My Account
By George Driver
Mangawhai is experiencing rapid growth with the local school rocketing to capacity, property prices rising and developers eyeing up opportunities.
Kaipara District Council’s former chair of commissioners John Robertson says growth has been about 10 times faster than what was anticipated.
“It’s got Council running to keep up,” Mr Robertson says.
“Four years ago when we did growth projections we thought the town would grow by 30 or 40 dwellings a year – now we are getting that every month.”
The Council expects the population of the town to double in the next 14 years.
Incoming Mayor Greg Gent says planning for Mangawhai’s growth will need to be a priority for the new Council.
There has also been an increase in permanent residents in the town. Historically about 45 per cent of the houses were unoccupied, but that’s changing as more people are able to work remotely.
The biggest indicator is the school population. Mangawhai Beach School has grown by over 100 pupils in the past year and has been forced to turn its library into a temporary classroom to cope.
Principal Aaron Kemp says the school roll stands at 425 and if the trend continues, he expects it to reach 500 pupils next year.
“It’s exciting, but challenging,” Mr Kemp says.
The school is getting three relocatable classrooms next year – one of which will be used as a library.
Mr Kemp says they need up to six new classrooms, but the Ministry of Education isn’t making any promises.
Head of education infrastructure service, Jerome Shepard, says based on a study of demand in the area this year, it expects the school will continue to grow for five or six years. The Ministry will undertake a detailed study of the school’s future needs to cater for growth next year, he says.
“At this stage, no additional schools are planned for the Mangawhai area. We will continue to monitor population growth and developments, and will reassess if new information becomes available.”
The growth is having a strong impact on property prices and real estate agents are finding demand is outstripping supply.
Bayleys in the North owner Mark Macky says values and sales activity have both been climbing fast.
There were 269 property deals done in the June quarter, up from 194 last year and total sales values are up 61 per cent to $116 million. Average sales values were also up 16 per cent on last year, rising from $370,000 to $430,000.
The fastest growth has occurred in new sections, with values increasing by over 50 per cent in the past two years, Mr Macky says.
“Three years ago we thought there were enough sections to last 15 years. They’ve now run out and land prices are going up.”
Westmoreland Homes owner Willie Hewitt says building companies are being run off their feet and delays and shortages are pervading the industry.
“We are still building houses in about 18 weeks, but where as a year ago it would take two months to design and price a contract, it now takes about six months.”
He says it is the first time since 2007 that he has seen developers release new sections for sale.
“Every house on a new section is selling straight off the plans.”
Large commercial developments are also on the horizon. It is understood the stalled commercial and residential development land near the causeway has recently sold. However, the owner did not want to comment when contacted.
Further developments on land near The Hub complex, on Molesworth Drive, are expected to go ahead soon.
To cope with the growth, Council is producing a new town plan. Council chief executive Graham Sibery says it will work with the community to look at the future requirements for roads, stormwater, water supply, landscapes, land development and density, and urban design.
A Community Panel has been appointed to provide feedback to Council and guide the process.
Council will hold open days and workshops, and will create a draft plan which will go out for consultation around June next year.
