2023 Junction Award Non- Profit Winners
Non-Profit of the Year - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Mangawhai Activity Zone Charitable Trust
The Mangawhai Activity Zone has become an iconic feature of the Mangawhai landscape and a valuable facility for the whole community and beyond. Run voluntarily by a committee of eight, who collectively provide hours of service each week to manage the facilities, the area, now recognised far and wide as MAZ, was created in 2009.
Chair of the committee, Kate Arbuckle, says that the community itself has played a huge part in the park’s progression. “We would like to acknowledge and thank all our community businesses and individuals who support the park, by volunteering their time to help maintain the park, providing skilled expertise and labour at discounted rates, and donating funds through grants and individual donations.”
From an environmental perspective, MAZ gives great consideration to not only the use of equipment, but how well it fits in with the very natural landscape. The park is surrounded by mature native bush, supported by recently planted native slopes and wetlands. Bush walks provide a popular alternative to swings and seesaws. And they are working with the council and Sustainable Kaipara to ensure it is a waste-free environment for all to enjoy.
191 Molesworth Dr, Mangawhai Heads | www.MangawhaiActivityZone.co.nz
Non-Profit of the Year - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
WINNER: - Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary
Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary rescues and rehomes puppies and dogs, and is soon going to create a space for old dogs who just need to live out their days in comfort. It provides a much-needed sanctuary for dogs that have been neglected or mistreated, or just need a new loving home.
The sanctuary takes donations of old towels, blankets, toys, leads, dog and puppy equipment, crates, beds etc, most of which it uses on a daily basis; anything else is given away to people who need them. And all the items are recycled as much as possible. The food is donated on a regular basis and has to be collected from over an hour's drive away – this is to make use of food that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Since 2019 Country Retreat has rescued and rehomed nearly 600 pups and dogs. Reliant on its volunteers, one-hundred-percent of any money they receive goes directly into the sanctuary.
2 Cowan Bay Rd, Pohuehue
www.CountryRetreatAnimalSanctuary.org