News from the hills.
Progress on site, community stories and what’s coming next - updated weekly.
In the newsTara Iti takes out top spot in the New Zealand Golf rankings for the fifth time in 10 years
The 2026 New Zealand Golf Rankings put Tara Iti at number one for the fifth time in a decade, with Te Arai Links South and North at two and three — cementing the Mangawhai coast as one of the country's great golf destinations. Mangawhai Golf Club also climbed six places to 32nd.
Read on Stuff (opens in a new tab)
On siteRoads sealed, entrance open - Stage 1 nears completion.
The roads through Stage 1 are now tar sealed, most sections are planted with natives and the main entrance on Cove Road is complete. Titles are targeted within the next two months.
- In the news
Mangawhai Hills development in beach town north of Auckland boasts unique solar power microgrid
Developed with Northpower, Revolve Energy and Omexom, the Mangawhai Hills microgrid is designed to generate 105% of the community's annual power use, selling surplus back to the national grid — believed to be a first for New Zealand.
Read on Northern Advocate / NZ Herald (opens in a new tab) - In the news
New high school in Northland's Mangawhai marks first students with native trees
Mangawhai Hills College's 13 foundation students planted native trees along a new public walkway on land leased from Mangawhai Hills, with plaques marking each student. The school expects around 30 students in 2026 and will grow to Year 7–13 by 2030.
Read on Northern Advocate / NZ Herald (opens in a new tab) - In the news
The future of premium sustainable living resides at Mangawhai Hills
The Denizen looks at the 185-hectare master plan — independence across water, wastewater, energy, carbon and stormwater, half the site set aside for native restoration and open space, and Stage 1 sections of 1,100–1,800m² now released.
Read on The Denizen (opens in a new tab) - In the news
Beach town on Auckland doorstep to get New Zealand-leading eco development
The Northern Advocate reports on plans for a net-zero community across carbon, electricity, drinking water, stormwater and wastewater — including 500,000 native trees, 50 hectares of protected bush and wetland, 15km of public trails and a solar microgrid with battery storage. Premium article.
Read on Northern Advocate / NZ Herald (opens in a new tab) 
ReleasesStage 1 sections released - first look for early registrants.
The first release of sections at Cove Heights is now open, with generously sized sites from 1,100m² to 1,800m² set among ridgelines, wetlands and native bush.
CommunityFirst trees in for the College Walkway - 20,000 more to come.
Mangawhai Hills College's foundation students have planted the first marked natives along the new College Walkway, as civil works at Cove Heights press on and a major wetland planting gets underway.
On siteStage 1 civil works underway - the hills take shape.
Earthworks at Cove Heights are well advanced and the first streets are emerging from the hillside. Here's a first look at the site, the streetscape and the sections likely to be released.