Celebrating 30 Years of Service: Waitangi Mika

Waitangi Mika

This year one of Māngere’s most familiar faces and a true community legend is celebrating his thirtieth year at the Moana Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre.

Over the three decades Waitangi Mika has been at the facility, he says the centre has not only been a place for families to have fun, but it’s also provided a stepping stone and training centre for Black Ferns, All Blacks, Blues and NRLW athletes.

Waitangi says his own career at the pools actually started as a volunteer at what was then called the Māngere Rec in 1995.

“I was doing a Certificate in Recreation Sport through what was back then the Manukau Polytech and my first placement was here.”

He went from doing casual work, to being a seasonal lifeguard, to a fulltime role, before finally being offered the manager’s role.

“It turned into a career - which I never meant it to be.”

Over this time he’s seen the facility grow from a simple rec centre to now having multiple pools, a gym and basketball court, which Waitangi adds, is where a young David Tua would often come to shoot hoops with his girlfriend at the time.

“The pools have always been about leisure, rather than about doing laps. That’s why it was called the Māngere Fun Pools and why they added the bombing pool.

“But it was also a civil defence centre and community hub following the floods [in 2023]. Our staff really stepped up because we had a duty of care to serve.”

Waitangi says his ongoing commitment as the centre manager is to make sure they meet the needs of the community and are always responsive to any feedback.

“We know the community relies on us and so if we’re not open, where else do they go.

“People are here to make a lifestyle change or get fit or connect with others - so the biggest thing for me - it’s not just about being a centre manager - it’s about leadership and service.”