The Informer - 30th Apr 2024

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Local achievements

It was such a joy to open Tairua Skatepark recently, finally realised after many years of attempts to find the right site.

The project is one of a number that are reaching fruition after much hard work by elected members, staff and community groups.

In Coromandel Town, our Council finally acquired some Crown land from the Ministry of Education adjacent to Hauraki House. The historic property used to be a school and now contains a wonderful art gallery and is well worth a visit. The acquired land will be used for car parking and community use. The acquisition means the Hauraki House committee and our Council can now get on and tidy up the parking with the assurance that it will be available to Hauraki House users and Coromandel Town residents without the risk of it being sold to another party.

In the Thames area the Kōpū marine facility is nearing completion after several years of great progress. We’ll have a fit-for-purpose recreational boat ramp and parking, but more importantly to

the economic wellbeing of the entire district, we’ll have commercial facilities to service vessels with the potential to create as many as 100 new jobs over time. We’ll be announcing the opening date soon.

In Thames, the local business association has been leading the redevelopment of Porritt Park, the main playground in Thames and one that many visitors to the Coromandel will be familiar with from much-needed comfort stops at the conveniences. The boat-shaped play structure rising above the playground and the skatepark is

impressive, and the fact that it and other play equipment going into the park is wheelchair accessible is even more impressive. The upgrade is an example of what can be achieved from community collaboration with the business community, local benefactors and iwi driving the project forward with Council support.

Our Council’s Building Consent Team received independent acknowledgement of their hard work and expertise in the form of the twoyearly audit by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s assessors. The

assessors from IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand), renewed our Council’s ‘extra low risk’ status as a Building Consent Authority. Without maintaining our Council as a Building Control Authority we wouldn’t be able to consent and certify buildings, which is a pretty core council activity.

Hats off to the Kūaotunu Dune Care group, which has been recognised with a national award for their work planting dunes with native sand-binding species that help dunes rebuild from erosion, and the weed and predator management that helps build a healthy coastal environment. Like other volunteer coast care groups in the Coromandel they are supported by our Council and Waikato Regional Council, but the hard work and the accolades received are all theirs.

Mercury best viewing – Tuesday, 30 April, to Wednesday, 9 May. Both Venus and Jupiter are too close to the Sun now for easy viewing but the elusive and rarely seen Mercury is at its best for the year and can be seen in the mornings before sunrise along with Mars and Saturn. All are roughly the same brightness and the Moon can help us easily locate and identify them this week. Meteor shower observed around May 6-7: We will have the best views of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, especially after midnight or preferably just before dawn. These pieces of comet dust were left behind by Halley’s Comet in its 75-year orbit around the Sun and can be seen as very quick yellowish shooting stars. Expect to see about one or two every minute at the peak. Tuesday, 30 April: We have a short and early Tiangong pass from 5:25am in the south. Wednesday, 1 May: Last quarter Moon tonight with a low ISS pass from 6:38pm in the south moving below the Southern Cross. Thursday, 2 May: The dawn sky has the Moon high above a trio of planets with Saturn, Mars and Mercury all lined up in the east and a brief evening ISS pass from 7:25pm in the SW. Friday, 3 May: Saturn now lies halfway between the Moon and Mars with faint Mercury just above the horizon and there will be a bright ISS pass from 6:36pm tonight in the SW moving just above the Southern Cross. Saturday, 4 May: The Moon now sits just above Saturn with Mars and Mercury below at dawn and a low ISS pass in the SW from 7:24pm tonight passing through Orion. Sunday, 5 May: The crescent Moon has moved to lie just above Mars with Saturn above and Mercury below at dawn and there is a long ISS pass from 8:34pm in the SW. Monday, 6 May: The thin crescent Moon now sits just above and to the left of faint Mercury and directly below Mars at dawn with yellowish Saturn higher up. Tuesday, 7 May: A tiny crescent Moon sits directly below Mercury before dawn with Mars and Saturn higher up. Wednesday, 8 May: The Moon has now left the dawn sky leaving us with Saturn high up and Mars and Mercury below all lined up by on their own before the Sun rises. www.tangosshoes.nz

Tuesday 7 May

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Whitianga

The Kopu marine facility with recreational boat ramp and parking area is near completion.

A hush descends over New Zealand

BY PAULINE STEWART

There are shadows moving quietly coming from all directions. Low conversation creates a calmness and common awareness. The dawn is coming but all the preparation is in the darkness.

As the shapes of people become more defined; many are in uniforms navy, army, airforce, Fire Brigade, St. John Ambulance forming up in disciplined lines familiar to them. The glint of medals is everywhere catching a street light, or the first light of day. They adorn civilian chests as well as the proud uniforms; there are some children who wear the medals.

The civilian shadows have gathered in the park along the street edges; their lines are also slightly military, definitely not casual. There is a reverence rather than a sense of anticipation. This is no ordinary event – but extraordinary.

Then some shouts, loud and clear, are heard from a distance. The long uniformed lines are suddenly crisp, to attention, and the piper begins leading the march of old and young uniformed lines to where the hundreds of shadows have gathered.

The dawn has come, we can see one another. We are gathered together, and with sombre dignity, we remember. We must not forget. It is Anzac Day.

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Whitianga: The Soldiers memorial was the centrepiece, and around it gathered abut 700 parade members and those from the wider community. The number of young people and small children was significant as was the number of very senior adults.

Trevor Fraser, of the local RSA was Master of Ceremonies, Squadron Leader, Katrina Chipman was guest speaker, with Scott Simpson our local Member of Parliament following with a short narrative. It was a moving experience to see the young faces and hear the names of those who had died in the two world wars read aloud by the head students at Mercury Bay Area School, Hugo Smith de Zeeuw and Francie Lidgard.

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We were mindful that some of those names read out were the same age as Hugo and Francie, just 17 years. A community choir led the singing of Advance Australia Fair in addition to the New Zealand national anthem and a New Zealand Anzac hymn. People stood reverently and no one fidgets. Politics is in everything but for Anzac Day political differences seem to be in the far back row or not present at all. A country’s freedom and absence of war is worth far more than political differences and divisions. The thousands of young lives lost must not be in vain in terms of the peace within our own country. All pulling in the same direction and combining our resources will be the key to

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facing our future as a strong, positive and prosperous country.

Matarangi had two Anzac services. The first was an informal gathering at dawn, down at the ocean. People lined the beach in silence as an act of remembrance. This gathering was initiated during Covid and proved to be very meaningful and now continues with growing popularity. The formal gathering at 10.30am was also very well attended.

Hahei Anzac Service was at the Kotare Reserve Memorial Garden and indeed, the Memorial Garden and its wall were focal points of the service where people laid their wreaths and contemplated the names of those who had never returned from the war.

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Hahei volunteer Fire Brigade Chief, Ian Carter contemplates the names on the crosses with his grandchild.

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Photo credit Sue Mitchell Photography

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Anzac Day mishap put right

Last year just before the Anzac Dawn Parade commenced in Whitianga, the young soldier standing to attention as the flag bearer was suddenly relieved of his flag. He had no time to protest and as a trained soldier, he felt it inappropriate to do so at that time.

Johnathon had concluded his active service some years prior and had returned to be with his family for the Anzac service.

To be asked to carry one of the flags at the head of the parade on Anzac Day was a great honour. The memories of what he experienced in war have not left him,

but neither has his pride in serving his country and his love for New Zealand dimmed in any way.

It was a mistake that the flag was taken from him and the ‘why’ was never resolved – a misunderstanding, no doubt. The RSA members who organised the parade were embarrassed and upset that this occurred. Fast forward to 2024, and it was intended that on this Anzac Day, the soldier would carry the flag for Whitianga’s parade. However, at the invitation of Veteran Affairs NZ, he has assisted with a training course in East Timor prior to Anzac Day and had the honour of

Our oldest veteran –Private Peter Sheehan

Peter William Sheehan was born on 11 May, 1923. Soon he will be 101 years. Peter is this region’s oldest serving war veteran. He was just a boy when World War Two broke out only just turning 16 and he put up his age, finally enlisting at 17 years. Private Peter William Sheehan was in the army for approximately three years

and for two of those years, he served in the infantry in Egypt and Italy. His number for service was 449 437. He received a back full of shrapnel and some of that shrapnel remains in his body. Peter says it works its way out from time to time showing up just under the skin surface.

Peter is a member of the Whitianga Bowling Club and

until recently he helped with maintenance on a daily basis. He was absent from this years Anzac dawn parade as he had a stint in hospital. Peter lives with his daughter, Chrissie and son, Peter. We are proud of his achievements and his commitment to his community and that he has reached the grand old age of 100, soon to be 101.

laying a wreath for the soldiers who lost their lives in East Timor during the recent conflict. Our soldier served as Lance Corporal, Machine Gunner in the First Infantry in East Timor and sadly, lost a good friend in the fighting there. It was very fitting for him to accept this duty on behalf of his country and he was accompanied by his Mother, Diane Morreel.

The Informer had received enquiries as to what had been done since the last Anzac Day and this is our report after speaking with the President of the local RSA, Linda Fraser and Johnathan’s fiancee.

It’s Anzac Day 2024, Time for remembering for sure, Remember a time when army uniforms were on the news, Remember a time when the Vietnam war had its opposing views.

It’s about those who march towards danger, It’s about being best friends with a stranger.

Who around you is fearless?

Are you courageous?

Do you live out of your comfort zone?

Or do you hide like a dog’s bone?

Anzac Day is about courage and saluting our comrades, Getting out of the way when ambulance of�icers need bandaids.

Peace and joy is a sought-after life,

New Zealand is a long way from war and strife.

Be kind to each other, Be friends with one another. Anzac Day is on this week, Peace and love is what we need see.

By Beverley Sheppard

Retired Victorian Police Of�icer

“It’s never too late to come back” just 300 of them

BY SCOTT LEE

Aphoto in an old copy of the NZ Listener caught my eye. The photo was of a silver medal about the size of a fifty-cent coin and depicted a single aircrew flying boot with wings.

I knew I had seen one in my deceased mother’s jewellery box and after a quick search I had it in my hand. A Google search later and a cross reference with Dad’s service record and his remarkable story unfolded.

DAD’S STORY:

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT

KENNETH LESLIE LEE - 41916

Dad, a customs officer from Tuakau, near Auckland, enlisted in February 1941, aged 19. In July he embarked for flight training school in Canada, gaining his wings as an RAF Pilot Officer later that year. After three more months of operational training in the U.K. he was sent to Egypt and Malta with 229 squadron arriving in March 1942.

Malta was under siege and enduring constant bombardment from the Italian Airforce based in Sicily. Armed with aging Hurricanes, 229’s mission was to defend Malta at all costs, a seemingly impossible task since the island was short of fuel, ammunition and spare parts. At one stage 229 squadron were down to seven serviceable Hurricanes. The old Hurricanes were a bit slow. As a boy I remember asking Dad if he had killed any Germans. “I hope not son, but we sure scared a few.”

After three months of intense action, Dad, along with other members of 229 were sent to Cairo. Nearing the North African

coast several of the group peeled off and headed for land. As they were under strict radio silence, no explanation was given, and it wasn’t until later that their plight was obvious. The fuel had been stolen from the tanks at the airfield. Someone had helped themselves.

Approaching the coast, Dad was concentrating on finding a spot to land when he was jumped by a Stuka dive bomber that sprayed him before continuing on its way, not wanting to engage.

Dad knew his position would have been reported by the Stuka so he flew on as long as he could before crashing with only a few bruises.

TAKEN PRISONER

After two nights walking in the desert, he was befriended by a group of Arabs who fed him and gave him a place to sleep in a hut in their village. Thinking he may actually get back to friendly forces, he was more than disappointed to be woken by an Italian patrol who had been contacted by those hospitable Arabs. He even saw money changing hands as the group were rewarded for an Allied pilot.

Now a P.O.W., Dad was transferred to Campo 47 in Modena Italy, a guest of Mussolini for the next eighteen months (including his 21st birthday).

Dad once spoke of his time as a P.O.W. – the gnawing hunger of the first few weeks until your stomach shrank, the flea ridden socks and barracks and the bitter cold in the winter. He also spoke of the strength of spirit among his fellow inmates, the importance of hope and a sense of humour and the endless escape plans.

ESCAPE

By September ’43 dad and his fellow prisoners were getting restless. The Germans were retreating through Italy and they knew the camp would soon be under German guard. They may even be taken to Germany.

The day before the camp was due to change hands, Dad and his South African friend, Alan Flederman, hid in the roof of the barracks in a pre-prepared cavity. The following night after 30 very uncomfortable hours in the roof, they lifted the roof tiles and escaped across the fence without a guard in sight. The Germans were late arriving but the Italians had taken off anyway. :

Dressed in peasant clothing they had swapped with Italians working in the prison and using maps hand drawn from an atlas, they headed north. After a few days hiding in rural Modena, they were discovered by the Italian

resistance (the Partisans). At first the Partisans didn’t trust Dad and wanted to shoot him. His youthful appearance (he was still 21) and the rank of flight lieutenant seemed suspicious. After months in an Italian P.O.W., Dad could speak Italian perfectly and his detailed explanations finally convinced them.

Dad spent three months with various Partisan families as he made his way up to Switzerland, traveling by rail and a lot on foot. Dad described the Partisan families as some of the bravest people he had ever met. Under the threat of death for their entire families, they continued to hide escaped P.O.W’s for weeks at a time.

Dad crossed the border into Switzerland – once again with the help of Partisans. Switzerland was neutral but it was land locked and there was no way back to the U.K. Dad spent 9 months in Switzerland keeping fit by hiking, climbing and skiing. Fed up with waiting to be repatriated, he crossed the border into German occupied Italy and made his way south to meet the U.S forces advancing through Italy. The Americans shipped him back to the U.K. where he arrived in November 1944.

Dad crashed in North Africa in May 1942 and returned to the U.K. in November 1944. It took 2½ years and involved a journey of some 5000 miles to get back to London.

His flying boot medal was well earned, certainly lived up to the motto of the Late Arrivals Club, “It’s never too late to come back.”

Dad returned to NZ, married a war widow and had a long and successful career, with NZ Airforce and later with Civil Aviation.

He retired to Turangi and skied most fine days until he was 80. “The only good thing to come out of that bloody war,” he says. He never went back to Italy but corresponded with the Partisan families and his fellow escapee Alan Flederman every Xmas until his passing.

He was an officer and a gentleman, a man of dignity, integrity and principles – one of the old school.

LATE ARRIVALS CLUB

During WW2 Allied soldiers formed exclusive clubs honouring service men and women who survived despite seemingly impossible odds. These unofficial groups boosted morale, built camaraderie and offered hope to those enduring severe hardship. One such club was” The Late Arrivals Club”, the members of which were awarded the Flying Boot medal.

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To qualify you had to be an RAF pilot, be shot down over enemy territory in North Africa and make your own way back to the U.K. With such strict criteria, it is no wonder only 300 were ever awarded.

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Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Leslie Lee.

Latest benefit stats show Govt’s plan is vital for Coromandel

The latest Jobseeker Support Benefit figures underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to reduce benefit dependency and rebuild the economy, says National MP for Coromandel Scott Simpson.

“While the numbers do not specify the Coromandel electorate, many of our communities are included in the statistics for the Waikato region.

In March 2017, 10,885 people

were receiving Jobseeker Support in the Waikato. This has risen to 16,674 in March 2024.

“It is sobering to read that workready job seekers are forecast to spend an average of 13 years on a benefit, and teenagers could become trapped on welfare for 24 years of their working lives. That is unacceptable and we are taking action to put a stop to the spike in welfare dependency.

“We have set a country-wide

target of 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030.

To achieve this, we are working on mandatory reapplications for Jobseeker benefits every six months, new non-financial sanctions, and a traffic light system to help job seekers comply with their work obligations.

“The coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy to ensure there are more opportunities for Kiwis to work.”

Whitianga Coastguard report and cadet intake Lucky bunny winner

We had a steady month with a bit of a peak during the Kubota Fishing Competition.

Overall during the month we had two urgent and 12 non-urgent callouts. Both were urgent callouts related to a vessel that had gone onto rocks.

The non-urgent callouts were mostly mechanical issues and required tows back to Whitianga.

About Coastguard membership: Another reminder to vessel skippers; there should be a Coastguard membership holder on the vessel for free assistance.

You will be charged $350 per hour if there is not a member onboard (so your uncles’ cousin twice removed who is a member but not on board does not qualify for free assistance).

Coastguard New Zealand membership costs $130 and ultimately can save you a lot of money and hassle. As a member you are covered anywhere in New Zealand and the vessel is entitled to free assistance.

We have welcomed some new trainees to the unit and training for

all the crews is ramping up after the summer.

CADET INTAKE:

We are starting to look for this years’ intake for the twelve-week Alan Jackson Memorial Cadetship. The cadets generally range between 15-17 years and they will undertake some tutor led courses as well as practical on water training with our Coastguard Rescue Vessels. If anyone thinks this might

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be of interest to them, please refer to the online brochure on our Facebook page.

I would like to thank all the units’ volunteers for their work over the summer whether they were dry or wet crews or the radio operators. Some seriously long hours were racked up by these people over this time.

Safe boating

At the eleventh hour, the bunny was named correctly. It was on the last day in the last hours of the competition, that a child came into the Whitianga isite guessed the correct name of the big chocolate bunny donated by Treverne in Cook Drive. The Informer had given one clue R_ _ _ _ _ _. The name was RUPERT and our winner was

Evelyn.

Evelyn came with her mum and grandma to collect Rupert who, judging by the enthusiasm of Evelyn and her brother Alfie, was going to have a short life.

Thank you to the team at isite for being the holding house for Rupert and the place where children could drop in their entry forms.

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Alfie Tailby with his sister Evelyn who won the chocolate bunny with Andrea from isite.

Scott Simpson, MP, addresses the crowd of about 700 people at the dawn Anzac service, Whitianga.

Who was Von Luckner 1881 -1966?

BY RON MORGAN

Last issue, the captain of the Russian ship for whom Von Luckner was an unpaid cabin boy refused to allow a rescue attempt to save Von Luckner who had fallen from the mast into the wild seas.

However, the chief mate defied the Russian captain who had threatened him with a harpoon, and instead launched a lifeboat with volunteers.

One of the albatrosses seized Von Luckner’s hand as he held on in desperation, while it pecked him continually with its beak. The albatross beat the air with its wings trying to rise keeping Von Luckner a float also attracting other birds which gave the rescue party a reference point thus saving the boy’s life.

The rescue party in the high seas were upended and pitched into the water while trying to swing over the davits. However, all finally made it with the captain in a rage as he had also lost two sails during the dramas.

After 80 days and sighting land only once, the ship arrived at Fremantle where Von Luckner was relieved to meet some sailors off a German ship and converse in a familiar tongue. They also took him to a hotel where he met the proprietor’s daughter who encouraged him to jump ship after he shared his story with

her. The sailors also assisted him in smuggling his sea chest off the ship which departed without a search for Von Luckner as the captain was probably relieved to see the last of him.

During the next seven years,

Von Luckner had an amazing array of occupations, selling War Cry magazines for the Salvation Army, kangaroo hunter, a fisherman, a professional boxer, lighthouse keeper, a barman, construction worker, circus worker, guard in the Mexican Army as well as many other colourful adventures on land and at sea, earning enough to see him through a special period of training at a German navigation school.

A sympathetic tutor, after learning of his history, kept his identity secret (being a Count) and vowed to make him a qualified navigator. He received other assistance while undertaking further training on land and at sea to become Naval Lieutenant, returning to his parents who were most relieved after giving him up for dead, and of course delighted and proud.

He struggled through further study and sea time over ensuring years, ultimately gaining his Captain’s qualification. Having been one of the few who had sailing experience, he was given command of the Seeadler (Sea Eagle), an armed sailing ship which had auxiliary engines with the aim to run the blockade established to

Captain and Count Von Luckner.

“A

protect shipping disguised as a neutral ship. A neutral flag can be flown at sea, but you must hoist your true colours before engaging the enemy.

The Seeadler was extensively modified with concealed storage for armaments and ammunition, two modern 500 hp motors, 480ton fuel tanks, and provisions for two years. There were also 400 bunks for captured sailors with some areas made more spacious and comfortable for higher rank prisoners. Von Luckner stated, “A sailor is a sailor, no matter what

his nationality and if I took any prisoners, I wanted them to feel as though they were my guests.”

Timber was used as a cover on the decks as it also covered the hatches which concealed heavy armaments and the crew undertook extensive training and rehearsals in their disguise as a Norwegian vessel.

The blockade was extensive as well as British mines making the crossing high risk. Von Luckner carried a large amount of sail to make the vessel heel over, drawing less water hoping to slide over the mines which were planted several feet under water.

He encountered one of the worst storms in years and luckily many of the British had their guard ships sheltering but sea conditions were horrendous together with freezing conditions not suited for a sailing ship.

After clearing the main blockade, they were intercepted by a British armoured cruiser. They hurriedly prepared for an inspection and soiled the papers with water (from the storm!) and those crew members that did not speak any Norwegian were sent to the lower decks. A crew member was dressed as the captain’s wife and Von Luckner commenced chewing tobacco, both traditions followed by many captains.

A major problem was the smell of diesel as the cargo had sealed the deck, hindering the

ventilation of fumes. Von Luckner stuffed a rug in the kerosene stove and turned up the wicks of the oil lamps which gave off a stench that overpowered the diesel fumes. After a long and anxious time, the boarding party left, but concern was mounting that they might check the Lloyd’s shipping register or notice the ships propeller. Luckily, they were able to celebrate Christmas with rum and an ample supply of cigarettes and other goodies.

After two initial captures, Von Luckner offered an incentive to all the crew and the prisoners, of ten quid and a bottle of champagne for spotting a ship. The captains and prisoners assumed that as soon as more crew were captured, they would return to port. Provisions for all were supplemented from those acquisitioned from boarding parties of ships captured.

Von Luckner resorted to various tactics to attract ships, setting an array of flag messages, asking for the time, to setting off a smoke generator. Once, when a ship turned to render assistance to “the burning sailing ship”, a shot killed a British sailor when a steam pipe was ruptured.

This was the only loss of life from the Seeadler’s voyage.

„ Next issue Part Three: Ship wrecked, a rowboat to Fiji, captured, an embarrassing escape from Kiwi internment centre.

A drama for all ages including children

An expertly crafted solo performance, delivered by a veteran of the New Zealand stage. John Davies inhabits nine characters, bringing to life an extraordinary corner of our history.

A Scottish lad of 10 is driven into slavery aboard His Majesty’s ships, circa 1800. After 15 years at sea, he is cast onto the shoreline of Aotearoa. The fight for survival begins.

Te Tupua – The Goblin is written and performed by well-known author and celebrated performer, John Davies who celebrates 50 years as a theatre practi-

tioner. John lives in Auckland. Early 19th century in Aotearoa was a dynamic time. Māori were becoming aware they were no longer alone, and that other races from the north were coming. Pākehā who lived here at that time forged an existence on Māori terms. The recorded experiences are vivid and fraught with danger, yet these stories reveal deep alliances, friendships, marriages, and hard-won loyalties. John explains, “When I go out into that space, the stage, I feel connected to all the ancient storytellers who would

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engage their audience and transform them to another world. That’s me, I’m one of those.”

In Te Tupua – The Goblin, the appearance of the past is made possible using a traditional theatrical device, which is the mask.

This play is suitable for ages 10 and up.

“We were gripped for the whole show, the story, the performance, absolutely outstanding!

„ Sunday, 5 May 7.00 pm

„ Monkey House Lounge & Cabaret, Coghill Street, Whitianga $20 Tickets: Eventfinda

The NUKES Reunion – Original three ukelele maestros coming to Eggscentric

A humble ukelele mission from across Australasia to Eggscentric Way back yonder in 2008 three fully grown men banded together and embarked upon a perilous musical journey with no particular destination.

Their mission? To write and perform original music using only the humble ukulele.

Thus, The Nukes were born and quickly they grew into a bonny wee thing, gaining a reputation across Australasia for boisterous live shows and impressive original material.

Riddled with optimism and fuelled by beer and bonhomie, David ‘Fingers of fire’ Parker, Ben ‘Country boy’ Collier and Dave ‘Snapper’ Thiele set the burgeoning parochial ukulele/folk scene on fire for a full, glorious decade.

And then..

Rumours swirled; accusations were levelled.

Was Snapper doing a

solo album? How many wives did Ben actually have? And was David really involved in the Church of constant sorrow?

Unfortunately, nothing quite so scandalous had occurred. Basically, Snapper got tired and wanted to lie down for a bit.

So he did.

The Nukes trotted on, first with curious percussionist Mike Burrows, then (and still) with flexi-

ble young Parker prodigy Jay P.

But the question has always lingered, like a dog outside a butcher’s shop… would the original three ever reunite?

Yes. The answer is yes.

You can catch them once more as they re-unite for a concert at the Egocentric Cafe, Flaxmill Bay on Friday, 10 May.

„ Book a table through the cafe at 07 866 0307.

Over 100 years of fire service honoured

Two brothers - two gold stars

BY PAULINE STEWART

Last Saturday evening was an auspicious and joyful gathering at the Whitianga Fire Brigade.

Two brothers were honoured by receiving their 50 years service gold star medals together - Gary Mangin known to everyone as Spida and Peter Mangin known to every-

“This is so Grassy and I can receive them together. It is worth waiting for. That’s the way it has always been for us. We are two brothers.” – Spida

one as Grassy.

There are about 14,000 firefighters in the New Zealand Fire Brigade which has been in operation for about 146 years. When Spida was presented wth his medal, the large gathering of firefighters and distinguished guests from all over the region were reminded by Garry Stanley, Past President of the United Fire Brigade Association of NZ, that there are only 240 firefighters in New Zealand who have received such a medal prior.

I wonder if there ever was a presentation to two brothers at the same time among those 240 firefighters? This was a unique Kiwi occasion.

Spida had earned his fifty years service medal in October 2020, well over three years ago, but he chose to wait for his brother Grassy who would achieve fifty years in the Fire service in December 2023, Grassy had joined

Amazing renovation of heritage home Seaview Villa -

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the Te Aroha Fire Brigade in December, 1973. Spida had spoken earlier about postponing the time to receive his 50 years service medal.

“This is so Grassy and I can receive them together. It is worth waiting for. That’s the way it has always been for us. We are two brothers.”

Fire and Emergency NZ National Commander, Russel Wood was present as was National MP Scott Simpson, with John Grant representing the Thames Coromandel District Council.

Special mention was made by Derek Collier, Master of Celemonies and Deputy Fire Officer, of Merv George, Ex-Fire Chief, who would normally have been presenting the gold stars to these two officers and friends, but was absent due to health. It was heart warming to see so many family members of both brothers as well as Fire Brigade officers from across the Coromandel

Spida Mangin, above, is accompanied by his partner, Karen for the Guard of Honour. In left foreground is Whitianga Chief Fire Officer Roly Chaney; Grassy Mangin, left, is accompanied by his two daughters.

and the Waikato. There was a noticeable number of recruits in training, a good sign for the future whic has been carved out by the example of people like Spida and Grassy. Both men are still active in the Whitianga Fire Brigade Spida ‘s duties being Operation Support. This was definitely not a retirement occasion.

MERVYN GEORGE

As this issue went to press The Informer was notified that Mervyn had passed away on Sunday evening, 28 April. Our condolences to Greer and his family and the Whitianga fire brigade.

A property that catches your attention as you come and go from the township of Coromandel. You can not help but begin to imagine all that could have happened here over the past 100 plus years. The stories and memories held by this villa, the pages that could be written into the history of the Coromandel township.

This Heritage listed home, constructed circa 1905 (Some locals maintain the original dwelling was actually constructed in 1895 ?), the once pride and joy of the Darling Family, who owned the home for five generations until recent times. It is now, reluctantly, but determinedly being sold by the current owners.

Just as you can see from the outside appearance, inside the home still displays all the majestic charm of yesteryear, but with modern love and care. Entering the home, you find yourself immediately charmed by the retained ambiance of the original build – high ceilings, grand mantels lovingly displayed over fireplaces. Now, of course one finds a modern heat pump system and heat transfer system to help keep the high ceiling rooms toasty warm in the winter months.

The time, money and love that goes into this type of work is clearly on display here. At the Eastern end of the home, a new kitchen enhances the chef's experience with ease of use along with great views of the raised garden beds in the back courtyard, retaining a separate dining area for those more intimate family evenings.

A large decked area for those summer and autumn evenings of entertaining takes in the the manicured raised vege gardens, along with a delightful floral display. This is out of sight of passers by – fantastically private.

The owners have made great use of the ample number of outbuildings, which include, two double garages, lined single garage sized art room/ family – guest stays, carport, and hobby shed.

Having the home nestled into some 3748m2 ensures your ability to live with a sense of self-sufficiency with the ample gardens, or pasture at the rear to graze some small stock and freely running hens? In addition, water storage assists with your water supply.

This is a great family home offering three bedrooms, separate living, separate dining, separate kitchen, sun room, two toilets and family bathroom, two double garages, carport, studio/guest accommodation, hobby/storage shed. This all comes with loads and loads of charm and character not to be found in modern builds.

The property is proudly being marketed by Coromandel Beaches Realty Ltd (licensed REAA 2008). Harcourts Coromandel Of�ice – Raewyn Trail 021 020 19111. Auction 5th May 2024 at 3.00pm on site (unless sold prior). Follow up with a visit to the open homes.

„ For further information or book a viewing etc with Raewyn. Or view on https://harcourts.net/nz/office/coromandel/listing/l26914540-1255-tikiroad-sh25-coromandel – nz – 3506

National member of parliament, Scott Simpson, centre, was an invited guest for the gold star medal celebrations.

MALCOLM CAMPBELL

Let me refresh your memories of the ‘water quality’swindle

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

Readers may remember a letter was written to Commissioner for The Environment Simon Upton actually two letters a week apart. The letters referenced reports from a number of observers and to refresh memories, *Narena Olliver lamented the loss of bird life in the Waikato, *Professor Phil Lester is alarmed at the number of insects lost, some now extinct;* pleas to protect inanga (whitebait) now an endangered delicacy; * bees threatened by chemical;* birds lost in hundreds, then thousands in poisoned waterways; *comment on poison solutions for environmental problems; *people afflicted with cancer while using the same herbicide; *groundwater containing a cocktail of poisons and herbicides and the extermination of the frogs. I hope I have refreshed your memory. It can hardly get any worse.

Those letters were sent with Track and Trace documents to the Commissioner of the Environment. The same letters were sent to Environment Waikato addressed to the Chairperson. Unsurprisingly five weeks after delivery of the letters, there has been no response from either the Commissioner for The Environment or Environment Waikato.

After looking at the website of the Commissioner for the Environment, it bears a remarkable similarity to Environment Waikato’s website. Simon Upton is in his second five year term and heads

Whitianga Office 21 Coghill Street 07 282 0736

Whitianga@gdcgroup.co.nz

Thames Office 516 Pollen Street 07 282 0736

Thames@gdcgroup.co.nz

a ‘small team’ (their words) and this team is exceptionally busy.

They examine and do just about everything as follows:- analytical modelling, biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, history, economics, finance, forestry, geography, law, literature, marine science, planning, physics, Matauranga Maori, social science, risk analysis, policy, resource management, Tikanga Maori and water governance. Whew!!

Yet another group, I believe the fifteenth, working away to improve water quality among other things.

Simon Upton also has a swipe at identifying rural water bodies at less than desirable quality. Not at all surprising given the amount of poison annually poured into and around them, and tacitly agreed to by the people who know how to manage the quality by administering poison.

On the Commissioner’s website were these comments (quote):

“The Resource Management Act has survived for thirty-two years as it was a bi-partisan Act brought forward by Geoffrey Palmer in the Labour Government and then passed into law by the National Government, ushered in by the Commissioner himself.”

On the website is a preamble and in it, is this gem. ‘The only significant changes so far have been driven by accidents of climate damage, or the incentivised conversion of land to forestry as a means of avoiding fossil fuel emissions reductions.’

To refresh memories at the

beginning of this item, mention was made of the many observers, indicating severe damage to the environment and the creatures in that environment. The ‘precious’ RMA has stopped dead, people’s dreams and aspirations, dealt death blows to small town New Zealand and caused the more active people to leave the country whilst financing the unproductive bureaucrats who thrive on disputes, instead of promoting harmony and community values.

Does The Commissioner think all these actions are insignificant?

It is possible the Commissioner is oblivious to the destruction being caused by our authorities as it is obvious that the seats of Local Government supposedly right here on the spot are oblivious to the damage being caused. For some unfathomable reason people have been conditioned to believe that people need to be directed and controlled. There was none of this prior to 1980 and our districts were flourishing with development of land, roads, bridges, towns and so on. Above all else we had Local, ‘Local Government’ until 1989 when Wellington swept it all away with a fanfare of efficiency and cost saving. This fanfare turned out to be lies, blatant lies. The Regional Council employs over five hundred people. Their total budget runs to near Two-hundred million dollars sucked out of the Waikato Region to be spent not where it was raised, but in Hamilton City. Salaries alone will consume fifty million. It has taken some time for

GEOTECHNICAL | CIVIL | STRUCTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL | ENGINEERS | PLANNING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS

Earthquake Assessments

Structural Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Geotechnical Assessments

Subdivision Engineering

Architectural Designs/ Renovations

Stormwater/ Wastewater Design and Modelling

Bridge Design

Traffic/ Safety Assessments

Road Pavement Design

Resource Consent

GdcConsultantsLtd/ www.gdcgroup.co.nz

the penny to drop.

However the New Zealand public has been conned, sucked in, fleeced, put it which- ever way you like, to the tune of billions of dollars for outcomes well below even the status-quo. We no longer even have what we had, the losses almost certainly terminal and we paid for this carnage and undoubtedly will continue to pay.

On another subject altogether

I have a lot to say about sprays destroying the environment but I am an enthusiastic and careful trapper.

You may have never seen one. This is a ferret, my thirty-eighth, along with fifty-seven feral cats and twelve weasels and stoats. Cats, weasels, and stoats are sometimes seen on the farms in this area. However the only

time I have seen ferrets is in the trap. They are very evasive and clever. My nephew John had five hens in the run and one of these got in overnight and killed all five hens. The one in the picture is 600mm long tip of nose to tip of tail. The score this year is one rat, one ferret, three hedgehogs and one cat, not really wild, and it has been re-homed in Waihi.

Many young anglers for Childrens Fishing Tournament and Youth Nationals

The recent Junior Fishing Tournament in Mercury Bay from 13-27 April, was a standout success.

Hunting and Fishing, newly established in Whitianga, was the naming sponsor and in addition, the tournament also became part of the Youth Nationals Fishing Tournament. The organisers, Tony Croft and Cody Hamilton, working on behalf of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, changed the date to coincide with the New Zealand Sport Fishing Club Youth Nationals. It was a good move. There were 121 entrants, the largest number of entrants of all the Youth National tournaments, and with 156 fish weighed in, it was the biggest turnout of young anglers in New Zealand’s history of these competitions and of course in the history of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club. Every entrant in this large community event received a very generous starter pack from Hunting and Fishing, Whitianga, which included a ‘cool cammo’ Hunting & Fishing backpack filled up with an assortment of tackle, drinks and snacks.

One significant event in this tournament was the tagging of a striped marlin, the first ever

in the Youth Nationals and the fortunate, skilled angler who achieved this was Jaxon Walker.

The prize giving on Saturday night was a very happy and generous evening for the children and young people and their families in the mercury Bay Game Fishing Club marquee - 100 child and teen anglers present, supported by their parents and grandparents.

The Master of Ceremonies, Mike Plant of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Club, was assisted by the Club Manager, John East and Club President, Gordon McIvor in the presentation of the prizes and the smooth running of the evening with every young angler also provided with a free meal.

The grand finale of the programme was the lucky draw from all the entrants. Each entrant had a number and the winner of this amazing cache of prizes worth $10,000 young Wyatt Watson. He could hardly believe it. This ‘hard to believe’ prize was provided by Hunting & Fishing Whitianga and the owners, Alex Reynolds and Ashleigh Taiapa, were there to personally present Wyatt with his prize and to see the achievements of so many very skilled, local young anglers.

Lexi Ford, left, 2nd place heaviest snapper and kingfish; Coby Maxwell, middle, heaviest small fry skipjack tuna; Sage and Meile Thompson, above.

Custom made shade for Kiwi lifestyles

offer a Coromandel based design consultant.

Wyatt Watson, with his Mum, Dad and sister, congratulated by the sponsors Hunting and Fishing owners, Alex and Ashleigh in front of the prize worth $10,000!!.

Ryder Hamilton, above, heaviest snapper among other awards; Jaxon Walker the first and only tagged stripe marlin in the history of the tournament.

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Thames 501 Pollen

Commanding corner

• Tenanted investment - two tenancies

• Commanding corner with an excellent profile in Thames

• Strengthened to 80% of NBS

• Returning $128,500pa +GST/OPEX

Located at 501 Pollen Street, this property offers a commanding corner site of 845sqm (more or less), providing excellent exposure in the heart of the area. Constructed in 1986 over two levels, the building replaced the existing bank and has since been split into two tenancies. bayleys.co.nz/2201452

NEW LISTING

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Kuaotunu 16 Black Jack Road

Be ready for summer

• Vacant possession allows for multiple options

• Flexibility with both commercial and residential use

• Prime development corner site offering multi-level use with dual access

• Stunning water views and surrounding scenery

16 Black Jack Road has long been known as the 'Kuaotunu Store,' serving as a beloved summer destination for supplies, ice creams, and fish & chips. The dual access provides flexibility for future development, allowing for a mixed-use option with the potential for apartments on the first floor and commercial spaces on the ground floor. bayleys.co.nz/2201448

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sqm

street

BY STAN STEWART

S‘Getting Through’ with GRATITUDE

ome readers may not know that ‘Getting Through’ is the name of my play based on Viktor Frankl’s book, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’. It was presented at the ‘Monkey House Theatre and Cabaret’ last Sunday and Monday – 21 and 22 April.

I started without a cast, without a venue nor production team. Bit by bit, in Whitianga style, all these components came together – out of the woodwork you could say. I don’t think that any of the persons who made up the eventual team knew what they were getting into.

Eventually a team put this production together. With gratitude I will mention just a few miracle-workers who made the play possible:- Peter Wood, Dave Fowell, two Michelles –Michelle Rhodes and Michelle Farmer, the Monkey House marvels, Molly and Kaspur, Pauline and The Informer, Paper Plus and Mrs Tradie. As well as Peter Wood, and Dave Fowell who played older Viktor Frankl as a lecturer/author, and young Viktor Frankl in the prison camp, I owe a great deal to the other cast members. They are Kaspur Franke, Steffen Lindner, Bob Ste-

vens, Jeremy Andrews, Sam Blake, Mark Alloway, Beverley Sheppard, Dave Hunter, Noel Hewlett. Viktor Frankl, one of the twentieth century’s most significant psychiatrists, wrote of his experiences in Auschwitz prison camp in a best-selling book, ‘Man’s search for Meaning’. My play is based on some of his experiences which he recorded in that book. His central thesis is that the search for meaning is one of the most important endeavours for every human life. A life without meaning will wither and decline. However, meaning can be found by those who search for it in every circumstance, even

in the most challenging life situations. What I am aware of is that even in the most beautiful situations, such as the Coromandel, scenery and relaxation are not enough. We must all search to find a particular, a significant meaning to which we can commit ourselves. I believe this and that is why I enjoyed presenting this play.

Three of the many commendations we have received.

“I thought it had a really great message for people to take away. We’re living in a time where so many are suffering from depression and mental health strug-

gles. It’s so important to be able to openly talk about our feelings and be reminded that we are here for a reason and all have purpose. The readers did a great job and kaspur’s performance stood out!” Evangeline

“This play was set in a concentration camp in the most dreadful circumstances, but that was not what the play was about. It was about finding hope; about finding meaning even when life is falling apart. Thanks to all who participated for an arresting and inspirational play.” Liz and Mike

“The play was real. It may have been set in a prison camp but it

was actually about everyday life. We all need a reason to get out of bed every day. The play challenged us to find our own, particular reason. Well done all the actors and the Monkey House. It was special.”

Verna Carr

Viktor Emil Frankl (26 March 1905-2 September 1997) was an Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, who founded Logo therapy, a school of psychotherapy that describes a search for a life's meaning as the central human motivational force.

Getting Through being presented at the Monkey House theatre. To the left is Kaspur Franke playing the role of a Nazi prison guard; centre left is Michelle Farmer as narrator with Dave Fowell as lead character Viktor Frankl in prison; right is Peter Wood as Viktor Frankl, lecturer, many years after the war.

Whose side should we be on?

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

Afair bit of discussion is taking place in political circles at the moment about joining what is being called AUKUS Pillar 2, a proposed defence arrangement.

The original AUKUS is a submarine purchasing agreement, not much more really. There seems to be a desire in some quarters to make it more by having countries such as Canada and ourselves join up as Pillar 2 members of AUKUS, meaning we don’t get any submarines but would be buddies with those that do have them.

They would protect us if we needed protecting, and we would support them if they needed supporting.

The first question that comes to mind is whether we need protecting from submarines or not. We do not have a rich history of suffering from submarine attacks. There was some submarine activity in our waters during World War II with German U Boats attacking some shipping, sinking three, and later a fourth was sunk with a mine. No submarines from buddy nations came to our aid at this time.

Other than that, the only sub-

marine activity I can recall was in the eighties when, the then National Party politician, Winston Peters, claimed Soviet submarines were mapping the New Zealand seabed. It was not reported why he thought they would want to do this.

It appears that the push to join AUKUS is more of us helping them than they are helping us. The bolstered AUKUS Pillar 2 will in effect become a defence partnership, primarily to help the USA with their desire for credibility

as they square up to China in the northern Pacific. I do understand that the partners, specifically the USA, would defend us should we be under attack but who would be attacking us and what was the USA doing immediately before any such attack?

It seems to me we actually have three choices, be a buddy of the USA, be a buddy of China or be a buddy to both. Let us look at the options starting with the USA. We have been on the same side in a number of wars.

In the first World War, we were straight there, helping the mother country as soon as we were asked. After much loss of life, the Americans arrived late and helped with the cleaning up.

The second World War was similar with us rushing over to help the English once more while the Americans did nothing, until the Japanese stirred them up. The Americans then went to Europe to help with the clean-up and with help, showed the Japanese what a really big bomb looked like.

The big bomb must have filled the Americans with confidence as they then started getting involved at the beginning of wars, while waving for us to come over and help out. We fought their battles in Korea (a draw) and Vietnam (a loss).

In later years we joined in with Afghanistan (another loss) and gave some assistance in Iraq, which could possibly be counted as a win. Not a very good record really, plenty of Kiwis being lost, 92 in fact over these four wars.

New Zealand was not attacked at any time and the USA has never rewarded us with a free trade agreement.

China is the supposed adversary we are to help the USA with, yet

incorporating Judo, Jui Jitsu, Muay Thai, TKD, Karate, Thai Chi, Wing Chun and Boxing. Aims: Self-defence, Self-control, Confidence and Discipline. Suitable for children and adults.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Whitianga Town Hall

6:00 – 7:30 pm

Instructor: Tony 0273335146

China also seems to be a friend. It is hard to find any history of warfare between New Zealand and China. We seemed to be on the same side in World War Two with the Japanese being a common enemy, but other than that, we have been politely friendly. China has rewarded us for our decision not to invade them with our best free trade agreement.

Reality would suggest that neither of these two super powers is our enemy, both having good claims of friendship.

China is a far better friend to us economically but the music and movies from the USA are much better. We really need both. In my view the best idea is to remain neutral.

However, if we are to pursue the AUKUS group, then our negotiators should have a copy of our proposed Free Trade Agreement on the top of their pile of papers, and ask the USA to sign it so that the treaty negotiations can then begin.

The AUKUS alliance of USA, UK and Australia extend an invitation to New Zealand to be a supporting partner.

MERCURY BAY PICKLEBALL CLUB

Albany Tournament

Competition 26-28 April

A team of 6 local players attended this premier calendar event tournament and excellent results were achieved by all considering the high standard of play. Bronze medals were won by Justin in the men's singles open 3.5 & under division and Tony in the men's singles 60+ division.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Women Putting

Tuesday, 23 April

1, Christine Gooden; 2, Jean Hancock; 3, Gaylene Imms.

Nine-hole Mixed - Stableford

1, Johnny Day; 2, Phil Drane; 3, Roger Pheasant.

Eighteen-hole Women –

Gross and Net

Wednesday, 24 April

Gross winner: Saki Mosen

Net: Div 1: 1 Dianne Gilmour; 2, Anita Ellmers; 3 Diane Eccles.

Net: Div2: 1, Gail Doughty; 2, Marg Maher; 3, Chris Van Veen.

Twos: Gail Doughty

Nearest Pin #4: Dianne Gilmour; #18: Gail Doughty

Longest Putt: Rachel Johnstone.

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

1, Kev Smith; 2, Ed Gardien; 3, Graeme Heathcote.

Eagle: Graham Eccles

Twos: Graham Eccles, Ron Watson

Div 1: Gross Kev Smith; Div 2: Rohit Ranchhod.

Nine-hole Mixed Scramble –Stableford

Friday, 26 April

1, Jenny Layton; 2, Carol Bingley; 3, Don Maguire

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

Saturday, 27 April

1, Cam Goodger; 2, Greg Peterken; 3, Richard Bennett.

Eagles: Cam Goodger, Nathan Wilson

Twos: Cam Goodger, Pete Maher, Justin Wilson, Graham Eccles

Div 1: Gross - Cam Goodger, Nearest Pin – Matt Kurth, Longest Drive - Nathan Wilson.

Div 2: Gross - Graham Dun, Nearest Pin - N/A, Longest Drive - Paul Lupton.

THE DUNES MATARANGI

Nine-hole Men – Stableford Monday, 22 April.

1, Graham Kemp; 2, Mark Deutsh; 3, David Ellis.

Ladies Nine-hole Stableford Tuesday, 23 April

1, Sue Karl; 2, Joanne Nicholson; 3, Merrin James.

Tony Cotton Memorial Shootout – Net 18 Hole

Wednesday, 24 April

1, Gary Bancroft; 2, Graham Harrison; 3, Geoffrey Hill; 4, Tony De Coek; 5, David Ellis.

Nearest the Pin: Tracey Mulligan

Twos: Graham Harrison 5, Paul Barnard 7, Charlie Chilwell 11, Geoffrey Hill 18

Ladies Eighteen-hole –Stableford. Wed, 24 April

1, Joanne Dartnall; 2, Chrissie Smith.

ANZAC Nine-hole Tournament – Stableford Thursday, 25 April

1, Michelle Swainbank; 2, Nick

Lambert; 3, Raymond Fanning; 4, Jim Dale; 5, Tracey Mulligan; 6, Hugo Steven Harvey; 7, Merrin James; 8, Richard Wilkinson; 9, Graeme Kensington; 10, Tony De Coek.

Saturday Haggle – Stableford Saturday, 28 April

1, Nick Lambert; 2, Graham Harrison; 3, Ross Alexander; 4, Gary Bancroft.

Nearest the Pin: Gary Bancroft

Twos: Gary Bancroft 5, 7 & 18, Cathy Drake-Wells 7, Barry Titchmarsh 7.

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Nine-hole Nett and Putts

Tuesday, 23 April

1, Anne Costello; 2, Jill Huston; 3= Neil Robertson, Richard Duckworth.

Putts: 1, Neil Robertson; 2, Geoff Hill.

Eighteen-hole Stableford

Saturday, 27 April

1, Caleb Mahoney; 2, Jo Geoghegan; 3, Al Sims; 4, Brian Keucke.

4BBB: Jo Geoghegan and Phil Ander

MERCURY BAY BOWLING CLUB

Patrons Cup

Saturday, 27 April

1, Lynn Clifford; 2, Peter Mead; 3, Wayne Edmonds

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Tairua Pairs Round Three

North/South: 1, Jill Huston and Lynnette Flowers 63.49; 2, Ron Baker and Rob Stewart 55.16; 3, Jocelyn Taylor and Peter McNeil 54.76.

East/West: 1, Celia Young and Nolene Kirkpatrick 62.70; 2, Chris Death and Sue Dalzell 61.51; 3, Jean Myles and Doreen Wernham 53.57.

HAHEI CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB

Purangi Pairs Week Four

Tuesday, 23 April

North/South:1 Robyn Waters and Peter Hogg 65.00, 2 Robyn Hogg and Alison Tichbon 54.50, 3 Val Dwight and Peter Clark 49.00.

East/West: 1 Sheryl Roberts and Dave Dylla 63.50, 2Maggie Beattie and Philippa Hall 49.00, 3 Ngaire O’Brien and Angela Butterworth 48.50.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT

BRIDGE CLUB

April Competition Round Four

Wednesday, 24 April

North/South: 1 equal Giorgio Allemano and Pete Hogg, Robyn Hogg and Alison Tichbon 55.5; 3 Gavin Hedwig and Bob Schibli 54.5.

East/West: 1, Johanna Bonnar and Dave Dylla 61.5; 2, Norma Hart and Ian Hogg 55.5; 3, Terri Lipanovic and Pat Doube 50.5.

Buffalo Pairs Round Two

Thursday, 25 April

1, Amy Hyde and Ischelle Stevenson 68.8; 2, Norma Hart and Debbie Cragg 62.5; 3, Pam Churchill and Natasha La Trobe 54.2.

MERCURY BAY DARTS CLUB

20 players this week, 501 singles were played this week. First time singles have been played

this year. Three players went through unbeaten, so a one game shootout final was played. The finalists were Stoney, Greg Healy and Trent Waring. Trent was the winner tonight playing some good darts. The highest finishers this week were for the women, Karen McKenzie with 51 and for the men, Frank Holecroft with 63. 180's were flowing this week with three players scoring 180, they were Stoney, Peter Reekers and Selwyn Whatarangi.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday, 24 April

Best of three frames: Eight players on Wednesday and it was Wayne Malcolm and Ian Baumgren with two straight wins to battle out the final third frame. It was Wayne really on form and he took a comfortable win. With two wins Ian Baumgren (runner up), Peter Schultz and Doug Pascoe . Wayne Bellingham took home the high break pool with 17. Saturday, 27 April

Best of three frames: Eight players on Saturday and it was Ian Baumgren and Peter Schultz with two straight wins each to decide a winner in the final third frame. A very exciting third frame this was with Ian getting a very lucky pink in the end to take the win. With two wins Peter Schultz (runner up), Greg Murphy and Luke Trainor.

Lynn Clifford is presented with the winning cup by Patron, Pam Phillips

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

NAME CHANGE OF

I note that the name of Cathedral Cove has now been changed, by whom and why I have no idea, to Mautohe Cathedral Cove.

The translation from Maori to English for Mautohe is “protest”. I’m not sure what the protest is/ was about (apparently it was the name of a small pa) and “Protest Cathedral Cove” doesn’t seem to mean anything in this context so what is the point?

Perhaps someone associated with this decision could provide some background and explanation for residents and visitors.

Ian Collinson Hahei

BIAS IN THE LTP: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”

I welcome your recent ‘Speaking Up on the LTP’ content, though not always the bias existing among many contributors. In his plea for fair play from TCDC (Inf. 9/4) Murray Ward made some salient points re the spending of our rates dollars in the current LTP, where projects will soon be ’fixed’ (pun intended!) for another 10 years. The points addressing general inequalities (i.e. continued steep rate rises vis-a-vis limited perceived benefit to locals; the notable bias towards industrial &

commercial ratepayers, who crucially can deduct rates for tax purposes, unlike the rest of us!) are excellent, as is pointing out a bias towards Thames – but he failed to mention developers, or their relative ‘contributions’, nor how the ‘economic rate’ may be dropped altogether this time.

This noting of evident slants isn’t overly cynical yet I feel the historic nature of problems is often NOT stressed enough. Mr Rassmussen’s piece on ‘rotting fish’ (16/4) begs that question. I object particularly how his Conclusion continues the blamegame-trend against the currently elected team, especially Len Salt as ‘the fish head’ we presume! As your Through the Portal scribe admitted the same week re Council issues, and I for once agree, “the problems have been here for some time”.

TCDC’s rating system has supported developers, commercial & related interests at the expense of our average residential ratepayers for easily 20 years. The long – standing infrastructure issues recently mooted have been essentially ignored by all prior Councils under Mayors Sandra Goudie, Glen Leach and Philippa Barriball, in an expensive push for ‘economic development’ when two terms meant the consolidation of

biased policy decisions. Moreover, pet projects like the Whitianga Esplanade Devt, the Wharf, (or the tsunami sirens fiasco), all hark back to prior Plans. I know first – hand the huge costs of a manipulated and unmonitored rating system based on SUIPs (dwelling units) instead of on property value or the ‘real usage’ of services, but suffice to say for now, where the knock-on recession-effect of Covid and the 2023 weather-storms are also mostly inherited, we must look much deeper than the current team to find a true long-term solution to ‘inequitable governance’ here.

Maggie Johnson

I DEFEND MY STAND

Hmm. Some interesting comments from Geoffery Robinson a couple of weeks ago. Issue 1101). I don't usually respond to that stuff, but sometimes it is important to do so.

I have been fortunate enough to represent the TCDC as a Councillor for two terms (6 years) and the WRC as a Councillor for one term (3years). I achieved a lot in both roles, though I accept not everyone will agree. Such is politics.

After my spell at TCDC, I successfully stood as the Coromandel candidate for Waikato Regional Council (WRC) because I saw an appalling lack of good governance there due to the egregious behaviour of then representative Clyde Graf, who had been put there by the local anti-1080-brigade, assisted by various Coromandel Land Care groups.

Robinson and Veysey claim to be 'real' Coromandel conservationists, but they mostly represent the interests of hunters who want to ban the use of 1080, allow for the widespread proliferation of pigs, while turning a blind eye to the 'introduction' of deer and wallaby to the Conservation estate.

The other thing that Robinson and Veysey achieved was to mark the Coromandel, as 'too difficult' for more advanced conservation projects where selected pest free areas would be established allowing for the re-introduction of Saddleback and Kokako. This initiative was subsequently re-prioritised to Maungatautari and Pirongia Mountains.

It would appear that Robinson, an American import to NZ, has never grasped a real understanding of the perilous status of many of our native birds which have no innate abilities to protect themselves at scale from rats, stoats and weasels unless under an umbrella of trapping and the targeted use of 1080. Nor does he choose to understand NZ scientists who have found that in our unique environment the correct use of 1080 has no significant environmental impacts.

Robinson, Veysey and others also played a significant role in sinking the proposal put forward by Glen Leach for the Coromandel to obtain World Heritage status.

In short, Robinson and Veysey have helped put back Coromandel conservation until the next generation of conservationists step forward and they have both been placed underground.

As a WRC Councillor. I just wanted to restore the balance of good governance at that organisation by defeating Graf. I achieved what needed to be done at the time – happy to have helped restore the Coromandel conservation effort.

Having said that, it is important to continue holding Robinson and Veysey to account. They both represent a clear and present danger to genuine conservation efforts on the Coromandel.

Dal Minogue

Ferry Landing Whitianga

TCDC LONG TERM PLAN

It is refreshing to read the editor’s take and Mr Rasmussen’s on TCDC’s Long Term Plan (‘The Informer’, 16 April 2024).

The consultation was, as usual, a waste of time (and money). The proposed ‘options’ reflected ‘shades of bad’ rather than clear alternatives.

Soon as the consultation period had closed, the Council started publicizing more details about projects that had been consulted on. It can’t escape the most naïve mind that the direction the Council is going to take had been decided long before we had any opportunity to comment.

I agree with Mr Rasmussen in that ‘our elected representatives are the root cause of this failure’ to deliver an economically viable, fiscally prudent budget. I just wonder to what degree officials who provide advice to the Council might play a considerable part in ‘steering’ Councillors according to agendas and interests.

Councillors are not expected to have project specific or indeed economic expertise. They heavily rely on staff advice. If this advice is not based on rigorous fiscal prudency, we get what we were just consulted on.

Elisabeth Resl, Kuaotunu

FAST TRACK BILL CONCERNS

The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects, avoiding the usual checks and balances that are in place.

These are my concerns about the Fast Track Approval Bill.

1. It goes against the ethos of parliament and democracy. Just because a politician happens to be on the “right side of the vote,” it is arrogant to assume that he has the sole voice and ultimate decision-making powers.

2. The vast majority of New Zealanders care deeply about

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

the environment and the consequences of not looking after it. There is no due process for people/citizens/voters to have a voice and put forward their concerns. There are no checks and balances, so politicians have given themselves the power to run roughshod over the people they claim to represent.

3. Giving three people with an agenda the power to approve or disapprove major issues creates an opportunity for bribery and corruption. These ministers could receive money and favours from large multi-national corporations, in return for example; of allowing mining in the Coromandel and other areas of natural beauty. In effect stealing the resources from the people of New Zealand to provide wealth to overseas companies. This could be considered an act of treason.

4. Mr Shane Jones’s words: “Extract the dividend from Mother Nature's legacy." Would he steal from his own mother? These resources do not belong to him, to any one political party, or to any race or culture. Just because something is there doesn’t mean it needs to be exploited. The abundance of Mother Nature provides the life force of this planet.

5. Unprecedented greed causes pollution and environmental damage. These ministers gets to breathe clean air, drink pure water, and eat natural foods because they live privileged lives far removed from the consequences of their actions.

6. Mr Shane Jones’s argument is that mining and other fast tracked resource consents will create jobs and export revenue. This is a poor argument because thousands of jobs can be created in natural and sustainable industries.

7. Mr Shane Jones calls himself Minister of Resources. Whose resources? Just because a person is a bank manager doesn’t mean that he can spend the bank’s money as he sees fit. Minister of Resources implies responsibility and stewardship of resources, not ransacking and pillaging. After his term in office, there will be no resources left, to manage.

8. If this Fast Track Approval Bill goes through, it will have devastating consequences for years to come.

Verna Carr, Whitianga

LISTEN TO THE COMMON SENSE OF FARMERS

After reading Malcolm Campbell’s article Issue 1099 2/4/24 “The common sense of farmers not often in a local authorities’ actions” I can see how people with any common sense would get into strife with the Waikato Regional Council (WRC). The WRC seem to pick and choose what they are responsible for and why they are not.

I have personally had dealings with WRC staff about the removal of logs from the Kaueranga River entrance to what is locally referred to as the Sewer Beacon. Their reply was that it wasn’t their responsibility. I thought they were responsible for clearing the channel to the Thames Wharf and therefore assisting with flood protection and navigation aids. Up until about three years ago, the removal of logs was done automatically by the harbour master (with common sense) so my sympathies are with those individuals who take action themselves to protect their property only to later find themselves offside with WRC.

Rex Sturmey, Thames

FALSE DATA FROM OCEANS AND FISHERIES

Deaths of ocean wildlife are now proven to have been consistently underreported and the numbers of dolphins and birds being killed are drastically higher than previously thought.

“Seven times as many dolphins are being drowned compared to the rate reported by the vessels fishing industry. Three to four times as many albatrosses are taking bait, landing on ships, or being killed. And twice as much fish is being discarded from commercial vessels”. (Rebekah White. Senior Editor. NZ Geographic)

These figures are from the first reports received from cameras installed on a number of ships.

Law requires all fishers to report bycatch, but industry-reported number are consistently lower than when either independent observers or cameras are keeping watch.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones’s response has been to pause the camera rollout and ask officials to look at ways to hand camera footage back to the industry, rather than having the government independently reviewing it, according to Andrea Vance at The Post.

Please do not just read this, shake your head, and move on!

Contact your local MP – Write a letter of complaint. Are you happy with Shane Jones’s attitude which, I believe, can only be interpreted as attempting to ‘cover –up’ this information? Is this what we expect from our Oceans and Fisheries Minister? Fisheries are owned by Maori, who advise that they are the only people who can look after our Oceans and Fisheries. After reading the facts above I would ask all Maori to stand up against an out-of-control Oceans and Fisheries hierarchy and make their ability to look after our Oceans and Fisheries a reality. Stand up, not just for yourselves, but all Kiwis. We are in this together.

Ady Cole-Ewen. Wharekaho.

„ The purpose of the Letters to the Editor column is to allow members of the public to express an opinion, about an article or a topic of interest. Please keep them to 200 words or less. Hopefully this will encourage discussion, however the editor reserves the right to decide what is published and if it needs to cut.

QUESTIONING MR RASSMUSSEN

In a recent opinion piece, Mr Rasmussen assigns full blame for a proposed 12.9% rates increase on our local elected representatives. This simplistic approach ignores the realities of nationwide cost increases and how comparatively well TCDC has done.

The average rate increase nationwide is 15%, with some councils imposing significantly steeper rises than TCDC – Hamilton (20%), Napier (23.7%), and Auckland water charges (29%). This doesn’t paint a picture of local Councillor incompetence, but rather every council struggling with inflation and extra costs being foisted on them by central government.

Perhaps Mr Rasmussen can clarify how individual Councillors are responsible for the rising costs of bridges (38%), sewage systems (30%), and water supplies (27%). Should we hold them accountable for general inflation, higher interest rates, and insurance costs as well?

Mr Rasmussen accuses TCDC of exceeding its legal authority yet strangely as a lawyer, fails to provide any legal basis for this claim. The Local Government Act empowers councils to “promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of their communities” – a broad and legal mandate for all its proposals.

Mr Rasmussen laments the lack of investment in three water services. But he conveniently omits how the previous government took these costs off council balance sheets only to have their entire financial burden fall back on councils under the new government's regime.

We can do better than the one-dimensional blame game in which Mr Rasmussen engages. A more nuanced understanding of the massive funding challenges every council faces is necessary.

Meg Beston, Mercury Bay

SHOULD THE CHURCHES PAY TAXES?

Should the churches (religion) be separated from our government? Are we a theocracy or a democracy? By that I mean are we a country free of superstition (secular)?

From our M.Ps’ public actions, it is shown that the state facilitates religious use of tax money.

Churches don’t pay taxes because in the past, they were the only public welfare groups. They saved the government money. Now this wealth is spent on growing land ownership and indoctrination by the organised churches. Certainly, it is not publicised.

Another sign of this corruption is prayer (Maori or English) and the fact that the King, our country’s nominal Head, is also the head of the English Anglican

Church.

Our schools were started by the first settlers and they had come from a place where the problems of mixing church and state were obvious. So, one of the first laws they made was the Education Act which made schooling compulsory, free and secular (free of religion). This has become adulterated by certain government members using the flawed concept that competition will increase the quality of education. The taxpayer now pays for equalising public schools, the Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian schooling system and other private schools including and Islamic school (for girls only).

We need to ask Scott Simpson, where he stands on this? Can he tell us how much tax goes to support the unilateral promotion of each group’s religious curriculum? If this government hopes to ‘save’ tax dollars; here are two incomes that foster divisiveness.

Peter H Wood

TONE IS PERTURBING

The “tone” of some of the articles talking about the TCDC long term plan is a little perturbing. The criticism of expenditure on social services – I for one applaud the Council for having the courage to fill the gap between what should be a Government responsibility and delivery on the ground. In case the entitled haven’t notice, many people in our Coromandel communities are doing it hard and we currently have a government intent on savagely peeling back departmental resources while proclaiming front line services won’t be affected. Seriously?

The cutting of support services to Veterans is one that springs to mind – no ifs or buts – just gone. And there are many others, the impact of which is yet to be gauged.

Filling the social gap where possible and sensible is a good approach by our Council as the alternative say, of having people begging on the streets, or missing out on other services essential to our communities, is intolerable.

I think we all have a responsibility towards the welfare of our fellow citizens and in the face of currently misguided government priorities, I for one am happy that a portion of my rates is being used in this way.

Buddy Mikaere Manaia, Coromandel

SIRENS IN OTHER PLACES BUT NOT ON THE COROMANDEL?

New Zealand’s biggest Tsunami Siren upgrade is now rolling out across Northland. These Danish designed solar powered tsunami siren units are unique in that they can also broadcast emergency messages - allowing full coverage for any type of emergency within the area.

Oh to have such a proactive Civil Defence Emergency response system as they have in Northland!

When we ran the demonstration for these state-of-the-art Danish sirens at Simpsons Farm, Wharekaho, we invited TCDC including our Civil Defence Leader Garry Towler and his team, to attend. TCDC, and our Emergency Team, declined the invitation.

Our media supported and promoted the Siren Demonstration. When John Grant who has a significant background in emergency events, was elected to Council, I expected to see him put in charge of our Civil Defence Emergency Unit. This did not happen, and we still have no emergency warning system in place that works across the Peninsula - let alone Whitianga and Wharekaho –nationally listed as being, “ONE OF THE THREE NZ AREAS AT HIGHEST RISK OF BEING WIPED OUT BY A TSUNAMI.”

David Yeomans, a highly qualified air disaster investigator, spent months investigating every emergency siren available internationally, and the Danish product was undeniably the best option.They are being installed elsewhere across our countrybut not on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Mayor Len Salt promised a review on the sirens.

Mark Mitchell’s, Emergency Management and Recovery Report, re the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island severe weather events states, “The report shows that NZ’s emergency management is not fit for purpose and there are significant gaps to address.” NB. This is not about individuals who do incredible jobs in emergency events but the system as a whole. TCDC seems to be too concerned with questionable initiatives such as the current installation of numerous “Resilience Centres”. I notice one is placed at the Old Hospital site on Buffalo Beach Rd, In the event of a tsunami, this would have to be one of the most dangerous sites in town. A waste of time and funding? I would like to know what readers think about this.

A siren would have everyone gathering their own emergency kits and heading for the hills – a better chance of surviving.

Ady Cole-Ewen, Wharekaho

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 10 May, Monday 27 May. 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.

Mercury Bay Shooting Federation

Muzzle loader, rimfire, centre fire, military, pistol. For more info mbsfsecretary@gmail.com.

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

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.

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

Meditation Classes – Thursday Evening

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 4.00pm-6.00pm and Sunday 9.0011.00am weather dependant, Matai Place courts, Matarangi. Equipment and training provided.

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 – 022 378 0648.

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

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. 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.

Freelance Mum New Zealand Hub

A child-friendly networking group to make new connections and support, and inspire health and fitness for Mums. Also ‘online coffee mornings’.

Monthly meet - Picnic Bench at Whitianga Wharf, for a netwalk by the sea then Hula café for drinks an activity or guest speaker. Next ‘netwalk’, Friday, 3 May 10.00am start. Coffee Mornings online every Tuesday 10:30am11:15am. NZDT to sign up: https://www. freelancemum.co.uk/event/new-zealand-coffeemornings/2024-03-11/

Sorry for Your Loss

If you have lost a close friend, whether recently or in the past, gather with understanding people for a drink at The Lost Spring 4pm Friday 20th May. For more information ph Michelle 027 231 6788.

AUCTION

DATE CHANGED

AUCTION

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, 5/86 Albert Street

• 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom ground floor newly refurbished apartment.

• Permanent living, holiday home or rental.

• Stunning property, overlooking the Whitianga Marina, located just a short 2minute walk from town.

FOR SALE By negotiation

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27555846

Dayle Candy 027 433 6862

Cavin McGrath 021 080 19154

NEW LISTING

Cooks Beach, 34 Scott Drive

• 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom cosy home with inviting ambiance.

• Extensive decked areas provide ample room for outdoor living & entertainment.

• Close to the shops & beach.

FOR SALE $975,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26546343

Paulette Tainsh 027 241 2001

Hendry Tainsh 022 658 4818

NOW PRICED

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 By negotiation

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26937378

Paulette Tainsh 027 241 2001

Hendry Tainsh 022 658 4818

DEADLINE

SALE

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,

PRICE REDUCED

6 Tohetea Lane

• Magnificent 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom home.

• Open plan living, dining and kitchen area.

• Large salted swimming pool and double internal access garage.

• Additional media room, kids rumpus and office.

FOR SALE Offers over $1,800,000 VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L26376571

David Frew 027 491 8420 Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

PRICE REDUCED

Cooks Beach, 5 Joyce Harsant Place

• Generous land area of 2943 sqm.

• 4 bdrm, 4 bthrm house with high vaulted ceilings.

• Dble garage, outdoor swimming pool & breathtaking views.

FOR SALE $2,790,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/ L26018376

Paulette Tainsh 027 241 2001

Hendry Tainsh 022 658 4818

Tairua, 56 Rewa Rewa Valley Road

• 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home with impeccably designed indoor outdoor flow.

• Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah wooden flooring with high timber beams and ceilings.

• Separate self-contained chalet nestled in the ferns.

FOR SALE $1,950,000

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L22541511

Philippa Evans 021 266 9295

NEW LISTING

NOW PRICED

Whitianga, 196 Cook Drive

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

• Double garage, sleepout and garden shed.

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

FOR SALE By negotiation

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27039669.

David Frew 027 491 8420

Kirby Faulkner 027 436 9990

Tairua, 127B Main Road

• This quintessential kiwi

• One

SALE Deadline Sale closes 3rd May 2024 at 4.00pm (unless sold prior) VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27115346

NEW LISTING

Tairua, 120 Pepe Road

• Private and sunny, warm and tidy.

• Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, open plan kitchen, dining and lounge.

• A generous deck surrounded by ample parking and back lawn.

FOR SALE Deadline Sale closes 3rd May 2024 at 4.00pm (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27083726

Adam Fuller 022 018 0856

Tairua,

301 Main Road

• Calling all tradespeople! Internally water damaged, sizeable brick property.

• Assessed by the building inspector as salvageable. Selling “as is where is”.

• The mother of all do-ups is available for your consideration NOW!

FOR SALE Deadline Sale Closes 31st May 2024 at 4.00pm (unless sold prior)

VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27555519

Jo Wardle-Heath 027 470 7883

Call now for your private appointment or see advertised open homes and view all our listings

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Crossword Puzzle

© Lovatts Puzzles 360

Name:

1103

Word Search

Grid 35

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

Phone no: ............................................................................................. Issue 1103

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.

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: MYTHICAL BEINGS

Last week’s word search solution

Bird's width (8)

Variety of animal (5)

Moons (10)

Bring

Long-standing customs (10)

Baking agent (5)

Rocky projections (8)

Moving about (5)

DOWN

1. Preserve (corpse) (6)

2. Sight organs (4)

3. Infuriate (4)

4. Sprightly (5)

5. Powerful beam (9)

6. For men or women (6)

Last week’s crossword solution

Last week’s winner –

Intimidate (5)

Waterfalls (9)

Feminine pronoun (3)

Severe pain (5)

Small celestial body (6)

Flower syrup (6)

Tempestuous (5)

Little devils (4)

Observes (4)

Last week’s winner – Raewyn Diprose

Proudly sponsored by

Proudly sponsored by

Hansi Laing

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

Sundays 10am

ALL WELCOME

New location: 22 Coghill St – Whitianga

www.c3whitianga.co.nz CHURCH

WATTLE FIREWOOD FOR SALE

$160 a cube – reliable, dry

Phone Chris 027 383 8955

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

DRY GUM FIREWOOD FOR SALE

$180 a cube delivered.

Phone James 021 063 2037

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

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

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

- AVI (WOF Licence)

- A New Zealand National Certificate in Automotive Engineering

- A minimum of 5 years workshop experience post-qualifying

- A full, clean NZ Drivers Licence

- Knowledge and competence with Scantool diagnostics

In return you will enjoy;

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

- Working in a modern, clean and wellequipped workshop

- High standard of customer service

- Good communication and time management skills

- High level of personal presentation

- A team player attitude

- High standard of work with attention to detail

- NZ residency

- Ongoing training and support

- A fun work environment

- Flexibility around hours/family

- Staff benefits

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

SHIRLEY O'LEARY

2/2/1926-23/2/2024

Memorial service on Friday 3 May, 10am at St Patrick's Catholic Church 16 Campbell Street, Whitianga Kelvin O'Leary7@gmail.com

COOPER, REGINALD (TONY)

Born in Coventry, England on 29 November 1926, passed away in his 98th year of life, and 68th year of marriage, on 22 April 2024 at Thames Hospital. Member of the Royal Armoured Corp WW2 (54th & 62nd Tank Training Regiments, 5th Tank Regiment) - Lance Corporal (14894196).

Beloved husband of Corinne, much adored and highly respected Dad of Lesley & John, Michael, Lynn & Greg. Much loved Grandpa & Grandad to Mark & Kelly, Lauren & Morgan, Brandon & Rhiannon, Mercedes & Ben, Veronica & Josh, Nathan & Lola. A delighted GreatGrandpa to Spencer, Charlotte (Charlie) and Cooper. The family are grateful to Belinda (ex-Visionwest) and more recently Toni (Te Korowai) who have enabled Tony & Corinne to remain in their home together. Gratitude also to James, Wayne and Toni from St John’s for their care of Tony.

Tony has now embarked on his next exciting adventure, but we know that he is already looking over us. He will be forever in our hearts and thoughts. A patient, gentle and caring man, who worked hard throughout his life taking care of his family and pets. A true role model for his family. He will be sadly missed.

The family will be celebrating Tony’s life on 18 May 2024. Friends and neighbours are all welcome.

For further information please contact: Lynn Barnett, 027 645 5060

PUBLIC NOTICES

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Three temporary fishery closure requests in the Hauraki Gulf

Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā have requested temporary fishery closures in the Hauraki Gulf, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The requested closures are for two years, and would prohibit taking of the following species in the following areas: Waiheke Island Ngāti Pāoa Mussels, rock lobster, pāua and beach cast scallops. The taking of other scallops is already prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1996.

Umupuia Beach Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Cockles

Te Mātā and Waipatukahu Ngāti Tamaterā Oysters, mussels, pipi and cockles

A copy of the request, maps and full descriptions of the proposed areas are available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website (www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations), or by contacting Fisheries New Zealand at the below address or FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz.

Pursuant to section 186A(7)(a), Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions in response to the request from persons who have an interest in the species concerned or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned. Further information about temporary closures is available on the MPI website (www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture).

Submissions can be made up to 5pm on Friday 7 June 2024. Please state in your submission which area or areas you are referring to.

You can email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations

Fisheries Management

Fisheries New Zealand

PO Box 2526

Wellington 6140

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on the MPI website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

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The Coromandel Informer is published weekly and distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula. Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of them are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s 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.

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