The Informer - 26th Mar 2024

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Taking orders from Monday Call to find out the menu

Order by noon

Wednesday, 27th March

Delivery from 9am

Thursday, 28th March

Apology from Editor:

BY PAULINE STEWART

Last week The Coromandel Informer was very proud to feature the Kubota Billfish Classic – the prize winners, the programme and the positive imbuement it has in the community and beyond. It’s a world event.

By way of an alternative perspective, The Informer also included Part One of an article – ‘Untangling the conservation and ethical dilemmas of big game fishing,’ by Shaun Lee.

The second article has caused some debate and consternation and a complaint from the Director of the very successful Kubota Billfish Classic Competition who stated he and many in the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club are hurt by publishing this article.

Please note, no harm was intended by including the article in the paper. With all good journalism editors have a responsibility for their papers to give a voice to as many points of view on the subjects under discussion.

The Informer had sat on correspondence and articles for some time that

were against the fishing of billfish and chose to publish after the competition.

The Informer has fully supported the Kubota Billfish Classic and will continue to do so.

The space given to publicise this wonderful event is unprecedented to the publicity received from any other event in the time of the current ownership of the paper.

The editor apologises for any hurt and misunderstanding caused by the publication of the second article but commits to her responsibilities, representing as many points of view as possible.

The Informer works tirelessly to give our very best to this community – that is the role of a community newspaper understanding that we cannot always please everyone.

Part Two of the article will not be printed.

Have a read of Page 8, the article prepared by The New Zealand Sports Fishing Council Inc.

It would be my hope that your Easter is productive from a business point of view, with your work and in your relationships.

All are interconnected and make a community more peaceful, positive and with a focus on the future.

Pauline Stewart Co-editor, The Informer

„ Correction: Meal Hub Whitianga the full contact details were not included in last week’s issue. Here they are: hello@ c3whitianga.co.nz

„ Asking for help for the Easter Egg Hunt – I’m needing nine more premises from 1-3pm Easter Saturday. Children love the hunt and it would be great if you’re open and can have some Easter eggs available for when the children call in.

Tuesday 26 March to Wednesday, 3 April. A lot of International Space Station activity. Jupiter is still visible in the early evening as the brightest thing in the western sky but is getting ever lower down. In a few weeks it will move behind the Sun and be lost until it reappears in the June morning sky. Mars, Saturn and brilliant Venus are all low in the eastern predawn sky. Mars is slightly reddish while Saturn has a faint yellowish hue. There will be a few Chinese Tiangong and International Space Station (ISS) passes to enjoy this week but, as usual, timings may change if they have to be moved to avoid space junk. Always best to check the website heavens-above.com for updated timings. Tuesday, 26 March: There will be an ISS pass from 6:14 am very low in the south and a Tiangong pass from 8:22pm in the west. Wednesday, 27 March: There is a faint Tiangong pass from 8:55pm in the west disappearing into the Earth’s shadow before it gets to the Southern Cross. Thursday, 28 March: There will be a Tiangong pass in the west from 7:53pm moving right through the Southern Cross.

Friday, 29 March: We have another Tiangong pass from 8:26pm in the west moving through the pointers below the Southern Cross this time.

Sunday, 31 March: Another low Tiangong pass tonight from 7:57pm in the west moving just below the Southern Cross again. Tuesday, 2 April: There is an ISS pass from 7:05am starting very low in the south below the Southern Cross. Wednesday, 3 April: There is a Tiangong pass from 7:51pm in the west passing just above the Southern Cross.

Sunday 31 March

Monday 1 April

Tuesday 2 April Sun:

Skin Clinic – new addition to the town

Skin Clinic – new addition to the town

SSarah Smith is a registered nurse. She is opening a skin clinic in Whitianga after owning and running a clinic in New Plymouth.

arah Smith is a registered nurse. She is opening a skin clinic in Whitianga after owning and running a clinic in New Plymouth.

“We got a house sit here for a period and simply could not leave. It’s been a big decision to move, but the girls, 12 and 9 years love it here. I could see there wasn’t a skin clinic in Whitianga. It’s the right time for Renew Lounge to begin here.”

“We got a house sit here for a period and simply could not leave. It’s been a big decision to move, but the girls, 12 and 9 years love it here. I could see there wasn’t a skin clinic in Whitianga. It’s the right time for Renew Lounge to begin here.”

SARAH’S STORY

SARAH’S STORY

more time on her hands which led to her designing her own skin care line.

more time on her hands which led to her designing her own skin care line.

“Finally, I set up my own practice. Everyone was asking me about their skin. People asked me about injectables. Of course I do injectables. This is very much a part of ‘appearance medicine.’ I am well trained in this.”

“Finally, I set up my own practice. Everyone was asking me about their skin. People asked me about injectables. Of course I do injectables. This is very much a part of ‘appearance medicine.’ I am well trained in this.”

‘Less is more’ is the general rule,” explains Sarah.

‘Less is more’ is the general rule,” explains Sarah.

Sarah encourages her clients to focus on little things.

Sarah encourages her clients to focus on little things.

“I will always love helping them look their best. I am passionate about skin care.

Sarah did beauty therapy training while she was practising nursing.

Sarah did beauty therapy training while she was practising nursing.

“I was working for a skin cancer doctor at the time. We were removing skin cancers everyday and you could see how ‘appearance medicine’ was coming into its own.”

“I was working for a skin cancer doctor at the time. We were removing skin cancers everyday and you could see how ‘appearance medicine’ was coming into its own.”

She explained how people must get sizeable pieces cut out sometimes

She explained how people must get sizeable pieces cut out sometimes

and it is very important to restore and even improve that person’s scarred skin.

and it is very important to restore and even improve that person’s scarred skin.

“I also got to thinking that if we could work with a patient earlier in their life, some of the skin damage could be much more limited,” says Sarah.

“I also got to thinking that if we could work with a patient earlier in their life, some of the skin damage could be much more limited,” says Sarah.

After Sarah completed her beauty therapy training, she worked in emergency medicine. When Sarah had her children, she felt that she had a lot

After Sarah completed her beauty therapy training, she worked in emergency medicine. When Sarah had her children, she felt that she had a lot

Sarah is very sure to explain that it is a privilege to work with people in helping them look their best, and for the long journey.

Sarah is very sure to explain that it is a privilege to work with people in helping them look their best, and for the long journey.

“However, people can’t always see their own beauty and they want more. I think less is more. The desire to be perfect and never be satisfied is part of the human condition. Clients need to be happy with the way they look – a problem is that sometimes a person can get addicted to keep adding or changing.

“However, people can’t always see their own beauty and they want more. I think less is more. The desire to be perfect and never be satisfied is part of the human condition. Clients need to be happy with the way they look – a problem is that sometimes a person can get addicted to keep adding or changing.

New Wellness Store after close of Health 2000

New Wellness Store after close of Health 2000

There is a very attractive shop front with offices at the rear just along from Bayleys Real Estate in Monk Street, Whitianga.

There is a very attractive shop front with offices at the rear just along from Bayleys Real Estate in Monk Street, Whitianga.

It is going to be The Wellness Store for business owner, Rita Tomar and for the Mercury Bay area.

It is going to be The Wellness Store for business owner, Rita Tomar and for the Mercury Bay area.

Rita is going to open her new store on Easter Monday, 1 April.

Rita is going to open her new store on Easter Monday, 1 April.

She is a veteran of Health 2000 having worked with them for 14 years.

She is a veteran of Health 2000 having worked with them for 14 years.

She also has her full overseas qualifications as a pharmacist. I had an opportunity to go back to pharmacy but I could not go back to straight pharmacy work because I grew to love more traditional medicine with natural health. I could see how this approach

She also has her full overseas qualifications as a pharmacist. I had an opportunity to go back to pharmacy but I could not go back to straight pharmacy work because I grew to love more traditional medicine with natural health. I could see how this approach

Rita Tomar looks forward to establishing The Wellness Store as a very integral part of the community.

Rita Tomar looks forward to establishing The Wellness Store as a very integral part of the community.

helps people.

I bought my own Health 2000 store in Kohimarama, Auckland over 3 years ago so I have learned a great deal and know that combining natural health with traditional medicine is the best way forward.

helps people. I bought my own Health 2000 store in Kohimarama, Auckland over 3 years ago so I have learned a great deal and know that combining natural health with traditional medicine is the best way forward.

Rita’s Wellness store will do allergy testing

Rita’s Wellness store will do allergy testing

and food intolerance testing.

and food intolerance testing.

“I will also be offering massage,” says Rita. I will have a very experienced and skilled person working in the field. This will be a wellness centre with an holistic approach.

“I will also be offering massage,” says Rita. I will have a very experienced and skilled person working in the field. This will be a wellness centre with an holistic approach.

Rita says she has always wanted to do something in Whitianga township. I would drive down Monk Street and think about that little store one day becoming my place of business. I felt that it was calling to me.

Rita says she has always wanted to do something in Whitianga township. I would drive down Monk Street and think about that little store one day becoming my place of business. I felt that it was calling to me.

Rita will be opening her Wellness Store from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.00pm.

Rita will be opening her Wellness Store from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.00pm.

„ The website and phone number will be operational from the end of this week. See advert adjacent.

„ The website and phone number will be operational from the end of this week. See advert adjacent.

“I will always love helping them look their best. I am passionate about skin care. It is the skin care – consistent and regular – that helps the most; it’s the key to ageing well. I treat lots of different skin conditions – acne, rosacea (red skin pigmentation), scarring and stretch marks, thinning hair, tension headaches, excessive sweating, fine lines and wrinkles, age related changes due to sun damage.

It is the skin care – consistent and regular – that helps the most; it’s the key to ageing well. I treat lots of different skin conditions – acne, rosacea (red skin pigmentation), scarring and stretch marks, thinning hair, tension headaches, excessive sweating, fine lines and wrinkles, age related changes due to sun damage.

“This is my passion; I am good at it. I don’t like the term anti-ageing. We are all ageing. Many never have the privilege of ageing. Life can snatch that away.”

“This is my passion; I am good at it. I don’t like the term anti-ageing. We are all ageing. Many never have the privilege of ageing. Life can snatch that away.”

Sarah acknowledges that there are clinicians who can do injectables by visiting a community at regular intervals, but she regards it a priority to develop a rapport with clients and get to know them and get to know their skin as well.

Sarah acknowledges that there are clinicians who can do injectables by visiting a community at regular intervals, but she regards it a priority to develop a rapport with clients and get to know them and get to know their skin as well.

“Supporting local people and being part of a local community is important to me and my family.”

“Supporting local people and being part of a local community is important to me and my family.”

Sarah has come to the Coromandel Peninsula to build a fine business as well as a home for her children.

Sarah has come to the Coromandel Peninsula to build a fine business as well as a home for her children.

Sarah’s clinic, Renew Lounge, is above Stirling Sports in Albert Street, Whitianga. Her clinic opens Tuesday, 2 April and will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. Sarah is asking people to make appointments and with that service, her hours can vary for the client.

Sarah’s clinic, Renew Lounge, is above Stirling Sports in Albert Street, Whitianga. Her clinic opens Tuesday, 2 April and will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. Sarah is asking people to make appointments and with that service, her hours can vary for the client.

„ Renew Lounge Whtianga is on facebook.

„ Renew Lounge Whtianga is on facebook.

Email: renewloungewhitianga@gmail.com

Email: renewloungewhitianga@gmail.com

Sarah Smith, skin clinician

Sarah Smith, skin clinician

Matarangi Homes – Local building company adding to Matarangi

Crawford Brown, Mark Hastie and Michelle Fisk are Matarangi Homes –three skilled locals working as a team to make a significant contribution to affordable building for families a reality on the Coromandel Peninsula.

They are a new company, but each one of them brings experience in the building industry and they run their business with a very real, straight-shooting approach.

Crawford has been building locally for over 18 years and is the leader of all things to do with the building. Mark is the Project Manager of each build and takes care of all the liaison with the subcontractors, manages sales and the client’s needs. Michelle ensures all of the client’s selections are followed to the letter, the general accounts, marketing and details re furnishings and décor if required. Soon, Crawford’s daughter, Trinity, will be assisting Michelle and it will become even more of a family team business.

Crawford, having lived and worked on the Peninsula since 2006, knows the value of working locally and using local sub-contractors. “You build relationships, employ people who Iive in the area and the money stays within the community. I live here in

Matarangi; the people we build for are part of the same community.”

This young company is not limited to building in Matarangi, having just completed a home in Hahei and commencing a house project in Opito Bay and Hahei. “Our aim is to work in the area from just north of Coromandel through to Cooks Beach and Hahei,” says Mark. “That is enough distance to enable us to sustain

efficiency. We focus on contracted new builds, renovations, extensions, decking and fencing”.

Matarangi Homes plans to build 8-10 homes a year. “That’s a good number so as to maintain our quality of build and finish projects on time,” adds Crawford.

“Matarangi has been good to me,” says Crawford. “We are ready to deal with the people who want to buy the sections already available. This is a growing commnity

but still has the beach village feel. What is appealing about Matarangi is that a family can buy a section and working with a company like ours to build a new home, that family can still be within $1m.

Our homes are quality standard and not shoe boxes. We have plans that we can tweak for our clients or we can start with a new plan altogether. We work with a local designer and are realistic

with our open book prices – no hidden costs.”

The team believes if they can utilize local ‘subbies’ (subcontractors), this means employment for families and they have built excellent relationships with ‘subbies’ in the area. “If a home is built somewhere else and brought in kit set style, these communities can’t survive,” says Crawford.

“Local engagement, employment, local resources as much as possible, is the key to the growth of a community. We are offering a competitive new build home that offers families more than a transportable option. We take care of everything – we have turnkey prices to give.

“Project managing every build means I sit down with the client and with their designer and go through all the non-negotiables,” says Mark.

“It is vital to keep things simple, transparent and all costs accountable.

This team of four is clear they would not be here today proudly running Matarangi Homes if it was not for their builders, subcontractors and clients. They are here for the long term – a living reality of affordable housing for first time buyers. Contact Michelle to find out more.

„ info@matarangihomes.co.nz

Mark Hastie, Melissa Fisk, Trinity Brown, and Crawford Brown - the Matarangi Homes team, take some time out to show The Informer their almost finished Show Home in Matarangi.

you at the festival!

Get ready, because A Taste of Matarangi is just around the corner!

MFor those eager to secure their spot at

time is of the essence. Online ticket sales will close on Friday, 5 April @ 5pm, ensuring no one misses out on the opportunity to indulge in this.

After this date, limited tickets will be available for purchase at the gate for $40 per adult.

Transportation to the event is made convenient with various options available. Whether you prefer to drive yourself or opt for alternate modes of transportation, rest assured that getting to the festival will be a breeze. Make your travel arrangements in advance to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey to the event. Pre-bookings are essential for the alternate transport options. Please view these on the festival

website.

Meanwhile let the rhythm move you with live music performances from talented artists throughout the day. Starting the event day with the Te Rerenga School pupils performing Kapa Haka, followed by our local sensation, Francie Lidgard performing her solo musical collection. Enjoy your lunch time listening to two local artists from Tairua, Cosha delivering instrumental sweetness and a versatile range of music with their unique acoustic touch.

The afternoon continues with

live beats from Black and Gold, a dynamic ensemble inviting you to experience the fusion of sound at it’s finest. Finally, Sugafix will be headlining and delivering an unforgettable closing set that will have you on your feet and craving for more.

Be sure to check the event programme on our website for a schedule of activities and performances so you don’t miss a beat.

As the anticipation builds for this festival, the organising committee is proud to continue its tradition of supporting

local organisations that make a significant impact in the local community. This year, the two benefactors are: Kuaotunu Land Search & Rescue (KSAR) and Te Rerenga School. The funds raised from the festival will help them continue their invaluable work.

Go to our website to purchase your tickets online before Saturday, 6 April. Check your transport options and peruse the event programme to make the most of this fabulous day of food, wine and music by the beach.

www.atasteofmatarangi.co.nz

Four of the featured entertainers. Francie Lidgard, Cosha, Black and Gold and Sugar Fix. See

The Heart of Kiwi Coastal Life: Fishing, Community and Conservation

BY IAN STEELE

Catching fish and being able to feed our families is an important part of the kiwi lifestyle, especially around coastal areas such as the Coromandel. Exchanging stories at the end of a long day is what builds relationships, communities and creates lasting memories.

Fishers value the experience of fishing with friends and whanau, enjoying the ocean and the range of marine life it supports. It’s not just about what they can catch. It’s their sense of being, and often why they choose to live in coastal regions. Mental health and general wellness are a key reason why we seek solitude on the water. Alongside the positive impacts on our social wellbeing, recreational fishing financially benefits many New Zealand’s small coastal communities.

The value of fishing to our community was highlighted in March when thousands of people poured into Whitianga for the Kubota Billfish Classic contest. The wide-ranging benefits these visitors brought to our communities are still being felt around the region today.

Established in 1924, the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club is the oldest of four fishing clubs on the Coromandel Peninsula affiliated to the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC). The other clubs are Matarangi Boat & Fishing Club (1995), Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club (1980) and Whangamata Ocean Sports Club (1958). The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has over 50 affiliated clubs nationwide with a combined membership of over 36,000 people.

Further, in 2012, LegaSea was established by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council to elevate public awareness of the issues that affect recreational fishers and inspire people to support us. This support funds advocacy, alignment, education and research. Together, volunteer club members are constantly active in their communities, hosting kids’ fishing days and fundraising for local charities including Coastguard and the Breast Cancer Foundation. While this work hits the headlines, the work they do to enhance our coastal fish popula-

tions often goes unnoticed.

In the past year alone, the fishing clubs, club members and NZSFC have made seven substantial submissions regarding the Hauraki Gulf and contributed to the Hauraki Gulf Alliance to try and bring some balance to the discussions around marine protection and fisheries management in the Gulf.

Advocating for local fishing and environmental interests allows us to work closely with local iwi Ngāti Hei. Matua Joe Davis has

been the spearhead on many occasions, most notably for laying the rāhui to conserve Opito Bay scallops in 2020, and pink maomao in 2021. Since then he has worked with the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea to promote Ahu Moana.

Ahu Moana is an iwi/hapū and wider community-led initiative that drives workable solutions to local problems. The community are empowered to manage their local areas using local knowledge and scientific data.

Originally there were two pilot Ahu Moana projects planned for the Hauraki Gulf, one at Aotea Great Barrier, the other on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula. It seems officials have got cold feet on the whole idea because nothing tangible has emerged since being proposed in 2017. However, this hasn’t stopped the local fishing clubs like Mercury Bay, Tairua-Pauanui and Whangamata continuing to work with Ngāti Hei and others to drive significant changes in behaviours and attitudes. We must lead the change if we want to restore our coastal fisheries, it has been proven that this will not happen if the status quo continues. Our Coromandel clubs are leading the way and taking action in the absence of meaningful management by MPI.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

Years of unconstrained commercial harvest and destructive dredging decimated the scallops, mussels, crabs, and other sea life that previously inhabited the seafloor around the Coromandel and beyond.

Numerous attempts by the Opito Bay Ratepayers Association over several years to engage with

Fisheries New Zealand officials about ongoing depletion were unsuccessful. So, the locals took the bold step of initiating community-led action.

Together with Ngāti Hei, the Ratepayers Association, LegaSea, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and local clubs, developed the Coromandel Scallop Restoration and Sustainability Plan. In early 2021 Ngāti Hei applied for a temporary closure of the scallop fishery within their rohe. A scallop baseline survey was collaboratively designed and actioned by a team of experts.

By September the then Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker, approved the Ngāti Hei application to close the waters around the eastern Coromandel to all scallop harvesting.

This led to a government funded scallop survey of the entire scallop fishery on the northeast coast from Northland, through the Hauraki Gulf and down to Waihi, Bay of Plenty. The results were so dire the Minister eventually closed the entire northeast coast to commercial and recreational harvest.

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and the local fishing clubs are committed to achieving improvements in the way that the land and sea are managed so coastal fish populations are restored and available for future generations.

They will continue to advocate for our collective interests and continue this story in future editions of the Informer. If you want to enjoy abundant fish populations, a healthy marine environment and a fair go for future generations of Kiwis, make sure your voice is heard.

„ Ian is President of New Zealand Sport Fishing Council

Elite Blinds comes to Mercury Bay

Tina and Scott Williams are former residents of Mercury Bay. They know the area well and are very pleased it is growing.

It was many years ago that they had their own blinds fitted in their home, and as Scott was a very skilled practical person, it got the both of them thinking about running their own business.

Together their company, Elite Blinds, has been servicing communities for 12 years.

“We are professionals in our field and clean and sanitize all types of blinds – roller, venetian, wooden

and vertical,” says Scott.

“We also repair blinds or can replace worn out blinds.”

Their company has established a long working history with brand leaders in the blinds industry.

“We offer a full measure and quote service at your property. We are excited to bring our services to Whitianga and the Coromandel Peninsula. We have often been servicing Tairua so thought it a natural step to move further north and include Whitianga.”

“Elite Blinds prides itself on its customer service.

We feel this is the most important aspect of business today,” says Tina.

“We look forward to being of service to you in the Bay and around the Peninsula.”

„ Please see their advertisement on page 31 of this issue. – Trades and Services.

Perry and Erin keep Opito Salt at the winning edge in New Zealand

Opito Bay couple Erin Mone and Perry Cornish scoped a trifecta of awards at this year’s Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards. Known for their Opito Bay sea salt, the pair this year continued their success with a trifecta, gold, silver and bronze medals for their sea salts.

“This year we tried something a bit different where we entered some very new and unique flavours.”

Perry had been on the hunt for the best black pepper in the world to pair with their multi-award winning natural sea salt. The search led him to Kampot in Cambodia, a region designated by the European Union as a Geographic Area of Significance for its production of black pepper.

The pepper is floral and spicy with incredible afternotes of flavour and aroma. It’s the perfect black pepper to combine with our sea salt.

“We are driven by authen-

tic food experiences,” says Erin.

“Previously Perry had experienced in Asia a simple but unique way to add salt and spice to dishes where in small local restaurants pepper and sea salt were fine ground and served together in one dish. This ultimately led to our gold winning combination of fine ground Opito Bay sea salt with Kampot Black

Pepper. It really is a winner,” smiles Erin.

„ Gold: Opito Bay Fine ground Kampot Black Pepper Sea salt

„ Silver: Opito Bay Cacao Nibs (Chocolate) Sea Salt

„ Bronze: NZ Black Truffle

Sea Salt

Multi-Gold Medal Winning Sea Salts Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2023

Multi-Gold Medal Winning Sea Salts Inspire + Artisan NZ Food Producer Awards 2022

Multi-Gold Medal Winning Sea Salts Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2022 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Emerging Business Champion 2022

Perry Cornish and Erin Mone at Opito Bay – the source of Opito Bay Salt.

Scott Williams out on his daily run of installing and repairing blinds around the peninsular.

Repco Beach Hop Festival – Whamo!

BY STAN STEWART

This is a huge event – the largest of its kind in the world. It was expected that a crowd of 110,000 would flock to Whangamata over the Friday to Sunday period.

This huge event began on the Wednesday prior, hundreds travelled in their spec tacular cars all around the Coromandel Peninsula on the Friday and the festival itself ran from Friday to Sunday.

This is the num ber-one nostalgia event of its kind. It celebrates the best of the muscle cars of the USA in the 50’s and 60’s.

ees are strongly encouraged to purchase an event programme for $5. These programmes became tickets in draws for significant cash prizes.

This is a very well behaved, alcohol-free event (except in designated areas). No skids or burn outs allowed. The cars may be old but there are

and has built many more in the intervening years.

Staging/organising the Beach Hop is a major task. It happens because Noddy is supported by 200 volunteers. Under Noddy’s direction the team make it happen and clean up as well. Noddy says, “This year, 2000 vehicles have registered along with 100 classic caravans. This is the largest assembly of classic caravans ever seen in New Zealand.”

It is very much a family affair. In many cases, Dad, Mum and the kids proudly rode to Whangamata in these gleaming behemoths. Grandparents and oldies are particularly chuffed. The event takes them back and some oldies find a car they used to own.

“Mine was never as shiny as that!”

The event is free but attend-

no bombs. All vehicles must be registered and have a WOF. And then there are the hot rods. Weird and wonderful – products of petrol-head imaginations – mechanical cartoons. Nonetheless, every one of them had a WOF and was registered. Noddy Watts the principal organiser of this year’s event has been associated with the Beach Hop from the beginning in 2001. He had built his first hot rod at the age of 18

Rock N Roll has always been associated with the event. In fact, the first Beach Hop was scheduled to coincide with the Rock N Roll Club’s annual hop. This year there was a Hip Hop Idol competition and 18 bands.

The event’s sponsor is Repco. This is the leading company in Australia for automotive parts and accessories. Repco NZ employees do a lot of heavy lifting for this event. Repco’s relationship with this event is more than adding a brand to the title. Their staff are involved from start to final pack-up.

EVENTS PUT COROMANDEL ON THE WORLD MAP

Where else could you find two of the world’s largest sporting events staged seven days apart in two neighboring towns – Whitianga and Whangamata. Whitianga with the Kubota Billfish Classic and Whangamata with the Repco Beach Hop Festival. Both events are the largest of their kind in the world. What does this say about the people and the potential of our towns and districts? We know the Coromandel is beautiful, enchanting with beauty that is overwhelming. Through these world-famous events, more and more sporting fans and their families from around the world are discovering the Coromandel – nature’s gem of creation. What does it say about our people? No one can say about the residents of our peninsula that we are sleepy retirees or lazy, introverted beach-bums. No! Here in these towns and districts are big thinkers, visionaries who constantly are thinking of how our paradise can be a location for events which we can share with the world. Here is the place for new ideas, fresh thinking. And this is not just for a privileged few holiday makers and residents, but a stage on which world events can be played out.

This was the car you could win by purchasing the $5 Beach Hop programme.

Local development on the land

Excerpts from interviews with Leigh Hopper when he has been speaking about development and the future in the Mercury Bay area.

BY PAULINE STEWART

The location of unique topographical features of Whitianga and Mercury Bay has been a driving factor to allow Whitianga Waterways to grow and develop a wide variety of opportunities and offerings for people to make their home in Whitianga (this is true of Pauanui also). I am talking about offering people a vision of what it is like and could be like to live in this region. When they visit I want them to get a glimpse of that visison or when they read or hear about it, I want the to explore tat vision further. Come and live here is m invitation.

The subdivision of land is a basic step towards providing people an easy to follow passage to choosing land, deciding on a style of home and then building and finally living here. Sometimes the home is ready built for a buyer. Either way, however you want to see it, available real estate is a

key to growing communities and their economies. I wish every real estate company well because then the community will develop. At this time, there are a lot of properties for sale. There are long term plans being worked on that will continue to improve our roads and eventually our infrastructure. The Mercury Bay Area and indeed the Coromandel Peninsula can only go forward. We have a number of practical issues to face but they are surmountable.

As for our part here, rolling out any development and delivering on that, builds confidence in the market and in our customers and in business in general. The environment and amenities we build speak for themselves. People are prepared to outlay a lot of money in pursuit of a better lifestyle and a better place to live. We want to provide that at a number of levels. The consequence of that however is that property values go up. The principles of supply and demand come to play because there is a

limited amount of places available. The prices of all of the properties have also gone up to the extent that the workforce on low wages can’t afford to buy a house here. Everywhere you get a good development like this, you get this situation. It’s a product, a consequence, of doing good development. But I see there are local building companies who are working to offset this situation, in communities like Matarangi and the developments in Wharakaho. We need to do more for the hospitality workers who are skilled but yet buying

into real estate is still beyond them with the current base prices, lower wages and higher interest rates. Our commitment and aim is to carry on here in Whitianga and to encourage a variety of dwellings to provide for a varied and talented workforce in addition to retirees, business owners and holiday batches for out-of-town residents.

The Moorings: Six villas are now complete. Stage one of The Moorings will eventually comprise 18 residences, while the long-term (8-10 year) plan is for up to 220 units. We are offering a certain level of care to satisfy the growing needs of the ageing population in the region. “We wish to provide a number of different retirement living options. Enabling a top level of medical care along with this is a priority for Hoppers.

Dockside: Stage One has been open for a few months now. People seem very pleased with the indoor/outdoor retail experi-

ence and the very special waterfront aspect and approach. The Whitianga Waterways Sales Office provides access by car, bike, boat and foot. Everyone can come there.

Concert and Event Park: We have proposed to build a new concert park event facility on council land to become a major amenity asset. The plan includes two arenas with a stage in the middle All of this will lend itself to a range of events including car shows, galas and of course, concerts in addition to the Summer Concert. The costs of construction including, transport, formation and grassing is on Whitianga Waterways Ltd and is estimated to cost $6m.

These are all excerpts form conversations with Leigh Hopper. Hopper Developments has brought a great deal to this region and will continue to do so.

Share the information in The Informer about real estate and businesses with others in far away places.

Real Estate ON THE COROMANDEL

Leigh Hopper

by HOPPER LIVING

If you want your property SOLD, talk to any of our team

Whitianga, 12B Buffalo Beach Rd

• 232m2 (mol) substantial family home with 3 bathrooms.

• Super close to buffalo Beach, town and ferry.

AUCTION

• Sea view from the master, entertaining deck, kitchen and dining area.

• Plenty of storage & off street parking. Great lock up & leave.

FOR SALE AUCTION 13th April 2024 at 2pm on-site (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26842381

Katrina Carlyon 021 724 200

Whitianga, 196 Cook Drive

• Generous 1040m2 (mol) flat sunny section tucked back off the road.

• Double garage, sleepout and garden shed.

• Located in a quiet part of Cook Drive not too far from the beach.

FOR SALE Auction 20th April 2024 at 2.00pm Onsite (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27039669.

David Frew 027 491 8420

Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

Cooks Beach, 981 Purangi Road

• Recreation and Relaxation on your doorstep.

• This 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home has a lovely timeless elegance.

• Generous section, with garaging and 3 under cover carparking space.

FOR SALE Deadline Sale closes 29th April 2024 at 4.00pm (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26937378

Paulette Tainsh 027 241 2001

Hendry Tainsh 022 658 4818

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Whitianga, 25b, 18 Mill Road

Whitianga, 6 Hei Esplanade

• Stunning 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment located close to the beach & town.

• Light-filled two story spacious apartment boasts 124sqm of living space.

• Additional features include 2x parking spaces, a communal roof top entertainment/dining area & the option to include your apartment in the rental pool.

FOR SALE By Negotiation

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26937724

Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

David Frew 027 491 8420

NOW PRICED TENDER

• 5 bdrm, 3 bthrm, separate laundry, solar panels, storage galore & so much more!

• Fully self-contained 1 bedroom flat with 1 accessible bathroom, heat pump & tranquil water view.

• Boat ramp plus boat park & double garaging.

FOR SALE $2,870,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L25351998

Katrina Carlyon 021 724 200

Whitianga, 71 Buffalo Beach Road

• Fully furnished apartment.

• Excellent location across from the beach.

• Great lock up and leave or rental investment.

FOR SALE $395,000 + gst(if any)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/ L26913094

Noelene Bellingham 027 280 8477

Tairua, 3 Daphne Road

Hahei, 265 Lees Road

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• Beautifully set up avocado orchard, complete with implements sheds & orchard

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FOR SALE Tender 4th April 2024 at 4.00pm (Unless sold prior) + gst if any

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26021473

Paulette Tainsh 027 241 2001

Hendry Tainsh 022 658 4818

• 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, rumpus room and huge garage.

• Positioned on 948m2 in the heart of one of the Coromandel’s hot spots.

• An entry level property with so much potential.

FOR SALE Auction 27th April 2024 at 1.00pm on-site (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26756103

Adam Fuller 022 018 0856

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MARINA VIEW, INCOME POTENTIAL PURANGI PARADISE

$1,195,000

5C Victoria Street, Whitianga

Located right in the heart of popular Whitianga township, offering views of the Whitianga Marina, this standalone solid masonry townhouse with windows on both sides, is summer living at its best.

Consisting of three large bedrooms and two bathrooms over three levels, the self-contained lower level complete with kitchenette would make a perfect holiday accommodation option or use as a home office or street frontage shop. There is also an internal lift that goes to all levels which will make transporting luggage, shopping, or children a breeze.

$1,549,000

6 Roseberry Place, Whitianga

Premium elevated home in sought after Endeavour Quay offering views of the canal and the Coromandel ranges in the distance. The 1076.sqm section has space for the boat, camper or caravan with established low maintenance gardens and is positioned for all day sunshine.

Enter the very spacious home with open plan kitchen, living and dining with super large well laid out kitchen area with the must have butler’s pantry. A second living area for quiet relaxation is a bonus for you.

Easter Special

A trip to Queenstown to the value of $5000 for the successful buyers. Offer closes 8th April, terms and conditions apply.

Price by negotiation.

403 Purangi Road, Cooks Beach

The search is over! This has to be one of the best properties we have found with its prestigious Purangi Road location. Accessed via a long driveway offering a good degree of privacy where you are hidden away, but so close to everything.

The large 18.874 hectare land holding has good contour going from flat to sloping and is well fenced into 18 paddocks. Offering good grazing with a rocky creek flowing on the boundary. With gentle elevations giving you options to craft your new home and far-reaching rural views offering peace and tranquility you will never want to leave.

John Antony Hunt

19 March 1965 - 05 March 2024

The team at North would like to thank all our vendors and clients for their continued support over the last few weeks while we bid farewell to our friend and colleague John.

The Hunt Family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to our wonderful community for all their love and support.

John, you will be missed.

Rest In Peace.

WATERWAYS LIFESTYLE

Peter Neumark-Payne | 021 153 6797

Peter Neumark-Payne | 021 153 6797

Elaine Smith | 027 513 8780

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122 Bu alo Beach Road, Whitianga

• 5 x studio, 3 x 1 bdrm & 3 bdrm penthouse/ views

• Modern, diligently maintained & well equipped

• Full furniture, equipment & additional chattels list available

• Options for investors, operators & beach life-stylers

By Negotiation (being sold plus GST if any)

Call now for your private tour/showing

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

145a South Hwy, Whitianga

• Quality 5 bedroom ‘Waterways’ executive family residence

• Light high-stud lounge living with ‘cyclopean’ windows

• Large internal access garage/boat-shed and o -street parking

• Close to canals/waterways entrance & with 1/4 share boat-ramp

By Negotiation

Call now for your viewing options

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

112 Centennial Drive, Whitianga

• Sunny seaview escape: is income & subdivision possible?

• Lovely and light 3 bdrm, 2 bathrm coastal residence

• Northerly, elevated with epic ocean and island views

• Large garaging, o -street parking PLUS furniture package

By Negotiation

3 Roseberry Place, Whitianga

This top class ‘Island - Endeavour Quay’ executive home has been sold by Rob & Ange – want to know how we did it? it’s all about doing the real work on the ground plus boutique client service from a local family company - thank you

Call Ball & Co Realty

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

77 Bu alo Beach Road, Whitianga

• Top class and sophisticated beach in front living

• Statement residence: recorded floor area +/530m2 (MOL)

• Commanding wide-angle sea & bay views

• Significant, high-level designer ‘Chefs’ ‘kitchen

By Negotiation

Call now for your viewing options

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

13 Punga Place, Whitianga

• Dream coastal beach retreat - captivating sea views

• Light & bright 3 bdrm, 2 bathrm ‘Lockwood’ style

• Walk to beach, yet nicely elevated: serenity & security

• Double garaging plus o -street parking: practical

By Negotiation

Call now for your viewing options

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

8 Sara Way, Whitianga

• Sophisticated 4 bedroom 2 bathroom ‘Waterways’ executive home

• Quality kitchen with top quality appliances & large walk-in scullery

• Huge internal access high-stud boatshed PLUS o -street parking

• 2 x heat-pump/inverters, gas fire PLUS HRV (3 unit) system $1,650,000

Call now for your viewing options

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

7+7a Centennial Drive, Whitianga

• 2 homes 1 site: spacious sunny sea & beachy.

• Generous total 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 lounge/rumpus.

• Modern, double-glazed (main) refurbished, views & aspects.

• Elevation yet close easy walk to beach PLUS easy to CBD.

By Negotation

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• Sunny & light 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home

• Sea, rural & bush views - elevated - in neat culde-sac

• Heat-pump, wood-burner, air-transfer: cosy & warm

• Easy to beach, CBD, shops, school & boatramp(s)

$869,000

Ange

2

• Lovely “Coromandel Pacific Bure-style” coastal home

• Elevated cul-de-sac yet just short walk to beach

• Double garaging & o -street vehicle/ boatparking

• heat-pump,

14 Leeward Drive, Whitianga

• Contemporary 5 bdrm Waterways family/ executive home

• Double garaging PLUS o -street boat/vehicle parking

• Alfresco ‘Louvretec’ entertaining plus vast decking

• Elevated prestige Endeavour Quay ‘Island’ location

Call now for your viewing options

Ange Ball 021 131 8525

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

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We were lucky enough to walk into Ball & Co and from the moment we started dealing with Ange & Rob I can honestly say they were wonderful to deal with and made the process as easy as possible for us.

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Call now for your viewing options

Rob Ball 021 0238 9767

Ange Ball 021 131 85251

No excuse for dangerous driving at road work sites

BY MAYOR LEN SALT

Sadly, we’ve heard that incidents of abuse to road work crews or dangerous driving through work sites has been increasing. There is no excuse for this.

Road crews working on both local Council roads and the state highway network in the Coromandel are there to work on roads damaged from last year’s storms and to make the roads less vulnerable to future storm damage. The awful weather we had at the beginning of 2023 may be receding in memory, but the effects have a very long tai with which we are still dealing.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA/Waka Kotahi) has just put out a video featuring their road crews working on our Coromandel state highways explaining just how important it is that drivers slow down when they’re going through a road work site.

Check it out, it’s on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waikato BoP Facebook page.

Now that summer is over, our Council contrac-

tors as well as the NZTA crews are resuming all that recovery road work that took a bit of a pause over the peak visitor period. There are multiple work sites on the NZTA state highway network in the Coromandel and on our local council roads and this will be ongoing for many more months. Plan for delays, slow down at the work sites, allow a bit of extra time for your journey. And please be nice to the crews.

Some interesting data has come out recently about visitor numbers and spending on the Coromandel for the summer just past.

We estimate that between 250,000-300,000 people visited the Coromandel between 25 December 2023 and 5 January 2024, the 12 days that are considered the main

peak period and are the busiest time of the year.

At the peak of this peak, from Christmas to New Year’s, there would have been about 125,000 people in the district on any given day. Our usual resident population is approximately 32,000 people.

Accommodation providers reported full bookings for this period. $56 million was spent in the district in January, up $10m from January 2023. No surprise there, but we’re grateful for the good weather that meant visitors weren’t deterred from spending their time, and money, here.

All-in-all a pretty ‘normal’ summer, and our Council services generally held up really well. This doesn’t happen by accident. It’s because of the planning the Council team put in ahead of summer

alongside emergency services and partner agencies like NZTA and the Department of Conservation, and the staff and contractors who worked through the Christmas/New Year period to keep things running.

Finally, there have been lots of articles and letters

to the editor of this newspaper about our Council’s draft Long Term Plan (LTP).

To get the full, accurate data and information though, it’s best to go to our LTP pages on our website, or get copies of all the documents available at our offices and libraries. It’s great to see a

high level of engagement in this vital planning process. Our draft LTP is open for public feedback until Monday 8 April.

„ Go to www.tcdc.govt.nz/ LTP-2024-2034 and follow the steps to have your say on our proposed budgets and project priorities.

Getting the message out there

BY CYNTHIA DALY

“Come and get a barbecued sausage and support Project Mammogram.”

“We’re from your local Lions Clubs and we’re selling sausages to buy a mammogram machine for this community. We need $350,000, so we’ve got a lot of sausages to sell!”

Yes, I’m loud and proud in the name of supporting Project Mammogram.

Since I joined Whitianga Lions Club just over a year ago, I’ve spent many happy Saturdays helping on their sausage sizzle at the Whiti Citi Market in Soldier’s Park, Whitianga.

But here’s the interesting thing. People ask about Project Mammogram; people of all ages from this

community and also visitors here.

And so I explain why we give up our Saturday mornings to sell sausages. Just along from our stall, the ladies from Mercury Bay Lions Club are doing their bit too for

Project Mammogram. They’re currently selling raffle tickets to win a beautiful hand-crafted quilt, and like us they are there happily giving up their Saturdays.

Just the other Saturday as I was

talking with a couple of groups of people, I once again experienced the rewards of this role, and so often we, as Lions Club members, experience it.

I’m talking about what happens when we explain what Project Mammogram is.

My first group on this occasion was a young couple of travellers from Germany. They came to ask me what Project Mammogram was.

Then they bought a sausage each. They stepped away a bit and then they turned back and donated $22! Wow!

Anyone who has ever travelled as a young person knows that you budget out everything to last cent. So to donate $22 was massive.

We all thanked them and wished them well. They have Lions Clubs in Germany, they said, but they had never experienced them fundraising like this and they believed in what we were doing.

Not long after that, two young teenage boys came to buy a sausage each and they too asked what Project Mammogram is. It’s hard to imagine their interest, however, they were definitely interested and they asked lots of questions.

I think they were thinking of their mothers, maybe even other female family members, because it seemed to resonate with them. As they turned to leave they put

their change in the donation bucket.

In just over 12 months, the combined efforts of the Whitianga and Mercury Bay Lions Clubs with the support of the greater community, businesses, media and visitors to this region we have raised $122,000 towards our goal of $350,000. We’re not doing things by half! We’re going to buy a gold-standard mammogram machine to be based permanently in Whitianga to care for people getting a mammogram from the top of the Coromandel Peninsula down the eastern side as far as Whangamata.

In the meantime, we’re grateful that Midland Health has recognised the greater need for mammograms in this community and increased the time here of their mobile unit.

Among our fundraisers coming up is the Family Picnic Day on April 14; Mercury Bay Lions Club’s next fundraiser – The French Cafe Bubbly Brunch (tickets on sale from April 1) and the Art Expo on King’s Birthday Weekend.

We invite you to join us by supporting these events and help us achieve our goal.

“Come and get your barbecue sausage at the market on Saturday for $3. Your donation will go a long way towards early breast cancer detection. That sausage will help save lives.”

The Lions Club run the sausage sizzle every Saturday morning at the Whiti Citi Markets, raising funds for the community.

Masonic lodge makes generous donation to mammogram project

The local Masonic Lodge (Whitianga 443) recently donated $8,000 to the Mammogram project project as part part of its’ wider Community program of coal support and fundraising.

The Lodge has been and continues to be committed to supporting Cancer Relief, plus several other programmes including the purchasing of 5 Defibrillators (Three Police Car based and two static in the community) and the promoting of healthy eating within schools by supplying Veggie Pods for the children to look after.

MANY COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Over the years, the local Lodge 443 has been involved in a number of projects that have assisted the local community in significant ways.

As well as the five defribulators, relief funding and distribution of “Veggie Pods’ to local schools, the Lodge has Assisted St John with the running of a golf tournament to raise funds for the building of St John Station in Cook drive. They ran a sausage sizzle during the golf tournament for 16 years.

In addition, their fundraising has assisted St John with funds for the purchase of a new ambulance.

The Lodge believes that the purchase of a Mammogram machine is badly needed on the Coromandel Peninsula This would save a six-hour round trip to Waikato Hospital and relieve pressure on an overloaded health.

Health club dream realised

AOne

excited person was Azzie McLean, who has been in a wheelchair most of his life.

“I can’t wait to have a look inside,” Azzie said. “Carley and Josh introduced me to a personal trainer, Laila, and that has made a great difference to my quality of life.”

Carly and Josh both have certificates in fitness training, but they aim to make the new Health Club far more than that. “At our old space in the Rugby Club, we hosted a few group workshops, inviting local life coaches and wellness

providers to advise on such topics as nutrition, balance and mindset. We have far more scope with our new premises and we plan to offer more of those workshops, because fitness is about a lot more than just the physical body,” Carley said.

As well as the main gym area with all the new fitness machines, the Infinite Health Club incorporates a group fitness room, spin studio with the exercise bikes, and a recovery room

Kevin Robinson and Barb Nippert (Steering Committee of Project Mammogram)

receive the $8,000 from Local Masonic Lodge Master , Bro. Steve Osborn (left) and Marg and Gary Kilmaster (right).

The gift is a combined effort of the Local Masonic Lodge and the district Grand Lodge.

equipped with saunas and an ice bath. In the future, they plan to be open 24/7.

A team of existing members volunteered to help on the day, answering questions from the many interested people who attended.

“The Open Day was fantastic,” Carley said.

“Many of our existing members came with us, and today we signed up a lot of new members. The memberships are selling fast.”

Josh and Carley cut the ribbon to declare Infinite Health Club open for business.

The Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust and member artists would like to thank our community and sponsors for their unwavering support of our Open Studios 2024.

Finally, after the obstacles of the past few years, it seems we have succeeded in rebuilding this special area of the Coromandel and welcoming visitors. The Art Escape Open Studios 2024 received 5800 art lovers, many who travelled the entire route from Tairua to Matarangi. The annual Mercury Bay Art Escape has recemented a solid foundation from which to entice

Art Escape ‘24 – a great event

art lovers into the Eastern Coromandel. The 40 artists were busy from 10am until 4pm on all 4 days of the event, and this was evident in the art lovers wanting to meet our artists which increased sales from the previous year.

An exciting addition and now a regular at Hot Waves Café, is the Artists in Residence during the 1st week of Art Escape. It is here our member artists share the making of their work with the public and inspire new artists to join as members. The support of Jed, Michelle and the staff at Hot Waves Café has been invaluable. What a stunning

venue for the Gala Opening night and our Showcase exhibition –which ends on 9 April.

The sharing of art and inspiration is a vital contribution to the sustainability of creativity and well-being in our community.

This year the Art Escape introduced the inaugural Mercury Area School/Art Escape student exhibition where year 11 to year 13 art students from Mercury Bay Area School exhibited their work

at Hot Waves Café. This student exhibition will now be a standard addition to the Art Escape experience – where young artists can learn the practicalities of curating, hanging and selling their work. Many thanks to Vaughan Grigsby from Stephenson’s Pharmacy who sponsored and printed the MBAS students’ artwork

MERCURY BAY ART ESCAPE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The art students’ Year 13 portfolio is the culmination of their hard and dedicated school years in the art class. For them to see their

work hanging in an exhibition is stepping over the threshold into the adult art arena. The MBAE Scholarship fund offers the top student an opportunity to spend time with an Art Escape mentor of their chosen medium, and to learn from them on a daily basis.

To become a member of the Art Escape, follow our Facebook page where we will be announcing when new submissions open.

„ Mercury Bay Art Escape would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for their invaluable contributions to the arts in the Mercury Bay area.

STAN’S STUFF

Classic cameras and antiques

BY STAN STEWART

She was my kind of gal! Well past 90 and her eyes sparkled with life.

In late 1945, as a young woman, she checked the distribution of NZ food aid in war-time Europe. She told me of a a huge hillock of New Zealand milk powder in a warehouse in Athens.

“The Greeks didn’t know what to do with it,” she told me. And there were many other stories.

Her house was like a fine art museum. I admired the paintings that lined her walls.

“They are all originals,” she said. She had few visitors. I was always welcome.

Later, I visited her in a retirement home hospital. A fall had changed her life. In her room she had three items from her splendid home – a chair, a small coffee table, a photo of her long-deceased husband and an A4 size painting – an original of course.

Sadly, once she could not move around, the end of her life came quickly. She had no children but no shortage of relatives.

At the funeral, her relatives were all elegantly dressed. To me the assembly looked rather like a gathering at the Ascot Races.

After the service, polite conversation reigned supreme. Her house was quickly sold. I wondered what happened to the wonderful art and period furniture? Her friends wonder the same thing.

The reason I have been thinking of her is because now it is my turn to get rid of prized possessions.

For years a passion of mine was video photography and video production. I would endlessly scrutinize catalogues.

When in the US where 24-hour0800 – sales-outlets were the norm, I would ring outlets through the night to obtain the best deal on video equipment.

In time we had a reasonable

collection of equipment. It used up a lot of money.

Because of their value, I studiously insured the most costly items – descriptions, serial numbers etc.

Our possessions are now between houses in Auckland. On a Saturday when we were out of Whitianga, a friend brought a van load of our stuff.

Horror of horrors, there in a plastic box was our video gear –our cameras. I had forgotten we still had them. At one stage they were my most treasured possessions. However, they are no longer useful to us or to anyone. But now, large as life, they sit beside my desk. It seems they are asking,

“What next?”

On January 9, 2007 on TV, I watched Steve Jobs introduce the iPhone. He said it would change the world. It looked like a gimmick to me. It could take photos – really? In 2009 he introduced a model that could take video. So what? My friend, a professional photographer told me, “The print definition will never match film!”

I met him a few months ago. All his cameras are now digital. When I asked about his superduper print cameras, he winced.

I know he has the same problem I have. I’m sure he has cupboards full of great gear which is now superseded that he can’t bear to part with – precision made equipment that is now useless.

Today in Whitianga, streams of the most beautiful cars ever made, rumble through our streets. Every one of them the result of numberless hours of loving work.

Cars, utes and vans from the 50’s and 60’s when Detroit was the capital of the auto world and the price of petrol was irrelevant and parking spaces were much larger.

I am envious. The owners have been able to restore these icons of our young life. They look like new. However, despite the fact their

vehicles are once again youthful, the restorers are not. Old Father Time takes no prisoners! All the restorers are on the aging projectile. Taking their bodies back decades is a tougher project than restoring cars.

That reminds me of my 90-plus girlfriend mentioned above. At first with her husband and then on her own, she had collected a house full of beautiful things.

But the time came when she had to say good-bye to her beautiful house and settle for one chair, a coffee table, a photo, and a small painting.

Maybe our cameras can go on display somewhere – historical artefacts? What I know for sure is that for us they are now memorabilia not contributors to life.

In the meantime, we have life to live. There are a few things that I ‘treasure’ now as much as I used to treasure our cameras.

In my 86th year, my sense is the best thing to cherish is people –old friends and new friends. I have met some people in Whitianga that I now truly cherish.

Where were they in all the other years of my life? I don’t know but I’m glad I have met them here and I cherish them and they make me smile.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE

The TCDC prepaid rubbish bin tag system is not fit for purpose.

Last Monday evening we put our bin out on Albert Street, Whitianga and walked to the Game Fishing Club.

However, on our way back, I observed that a barcode had been torn off a bin tag at the waterfront end of Monk Street. When we got home, I checked our bin, and our tag was completely missing, and an empty plastic water bottle had been added to our bin! I don’t know if the tag was stolen or if it was simply blown away with the wind after the bin had been opened. I had to replace the tag.

I then visited the TCDC in Monk Street to be advised that the Council does not replace damaged or missing bin tags but was assured that my concerns would be conveyed to the manager of solid waste.

On my way back home I stumbled across the ripped off barcode from the vandalised Monk Street bin not far from the Council Offices, and that bin had not been emptied. We now have two vandalised bin tags on a short walk!

I am sending the TCDC an invoice for $8 for my missing tag. This “system” is not fit for purpose.

The obvious elephant in the room is the ten-year contract the TCDC signed with Waste Management. How is Waste Management paid? By bin emptied or by week/ month/year? If people abandon the TCDC not fit for purpose “system” in favour of the bullet proof Coastal Bins or Smart Environmental services and revenue from the sale of TCDC bin tags tank, are ratepayers left holding the can and effectively paying twice

Ed Arron, Whitianga

HALOCYFOP SPRAY

After reading the article “ More water woes – destroyed habitats” in The Coromandel Informer

of Tuesday, 19 March with the statement that “as recently as Friday, 1 March DOC published a spray programme for the following three months to deal with sea paspalum and spartina in the Firth of Thames and Tairua Harbour using the herbicide Halocyfop. The label on the Haloxyfop container clearly states “not to be used in aquatic environments”.

DOC will put up notices of spraying activities to warn the public. However, not all people see every notice.” Alarm bells are ringing – loudly!!

Where did DOC publish this spray programme? We live at Ngarimu Bay on the Thames Coast and swim regularly at this Bay. We read the local newspapers. We have seen neither printed notification nor notices on the beach. Yesterday we walked at Te Puru –no sign of notices there either.

Why is DOC using this toxic spray against the makers instructions? Why is DOC using it at all?

It is far from best practice for the public to become aware of these plans only IF we read particular articles in a local newspaper.

We do our best to care for our environment; DOC has a duty of care to the public. We are angry, disappointed and very concerned and need a clear explanation.

Warren and Margaret Matthews

CLIMATE CHANGE AND MORE ABSURDITY

It’s absurd how Trevor Ammundsen blames the Greens – in Opposition and never having a Minister in Cabinet - for perceived faults with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a policy they have no control over. First, the EU and UK ETS schemes limit the use of forestry offsets, unlike unlimited offsetting in New Zealand. We are already more generous.

Second, no nation uses “hedgerow” offsetting contrary to Trevor’s claim. Third, his suggestion of measuring “all greenery” for carbon offsets is impractical non-

sense. Surely, Mr. Ammundsen, a champion of a “less bloated” civil service can imagine the bureaucratic nightmare of verifying every hedgerow and my patio pot plants for carbon capture!

Climate change brings increased disease and wildfires, so trees are not permanent.

National, Act and NZF have repeatedly affirmed the ETS as their primary tool for curbing

OPINION PIECE

emissions. National signed the Paris Climate Agreement and says it is committed to Net Zero by 2050. Silence on this from Trevor. Using overseas credits to meet targets that National has agreed to could cost NZ $23 billion. (Climate Commission) Prioritising domestic emission reductions will therefore save billions, not add to costs. Dodgy impractical “greenery” offsets are the climate

denier’s latest magic wand to “disappear” emission reduction actions.

Mr Luxon says climate science is “true” and has decried “climate denialism and minimalism”. Trevor’s suggestion that climate change is “a theory” and railing against “climate fanatics” has him offside with the PM. Awkward!

Maureen McGill Mercury Bay

What about if we have Oppose the Fast Track Bill, Threatening our Environment and Democracy

BY DENIS TEGG

Our paradise and communities under siege. This is the reality facing the stunning landscapes and cohesive communities of Thames Coromandel if the Fast Track Bill claws its way into law. This legislation, currently masquerading as progress, is a Trojan Horse threatening our local decision-making, environmental protections, and democratic processes.

Double Jeopardy for Our Environment and Local Decision-Making: The Bill delivers a ruthless one-two gut-punch to Coromandel’s future. First, a clause dismantles the 26-yearold law passed by a previous National government, (strongly supported by TCDC) safeguarding Coromandel conservation forest land and our precious harbours and estuaries from mining. Countless people from Coromandel fought to win this protection, and 40,000 marched up Queen Street, Auckland in 2010 to successfully retain it.

Second, another clause in the Bill trashes our local District Plan. Our Plan forged through decades of community campaigns and legal battles, prohib-

its mining in our towns, open spaces, and specially defined pristine coastal areas. History tells us our towns are unsafe – mining companies do target urban areas. Recall the Waihi mine and 1980s plans to tunnel under houses and for an opencast mine near Thames properties; a horrifying threat this Bill resurrects.

Fast Track to Disaster, Not Progress: The Bill evades both local and national democracy and due process. Just three government Ministers, wielding unchecked centralised power, can fast-track open-cast mines and toxic tailings dams – anywhere – including in or near our urban areas, or their water supply catchments. Voters weren’t warned of this pre-election. The Bill destroys the government’s claim in the ‘Three Waters’ debate that it supports “localism” and local decision-making.

Remember When We

Fought for This? These current protections are the hardwon legacy of locals in every Coromandel community who thwarted multinational mining giants in the 1980s and 1990s. This Bill shatters those hardfought victories.

False Equivalencies: Fast

Track vs. Covid Recovery

Law: Don’t be fooled by claims the Fast Track Bill is just a faster Covid recovery law. It’s a radical and extreme shift prioritising resource extraction over sustainability. Here, two Ministers alone can rubberstamp damaging projects with no independent challenge possible.

Time is Running Out: Make Your Voice Heard. Submissions to Parliament’s Select Committee close on April 19th. This is your chance to fight for Coromandel’s future. Use this article to get you started. Search

“Fast-track Approvals Bill New Zealand Parliament” on Google.

This isn’t just about Coromandel. It’s an alarming precedent for New Zealand. The Fast Track Bill sets a dangerous course, eroding nationwide local control and environmental safeguards. Please champion and protect your community, the environment, tourism – the lifeblood of our economy, and a future where progress doesn’t come at the cost of our heritage.

„ Denis was the originator of the law passed by the National government in 1998 that protected Coromandel’s conservation forest and coastline from mining.

PlaceMakers One Base Comp

A crowd of over 300 men and about 20 women gathered at Mercury Bay Bay Club in Whitianga for the prizegiving for PlaceMakers ONE Base annual fishing competition. 400 anglers in 80 boats had been out on the ocean from early hours Saturday. It was a roar of good nature and camaraderie as the prize winners received their generous prizes all made possible by PlaceMakers and their team of sponsors.

The awards for the best catches were followed

Iby a very large section of spot prizes. MC Warren Male of CFM did an intrepid job of auctioning some very high-end items such as stainless-steel BBQ’s and smokers.

The income from these auctions went to support the work of the Te Tiihi Nui Trust in Whitianga the special needs young adults who need to find a home, employment and a sustainable life in their community. The Trust had presented a Go Kart for raffling over the weekend.

This event involved anglers from young boys to the other end of the spectrum with the Gold Card Plus One team who also won the best dressed team prize.

Well done PlaceMakers!

MAJOR SPONSORS –A BIG THANK YOU!

Fletcher Steel, Tasman Insulation, Red Stag Timber, Laminex NZ, Dricon, Puke Pine Sawmills, Carter Holt Harvey, United Steel, James Hardie, Rosenfield Kidson, Shimano, GIB, Fletcher Re-inforcing

Doris Day and more Fishing Comps at Matarangi

t was a weak moment that Sharon Clay agreed to be the lead of the Events Committee at the Matarangi Boating and Fishing Club which meant organising the Doris Day Fishing Competition. But she doesn’t regret it at all.

“We have lived in Matarangi for seven years but came here for holidays for forty years. My husband was already down here and I was the weekend wife. That needed to change.” Sharon’s husband was already a committee member of the local fishing club.

The Doris Day Fishing Competition was very successful and everyone got out to fish despite the wind.

“It was great to see the ladies out on the water,” says Sharon. “We were a little down on numbers from last year due to Kubota in Whitianga and other comps around the country, but ‘Doris

Richardson

Day’ will be looking at better dates for next year.“

Sharon shared that they could see that the fishing competitions needed an upgrade, so with Sue Sinclair and Murray Taylor, two

other locals, they focussed on all the competitions, improving them where they could. “Three is a great size for a committee,” smiles Sharon.

Six Matarangi competitions:

There are six fishing competitions on the annual programme of the Matarangi Boating and Fishing Club

• Doris Day (a little over a week ago).

• King’s Birthday Weekend – this is for anglers who are members only but it does not cost much to be a member of the club. To join the club you can register online. It’s very economical and there’s a family membership.

• A new one, Saturday 29 June – Matariki Tournament, a surf casting and kontiki competition.

• Labour Weekend 26-28 October

• Small Frys on the wharf in December which is a just a fantastic good time for children and their families.

• The Ladies Champion Angler Trophy runs over the year so get out there ladies and fish, fish, fish!!!

MESSAGE FOR THE SPONSORS:

“Thank you once again. They have been truly a Godsend and their products are the best. Our committee is currently looking for sponsors.

“We understand in the economic climate that it’s tough for people to help but we promote our sponsors on the day of the competitions and we will be loading a new page on our website showing all our sponsors over the past few competitions and you can link back to the company website. Use their services and products wherever you can.

“We really appreciate all our sponsors.”

„ Enquiries: mbfcevents@gmail.com „ mbfcevents@gmail.com „ www.mbfc.co.nz

Wilda Schimmelpfennig, Marie Richardson, Angelique Schimmelpfennig, Denise Scheurich and Laura

James Scott won the biggest kingfish, 19.2kg; Dave Balfour, a winning angler; Jesse Avis, above left, won the biggest fish of the tournament, 190kg marlin, Connor Hinton and Tait Stanaway, of Resolute; Ron Morgan accepts the prize for his team, Gold Card Plus One – the best dressed team (from left Puggy, Nurse Lucy, Rusty, Blink and Ron). The Floral Chiefs were runners-up for the best dressed. Young fisherman Lawson, Rohan, Mathis and Reuben.

Easter Services

Easter Services

HE IS RISEN

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Everyone welcome for the Easter programme Sunday 10 am – 12 noon

@ 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga (Community Service Bldg)

HE IS RISEN

CHURCH

Sundays 10am

ALL WELCOME

New location:

22 Coghill St – Whitianga www.c3whitianga.co.nz

Anglican Worship

Every Sunday at 9am

24 March Palm Sunday Service 9am

29 March Good Friday Service 9am

31 March Easter Sunday Service 9am

There

Enquiries - 021 113 0566

Good Friday Service 10am

112 Cook Drive • Phone 373 0000 whitibaptist@gmail.com

All welcome

WHITIANGA SDA FELLOWSHIP

Contact: Laurie Bowden 021 665 958

Gods Power Chiabuotu

021 0855 2242

Community Representative

Pr Axel 021 327 003

ALL WELCOME

Enquiries phone 021 781 081 www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.org.nz

St

Whitianga

82 Albert St (opp. ‘Z’)

EASTER WORSHIP TIMES:

GOOD FRIDAY 29th March

Contemplative Service 9.30am

Led By Dorothy Preece

SUNDAY 31st March, 9.30 am

Easter Communion Service

Led by Rev. Shirley Barker-Kirby

Come, join us! Bring the family! www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

Sat 10am – Whitianga Social Services, Cook Drive

An Easter Invitation

e Combined Churches

Commi ee invites you to an informal gathering:

Easter Prayers on the Beach on Easter Sunday morning.

What is so important about Easter to Christians?

BY REV GILLIAN REID

It’s the time to remember and celebrate the remarkable influence of the Christian Faith upon our personal, social and national values.

Even people who do not claim any particular association with the Christian faith see the value in, and desirability of, all the teachings and examples given as part of living a Christian life. A desire for peace, active caring for others, seeking justice for those who are living with injustice, constantly hoping for a better world both socially and environmentally, sharing love with family, friends, and those who feel lost or have little love in their lives.

For Christians, these are all bound up in the life and ministry example of one man. Jesus Christ, whose ministry on earth

lasted only three years, but whose influence has spread throughout our world and is still seen as important over two thousand years after his death. For Christians Jesus is more than just a good man doing and saying good things which are worth applying in one’s own life. For Christians he is demonstrably the son of God. He went willingly to a death he could have avoided, knowing his death would bring forgiveness of human sin in any who believed in him, and knowing that God would raise him from that death.

In a twenty-first Century world with almost universal costs of living crises, incredible aggression, and conflict at both local and international levels, plus finally an acknowledgement that the world is on the brink of climate change

catastrophe, Christians gather their courage to contribute something of themselves towards better outcomes for all these challenges. We do that, because we carry not only the confidence and faith that after the darkness of his death, Jesus showed by his resurrection, that hope is still alive. We also believe that successfully facing all the challenges in front of us is possible because we have Jesus walking beside us. Because he lives, love and hope live, and Easter is our time to remember and celebrate that.

„ Gillian is the Minister or Vicar of St Peter the Fisherman Anglican Church in Dundas Street, Whitianga.

7.30am opp. Mill Rd Whitianga

Jesus is Risen!

Come, give thanks and pray with us.

Contact: Damon 027 3551 650

Our

of climate change, and supporting and growing communities to become more resilient.

To achieve this, we’re proposing an average district-wide rates increase of 12.9% for the 2024/25 financial year.

• You can check your proposed rates for 2024/25 on our website at tcdc.govt.nz/rid

Some issues we're asking you about:

• How to manage the rates increase to lessen the impact on our ratepayers – should we pay for increases straightaway, or spread them over two or three years?

• Options for future planning, so that our towns can grow and develop in a way that builds resilience.

• Investing in community development so it’s firmly embedded into our business.

Our Consultation Document is your guide to our LTP proposals. Please read it before you provide your feedback. It’s on our website or ask for a copy at our service centres.

How can you give your feedback?

• Online: tcdc.govt.nz/LTP-2024-2034

• Email consultation@tcdc.govt.nz with ‘LTP feedback’ in the subject line.

• Pick up a feedback form at a Council service centre and post it (address below) or drop it off in person.

• If you wish to speak to Council about your submission make sure you indicate this in your feedback.

• Invite us to talk to your ratepayer or community group –contact us on 07 868 0200, email customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz or pop into one of our offices to have a chat.

• Speak to your elected members: tcdc.govt.nz/ourcouncil

Mercury Bay Community Board UPDATE

A word from our Board Chair

Krissy Robinson

“Over the past months, members of the Board have been actively engaged in attending community meetings throughout the Mercury Bay area, including Ratepayers Association meeting in Kūaotunu, Hot Water Beach, Ōpito Bay and Matarangi. If there are other meetings in your area that you would like us to attend, please get in touch. Your input, ideas and engagement in our communities are invaluable as we work towards a brighter future for all.” krissy.robinson@council.tcdc.govt.nz

Buffalo Beach erosion remedial works –

The resource consent needed to renew the existing seawall and add a 30m extension at the site just north of Halligan Rd (pictured below) is underway. If the application (to both TCDC and Waikato Regional Council) is successful, we expect construction to begin in a few months or so depending on the completion of the seawall design and contractor availability.

Whitianga Esplanade redevelopment project –Funding has been included in the draft Long Term Plan for the years 2027-2030 for work to improve the waterfront area, allow for growth in the activities taking place there and alleviate current health and safety issues. An advisory group of elected members, iwi representatives and community members was formed in late December 2023 and consultation with waterfront users is expected in late March.

Taputapuatea Spit – The future management of the spit is under review and all works except minor maintenance such as weed control and mowing of pathways is on hold. Contrary to a recent media report, our Council is not clearing out all vegetation except Pohutukawa trees. It is our intention to work with Ngāti Hei on removing nonnative species from this hugely significant cultural site.

WHAT'S ON

If you have an activity or group or the existing information is incorrect, let The Informer know. Call 866 2090, email info@theinformer.co.nz or send a message on Facebook.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES/EVENTS

OP SHOPS

Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every MondaySaturday from 10.00am-2.00pm.

St John Opportunity Shop – 29 Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-4.00pm and Saturday 9.30am-2.00pm.

St Andrew’s Church Op-shop – Owen Street, Whitianga. 9.30am-1pm Wednesday-Saturday. Social Services Op-shop – 15 Coghill Street (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open MondaySaturday 9.30am-2.00pm. Donations welcome and can be dropped off at this address.

SPCA Op-shop – 2/Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open Monday-Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm and Sunday 9.00am-4.00pm.

MONTHLY

AA Driver Licensing

Friday 12 April, Monday 22 April. In the Mercury Bay Service Centre Community Board Room in Monk Street (behind the council offices).

Cooks Beach Garden Circle

Last Thursday of every month 11.15am-2.30pm. New members are welcome. Phone Anne on 07 866 0268 for more information.

Kūaotunu Dune Care

Every third Wednesday of the month. Protecting the dunes by removing weeds and rubbish and planting native dune plants. To get involved, please email kuaotunudunecare@gmail.com to get on the emailing list.

FORTNIGHTLY

Knit for a Purpose

The first and third Fridays of the month, 10.00am to 12.00pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. Gillian Reid on 021 781081 for further details, or just turn up.

Mercury Bay Creative Fibre

Spin, knit, weave, crochet. First and third Wednesday every month, 10.00am-1.00pm, supper room of Town Hall. Phone. Vanessa 027 896 5037 Email. – vandoo555@gmail.com.

Whitianga Tramping Group

Every second Sunday at 8.30am. Phone Wally on 021 907 782 or Lesley on 021 157 9979 for more information.

WEEKLY OR MORE

Alcoholics Anonymous

The Whitianga Big Book Group meets every Thursday at 6.30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Church, Dundas Street. Phone 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) for more information.

Al-Anon Serenity Group

For those affected by someone else’s drinking.

Every Wednesday at 1.30pm. Phone Pauline on 021 086 10955 for more info.

Chess Club

Monday nights 6.30-9.30pm. Bowling club. Players of all levels welcome. Come along and enjoy a game or two of chess. Cost $2 to go towards room costs and supper. Contact Brett Soanes 0272117195 or brettsoanes16@hotmail.com

Chinwag Café

Every Friday from 10.00am-12.00pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. A place for over 50s to meet other people, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and have a chinwag.

Coffee and Discussion Group

Every Sunday, 2.00pm-4.00pm, at The Lost Spring. Topics are open and respect shown. No charge. Convener. Peter H. Wood.

Cooks Beach Care Group

Haere mai! We invite you to join our friendly team and learn about coastal conservation. Come weeding and planting while enjoying our beautiful environment. Thursday mornings. Register www. cooksbeachcare.org.nz

Coroglen Farmer's Market

Every Sunday 9.00am – 1.00pm. Coroglen

Gumtown Hall.

DANCING

Argentine Tango Dance Class

Fridays, Town Hall, Whitianga, 5.30-7.30pm. No prior experience or partner necessary. Text Sergio for questions 027 410 2454

Mercury Bay Dance Club

Recreational dance lessons. Thursday 6.00pm7.00pm. Please book with Kathleen 022 154 1702 and/or check out the Facebook page. facebook. com/mercurybaydanceclub/.

LINE DANCING – Mercury Bay Line Dancing Club

Tuesdays, beginners 11.15am-12.15pm; seniors 12.30-2.30pm; Thursdays, absolute beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, improvers 12.45-2.45pm.

Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Phone Margaret 027 463 8850 or Glynis 021 1099 155.

Whitianga Line Dancing Club Classes

Town Hall, Monk Street, $5 per session.

Intermediate classes Wednesday,12.00pm-1.30pm; Beginner / Improver classes Monday 10.30am –11.45am. Contact Cecily 027 294 1750 or Kathy 027 4321 353

Belly Dancing

Contact Catherine Corcoran, 021 210 2438 or smile@catherinecorcoran.com.

Weekend classes twice a month at 4pm.

SALSA/Merengue/Bachata and Cha Cha

Contact Molly, events@beatfairy.com

Every Monday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Monkey House. $20 per class which includes a drink.

Zumba

Contact Carly, book at www.infinitefitness.nz

Wednesdays at 5.30pm at gym for Zumba and Step Zumba on Mondays at 4.45pm, 86a Albert St. Free 7 day trial.

Cooks Beach Indoor Bowling club

Every Wednesday 1.45-4.30pm approx, Cooks Beach Hall. One month free trial (4 times). Contact Coral Strong 021 2303 944.

Dog walking group

Every Thursday at 2.00pm, Lovers Rock, Robinson Road. All breeds and sizes welcome to a very sociable group where great friendships are made. Phone Jenny on 021 186 5797.

Living Well Within Oneness Meditation Centre

OM Centre focuses on the meditative art of going deeper within. Learn how to meditate, breath, calm the mind, relieve stress, anxiety and be a calm, peaceful, courageous, dynamic human being. Every Monday, 9.30-11.00am. Further info. text Linda 027 650 4881or email linda_c@orcon.net.nz

Meditation Stress Reduction Circle –

Whitianga

Mondays from 7.30-9.00pm at the Embassy of Friendship, 5 Coghill St. More info. Steffen Lindner (Counsellor, Therapist & Mindfulness Facilitator). Ph 022 0853 121 or email steffen@eof.nz

Thursday Evening Meditation Classes

Spiritual, Heart, Soul Development. Sacred Energy, Chakra Activations, Working with Spiritual Guides, Open forum conversation, Thursdays, 6.30pm at Flat 1, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga. Cost is $10. Contact Verna 027 320 0079, vernajcarr@gmail.com.

Mercury Bay Athletics

For information contact alana.baker@ bayleyscoromandel.co.nz.

Mercury Bay Badminton Club

Thursdays 5.00pm-7.00pm, 4 courts – All levels welcome with coaching available. At the school gym (adjacent to swimming pool). Mercury Bay Area School. Contact: Steve 027 211 3568

Mercury Bay Badminton

Every Wednesday from 9.00am-11.00am, at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Social badminton. Casual players and visitors are welcome. Players of all levels, ages 16+. Phone Carol on 027 474 7493 for more information.

Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club Cook Drive, Whitianga. Contact Steve Williams 027 855 2772.

Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club

Every Thursday evening, Whitianga Town Hall, 6.45pm. New members and visitors welcome. Phone Cheryl or Alan on 027 452 7887 for more information.

Mercury Bay Community Choir

Mondays 6.15-8.15pm, Music Room Mercury Bay Area School. Inclusive, open, friendly choir – no prior singing experience needed, no auditions.

Contact Kate 027 2709 058 for details.

Mercury Bay Environmental Trust

Every Tuesday and Friday from 9.00am-11.00am, location advised prior. For more information, please email mbenvironmentaltrust@gmail.com or go to www.mbet.co.nz.

Mercury Bay Pickleball Club

Every Tuesday 5.30pm-7.30pm and every Sunday 4.00pm- 6.00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School gymnasium, Whitianga. Outdoor sessions every Thursday 4.30pm-6.30pm, Matai Place courts, Matarangi. $5 per session, includes equipment and training. Contact Tony Minto on 021 426 150.

Mercury Bay Quilters

From 10.00am-4.00pm on the first and third Mondays and second and fourth Saturdays of each month. 2 Cook Drive (Social Services building).

Contact Margaret on 021 140 4016.

Mercury Bay Table Tennis

Every Tuesday, 9.00am-11.30am at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on 07 869 5162 or 027 565 5575 for more information.

Mercury Bay Tennis Club

Social tennis at Lyon Park is on from 6.00pm on Thursdays. All welcome. Ph. Jason – 022 186 7992 or Steve – 021 256 6865.

Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club)

Fourth Monday of every month, 10.00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Joan on 07 866 3801 or 027 275 1372 for more information.

SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated

Learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Sheryll Carruthers on 021 022 62504 or email seniornet.whitianga.admin@gmail.com.

Spiritual Coffee Mornings

Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.30am-11.30am, 19 Monk Street, the Starlight Centre. Grab a coffee and join in some great conversation where we talk about topics and subjects that have meaning. Gold coin donation. Contact Verna 027 320 0079.

Strength, Balance and Mobility classes for Seniors – men and women

Every Thursday morning from 10.00am to 11.00am at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. $2.00 per session. Contact Lisa Jury on 027 351 7110 for further information.

Tai Chi for beginners

Town Hall, Mondays 6.00pm-7.00pm. Gold coin donation. Ph. Tony 027 333 5146 for more info.

Tai Do Martial Arts

Town Hall, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6.00pm7.30pm. Ph. Tony 027 333 5146 for more info.

Whitianga Art Group

Every Thursday and Friday 10am-4pm, 23 School Road. Visitors and new members welcome. Phone Margaret on 027 635 1615 for more information.

Whitianga Bike Park

144 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Open 24/7. Many bike tracks available, picnic areas, barbeques and walking trails. Donations welcome on entry. If you wish to volunteer or for programme enquiries, contact John 027 366 4606.

Whitianga Menz Shed

Open every Tuesday and Thursday, 9.00am – 12.00 noon. At the Moewai Park end of South Highway, past the diesel truck stop. All welcome.

Whitianga Playcentre

Every Tuesday and Friday 9.00am-12.00pm,1F White Street. Contact. whitianga@playcentre.org.nz or 027 880 3947.

Whitianga Senior Citizens Club – Indoor bowls and card games

Mondays at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk St, from 1pm-4pm. Join us for a fun time and afternoon tea, 55+ age group. Phone Lionel Lawrence (president) on 027 274 6964 for more info.

Whiti Stitchers

Embroiderers meet every Tuesday at 9.00am start. For more information phone Margaret on 027 7802 744. All levels welcome.

Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss

Whitianga

Wednesdays 5.00-6.00pm, Room 10, Whitianga

Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals, eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely. Check out our Facebook page or phone Cecily on 027 294 1750 for more information.

Whitianga Gun Club

For information, phone Mike Deverell 0274 959 477 or Graham Sutcliffe on 021 846 655.

Whitianga Community Patrol

Monitors the township and neighbourhood. If interested in volunteering, ph Gary 027 391 3043.

Hahei Contract Bridge Club

Every Tuesday 12.30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Learners and casual welcome. Contact Don Barry 021 741 959 or Robyn Hogg 021543015.

Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club

Every Wednesday at 1.00pm and every Thursday at 7.00pm at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. For more information, phone Gavin on 07 866 2343 or 021 146 9203.

Tairua Contract Bridge Club

Every Monday at 12.30pm at the Tairua Bowling Club, 44 Hornsea Rd. Contact Lynnette Flowers 021 252 4709 or Johanna Bonnar 027 466 3726.

Mercury Bay Squash Club

Usually on a Monday night. In recess at present. Several levels offered.

Mercury Bay Model Railway Club

Monthly meet. Contact. Damon 0273551650

Greeting Card Making

The second and fourth Fridays of the month, 10.00am to 12.00pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. All materials provided. Contact Rev. Gillian Reid on 021 781 081 or just turn up.

Craft Group

Meets first Saturday of the month 10.00am-3.00pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Car park end. Work on your own craft (stitching, colouring in, scrapbook, card making anything goes). Bring your lunch and enjoy mixing with other crafty people. $2 per visit. Any queries phone Marilyn 021 1806 530 or Kim 021 1200 469.

American Muscle Street and Custom Club

Whitianga

Club meetings first Sunday of the month, 11.00am at Smitty’s for cars and coffee. Phone Reg and Julie Smith on 027 493 5822.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Scramble – Stableford

Friday, 22 March

1, Wayne Kettle 27; 2, Ron Watson 24; 3, Adele Conway 23.

Nearest Pin#6: Wayne Kettle, Nearest Pin#4: Jeff Dixon.

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

Saturday, 23 March

1, Wayne Kettle 44; 2, Dan Ray; 3, Ken George 42.

Twos: Mark Boe (2), Kev Smith, Wayne Kearney, Dan Ray, Ron Watson.

Div 1: Gross: Mark Boe 77;Nearest Pin: Greg Peterken; Longest Drive: Mark Boe.

Div 2: Gross: Wayne Kettle 84; Nearest Pin: Richard Hanna; Longest Drive: Richard Hanna.

THE DUNES MATARANGI GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Men – Stableford

Monday, 18 March.

1, Peter Mathias 25; 2, Graham Kemp 20; 3, David Macdonald 19.

Twos: Rey Bertling

East V West (Ryder Cup Format)

Stableford - Wednesday 20

March

1, Ed Gardien (Mercury Bay) 42; 2, Dominik Szparagowski (Mercury Bay) 37; 3, Robin Fleming (The Dunes) 37; 4, Jack Coldicut (Mercury Bay); 5, Chris Palmer (The Dunes) 36; 6, Doug Smith, (The Dunes) 36; 7, William Jones (Mercury Bay) 35; 8, Geoff Atmore (The Dunes) 34; 9, Gary Bancroft (The Dunes) 34; 10, Greg Peterkin (Mercury Bay) 34.

Twos: Glenn LeLievre (The Dunes); 5, Greg Peterken (Mercury Bay); 7, Chris Palmer (The Dunes).

Nearest the Pin: Peter Sharp (The Dunes).

Nine-hole Men – Stableford -

Thursday 21 March

1, Phil Rodgers 21; 2, Rey Bertling 20; 3, Ray Green 17.

Ladies 18 Hole Shootout

Quali�ier – Stableford -

Thursday 21 March

1, Beverley LeLievre 39; 2, Karen Bodle 39; 3, Chrissie Smith 34.

Haggle - Stableford - Saturday 23 March

1, Brenda Riggs 40; 2, Raymond Fanning 39; 3, Paul Melloy 38.

Nearest the Pin: Rowan Toms 18.

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Nine-hole Stableford plus hidden holes

Tuesday, 19 March

1, Mark Bell; 2, Kevin Milroy; 3 = Steve Borlase, John Hughes, Wayne Morrison.

Hidden Holes: Steve Borlase

Nine-hole Stableford plus Fairways

Thursday, 21 March

1, John Hughes; 2, Steve Borlase; 3, Neil Gollan.

Fairways: 1, John Hughes.

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Monday, 18 March Round Three

March Pairs

North/South: 1, Sonia Botica and Peter Clark 56.67; 2, Peter McNeil and Tony White 55.83; 3, Gillian Martin and Johanna Bonnar 53.75.

East/West: 1, Celia Young and Nolene Kirkpatrick 60; 2, Jocelyn Taylor and Chris Death 59.17; 3, Doreen Wernham and Jo Feasey 52.92.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT

BRIDGE CLUB

March Competition Round Three

Wednesday, 20 March

North/South: 1, Giorgio Allemano & Geoff Jervis 58.3; 2, Bob Schibli & Jenny Layton 52.1; 3, Kate Palmano and Gavin Hedwig 51.6

East/West: 1, Susan Swan and Pat Doube 73.1; 2, Johanna Bonnar and Norma Hart 58.8; 3, Dave Dylla and Anne Knowles 50.6.

Cook Pairs Round Three -

Thursday, 21 March

North/South: 1, Geoff Jervis and Ischelle Stevenson 64.2; 2, Augusta Canegallo and Kate Palmano 56.7; 3, Angela Cook and Rose Tegg 51.7.

East/West: 1, Pam Churchill and Paul Bradley 65.0; 2, Natasha La Trobe and Gavin Hedwig 60.0; 3, Debbie Cragg and Jenny Layton 54.2.

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

23 players this week, so doubles 501 were played with one player as a 1 man team. Once again we had some visitors from out of town playing, which is good to see.

Two teams went through all four sets undefeated so a one game shootout was required. Stoney and Debbie Holmes played John Walton (a visitor from Wellington) and Chris Bennett. Stoney & Debbie Holmes were the winners on the night.

Highest finishes were for the men, 68 scored by Stoney and the women’s score was 54, scored by Chris Bennett. No 180’s scored this week.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday, 20 March

Best of three frames: Nine players on Wednesday and it was Peter Challis and Ian Baumgren with two straight wins to meet in the final third frame. A very even close match this was with past Club Champion Peter snatching victory. With two wins were Ian Baumgren (runner up), Kevin Taylor and Wayne Malcolm. Luke Trainer had the highest break with 23.

Saturday, 23 March

Best of three frames: 11 players on Saturday and it was Wayne Malcolm, Ian Baumgren and Bob Haase with two straight wins each to challenge the finals. Bob won the drawn bye and Ian took the win over Wayne in the semifinal to move into the final against Bob. It was 2022 Club Champion Bob on form on Saturday and had a comfortable win against Ian. Runner up, Ian Baumgren and also with two wins were Wayne Malcolm, Wayne Bellingham, Jason Smith and Doug Pascoe. Ian Baumgren had the highest break with 25.

MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

Thursday 21 March

Winners: Keith Denney, Lionel Lawrence and Jenny Goodwin.

Runners-up: Alan Henderson, Lee Pudney and Joy McGregor

Good Sports: Ian Pudney, Merle Ward, Sue Webb and Judy Adams.

EQUESTRIAN NEWS

On a pony her Mum bred and then Alison broke in herself, she took out first place in the Chris Fougere Orthopaedics 80cm Accumulator. The class was super competitive with

7 riders getting the maximum 44 points.

„ 1st Alison Brunton, Mercury Bay, 44 points, 41.83

„ 2nd Milly Booth, ACG Strathallan, 44 points, 42.08

„ 3rd Olivia Edmeades, Matamata College, 44 points, 46.1

„ 4th Libby Warner, Sacred Heart Girls College, 44 points, 46.62

Junior Fishing Tournament

Sponsored by Hunting and Fishing Sunday, 13 April – Sunday, 27 April

This year’s tournament convener Tony Croft has done an outstanding job putting together the event for 2024 sponsored by Hunting & Fishing. $10,000 worth of spot and gate prizes, $30,000 total prize pool. This is the tournament that recognizes and encourages the next gen-

eration of fishers who are the future of our club. It also coincides with the Junior Nationals so please encourage and support this tournament with your kids, family and friends.

• Entries are open at $40 so entry early. Go to Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.

A must see movie at MB Cinemas

BY SANDY PARKER

I went to see the film, ‘Cabrini’ and then went to see it again and brought friends with me. I loved it just as much the second time and there were things I had missed. This is a very powerful true story of one woman against a seemingly impossible system of male hierarchy and a church, slow to act and care. There are tough elements to this story but it is very inspiring and heart warming. It gives hope for us all. The movie is not so long – 145 minutes but every minutes grabs your deepest

feelings. It is set in New York in the late 1880’s. Go and see it. We have a very good quality movie complex here in Mercury Bay – two cinemas, luxury seats, a great snacks and popcorn service with excellent hosts in Matt and Annemarie McDougall. Cabrini will be showing over Easter.

Other good movies over Easter: For families:

• GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE. The Spengler family returns to where it all started – New York City firehouse – to team up.

• KUNG FU PANDA 4. After

three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior is called upon by destiny.

• GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE. The epic battle continues!

• DUNE: PART TWO Explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge

• THE GREAT ESCAPER

Bernard Jordan escapes from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.

Local MBAS student, Alison Brunton – first place winner!

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Issue 1098

Crossword Puzzle

© Lovatts Puzzles 355

Issue 1098

Proudly sponsored by Proudly sponsored by

Name: ....................................................................................................

Phone no: .............................................................................................

Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver, mail, scan/ photograph or email your entry to The Coromandel Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 12:00pm on Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from the New World checkout manager directly.

Word Search

Grid 29

Name:

Phone no:

Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Café in Whitianga. Hand deliver, mail, scan/photograph or email your entry to The Coromandel Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 12:00pm on Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from Espy Café directly.

Word Search Instructions

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally.

Theme: PRETTY FLOWERS

AZALEA

CARNATION

DAFFODIL

DAHLIA

DAISY

FORGET-MENOT

FREESIA

GARDENIA

GERBERA

JONQUIL

LILAC

MAGNOLIA

ORCHID

PANSY

PETUNIA

PROTEA

ROSE

SNAPDRAGON

SWEET PEA

TULIP

VIOLET

ACROSS

1.

5.

7.

8.

9.

12.

15.

19. Extreme (6)

21. Brought upon oneself (8)

22. Starched neck frill (4)

23. Solitary (4)

24. Tennis court marking (8)

DOWN

1. Haitian witchcraft (6)

2. Turn aside (5)

3. Articles (5)

4. Pinned (down) (6)

5. Sloping (typeface) (6)

6. Guarantee (6)

10. Pimples (4)

11. Rams’ mates (4)

12. Tip of grain (3)

13. Component (4)

14. Car (4)

15. Refusal (6)

16. Military greeting (6)

17. Wields (6)

18. Repress (6)

19. Unzipped (5)

20. Ethical (5)

Last week’s winner – Barry Roach

Whenuakite School

SUPERSTAR CLEANER

Whenuakite School is looking for a superstar cleaner to join our friendly and supportive team. This is a term-time only position, working 20 hours per week from 3.00-7.00pm Monday to Friday.

The successful candidate will have an eye for detail and a strong work ethic.

Cleaning includes:

• Vacuuming of carpeted floors

• Wet mop vinyl floors

• Dusting workspaces, benches, etc

• Other tasks as required

If you would like to find out more about this position please email: principal@whenuakite.school.nz

Applications for this position close at 3.00pm on Friday 5 April, 2024.

Make the move to Whitianga and join us at The AutoBarn. The AutoBarn has been owned and operated by Bryan and Louana Skelton for 25 years. We’re an awardwinning workshop that is proud to be affiliated with Auto Super Shoppes NZ, Isuzu Utes NZ, Motor Trade Association and Automobile Association NZ, all of which are associated with automotive excellence.

We are currently looking for an experienced Automotive Technician to join our team.

To succeed in this role you’ll need to have the following skills, qualifications and attributes;

- AVI (WOF Licence)

- A New Zealand National Certificate in Automotive Engineering

- A minimum of 5 years workshop experience post-qualifying - A full, clean NZ Drivers Licence

- Knowledge and competence with Scantool diagnostics

In return you will enjoy;

- A generous remuneration package (between $40 - $45 per hour) depending on skills

- Working in a modern, clean and wellequipped workshop

- High standard of customer service - Good communication and time management skills

- High level of personal presentation - A team player attitude - High standard of work with attention to detail - NZ residency

- Ongoing training and support - A fun work environment

- Flexibility around hours/family - Staff benefits

If you think you have what it takes and can tick all the boxes above, then please apply by either phoning or emailing Louana Skelton

15 Campbell Street, Whitianga, 3510

P | 07 866 2245 M | Louana 0274 736 242 E | admin@theautobarn.nz

STORAGE SHEDS

Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660 belongings.

Easter Weekend Saturday 30th March

SPORTS

Circulation: 9000

The Mercury Bay Tennis club Men’s doubles winners, Carl Gubb and Andy Park.

Women’s Doubles Final: Trish Graves and Zoe Schofield, right, beat Maggie Johnson and Jackie King 9-1.

The Mercury Bay Tennis Club Women’s Singles Final – Zoe Schofield, right, beat Pip Calder 9-2

Andy Park defeated Carlos Simpson 9-6 in the men’s singles.

Jason McLoughlin, right, defeated Carl Gubb in the men’s singles.

SOME OF OUR LEGAL SERVICES INCLUDE:

PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL - FAMILY COMMON LAW - PERSONAL - FINANCING TRUSTS - ASSET PROTECTION - NOTARY PUBLIC

Inspiration

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Long tradition of trusted performance and reliability

• Quality of service and practical advice

• Promptness and efficiency

• Reasonable fees and regular reporting

14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510

www.renniecox.co.nz

whitianga@renniecox.co.nz

0800RENNIECOX

•GeneralBoatBuilding

•GeneralBoatPainting

•Fibreglass&Wooden Boat Repairs

•Antifoul/Propspeed

•Cleaning/Polishing

•Trailer Boats Repairs

• Rigging Maintenance

• Boat Refits

•Chandlery Our Services

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