Mangawhai Focus

21/10/2025

The much-anticipated completion of the Mangawhai Heads’ Wood Street revitalisation project is in sight, with Kaipara District Council (KDC) and HEB contractors aiming to be done and dusted by the middle of next month. Read more:

KDC Tim Manning (white hard hat) with the HEB team leaders, from left, construction supervisor Tyler Boden, site engineer Bryce Wessels and project en

21/10/2025

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20/10/2025

When the crew aboard Mangawhai Coastguard's vessel Kokako Rescue went out on a training exercise on Saturday morning (18 October), they had no idea they would be called to do the real thing, not once but twice. Read more: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/mangawhai-news/coastguard-training-turns-into-real-rescue/

19/10/2025

The latest issue of the Mangawhai Focus is out now. Enjoy! Front cover story: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/mangawhai-news/stormy-scenes-at-emergency-election-meeting/

For online subscribers digital edition, go to: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/digital-editions/

For locations to pick up a copy:
MANGAWHAI: Bennetts Cafe, Village SuperValue, Village GAS, KDC Office, Mangawhai New World, Bayleys Mangawhai Central, Mangawhai Museum, Mangawhai Golf Club, The Mangawhai Club, Heads 4 Square, Heads Bookshop, Mangawhai Heads Bakery
KAIWAKA: 4 Square
MAUNGATUROTO: 4 Square, Bookshop
RUAKAKA: Big Tomato, Ruakaka Bookshop, Ruakaka Chemist, FirstChoice
WAIPU: Waipu Stationary & Lotto, Harker Herbals
WARKWORTH: Mahurangi Matters, Woolworths, New World
WELLSFORD: Middle 4 Square, Food Court, Woodys Winners

17/10/2025

Jonathan Larsen has won the Kaipara Mayoralty, according to the official results released by the Kaipara District Council a short time ago. He finished 21 votes ahead of Snow Tane and 57 votes ahead of Jason Smith. Mike Schimanski and Denise Rogers take the two Otamatea Ward seats, displacing sitting member Mark Vincent who finished just two votes behind Rogers. Kaiwaka-Mangawhai remains unchanged from preliminary results, with the three councillors elected being Rachael Williams, Craig Jepson and Luke Canton. In Wairoa, both sitting councillors Ash Nayyar and Pera Paniora have not been returned, with the three vacancies being filled by Snow Tane, Joesephine Nathan and Gordon Lambeth.
All votes, including special votes have been counted and confirmed, and all members assume their roles for Kaipara District Council tomorrow.

17/10/2025

Following this morning's Kaipara District Council emergency meeting, elected members passed the following resolution:
• Approves the complaint and request for an investigation into the conduct of the 2025 Kaipara District Council local government election and 2025 Northland Regional Council Maori constituency referendum as per the mayor’s complaint.
• Authorises the Mayor, on behalf of the council, to lodge the complaint and request for an investigation with the Department of Internal Affairs.

16/10/2025

Kaipara District Council has just adjourned a reconvened meeting to discuss concerns raised by retiring mayor Craig Jepson about the conduct of the local government election. Through a stormy exchange of questions and answers, it emerged that some of the concern was around how mobile voting stations were run. Cr Jonathan Larsen, who hopes to be the district’s new mayor, grilled electoral officer Dale Ofsoske about his oversight of electoral officers, how they were appointed and whether they included family members of candidates. Both Ofsoske and council’s chief executive officer Jason Maris said the election process had been “robust” and all issues including complaints had been dealt with appropriately. The public, including media, have now been excluded while the substance of the complaints is discussed when the meeting re-convenes soon.

16/10/2025

Avoid the Brynderwyns this morning if possible. Northland Police are responding to a serious crash involving a car and a truck on SH1 at the Brynderwyn, which happened around 3am. Traffic controls are in place and motorists are advised to expect delays and take an alternative route if possible. Emergency services are expected to be at the scene for quite some time and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

15/10/2025

After many years at the helm, long-serving Mangawhai Beach Market manager Wendy Klink has stepped down, handing the baton – or in this case her clipboard – to stall owner Kerry Marinkovich, the owner of fresh-cut flower stall The Seven Circles Farm. Thank you for everything, Wendy! Read more: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/health/change-of-guard-at-community-market/

15/10/2025

The annual dredging programme on the Mangawhai Harbour has wrapped up for another year. The completion of the 2025 season marks another milestone in the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society's (MHRS) mission to enhance the harbour’s recreational use while protecting its fragile environment. Read more:

The annual dredging programme on the Mangawhai Harbour has wrapped up for another year. The completion of the season marks another milestone in the Ma

14/10/2025

Four people have been charged after police located methamphetamine, clan lab equipment and fi****ms in searches at properties in Mangawhai Heads, Massey and Kumeu yesterday.
Waitematā Police, including the armed offenders squad, executed two warrants simultaneously in Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads and Birdwood Road, Massey during the early hours of yesterday morning, 14 October 2025. Read more:

A police operation was carried out yesterday in Mangawhai, Massey and Kumeu. Four people have been charged after police located methamphetamine, clan

14/10/2025

UPDATE: SH1 Brynderwyn Hills will be fully closed during two ‘super weekends’ 2025 NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi:

- Thursday 13 November morning (12:01am) to Sunday 16 November midnight (11:59pm)
- Thursday 20 November morning (12:01am) to Sunday 23 November midnight (11:59pm)

These dates balance traffic volumes, spring paving conditions and feedback from previous closures. Spring offers the best chance of dry, warm conditions needed for a high-quality asphalt finish, while avoiding the peak summer tourism period. Weekend closures also reduce disruption to freight.

For more information on the SH1 Brynderwyn Hills project, contact them at [email protected] or visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/brynderwyn-hills

Information PDF:https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/sh1-brynderwyn-hills/sh1-brynderwyn-hills-resurfacing-super-weekend-factsheet.pdf