On The Up: Coastguard Mangawhai officially recognised, community effort praised

Coastguard Mangawhai is officially a unit. Photo / Coastguard Mangawhai

When things go wrong on waters around Mangawhai, the township now has its own fully fledged Coastguard unit to respond.

Coastguard Mangawhai has been officially recognised after more than five years of planning.

Coastguard chief executive Carl McOnie said the unit and the local community had stepped up to fill a critical gap on a challenging stretch of coastline.

“It’s a powerful example of what communities and Coastguard can achieve together.”

President Ron Lucca said the question was never if something serious would happen, but when.

“Having a dedicated unit here means we can respond faster, with the right people and the right gear, when our community needs us most.”

Coastguard Mangawhai sits between two busy units, Kawau and Whangārei.

The unit was established in response to rapid population growth and increasing boat traffic, especially after summer.

Lucca said the unit existed because the community had supported it with time, skills, fundraising and donations.

“That support has been incredible,” he said.

Coastguard had been overwhelmed by how many people stepped up as volunteers, he said.

Coastguard Mangawhai sits between the units at Whangārei and Kawau. Photo / Coastguard Mangawhai

The unit had three on-water crews, backed by shore crews handling beach launches and retrievals.

“Every Wednesday night, the base is full of people training, learning and supporting each other. We’re like a family.”

A feasibility study and community consultation showed strong support for a local unit when planning started in 2021.

More than 70% were in favour of a trial, strongly backed by Kaipara District Council.

Mangawhai was identified nationally as one of four locations with a Coastguard capability gap.

Planning for Coastguard Mangawhai began in 2021, driven by rapid population growth and rising boat traffic. Photo / Coastguard Mangawhai

In June 2024, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced an $8 million funding package to help establish new units, including at Mangawhai.

Local businesses supported the unit, with raffles raising about $9000 and a former skipper donating a trailer that was being converted into a fuel tanker.

Lucca said media coverage and community engagement attracted 91 memberships, comprising 40 renewals and 51 new ones, bringing in $4550 for the unit and more than $380 in additional donations.

Coastguard Mangawhai became operational in November 2025, with a 9m rescue vessel, Kōkako Rescue, a beach‑launching tractor and a base near the Mangawhai Heads reserve.

Within months of operation, it responded to nine incidents and assisted 22 people.

Lucca said they were building something that would last for decades, “Something Mangawhai can be proud of, and something that will make a real difference for generations to come.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.