The Vision
"To create a legacy community around conservation principles and environmental technologies that will accommodate growth and benefit the community and region.
To contribute to Mangawhai's sense of community and appreciation of native landscapes through environmentally conscious and innovative design techniques.
Mangawhai Hills will foster connectivity and shared amenities that will benefit wider Mangawhai and the Kaipara region"
The Site
The Mangawhai Hills plan change area is approximately 220 hectares in size and has road frontage adjoining four site boundaries; Cove Road to the north, Tara Road to the west, Old Waipu Road to the east and Moir Street to the south. Vehicle access is possible from all common boundaries adjoining a public road reserve.
A number of existing amenities and social infrastructure are located in close proximity to the site. Mangawhai Central is located adjacent to and north east and Mangawhai Village to the south east of the site. These areas comprises a number of amenities including Mangawhai Beach School, eateries / restaurants, supermarket and health care facilities.
The site abuts Old Waipu Road North which is a strategic growth corridor that connects Cove Road to Mangawhai Central to Mangawhai Heads. There are also a significant number of community walkways within close proximity to the site which extend around the existing coastline. The site presents an opportunity to tie into these recreational walkways to create a well connected circuit.
The Spatial Plan
Existing and proposed road hierarchy network as per the Kaipara District Plan 2017 & Mangawhai Spatial Plan.
Mangawhai Spatial Plan as per Kaipara District Council's preferred growth option.
The Land
Site Ecology
Opportunities & Constraints
Key Moves
Protect and enhance the ecological corridor set out by the Mangawhai Spatial Plan. Complete the ecological corridor within the site through re-vegetation.
Develop existing vegetated gullies/valleys for a range of functions including drainage, amenity, ecology, recreation, landscape and cultural use. This will create interconnected open spaces and parks.
Design road alignments with the contours of the landscape. Allow for larger development blocks to offer flexibility in site design to absorb slopes and minimise possible retaining.
Create a neighbourhood centre with amenities that will serve future residents and the wider community.
Create a network of trails to offer an off-road walking and cycling network. These serve as transportation and recreational trails which reduce vehicle and pedestrian/cyclist conflicts.
Optimise views of surrounding landscape through orientation of dwellings and aligning block arrangements.
Enable a sympathetic transition between the site and the existing urban form and open space in Mangawhai. Provide appropriate interface solutions on edges requiring specific treatments.
Sustainable drainage strategies and low impact design
to manage the quality of existing natural streams and
restore stormwater quality.
The Concept
Open Space Network
The proposed open space network is largely driven by natural and proposed native vegetation, existing hydrology (including streams and wetlands) and topography.
The open space network is a primary structuring element on site in terms of the location of primary and secondary roads, walking and cycling connections, the community hub location and the overall density distribution.
Some of the key drivers include: enhancing and protecting ecological corridors, improving connectivity and public access to local natural environment and to provide blue / green infrastructure to enhance biodiversity, environmental health and stormwater management.
Access & Movement Network
The access and movement network has been informed by the open space and ecological network of the site. The primary and secondary roads follow the contours, utilising the most favourable terrain for vehicular movement and minimising impact on the existing ecology and natural features.
Two key objectives are to enhance the level of connectivity achieved throughout the site and promote active modes of transport. This has been achieved through the clear and legible primary and secondary road connections along with the intricate network of pedestrian / cycle connections.
Walking & Cycling Network
Promoting active modes of transport is a key objective associated with this proposal. In order to achieve this, an intricate network of pedestrian and cycle trails has been provided creating a range of movement choices for the future community.
These trails will serve a variety of purposes and are typically collocated with open space and amenity areas, proposed road / vehicle access connections and existing natural features associated with the site such as streams and wet areas.
Structure Plan
A collaborative urban design approach with planning, ecology, landscape and engineering has driven the development of the conceptual structure plan to guide future development within the site.
A comprehensive analysis of the existing environmental qualities, features and characteristics informed the identification of appropriate opportunities and constraints. This has subsequently informed the development of the conceptual structure plan which indicates key structural elements of movement and land use as well as specific open space and other place making recommendations.
The Team
The master-plan for the project and the conservation design principles have been led by Doug Leighton of Canadian firm Environmental Design Group. Concept and development management is by Studio D4, led by Patrick Fontein. The environmental engineering concepts are by US firm Sherwood Engineers and Steven Rankin of NZ's Chester Consultants. Urban design and planning is by Barker & Associates.
Mangawhai Hills has a consortium of investors, led by Patrick Fontein. Patrick has extensive experience in Green Building and master- planned community development, including Kensington Park in Orewa and Harbourside Business Park in Rosebank, Auckland. Patrick was the inaugural NZ Green Building Council Chair in 2006 - 2008. Patrick has had many property industry leadership roles, including Auckland President of the Property Council. Patrick has a Fellowship from the NZ Property Institute (NZPI), and received the NZPI top accolade in 2006: the NZ Property Industry Award.
The MH land development is low risk, it is equity funded with no bank debt.
Community Engagement
Mangawhai has requested Kaipara District Council to publicly notify a plan change proposal, which will likely be in June-July 2023. The entire community will have an opportunity to be heard and make submissions on the project then.