The Mangonui Heritage Trail at Doubtless Bay

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Mangonui Heritage Trail

Hover over a numbered site for its name and click for a description

This trail is dedicated to the brave and determined men and women, Maori and European, who sailed across vast oceans to make a new and better life here in New Zealand (Aotearoa)

Trail Description
Beginning and ending at the historic Courthouse, the Mangonui Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of the great wealth of Maori and European history associated with this area.

Sites are indicated by Heritage Trail markers. The trail is three kilometres in length and accessible on foot or partly by vehicle. The average time that it takes to walk the Trail is one and a half hours. Walkers are advised to take the St. Andrew's Walkway (from Beach Road near the Three Early Cottages) to access sites high up above the waterfront and enjoy the spectacular views from St. Andrew's Church. Please note that Mary Hassett Street, Thomas Street and Tasman Street are very steep!

1 Mangonui Courthouse, 1892

The building served as Mangonui's second courthouse from 1892 until 1948. From 1949 to 1976 it served as the police station. It became a historic reserve in 1980, administered by D.O.C. and Mangonui Courthouse Preservation Society. The fully restored Courthouse houses a permanent exhibition of local art and craft which is open year round.

2 Wharf Store, c.1890

Wharf Store The centre section is thought to be one of the earliest two-storeyed kauri buildings in New Zealand. Additions were made in 1994 and 1996. It now houses the Doubtless Bay Information Centre and other shops

3. Mangonui Hall, 1894

The hall was built by George Garton and was purchased by the then Mangonui County Council in 1950 to commemorate those who died in the two world wars. It now houses the lending library as well as being a place for club and public meetings.

4. Three Early Cottages, c.1860

Wrathall, Penney and Barrett cottages, all remain in private ownership. Stephen Wrathall, arriving in Mangonui in the 1830s, was one of the earliest settlers in the area. Edward Penney first came to Mangonui in 1848.

5. Sailors' Grave

At dusk on 3 September 1864, three young sailors lost their lives in an accident whilst crossing Mangonui Harbour. The actual grave site is believed to be 30m. behind the marker.

6. Three Harbour Entrance Pa Sites

This Trail point provides an excellent view of Rangikapiti, Rangitoto and Moehuri Pa sites.

7. Whakaangi - home of the Ngati Kahu

The oral genealogy of Ngati Kahu tribe link them to the chief Te Parata, the canoe Mamaru and the mountain Whakaangi. Whakaangi overlooks Mangonui Harbour and Doubtless Bay and the area is scattered with kauri trees more than 600 years old.

8. St. Andrew's Anglican Church, 1860

St Andrew's Church Opened in 1860, the building functioned as a combined school and church until 1870 and is now used by several denominations. Stained-glass windows depict St. Andrew fishing, local milling and whaling. Many early settlers are buried in the churchyard.

9. Mangonui School, c.1884

The single-room school was opened in July 1884. This old school room now functions as the library for the much-expanded primary school.

10. Early Colonial Villa, 1905

This beautifully preserved villa was home to a number of the early Mangonui doctors. It is private property.

11. Original School and County Council Building, 1870

This was the first purpose-built school in Mangonui. From its founding in 1877, the Mangonui County Council held meetings here after school hours. It is now privately owned.

12. Windermere - original homestead, c.1870

This house of pit-sawn kauri was built for his wife by an Englishman, Charles Harris. A semi-detached cooking area and another side addition were incorporated into the main structure in the early 1900s. It remains privately owned.

13. Old Oak Inn, 1861

The inn was first known as the Mangonui Hotel. In 1906, the name and license of the Settlers Hotel were transferred here and in 1910 the name was changed. The wrought-iron staircase was added in the 1970s.

14. The Feist Bakery, 1920

The bakery, owned by Mr. J. Feist, was built on the site of a saddlery constructed c.1900. The bakery was extended to accommodate wood-fired brick kilns which in turn gave way to electric ovens. it now houses the Flax Bush shop.

15. Maori Point, for viewing the Flax Mill site

800m. to the south of Maori Point, at the intersection of Waterfront Drive and SH10, is Pikiwahine stream. This was the site of a flax mill operated by local Maori in the 1860s.

16. Leser Buildings, 1900-1909

This complex of buildings on the corner of Thomas Street and Waterfront Drive was built by a German, Gustav Leser, in the early 1900s. They now house the Waterfront Cafe and offices.

17. Crick Cottage 1864

Several doctors, a solicitor and members of the Wrathall and Wilton families have lived in this cottage. It remains private property.

18. Mangonui Methodist Church, 1909

Built at a cost of 300 Pounds, there was a strong Wesleyan following at the time. Disused since 1937, the building is now in poor repair.

19. Bank of Australasia Building, 1911

This building functioned as a bank until the mid 1960s when the ANZ Bank ceased operations in Mangonui. It has subsequently been used for a variety of shops and offices.

20. Mangonui Hotel, 1905

Sometimes known as the New Settlers Hotel, this was the fourth and last of the hotels established over a sixty three year period. It is considered to be the most beautiful old hotel in the country.

21. Mangonui Post Office, 1904

This is the second, larger post office on this site and a telephone exchange was added in 1911. It closed as a post office in 1989 and now houses The Galley Restaurant and a real estate agency.

22. Mangonui General Store, 1907

General Sore This structure was erected on piles over the waters of Mangonui Harbour, adjacent to the old Mangonui Wharf - now demolished. The building housed a dentist's surgery and a variety of small shops until 1910 and it now houses the Four Square Store, Post Shop and Kiwibank.

Acknowledgement:
Much of the historical information offered on this trail is derived from Neva Clarke McKenna's books "Mangonui - Gateway to the Far North", "Doubtless Bay" and "Discovering Northland's Past"; all available from Mangonui Stationery & Lotto. Mangonui village sign by Robin Parker.

Northland map | Doubtless Bay map