Bruce Mansell – A significant Kapiti businessman – says Mayor
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Mayor Jenny Rowan has offered personal and community condolences to the family and friends of Coastlands co-founder Bruce Mansell.
She said the sudden death of Mr Mansell would be a shock to the Kāpiti business Community and a big loss for his wide circle of family and friends.
Mayor Rowan said Bruce Mansell had made a significant contribution to the Kāpiti community over the past 44 years and had worked with drive and dedication to develop and oversee Coastlands Shoppingtown, which is still the biggest business on the Coast with a combined turnover in excess of $275million annually.
"Bruce Mansell led the way for the introduction of weekend shopping in New Zealand and when Coastlands opened in 1969, it was nationally recognised as one of only two malls in the country open for weekend trade," she said.
He had also built strong and positive relationships with the Ngahina Trust and worked closely with them over the years. In more recent years he has worked with the Ballinger family in the development of the Te Roto Industrial Estate.
Mayor Rowan said it was fortuitous that Mr Mansell had recently been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame and now stood alongside the 11 other laureates who had all made an enormous contribution to the development of Kāpiti.
"It is really gratifying to know his contribution will live on through Coastlands' investment as a naming rights sponsor in the new Aquatic Centre.
"Bruce should also be remembered for his contribution as a Justice of the Peace, a chartered accountant, a long serving Rotarian and former President of the Waikanae Rotary Club.
"I offer sincere condolences to the Mansell family in this time of loss."