Mangakino Lakefront Development concept designs
Feedback closed
Feedback on new concept design options for the Mangakino lakefront development closed at 4.30pm Tuesday 30 September 2025.
Thank you for the feedback received.
Introduction
The Mangakino lakefront is loved by locals and is a popular destination in summer for visitors. It has had minor improvements over the years – new toilets in 2023 – but is now ready for a major upgrade to address safety concerns and make it a more enjoyable and accessible space for all users.
Taupō District Council secured funding for this upgrade as part of the Long-term Plan and in 2023 we consulted with the Mangakino community about what they wanted from the space.
The feedback was carefully considered and allowed us to explore new design options that better suit the needs of the community. These designs are outlined here and we will begin construction in the new year, following which we will be working with the community on an upgraded playground to compliment the new Mangakino Lakefront.
Concept design options
Community feedback, as outlined above, has informed three new concept design options for the Mangakino lakefront development. We're excited to share these concepts with the community.
Concept 1
Concept notes:
- Upgrade existing jetty with a new gangway
- Upgrade existing boat ramp with new pontoon
- Turning head for boat trailers with planted buffer separation to the grassed open space and playground
- Proposed raised table to signal slow speed environment enabling safer pedestrian movement between recreational spaces
- Proposed social gathering node including provision of shelter, BBQ, seating to accommodate communal social gatherings
- Upgrade existing stair access and incorporate handrail with the potential modification to enable all ability access
- All weather flexible hardstand surface with sufficient width to accommodate food trucks/stalls and generous width for pedestrian movement into adjacent spaces
- Proposed reconfiguration of existing carpark to improve amenity and user functionality
- Proposed turning head to promote safe and easy manouvering during peak season when reserve parking is at full capacity
- Retain existing toilet facility and improve connectivity and integration with the wider reserve
- Proposed location of upgraded playspace that incorporates a wide range of play features, with supporting seating and landscape element. Sensitively integrated with the wider reserve to promote safe and engaging environment
- Proposed formalised 90 degree roadside parking
- Existing grassed open space that could be used to provide additional overflow parking during peak holiday season
- Proposed relocation of the existing road entrance to improve the separation between vehicle access and recreational areas, while also providing additional open space for public enjoyment.
- Retain existing historical tree stump with potential integration as part of playspace or sculptural landmark in collaboration with the community and mana whenua
- Proposed location for boat wash facility
- Proposed additional flexible parking spaces with compacted aggregate surface driveway and reinforced lawn parking spaces, accommodates both boat trailer and cars
- Maintain and enhance existing ramped connections
Concept 2
Notes:
- Remove existing jetty
- Proposed relocation of the boat ramp northwards, along with the addition of a central pontoon, enhances separation between vehicles and general recreational activities
- Proposed reuse of existing boatramp access and convert it into all ability access to the lake improving access and interaction with the water
- Upgrade existing stair access and incorporate handrail with the potential modification to enable all ability access
- Proposed social gathering node including provision of shelter, BBQ, seating to accommodate communal social gatherings
- Flexible hardstand area for boat trailer manouvering space, boat wash waiting zones or space for rigging a boat
- All weather flexible hardstand surface with sufficient width to accommodate food trucks/stalls and generous width for pedestrian movement into adjacent spaces
- Proposed reconfiguration of existing carpark to improve amenity and user functionality
- Proposed turning head to promote safe and easy manouvering during peak season when reserve parking is at full capacity
- Retain existing toilet facility and improve connectivity and integration with the wider reserve
- Proposed location of upgraded playspace that incorporates a wide range of play features, with supporting seating and landscape element. Sensitively integrated with the wider reserve to promote safe and engaging environment
- Proposed formalised 90 degree roadside parking
- Existing grassed open space that could be used to provide additional overflow parking during peak holiday season
- Proposed relocation of the existing road entrance to improve the separation between vehicle access and recreational areas, while also providing additional open space for public enjoyment.
- Retain existing historical tree stump with potential integration as part of playspace or sculptural landmark in collaboration with the community and mana whenua
- Proposed location for boat wash facility
- Proposed additional flexible parking spaces with compacted aggregate surface driveway and reinforced lawn parking spaces, accommodates both boat trailer and cars
- Maintain and enhance existing ramped connections
Concept 3
Concept notes:
- Remove existing jetty
- Proposed relocation of the boat ramp to the northern side of the reserve, along with the addition of a central pontoon, enhances separation between vehicles and general recreational activities, while also gaining valuable open space for public use
- Proposed reuse of existing boatramp access and convert it into all ability access to the lake improving access and interaction with the water
- Upgrade existing stair access and incorporate handrail with the potential modification to enable all ability access
- Proposed social gathering node including provision of shelter, BBQ, seating to accommodate communal social gatherings
- Boat trailer manouvering space which doubles as boat trailer parking
- Proposed additional flexible parking spaces accommodating both boat trailer and cars with all weather driveway access and reinforced lawn parking
- All weather flexible hardstand surface with sufficient width to accommodate food trucks/stalls and generous width for pedestrian movement into adjacent spaces
- Proposed turning head to promote safe and easy manouvering during peak season when reserve parking is at full capacity
- Proposed reconfiguration of existing carpark to improve amenity and user functionality
- Retain existing toilet facility and improve connectivity and integration with the wider reserve
- Proposed location of upgraded playspace that incorporates a wide range of play features, with supporting seating and landscape element. Sensitively integrated with the wider reserve to promote safe and engaging environment
- Proposed formalised 90 degree roadside parking
- Existing grassed open space that could be used to provide additional overflow parking during peak holiday season
- Proposed relocation of the existing road entrance to improve the separation between vehicle access and recreational areas, while also providing additional open space for public enjoyment
- Retain existing historical tree stump with potential integration as part of playspace or sculptural landmark in collaboration with the community and mana whenua
- Proposed location for boat wash facility
- Maintain and enhance existing ramped connections
Spatial concepts
The spatial maps show how people would move between the different spaces and outline the pros and cons for each of the three concept design options.
Spatial investigation - placement of boat ramp
We have looked into the option of a new boat ramp at the southern end of Lake Road while retaining the existing boat ramp in its current location.
The high cost required to provide all necessary infrastructure and facilities for this option would have left limited budget for upgrades to the reserve however, and therefore we looked to focus on the northern end, as the preferred option; this would allow us to focus investment in one area and not duplicate amenities, maximise the flexible open space, and best meet the needs of the community as identified in the 2023 consultation.