terrier puppy Barney. These grown men appear to be quite besotted!
•  Change of location for Wayne and Sarah Paget who have left for Savaii, Samoa, where they are managing a resort. If you should be heading over for a holiday, make sure you make yourself known!
•  The No Frills dressmaker, Heather Levack, has put her sewing machine in storage, heading off to Invercargill to study for a two year diploma in Performing Arts at the Southern Institute of Technology.
•  The Mangawhai Residents & Ratepayers Association (MRRA) committee have (at time of writing) not yet met to select their chairperson following committee elections at the recent AGM.
•  New president of the very active and well-supported Hakaru Pony Club is Mike Stevens (of Mangawhai Optometrists!)
•  50kph is the speed limit in a school zone, at all times. A number of people have been caught exceeding this, locals included, a costly reminder that speed zone limits apply in Mangawhai too!

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