Historic Mangungu Mission to lose jetty

The jetty servicing the Mangungu Mission in a remote corner of the Hokianga Harbour is to be pulled down.
That is the decision of the Far North District Council, but some locals say rather than do away with a jetty altogether, a new structure should replace it.
The jetty's removal is part of a major overhaul of several structures along the Hokianga shore.
The schedule includes improving, adding pontoons, extending or repiling wharves and jetties at Kohukohu, Opononi, Omapere, Rawene and the Narrows, and scrapping the Mangungu jetty.
Unlike the old mission station it allows access to from the water, the jetty has no historic standing. If left to rot away in its present state it would soon have no standing at all, according to the council's assessment.
The Wesleyan Mission at Mangungu was founded at the site in 1829 and the present house, now a museum, was built in 1838-39. The narrow, sideless jetty was built by a PEP scheme team in the 1980s - and not very well, according to Far North Holdings general manager Chris Galbraith.
Before then there was no jetty or wharf at Mangungu, the nearest being at Horeke, about 2km along the shore.
Among people concerned that once the Mangungu jetty goes it is unlikely a replacement will ever be built, are members of the Hokianga Historic Society.
Society member Alexa Whaley said although the jetty was not used a great deal and would be expensive to upgrade, it was crucial to projected tourism growth in the area.
"We hate to see it go because once it's gone we may never get one back. Mangungu is a very important historical area and the best way to get to it is by water," Mrs Whaley said.
"We think this is a very shortsighted decision because it's on the cards there will be a lot more water traffic in the Hokianga in the future."
Many of the visitors who made the trip by boat to the Historic Places Trust's Mangungu Mission and museum were "in their second half of life, as most people interested in history are," and would rather arrive at Mangungu than make the trek from Horeke, Mrs Whaley said.
Sean Reilly uses stronger language over the proposal to remove the jetty.
"It bloody won't be if I can help it," he said.
Mr Reilly often visits the old mission station, usually as a crew member on the charter scow The Alma.
"That jetty shouldn't be pulled down. If anything, it should be replaced. It is too valuable an asset to lose."
Mr Reilly said the jetty was "purely and simply" a tourist facility and although it did need improvements, it was not a liability.
"Far North Holdings have an obligation to maintain public facilities," he said.
Far North Holdings has applied to the Northland Regional Council for resource consents for the scheduled harbour structure works.
Submissions will be heard soon.