Mangawhai Tennis Club History
A Legacy of Tennis Since ~ 1870
The following information was sourced from Bev Ross’ book called “Ripples from the River,” but also from people such as Desma Markwick, Barbara Wintle and Ivan Urlich, who have a deep understanding of the tennis club history and have been involved with the community for a long time. Also thanks to Raewyn Torrie who had some of the old minute books, which were invaluable to understanding the pressures the club faced and ultimately successes the club had due to the hard work of many. Thanks to those who contributed to the research done by Neisha Voot and those who supported her doing it, like Katsue Toddun and Euan Upston.
Nestled in the heart of Mangawhai Village, the Mangawhai Tennis Club (MTC) holds the distinction of being New Zealand’s oldest tennis club, with its origins tracing back to at least 1870 - predating the well-known Parnell Lawn Tennis Club by two years. Tennis has long been an integral part of the Mangawhai community, with the village’s centenary celebrations held at the old Insley Street tennis courts. While the earliest surviving club records date back to its 1935 AGM, the club’s history stretches much further, embedded in the very fabric of Mangawhai’s past.
Below photo of the centenary celebrations for Mangawhai at the Insley Street Tennis Courts dated 1955.
The club became an incorporated society on the 1 Aug, 1949. Here are some of the early photos that have survived about tennis in the area.
1890
A group of tennis players at Mangawhai in 1890.
Players on first Hakaru courts 1908: Myra Sarah, Miss Wiggins, Phyllis Sely.
1912
Dirt courts created near the creek by the Diary Factory in 1912.
History of the Area:
The area we now refer to as Mangawhai used to be broken into 4 distinct areas:
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Molesworth: Harbour entrance up to the Head’s camping grounds
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Molesworth Suburbs: Land south of the Head camping grounds to Moir Point
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The beach: Mangawhai village
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Mangawai: Hakaru
Tennis was played on shared courts both in Hakaru (now the Heads) and what is now called Mangawhai village. There was even competition about where the official club would be situated, but the village was chosen as at the time, that was where the majority of the population resided.
History of Tennis at Mangawhai Village
The Early Days
The first tennis court is believed to be on Mr. John Ryan’s property at the end of Moir Street. There was a court on Byfords land (the next owners were the Sommerville’s) which was behind the hotel. The courts originally were on people's private properties but later a club court was set up on corner of Moir Street and Molesworth Drive, on the property of Mrs. Robert Moir. These courts were played on before and around the dates 1870 – 1900.
Asphalt courts were put in behind the houses on Moir Street, previously known as Main Road, on land owned by Mr. Wintle. The tennis courts were accessible down a lane, known in the 1880’s as Bridge Road, that went between the houses owned by Bert Moir and Paddy Wynn. These courts were used regularly for the next ten years until a meeting on 9 November, 1945, where it was decided the club would fundraise toward the purchase of another section on Insley Street.
It appears that when the club was on Insley street (2 house places down from the Hall) it originally had 3 courts, a hitting area, toilets and BBQ area. It was proposed in the minutes that the courts would need resealing in 1976, indicating they were hard courts. The courts were shared with the Netball Club. The Mangawhai Community Association owned the land the courts were on as this, the land was used as collateral for a loan for improvements.
On the Insley Street courts tennis was only played until March or even May if weather was good and then the nets bought in so netball club could use courts for netball. Barry Markwick was the President for much of this time and he was instrumental in running the tennis club and organising inter-club both over Insley Street time and Domain court time. His wife Desma was also very involved in the club, she did lots of fundraising and interclub as well as acted as the Treasurer for many years.
Before the convenience of mobile phones and online booking systems, arranging a game was a community effort. In the 1940s, Colin and Alice Cameron signaled a game was on by hanging a sheet on their farm fence, a makeshift message to players from across the area to grab their rackets and head over.
The Insley Road courts were used for almost 30 years before 4 new courts were developed at the Domain, which were officially opened on 19 September, 1985. In the President’s Report from the 1984 AGM, he outlines the plans for new courts, 4 new courts at the Domain, a motion was passed at AGM to work towards construction of 4 new courts at the Domain.
Committee meeting on 21 August, 1984 shows quotes for the 4 courts from $4,922 - $5,627, plus $34,800 to lay concrete.
By 1985, four new courts were built at the Mangawhai Domain on Moir Street, and since then, MTC has been an integral part of the Mangawhai Domain Society (MDS). Improvements continued over the years, including:
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2001 – Installation of floodlights
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2004 – Astroturfing of the original four concrete courts
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2020 – Addition of two new courts, bringing the total to six all-weather, floodlit courts
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2021 & 2023 – Recapping of the original courts
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2025 – Replacement of older lights with LED technology
In Kath Michie’s President’s report for AGM September 1985 shows funding for the new courts was $16,300 grant money from Otamatea City Council and a loan of $26,950 at 10% interest. From December 1985 minutes the concrete for the courts cost $21,836.08, lines to be painted on courts Tuesday 17 December 10am.
The Domain courts’ opening day was a very exciting and well publicised event, with David Mustard and David Lewis giving coaching to the juniors. There was exhibition tennis as well the officials from the Otamatea County Council and Mrs. Annie Carter opened the courts.
Originally, the club operated on an honor system for casual players, with no locks on the courts and a simple fee collection tube. However, after repeated break-ins, the system proved unworkable. In 1988, shoes tags were used to mark financial members. Today, MTC has transitioned to Tennis NZ’s ClubSpark online platform, allowing members and visitors to easily book courts online. In 2024, new electronic key tags replaced the old metal key system.
A Thriving Tennis Community
The Mangawhai Tennis Club has long been a hub for players of all ages, from juniors learning the game to lifelong enthusiasts. A shining example was Stella Woolnough, who joined the committee in 1987 and served as secretary until her passing in 2018. She played tennis into her 80s, still competing in Thursday night mixed doubles at 82 before transitioning to the ladies' tennis group.
While MTC once had an active interclub competition, the focus today is primarily social tennis, with a variety of organized sessions, including:
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Thursday Night Mixed Doubles – A round-robin social competition with prizes and celebrations, organized by Jim Henchman (life member), Neisha Voot, and now Di Rous
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Monday & Wednesday Morning Ladies’ Tennis – Originally founded by Barbara Thomas over 15 years ago, growing from just four players to a thriving group that sometimes fills all six courts
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Monday Night Men’s Tennis – A dedicated men’s session with strong attendance
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Weeknight and Weekend Social Tennis – Organized through the club’s WhatsApp group, ensuring games are always available
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Club Champs – an annual competition covering singles and doubles.
Beyond the courts, social gatherings play an essential role in MTC’s community spirit. Life member and grant writer John Phillis frequently organizes club dinners with themed meals or "bring a plate" nights, providing an affordable and fun way for members to connect off the court.
Membership & Community Impact
For the year of 2025, MTC has a strong and diverse membership base, with:
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27% of members over 65, many of whom rely on the club for social connection and physical well-being
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27% junior players, benefiting from professional coaching as part of their membership
For some, particularly single retirees, the tennis club is a vital part of their social lives, offering both activity and camaraderie.
Fundraising & Looking to the Future
Fundraising has always been key to the club’s survival and growth. Early efforts included cake stalls, casino nights, cowboy hoedowns, raffles, and sausage sizzles. Today, MTC actively applies for grants from organizations such as Kaipara District Council (KDC), MELA, Pub Charities, the Opportunity Shop, and Lotto Sports Grants, ensuring continued investment in facilities and junior development.
With such a rich history and a bold vision, Mangawhai Tennis Club continues to thrive, not just as a place for sport, but as a cherished community hub. Whether it’s fostering young talent, providing social engagement for older members, or preserving a piece of New Zealand’s tennis history, MTC remains at the heart of Mangawhai’s sporting and social life - and is poised to grow for generations to come.
History of Tennis at Hakaru (the Heads)
The Hakaru courts were not part of the Mangawhai Tennis Club Inc. but was part of the history of Mangawhai tennis playing in general. The first were grassed courts next to the first Hakaru Hall and were first spaded out before 1900. In 1909, another set of courts were built near the current RSA location. In 2012, another set of dirt courts were formed near the dairy factory, with a third added a few years later. These were later asphalted and a pavilion added.
In 1939, the next courts were built a little further up Settlement Road, on Cameron property, on the other side of the new Hakaru Hall which was built in 1928. These three courts built on Hakaru Domain were popular and a tennis pavilion added in 1949. One method of communicating that a “game was on” was by Colin and Alice Cameron hanging a sheet on the fence, so folk at distant places “got the message,” to go over with their rackets ready for a challenge.
These courts have since been converted into a dressage area by the Hakaru Pony Club.
Reference
"Ripples from the River” by Historian B.C. Ross
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This book documents that tennis was played on courts in Mangawhai before 1870.
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The first known courts were on John Ryan’s property (now the site of Carters Building Supplies on Moir Street).
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Later courts existed on Mrs. Robert Moir’s property (corner of Moir Street & Molesworth Drive) from 1870-1900.