The Informer - 2nd April 2024

Tuesday, 2 April to Wednesday, 10 April. Jupiter remains the brightest planet this week but now sits very low in the western dusk sky. It will soon move to be behind the Sun and then reappear in the dawn in May. However, the International Space Station (ISS) can help us locate three morning planets on Thursday, 4 April and Friday 5 April, and we can watch the dance of Mars and Saturn during the week. Both sit above brilliant Venus which is however very low on the eastern dawn horizon. Total eclipse: Travellers to North America will have the spectacle of a total solar eclipse on Monday, 8 April but unfortunately this will not be visible in New Zealand. We will have to wait until 2028 to see an eclipse here while the Americans will have to wait until 2045 for their next chance if they miss this one!

Tuesday, 2 April: There is a low ISS pass from 7:05am starting very low in the south below the Southern Cross. Wednesday, 3 April: There is a Tiangong pass from 8:02pm in the west passing above the Southern Cross.Thursday, 4 April: There is a long bright ISS pass from 7:05am starting in the south below the Southern Cross and then passing between Venus and Saturn with Mars visible just above Saturn. Friday, 5 April: The crescent Moon is in the predawn sky with faint Mars about halfway to the horizon with Saturn just below it and bright Venus almost on the horizon. The ISS will be visible from 6:17am below the Southern Cross and passing between Venus and Saturn again. Saturday, 6 April: A thin crescent

Low

Fred Again does it again and again

BY LILY JOHNSTON

It was quite the talk of the town and ‘the town’ in this case was all of New Zealand. Fred Again came to Coroglen Tavern for a four hour concert at two days notice.

Speculation had been brewing for weeks across social media that the London based DJ and Producer, Fred Gibson, known

to New Zealand. A simple post of Lord of the Ring’s Gandalf to his Instagram story was enough to send anyone under 30 into a frenzy.

It's difficult to understand all of the excitement surrounding the artist, part of his allure is that you never know when or where Fred Again will appear.

Last-minute "secret" performances and arena-sized shows revealed just days before execution on his social media, create a challenge alone to just see this

This was exactly what happened when he posted an Instagram story on Friday 22 March.

Whilst thanking everyone that had come to see him in Wellington, he informed followers that he was off on a road trip up north.

"It is the road towards...the Coroglen Tavern!" posted Fred.

Instead of the normal cost of a Fred Again ticket at a city venue of over $100, the ‘Coroglen’ tickets were posted at $25. Fred understood the ‘local’ and small country region economy. Word quickly spread and the ticket link posted only 3

hours later sold out in mere minutes

This sensational sellout of an international artist at the ‘local’ Coroglen Tavern was bound to get people wondering who and what could create such a chatter.

It seemed everyone was talking about it…. Every young adult who listens to current music knows about Fred Again. Most just love the guy.

The Tavern was packed; security was tight. The Informer’s camera was asked not to take photos except on a phone. The

energy was absolutely electric. Fred had invited a local DJ to participate with him and Messie from Wellington was the very lucky local DJ. She was then invited by Fred to go to Melbourne with him to perform there. This is part of Fred’s practice – he encourages local artists by giving them amazing opportunities and exposure sharing the stage with him. Gibson himself has risen to fame at a seemingly rapid speed within the last year. However, he actually started as a producer working with music icons such as

Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora and Stormzy. He is also a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist as well as extraordinary DJ. His music is most often billed as EDM (electronic dance music), but it has a shape-shifting quality that could easily place it in several other categories as he mixes video with poetry and threads his own sound loops in and out of the music seamlessly combining so many sources and genres. How did his name come to be Fred Again?

In a TikTok stitch on 31 January 2023, Fred confirmed that his name "Fred Again.." came from a line in the live action movie Scooby-Doo where Fred, in the voice of Daphne says: "I'm Fred Again..". Fred now has a following of over 2.5 million on Instagram alone.

It says a lot about Coroglen Tavern that Fred would choose this ‘local’ as a venue for one of his concerts. How amazing was that!

But Coroglen Tavern has always risked engaging the big bands and big solo names with all that it requires and the reward has been the big crowds come and it is such a buzz of a venue known all over New Zealand.

Well done and thank you to the ownership team for doing that in such a short time frame – Liana Johnston and Luke Findlay, Paul and Fleur Clayton, Brent and Sheree Prisk. You took the risk, accepted the huge challenge and made it happen in two days.

onstage as Fred Again. would be taking his tour across the ditch sensational DJ.

Fleur Clayton, Fred Again, Paul Clayton, Liana Johnston and Luke Findlay before the superstar Fred went on stage to a sell-out crowd..

Whitianga Day Camp needs your help

Day Camp is run by the Mercury Bay Community Support Trust. The camp is run on Graham and Selma Morcom’s farm at Cooks Beach. Day Camp has been running for over 20 years.

• Camp runs for 3 days during the school holidays on Tuesday 16-Thursday 18 April.

• Camper registrations have closed – we are full.

• Need more teen leaders (aged 14-18) and adult helpers in order for camp to actually run.

• Half the campers are attending Day Camp for the very first time this year. Day Camp is a community of

close to 450 children and adults that come together to create a joyful environment of action, challenges, friendship, learning, super creations, teamwork, and celebration. The Day Camp crew are ready, 20 various electives are prepared for action, and the marquee is ready for song, amazing moves, and

togetherness. We need a further 24 adults and 30 teens. Memories from Day Camp last a lifetime – ask anyone who has attended over the past 20 years!! Good times! Good people!

„ Call 0272466164 and speak to Maureen Kerr.

Day Camp Leaders - photo taken 2023.

Long-Term Plans need input – Disagreement on ‘Nice to Haves’

BY PAULINE STEWART

As our Mayor, Len Salt has said, the best place to go for making a submission is the TCDC website.

The Informer has backed this up with a template of a submission form in case some seeking where to go, find the TCDC website requires forensic investigation. That’s not because it is hard to navigate – there is simply a lot of information and some of the questions require you to choose from listed options and and it can feel as if your submission is being directed into a limited and directed choice.

Reading background detail is well worthwhile and hard copies can be obtained in the few days left to make a submission.

Long-term plans are just that – a ten-year plan which needs to change at budget time because some projects completed naturally drop-off and other items get dropped off because the planning is not ready or costs have increased, so delays are necessary. New items are added due to local and/or changing circumstances. Due to the cyclones of early 2023, the Long-Term Plan changed dramatically.

The residents and ratepayer groups around the Peninsula meet to consider the Long-Term Plan’s budget and project priorities and agree on submissions as a group. Individuals are also invited to put in submissions. This is a pillar in our democracy. We have a say and all submissions, we have been assured, will be read and considered. These submissions can be spoken to in person at designated meetings.

Monday 8 April is the cut-off date for submissions and requests to speak at a public hearing to your submission.

WHAT IS CLEAR, IS THERE IS A SEVERE TIGHTENING OF THE FINANCIAL BELT

There is not an option to choose no increase in rates and why would there be? All costs for living and operating have increased.

The option one does have on the submission form is to choose how you would like it spread over three years. This is the first of five areas for comment and suggestions – ‘Managing rate spikes’. When a community feels that they have not had any measurable service for their rates for quite some time even before the current TCDC was elected and well before the cyclones, then tension and resentment can occur.

In the understanding of some ratepayers, to refer to cyclone recovery costs and provision of basic services being the cause of rates increases, and damage done in the cyclone has not yet been addressed either; then it does not seem reasonable.

Accountability to that particular community then becomes necessary. Even though there is a need in another community, the ratepayers are watching where their dollars are being spent.

THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED AT DIFFERENT MEETINGS AND IN LETTERS AND EMAILS

„ Concerns that did exist in a community and that were published in the 2018 to 2028 have dropped off in the 2024 to 2034 proposed plan without consultation or explanation.

„ The emphasis that this LTP is not one to provide the ‘nice to haves’ was met by disquiet in some quarters. One community

is making it clear that they see roading and footpaths as essential and not ‘nice-to-haves.’ They are top of the agenda particularly if that absent footpath means disabled people have nowhere to go but out on a busy road or children have nowhere to walk home to and from school. That roading and footpaths are lost away down in the document of the LTP is a rather telling statement.

„ One community is clear they are not asking for a ‘nice to have’ but what they did have needs to be restored.

„ The cost of the proposed engineering required in Thames to stop sea level rise seems a huge ‘need to spend’ amount disproportionate to the rest of the Peninsula requirements. A question begging is whether this is a soft solution or hard structure solution knowing TCDC’s regulatory stand of ‘no hard structures.’ In the light of some extreme damage from cyclones to the dwellings on beach fronts rendering them incredibly vulnerable and not receiving any remedial attention; this seems inexplicable.

„ One community, within days of the damage done to a number of homes by cyclones Hale and Gabriel, engaged engineers and prepared a two – pronged plan for the two ends of their beach front. In addition, they were prepared to pay for the cost of this project to save their homes and restore the

beach front. Of course, it required a little more work, and a Resource Consent would need to be set in motion once a green light was evident from TCDC. That green light is not there – not even an amber one. There was real energy and unity from the residents when this was first proposed but nothing has been achieved except the engineers’ proposals are still on the table. When there is little response, residents start to make their own plans and cohesion is lost.

„ There is one item that exists for Kuaotunu in the current proposed LTP and that is ‘renew the conveniences at the end of Black Jack Reserve. This inclusion is a surprise. The community at the Kuaotunu Residents and Ratepayers is clear that the $280,000 allocated could be better spent on more urgent needs and that the algorithm that renders these facilities past their ‘used by’ date could be reviewed and at a lesser cost, a footpath could be afforded with that budgeted amount.

„ How did an amount of $14 million rocket to over $50 million for a swimming pool complex and that it is seen as a high priority or the region. One resident asked that Thames show the Peninsula a detailed business case that their growing population needed such a facility in the early period of the LTP.

„ There is a need to see an over-

all plan for the Peninsula’s water storage, waste water treatment and storm water management –this needs to cover all the Community Board areas with close attention to ow resources can be shared. A budget needs to be presented to accompany the plan so that residents can be informed properly before they suggest things in their submissions.

„ A detailed plan of the proposed Whitianga esplanade development needs to be sighted and examined again acknowledging that there is an awareness of safety issues that have developed with more complicated, multi and simultaneous use of the pier and esplanade. This is a ‘special’ project for some TCDC Councillors but is the proposal responding only to the present or will it cater for future growth for that defined area? Is its place in the the proposed current period of the LTP justified when parts of our exposed shoreline, vulnerability of homes, and storm water have not been addressed.

Easy observations: There are some hard to hear answers. Not all the problems and frustrations are related to the current council. There is not enough rates income to speak to the infrastructure needs of the region.

THE OTHER FOUR AREAS DESIGNATED FOR YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE:

• Investing more in future plans (this is the point of Long-term Plans)

• Investing in connected communities – some see this as roads and footpaths and streetlights; others see it as more of a social service or boost to event planning.

• Increasing fees and charges to keep rates manageable.

• The future of our TCDC office in Thames – this needs a major refit to be earthquake proof and the building is no longer fit for purpose. Options are set out on the website.

„ These opinions above are not devised by the editor

A great day at the Sport Park for Thames Valley Rugby Union

Nineteen teams across three grades – First XV’s, Youth Boys, Open Girls –gathered from all parts of the Thames Valley for a grand oneday Rugby Union tournament at Moewai Sport Park, Whitianga, last Wednesday 27 march. All the teams got to play multiple twenty minute games with a very short turn around time. The playing fields were all full and busy.

channel for all the games played, was very pleased with the day.

“We have received the most entries and it is the most competitive tournament we have had in recent years,” says Scott.

“Our region stretches from Te Aroha right up to the tip of the Coromandel and through to Waitakaruru.

eight. We do need more referees and we invite anyone interested or who has had experiences to contact our Referee Education Officer, Wayne Berry, phone 027 2801444.”

There were three titles to be won with all the Colleges participating were:

• The girls Open Championships – Hauraki Plains College

"Matamata College is not technically in our region, but they asked could they enter, and we are glad to include them. They wanted the extra competition and match experience.”

Scott Penney, CEO of Thames Valley Rugby Union, who was very involved in the detail of the day commented, “It was good to see so many schools attend particularly as the season has not really started.

• First XV Championship – technically won by Matamata College who are not in the Thames Valley region. This meant runner up, Paeroa College was the winner and they qualified with their points to enter the National Condor Sevens Cup later this year.

This organised regional programme is run through the different College Sports Co-ordinators.

“We are here to support and assist them,” added Janine Spice, Rugby Development Officer. Really, we back up the good work that Thames Valley Rugby Union is doing.”

"One of our goals is to boost our numbers and this is a very good beginning with so many young players coming out and playing well with a level of fitness that is great for this stage of the playing season,” says Scott.

“This sports park is a top facility – thank you to Whitianga and the Mercury Bay Area College for hosting all of us.”

The Informer also spoke to the referees’ coach, Mike Dilmott.

• Ian Murphy Development Grade Cup (Open Boys) – won by Paeroa College.

The region’s Community Rugby Manager, Scott Day, who was timekeeper and communication

“The referees today come from Counties Manukau, Waikato Union and Thames Valley. We needed nine referees for today and we were fortunate to have

It was a day for many of the wider regional leaders in Rugby Union to come. Ross Cooper, a former All Blacks coach and now President of the Thames Valley Rugby Union was there to help and encourage the players and organisers.

1. Administration Tent team for the day - Janine Spice, Scott Day and Kahu Hall (11 years); 2. Kauri of Paeroa College scores a try; 3. Hauraki Plains College won the Girls Open Youth Sevens – four consecutive years; 4. Enjoying the day were Thames College Open Girls team members: Zaylee Savage, Jodie Louden, AmaiaRose Herewini, Gwen Kingi, Olivia Lamont. 5. Scott Penney, second from left, CEO Thames Valley Rugby Union, and Mercury Bay 7’s coach, Dwayne Mansell, second from right, at the end of the games; 6. The final match of the day - the youth boys final, was won by Paeroa College just two points ahead of Mercury Bay Area College. 7. Reo McQueen from Mercury Bay College.

1. 3.

5.

6.

7.

4.

2.

Where has the time gone for you?

BY STAN STEWART

Netflix has produced a documentary series entitled ‘Our Universe’ with the sonorous tones of Morgan Freeman as narrator. It’s effect on me was to remind me of how everything has an end. Planet earth will explode/dissolve/or wobble to its destruction in about 1.5 billion years.

Well, I can shelve that one. No need to think about it now, but the second episode, which is about ‘Time,’ confronts the viewer with the fact that sooner or later, inevitably time will bring us all down – dust to dust kind of theme. Yuk – not a comforting thought at all.

This has started me thinking of my journey through time. How quickly the years have gone. So much I have forgotten. I rummaged through my memory to find memories that are still clear. I found a few which are clear as yesterday focused on world events.

On November 23, 1968, when JFK the President of America was assassinated. I was riding down an escalator in Myer Department Store, Melbourne. The ‘Musac’ stopped and a shaky voice informed everyone in the store the terrible news. The escalator

kept rolling but my mind was frozen in shock.

On January 28, 1986, we were walking down a concourse of the Atlanta airport. Our small son Walker strutted beside us. On a recent visit to an ‘America Inspace’ exhibit we had purchased a fancy space-themed jacket and astronaut hat which he was wearing with pride. We noticed that the crowds of people around us were distressed. A television set told us why. The space shuttle Challenger with seven astronauts on board – including one female primary school teacher, blew up shortly after the launch. Primary school students around the country had

been watching. Not all my clear remembrances are of world-shaking disasters. Some are local and personal. Many of these produce warm and gooey feelings - family occasions, weddings etc., and special events when all went to plan. Some are of personal disasters that still cause inner shudders. And then there are surprises that stand out.

I had only been living in Whitianga for two weeks when a man came hurrying across the road calling my name. I thought I was for it. He wore the Whitianga bloke’s casual uniform, shorts, crumpled shirt partly tucked in, unkempt tussled hair, jandals. He had seen me come out of the

Informer office and he called from across the street, “Do you work for the paper?” “Yes” I said. “What’s your name” he called. “Stan” I called back. He came striding across the road. “Now I’m for it” I thought. His hand was outstretched, and I realized he wanted to shake my hand. “You write “Stan’s Stuff” he said squeezing my hands. “I really like that column” he said. His face beamed. That was a welcome I will never forget.

Most days are hard to remember what happened, one from the next. A number of retired people have told me that. And the days are all passing so quickly; a kind of blur. Are our memorable days behind us? I’m thinking they needn’t be; they shouldn’t be.

Seeing we can’t stop the clock can we - could we, work on making more memorable days for ourselves and/or for others?

The possibility/probability of having more memorable days is the tourism industry’s constant theme. “Beaches, exotic markets, ancient ruins, we can take you there – make it happen”.

“Unforgettable journeys. You pay us and we will make it happen”. Really! I can remember climbing up to the Parthenon – my it was hot; and finding a place to

lay my towel on Kuta beach – “No I don’t want to buy a tee shirt!” These occasions don’t stand out as ‘unforgettable’ moments.

In my experience, unforgettable memory blips can happen in an instant. I know I will never forget the young mum with toddler in tow who paid for my groceries when I had forgotten my wallet. I spluttered, she insisted. Now there’s a memory I won’t forget. I wonder does it even cross her mind? Possibly not.

I’ve been thinking about unforgettable moments that are not world events but happen in the sphere of our ordinary life. Suppose we can create unforgettable moments for others. Could it be as easy as crossing the road to shake a hand or spending a dollar or so to help a stranger out of a jam. Why not?

After thinking about it, this is what I now feel. Unforgettable moments cannot be bought or sold or manufactured. They happen because the care for another person leads to an act of warmth of unexpected generosity. If I am sensitive, I could create an unforgettable moment for a stranger or friend, or, some random person could make one for me. The only response life will ask of me is gratitude.

President Kennedy with his wife Jacquie in Dallas Texas just before he was fatally shot.

BY MICHELLE RHODES

The author of this article is spending a bit more time in The Coromandel Informer office so decided to buy some sweet treats for her colleagues.

To celebrate Tanya of Lotta Love plant-based catering, we all sampled the cheese scone, fig cake with a side of coconut yoghurt, Anzac biscuit and a peanut butter slice.

Most of Tanya’s delicious creations are totally plant based, meaning no dairy or meat; the cheese scone was the only exception.

Everything was delicious and hard to believe that the intensity of the taste was coming from plants and not refined sugar and dairy fats. We had a little less guilt having our naughty but nice afternoon tea.

Look out for Tanya and her Lotta Love food truck

Lotta Love food truck Chef Nee at MBC Cafe

servicing yummy things and locally roasted single bean coffee at the Medical Centre car park on weekday mornings… different hours testing the customer demand.

just served three hundred meals as part of the PlaceMakers ONE Base fishing tournament prize-giving last week.

Large numbers are

trouble to Nee and Praveena but they really

Try Mike's tacos today or Mañana

Michael O’Sullivan’s (Mike) business is called Mañana – Spanish word meaning ‘tomorrow’.

His very wonderfully tasting tacos will certainly bring you back tomorrow. He has derived an excellent recipe and operates locally from BASE Pizzeria during the hours of 11.00am and 3.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Mike also goes mobile for special entertainment events and on this occasion, he was offering his tacos to the all-age crowd going to Jon Toogood’s recent concert at the Monkey House.

Mike has three different mainstay tacos – chicken, pork and avocado. His menu also includes a ‘buria’ – a favourite with locals – slow cooked brisket topped with melted cheese and his consume dripping sauce on bread that fried on a flat surface giving it a special texture.

Mike is very appreciative that his business works alongside that of his good friend, Henry Newton who owns The Base Pizzeria in Blacksmith Lane. Both during the day for tacos and burias, and in the evenings at BASE Pizzeria for a wide range of pizzas (also kids menus), there is that very distinct invitation to – ‘take your time and enjoy being in the very relaxed dining atmosphere – reading, conversation and ‘bon appetit’ music. The Informer has noticed that often late in the evening, BASE Pizzeria is open – pizza diners

out

The Informer editors Stan and Pauline Stewart enjoy some of Tanya’s plant-based treats.

Nee and Praveena, right, and their staff dishing up a great roast dinner for the PlaceMakers ONE Base fishing tournament.

Mike with his portable Mañana Tacos food stand.

enjoying the opportunity to eat later and in company – something that is common in European culture but not so much in New Zealand.

Check

Mike’s tacos and Henry’s Pizzas at Base Pizzeria – @3/1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

EDITOR PLEASE EXPLAIN

Regarding the “Apology from Editor” I have just read in the 26 March 2024 edition of the Informer: I had to read the article twice because I was certain I must have misunderstood.

The apology is to the Director of the Kubota Billfish Classic Competition and the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, for publishing the first part of a two-part article from Shaun Lee about the ethical dilemmas of big game fishing, “by way of an alternative perspective” to the coverage of the competition.

The Editor notes that “with all good journalism editors have a responsibility for their papers to give a voice to as many points of view” and again later “commits to her responsibilities, representing as many points of view as possible”. She refers to the role of a community newspaper as “to give our very best to this community... understanding that we cannot please everyone”.

Immediately thereafter, she states “Part Two of the article [about the ethical dilemmas of big game fishing] will not be printed”.

Please justify the decision not to print the rest of Shaun Lee’s article.

How can the Editor claim to allow many different voices and opinions, and then not run an article with a conservation bent, because of a complaint from big game fishing? Is that good, fair, responsible journalism?

If the Informer wishes to give the best to this community, give equal time and weight to all sides of an issue. Regardless of their stand on game fishing, I’m sure all fair-minded people would be open to reading the rest of the ethics article.

Kate Nielsen Kuaotunu

ANYTHING HAPPENING –MERCURY BAY UPDATE?

It is with much excitement I read in the latest Informer, page 27, MBCB – “Update” that the footpath cyclone damage, Buffalo Beach, may, or may not, be started in a few months subject to a “resource consent”.

I walk past this spot and read the council notice “What’s Hap-

pening”. My observation is “nothing.” Visitors must look at this fenced off area and wonder why, well over a year after the great cyclone, why this simple repair has not been completed.

Resource Consent for what?

The footpath is an existing structure nothing new, nothing more. There is an existing rock breakwater, just needs extending, backfill, and footpath rebuilt.

Having worked in the marine industry for many years this is a very, very simple repair. I suspect there is a real anti to rock retaining walls on the coastal waterfront? Why? There are no Turtles coming ashore at night laying eggs in the dunes.

You will note that a section of the Buffalo Beach waterfront is already rock wall for protection. Works incredibly well. The existing road would have been destroyed if not for this rock wall.

So, somewhere, a resource consent document sits on somebody’s desk, waiting, waiting, waiting, for the day they turn up for work, in a good mood, and put a rubber stamp on it, Yahoo.

With councils from one end of New Zealand, cash strapped, looking at rate increases of 10, 15, 20% or more my question is how much has been spent on this simple job so far for no result.

With engineers’ plans, resource application, and numerous visits by men in white coats, I would expect tens of thousands have already been spent on red tape nonsense.

This is why it costs so much to get anything done in New Zealand. The more money burnt on PC nonsense; the less money available to actually get things done. Cost plus. Our rates will continue to increase 10% plus, year on year.

I hope I live long enough to see the footpath back in action.

Douglas Anderson Whitianga

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

While the legacy media scramble for their existence we here in Whitianga are so fortunate to have Stan and Pauline producing relevant, positive debate & representation via the Informer & Leo and Taylor producing Coromind.

If humanity has a hope to mature and therefore survive, we need to hear all viewpoints.

I was moved to hear the poor people from the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club were "hurt" by an article that may have contradicted their world view.

I wonder if they were hurt as much as if they bit into a tasty morsel of fish to find themselves fighting for their lives while a someone with a different world view yanked on their lip with a chemically sharpened steel hook connected to 200lb breaking strain monofilament spooled on a big reel with a bigger rod strapped into an even bigger chair in a gas guzzling boat?

We have no lions or tigers to shoot but because we can't see the fish, it is just fine to string these beautiful marine creatures up for what? The possibility of lots of money and boost to your big egos? "Oh, but we tag and release, so it doesn't hurt"?

What about the by catch? What about all the kawhai taken by more about boats just for bait?

The Kubota is a world class event because we are the only place where there are any of these fish left. With two fishing and one spearfishing competition in the last three weeks, if you notice there are hardly any fish/bird workups or very few sea mammal sightings - there is a reason ...

....Tangaroa is distraught.

Roger Harwood Whenuakite

FISHING FOR SPORT

In the article writing about the Annual Kubota Billfish Classic Informer (issue 1097, March 19), the last sentence in the article states, “It was a win for everyone, except the noble fish." The Informer also presented a different perspective with the article written by Shaun Lee, Untangling the Conservation and Ethical Difficulties of Big Game Fishing.

Yes, chasing the big fish is fun and exciting, man against beast, coming home the conquering heroes with a good story to tell, plus the added incentive of big prize money and a trophy to brag about. How many more of these noble fish have to die so those with bloodlust can have their

fun?

These fishermen are not paddling their canoes out to catch fish for the tribe or as recreational fishermen feeding their families. No, those taking part in the Annual Kubota Billfish Classic arrive en-masse with boats equipped with sophisticated tracking and navigation equipment with the sole purpose of hunting big game fish.

The New Zealand Animal Welfare Act 1999 recognises fish as sentient animals. Fishing for sport causes prolonged pain, injury, and distress to the fish involved. These noble fish are exhausted from fighting for their lives for hours with a hook in their mouths or guts. Think for a moment: if humans tormented any other animal for hours purely for the enjoyment of it, it would be considered cruel and inhumane.

The god of materialism continues to rule this planet. At what consequence? Kubota puts up big prize money as an incentive to bring these ‘fishermen’ to Whitianga. Kubota would have generated considerable profits from this competition. Who does Kubota pay for the use of the sea, the fish being caught, the eco system, and environmental concerns? Do these competitions keep running until there are no fish left?

Verna Carr Whitianga

WHEN YOU FIRST..

When you first found out you was in danger you were not sure what from.

They said it was man-made not some surprise sprung from the animal kingdom.

There was a time when two and two made four and you could close the door (on any argument) all by yourself.

You had logic, you had reason and you had your own experience but you had no one else.

Ludicrous is just a time away.

Ludicrous is just a time away.

Ludicrous is just a time away when you weren’t thinking straight your mind in disarray.

You and you and you and you were fooled and so was I – so was I.

We listened we believed and we just tried to do what’s right only

To find we’d been deceived enough to want to stand and fight; stand and fight. Come on home, Come on back where you belong,

John Veysey

Stag Do…. Surprise!

BY MICHELLE RHODES

Recently, the author enjoyed an early start to the weekend with breakfast at Basker …. What is that? Stag Do….. Michelle!!! Said the boys with whom I was having breakfast. The lovely ‘groom to be’ confirmed, ‘yep’. His challenge was to find his way back to a boat moored off Awatea Drive. Not an easy challenge in your undies with no phone and no idea where you are…. That’s because your Stag Do Mates dropped you miles away.

Thank you for the smile and permission to put you in The Informer.

Good luck. Have a great wedding and umpteen years of happy marriage from the Informer Team.

Easter egg hunts very popular

Children all across the Coromandel Peninsula were treated to Easter egg hunts over Easter. There is no sign that this tradition is waning.

BY PAULINE STEWART

It was a grand time for the children who participated in the Whitianga clue based hunt.

0ver 200 children arrived at The Informer office over the period of two hours on Easter Saturday afternoon to collect their Easter bag and clue

sheet which would lead them to different destinations in the town where their sheets were stamped and they received an Easter treat. Once the children had all squares on their sheet stamped, they raced back to 14 Monk Street for their Easter egg prize. A BIG THANK YOU to PAPER PLUS, HARCOURTS, STIHLO FASH-

ION and HAIR SALON, i SITE, BAYLEYS and WHITIANGA FOOD MARKET for providing Easter eggs and welcoming the children. THANK YOU TO COROMANDEL CFM and iSITE for promoting the hunt to all the families.

Thank you to everyone who organised Easter egg hunts for their community’s children.

The first one to arrive for the Whiti Easter egg hunt.

Kailarney Gibson pretty pleased with his effort; Evie Holland 4 years old; Sienna, Anabela Reilly and MJ Saywell.

First boy to arrive back with his winning sheet; Guru Klagsbrun and Miles Virbickas very pleased with their egg haul; two families on the Easter egg hunts together. Nicola, Charlie and Mila with Batman Luka and Mum (Stacey) in the background; Isabella and Sophie George dressed themselves including the special baskets; first girl to arrive back with winning sheet.

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

Within our present ‘modus operandi’ there has evolved a culture of fear. I am speaking of a large part of the actions of regional councils and Waikato Regional Council. Any action by any even normally sensible person in agriculture is risking prosecution. Bas Nelis (central Waikato) was prosecuted for clearing a weed infested drain.

Jacobsen Contracting (Paeroa) received the same treatment and quite recently a farmer (Patetonga District) was clobbered to the tune of $40,000 for similar action and in the Bay of Plenty, a land holder was hit with fines for clearing mangroves from the back of his section to the tide line. The irony of that situation, the Council, after the prosecution, used the path the land holder had cleared to go in and clear mangroves.

Referring to Bas Noeli’s, in that same area, there was a general flood and all along the western side of the range from Matamata to the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, the streams were running thick earth soup.

With this reality, how can Environment Court judges and WRC prosecute for the ‘potential’ of what may enter a stream and may harm the fish.

The floods happened; not

Whitianga

Whitianga@gdcgroup.co.nz

Thames

The common sense of farmers not often in local authorities' actions

potential floods, but very real; as were the consequences of the flood. Farmers have dealt with that for so many years without assistance from any authority.

I had an interest in a North Canterbury property owned by my nephew. The braided river started severely eroding the edge of a farm paddock. Environment Canterbury was alerted. There were a couple of alternatives

1) Lay some large willow logs in front of the erosion to blunt the force of the water. 2) Try to change the main channel of the river further away on the braided

riverbed. Nothing was acceptable to E-Can. Now this was a serious situation. The erosion was edging ever closer to a hollow that led straight toward the main street of the local village. In desperation, the bulldozer was used to divert the main river channel into a former channel and problem solved by practical people with now very ‘uncommon’ common sense.

In my last column (The Informer issue 1097) I wrote about the lack of responsibility taken by staff for their plans or for decisions made or for the fact that highly paid consultants have often been

Earthquake

Structural

Electrical

Geotechnical

Architectural

Stormwater/

Bridge

proven to be out of touch. Here are a couple of classic instances.

Hot off the press so to speak, the New Zealand Herald Wednesday, 20 March and TVOne News 21 March, reported a branch of the Ashburton River, the Greenstreet Creek, totally dried up. Previously farmers diverted irrigation water into the Greenstreet Creek to save the eels and fish.

However, the farmers needed approval from Environment Canterbury and nobody in Ecan could or would take responsibility and kept passing the buck or deferring a decision that might reveal a misjudgement on their part. This is is an example of how the Councils ‘Safeguard the life supporting capacity of the Air Soil and Water’ – the purpose of RMA Act. It does not get any better.

After the Cyclone hit the Esk Valley area, some farmers had roading, bridges and culverts washed away and were unable to access parts of their own properties and the same farmers were frightened to effect even temporary repairs for fear of prosecution because they did not have one of these enormously expensive RMA Consents.

„ Quote: Ayn Rand said: ‘When in order to produce you need to gain permission from those that produce nothing, you will know your society is doomed.’

„ Addendum: My response to

the letter written by Warren and Margaret a Matthews regarding Halocyfop

HERBICIDE

Hello from Malcolm Campbell. The informer editor has passed on you expression of concern. The notice was in the Hauraki Herald, page 13 dated 1 March, 2024. I have cut out of local papers 26 similar notices since August 2022. Five have been issued in 2024 already. They are not all about the estuaries. They cover Hauraki Plains drainage systems, road verges, parks and reserves, footpaths which of course all eventually drain into the Hauraki Gulf.

You may have seen that the Hauraki Gulf Forum has admitted that the water in the gulf has deteriorated in the last three years. These notices usually appear at the last few pages under ‘public notices’.

I watch for them and have them going back to 2013 and had older ones, but just thought too old and dumped them.

There are four of these signs on our roadside fence. So far contractors have respected the signs and not used herbicides on our frontage. We cut the grass on our frontage – it’s not overly irksome. The notice was in the Hauraki Herald, page 13 dated March 1st 2024.

Learning from past mistakes

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

There has been a lot of conversation recently regarding Electric Vehicles, how they will save the world, or not; how they are winning the marketing race, or not.

While reading much of this, I could not help but recall the old maxim; people learn from their own mistakes, unfortunately they do not learn from other people’s mistakes. That would save time.

To relate this maxim to the EV discussion I will offer a small history lesson, for our younger readers.

In the late seventies and early eighties, we had oil shocks with prices rising rapidly and supply becoming challenged. Interim moves such as car-less days (ie: you couldn’t drive your car on one day of the week – everyone picked Sunday) were tried without much success so the government thought big. This led to the building of the Petrol Refinery at Marsden Point which addressed much of the supply issues, but another plan was to have vehicles become less reliant on petrol and this was to be done by using alternative fuels, these being LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) and CNG

There are many questions around a thriving future for EVs.

(Compressed Natural Gas).

Enthusiasts started converting cars to dual fuel, using both petrol and either of CNG or LPG. Some LPG users converted entirely to LPG, but this was not really an option for CNG, due to power and range issues. Of the two, LPG performed best although the need to tune an engine for two different fuels caused many problems. CNG had a couple of problems; it was gutless and didn’t go far. With CNG, you constantly had to switch between fuel types depending upon the road.

For example, if you were heading towards Thames over SH 25A, you could use CNG on ‘one ton straight’ and possibly get up

to 80 km/hour, perhaps even make it to 100km if you turned your radio off for a power boost. As you headed up the hill, speed would drop rapidly and tourists in camper vans would start to pass you so you would be forced to switch back to petrol and, if it was raining, probably turn your wipers off, to have enough power to continue.

Eventually the problems of the dual fuel options became obvious and the price and availability of petrol became less of an issue for people so the conversions to CNG or LPG stopped and we returned to our normal form of travel - petrol based cars.

Forty years pass by and here we

are with today’s version of a CNG vehicle, the EV. This is basically an identical situation where we have a perceived problem being the weather getting out of hand and a perceived solution being the EV. A number of people have decided to purchase an EV, the majority buoyed by financial inducements that were in place last year. With the demise of these financial inducements, mixed with our general love of petrol engines and a growing understanding of the problems with EVs, the sales of EVs has plunged to a level where they barely registered any sales in New Zealand in January 2024. I do note that some enthusiasts have written in to say claims of EV sales being dead are wrong, but they all seem to be using 2023 figures to support their argument which is being a bit tricky with the figures.

The problem with EVs is not their method of power, electricity is a quite acceptable power method and offers good performance, it is with the delivery of electricity. Currently EVs use lithium batteries as a power source. This is sourced by mining using lowly paid native labour in dangerous conditions which is not what we should be supporting.

The batteries will wear out and at that time, due to the expense of new batteries, your car will be worthless so will be trashed and you will need to buy a new one.

Running costs will also become an issue with EV owners becoming contributors to the roads they use by paying road user charges from April this year. It will not take long before they will be charged for electricity when charging, after all the country cannot afford to generate the power a national fleet of EVs would require without some recompense. With that form of cost model who would want one?

The lithium powered EV is today’s equivalent to a CNG dual fuel car and will go the same way. It has not significantly made any gains in the vehicle market and will not do so. Within a very short time attention will go to other forms of powering EVs (manure perhaps) but until then we will quite happily use our petrol-powered vehicles. All that is missing in Whitianga is a traffic light for us to rev our engines while waiting for the green light.

„ Thought for the Day: Electric cars are really carbon powered cars. Where do you think the electricity comes from, flowers?

Thames 212 Pollen Street

Invest in the future

• Reputable national brand tenant

• Spanning three titles with combined land of 2,471sqm (more or less)

• Prime location on one of New Zealand's longest and straightest main streets

Generating a strong rental income this property offers a solid return on investment. With its strategic location and sizable land area, there is potential for future development or expansion to further enhance its value. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to invest in a prime property on Pollen Street, Thames. Get in touch to learn more about 208-212 Pollen Street and its potential for future growth. bayleys.co.nz/2180693

2,471 sqm 351 sqm

Auction (unless sold prior) 12pm, Thu 2 May 2024

96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View by appointment

Josh Smith 027 229 8865

josh.smith@bayleyscoromandel.co.nz

MH REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Boundary lines are indicative only

Whangamata 606-608 Port Road

A mall with it all

• 1,544sqm (more or less) of commercial land spread across two titles

• Multi tenanted offers a split risk investment

• Dual access utilising service lane

Currently comprising eight commercial tenancies, seven of which are tenanted by established businesses, this property offers a solid return on investment. The current rental income is circa $159,763+GST and OPEX, with the potential to increase to $175,363+GST and OPEX once the final tenancy is leased. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to invest in Whangamata's bustling commercial scene – call now for the information pack. bayleys.co.nz/2201404

1,544 sqm 1,208 sqm

Auction (unless sold prior) 12pm, Thu 2 May 2024

96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View by appointment

Josh Smith 027 229 8865

josh.smith@bayleyscoromandel.co.nz

MH REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Whitianga 105 Kupe Drive

Immaculate like-new home

Welcome to a slice of paradise - a property nestled in the idyllic Waterways neighborhood. This stunning home offers a harmonious blend of modern luxury, convenience, and natural beauty. High ceilings meet lush gardens and premium waterways living. The immaculate property boasts a like-new condition. Natural light floods the living spaces, enhancing the sense of warmth and tranquility. One of the highlights of this residence is the expansive outdoor space. The property offers room to park your boat or campervan, and the outdoor areas have been thoughtfully curated.

bayleys.co.nz/2201376

667 sqm 4 2 2

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 2 May 2024

96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View 11-11.30am Sat 6 Apr or by appointment

Alana Baker 021 051 7455 alana.baker@bayleys.co.nz

MH REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Whitianga 16 Coghill Street 372

Limited only by your imagination

•

•

Originally a two-bedroom cottage, this property has evolved into a thriving retail space, currently housing a popular bike shop. Now, with vacant possession, it presents a myriad of possibilities for its next owner, adding another chapter to its storied past. Seize the opportunity to own a piece of Whitianga's history.

bayleys.co.nz/2201403

Boundary lines are indicative only

Paeroa 100 Norwood Road

Town and rural combine here

Nestled centrally in Paeroa lies an exceptional plot of land awaiting your vision. Encompassing 5.36 hectares (more or less), this property presents an enticing opportunity to craft your ideal family lifestyle within the heart of town. With water readily available at the boundary and numerous potential building sites, you have the canvas to create your family's dream home, complete with ample space for a pool, lush landscaping, and pets. Additionally, the property's potential for subdivision has been explored, offering a scheme plan for your consideration. For those with agricultural aspirations, yards and a loading race bordering the property provide the option to keep livestock. Experience the tranquillity of rural living while remaining mere minutes from the town centre, where an array of amenities await, including cafes, shops, and local schools. Call today!

bayleys.co.nz/2315473

5.34 ha

Asking Price $699,000

View 2-2.30pm Sun 7 Apr

Karl Davis 0508 83 83 83 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz

Lee Carter 027 696 5781 lee.carter@bayleys.co.nz

SUCCESS

Office lady extraordinaire – We

are local and national

Icame to Whitianga because

Donna loves here and I wanted Donna to work for me. These are the words of Maxine (Max), the owner and founder and remarkable office lady of Mrs Tradie, NZ located in Albert Street, Whitianga. She was speaking about Donna, a specialist in tenders and business designs.

“Having the right person to work with is vital,’ adds Maxine.

“We are virtual and we are nationwide. I came here so that I could have the right ladies to do the job.”

But it’s not just the businesses of tradies’ that are transformed by Mrs Tradie, but also Mrs Tradie works for restaurants, farmers, distilleries, real estate agents, property managers, small businesses owners.

“First and foremost, we are the office lady, and we look after your accounting, your operating platforms, your insurances, health and safety, employment contracts,” says Max.

TWO KEY THINGS:

• We are part-time all the time. You don’t have to wait till Monday or Wednesday.

• You get your one Miss Tradie office lady ‘extraordinaire’. We use all the modern technology

with all the good old-fashioned services.’

Max talks about the beginnings.

“It was at the end of summer 2019. I was aware of how difficult it was for tradespeople to get out their invoices on time and account for everything. One tradie had said to me, “Thanks a million.

You have got my shit together.” I knew I could help people on a bigger scale, so I took some pieces of paper to the beach and started writing my vision.

“Then I asked one of my digger drivers if they would let me ‘work

for them for free’. I promised him better administration and that his business would grow.” That happened of course!” she smiles.

“We have ladies with Mrs Tradie all over New Zealand and if I need a new tradie lady, I’ll get that person from any place in New Zealand. A priority is to help the self-employed. We started with the tradies – that’s what I knew best, but now it has grown to this giant office lady. Half our income is from the agricultural sector. This includes people who sell meat to USA, 365 days a year,”

"First and foremost, we are the office lady, and we look after your accounting, your operating platforms, your insurances, health and safety, employment contracts."

continues Max.

There is no job too small for this team. “We created and wrote an itinerary for a guy who was taking his wife on a romantic week away (secret). Maxine is also confident that there is really no job too big. “If people have a group of companies; they ask Mrs Tradie to go in and see where we can create efficiencies; we look at all the bad habits. This can be more important than growth.”

Everyone gets the same experience when they join Mrs Tradie from the sole, self-employed person to the self-employed business person employing 35 people.

Mrs Tradie also works with boards of any size with minutes, meetings, event planning. “We do conferences for companies and we offer specialist advice to see through the bigger jobs. If something happens to someone in the organisation, Mrs Tradie is the back-up – doing all the bits and pieces until something is sorted.”

Maxine is very clear about not looking for that one person with all the skills needed and who knows all of the business programmes to operate. “We are using four different accounting programmes and seven different payroll platforms,” she says. “No one knows all of them. I look for the communication skills and people skills and then we go from there. These applications and programmes are not hard if you have the right attitude and application plus the commitment to solve the problem at hand. We do whatever you need and ask, but on top of that, we have got the high tech, and we have the high security.”

Maxine remembers how far she has come. “I was a dairy farmer –a great learning environment and I have had a lot of experience in the building industry. All those notes I wrote down at the beach – I framed them; they are on my wall plus the first ever invoice I sent out.

“We have done the preparation to create a platform so we can grow. We are set up for growth which means the growth of everyone with whom we deal, and the key is really our sensational team – collaborative and always learning from each other.”

Max, centre, with two of her team, Donna, right, and Courtney, left, in the Mrs Tradie office.

ENTERTAINMENT

Jon Toogood wows Whitianga

BY KASPUR FRANKE, THE MONKEY HOUSE

A sold-out Saturday night show contributed to the anticipation in the lounge theatre, given the full house of expectant music fans, and the iconic NZ singer and songwriter known to Shihad lovers did not disappoint. (Shihad is a rock band of which Jon Toogood was a member).

The consummate entertainer provided fantastic anecdotes on how his original songs eventuated, giving us all a sneak peak into the songs’ meaning.

So much more than one man and a guitar, Jon Toogood captivated the crowd with everything from originals to Shihad songs, to Tom Petty and Th’ Dudes, for which the crowd didn’t disappoint with their singing voices coming in strong.

The Sunday all ages show included Jon’s kids in the audience, and a great collection of under 18’s who at encore time, demanded 2,000 more songs given how good it was!

Keep watching for more well-known performers gracing the stage at Monkey House Lounge and Cabaret, including Jon who has vowed to perform again touring his album release, so make sure you snap tickets up for these acts when they go on sale. They truly are unmissable!

Harp concert this weekend

Anna Dunwoodie, Harpist, with her quartet Gliss Harps, will be entertaining a keen audience at St Georges Church Thames, at 2.00pm Sunday, 7 April.

Anna is now a Thames resident again having moved back to Thames last year after spending 20 years in Auckland. She will be performing with Harrison Chau, Kate Dodds and Joelle Ireland who have each been playing the harp for more than half their lives and show an affinity for putting together a harp extravaganza. Anna and Harrison are both graduates from the Auckland University School of Music, albeit 25 years apart, while Anna, Kate and Joelle are

founding members of the Auckland Harp Orchestra (2013)

And don’t forget you can see a huge variety of musicians at the Monkey House every Wednesday evening for Open Mic from 7.30pm. This is always a fantastic night showcasing local (and sometimes, international) talent.

„ Email: events@beatfairy.com

„ Phone: +64 220 330 720.

„ http://www.beatfairy.com/

This an amazing concert opportunity. Where else could you hear four harps playing a tango or a ragtime number, film music or traditional songs, something classical or a waltz, a pop song or a hymn? A fun

and interesting repertoire of ensembles and solos which showcases a variety of sounds and techniques which you may not have known were possible on the harp!

Tickets - General admission $20; TMG Members $15; Under 18's Free www.thamesmusicgroup.com

Getting Through’

An acted-reading play by Stan Stewart based on Viktor Frankl’s best-selling book “Man’s Search For Meaning”

17 million sold – still in print.

Arresting – jolting – confronting – hopeful – life giving

Adult life themes – suitable for 15 and over

Two sessions: The Monkey House, 18 Coghill St, Whitianga

Sunday April 21 – 4.00pm

Monday April 22 – 7.00pm

This play was recommended personally by Victor Frankl himself when he was speaking tours before he died in 1997 in Vienna.

The original script was typed 51years ago.

This is what the women who re-typed it in Whitianga’s ‘Mrs Tradie’ said last week.

“We typed the script – we were enthralled. We are coming to this play!”

Tickets: $20 – www.eventfinda.co.nz/Whitianga

Or direct from the venue – 18 Coghill St, Whitianga

Jon Toogood using his guitar playing and vocal skills and encycopaedic memory that make him a greatly loved professional artist and performer.

Bliss Harps Quartet - Anna Dunwoodle, Harrison Chau, Kate Dodds and Joelle Ireland

SPORTS

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Fourth Round of March Pairs

North/South: 1 Peter McNeil and Tony White 61.90, 2 Robyn Waters and David Wilkinson 52.78, 3 Sonia Botica and Peter Clark 50.40.

East/West: 1 Jocelyn Taylor and Chris Death 63.49, 2 Lee Hughes and Robyn Hunter 52.78, 3 Celia Young and Nolene Kirkpatrick 49.60.

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Betty Dunn Pairs Week Four

Tuesday, 26 March

Results: North/South: 1 Robyn and Peter Hogg 61.00, 2 Alison Tichbon and Don Barry 53.50, 3 Val Dwight and Leigh Hughes 53.00.

East/West: 1John Magin and Barry Barnes 52.50, 2= Sheryl Roberts and Myra Hoogwerf, Johanna Bonnar and Natasha Courtney 50.50.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT

BRIDGE CLUB

March Competition Round

Four Wednesday, 27 March

North/South: 1 Kate Palmano and Gavin Hedwig 59.1; 2 Bob Schibli and Jenny Layton 58.1; 3 Robyn Hogg & Don Barry 55.2.

East/West:1 Jan Hawkins and Norma Hart 64.4; 2 Alison Tich-

bon and Pat Doube 61.1; 3 Denise Knutson and Augusta Canegallo 52.8

Harbour Pairs Round One

Thursday, 28 March

1 Jenny Layton and Gavin Hedwig 78.6; 2 Ischelle Stevenson and Shay Geach 57.1; 3 Augusta Canegallo and Julie Rutledge 56.0.

MERCURY BAY CLIUB

SNOOKER

Wednesday, 27 March

Best of three frames: Nine players on Wednesday and it was Peter Challis and Ian Baumgren with two straight wins each to battle out the final third frame. This was a very close match with Ian snatching the Victory. With two wins were Peter Challis (runner up), Wayne Malcolm, Jason Smith & Luke Trainor who had the highest break of 18.

Saturday, 30 March

Best of three frames: A good field of 11 on Saturday and it was Peter Schultz, Wayne Malcolm and Doug Pascoe with two straight wins each to challenge the finals. Doug won the alley drawn bye and Peter took the win over Wayne in the semifinal to move through to meet Doug in the final. But it was 2021 Club Champion Peter who was too good for Doug and took a comfortable win.

With two wins were Doug Pascoe (runner-up), Wayne Malcolm, Greg Murphy and Ian Baumgren who also had the highest break of 22.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Mixed – Stableford

Tuesday, 26 March

1, Roger Pheasant; 2, Patrick Gonthier; 3, Don Maguire. Eighteen-hole Women – Team Stableford

Wednesday, 27 March

1, Sharyn Smith, Jane Deadman, Anita Ellmers; 2, Debbie Holmes, Dianne Eccles, Ali Bryson; 3, Sheree Henderson, Chris Van Veen, Marg Maher.

Twos: Ali Bryson, Dianne Gilmore.

Nearest Pin: Jane Deadman.

Nearest Pin#18: Diane Eccles.

Longest Putt: Diane Andrew.

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

1, Ed Gardien; 2, Jay Marshall; 3, Roger Pheasant.

Twos: Jack Coldicutt, Kerry Allan, Cam Walls, Richard Steel, Steve Geach.

Gross: Div 1 - Steve Geach. Div

2 - Jay Marshall.

Nine-hole Mixed ScrambleStableford

Friday, 29 March

1, Alison Goodlet; 2, Eddie Lyle; 3, Adele Conway.

Twos: Eddie Lyle (x2)

Nearest Pin #6: Alison Goodlet

Eighteen-hole Mixed –Stableford

Saturday 30 March

1, Alan Owen; 2, Graham Eccles; 3, Joshua Sturgeon.

Twos: Osman Emer, Mick Henderson, Dan Crichton, Mike Rumble, Campbell Storey, Patrick Gonthier, Neal Robinson. Mark Boe.

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Glenn's Free Trophy Putts

Round One of Three Tuesday, 26 March

1 = John Hamilton, Richard Duckworth, Mark Bell, Wayne Morrison

Stableford

1, Wayne Morrison; 2= Mark Bell, Richard Duckworth

Peggy Haworth Trophy Par

Thursday, 28 March, Ladies: 1, Anne Costello; 2, Jill Huston.

Men: 1, Steve Borlase; 2, Mark Bell.

No Saturday golf.

MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

Thursday 28 March

Winners, Alan Henderson, Colin Everett, Judy Cullinane and Glynne Jackson

Runners-up: Wayne McNeill, Merle Ward, Judy Adams and Jan Harvey Good Sports: Lee Pudney, Pat Fisher and Joy McGregor

NETBALL SEASON ALMOST! Netball practises have begun across the peninsula in readiness for the netball season starting right after the school holidays.

If you would like to share your sport results and photos please send them to info@theinformer.co.nz by Saturday evening

Coach Karen works with the Years 7 and 8 Marlins team for their pre-season training.

Caring for our largest organ

BY ROSS LIGGINS

Our skin is a very important part of the body as I am sure you realise. It’s the largest organ of our body. It’s true guys! Not only does it keep our blood from running all over the floor and making a mess, it keeps pesky bacteria and other annoying things like dog tongues from gaining access to our blood.

It also maintains body temperature and PH balance. Imagine how cold we would be without skin.

I am not sure how bad it would be if our PH got out of balance by not having any. I’ll leave you to look that up.

Many of us abuse our body organs by eating too much meat and fat-drenched food, sitting on our butts not doing exercise, drinking too much or stuffing up our brain with too many recreational drugs. Our skin doesn’t escape this corporeal punishment either, especially in a country like ours where the ozone layer is a bit on the thin side.

When I was a teenager, nobody, including doctors, seemed to

know about the sun’s ferocious effect on our delicate largest organ, our skin. My dear Mum would mix up a brew of oil and vinegar, with which she smothered our bodies, before we ventured out into the sun. It baked us. There was no sunblock then, and I remember those first days of summer being quite painful as our winter-white bodies first turned bright pink or red and then started to peel or become blistered and bleeding.

I have been lucky so far and would highly recommend annual skin checks

We used to have peeling competitions to see whose back could yield the greatest area of skin in one piece. The peeling was especially satisfying for those of us who had a fetish for bursting pimples of picking off other various skin growths. This was great fun at the time and we didn’t think much of it. We swam and surfed without protection for years before sunblock and sun smart

education finally made their way into our sun-drenched lives.

When I was in my forties, I thought I had better start having annual skin checks given my many years of unprotected activities in the sun.

So off I went to my GP every March to have bits of suspicious looking skin hacked out of my body. I started collecting quite a few scars. It was just as well I did because one day the doctor said, “I think this blackish spot could be a melanoma. I will need to send it to the lab.”

Well, as you can imagine that didn’t really make my day and I spent the next week waiting for the test results and wondering if I was on borrowed time or not. It

was very stressful, and when the doc called she said, “I have good news and bad news.” “OK”, I said, “Fire away.”

“The bad news is you have melanoma. The good news is, it’s only level 2.”

So what did that mean? It meant the cancer had not yet spread to other places in the body and could be chopped out. So that’s what happened. I went to a plastic surgeon at what turned out to be a private hospital. They asked me if I had medical insurance and when I said “no” they gave me a breakdown of the cost and said I would need to pay before leaving the hospital.

I scanned the bill and noticed an item “Waiting room bed $200. “Well”, I thought, “I don’t need to lie down while I am waiting. So I told the receptionist I wouldn’t be needing the bed and a couple of other luxury items, so my bill was reduced a little, thank God.

Anyway, the surgeon extracted a 6-inch-long bit of flesh and told me I had a 95% chance of survival. I gratefully accepted those odds and left him with a large weight

removed from my shoulders.

Since then, I have lost a few more bits of skin and have recently been for an appointment with a Waikato Hospital dermatologist to chop out some less dangerous but still concerning forms of skin cancer.

On seeing my tanned skin, she told me that I needed to be more vigilant when in the sun as some of the rays can get through sunblock but not through appropriate clothing.

So, in addition to smothering myself in the locally-produced reputable sunblock “Sol”, I have started covering all my body with a light-weight jacket and long pants when I am sailing.

It has been a bit of a challenge staying sun-safe but hey, I am still alive. I have been lucky so far and would highly recommend annual skin checks for everyone, even if you have brown skin and even in winter. Remember, Bob Marley died of melanoma and around 300 of us here in Aotearoa suffer the same fate every year.

Have a great, well-protected time in the sun.

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.

Whitianga, 12B Buffalo Beach Rd

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

• Super close to buffalo Beach, town and ferry.

AUCTION

Whitianga, 196 Cook Drive

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

• Double garage, sleepout and garden shed.

• 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, Whitianga Takeaways & Fresh Fish, 23E Albert Street

• Circumstances have changed, motivated vendors.

• Great opportunity for a new owner to bring this business back to its former glory.

• Exceptional corner main street location, surrounded by good supporting businesses, good long term lease arrangement.

FOR SALE Deadline Sale closes 26th April 2024 at 4.00pm

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27084779

Dayle Candy 027 433 6862

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 car parking spaces.

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

•

•

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

FOR SALE AUCTION 20th April 2024 at 2.00pm on-site (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27039669

David Frew 027 491 8420

Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

Hahei, 265 Lees Road

Tairua, 3 Daphne Road

•

•

•

FINAL CALL

• 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom coastal retreat with fenced swimming pool.

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

• Mesmerizing

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

Tairua,

Tairua, 8 Diamond Drive

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Issue 1099

Crossword Puzzle

© Lovatts Puzzles 356

Issue 1099

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 30

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: FROG HOP

ANURA AQUATIC CAMOUFLAGE CROAK EGGS FLOAT HABITAT HIBERNATE INSECTS LARVAE

LEAP LILY PAD LUNGS MATING MUD PREDATOR RIVER SPECIES

STICKY STREAM TONGUE

TROPICAL WART WEBBED

Last week’s word search solution

ACROSS

1. Higher (part) (5)

7. Orators (8)

8. Native animals (5)

10. Stock market risktaker (10)

12. Impasse (8)

14. Slay (4)

16. Hatchets (4)

17. Amorous (8)

20. People in books (10)

23. Pulls sharply (5)

Last

24. Made beloved (8)

25. Glide on ice (5)

DOWN

1. Open out (6)

2. Immense time spans (4)

3. Big-scale movie (4)

4. Sends (5)

5. Constrains (9)

6. Celestial (6)

9. Orchard fruit (5)

11. Radio frequencies (9)

13. Dove call (3)

15. Small magical being (5)

16. Arrow marksman (6)

18. Pure (6)

19. Plane detector (5)

21. Foot digits (4)

Last week’s winner – Isla Bowen

Last week’s winner – Rose Barrett

CHURCH

Sundays 10am

ALL WELCOME

New location:

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

All welcome

WHITIANGA SDA FELLOWSHIP

Contact: Laurie Bowden 021 665 958

Gods Power Chiabuotu 021 0855 2242

Community Representative

Pr Axel 021 327 003

Sat 10am – Whitianga Social Services, Cook Drive

WANTED TO RENT

Self-sufficient woman with references needs one or two rooms with a bath – house share. OR private apartment close to town.

Contact 07 8665890.

MOORINGS

MOORING FOR SALE

Whitianga Harbour, off Dundas St.

Up to 9.15 metres vessel length.

Lifted for maintenance in 2023

$35,000 neg.

Email: Janbr@slingshot.co.nz

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)

Enquiries - 021 113 0566

ST ANDREW’S BY THE SEA Presby/Methodist Church

Albert St Whitianga (Est.1898)

COMMUNITY WORSHIP

EVERY SUNDAY 9:30am

Come, join us! Bring the family!

Parish Secretary: ph 022 132 2061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

Anglican Worship

Every Sunday at 9.00am at St Peter the Fisherman

7 Dundas Street, Whitianga

ALL WELCOME

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

- 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

0274 736 242

WHITIANGA POLICE REPORT

BY CONSTABLE

MICHAEL CARTER

„ Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 31 March

GENERAL:

Monday, 25 March various items were damaged at a Cook Drive address. The offender was removed from the property and spoken to regarding their actions.

Also, on 25 March, Mitsubishi L200 utility and trailer were stolen from Blacksmith Lane. The trailer has since been recovered, but the ute is still outstanding.

Wednesday, 27 March, a burglary was reported at a Racecourse Road address where an unknown person

has entered the property and taken cash and jewellery. Enquiries are being made to identify this person.

Also, on 27 March, a petrol theft occurred with a known male. This person is being sought regarding several incidences.

Friday, 29 March, two burglaries were reported as having occurred at Harbour Lights Lane addresses. Food and alcohol were taken by the offender(s) from one address with a rug taken from the other.

Sunday, 31 March, four offenders have decided to damage the petrol pumps on the Mobil forecourt. Enquiries are being made to speak with these persons.

ARRESTS: 1x male for Breach of Protection Order

OCCURRENCES:

Saturday, 30 March a Family Harm incident occurred at a Hot Water Beach location. The parties were separated with a Police Safety Order issued.

TRAFFIC:

On 30 March a single vehicle collision occurred at a Hot Water Beach location. The driver was subsequently processed for drink driving.

Police are targeting Restraints, Impairment, Distractions and Speed this month.

Burglaries on the increase

There was a lot of discussion about the recent rise in the number of burglaries at Wharekaho at their recent Residents and Ratepayers meeting.

Details were shared and a plan to increase shared surveillance as in a neighbourhood watch scheme was put in place. The discussion also included investigating the use of CCTV cameras.

It was reported that one

burglary left fingerprints and the forensic work done by the police officer from Thames identified the thief.

Concern was also expressed that some gangs from elsewhere had moved into the Mercury Bay area and were targeting homes known to be temporarily vacated. One instance of squatting was reported –that these people set up camp to do their work.

021 946 033

Email: caleb@baysideconstruction.co.nz

Phone:

MARGARET TERESA

name, telephone number or residential address. Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher. Published by The Mercury Bay Informer Limited.

Editors: Pauline and Stan Stewart (027 271 6182)

Editorial: Jack Biddle, Michelle Dellabarca, Suzanne Hansen, Stephen Holmes, Dorothy Preece, Trevor Ammundsen, Lynette Gee.

Business Manager: Emma Gaunt

Newspaper Layout: Diane Andrew

Social Media: EMD Agency

Circulation: 9000

Office: 14 Monk Street, Whitianga 3510, Telephone (07) 866 2090

Editorial: info@theinformer.co.nz, Advertising: sales@theinformer.co.nz

Admin: office@theinformer.co.nz After hours: 027 271 6182

Follow us on social media @theinformernz | ISSN 2422-9083 (Print), ISSN 2422-9091 (Online), © 2023 Mercury Bay Informer Limited