Hakaru Hakaru
In 1953, Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest, Queen Elizabeth had her Coronation and in a small country place called Hakaru a Bowling Club was formed. What tremendous fortitude and vision those bowling pioneers must have had and perhaps overcoming any negativity by opposition to its formation. The club ran successfully at Hakaru for a number of years although changing its name to The Hakaru Bowling Club Incorporated.
Shifting to Mangawhai Mangawhai
It remained that way until May 2003 when it changed its name to Mangawhai Bowls Incorporated. In the intervening years the Bowling Club has shifted to Mangawhai. It was envisaged that there would be considerable growth in the area with more and more people coming to the seaside resort to retire. Originally the RSA at Hakaru were approached to set up a joint club at Mangawhai. This did not eventuate so the bowls did it alone. The present bowling greens were huge sand hills but volunteers levelled the dunes and “A”: green was established together with a club rooms.
Future future
What is the future for The Club ? – Bigger and better as Mangawhai is going against the national trend – with every year seeing our numbers growing and our Club offering more and more.