Hello,

What a fantastic sight to see the machinery out in full force!

We are delighted to advise that under an approved Bulk Earthworks consent, work has officially begun at Mangawhai Central. This is a wonderful milestone for the project – a celebration for us all.

In attendance to mark the occasion yesterday was Kaipara mayor, Dr. Jason Smith, along with members of the project team and Viranda’s Co-Founder and Chairman, Andrew Guest. As the first spade of dirt was turned, Dr. Smith acknowledged, “Kaipara District Council (KDC) started in 1989, and this project marks a big milestone for its 30th anniversary. The project is the largest ever for the community and KDC, and in my view a coming of age project pointing towards our growing future. It is a great honour to share the first sod turning and consider the thousands of people who will enjoy this site for generations to come.”

Seeing this initial work unfold is further assurances to the local community that despite a lack of recent activity happening onsite, commitment to this project has never stalled. Much of the early planning and engineering of a development of this scale has taken place around the council and planner’s table. So this is a victorious moment in the journey. Every stakeholder in the project remains as dedicated and focused today as they were less than a year ago when settlement took place.

This is also a chance to express gratitude to prominent members from the Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust who blessed the site in December last year. It was an honour to mark the occasion with positive discussion around the development.

With the land now blessed and its spiritual significance acknowledged, along with the machinery in full swing, it feels very fitting for the development to move ahead with its exciting endeavours.

If you have any questions regarding the work onsite, please reply by email and we will be in touch.

Kind regards,
The Mangawhai Central Team