Mangakino events boost profile

Mangakino is in store for a number of events this year which will boost the community’s image both locally and nationally.

 

During Queen’s Birthday weekend in early June, the village will host a wild food festival to coincide with Mangakino’s annual “Big Three” hunting competition. Unique culinary delights will be on offer including wild pork, trout, venison and puha.

 

In March, Mangakino hosted the North Island wakeboarding championships which were believed to be attended by around 100 people.

 

Val Stevens, chairperson of the Mangakino Visitor Focus Group, says the events will raise the profile of activities in the town and support the local visitor industries.

 

Ms Stevens says the Visitor Focus Group is planning a heritage trail which will make it easy for visitors to take in other local attractions such as the Pureora Forest Park, New Zealand’s tallest totara tree, the Tihoi district and the local forestry industry.

 

This year also marks the town’s 60th anniversary and celebrations are scheduled for the end of the year. Taupo District Council and Destination Lake Taupo are assisting the Mangakino Visitor Focus Group with planning and funding of these events.