The Informer - 23rd Apr 2024

BY RICHARD SHELFORD-WOODCOCK

There is much conversation about the role of Community Boards and their effectiveness.

This is not specific to the Coromandel Peninsula, as I am aware of other districts raising a particular line of conversation around their being no ability to

effect change at the community board level. Their autonomy is consumed by a process that has evolved over the years which results in hamstrung bodies.

This process is a trickle-down effect from central government by way of legislation to TCDC, through the Mayor and CEO, then Councillors and finally Community Boards.

The legislation is very much

energy consuming, requiring a lot of implementation. We have a degree of centralised leadership which does not allow for decentralised empowerment.

This makes establishing the kind of skills required for community board elected members very hazy. I think we don’t always get it right.

I have three major questions as Chair of The Whitianga Residents

and Ratepayers:- How can our Community Boards operate with more autonomy and therefore with more effectiveness? What degree of autonomy is the Council going to give our Community Boards? What is the role of residents and ratepayers in relation to Community Boards? The Community Boards cost the ratepayer a decent amount, so they need to be effective and have

NOT ENOUGH AUTONOMY FOR COMMUNITY BOARDS

the ability to work closely with residents and be able to effect change, consulting with Council but not merely being a channel to Council. After all, the theory is the elected members of a community board have more local knowledge and a stronger relationship with their local communities and are committed to being out and about listening to their community.

Turn to page 2

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From page 1

I see the role of Whitianga RRA is to take relevant concerns, issues and ideas to the Community Boards and assist the elected members in getting resolution to these.

That happens in part but what has evolved is that these presentations at community boards are transferred to staff members and then often a consultant.

This is to get expertise opinions and research that is not available among the staff. The staff look after processes.

Though there are elected Council members at community board meetings also, there is still the layer required to take proposals to the Council.

Too much time is taken for any return on the matter brought forward and often detail and accuracy are lost in the transference of that issue. The initial energy is lost and long tracts of time pass by without decision, let alone any real practical steps towards achievement.

A classic example known

of beach front remaining as protection which set his property apart from adjacent properties. Now, I am not proposing people just go ahead and do their own thing. All small steps need to be connected.

However, there needs to be power to develop communities within the community.

to me is a gentleman who took a risk with his home which was on the beach front. The risk he took was to implement action to save his house from storm destruction.

He could not get a response to his concerns through the process we have set up, so went ahead with what he understood was a practical solution he was prepared to pay for himself.

Not only did he take the risk; but the council fined him for defacing the beach on his own property.

After a whole series of storms, his home was left intact with a good degree

After all, the people who live here have the most investment in their environment and more often they bring a lifetime of skills in particular areas.

Residents and ratepayers’ groups require assurance their concerns and plans can be heard, discussed, modified with their elected members without a total separation to staff and consultants who then have the only access to council process.

Conversely, ideas coming from staff need to be brought to their communities for discussion and modification before budgets are decided as the people are largely paying the bills through rates and fees.

„

whitiangarra@gmail.com

23 April – Wednesday, 1 May. All the action with the planets is in the morning sky this week but they will all be fairly faint apart from brilliant Venus which rises just before the Sun low in the east. Laid out above it in a line are Mercury, slightly pinkish Mars and slightly yellowish Saturn which has now climbed to be far above Mars. They are all roughly the same brightness but can be distinguished from stars as they generally don’t twinkle. There will be lots of 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, 23 April: There will be a bright and long Tiangong pass from 6:06am in the NW passing high overhead. Wednesday, 24 April: We have a Tiangong pass from 5:06am in the northeast moving just below Saturn. Thursday, 25 April: There is an early Tiangong pass coming out of the Earth’s shadow at 5:38am just above the Moon. Friday, 26 April: There is another early Tiangong pass from 6:11am just above the Southern Cross moving between the pointers. Saturday, 27 April: There will be a short Tiangong pass from 5:10am in the SE. Monday, 29 April: There will be a very low ISS pass in the south from 6:39pm. Tuesday, 30 April: We have an extremely brief ISS pass in the south from 7:26pm which disappears quickly into the Earth’s shadow

Chairperson of Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association Richard Shelby-Woodcock.

La-Z-Boy® is coming to Whitianga

and will be the newest brand brought to us by Coromandel life:style store on Joan Gaskell Drive.

BY SUZANNE HANSEN

There are few brands of furniture better known than the timeless La-Z-Boy® brand and now we can view, try and buy our own iconic rocker/recliner here in the comfort of our own town.

As a matter of fact, if you get into Coromandel life:style for their La-Z-Boy® opening sale, between Friday, 26 April until Saturday, 1 June and have a sit, you can win your very own Anika Rocker Recliner, worth $2799 RRP, for free!

During this time all La-Z-Boy® furniture will also be at an opening sale price of 25% off until Saturday, 29 June.

The new Anika Rocker Recliner is a clean, modern take on the traditional, with all of the comfort you’d expect from La-Z-Boy® It combines sleek, stainless steel open arms (can also be Chrome, Mahogany, Black and Oak) and a cast alloy handle with either fabric or leather to suit your décor.

To enter the draw to win this beauty, you just need to take a photo sitting on the giveaway model in Coromandel life:style, and post it to your own social media, tagging Coromandel life:style.

If you are a little shy of social media, I am sure the staff at Cor-

omandel life:style can give you a hand.

La-Z-Boy® is just one more iconic brand for Mark Milmine and the team at Coromandel life:style, who pride themselves on providing the Mercury Bay community with the experience of buying top quality ranges of appliances, furniture, homeware and gifts without having to travel out of Whitianga.

These sorts of purchases are major for all of us, and the experience that Coromandel life:style is striving to provide us, honours that.

Coromandel life:style has its roots back to 2016 when Mark purchased 100% Home in both Whitianga and Thames.

Soon figuring out that the corner location in Whitianga town would be too small for all that Mark wanted to showcase, he worked to move the store out to the new development on Joan Gaskell Drive, where Guthrie Bowron had already taken on the anchor tenancy. Construction started on the new store in 2019 and although they were meant to move in by April 2020, the Covid19 lockdown delayed the store’s opening until June 2020.

Wanting to make more use of the space, Mark also did his research and secured Beds R Us,

a brand which had never been in Whitianga.

Over the ensuing years, Mark has strived to add in new ranges and when Danske Mobler approached Coromandel life:style to be their local distributor, Mark jumped at the chance to represent the iconic American but New Zealand-made brand and has spent the past couple of years building up the brand.

Over time, the store gained more homeware and giftware brands and since January 2024 they are now offering kitchenware as well.

Mark is excited about launching La-Z-Boy®, which is known for recliner/rockers with side levers, for ease of opening up the integrated footrest. He says that the brand is working hard to modernise into more sleek designs such as the Anika, but let’s face it, one thing that lockdown has created for us is an appreciation for comfort.

And as furniture styles come and go the La-Z-Boy® brand of recliners/rockers and electric lift chairs endures. Not to mention that the demographics here are perfect for the La-Z-Boy® brand. Make sure to get into Coromandel life:style to have a sit in an iconic La-Z-Boy® and feel for yourself why and how the brand has endured since 1927.

Mark Milmine, owner of Coromandel Life:Style with the newly arrived La-Z-Boys.

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A remarkable village of 450 Day Camp has been

running for 24 years – three days right in our

BY PAULINE STEWART

This is the village – 301 children as day campers, over 50 teenagers as leaders, 85 adults as operations, elective leaders, song leaders, counsellors and guides with one Captain at the head makes up the village. In addition, there is beautiful farm and ocean environment, the highly tuned and meticulously organised programme with fantastic equipment, confident and loving leadership and a spirit of Christian ethics imbues everything.

Mercury Bay should be very proud of this 24-year achievement and community members and leaders will do well to keep checking how they can support and help sustain and even grow this remarkable programme that now bring families to Whitianga or Cook’s Beach and Hahei so that children can go to the Day Camp. Day Camp is three-day, annual day camp for primary age children and young people run by the Mercury Bay Community Support Trust on the farm owned by Graham and Selma Morcom’s Family

backyard

Trust at Cook’s Beach. This year it ran from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April

The camp registrations were full – 300 children. The big challenge was to find enough teen leaders and adult assistant for all of the electives which are adventurous and challenging and more than that they are in many cases extreme fun for the children and young people – archery, mudslide, water slide, kayaks, carpentry, climbing wall, archery, camp firers and cooking, to name a few. In

the end 301 children plus 85 adult assistants and 65 teens formed the village community that was the Mercury Bay Day Camp on the Marcom’s farm at Cook’s Beach.

There is a huge team of volunteers who spend weeks organising the detail.

For example, 250 of the children travel on the ferry from Whitianga to Ferry Landing and then catch a bus relay to the Morcom’s farm.

Every elective runs several sessions over the three days and each time supplies and situa-

tions are refreshed and checked. Skilled and experienced adults are there, for example Graeme Coleman of Chester Plumbing was there for the two days to help the children at carpentry. Damon Christensen of Diode Electrical Services was really a ‘Man Friday’ before and during the Day Camp, as well as providing the technical machinery needed for speakers and singers to be heard in the giant marquee and for announce-

ments to be made across the farm. Health and Safety precautions are a priority but not a burden for the children.

The key is the Captain, Tina Bartlett; her organisation, talented leadership and her love for the whole team especially the children, speaks for itself.

If you are interested in assisting at next years Day Camp Call 0272466164 and speak to Maureen Kerr.

More on page 16

High slippery speeds on the water slide; 65 teenage leaders give of their time to make day camp a success; Graeme Coleman of Chester Plumbing leading the children’s carpentry elective; captain Tina Bartlett with the winner Kalissa Moisa of the Peninsula Roofing leadership scholarship.

Congratulations to Nick and Alesha of the Coro Club. They created a simple, fun and relaxing Friday night festivityatthehangar(out attheairport)–lotsoffood choices, face painting and great music from Rachel of Hula Cafe as DJ and Stu Pedley. I am sure this will be organised again.

Sydney and Skyla Williams, top, loved their faces painted; Lisa Hinreiner with Rocky, Ella Kington with Albee and Jess Rodgers enjoying the atmosphere of the hangar night market; two key organisers of this night time market at the Coro Club hangar dining and entertaining experience, Niklas Brandt and Alesha Innes, below..

Special Anzac exhibition at the Mercury Bay museum

BY REBECCA COX

There is our new exhibition “The Men in the Photo” just in time for ANZAC Day.

This exhibition commemorates the men from Mercury Bay using three photos from our collection and centres around the Roll of Honour, Mercury Bay.

These photos have been chosen by our team as they tell a very poignant story – some of these men never returned home.

We tell the story of Private Percy Charles Balme, who saw action in Gallipoli in 1915 and the Western Front in 1916. We are privileged to have his medals and a painting of him on exhibit from the Balme Family. Please make sure you visit this exhibition and learn a little more of the history of our men and the places around our town that commemorate them too.

All Mercury Bay RSA members are free while the exhibition is open – please just present your card to the team at the front desk.

Following the ANZAC theme these holidays we have created “Mission Accomplished”. This is an activity where our smaller visitors can hunt out objects in

FREE!!! Each child gets a passport, a lanyard, and a badge when they join. Every time they visit the museum, they get a stamp in their passport and a badge to add to their lanyard – simple as that!! And fun too!

Just remember that children must be supervised by an adult when in the museum.

Now that we have your children signed up to the Explorers programme you will need to purchase a concession card –see what we did there?? Hehe.

our mission crates or answer some questions to complete their mission.

There is a craft station set-up where they can colour a poppy and place on our wall too. If you are a Museum Explorer there is a badge to collect as well!

Speaking of Museum Explorers – have you joined yet?? It is open to all children and its

These are $75.00 and there are 10 visits per card – that reduces the cost of your visit to $7.50 – BONUS!

So, pop into the Museum these school holidays and see what’s new and fun to do!!

Thank you to our amazing community for supporting us and we always look forward to seeing you in the Museum! We are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm (last admission 2:15pm).

Coromandel community unites for sustainable fisheries: A call to action

WHITIANGA GUN CLUB

DUCKSHOOTERS

SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT

ALL WELCOME

SUNDAY 28 APRIL 2024 – 9.30AM START

80 TARGETS IN SPORTING CLAYS LAYOUT

Cost $80.00 – includes lunch, targets and HOA prize Generous prizes – will be awarded Prizes supported by……..

• HUNTING AND FISHING – WHITIANGA

• TARGET PRODUCTS – OAMARU

For more information please call:

Mike Deverell 027 495 3477 or Graham Sutcliffe 021 846 655

• The Committee reserves the right to change the program should there be a requirement to do so.

• Please ensure that vehicles with Guns and or ammo are locked.

Whitianga Coastguard

Alan Jackson

Memorial Cadetship

26 May – 1 September 2024

Enrol in the Cadetship programme and open up a world of opportunities for personal growth, weekly challenges and a lot of fun.

Skills for Life

You will work as a team, build trust, show initiative and increase con�idence in communication and decision making processes. Leave the course with nationally recognised certi�icates to help you enjoy a lifetime of safe boating or open your way to an array of maritime careers.

By the end of the course you will have completed your Marine VHF Radio course, Coastguard Day Skipper quali�ication and a First Aid Certi�icate. Deep Water Survival training is also part of the course along with lots of Practical Boat Handling Skills and Coastguard Search and Rescue Techniques.

Are you 15-17 years old and Ready to Jump Onboard?

Think you’ve got what it takes to join our cadetship and take advantage of this All Expenses Paid opportunity?

Applications

There are only 10 places available and we are currently taking applications by email to info@whitiangacoastguard.co.nz.

Tell us a little about yourself and any water based skills you may already have. Also let us know what you will do with these new found skills in the future and why you think you should be chosen to be invited onto the cadetship this year. Remember to include your contact details and those of a parent.

Closing Date for applications is Sunday 5th May.

BY WARREN MAHER, TAIRUA-PAUANUI SPORTS FISHING CLUB SPOKESPERSON

Nabbing poachers while they’re in the act can be exhilarating but risky. Last month several Pauanui residents stopped three people suspected of illegally taking 60 undersized pāua. After calls to 0800 4 POACHER, Fisheries Compliance staff arrived to apprehend the suspects. Officials appreciate the community’s involvement but urge caution, encouraging people to record details of potential offenders and stay safe.

While I am not endorsing this behaviour, it is another example of Coromandel residents working together to protect our fisheries and little slice of paradise.

Over the years, significant community effort has been invested into protecting scallops, pink maomao and various other fin-fish. This commitment by the community has undoubtedly contributed to protecting the marine environment and sea life around the Coromandel. Without this proactive engagement we may not have the same fishery we enjoy today.

For example, in 2020 the Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club were proud to stand alongside other Coromandel clubs in showing their support for the Ngāti Hei rāhui to protect the OpitoBay scallop beds. This was to help scallop numbers rebuild, and so destructive scallop dredging could be phased out.

Our members worked alongside Dive Zone Whitianga, the Opito Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association, local clubs, and national organisations including the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, New Zealand Underwater, New Zealand Angling & Casting, and LegaSea, to encourage compliance with the rāhui until a more formal closure could be applied to scallops.

In 2021, Ngāti Hei received Ministerial approval for a 2-year temporary closure to all scallop harvesting from their entire rohe of 2413 square kilometres on the eastern Coromandel coast. After

several alarming scallop abundance survey results, the Minister closed the entire scallop fishery around the Coromandel, Hauraki Gulf and Northland in 2023.

The rāhui and subsequent closure was a win for the community. In the absence of effective fisheries management, the community worked together to intervene, to help restore the depleted scallop numbers.

Then conflict arose again in Tairua in mid2021, when hundreds of pink maomao were being landed due to people taking advantage that no daily bag limits applied. Fisheries Officers were powerless to respond because the regulations had not kept pace with changing fishing patterns.

Once again, a lack of action by the government saw the community rally to protect the fisheries. Ngāti Hei stepped in again to quell the growing unrest. Matua Joe Davis placed a rāhui on any fishing for pink maomao within their rohe moana (customary area). This was a stop-gap measure until the regulations could catch up. Because of the collective outcry, in less than a year the regulations changed to include pink maomao in the combined recreational daily bag limit.

“As recreational fishers we want to do our bit to try and protect our oceans and promote sustainable harvest levels”, said President of the Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club Tim Evans.

“On the one hand it’s encouraging that the community is actively engaged in conserving fish for the benefit of future generations. On the other hand, it’s disappointing that

once again the community is forced to react to a failing quota management system which allows bulk harvesting and destructive fishing methods to deplete our fish and scallops. This drives tourists away, which ultimately impacts on the social, economic, and cultural wellbeing of all Coromandel residents and businesses.”

Bottom trawling, Danish and purse seining are all impacting on life under, on, and above the sea. Some big, difficult decisions need to be made about how to reverse the degradation of our oceans. Not everyone is convinced that there is a solution available under the quota management system, given that it is the very system that has allowed this behaviour in the first place.

A bright light on the horizon is the preliminary discussions to bring a wide range of community interests and Ngāti Hei together to develop a more formal management plan. Their expansive rohe includes Whakahau/ Slipper Island, Alderman Islands, Ahuahu Great Mercury Island and Repanga Cuvier Island. This plan could provide a real pathway towards restoring depleted fish and shellfish populations around the Coromandel coast. And, after their years of input and vigilance, the people of Coromandel can rightly expect Fisheries New Zealand and the Waikato Regional Council to do their bit for the community.

“Ngāti Hei are grateful when those in the wider community respect the cultural mechanisms utilised by the iwi to manage their fisheries. As kaitiaki, protecting and enhancing the mauri of the rohe, to sustain provision for future generations, is intrinsically beneficial to all”, commented Peter Matai Johnston.

In the meantime, let’s all minimise our impact on the environment by reducing the amount of rubbish we produce, and being more careful about what we pour down the drain.

Finally, enjoy the Autumn fishing and share those fish heads and frames with people in your community who revere them.

Warren Maher

John’s wishes honoured as Bayleys incorporates North

John Hunt died peacefully after a very brief battle with cancer in March this year. It was only a few short months after his diagnosis of a brain tumour. He was surrounded by his family. The community and especially his colleagues at North Real Estate were devastated. Helen Hunt’s letter set out adjacent to this news, gives peace of mind to John’s staff and family.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY

HELEN HUNT

It is with a sad but grateful heart that I write to you, our wonderful community, to announce that North Real Estate will soon be closing its doors.

It was in John’s final week that he asked our family friend, Simone Jonelle Cronin, to take on the business. Simone has worked tirelessly for us over the past five weeks to determine how to best honour John’s wishes, which meant keeping our clients and their properties as the priority consideration, every step of the way.

As Simone worked with us exploring options, we landed on what we agreed ticked all the boxes John had requested, and that was to approach Bayleys. We were very lucky that

Simone, having previously been a Branch Manager with Bayleys in Auckland, was well positioned to assist us with this.

I am forever grateful to the Bayleys Coromandel leadership team for their response to our reaching out and for their compassion and professionalism.

Both Joanna Hunt and

Peter Neumark-Payne will join Bayleys Tairua this week. We hope our clients choose to move with us to Bayleys as we truly believe our people backed by the Bayleys brand provides the very best real estate can offer. Elaine Smith will be operating independently in real estate sales and in property management.

I want to take the opportunity to thank these three wonderful real estate salespeople for their loyalty to our family, their commitment to our clients and for their resilience. I wish them all the very best in their careers, now and in the future.

Also, to Jeff Carr our Licensed AREINZ locum and Charma Wilson, thank you so much for all your hard work during this time.

I know that John wanted

only the best for all of his clients, people and property and am proud that we have been able to navigate this tough time with compelling solutions for all in such a short time.

Again, thank you Bayleys for your responsiveness and your ability to accommodate us. Shaun Paterson, Karl Davis and Chris Bayley - thank you. You have all demonstrated the same commitment to clients, people, and property that John was so passionate about. I am confident that our clients and people can rest assured they are in very good hands.

I want to wish everyone, especially our clients, every success and thank you all for your understanding and support.

Helen Hunt Director, North Real Estate

„ About John: John moved to Whitianga with his wife Helen and family in 1997.

Building North Real Estate meant some very hard work; getting it off the ground and finding the right commercial property were significant hurdles. Funding the business in the early stages was another challenge. John always said his team made things easier. He worked on these principles – share all commissions, share all clients, and share all information. He was always very mindful of that trust even when there was not much business. John was convinced that people needed trust and that can be a tough commodity in a time of meagre supply. He was

FOR STAGE 2 ARE WELCOME!

very committed to his colleagues and their future. He was ten years a policeman and ten years a pastor prior to establishing North. These vocations gave John great experience of people and a high degree of empathy.

John never lost sight of his love for people. He loved Whitianga and the Coromandel as a wonderful place to live. He was so proud of his family and together they made a vital life together here in Mercury Bay. He would say to people wherever he was, ‘come North’.

He is missed greatly by Helen and family and this community, but that invitation of John’s – ‘come North’ will be carried on very well by the Bayleys team.

John Hunt

Planning your treescape

Part 2: Species Selection and Placement

BY ANDREW NOAKES

The main considerations when planning your treescape are:

• Purpose of the planting area: native or exotic species; fruiting trees; wildlife habitat; resource production (ie timber, firewood); or problem solving (ie pollution, water retention).

• Available Resources: light, water, soil structure and nutrients.

• Space Limitations and Access: for the tree, the root system, as well as yourself.

• Desire or ability to undertake ongoing maintenance. There are several factors to consider to achieve long-term results when planning your treescape. It is important to consider that you are really developing an ecosystem/microclimate. There are both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) influences on a treescape:

• Biotic Factors: The players in the food chain: producers, consumers and decomposers; all plant matter: trees, shrubs,

mosses, grasses, fungi; all animal influences: insects, worms, animal inhabitants; and competition from all living beings for the limited resources in the area.

• Abiotic Factors: Availability of exposure to sunlight (too much or too little) effecting photosynthesis and growth potential; availability to water (too much or too little); inanimate factors of the area (ie soil, rocks, water); and temperature and climate factors.

Tree root systems are also worth consideration when planning a treescape as they are an unseen, but necessary and sprawling part of tree health. The top root structure works as part of the vascular system (absorbing nutrients), and the deeper roots provide structural support. What is often the case with trees is that what you see above the ground is mirrored below; so a large tree has a large root system.

When contemplating the distribution of tree roots, these factors must be assessed:

• Resource Availability: The dynamic vascular system of

plants enables the roots to grow towards needed resources like water, nutrients, oxygen available in the soil.

• Soil Type: Soil composition can encourage or inhibit the ways in which the roots grow; they often cannot easily grow through dense soils, but can easily move through loamy soils.

• Soil Compaction: Physical compression (ie buildings, boulders, vehicles), soil structure and water retention can inhibit

the ability of the roots to move towards needed resources.

• Tree Species: Varied tree species have different root systems which determine whether the roots grow laterally, vertically, together or separate. This is a major consideration when planting; for example, planting a large, broad leafed species near the house is not a good choice as the roots can interfere with utility structures and foundations. However, some species have the

ability to actually improve the soil structure through their roots (ie clay soil becoming more loamy). The roots of some species also act as a nitrogen fixer and can improve the resources available (this can be beneficial around fruit trees and vegetable gardens). For example, Gladitsia triacanthos (Honey Locust) is a species that improves nitrogen in the soil. A word of warning though, this species has the potential to be a large tree so formative pruning and ongoing maintenance is often required.

When thought is put in to planning prior to planting, the benefits are multi-fold and can be abundant and enjoyed for years to come. So think before you dig.

„ Next Month… Planning Your Treescape - Part 3: Specific Species Recommendations

Andrew Noakes, of NZ Arb Consultancy, is a local Qualified Arborist and TRAQ Certified Assessor with over 30 years experience caring for trees in a variety of situations. 0204 163 5486 nzarbconsultancy@proton.me

Custom made shade for Kiwi lifestyles

Throughout the decades, Lidgard has proudly remained New Zealand-owned and operated and built a long-standing reputation for customised designs, outstanding service and delivering exceptional quality to withstand our harsh Kiwi weather conditions. We

Mature Kanuka too close to a shed, requiring crown lift away from building.

STAN’S STUFF

Since the beginning of time

– no person has had a more charmed life than me!

Someone told me there are a lot of grumpy, angry people around these days. Depending which side of the bed I get out, I can be one myself. But I’ve got to thinking about how lucky I am.

Think about it! The universe came into being with the big bang, 13.8billion years ago. I’ve been on the world since 1937. I reckon I’ve lived in the best countries, Australia and New Zealand, at the best time in history.

My dad earned his living by the sweat of his brow. Born at the end of the nineteenth century, he went through two world wars and the Great Depression.

In his final few years, he used all his resources to buy a Hillman Minx Estate Wagon which he used to drive old ladies on site-seeing trips. This made him sublimely happy. The activity didn’t last long as after two years, he died of Asbestosis, the result of building with asbestos sheeting.

The second world war ended when I was eight. Elvis and Rock and Roll exploded when I was a teenager. Flat feet meant I never went to Vietnam. In a religious

At no point do the young people surveyed think that they are the luckiest generation to walk the earth. Why should they! No one else thinks/talks like this.

fog, I lived through the Cuban missile crisis. More by luck than good management, a third world war has not yet happened.

In 86 years, I have never missed a meal nor gone to sleep without appropriate bedding, even when I cycled with very little supplies from Melbourne to Sydney.

My level of comfort and prosperity exceeds not only my dad’s life but anything previous generations could have even imagined. Here I’m talking of mundane things, an airconditioned office and automatic car, universal health care, a hi-level of personal safety, unrestricted audio-visual world-wide communication, instant access to the libraries of human knowledge, and so on. We take these things for granted.

However, these benefits have not been part of the human expe-

rience in any other time in human history.

There has not been anything like our Kiwi and Aussie world at any other time in history.

But now we think of it as ‘normal’. Worse still we want more, we expect more. In expectation, we wait for the next big thing!.

However, the current Kiwi and Aussie world is not normal. In 13.8 billion years, there has never been a civilization like ours. However, on the planet at this time a huge proportion of humans do not have access to things we take as normal – running water, sanitation, a police force we do not fear, etcetera. I realise that we are living a charmed life! We all know it is not perfect, but it is the best standard of living and most humane functioning community that has

ever been seen on the earth. It has never been better than this.

The saddest thing is, it is so easy to take it all for granted, to feel it is normal or worse still, that we have earned it.

Most of humanity have worked harder than us and have not shared in anything like the level of prosperity, security, and comfort we take for granted.

Deloitte has an annual survey of the attitudes of GenZ’s (12-27-year-olds) and Millennials (28-40years). They have just released the results of their Australian survey. In no way do these results reflect my ‘never-had-it-so good’ theme’. These young people certainly don’t feel ‘lucky’ or privileged. In fact. doom and gloom are on their minds.

This is most obvious in their views of politicians. Get this!

“Ninety seven percent of young Australians (GenZ’s and Millennials), believe the country’s political leaders are self-interested, shortsighted, and corrupted by donors and special interest groups.” They worry how they will cope economically and feel that home owner-

ship will be out of their reach.

At no point do the young people surveyed think that they are the luckiest generation to walk the earth. Why should they! No one else thinks/talks like this. The problem as far as I can see it, is that there is no awareness of this anywhere.

Actually, it is not true that the theme of our current benefits are ignored by all. I was prompted into this line of thinking by the Canadian professor, Jordan Peterson, renowned psychologist, author, and online educator.

As is often the case in his video clips, he was facing a group of university students, most of whom looked grumpy and irate. He told them to stop and think of their current lives in contrast to life in previous ages. He told them that despite the political and social problems they were articulating, no generation in all human history, had ever had it so good.

I reckon that’s worth thinking about. I try to bring it to mind when I stumble out of bed each morning. It does help me to feel thankful.

New lifestyle village in Whitianga

BY LYNETTE GEE

The heart of Whitianga is a tranquil harbour surrounded by hills and bush on one side and flat land on the other.

The harbour feeds a maze of waterways meandering through the flat land to the west.

The town started out as a small seaside town of holiday baches. A holiday and fishing mecca for the summer months.

Now, large holiday homes have risen from where baches once sat and high-end homes edge the canal frontages.

The Waterways is a Hopper Developments project, which started in 2001. For the Hoppers the objective for the Waterway’s development is for a multi-faceted community.

The vision included canal housing, a dockside development, including a commercial zone to add to the gateway zone which houses businesses like the Warehouse, PlaceMakers, supermarkets and more, edging Joan Gaskell Drive as you enter the Whitianga township. A medical centre, a retirement village, a hotel, and a marine precinct were all in the plan.

In February, The Moorings Village, a retirement village for those aged 60 and above, was officially opened. It sits in the centre of

the Waterways, on a nine-hectare block of landwrapped on three sides by water.

The Moorings Village is the fourth retirement village to be built by Hopper Living.

The Hopper Living website describes The Moorings Village as ‘resort-style retirement living, that is thoughtfully planned with your needs in mind’.

“This project has been a long time in the making. The vision for The Moorings started before 2000,” said Leigh Hopper, a Director at Hopper Developments.

The Moorings fits comfortably with the Hopper brand. Hopper Living owns Maygrove Retirement Village in Orewa, The Anchorage

at Marsden point, Country Club Huapai, and now The Moorings at Whitianga.

“Like all Hopper projects we work to add as much lifestyle value as possible to the places we build,” said Leigh.

The Moorings is a ‘licence to occupy’ model. “This means we can set standards, maintain standards, and deliver exceptional lifestyle and services,” said Leigh.

Stage one is underway, and sales have started. The first residents will move in from around the middle of the year.The longterm plan will see 220 dwellings, ranging from duplexes to high end canal-facing villas. There is also consent for apartments up to

four stories high.

“We control the layout and can optimise things, in a unique social environment,” said Leigh.

He himself plans to move into the village in the future. “Here there will be comfort, camaraderie, and a unique environment to live in,” he said.

Leigh pointed out their challenge is to provide all the services. Currently a medical centre, subsidised by Hopper’s, sits next to The Moorings Village. Stage two of the medical centre will incorporate more health services. It will physically connect the Village with health age care, dementia care, and a range of medical facilities.

One of the drivers that takes people away from towns like Whitianga in older age, is proximity to a hospital.

Ruth Scandrett, General Manager of Hopper Living commented, “The opening of the Moorings Village marks a significant milestone for both Hoppers and the Mercury Bay area. While the primary focus is on units for independent living, the longer plan is to offer a variety of living arrangements, including integrated hospital care facilities”.

Whitianga is a natural place. It’s coastal environment and bush setting nurtures a lifestyle that is relaxed. Beaches and outdoor pursuits are on the doorstep. There is a good range of cafes, bars and eateries, there are retail outlets aplenty, and there is an airport. Everything you need is there.

Consent has been given for a marine precinct facility that will take larger vessels, including super yachts. There will be hard stands, and boat servicing facilities. This will lead to job opportunities.

“Customers come to Whitianga, and they discover likemindedpeople enjoying life here, friendly people. This is a growing town. We’re in the magic triangle, with proximity to Auckland. More people want what we’ve got,” said Leigh.

by HOPPER LIVING

The Moorings Lifestyle Village opened February 2024.

Whitianga, 42 Kupe Drive

• Flat section, single level brick home, 3 bdrm 2 bthrm, internal access double garaging.

• All living areas intertwined, open plan or separate. Independent accessed office/ media/formal lounge or 4th bedroom. Equally perfect for a young family, retirees, rental or work from home.

FOR SALE AUCTION 18th May 2024 at 2.00pm on-site (Unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27315165

Kirstin Brown 027 301 1775 Dayle Candy 027 433 6862

Whitianga, 37 Cook Drive

• 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home tucked back off the road.

• Generous 1171sqm (mol) fully fenced flat site. Located within walking distance to town & the school. Plus a great sleepout.

FOR SALE $789,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27555846

David Frew 027 491 8420

Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

Whitianga, Unit 9, 1 Centennial Drive

• Lovely 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment with a garage/boatshed.

• Excellent condition and located right across the road from Brophy’s Beach.

• Stunning sea views across the harbour.

FOR SALE $785,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/ L25993313

Peter MacGregor 027 224 7332

Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

FOR SALE

Cooks Beach, 34 Scott Drive

• This quintessential kiwi bach is

• 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

FOR SALE $975,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26546343

Paulette Tainsh 027 241 2001

Hendry Tainsh 022 658 4818

Why I love being a Mercury Bay Lion

BY CECILY DOWER

As a member of Mercury Bay Lions Club (MBLC), I found my passion for Lions reignited after moving to Whitianga in January 2021. Initially seeking to connect with my new community and enhance my skills, I was warmly welcomed into MBLC by my neighbour, who sponsored me into the club.

The Club, being formerly a Lioness Club, currently has only women members who embraced me wholeheartedly from the start.

A very delightful bubbly brunch

BY BARBARA NIPPERT

Get ready to brunch with a purpose on Mother’s Day at “The French Café Bubbly Brunch”.

Join us for a glass of bubbly and a delicious brunch. that promises to be as vibrant as your sparkling mimosa!

With scrumptious bites, fantastic company, music, raffles, and spot prizes, this French-themed brunch is

sure to leave you feeling both full and fulfilled.

Be ready to make a difference in the most delightful way at “The French Café Bubbly Brunch” fundraiser for Project Mammogram, on Sunday 12 May at 10am catered by Mercury Bay Lions. Get your friends together for a fun Mother’s Day event.

Tickets are available from the Whitianga isite Information Centre.

The club’s inclusive atmosphere, including the informal gatherings were filled with laughter and camaraderie, so immediately resonated with me.

From our distinctive pink shirts to our reputation for generosity and community involvement, MBLC stood out as a beacon of goodwill in Whitianga.

My journey with MBLC truly took flight during the Garden Ramble 2021, where I served as a hostess, relishing the opportunity to connect with garden owners and visitors alike. Since then, I have eagerly participated in various roles across our events, relishing the experience of every task.

Even as I navigate the

challenges of my role as treasurer, the sense of purpose and friendship within the club keeps me motivated.

Beyond my tasks and

responsibilities, MBLC has enriched my life in ways I never imagined. My social circle has expanded exponentially, and I now find satisfaction in every

interaction, whether it is a casual chat with a familiar face or a shared laugh at one of our events. Being part of MBLC has not only made me feel deeply connected to my community but has brought fun and fulfilment into my life.

In conclusion, for anyone considering joining a Lions club, I wholeheartedly endorse the experience. The sense of belonging, purpose, and friendship within MBLC has transformed my life for the better, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a Lion and serve my community.

Mercury Bay Lions welcomes new members. If you would like to find out more, email us at mercurybaylions@gmail.com

Grandparents raising grandchildren

Life changes drastically when you take a grandchild into your care.

BY GILLIAN WILLIS

We are a small group of grandparents who are raising our grandchildren full time. We meet once a month for a coffee catchup at various cafes around town. One of our members lives in Coromandel so this month we travelled there for morning tea. We have also had others from Tairua and Matarangi. The group was originally started by Brenda Duncan and Shirley Brown. Brenda has a wealth of knowledge and has been a great support to many over the years. It was a very small group back then but now we have about 12 grandparents involved and we usually have 6-8 turn up to our coffee mornings each month.

We also welcome anyone who is caring for someone else’s child to join us. We have had an aunty raising her nephew, some grandparents who are not the biological grandparents and some foster parents.

Anyone raising a grandchild should go onto the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren website and join up. You will then receive

We have our grandchildren for various reasons. As we are all travelling the same road, it is great to have that contact with others who understand what you are going through and are non judgemental. We can commiserate with each other, but we can also have lots of laughs. We celebrate the milestones our grandchildren reach, and we support each other when times are rough. Some of us have forged great friendships with each other and those friendships continue outside of our coffee mornings. Some of the older grandparents have grandchildren well into adulthood now but they have continued to come along to our coffee group due to the relationships formed over the years.

a monthly newsletter by email which has a lot of helpful information in it. You also have access to advocates who can help with financial support, the legal system, any Oranga Tamariki involvement and help with accessing support for mental health, counselling services, housing issues and education resources.

We welcome any grandparents and caregivers in the Mercury Bay area to come along and join our coffee mornings. We are more than happy to support anyone who is new to, or already on, this journey. Carers or anyone fostering are most welcome as well. Please contact Gillian on 027 4540314 for more information.

Cecily enjoys being treasurer of the Mercury Bay Lions Club and connecting with the community.

A very enjoyable coffee time for the grandparent carers.

Skaters enjoy Tairua’s

BY PAM FERLA

If ‘popshoveit, goofy, tictac and ollie’ sound familiar to you then you’re probably one of those celebrating Tairua’s new state-ofthe-art skatepark.

The long-awaited facility opened at Cory Park Domain on April 17 and attracted an enthusiastic crowd. It was designed by Acid NZ, project managed by Veros, and caters for all levels of ability. Projected cost of the skatepark is $1.12m, with $150,000 of this raised by the community.

A tenacious group of locals kept the dream alive through 30 years of debate, conflict and high court action on selecting a suitable site.

“Hanging out with mates” is a big part of the attraction and these teens reckon it is good for their mental health as well as fitness.

Tairua residents Marilyn Rawlinson and Janet Adlington spent opening day, plus most mornings last week, at the skatepark sitting comfy in their chairs with a book and a drink, while watching their grandchildren.

“It’s a fabulous asset and there’s a really nice atmosphere here,” says Marilyn. “We’ve seen heaps of kids each day as well as some dads showing their moves and helping the younger ones.”

Janet says it was good to see skaters of all ages, from tots to adults, enjoying themselves. Families welcoming the skatepark include three local 14-yearolds, Makala Buchanan, Jordon Roberts and Zanda Hishon.

Surf lifeguard Makala has been skating for about a year and says she does it for fun. Her dad, Stacey, is a surfer who loved skating in his teens.

Jordan’s favourite skateboard move is the kick flip, and he looks

forward to trying out a rip stick (two wheels) as well. Zanda has been skateboarding since he was six and says his dad, Matthew, also loves the sport. Zanda is currently learning to heel flip.

“Hanging out with mates” is a big part of the attraction and these teens reckon it is good for their mental health as well as fitness. “And it keeps them off their devices,” adds mum, Donna Marshall.

• High level of attention to detail throughout is evident with beautiful timber flooring & modern tasteful decor

• Stairs or lift to the upper level with views of the Waterways

• Kitchen with stone benches & generous scullery

• Outdoor area with kitchen, BBQ & private lounging area.

• Master with a large walk-in wardrobe & ensuite.

• 7 x 4m heated saltwater pool for year-round use

• 9m long carport & carpeted internal access double garage

Skaters having fun at Tairua’s new skatepark, which was opened by Mayor Len Salt. Photos supplied Tairua Advertiser

Whitianga Classic Car Club Invests in our Teen Leaders

BY MICHELLE FARMER

The Whitianga Classic Car Club has awarded four Outstanding Teen Leader Scholarships, each to the value of $250.

The Mercury Bay Day Camp offers three days of outdoor adventure for children aged between 6 and 13, and in addition provides fun and empowering leadership opportunities for teens aged 14 to 17. The Teen Leaders attending camp make close friendships whilst also gaining experience and leadership skills that can build their confidence and self-esteem. Many teens go on to make lifelong friendships and take the skills they have learnt at camp into the workforce and into life.

Teen Leader Award Recipients at the Day Camp final day presentations: Michelle Farmer and Albert Slack from the Whitianga Classic Car Club, Kaitlyn Cornwall, Codi Courtenay, Francis Lidgard and Cameron Lee.

The four recipients of the scholarship were selected from some 65 Teen Leaders attending the Mercury Bay Day Camp.The selected leaders each demonstrated particularly outstanding personal commitment in leading, supporting and encouraging the younger children as they navigated their way through different activities at the camp.

THROUGH THE PORTAL

charities including the Westpac Helicopter Trust and The Legacy Foundation at Mercury Bay Area School. The Club is now proud to be sponsoring young leaders in our community.

The Whitianga Classic Car Club congratulates all the children who attended camp, every dedicated teen leader, as well as the generous organisers and the loyal adult helpers. Albert and I arrived for the final accolades and were met by a large group of very happy and invigorated souls, some of whom were covered in mud from head to toe.

Over the years the Whitianga Classic Car Club has raised money to support many local

The Whitianga Classic Car Club is sponsoring each of the four ‘most outstanding student leaders’, Francis Lidgard, Kaitlyn Cornwall, Cameron Lee and Codi Courtenay $250 towards any extra-curricular activity that will help them better themselves. The choice of activities is to be decided by the recipient and must reflect a genuine interest the student has.

The smiles on every face and the excited gusto in each one’s voice bore testament to the wonder of the experiences achieved and challenges overcome during their time at camp.

More on page 5

Our voice – How do we have one?

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

The TCDC Long Term Plan has been made available for review by ratepayers and the ability to make a submission was provided. I had a go at this, as did many others, and found the process rather cumbersome and limiting.

It was cumbersome in that the website was difficult to navigate and it was limiting in that all you could comment on was decisions already made, we could not be part of the decision.

An example of this was the new Council administrative building where we could decide on spending between $8 million and $27 million depending on options. What was not presented for our consideration was some missing options such as:

1. Sell the current Council premises and have Council lease office space elsewhere.

2. Sell the current Council premises and have a new Council

building built on land owned by the Council in Whitianga. After all a third of the Coromandel population resides in Mercury Bay and it would be a far nicer place to live for Council staff.

Both of these options would free up some millions for things such as foot paths at Wharekaho, and a myriad of other things, but these options were not put on the table by Council.

The Council had facilitated a community-based fact finding process some months ago which I supposed was where we were meant to recommend such items as the two options mentioned.

The problem with this process was that the Council would not tell us what they were planning, so unless you happened to know the building was up for renovation or replacement, you would not think to comment on it. I attended one of these meetings and felt it was just an exercise focussed on enabling Council to tick off the box labelled “Con-

sulted with Community”.

If the community consultation could be considered a sham how do we get our voice heard?

The answer has to be via the local Community Board, or so I thought. I decided to get an idea of how this worked by tracing the Community Board’s concern for Wharekaho. This area is in effect a suburb of Whitianga and you would think it should have water, sewerage and footpaths as does the rest of the town, including the new development in Wharekaho at the town end.

The starting point I eventually found was the Mercury Bay Community Plan 2020 to 2030. Reading through this I was able to ascertain that Wharekaho was not forgotten. In particular under the section headed “Projects the Communities Would Like to See Happen” were the following:

1. Wastewater and water supply service investigations

2. Completion of path from 1095 SH25 (Campground) to Har-

bour Lights Terrace

This looked promising for Wharekaho, although it did not look fully committed.

A commitment to investigate something over a ten-year period sounds like a Labour Government process, reports for filing and no action. Surely we could do more than that I thought, and set about trying to see what the next step was.

The next step is for our Community Board to get some of our needs included in the Annual Plan, as this is what initiates work.

Upon perusal I found that last year footpath construction in Mercury Bay totalled $83,000 whereas the plan called for $166,000.

Maybe the underspend was at Wharekaho? The citizens of Simpsons Beach were possibly thought about, then ignored, but that was as good as it got last year.

Let us not be negative though, let’s look at the coming year. The

Long Term Plan had $169,440 for footpath construction but in the annual plan this has been revised to zero. Not good news for Wharekaho but they shouldn’t feel picked on, the entire Mercury Bay LTP budget for the coming year of $3.3 million has been slashed by 90% although I must point out that we have a few additional items in another section, items such as waste water, storm water improvements and Brophys Beach coastal protection.

The coming years show more potential with budgets appearing in the three prime areas of interest for Wharekaho. But we have seen how easy it is for the magicians at Council to make a budget disappear so we mustn’t get too excited.

We conclude it is not looking promising for Wharekaho’s footpath and in particular the results we are getting makes us question the Community Board in terms of effectiveness. Their prime purpose appears to be as our voice

A new partnership on the Peninsula with Elite Blinds and Curtain Clinic

Two companies have joined to extend their services across the whole of the Coromandel Peninsula. It is a natural union, as they have in a sense already been working together. When people want blinds installed, they are often looking for curtains to be hung as well. When people need to have their drapes cleaned, they often want their curtains cleaned.

Meet Scott and Tina who are Elite Blinds who bring over 12 years of experience in cleaning and installation of all types of blinds.

“Wherever there are blinds, we are happy to service you,” says Scott.

“Our Whitianga agents are available to help with taking down and reinstalling if your live in the Coromandel, Mercury Bay area, and our Waihi based team look after Pauanui, Whangamata and Thames. This way we can provide efficient service and people don’t have to wait a long time.

Tina and Scott wanted people to know that their cleaning process uses non-corrosive products, certified safe for food areas and the home environment. Pure water is used to eliminate water spotting, so the blinds they blinds look like new on their return.

“Hot dry weather, dust and dirt,

constant exposure to sunlight, all slowly damage blinds and cords and other moving components can fail,” says Scott. “Let our Blind Technician inspect them for you, and if we can get them working again, we will. If it is time to say goodbye to that old, tired blind, we can quote for quality new blinds sourced from NZ manufacturers.”

Curtain Clinic owner and Managing Director, Angela, grew up in Thames, so is passionate now about extending Curtain Clinic’s 30-year (Takanini-based) service to the Coromandel. This is now possible with the professional and customer service ethic

offered through Whitianga-based agents, Rob and Elaine.

Elaine spoke to The Informer about the new team. “When we started to do the curtains, people would ask, ‘Do you do blinds as well and when Tina and Scott were doing blinds, they would be asked, ‘Do you do curtains?” This is a natural partnership. We can coordinate with each other and can help save time and costs when sometimes both drapes and curtains.

The Informer talked to a client in Hahei who is a designer herself and who had engaged Curtain Clinic. “First of all, a beautiful job of cleaning the drapes. We had

an obligation-free discussion and appraisal of your business needs, call me on 021 960 494.

Whitianga Office (Mon-Wed)

26a Albert Street, Whitianga

Phone 07 866 2907

Excitement is building as the Mercury Bay Community Choir prepares for its first concert of 2024, “A Circle of Song”, a collaborative effort with Pauanui based choir, Conchord. Assisted by vivacious, talented musical director Kate Nielsen the two choirs will perform a diverse range of music ranging from Skyfall (Adele 2014) to musicals (Les Miserables 1980), to traditional choral music, Afro-American spirituals and even a song in Swahili for good measure. 2024 marks a very special anniversary for the choir which was first formed 20 years ago in 2004 with a small but enthusiastic group of singers. Despite challenges such as Covid, the choir continues to flourish, bonded by a shared love of singing in harmony. And harmony is something very much needed in this modern world.

A Circle of Song concert will be held on Sunday 5 May at 2pm at the Whitianga Town Hall. Tickets at the door includes a sumptuous afternoon tea, $15 adults, $10 seniors/students, children free.

a lot and we were not always ready. They have been patient and understanding and as well as doing a beautiful job cleaning and restoring our drapes, they have been able to put in the detail and fittings for us to use the velcro for placing blackout drapes when we are away to protect during long periods of sunlight. Everything has been done so meticulously.”

Elaine began her work professionally making curtains after always doing her own drapes from scratch. “One day I took some drapes to Curtain Clinic and I realized talking to Angela the owner and manager, that we just had the same passion for getting things right and would work well together.

Angela was very confident in saying “We will transform your

curtains and fabric Roman blinds to almost like new again plus minor repairs, and we are specialists in removing mould and mildew. Curtains and Roman blinds go through a unique cold-water saturation process and then dripdry. We use absolutely no heat, and no agitation throughout the process. “

Both Elite Blinds and Curtain Clinic will co-ordinate with each other to Pickup/delivery/takedown and reinstall.

Two dedicated teams are available to achieve excellence in results, in service, and of course, customer satisfaction.

„ Curtain Clinic –Ph 0800-477-478

www.curtainclinic.co.nz

„ Elite Blinds –Ph 021 075 5675

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Tuesday and Wednesday

Whitianga Town Hall

6:00 – 7:30 pm

Instructor: Tony 0273335146

Who was Von Luckner?

What is the connection with our area? Von Luckner’s Cove on Red Mercury Island. PART ONE OF THREE

Count Felix von Luckner was labelled the Sea Devil as well as being known as a gentleman naval officer who had an interesting involvement in the Pacific and in our waters during World War One.

He, of course, was on Germany’s side during World War One but his remarkable life before that and his noble character endeared him across rivalries.

Von Luckner was born into an old famous German military family whose father was determined he should follow the family tradition and go into the cavalry.

His parents despaired at the lack of motivation or inclination to learn and hired private tutors and sent him to several private schools all without success. Von Luckner was more interested in adventure and loved reading about the American Indian tribes, knowing all the famous Indian chiefs and dreamt of being able to hunt buffalo.

Finally, he ran away from home and made a personal pledge that he would not return until he was “wearing the emperor’s naval uniform with honour”.

A major problem was unless you had a good education there was no hope of ever becoming an officer, and to gain access to a ship he required written permission from his father before any captain would engage him.

After his arrival at the Hamburg waterfront, he tried unsuccessfully to be signed on as a 13-year-old on one of the many sailing ships in port. A sympathetic sailor who rowed him to many of the ships befriended him after he admit-

ted he had run away from home. He finally managed to gain a place as an unpaid cabin boy on a Russian sailing ship travelling the 80-day voyage between Hamburg and Australia. The sailor who befriended him arranged all the necessary personal equipment and being past long voyages, gifted him his sea chest which every sailor needs.

Old Peter tearfully farewelled Von Luckner after sculling as far as he could as the ship made its exit from the harbour.

It would be many years before Von Luckner could return to thank him for his concern and kindness.

Problems developed immediately. Language was a big problem as only the captain, who hated Germans, had a basic knowledge of the language.

Von Luckner was assigned the role of overseeing the latrines and cleaning the pig pen for the six large porkers having to go into the very narrow quarters with the pigs. Sewage filled his shoes and his clothes were a mess and with water being a vital commodity,

The sort of ship Felix would have travelled on.

he was forever dirty.

“Everyone kicked me because I smelled like a pig”. For food he had to go around and eat what the sailors left on their plates.

Von Luckner was afraid of the masts, dreading the thought of going aloft. He desperately climbed every day slowly gaining confidence eager to gain some respect from the other sailors, being envious of their ability to skip nimbly high up in the rigging.

While trying to impress the more experienced sailors when rounding Cape of Good Hope in a storm with a heavy swell running, Von Luckner struck potential fatal consequences.

He was attempting to unfurl

the canvas when a gust of wind dislodged him and he dropped 90 feet onto the braces at the moment the ship heaved with a swelling wave causing him to be thrown into the sea. If he had struck the deck he would have been killed.

He came up astern in the wash with the ship travelling at 8 knots. When he surfaced, he saw the ship some distance away so he threw off his heavy oilskin and sea boots and noticed several albatross hovering above which seem to think everything floating is for them to eat.

Meanwhile the captain refused to allow a rescue attempt believing lives of other crew could be lost in the storm.

Who was Felix Von Luckner

„ He was a child of aristocracy who ran away to sea.

„ He fought in the biggest naval battle of the First World War.

„ He captained the last square rigged sailing ship ever to be used in combat.

„ He sailed three thousand kilometers across the Pacific in a lifeboat.

„ He single-handedly saved his hometown from destruction during WWII.

„ And he punched a member of the Gestapo straight in the face.

„ He was also responsible for what probably ranks as the most embarrassing prison break in New Zealand history.

Count Felix von Luckner

Williamson Park to have a wetland

BY ROB BOSTON

The revelation that Williamson Park is slated to undergo a transformation into a wetland has sparked mixed reactions among Whangamata residents. On 9 April, TCDC staff unveiled this plan to Councillors, members of the Whangamata Community Board, and members of the Whangamata Ratepayer Stormwater Action Group (WRSAG). While some were taken aback by this announcement, it came as no surprise to members of the WRSAG, who have been closely monitoring developments in the community.

The formation of WRSAG in January 2023 stemmed from a groundswell of community concern following the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Hale. Deputy Mayor Terry Walker recognising “this was a powder keg waiting to go off” pressured the council into forming a workshop, where the brief was that council must act quickly, hear community woes, and get on with stormwater improvements that have been neglected for the past 20 years.

With a workshop established, it soon became apparent to WRSAG members that previous reports commissioned by previous councils had been shelved without proper consideration. Despite persistent requests for transparency, access to these reports was repeatedly denied, - deemed too contentious for ratepayershighlighting a concerning lack of accountability. Some reports were eventually obtained through the Official Information Act (LGOIMA).

In 2018, council engaged Opus Consultants to look into ‘what’s going on with the Williamson Pond’. They provided three options, stating they would be contentious and would need consultation with the community. It is no coincidence that the William-

son Park Pond was the catalyst for the formation of the WRSAG, following the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and Cyclone Hale. The pond was identified as just one of the issues to be dealt with as part of an overall Master Plan.

Yet, despite extensive consultations estimated to be over $200,000, and over a year of workshops, vital information from these reports remains inaccessible to WRSAG for review and discussion. Furthermore, revelations of council staff bypassing democratic processes in workshops raise serious questions about transparency and public engagement.

Despite current legislation stating council staff can’t make decisions in workshops, they held a ‘democratic vote’ during the latest

WATERWAYS LIFESTYLE

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Premium elevated home in sought after Endeavour Quay offering views of the canal and the Coromandel ranges in the distance. Enter the very spacious home with open plan kitchen, living and dining with large well laid out kitchen area with the must have butler’s pantry. A second living area for quiet relaxation and a covered out door entertaining area and additional decks for sun shade and privacy. The 1076.sqm section has space for the boat, camper or caravan with established low maintenance gardens and is positioned for all day sunshine.

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meeting. Only three stakeholder representatives were allowed in this meeting with a majority of council staff – swaying any vote in the council’s favour. Following this decision, WRSAG members were told to stop arguing because they were ‘outnumbered’ by council staff.

It is WRSAG’s belief that all options from the Opus report should be considered, and decisions should be made after consulting with the community.

“However, it appears council staff don’t value engagement, consultation, or transparency, which should be an important part of their job”, states WRSAG’s spokesperson and WRA chairman, Rob Boston.

The proposed wetland in Williamson Park has ignited fur-

ther debate, with residents expressing apprehension over potential environmental and practical implications. Concerns range from increased mosquito populations and safety hazards to doubts about its efficacy in addressing beach scour and pollution. WRSAG is resolute in their commitment to safeguarding Williamson Park’s iconic status, vowing to oppose developments that compromise its integrity.

Residents are urged to voice their opinions to Deputy Mayor Terry Walker, and WRA pledges to provide comprehensive coverage of workshop proceedings in all Coromandel based news publications. As guardians of our community’s interests, it is imperative that residents remain informed and actively participate in shaping the future of Whangamata.

“Unfortunately, the outcome of the pond has been decided by TCDC council to become a wetland - with no consultation with residents in the area.”

Rob Boston is Chair of Whangamata Ratepayers Association rob.boston50@gmail.com

SUPER CENTRAL AND OH SO CONVENIENT Price by negotiation.

14 Cook Drive, Whitianga - Open Home Saturday/Sunday 11am With so much on offer you need to take a look at this well-loved home.

Galley style kitchen and dining with a semi separate spacious living area that opens onto the front porch. The home benefits from a heat pump, DVS and a cute wood burner connected to a wetback. It has three good-sized bedrooms and a family bathroom with a separate toilet. Wooden joinery, beautiful matai floors throughout and new carpets, this warm family home is move in ready. With a double car port adjoining the rear of the house and a seperate double garage there’s plenty of room to work with.

Peter Neumark-Payne | 021 153 6797

53 Albert Street, Whitianga | Ph 07 866 4149

227D Main Road, Tairua | Ph 07 866 4149

This is the situation at Williamson Park which requires urgent storm water infrustructure.

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

April Pairs One

North/South: 1, Jill Huston and Lynnette Flowers 58.33; 2, Jocelyn Taylor and Peter McNeil 55.83; 3, Lee Hughes and Johanna Bonnar 52.92.

East/West: 1, Robyn Waters and Peter Clark 70.42; 2, Jean Myles and Doreen Wernham 50; 3, Mary Parkin and Heather Buffett 49.17.

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Purangi Week Two

Tuesday, 2 April

North/South: 1, Robyn Hogg and Alison Tichbon 76.25; 2, Sheryll Roberts and Dave Dylla 53.33; 3, Val Dwight and Peter Clark 50.83.

East/West: 1, Bev Dickie and Ngaire O’Brien 61.25; 2, Maggie

Beattie and Philippa Hall 54.17; 3, Don Barry and Frank Geoghegan 50.00.

Purangi Pairs Week 2

Tuesday 9, April

North/South: 1, Robyn Hogg and Alison Tichbon 76.25; 2, Sheryll Roberts and Dave Dylla 53.33; 3, Val Dwight and Peter Clark 50.83.

East/West: 1, Bev Dickie and Ngaire O’Brien 61.25; 2, Maggie Beattie and Philippa Hall 54.17; 3, Don Barry and Frank Geoghegan 50.00.

Purangi Pairs Week Three

Tuesday, 16 April

North/South: 1,Robyn Waters and Peter Hogg 66.67; 2, Val Dwight and Peter Clark 53.65; 3, Jean Myles and Ann Scott 45.83.

East/West: 1, Jocelyn Taylor and Robyn Hogg 63.75; 2, Maggie Beattie and Philippa Hall 53.13; 3, Sheryll Roberts and Dave Dylla 50.63.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB

April Competition Round Two

Wednesday, 10 April

North/South: 1, Don Barry and Tadek Gawor 62.0; 2, Alison Tichbon and Robyn Hogg 56.3; 3, Val Dwight and Susan Swan 52.1.

East/West: 1, Giorgio Allemano and Pete Hogg 58.8; 2, Amy Hyde and Geoff Jervis 58.1; 3, Dave Dylla and Johanna Bonnar 52.5. Harbour Pairs Round Three

Thursday, 11 April

North/South: 1, Natasha La Trobe and Kate Palmano 63.3; 2, Shay Geach and Ischelle Stevenson 51.1; 3, Amy Hyde and Geoff Jervis 50.0.

East/West: 1, Jenny Layton and Gavin Hedwig 66.7; 2= Julie Rutledge and Rose Tegg, Paul Bradley and Ian Hogg 51.4.

April Competition Round Three

Wednesday, 17 April

North/South: 1, Giorgio Allemano and Pete Hogg 63.0; 2, Jenny Layton and Rose Tegg 55.5; 3, Amy Hyde and Geoff Jervis 54.0.

Buffalo Pairs round 1

Thursday, 18 April

North/South: 1, Geoff Jervis and Gavin Hedwig 62.2; 2, Debbie Cragg and Rose Tegg 50.0; 3, Amy Hyde and Ischelle Stevenson 48.9.

East/West: 1, Hillary Scott & Terrri Lipanovic 65.3; 2, Pam Churchill & Natasha La Trobe 59.7; 3, Paul Bradley & Augusta Canegallo 58.3.

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Tairua Pairs Two Results:

North/South: 1, Jocelyn Taylor and Peter McNeil 74.21; 2, Robyn Waters and Peter Clark 56.75; 3, Carol and Ron Baker 50.40.

East/West: 1, Tony White and David Wilkinson 55.16; 2, Celia Young and Nolene Kirkpatrick 52.78; 3, Gillian Martin and Liz Young 52.38.

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

20 players last week, 501 Doubles played. Three teams went through with three wins and one loss, so a one game shootout final was played. The teams were Mike Gillett and Roscoe Anderson, Karen McKenzie and Gwenda McNeill and Malcolm Cryer and Chris Bennett. After a hardfought battle, Mike Gillett and Roscoe Anderson came out the winners. The highest finishers this week were 54 for the ladies scored by Nan and 96 for the men, scored by Roscoe Anderson. 20 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. After some very close games, two teams went through undefeated which required a one game shootout final. The teams were Mike Gillett and Mike Waring and Stoney and Trent Holland. Winners: Mike Gillett and Mike Waring.

The highest finishers for the night were for the women, 107 scored by Karen McKenzie. What a fantastic effort. For the men it was 95, scored by Mike Gillett. No 180’s scored this week.

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Nine-hole Mixed Stableford plus hidden holes

Tuesday, 9 April 1, Jim Brown, 2, Richard Duckworth, 3= Steve Borlase, Mark Bell, Wayne Morrison.

Hidden holes: Richard Duckworth

Nine-hole Mixed Nett

Thursday, 11 April 1= Catherine Borlase, Frank Geoghegan, 3 =John Hughes, Jim Brown Round Two of 8 Club Championship Nett

Saturday, 13 April 1, Mike Farrance; 2, Richard Agnew; 3, Grant Webster; 4= Neil Vowles, Tim Bartlett.

BBBNETT: Caleb Mahoney and Tim Bartlett

East/West: 1, Augusta Canegallo and Kate Palmano 72.5; 2, Gavin Hedwig and Bob Schibli 50.5; 3, Denise Knutson and Robyn Hogg 46.5.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday, 10 April

Best of three frames: Eight players on Wednesday and it was Wayne Malcolm and Peter Challis with two straight wins to meet in the final third frame. A close match but Wayne pulled away in the final stages for a comfortable win. With two wins were Peter Challis (runner up), Ian Baumgren, Greg Murphy and Luke Trainer. No high break recorded.

Saturday, 13 April

Best of three frames: Eight players Saturday and it was Bob Haase and Doug Pascoe with two straight wins to challenge the final third. However, 2022 Club Champion Bob was on form and took the win. Doug Pascoe runner up and also with two wins were Wayne Malcolm and Peter Schultz. Doug Pascoe had the highest break.

Wednesday, 17 April

Best of three frames: Nine players on Wednesday and it was only Peter Challis and Peter Schultz with two straight wins to battle out the final third frame. A close match but it was Peter Challis on form to take the win. With two wins Peter Schultz (runner up), Luke Trainor, Bob Haase and Ian Baumgren. No high break today.

Saturday, 20 April

Best of three frames: Ten players on. Saturday today and it was only Ian Baumgren and Wayne Malcolm with two straight wins to challenge the final third frame which Ian won comfortably and achieved a very successful day beating three past Club Champions to achieve this win on Saturday. With two wins were Wayne Malcolm (runner up), Doug Pascoe and Tim Stapleton who also had the highest break of 27 potting all the colours to receive a Star on the Club 27 Board.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Tuesday, 9 April

Nine-hole Women – Stableford

Div 1: 1, Glennis Drane and Judy Hindrup; 2, Audrey Vickers.

Div 2: 1, Pam Voigt; 2, Alison Goodlet.

Nine-hole Mixed - Stableford

1, Paul Bradley; 2, Phil Drane; 3, Eddie Lyle.

Eighteen-hole Women – LGU / Teams Competition

Wednesday, 10 April

LGU Winner: Sheree Henderson

Div 1: 1, Dianne Gilmour; 2, Sharyn Smith; 3, Kim Allan.

Div 2: 1, Sheree Henderson; 2, Janine Hayde; 3, Faith Stock.

Twos: Sharyn Smith, Jane Deadman

Nearest Pin #4: Sharyn Smith

Nearest Pin #18: Rachel Johnstone

Longest Putt: Jenny Rika

Eighteen-hole Men

Stableford

1, Dave Enright; 2, Andrew Fleming; 3, Richard Schofield

Twos: El Camino Wade, Jack Coldicutt, Alan Hill, Andrew Fleming, Willie Jones, Dave Enright

Gross: Dave Enright 18 Hole Men – Stableford

Saturday, 13 April

1, Kevin Smith; 2, Nigel Crosland; 3, Dominik Szparagowski

Twos: Cam Walls, Dom Szparagowski, Same Murphy

Div 1: Gross - Nathan Wilson and Dom Szparagowski; Nearest Pin - Sam Murphy, Longest Drive – Mark BoE.

Div 2: Gross - Gary Wheeler, Nearest Pin: N/A, Longest Drive –Dave Cummings.

Nine-hole Women – Stableford

Tuesday, 16 April

1,Pam Voigt; 2, Ali Goodlet; 3, Audrey Vickers.

Nine-hole Mixed - Stableford

1, Don Maquire; 2, Phil Drane; 3, Roger Pheasant.

Eighteen-hole Women – 3BBB

Wednesday 17 April

1, Jo Geoghegan, Diane Andrew, Shirely Springer; 2, Faith Stock, Rachel Johnstone, Julie Rutledge; 3, Saki Mosen, Janine Hayde, Debbie Holmes.

Twos: Diane Andrew

Nearest Pin # 4: Chrissie Smith

Nearest Pin #18: Diane Andrew

Longest Putt: Betty Tocker

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

1, Trevor Hayde; 2, Mark Kilgour; 3, Brett Proctor.

Twos: Dave Enright, Trevor Hayde

Div. 1: Gross – Dave Enright. Div. 2: Gross – Trevor Hayde.

Nine-hole Mixed Scramble –Stableford

Friday 19 April

1, Jeff Dixon; 2, Johnny Day; 3, Owen Henderson.

Nearest Pin #18: Trevor Hildreth

Nine-hole Registered Master Builders Ambrose

Winners: Cove Construction

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

Friday 19 April

1, Steve Collins; 2, Bob Haase; 3, Sam Murphy.

Twos: El Camino Wade, Pete Maher, Graeme Butler

Div. 1 - Gross, Bob Haase, Div. 2 - Gross, Gary Wheeler.

THE DUNES MATARANGI

GOLF CLUB

Monday 8 April

Mens 9 Hole – Stableford

1, Paul Dixon; 2, Lance Croawell; 3, Rob Fisken.

4BBB First Qualifying Round.

Wednesday, 10 April

1, Tony De Coek; 2, Graham Harrison; 3, Brian Tomlinson; 4, Alan Dickinson; 5, Jared Adams;

6, David Todd. Twos: Tony De Corek, Geoffry Hill.

Nearest the Pin: Jared Adams

Nine-hole Mens – Stableford

Thursday, 11 April

1, Steve Airy; 2, Lance Croawell; 3, Rob Fisken 14.

Haggle – Stableford

Saturday, 13 April

1, Norman Gilbert; 2, Cathy Drake-Wells; 3, Gavin Allden; 4, Allison Drake-Wells; 5, Shane

Neary; 6, Charlie Chilwell.

Twos: Gavin Allden 11

Nearest the Pin: Tracey Mulligan

Mens Nine-hole - Ambrose

Monday 15 April

1, Ray Green; 2, Lance Croawell; 3, Dave McDonald.

4BBB Jacko’s Top Dog

Quali�ier – Stableford.

Wednesday, 17 April

1, Glenn LeLievre; 2, Robin Flemming; 3, Tony De Coek; 4 , Peter Mathias; 5, Rowan Toms.

Nearest the Pin: Hayden Comer

Twos: Barry Bowen 7 & 18, Darren Gribble 7, Steve Moss 7, Mike Friis 18, Hayden Comer 18, Geoff Atmore 18

Mens Nine – hole - Stableford

Thursday, 18 April

1, Rey Bertling; 2, Steve Airey; 3, Barry Titchmarsh.

Ladies 18 Hole - Stableford

Shootout Quali�ier

Thursday, 18 April

1, Bev Gwyn; 2, Polly Lambert; 3, Margaret Stevens 35.

MERCURY BAY INDOOR

BOWLING CLUB

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Winners: Keith Denny & Glynne Jackson

Runners Up: Wayne McNeil & Kathy Everett

Good Sorts: Lee Pudney & Heather Walker.

Thursday, 18 April

Winners: Heather Walker, Jan Harvey and Wayne McNeil

Runners Up: Shirley Marshall and Ian Pudney

Good Sorts: Wayne Fisher, Lionel Lawrence and Sandie Morris

MERCURY BAY PICKLEBALL CLUB

Inhouse Drawn Doubles Competition

1, Hakan and Trish; 2, Emma and Eisaku; 3, Grahame & Josh. Remuera Pickleball Club Competition

Local member Tony Minto attended and achieved a Bronze Medal result in Men Singles 60+Division.

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. Proudly sponsored by Proudly sponsored by

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.

Last week’s crossword solution

Last week’s winner – Bianca Raynel

Theme: MONEY MONEY

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

Tea tree $200 or Pine $150 load per metre2 delivered.

Phone (07) 866

currently looking for an experienced Automotive Technician

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

If

- 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

The Model Show for 2024 is looking for exhibits

Trains, planes, boats, ships, Lego, miniature houses, matchbox toys, porcelain dolls will constitute the different exhibits that come from all over the Coromandel Peninsula and further afield.

It will fill the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk Street, Whitianga 6-7July and will be the seventh Model Show in the past 9 years (a break during Covid).

The Mercury Bay Model Railway Club will be hosting this very popular Model Show and many of their members will display their own layouts and models, some of which include radio -controlled planes and boats as well as trains.

There were many visitors to the 2023 Model Exhibition.

WORLD RECORD CLAIM!

Massive congrats to Kelly Chambers who has smashed the women’s 24kg World Record with this amazing 300kg Broadbill Swordfish!

• A sales table for people to buy stuff.

• A ‘People’s Choice best Exhibit Award’ – you get to vote.

• Kids colouring in compe-

Principal organiser, Damon Christensen, is looking for more exhibits and exhibitors.

tition. A table will be set out ready for children at the Model Exhibition, to colour in on site. The prizes for the Colouring Competition are kindly donated.

„ Please get in touch with Damon www.mbmrc.org

Some great movies and May the 4th (force) be with you

The weekend of 3-5 May is quite the doozie for Mercury Bay Twin Cinemas

Friday 3 May – 7.00pm

– ‘Back to Black’ collaboration with The Monkey House Just $20 ticket. After the screening of this Amy Winehouse biopic, your ticket also gets you entry to the show at the Monkey House afterwards. There will be local musos doing their interpretations of Amy’s songs.

Saturday 4 May – Star Wars Day. We are showing the first three movies and we have prizes galore. We even have a clone trooper visiting us at 12.00pm before the first screening.

Sunday 5 May – Six Inches of Soil. This is

a documentary about organic farming and the importance of our soil. We are joined by Yotam and Niva from Pakaraka Gardens who the authors of the best-selling books, The Abundant Garden and The Abundant Kitchen. They will be leading the Q and A after the movie.

At Mercury Bay Twin Cinemas – in May the fun is with you. mercurytwincinemas.com

Mercury Bay Area School

The Board of Mercury Bay Area School wishes to advise that it is abandoning its enrolment scheme. The enrolment scheme was implemented on 28 January 2019 to manage overcrowding at the school, which is no longer an issue.

The enrolment scheme will end on 12th April 2024. Following this date, any student who wishes to do so will be entitled to enrol at Mercury Bay Area School. Any questions can be directed to Karin Farrelly, PA to the Principal farrellyk@mbas.ac.nz.

the Annual Dawn Service.

An early ferry has been arranged to leave Ferry Landing at 0515, 0530 and 0545 hours.

Associations or organisations who would like to join the March from the Mercury Bay Club car park to Soldiers Memorial Park assembly time at 0530 hours are asked to contact Trevor Fraser on 07 8660225.

e Parade Marshall is Mike Carter.

Members of the public who are direct descendants of deceased Returned Service Persons are invited to wear their Service Medals.

Anyone interested in laying a Memorial Wreath at the Cenotaph during the Service is asked to contact Trevor Fraser 8660225 prior to the event so he will arrange your participation.

Breakfast will be available a er the Parade at the Mercury Bay Club. $16.00pp

This is also the biggest sword ever weighed by a Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club member and a new All Tackle club record surpassing Ian O’Briens legendary 291.9kg swordfish caught way back in 1998 which still stands as the men’s 24kg World Record! This is not Kelly’s first rodeo as she also currently holds the World Record for Broadbill Swordfish on 8kg line; so well done to Kelly and Shannon Chambers, captain Hunter Bryce and all the crew onboard the Ruckus involved in this incredible achievement!

Kelly Chambers with her mighty world record claim catch.