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36°6'8.855''S 174°35'6.65''E

Mangawhai Activity Zone

A region ready for business

Kaipara is rapidly emerging as a prime destination for business investment. With one of the fastest growing populations in Northland, Mangawhai offers a dynamic mix of lifestyle appeal and economic opportunity. The recent extension of the Northern Motorway brings Auckland within easy reach, expanding customer bases and supply chains. Strong residential growth is fuelling demand for retail, hospitality, trades, and professional services. The district’s supportive council, available land, and expanding infrastructure make it ideal for both small enterprises and larger corporate ventures seeking a future-focused, connected, and community-driven location.

Sign for Silver Fern Farms in Dargaville, with plant life and industrial farm buildings in the background.

follow the fern

Silver Fern Farms’ presence in Dargaville reflects the strategic advantages the Kaipara district offers for agribusiness investment. Located in the heart of a fertile farming district, Dargaville provides direct access to high-quality livestock and agricultural production. Its proximity to both Auckland and Northland markets offers efficient supply chain logistics. The region's skilled rural workforce, lower operational costs compared to urban centres, and strong local support for primary industries make it an ideal base for processing and distribution. Silver Fern Farms’ investment underscores the value in Kaipara as a hub for sustainable, high-value food production.

An aerial view of a manufacturing plant surrounded by green fields and rolling hills, with a main road passing nearby.

INVESTMENT STORIES

FONTERRA - MAUNGATūROTO

The Fonterra plant at Maungatūroto plays a vital role in the economy of Kaipara, processing milk from surrounding dairy farms into high-quality dairy products for domestic and international markets. Strategically located near State Highway 12, the facility benefits from strong transport links and access to a skilled rural workforce. Its presence supports local employment and underpins the district’s reputation for agricultural excellence, making Maungatūroto a key node in New Zealand’s dairy supply chain.

Aerial view of a large Bunnings warehouse with a teal roof and surrounding parking lot, located in a semi-rural area with fields, water bodies, and distant hills.

OPportunities everywhere

With fertile land, growing population, and proximity to Auckland, Kaipara is ideal for food processing, value-added agriculture, and sustainable farming innovations. With booming residential development, construction and trade services are in high demand, and there are great opportunities for mainstream retailers. Meanwhile, improved connectivity and lifestyle appeal create opportunities for remote-first businesses, creative industries, and tech entrepreneurs seeking a high-quality, lower-cost base for operations.

A scenic view of a golf course near the ocean with green fairways, sand bunkers, and grassy dunes, with a distant island and mountains on the horizon under a partly cloudy sky.

Where deals are done

The presence of world-renowned golf courses Te Arai Links and Tara Iti, located just south of Mangawhai, significantly elevates the investment appeal of Kaipara - particularly in the premium real estate, hospitality, and service sectors. These exclusive courses bring global attention and high net-worth individuals to the region creating a unique investment environment. This positions Kaipara as not only a rural and lifestyle destination, but a gateway for luxury development and high-value business partnerships.

Two construction workers in orange uniforms working on sidewalk installation, surrounded by orange traffic cones, near a residential street with a church building in the background.

INVESTMENT INFORMATION

economic development plan

Kaipara District Council’s Economic Development Plan sets a clear direction for sustainable, inclusive growth that builds on the district’s strengths - its fertile land, coastal assets, strategic location near Auckland, and a thriving rural economy. With a focus on infrastructure, innovation, industry diversification, and resilience, this plan outlines how Kaipara will unlock opportunity, attract investment, and support prosperity for current and future generations.