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For almost 16 years Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) has been at the heart of the Mangawhai community. Built by locals, for locals, it has become one of New Zealand’s most successful examples of what people can do when they come together for a common cause.
Now, with plans laid out for its next phase, MAZ is looking to the future while never forgetting its past.
Since its inception, MAZ has been a place where youngsters have learned to skateboard to the supportive cheers of their peers. It is a welcoming hub where children and parents have made lifelong friendships and a place where people come together to celebrate iconic events like the Mangawhai Bowl Jam, Santa Parade and Christmas Concert.
“MAZ has developed into much more than its activities. It is a place where people meet, new friendships happen and community pride is ignited. This is the real magic that happens daily in the MAZ environment,” long-time MAZ operations committee member Ken Rayward says.
It all began in 2008 when former MAZ chair Colin Gallagher brought together a group of volunteers who shared his vision to build a world-class skatepark. The idea was to get local children on bikes, scooters and skateboards off the streets and into a dedicated area they could call their own.
“Not everyone was on board with the skatepark idea at the beginning,” Rayward says. “The local policeman at the time had concerns that it wouldn’t be a success, but he was proven wrong with his concerns and even wrote a letter to the Mangawhai Focus apologising.”
The Mangawhai Activity Zone Charitable Trust was established to develop the park, with the skatepark officially opening in 2011. The land that houses the skatepark, playground, tennis court, basketball court, café and pump track is owned by Kaipara District Council and operated by the trust under a licence to occupy. Rayward says the close relationship with Council has been key to the park’s continued success.
“The relationship is highly valued on both sides and demonstrates what can be achieved when Council and a committed volunteer organisation work together.”
But, like many of the things both locals and visitors enjoy in Mangawhai, MAZ would not exist without the countless hours given by volunteers, funding from community organisations and ongoing sponsorship from local businesses.
Recently, the committee looked at the number of volunteer hours that have gone into keeping the park running for the last seven years, including planning, developing and implementing new projects, maintaining the grounds and playgrounds and organising community events. Rayward estimates their value at more than $1 million.
Two years ago, with traditional funding avenues becoming more difficult to access, the MAZ committee recognised it needed a reliable source of funding for future developments while allowing MAZ to plan for the repair, replacement and renewal of equipment.
With that, MAZ launched its Community Partnering Programme. Businesses, families and individuals were invited to select a section of the park to financially support. Rayward says it has been an outstanding success.
“Without our Community Partnering Programme, MAZ would not be what it is today, nor have the future we are now planning. For that, the biggest thank you goes out to the many local businesses and organisations who embraced the initiative from the beginning, supporting MAZ in the true spirit of Mangawhai.”
And while the park itself continues to evolve, there is one thing that has always remained at the heart of the project – the children who inspired it. A junior committee is now responsible for running the annual MAZ market day, including stall-space allocation and rentals, sales, event marketing and entertainment. The children are also involved in the decision-making about the park.
At a recent Council meeting, Rayward and current MAZ chair Kate Arbuckle outlined plans for the next stage of development. Proposed facilities include four pickleball courts, a second 3×3 basketball court, an events stage and a tai chi walking path. The development would also include a new toilet block, lighting and additional parking to support growing use of MAZ and the neighbouring Mangawhai Bike Park.
The committee is preparing costings and a financial plan, with funding expected to come from grants, sponsorship, community fundraising and Council support. The plans would give people of different ages more ways to enjoy MAZ, building on the volunteers’ original vision of a place that local children and their parents could call their own.
To help support MAZ and contribute to the future of the development visit www.mangawhaiactivityzone.co.nz or email mazinmangawhai@gmail.com
MAZ fast facts
- Home of Eki Tahi, the world’s largest skateboard
- Everything in the park is free
- World-class skatepark that attracts visitors from across NZ
- Full-size tennis court
- A 3×3 basketball court plus a full-size court
- Unique outdoor gym for all ages
- Children’s playground designed to challenge and delight
