Wellsford is the largest northern town in the Auckland Council area. It has a current population of around 2,000 and is beginning to grow with new residential subdivisions occurring. This is likely to be for reasons of affordability, a ‘small town’ lifestyle, and the motorway extension to Warkworth (open in 2021).
Growth in Kaipara District has already exceeded the Council’s 2015 Long Term Plan projections; and a population of 22,800 is anticipated by 2028 even using a low growth scenario, or up to 26,000 at a high growth rate. Most of the growth is expected in the southern part of the district; Rehia-Oneriri and Mangawhai. Similar to Wellsford, growth in southern and eastern Kaipara District is likely to be driven by affordability, ‘small town’ lifestyle, and the imminent motorway extension to Warkworth, in addition to the coastal living opportunities offered by Mangawhai and some of the Kaipara Harbour settlements.
The Kaipara District Council is presently undertaking spatial planning for Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto and Dargaville, as well as growth management work in Mangawhai.
