These design guidelines have been prepared by Kaipara District Council to assist people undertaking subdivision and land use activities in realising sustainable, community focused outcomes for Mangawhai and its surrounding area. The aim of these design guidelines is to promote socially, culturally and environmentally sustainable development and to encourage the design of future settlement areas that interact positively with their local environment. Through the development of the Kaipara District Plan and the Mangawhai Structure Plan, the Kaipara District Council has identified a variety of issues facing the Mangawhai area and has prepared these design guidelines as part of its strategy to address them.

The guidelines set out to facilitate design that reflects the traditional settlement patterns characterising the Mangawhai area, building upon the values that the community and visitors to the area have come to appreciate over time. In addition, the guidelines promote sustainable subdivision and land use practices that will assist in protecting and enhancing the environment. These principles are confirmed in the Mangawhai Structure Plan that was adopted by Council in 2005.

These guidelines provide direction for Council, the community, landowners and developers on how best to achieve the Structure Plan’s vision for Mangawhai (which reflects Council and community aspirations). Based around best practice design principles, the guidelines seek to build on the Council’s objectives and policies within the Kaipara District Plan, and form a tool to implementing strategies outlined within the Mangawhai Structure Plan. As a guidance document, the design guidelines will assist in the planning process by providing landowners and developers with design principles developed specifically for the Mangawhai area.