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Local boaties and keen surfers will be happy to hear that the Coastguard Mangawhai unit is now recognised as its own standalone operation, giving greater peace of mind to those taking to the water.
News that the Mangawhai unit would move from its trial status to an officially established unit was announced at the Coastguard New Zealand meeting last month.
Although operational from late last year, the official status means Mangawhai now has its very own dedicated Coastguard service, with rescue vessel Kokako Rescue, a tow vehicle, and onshore facilities to further support safe boating and water-based activities in the area.
The idea for a Mangawhai unit was initially considered in 2021, with a feasibility study conducted due to the steady increase in residents, holidaymakers, recreational boaties, and Search and Rescue (SAR) incidents, but it wasn’t until mid-last year that a trial unit was put in place.
Before then, the extensive coastline was covered by the Whangārei unit at Marsden Cove to the north and the Kawau unit, based at Sandspit, to the south, leaving a hole in response times.
Unit president Ron Lucca, a Coastguard veteran of more than 25 years, drew on his experience and knowledge to help the unit become established.
“It’s been a year of hard work to get here. But with the team and culture we have, it’s been a journey that has been well worth it,” Lucca says.
The unit’s official status now strengthens local search and rescue capability and improves response times across the Mangawhai bar and surrounding coastline.
Coastguard chief executive Carl McOnie says Mangawhai’s official recognition reflects the unit’s early impact, the strength of local commitment, and the importance of continued national investment in maritime safety.
“Coastguard Mangawhai and the local community have stepped up to fill a critical gap on a challenging stretch of coastline,” McOnie.
“In a short time, they’ve built real capability that’s already making a difference – ensuring people on the water get help faster. It’s a powerful example of what communities and Coastguard can achieve together.”
In just a few months of operation, Coastguard Mangawhai has already responded to nine incidents and assisted 22 people, including a Category 1 incident, showing just how important it is for the unit to have a permanent base and purpose-built rescue vessel.
The unit’s base is currently on leased land at the reserve end of Mangawhai Heads Road, thanks to the assistance of Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park and the support of Kaipara District Council, an arrangement the team hopes to make permanent.
In terms of rescue, timing is everything. As soon as we are crewed, we can be in the water within three minutes. If someone’s life is at stake, even a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death,” Lucca says.
Lucca is proud of the community and the 30-strong, volunteer-led Mangawhai Coastguard team have come together to make this dream a reality.
“All the crew come from the community, and the dedication they have to Coastguard Mangawhai and the work they put in is just amazing. I call us a family; we treat each other as family, and the word we use most often is ‘respect’.”
The unit has also benefited from fundraising support from across the community, most recently from the Mangawhai Lions Food and Wine Festival.
Mangawhai Lions fundraising at the Food and Wine Festival has given us the ability to purchase assets that can be used in a practical way, ultimately making us more efficient,” Lucca says.
Now that Coastguard Mangawhai is an incorporated society, the team is collaborating with Balex Marine on a specialised custom beach-launching trailer, thanks to funding from the Mangawhai Endowment Lands Account (MELA), and hopes to acquire a new boat specifically designed for bar crossings in the future.
“We’re building something that will last for decades – something Mangawhai can be proud of, and something that will make a real difference for generations to come.”
Funding for the permanent shed will come from Coastguard New Zealand, which received central government funding to address the gap in SAR and distress response in busy coastal areas, including Mangawhai.
