A Fresh Start For Māngere Town Centre: New Seats, New Stage, Same Heart

Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 9:45 pm
Article: Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

On a quiet morning in Māngere Town Centre, there's a rare pause in a space usually buzzing with Zumba music, seniors in motion, and the scent of fried chicken and island-style dishes.

But on Monday [March 31], the buzz was different. The community has gathered for a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling new public seating and a stage — part of a broader effort to revitalise the heart of Māngere.

Vicky Hau, the town centre manager since July last year, welcomes students from Māngere College, local board members, community leaders, and residents. After 16 years under previous leadership, Hau brings fresh energy and a focus on change that honours the town’s unique identity.

“One of the goals that we had for our bid was to revitalise the town centre. And this project is the start of it,” Hau says. “I didn't want to change it too much, because it's quite a landmark for us. It just needed a little bit of teamwork here.”

She says some of the seats have been part of the centre “forever,” and just needed “a little bit of sprucing up.”

Town centre board chair Lara Dolan says the project marks the first step in a wider vision.

“Today is just the beginning. It’s the first step. We are planning many more events,” she says.

Each event is designed to make Māngere Town Centre the best Pacific shopping destination — and to ensure it’s viable for everyone, she says.

Dolan also thanks the local board “from the bottom of my heart” for their support.

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich acknowledged the joint effort behind the upgrades, from Hau and Dolan to the local board and town centre staff.

“I think for a long time we have been looking forward to change in this town centre,” Tauanu’u says.

He says it’s the regulars who will benefit most, especially the seniors who gather daily for Zumba.

“And how wonderful that they can start the week off knowing that they have all worked hard … This is part of the rates they have been paying over the years.”

Tauanu’u says a vibrant, active town centre is also key to community safety.

“When you don’t have people in these spaces, that’s when anti-social behaviour creeps in,” he says.

The blessing was led by Reverend Keri-Ann Hokianga, a local Anglican priest.

“I think having a place of belonging is vital. And in Te Reo Māori, we say tūrangawaiwai. That’s a place where you can call your own, where you have the right to stand and belong,” Hokianga says.

“My family, actually, have been born and raised 275 Māngere Hard[the local area code], down on Jordan Road,” she says.

A proud local of Māngere Bridge, she says what she loves most about the area is the diversity.

“And I pray that Māngere Town Centre would be that lighthouse to showcase that… That spirit of unity that Māngere holds.”

Students from Māngere College - Riyansha, Manuia, and Peter - were invited to attend the blessing.

Manuia says: “I came because I love the area, and I love to see what’s going on… I wanted to meet [the new manager]. I wanted to see what she was all about. That kind of stuff interests me.”

Riyansha says, “For me, I just had the feeling that now I had to go. Because getting into such opportunities is not for everybody, and I am lucky I got a chance.”

Manuia says, “Whenever I think of Māngere, I always think of its town centre… It is very important to make sure that the space is clean, is accessible, is safe for everybody… has a large variety of stores.”

Hau says the project was done on a tight budget and credits her team and builders Kingxton Builds for making it happen.

“It’s a gem, and I want to protect that gem and continue to build from there.”

The response has already been positive, especially from regulars.

“Oh, the mamas were very, very, very excited… Just the glow, the light on their face when I had said to them, hey, on the 31st, we’re going to have some new tables, new chairs… Even when I said a new stage and they all lit up.”

Hau says access to new furniture matters deeply to the community.

“Our old people, our locals… it kind of pains me to see that they were sitting on some old furniture or things that were rusted."

The project was funded by the local board as part of ongoing efforts to breathe new life into the area.

Hau sees this as just the beginning and hopes the work already completed is visible to the community, with more changes planned to enhance the town centre as the leading destination for Pacific shopping.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.