PROJECTS AND
SUBMISSIONS.
PROJECTS OF INTEREST.
From time-to-time Mangawhai Matters investigates issues that are important to our community and environment. We also seek the opinions of residents and visitors about the things that matter.
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You can read about them and access any reports or submissions here.
2026 Update:
Survival of the New Zealand Fairy Tern at Mangawhai
Below is an update to Dr Philip McDermott‘s 2022 assessment of the threats to the endangered New Zealand Fairy Tern and measure that might be taken to enhance its prospects for the flock’s long-term survival given its reliance on the Mangawhai spit coast for summer nesting and breeding.
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The original report, compiled in 2022, is also below. The update has the benefit of several more seasons and recent research results published in Notornis, the New Zealand ornithology journal.
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The additional data and the more rigorous scientific evidence generally endorse the conclusions and recommendations of the 2022 report. Events over the last four years confirm that Intensive storm activity and predation remain the main threats, along with the genetic and demographic imbalances in the current population.
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The good news, however, is that intervention in breeding and early management of fledging by the Department of Conservation and Auckland Zoo have ensured that the small flock has held its own in the face of these threats.
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In the short term the survival of the fairy tern depends on the annual the uplift of eggs, and their managed hatching and fledging in controlled environments prior to their release. In the light of recent success in these efforts, the relocation of healthy pairs to seed a population at one or two locations less vulnerable than Mangawhai Spit, as first suggested by New Zealand Forest and Bird, must now be seen as a strong possibility.
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The update also indicates the need for further genetic investigation before making any move to possibly broaden the local genetic base by introducing eggs from the sister population in Southern Australia.
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Most importantly from our point of view, there is no evidence that Mangawhai’s development to date has prejudiced the survival of the fairy tern. Given our improving understanding of the issues facing the bird, is time to set aside emotional and speculative arguments, including the suggestion that people and their activities are the problem, and focus on maintaining an environment conducive to the fairy tern’s presence and survival in Mangawhai and beyond.
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For us, this reinforces the ecological as well as the economic and cultural significance of preserving the Mangawhai spit, and supporting the Mayor’s initiative in bringing the responsible parties together to develop a shared management strategy for protecting the harbour in the face of the likelihood of damaging storm activity.
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While it is important that development initiatives in and around the harbour must be carefully managed in the face of these threats, the vulnerability of the fairy tern should not be used blindly to restrict sensitive development and important environmental preservation initiatives.
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Read the original 2022 report here
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Read the 2026 updated report here
Proposed Plan Change 83 seeks to advance the suggestion in Mangawhai’s Spatial Plan that the area west of Mangawhai Heads Road west and north of Cove Road provides for long-term urban development. It seeks an increase in residential densities and proposes a broad precinct plan for the northern portion of the site.
Mangawhai Matters submits that the proposed density, amended residential provisions, and the partial nature of the precinct plan do not provide for the integrated development appropriate for this location.
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On the 4th December 2024 Judge Smith determined in favour of MM which has sought stronger sediment management controls during any earthworks at the 200ha Mangawhai Hills (PC 84) residential development on Frecklington Farm. This follows similar success for all earthworks at The Rise (PC 83) residential development.
These are significant steps in MM's work in minimising flows of sediment into the Mangawhai Estuary and Harbour following heavy rain events. These precedents will ensure that the upcoming review of KDC's District Plan incorporates these decisions, so it will not be necessary to challenge similar future private plan changes. We will also be seeking improvements to the way KDC manages its own stormwater network which contains and causes sediment flows into the catchment of the Estuary and Harbour.
The main changes sought by MMI are to require all site developments to comply with best practice guidelines established by Auckland Council, and updated since Cyclone Gabrielle. These are for stormwater (GD01) and sediment (GD05). These are worth a read. For GD01 and for GD05
The Court decisions are quite short and worth a read.
For PC83 The Rise and for PC84 The Hills
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PAST
PROJECTS.
Mangawhai Harbour and its protective spit support biodiversity, recreation, economic activity, and cultural, community, and personal well-being. When considering how we might best manage the harbour, all the services it provides need to be considered.
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The Sustainable Mangawhai Project aims to assess the physical risks to the integrity of the harbour and distal spit and the consequences for the environment and community of any damage to them. The objective is to provide a comprehensive information base so that the agencies responsible for managing the harbour can cooperate in the preparation and implementation of harbour management guidelines.
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Representation Review 2021
Our submissions are available here.
Mangawhai Matters made a submission and representations to the Kaipara Council review of representation arguing for an additional elected representative for the Mangawhai-Kaiwaka ward based on the rate of growth of Mangawhai. Our submission sought an extra councillor dealt with the demographics and growth of the district’s wards.
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Mangawhai Values Survey
In 2021, Mangawhai Matters conducted a short survey (mainly at the Saturday markets) to establish what visitors and residents most value about Mangawhai. This established the critical role the harbour plays in Mangawhai’s identity and the identity of its community.
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Mangawhai Central, 2022
Mangawhai Matters objected to the decision by Kaipara District Council to approve a Plan Change altering provisions for development adjacent Molesworth Drive and the northwestern reach of Mangawhai Harbour from provision for up to 500 residences (Estuary Estate) to potentially more than 1,500 based on a much greater density of development (Mangawhai Central).
The objection was based on the change in character relative to the settlement as a whole; the capacity to provide water reticulation and wastewater disposal, and stormwater issues; and inadequate recognition of and funding to meet infrastructure costs.
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Under instruction from the Environment Court, MMI and others) negotiated a shift to residential densities more in keeping with the character of Mangawhai and provisions to ensure plans and funding for infrastructure are in place prior to subdivision.
District Council is reviewing its district plan. This is taking place during a period of increasing central government instruction about how local resource management matters should be handled locally through the issue of National Policy Statements. This is challenging for council planners.
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However, the Mangawhai Matters submission on the Draft District Plan seeks to ensure local circumstances and settings are not overlooked. It seeks a more measured approach to growth than suggested in the early Exposure Draft issued by the Council. This is in recognition of the sensitivity of
our coastal environment and harbour catchment, defined by the Brynderwyns in the north and distinctive ridge lines in the west and south, and resource and infrastructure limits on urbanisation.
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Residential Land Use: Summer in Mangawhai
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A Survey by Mangawhai Matters Inc January 2022
​In the course of the Mangawhai Central Resource Consent hearing, there was discussion of how the plan was inconsistent with the character of Mangawhai, particularly in terms of the intensity of proposed residential development. Character is an elusive concept, though. We know it when we see it, but have difficulty in describing it, and even more difficulty prescribing it in plans.
We set out to try to capture something of the character of Mangawhai by means of a drone survey , concentrating on how sections are actually used. We concluded that the recreational role of Mangawhai is reflected in a number of things: the high level of summer occupancy of properties, the size of sections, the buildings on them, the numbers of cars parked, and the presence of bulky recreational assets - boats, jet skis, caravans, paddleboards and the like. Excess cars and boats are often accommodated on large sections or roadside berms.
Modern, high density, subdivisions characterised by modest sections regularly spaced do not readily cater for "summer overload". Even newer subdivisions in Mangawhai have generally maintained sufficient section sizes and roadside capacity to do so.
In the event, evidence on character was not required. Identification by Mangawhai Matters and others of the inability of water and wastewater infrastructure to meet the the demands implied by the scale and capacity of Mangawhai Central saw the proposal scaled down and section sizes lifted by agreement before the Environment Court.
The report is provided here as a potential resource for anyone considering subdivision in Mangawhai. Read our survey report here.
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