Community board grant helps keep visitor centre open

A visitor centre at Mangonui and a surfcasting contest at Ninety Mile Beach were the big winners in the latest allocation of grants by Te Hiku Community Board.

The board approved a $6000 community grant request from Doubtless Bay Promotions at its monthly meeting in Kaitaia on October 19.

The group operates a visitor information centre at Mangonui, but struggles to meet its costs from revenue, ending last year with a $6336 budget deficit.

Board members also resolved to urge the Far North District Council to allocate Doubtless Bay Promotions $20,000 in its 2012/2022 Long Term Plan to help it keep the volunteer-run centre open.

Organisers of the Captain Morgan Snapper Bonanza received $5000 from the board towards costs of holding a surfcasting competition at Ninety Mile Beach from February 28 to March 3 next year.

The inaugural Captain Morgan Snapper Bonanza was held in March 2011 with the support of the Far North District Council, Te Hiku Community Board and Kaitaia businesses.

Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers Inc received $1100 from the board towards costs of holding an inaugural Awanui Day Festival and Top Town event in Awanui on November 5.

The board declined a $29,536 grant request from the Far North Community Foodbank Trust which distributed 779 food parcels to families and individuals in the district in the last financial year.