Mangawhai Track Charitable Trust
27 December 2010

This, the 12th year of the Mangawhai Walking Weekend, is a celebration of the formation of the Mangawhai Track Charitable Trust. The aim of the Trust is to develop and maintain walking and cycling tracks in the area. Proceeds from the Walking Weekend this year will go to this Trust. 31st March – 3rd April 2011

Most people in Mangawhai will be aware of the slow build up that has taken place prior to the point of forming a Trust. For years we looked at the scrub and bush covered Mangawhai Park and thought it would be a great place for a town walkway. Then one day at the Information Centre a new bach owner turned up who said his job as an engineer was designing and building tracks for clients as well as DoC. I thought all my birthdays had come at once!! My excitement was so great that then and there I escorted him round the back and said ‘please can you design a track through this scrub’. Two weeks later saw several of us with our new friend bush whack our way though Mangawhai Park. A route was later marked and bingo! the men were ready to develop a track. Because of the age of these valiant volunteers the name became ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ 200 people attended the opening of the track with the ribbon being cut by counsellor, Tom Smith.

So, what began as an idea of putting a track through Mangawhai Park, has developed into a full blown group of people keen to see more tracks built to cater for the explosion of the now totally accepted form of exercise - walking for recreation. Cycling is also expanding at a great rate, as a viable option to walking. It is hard to believe that this wonderful estuary of ours does not have an all-tide walkway round its entire length. Is it the only place in New Zealand where this is so? Planning is needed to ensure that publicly available tracks are given a priority. The Trust will work to see the Council always has walking and cycling tracks in its vision. Every third person that comes into the Information Centre requests information on walkways. At the moment for anyone requesting a longish walk, we offer first the Cliff Top and secondly the estuary-walk to the sand dune at low tide from Raymond Bull Road, possible only at low tide.

Now due to the efforts of the retired energetic men we can also offer the one hour loop in Mangawhai Park, called Pauls Track, the shorter, Last of the Summer Wine Track and lastly the more challenging Goldschmidt Track. Over the last four years these men on a Friday morning, have got out there with their slashers, loppers, spades and rakes to create these areas for the pleasure of us all. It is truly amazing what they have achieved. Carting wood for the steps was a huge undertaking so do think of them as you climb up and down.

If you would like to join this happy band of men please ring Paul on 4315095

1 February 2011

The Story that needs to be told

Sandmining in the Mangawhai Harbour began in the 1920s. Not until three years ago was it finally terminated. The clean white, fine, irreplaceable sand that had it origins in the Waikato River was taken to Auckland and used for a multitude of purposes. The mining company in the later years was, unbelievably, because of the environmental impact, half owned by the Northland Regional Council. To finally end this environmentally destructive industry took determination, expert knowledge and money. This is Jim Wintle’s story but a small group under the auspices of the Harbour Restoration Society carried out the amazing feat of finally stopping the sand mining at the harbour entrance. Along with the full story of the restoration and maintenance of the current harbour, the sand-mining story is one that also needs to be remembered and retold so it too becomes part of the folklore of Mangawhai.

There will always be people in Mangawhai who have not yet heard these stories so it is with great pleasure that the Mangawhai Walking Weekend offers the opportunity for those who have not caught up with this bit of Mangawhai history to hear these stories. What is more these are not, mere historians speaking, but the actual people who took part in these history making events. These are the people who have created a harbour that is loved by all who come here.

Look out for the walk on the brochure titled “How the Spirit of Mangawhai Saved the Harbour”

Another story we hope will unfurl after the 2011 Walking Weekend is that of a short history of the Village using landmarks as the basis. Ann Marshall, one of our Mangawhai swallows, (she and her husband Bernard come for six months of summer) is an experienced, trained guide in her home city of Liverpool, UK. She is leading a walk of discovery round the Village. Our popular local historian, Bev Ross, will be on hand to keep the detail correct. At the completion we look forward to an historical walking map and guide that we expect to publish. This should prove a great asset to the Information Centre as people as constantly looking for guides of this sort. Do join Ann on her walk and help her create a fabulous story. “A Village Heritage Trail”

Two walks are now full – Waipu Caves and Home and Garden Tour so check the web page before booking.

Walking Weekend brochures are at the Information Centre and on the web page at www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz Food and Wine and Troubadour Trail tickets are at Bammas and Mangawhai Books and Gifts.

25 February 2011

Mangawhai Walking Weekend
31st March – 3rd April

Mangawhai is full of interesting people. The Walking Weekend manages to capture many of these and have them involved with the walks. Tucked into those dark commanding hills of the Brynderwyns is Marunui. Ownership of this land is by a group of people dedicated to the preservation of their remanent bush and the health of the entire hillside. Little cottages are nestled privately around the many hectares but these owners are also keen that their enthusiasm for the land is shared with others. Before the Walking Weekend ‘open days’ were held when the populace of Mangawhai was invited to see what went on behind the gate. Now the owners see the Walking Weekend as their time to invite walkers onto the property. A number of tracks have been built especially for trapping purposes but also for the enjoyment of the residents. There is even a distinctive hill of its own with a pa site that is included on one of the tracks. The land has a history of milling with the stream serving as a run for the logs.

Maybe this year your choice of a walk for the Waling Weekend will be Marunui

One person who really is a legend in Mangawhai is Scotty from the Four Square. His running is a marvellous thing to see; especially if you can catch a glimpse of him on the Cliff Top walkway going up and then bouncing off the boulders as he skips back along the beach. This year we have captured him long enough for him and Diane to lead a walk over one of his favourite running spots. It is a favourite because it is where he grew up so much of it is over private land at Tomarata. As it is not a loop a bus is needed. Scotty has been deemed by walkers past to be a superb leader so if you choose Scotty’s Ramble for your walk you are bound to have a good time.

Remember to get your tickets for the Food and Wine and the Troubadour Trail at either Bammas at the Village or from Caroline at Mangawhai Books and Gifs at the Heads or from me Jean 4315096 or the web page www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz