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The spring rain did little to dampen community spirits as people came together for the unveiling of the newest addition to the Mangawhai Historic Village this month.
A new rotunda, crafted in remembrance of local legend Jim Wintle, was officially opened in front of Wintle’s friends and family at a ceremony on October 4.
Wintle, a lifelong Mangawhai resident who passed away last year aged 82, was the driving force behind many of Mangawhai’s most enduring community projects.
Awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 1997 for services to the community, Wintle was instrumental in helping bring to life many local buildings, including the golf club, school hall, Anglican church, vicarage, museum and historic village. He also played a prominent role in the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society and helped bring the Mangawhai-built boat The Daring home to its final resting place.
But perhaps his greatest legacy was the role he played in Mangawhai’s Big Dig, for which his heroics are immortalised in the Mangawhai Museum and now in the rotunda, where the story of his life and legacy takes pride of place.
The unveiling was hosted by Mangawhai Historic Village trustee John Phillis and Friends of Mangawhai Community Park chair Mary Anne Boyd, with Wintle’s wife Lynda and sons Mark and Andrew also in attendance.
“This is a memorable day for many reasons including a thank you to many people and honouring the legacy of a man named Jim Wintle. This was Jim’s brainchild, to put all of the historic buildings in Mangawhai together in one place. The rotunda is the last piece of that puzzle,” Phillis said.
A pavilion was originally planned for the space, but the builders had other ideas. Inspired by Dargaville’s Memorial Band Rotunda, it was decided that a similar structure would be the perfect addition to the space.
The newly created landmark was built from scratch by Dave Fredric, Peter Joyce, Bert Sainsbury, John Hawkins, Steve Bolton and John Heath. Mangawhai Shed members crafted the finishing touches of the colonial-style mouldings and finial, while the surrounding gardens were designed by award-winning landscaper Robin Shafer. Volunteer Jo Joiner interviewed people who knew Wintle, creating a series of storyboards for the rotunda and a mini‑documentary that was shown during the unveiling to help bring his legacy to life.
“Mangawhai Community Park was Dad’s happy place. He enjoyed seeing it come to life over the years, and it was the relationships he built with the individuals along the way, the laughs and good chats that had him coming back each day. We remember Dad talking about the building of this rotunda, although I’m not sure he envisioned it would be completed and then named in his honour. As a family, we would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in bringing this project to life.” Mark Wintle said.
Andrew Wintle said the rotunda was both a tribute to his father and a recognition of the volunteers who have helped shape Mangawhai.
“I hope this rotunda not only recognises Dad’s contribution to Mangawhai, but also goes some way to acknowledge all the volunteers past and present who have given their time to make Mangawhai the place it is today,” Andrew Wintle said.
“Dad may no longer be here with us, but his influence is all around Mangawhai and especially in the Mangawhai Community Park. As a family, we are incredibly proud of him, and very grateful that we now have this amazing rotunda where his story can continue to be told. Thank you for helping ensure dad’s story, and his willingness to give something back to his community, continues to inspire others for generations to come.”
Funding for the rotunda was provided by the Mangawhai Lions Club, Mangawhai Opportunity Factory, Friends of Mangawhai Community Park, Mangawhai Historic Village and Mangawhai Movies.
“The valuable support of the project and the funding provided have given the Mangawhai community a facility that has a multi-functional use and will be a place for enjoyment,” Phillis said.
