About 5000 people expected to flock to Waterfront Festival
Thousands of people are set to descend on Mangōnui tomorrow for the popular Mangōnui Waterfront Festival.
Mangōnui, which had an estimated population of 670 as of June, 2023, is the place to be with an influx of about 5000 people expected for the annual festival, which runs from noon to 6pm.
The weather is expected to play its part, with MetService forecasting plenty of sun and partial cloud, with a high of 24C — ideal festival conditions.
Mangōnui Waterfront Festival is billed as a farewell to summer, the last chance to enjoy a long afternoon and evening before the end of daylight saving on April 7.
The town’s road frontage is closed to traffic during the event, with big crowds expected, and previous festivals having been unqualified successes.
It’s also a celebration and showcase for everything good about the Far North, from wine and food to music and art, with stalls stretching from Flax Bush to the wharf.
They offer everything from wine and food (including dishes from Thailand, South Africa and Mexico) to bromeliads and honey, condiments, massage, nail painting and garden art.
For the more active, there has been the chance to flex some muscles in tug of war and tennis — while on the water there have been paddleboarding and sailing.
The festival could get an even larger crowd this year because it is being heavily promoted by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi as part of its Roadtrip North campaign to get people to visit the region with State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns south of Whangārei closed for up to 10 weeks (excluding five days during Easter).
Far North Link will be providing free bus shuttles from Taipā to the festival and return. The first bus leaves Taipā at noon and the last leaves Mangōnui Wharf at 6pm. Three buses will do the round trips.