An elaborate plan to build a third retail precinct in Mangawhai was unveiled to a packed meeting at the Mangawhai Museum on June 23.

The multi-million dollar development, called Mangawhai Central is proposed on 128-hectares of land, between Mangawhai Heads and the village, formerly known as Estuary Estate.

As well as around 550 dwellings, the developer Viranda Partners (see page 2) is promising to consider a medical centre, high school, supermarket, retirement village, recreational facilities, tourist accommodation and a light industrial area.

Viranda chair Andrew Guest told the meeting that Mangawhai Central would provide connectivity between the two existing centres, bringing people together with a collection of amenities, recreational facilities and housing options.

Viranda hoped to have the necessary resource consents in place by April next year, with the first buildings ready to occupy in 2020.

Mr Guest said the hardest part of the project would be securing the capital so that the entire build could be completed within that timeframe.

About 300 people attended the information meeting, where questions were raised about water supply and wastewater disposal, the involvement of local contractors, congestion on Molesworth Drive and water quality in the harbour.

Mr Guest felt the proposal had been well received. He added that the company was committed to openness and transparency, and further public meetings would be held as the project progressed.
“We will keep the public fully engaged at all stages and where there is something they don’t want to happen, we won’t do it.

“We will use local suppliers and workers where possible, and nothing we do will impact adversely on the harbour.”

The prospect of getting a high school was well supported by the audience (see story on right) and there were requests for a pool and a cinema as well.

It is understood that a tenant has been secured for the supermarket, but the name was not released due to a confidentiality agreement.

Bayleys in the North will handle the sale of houses exclusively and Viranda is looking at setting up an office near Bayleys Mangawhai.

Further info: mangawhaicentral.co.nz

Secondary school idea dismissed

The Ministry of Education has dismissed any suggestion that a secondary school will be built in Mangawhai anytime soon.

Viranda chair Andrew Guest told a recent meeting at Mangawhai Museum that “they [the Ministry] want it to happen”.

But Sector Enablement and Support deputy secretary Katrina Casey says that the Ministry met with the Kaipara District Council earlier this year regarding growth in Mangawhai and has reviewed the town’s population forecast.

“Currently, neither existing population levels nor the anticipated growth points to the need to establish a secondary school,” Ms Casey says.

“This area is already zoned for two secondary schools – Otamatea High School and Rodney College. Both these schools have capacity available and the ability to grow, if required.

“We are aware of the growth pressure at Mangawhai Beach School and are currently updating our analysis so we can examine the need for additional capacity there.”

Mangawhai sections take a dive

According to REINZ data, there were only 21 sections sold in Mangawhai in the first quarter of this year, compared to 31 during the same period last year. The median sale price was $302,500, which was 56 per cent higher than last year. The highest price paid was $1.2 million and the lowest was $190,000.

Meanwhile, 31 houses sold between January and March, compared to 39 in the same quarter last year. The median house price was $770,000, up 31 per cent on last year. The highest sale price for a house was $1.4 million and the lowest was $460,000. Top selling streets were Moir Point and Kedge Drive.

Information courtesy, Bayleys Mangawhai

Who are the developers?

The Viranda Group is a 30-year-old property investment and management company, based in Takapuna. The chairman is barrister Andrew Guest who, according to the Viranda website, has been involved in more than 550 commercial property purchases, as well as 200 trusts and companies. The company says two of its significant projects presently under management are Northridge Estate comprising 520 lots in Flat Bush, in south Auckland, and valued at $150 million before development, and Homestead Bay, in Queenstown, comprising 150 lakeside lots valued at $90 million before development.

Info: viranda.co.nz