Ed Said - On a positive note......

Living in close proximity to Kaipara and more specifically Mangawhai one can get the distinct impression that the area never clears the dark cloud that has followed it for the past two years in terms of negative media coverage. 

However, while most parts of the country don’t really know where Mangawhai is (or even Kaipara for that matter), those who can stand back and take an objective view will see a multitude of positives happening presently and within the near future.

Firstly the past summer holiday season and, more recently long weekends and school holidays have left many businesses well satisfied with summer trading results.

It’s true that we can make figures and statistics do whatever we want them to but census figures for 2013 show Mangawhai Heads with 1086 permanent residents (compared to 852 in 2006) and Mangawhai Village and surrounds with 1329 population compared to 918 in 2006, an overall increase of well over 30 percent. 

If that’s not a positive sign then I don’t know what is, and that’s compared to a 4.6 percent increase for the whole of Kaipara, proving far more people want to come here than want to leave. Such an increase translates to bigger rolls for pre-school and schools in the area, more looking for job and/or business opportunities and a general increase in turnover within the town. 

While the Walking Weekend is about to lose its founder through Jean Goldschmidt’s retirement we need to see this also as a positive step. Inasmuch as Jean has promoted Mangawhai to become the ‘walking capital’ of New Zealand, under different management there is no telling to what direction or expansion this iconic event may evolve. 

Similarly, as I write this, Betty Nelley, is about to close her office door for the last time after a 20 year relationship with the Matakohe Museum, the last eight as CEO. Her position will be taken over by a less experienced manager but we must not under-estimate the energy, knowledge or range of promotional ideas that a new head can bring to this also iconic feature of our area.

We are about to see trees felled and earthworks commence on Molesworth Drive as the long-awaited St John Ambulance Station construction commences. Perhaps a shame to see the bush levelled but you have to break eggs to make an omelet. 

While the controversial golf course at Te Arai is, strictly speaking, a part of Auckland there is little doubt there will be a monetary spin-off for Mangawhai and while not everything should be evaluated in monetary terms that simple dollar sign governs almost every part of our lives. It just depends on individual circumstances as to what extent.

It’s also important we see past the terms of ‘Jafa’ and ‘Dorklander’ to the positive effect that the Queen city has on Mangawhai. After all, we are constantly advertising the fact we are almost an ‘outer suburb’. In terms of qualified people be they permanents or weekenders, we

have an almost endless wealth of knowledge on which to draw, from practical business innovation to organisational skills as seen by some amazing results at fundraising events that benefit the giver, the receiver and the town. It’s rarely a straight line between point A and point B but a sense of community and the right attitude can certainly smooth out the bumps.

Hubert Humphrey says: ‘It's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.’

Again, just my humble opinion.

Cheers

Rob