2015
Community-led development is all about US. It’s about people who live in and care about
our communities visioning what we want for the future and then working together more
to make it happen.
The Mangakino Community-Led Development Project is a four year initiative supported
by Department of Internal Affairs. Our communities are focussed on four action themes –
earning learning, a vibrant, and being healthy, well and forward focussed.
We are at the end of Year Three and things have really been humming over the last six
months. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic things our communities have been up to since
last Christmas.
Coming together is a
beginning
Keeping together is
progress
Working together is
success
Henry Ford
EARNING
The Dam Info caravan:
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Was out and about at the North Island Wake Board Champs, National NZ Sport Horse Endurance Champs,
and the Mangakino Hunting, Fishing & Outdoors Expo, supporting the promotion of our area and activities.
Enhancing our place for us and visitors:
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The proposed Mangakino & Whakamaru Heritage Trail design “look” has been finalised and has been priced.
There are 10 signs planned for Mangakino & 5 for Whakamaru.
After community consultation in Whakamaru the local and visitor information sign (Penstock) has been
installed, this includes the first stage of the Whakamaru section of the Heritage Trail. With support from
Little Helpers the Penstock Information Tower has been erected on their site in Whakamaru Village.
Local Businesses:
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Continue to grow, enabling more part time employment in the community.
Ned’s place in Whakamaru is up and running again. Little Helpers have built a new Workshop and office
space, which includes a meeting room available for hire. They also have plans for the adjoining empty
section. An exciting new farming development on the east side of the Waikato River will create new
employment opportunities.
The Mangakino Hotel upgrade has been completed with a new look throughout. Vons diner at the Citizens &
Services Club is expanding with a delivery service.
Hui Hut included in the Great Lake Taupo Foodie Trail brochure, Top 15 places to eat in the district
Enterprise Great Lake Taupo:
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Continue to support ongoing connections with Taupo District Council, Destination Great Lake Taupo, Taupo
Events, Destination Pureora and Local Businesses to promote growth and our tourism potential.
Waikato River Trails have had 3613 riders/walkers go through the Mangakino Whakamaru section of the trail
for the first six months of 2015
Destination Great Lake Taupo:
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The new local destination map has been installed in the TDC building. This is part of the “visitor desk” that is
being developed. The map has also been included on the Penstock Tower in Whakamaru.
LEARNING
Pouakani Marae events:
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The Marae Community Hub is progressing with areas for development with the community has been
decided including Hauora health, Youth Justice and economic development.
The Pouakani Marae is becoming a desirable venue for hosting groups such as Hillcrest Rowers, MAS new
Teachers & Tamariki, Forest View High School Orientation
The Marae whanau have invited the community to participate in Professional Development with the Waiariki
Food Safety course, TWOA- Te Aupikitanga Te Reo, Te Puawai Karanga and Maori Art Wananga Weaving.
Marae whanau travelled to Auckland to attend the Social Value Aotearoa Launch.
Mangakino Area School:
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Combination of Student Led Inquiry learning and Teacher led inquiry learning following some of the
principles of Big Picture Education. The Mangakino Area School call our version 'He Whakaaro Nui'.
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Senior students are also attending Waiariki Trades Academy for extended studies.
The MAS has hosted the three other Pine Lands Cluster schools in Athletics and Swimming. And for the first
time participated in the Combined Schools Mass Choir Event in Tokoroa.
Whakamaru School:
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Whakamaru School has had an exciting start to the year under the leadership of a new principal.
The senior school is once again taking part in the William Pike Challenge Award, which has included
overnight hikes and camping.
A school led community hangi was held at the changeover of the dairy season. This was an opportunity for
staff, students and whanau to get to know each other better.
The School is actively supporting the development of the Whakamaru Heritage Trail.
Community learning/Community Organisation Training events with a range of facilitators:
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Enterprise Great Lake Taupo facilitated and hosted a series of three Business Workshops in Mangakino, with
eight people attending to support local businesses and groups. These included information for start-up
businesses as well.
23 people came to the Sustainable Funding Workshop facilitated by Kerri Tilby Price. They represented a
wide range of groups and organisations from Mangakino and Whakamaru. There is now planning going on
for more workshops on topics local people identified.
VIBRANT
Locally led events:
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With the support of the Mangakino Festival Committee and other organisations local events are growing
with more community support. The 2015 Easter service & Raft race was a great community success with 9
rafts entered. Some out of towners joined in on the day.
There is growing communication with established events like the Power Boat Racing and new events such as
the Skiing Racing where the community can support with food, local noticeboard advertising and a social
media presence.
The Mangakino Hotel once again hosted the Big Three Hunting Competition which celebrated its 30th
Anniversary.
Mangakino Maori Golf Club tournament, qualifying for Tainui Championships.
Mangakino players competed in the Maori Golf Nationals in Taupo.
Alongside the Big 3 the Mangakino Hotel also held the first Hunting, Fishing & Outdoors Expo 2015. This was
supported by local businesses and bigger enterprises like Mitre 10 Mega & Yamaha.
Major advertising for the Big 3, and the Hunting, Fishing & Outdoors Expo was provided locally through
Century 21 Lakeside Reality.
With the ANZAC Centenary Remembrance Services being held across the country, Mangakino had a huge
turnout with approximately 150 people attending, including a lot of holidaymakers. The Leadership Group
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supported the RSA with advertising and service sheets on the day. There was a display of poppies and
crosses on the front lawn of the medical centre in Mangakino for the month of April.
After one weeks’ notice The Mangakino Hawkes Rugby League Team were moved up into the premier grade
where they are currently sitting in 5th place.
Mangakino Hawkes player successes this year are, one player made it into the Wai-coa Bay Representative
Team. Three players made it in to the Bay of Plenty Representative Team and two made it into the under
20’s Bay of Plenty Representative Team
Mangakino Community Festival Committee:
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This small group is in place to awhi locally-led events and is always looking for extra support.
They have designed and purchased new Community Event flags that are available to for organisations and
groups to use.
The committee has also purchased a gazebo and is looking at the feasibility of Mangakino having its own
event trailer for community use.
Mangakino Skate Park:
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This was a long term wish by the community and with great input from local young people, and the support
of many organisations, it was opened in December 2014. The skate park has been used non-stop since then.
The children are playing and sharing the space with respect and their skills with skateboards and scooters is
improving daily.
Community Effort:
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The local community and schools still continue to support the Waikato River Trails and the Sandy Bay
development with ongoing tree planting.
Great community support was shown in fundraising for a local young child to be able to have life changing
therapy in USA that is not available in New Zealand.
Youth Activities and Events:
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Royals Youth Club Friday nights, School holiday programme. Coffee club Wednesdays 11am.
The Coffee Club is currently planning a careers information day.
Website:
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The www.mangakino.net.nz website has been completely updated with a whole new look and has been
relaunched, there has been 9957 views in the first 3 ½ months. There is a free community notice board
section for all to use.
The Mangakino Community Facebook page has 702 Likes, with posts that have been seen by hundreds of
people and one post that had a reach of 6000. Our page likes continue to grow at a steady pace.
Whakamaru Residents:
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The WRRA group are continuing their development of Sandy Bay and have gained permission from Mighty
River Power to develop another walking track to Sandy Bay from the village.
Businesses, residents and the school are supporting the development of the Mangakino & Whakamaru
Heritage Trail.
New fencing has been completed around local tennis courts, which also doubles as a skate park.
HEALTHY, WELL & FORWARD FOCUSED
MCLD Leadership Group:
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The Community led development project has been extended until June 2016 to help support better
community outcomes.
The Leadership Group have invested in a new Community Broker to support the community in working
together more.
The Community Action Plan has been reviewed and projects prioritised through to June 2016.
A main focus area through to June 2016 is earning which includes training and employment.
Mangakino Central Charitable Trust (MCCT):
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MCCT has appointed a new Manager to support the trust with day to day management of the Fitgym, Moto
X track, their role as fund holders and for ongoing general funding.
Fitgym Current Membership is at 150 Staff are participating in Professional development in areas of Fitness
Instructor Qualification, Rongoa, Maori & Aryurvedic Clinical Medicine.
Maori Health: Staff attended Maori Health Promotion Workshop in Taupo.
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Advocacy and support for whanau & community continues at a Lakes District Health Board and Regional Iwi
Leadership level.
Fire Service:
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The Mangakino Volunteer Fire service has been kept busy with 28 call outs in the first 6 months of 2015.
Mangakino fire service has 9 firefighters, 3 Recruit firefighters, 2 operation support and 3 support staff.
Regular training every week supporting the sustainability of the service locally.
Volunteer Jen Rowland participated in the 2015 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge along with 750 other
firefighters from across the country, the first person in Mangakino to do this challenge.
Mangakino Senior Citizens Club:
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The Mangakino Senior Citizens have launched the 50+ Club with a current membership of 35. This group still
continues to promote health wellbeing and companionship, Walking groups, Fun’n’Exercise, mystery day
trips and movie nights.
The club still continues to support nationwide charities like the Red Puppy Appeal for the Blind Foundation
by fundraising locally.
Winter lunches of soup on a Thursday for members in the community
Whanau Ora Mangakino:
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Mangakino Area School through the Hikina te Ora! (enabling wellbeing)
Whanau Ora programme are currently supporting and enabling 17 whanau and 67 people to achieve their
self-determined goals and aspirations in a range of well-being areas. To date 19.5% of the 87 whanau goals
have been achieved. Support is also being given to individual students to identify and achieve their own
specific goals in life.
A range of programmes and services aligned to whanau goals have been run such as Drivers licencing,
Literacy and financial Guidance.
Mauri Ora Mangakino!
Community Profiles:
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Community Profiles for local community groups/services which promote their activities and services have
been displayed on notice boards and on social media to raise more awareness of what is available in the
community.
Taupō District Council:
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New entrance signage and planting completed, with positive feedback from local and visitors alike. The
council was active in Mangakino with consultation on the 10 year plan and submissions were spoken to at
council chambers in Taupō. New public toilets at the lakefront and stage 2 of the town centre upgrade have
been included for this financial year.
Additional donation from Wairarapa Moana Inc. through PGG Wrightsons to go towards the children’s
playground in the town centre upgrade.
The water supply line coming into Mangakino Township is being upgraded.
St John:
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Mangakino St John still continues to be a very busy volunteer station, with a total of 97 jobs in the first half
of the year. Consisting of 44 Medical, 29 Trauma and 24 supporting another ambulance crew.
A recruitment drive has resulted in 4 new ambulance officers currently being trained.
St John Mangakino is actively looking at fundraising and funding opportunities to extend the current St John
building to house a new bigger ambulance in 2015
Community stakeholder meetings:
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Facilitating more networking among local agencies and services. Monthly Hub meetings for social providers.
A service provider’s contact list is to be made available on the Mangakino Website.
Non-resident data base:
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The non-resident data base is working well. Flyers are emailed on a regular basis with up to date
information, and extra event notices when required.
A lot of our non-residents are keeping up to date with the Mangakino Face book page
Regional Events held here:
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With the diversity of events now being held in and around Mangakino we are proving to be a desirable place
to visit. Some of these events include - Geyserland power boat event, Wake boarding competitions, GROMS
kids comp, The Taniwha Event, Waka ama Forgotten Lakes Winter Series.
The Leadership Group supports joined-up thinking and planning. Members are:
Anah Pedersen, Leanne Karauna, Leonie Philburn, Margaret Thompson, Mark Lockwood, Nan
Munro, Peter Shelton, Tina Jakes, Vanessa Te Whaiti & Whitu Karauna
The group contracts two part time workers who help co-ordinate and support action:
Lisa de Thierry- Project Co-ordinator
Danielle Karauna – Community Broker
And we’re supported by
Barbara MacKenzie, who’s the Department of Internal Affairs Partnership representative, and
Barbara MacLennan from Inspiring Communities, who helps with community-led
development input, and mentoring. She also works closely with Diana Beattie who’s
contracted by Inspiring Communities to support our Evaluation.
On Leadership:
He ara taku toa he
toa takitahi,
engari taku toa he
toa takitini
Success comes
from the strength
of the collective,
and not of the
lone individual
.
A few thoughts from Leadership group members
Initially I represented the senior citizens but feel we have all merged into just a group of likeminded
townsfolk who have everyone’s interests at heart.
I don’t have a role as such within the group. I have my interests e.g. signage, heritage trail. In the last
6months I have been really inspired seeing the skate park happen, signage in and around the area and been inspired
how we have all held the group together.
We are all busy people with fingers in lots of pies. So each and every one of the group are valued for what
little or a lot of input. Me, I only put in a little these days but I still enjoy being part of such an amazing group of
people.
My role in MCLD is Marae Representative. I link to the Pouakani Marae and the Mangakino Central
Charitable Trust. Highlight was attending the national gathering of DIA community-led project communities in
Auckland.
One of the main highlights for me has been the completion of the skate park.
MEMBERS OF THE MCLD LEADERSHIP GROUP LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AND CONTINUING
TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY THROUGH TO JUNE 2016