Chairpersons Report November 2023

As the world navigated its way through the Covid 19 epidemic, our utopian paradise here in Mangawhai experienced social fragmentation and alienation from time to time, needless to say our park was feeling a little lonely. Life as we knew it regained fresh normality towards the end of 2022, only to be presented with some new challenges as we welcomed in 2023, this time being weather related. Extreme flooding resulted in both pump tracks being closed intermittently throughout the year. The KDC will be carrying out  some drainage  works in the area which will prevent future flooding. Shade Sails suffered wind damage and have subsequently been replaced.

Sadly we had to bid farewell to a portion of the plastic play tower due to health and safety requirements which leads us to the next exciting project. We are currently seeking designs and quotes to replace the remaining tower, providing a bigger and better learning experience for pre-school and primary children. Once a decision has been made we will begin the next process of raising funds. We expect the cost of this project to be between $150,000 and $200,000 and whilst in an ideal world we would like to have this in place by mid 2024, it will be dependent on grants and funding availability.

• Late 2022 the balance of required funding was received for the extension of the Skate Park to include a bigger and better bowl and street plaza. Work has begun on the construction.
  
• New individual playground equipment has been added for a combination of age groups.
  
• Bunnings, Mangawhai donated our Buddy Seat to promote social awareness and friendships, in recognition of Pink Shirt Day.
  
• NO LIMITS Surf and Skate held a “Girls Can Skate” day at the skate park during the school holidays.
  
• While our local junior soccer teams struggled to have regular games at their usual field at the Mangawhai Domain, due to weather conditions, we were finally able to accommodate them on our lower field or the multi-purpose purpose court.
  
• $5000.00 funding was gratefully received from the Mangawhai Opportunity Factory complete the remediation of the giant skateboard which was donated to us by the NZ Olympic Committee. Further funding has been received from the KDC Reserve Contribution Fund to complete the design and build of the framework on which the board will be displayed, creating a landmark sculpture within the skate park.
  
• $5000.00 received from the Tara Iti from the “Spirit of Mangawhai” Annual Golf Tournament.

With three projects in various stages of completion we continue to work on ground and equipment maintenance, along with meeting operational costs, to provide a safe and happy haven for our community and visitors to enjoy. This couldn’t happen without our dedicated team of committee volunteers, community donations and local business and individuals who volunteer their time to garden, mow, sweep and trim the grounds. There are too many to thank individually but to all of you – a massive THANK YOU!

Kate Arbuckle
MAZ Committee Chairperson