Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society

15/05/2026

Did you catch this article in the latest Focus?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-j0BPNVvH6RkOztPsmuUpYap1D1F9AlM/view?usp=sharing

05/05/2026

Have you wondered what that big machine is out in the harbour? 👀

While the “Big Dig” may have been a one-off, the care and restoration of our beautiful harbour is ongoing 💙

Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park is proud to sponsor this exhibit at The Mangawhai Museum 🙌

Pop in to the Museum and learn how our harbour is being looked after for generations to come.

Discover more about the incredible work happening behind the scenes, from dredging and pest management to planting and protecting this special environment 🌱

23/04/2026

23/04/2026

Nature’s Helping Hand: A Sandspit Update 🌊
If you’ve walked the Mangawhai Sandspit lately, you might have noticed something exciting: our restoration efforts are taking root - literally!

Weathering the Storm ⛈️
We’ve just faced a significant test with another major storm hitting Mangawhai. A powerful storm surge saw the ocean encroach upon our iconic sandspit, with seawater washing through sections of our sand fencing and overtopping the young plants.
While the force of the water was a challenge, there is a silver lining: most of our 5km of fencing held firm, and our hardy natives have proven they can handle the salt and the spray. This event is a clear reminder of why building up these "low points" is so critical- the dunes are our first line of defence.

The Fences are Winning
Despite the storm, the sand fences are doing exactly what they were designed to do. We are seeing significant sand build-up across all sites, with many reaching the very top of the fence stakes. While the DOC-mandated hessian fabric has naturally decomposed, it stayed long enough to anchor the initial drifts and provide a sheltered nursery for our plants.

The Resilience of Spinifex
Our spinifex grasses are the quiet heroes here. While many have been buried by the rapid sand build-up (and some temporarily submerged by the storm), this hardy species thrives on movement - we expect them to climb back through the new dunes soon! Those still above the surface are already showing impressive growth.

Looking Ahead
We’re not slowing down. This June, our volunteer team will maintain existing fences, repair storm-damaged sections, and increase their height to encourage a permanent, high-profile dune. In July, we’ll return for a major planting of Spinifex and Pīngao to lock that new sand in place.

Why Stabilisation Matters 🛡️
The Mangawhai sandspit has lost a staggering 420,000 tonnes of sand in just the last six years. Bare sand is defenceless against wind and rising seas, creating "low points" at high risk of a catastrophic breach.
Our mission is to target these vulnerable zones and create a living barrier. By combining 5km of sand fencing with the 150,000+ natives planted to date, we are fighting erosion and protecting the spit. Crucially, this work also helps maintain the 1996 Bund Wall - the very structure that closed the previous breach and continues to safeguard our harbour today.

Thank you for supporting a more resilient Mangawhai!

21/04/2026

21/04/2026

21/04/2026

Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS) has started its annual dredging and sandspit stabilisation programme, continuing more than three decades

21/04/2026

Partners in protection! 🤝🌊

We were pleased to host the Northland Regional Council (NRC) Chair, Councillors and executives in Mangawhai today, following their meeting in Bream Bay. They were joined by Kaipara District Council Mayor Jonathan Larsen, who remains a vital advocate for our local projects.

These regional leaders visited to see firsthand the essential work our society does to maintain the health of our harbour and dunes. It was also a key opportunity to show them the breakwater/groyne at the Heads. We are actively seeking the support of both councils to repair this critical infrastructure to ensure our harbour remains protected for years to come.

Big thanks to the NRC team and Mayor Larsen for their time and commitment to our local environment!

02/04/2026

A cool shot of some action from the team @ Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society who are dredging the channel to make it safer for boaties.

24/03/2026

The spit has lost 420,000 tonnes of sand in just six years.