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Foundation students at Mangawhai Hills College marked a key milestone in the establishment of the township’s first secondary school recently, by planting native trees along a public walking trail within the 185-hectare Mangawhai Hills development site.
The college opened at the start of the year for students in years 7 to 9, following a substantial community-led effort to deliver local education options.
It was established by the Mangawhai Education Trust, with significant philanthropic support, and is built on land leased from Mangawhai Hills, a residential development that will include a 15km network of public walking and cycling trails.
Each foundation student planted a native tree donated by Takana Native Tree Nursery, with a plaque installed to acknowledge each of the students.
Mangawhai Education Trust chair Jill Corkin said the event was an important marker for Mangawhai.
“This school exists because the community, and our donors, recognised an urgent need for local secondary education,” she said.
“This tree planting acknowledges that Mangawhai is investing in its young people and putting the right infrastructure in place for this town’s future.”
Parent Billie-Jo Griffin said families were already experiencing the benefits of local schooling.
“For years, students have had to travel outside Mangawhai to attend high school,” Griffin said. “Now our kids can learn here, with strong ties to the land and the community supporting them.”
Mangawhai Hills developer Patrick Fontein said integrating education, conservation and amenity delivery was a key aspect of the Mangawhai Hills development.
“Providing land for the college and building recreational spaces around it is a practical way we can play our part in ensuring Mangawhai continues to grow in a well-planned, sustainable way,” he said.
