Sea, sand, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest bird were all on hand for the opening of Kaipara’s newest loos. The facilities, set within Lincoln Reserve in Mangawhai, were blessed on Tuesday 15 November.

The opening was attended by staff who worked on the project, artist Shann Whitaker, and representatives from Te Uri o Hau and the New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust. A blessing was led by kaumatua Ben Hita from Te Uri o Hau.

The site where facilities are located looks out to Mangawhai’s estuary and sand dunes – a landscape that inspired the artwork which adorns the toilet building and water tank. The mural features the Mangawhai harbour landscape and Tara Iti / New Zealand Fairy Tern which nest in this area. The collaborative work was designed and painted by Waipu artist Melinda Butt and Mangawhai artist Shann Whitaker.

New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust Convener, Heather Rogan, acknowledged the artists’ work in her speech. She also highlighted the importance of building awareness of New Zealand’s rarest bird and its fragile habitat.

Partial funding for the toilets was provided by the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) administered by the Ministry of Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

Images: The new facilities at Lincoln Reserve and opening event attendees.