Everything Mangawhai
Te Arai Beach
A long, quiet run of open coast to the south of the Heads.
The wildlife refuge
Nesting ground of the tara iti, the fairy tern, on the spit.
Where to eat
Brunch at the Heads, dinner in the village, hours taken from their own sites.
Mangawhai Museum
The local history, in the village, a short drive from the beach.
What's
on
Markets, the beach in summer, music and makers. Dates come straight from whoever runs them.
Running something? Send it in and we'll add it.
Weekend markets
Local produce, coffee, plants and makers, Saturday morning being the busy one.
Summer on the beach
Surf club days, beach runs and the long evenings when the town fills up.
Gigs and long lunches
Music in the village and something on most weekends from spring.
Art and makers
Studios, open days and makers selling their own work.
Coming upFull calendar →
- Fri, 9 OctWaipu Cove Trail Ride (Whangarei Silver Festival)10:00am - 1:00pmSport
- Sat, 10 OctSpring Long Lunch with Auction & Band12:30 - 4:30pmFood
- Sat, 10 OctMangawhai Tavern Market8:30am - 1:00pmMarket
- Sun, 18 OctHill Climb RunArrive from 9am, start 10:00amSport
- Fri, 23 OctLabour Weekend Book FairMangawhai HeadsCommunity
- Sat, 31 OctSpooky Night at Mangawhai Museum5-8pmKids
- Sat, 31 OctCave Concerts at the Milky Way Glowworm Cave6:00pmMusic
- Sat, 31 OctFright Night Waipu4:30pm - 9:30pmSport
Eat &
drink
23 cafés, kitchens, bars and takeaways, and 14 cellar doors and growers nearby. Hours from their own sites.
No paid placements. Every venue links to its own page.
Looking for The Local? The Local Mangawhai: menu, hours and bookings
- 01.The Local - Kitchen + BarRestaurants · Villagecoffee · brunch · lunch · small platesWednesday to Monday 9:30am til late; Tuesday closed. Breakfast from open until 2:30pm; lunch 12:00pm until 2:30pm; dinner from 5:00pm til late (no food 2:30pm-5:00pm). Last booking 8:00pm
- 02.Brewed AsCafés · Headsspecialty coffee · brunch · lunch · evening sharing plates (Wed-Sat)Brunch & Lunch: every day 8am - 3pm. Evenings: Wed - Sat 5:30pm - Late
- 03.The Mangawhai TavernBars & pubs · Villageclassic pub dishes · small plates · weekend breakfast · rotating craft beer tapsOpen Tuesday - Friday from 11:30am. Saturday & Sunday Breakfast from 9am - 11.30am, open until late
- 04.Bennetts CaféCafés · Villagebreakfast · lunch · fresh pastries · sweet treats8:00 am to 3:00 pm daily; kitchen 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, coffees and cabinet food until 3:00 pm. Closed Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
- 05.Greenview CafeCafés · Headsbreakfast · lunch · traditional Thai cuisine (evenings) · takeawayMonday - Closed. Tuesday - Saturday 8.30am - 4pm Breakfast and Lunch, 5pm - 8.30pm Thai Restaurant. Sunday 9am - 3pm
- 06.GringasRestaurants · HeadsTex-Mex · tacos · tequila · margaritasTuesday - Friday 5pm - Close; Saturday - Sunday 12pm - Close
Day
trips
Caves, marine reserves, white-sand beaches and a Saturday market, either side of Mangawhai.
Know before
you go
Where dogs can go and when, where the lifeguards are, why the sandspit is fenced, and everything on this summer. Every fact linked to its source.
Dogs on the beach
Every stretch of beach, on-lead, off-lead or no dogs, with the council's own wording.
Swimming and patrols
Where the flags are, when the lifeguards are on, rips and water quality.
Tara iti
New Zealand's rarest breeding bird nests on the spit. Here's how to give it space.
Summer 2026–27
Festivals, markets and gigs from now to February, month by month.
Rent a
bach
Tell us when, how many of you, and what matters (the dog, the view, walking to the beach). We'll reply by email with baches that fit.
Tell us once. No account, no booking fee to ask.
