We Say – Slip sliding away in Mangawhai

Mangawhai Heads is arguably Kaipara’s premier surf beach, a magnet for thousands of surfers and swimmers each year. For decades, its doughty volunteer lifesavers have kept its waters safe, rescuing more than 230 people over the past decade alone. As Mangawhai’s much-discussed population growth materialises in the coming years, the work of the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service will only become increasingly important.

So when, in the aftermath of the 2023 Auckland Anniversary flooding, a chunk of neighbouring hillside careened into the back of the clubhouse, leaving it unusable, one may have been forgiven for thinking the party responsible for that land would have prioritised fixing the mess – particularly when that party was Kaipara District Council.

But no.

In its Long-term Plan (LTP) now under consideration, council is proposing not to repair the slip for the next three years at least, although it will earmark $150,000, for “initial investigations” of the area.

This LTP is different. Following last year’s flooding, Kaipara is one of eight councils permitted to adopt a three-year (2024-2027) unaudited LTP, “ with a focus on recovery”.

Yes, money is tight, and balancing competing needs is an unenviable job. But how can fixing the Mangawhai Heads slip not qualify when deliberating spending “with a focus on recovery”?

Council plans to spend $322.553 million in capital and operating expenditure over the next three years. Repairing the slip – and so allowing MHVLS’ insurers to repair the clubhouse – would cost an estimated $1.9 million. That’s less than 0.6 percent of the proposed three-year budget. By comparison, the proposed line item for “District leadership, finance and internal services” is $20.286 million (operational and capital expenditure combined) – almost 6.3 percent of the total. “Open spaces and facilities” gets $41.588 million, or 12.9 percent.

Meanwhile, Mangawhai volunteer surf lifesavers continue to work from temporary structures and storage facilities in the carpark. Understandably, the club is worried that the less-than-optimal situation could cost valuable time – and, ultimately, lives.

The LTP remains a draft, and may yet change. Mangawhai’s lifesavers are hoping it does. Public consultation begins on April 4. Let council know how you feel.