The Informer - 28th May 2024

Newsbites.........

GUMBOOT FRIDAY:

$24 million funding for free youth counselling –crucial support for New Zealand’s struggling youth.

Excellent event

The French Film Festival Aotearoa starts this Thursday – 24 films screening from Thursday, 30 May to Wednesday, 12 June at Mercury Twin Cinemas in Lee Street Whitianga. Many of the films are in English and all have English sub -titles. We are very fortunate to have gained the film festival in our small town. This is due to the proprietors advocating and also due to the standard of the two cinemas – comfort, excellent service and snacks bar and we have two cinemas and not one.

Excellent films – drama, adventure, comedy, true life - some have three showings but a lot have only one. It is better to book ahead. I went to book two tickets for “Mr Blake at your service” and was surprised to find that only two rows were left. This is one great film. Everything is listed and described on the website - mercurytwin cinemas. com

The Informer pick is Mr Blake at your service!

A romantic comedy starring the dynamic duo of John Malkovich and Fanny Ardant. Screening 4.45pm Sunday 9 June.

Gumboot Friday, an initiative under the youth mental health charity I Am Hope, which provides free counselling services to young New Zealanders, has expressed deep gratitude for the government’s announced $24 million funding over four years, calling it a crucial lifeline for countless young people facing mental health challenges across the country.

“We are incredibly thankful for this funding. Every dollar will go directly to our free Gumboot Friday counselling service, helping young people throughout New Zealand and will allow us to onboard over 50 ethnically more diverse counsellors.

All kinds and levels of runners and walkers came to Whitianga for the Run Fest on Saturday, 25 May900 participated. The ride on the ferry across to Ferry Landing, Cooks Beach was an extra treat. Both ferries ran for several hours with the return ride not being included in the timing of the race.

Nick Reader and his team did an outstanding job of this event, efficient and smooth, changing some of the complications of closing roads from previous years.

The 11.00am race involved lots of children (3km and 6km races) which was a delight to all the onlookers. The three first places of the 21km race did amazing times - Sam Brenner from Cambridge’s time was 1.16.31. Tom McKenzie was our fastest local, coming in third behind Andrew Pointon in second place.

A BIG thank you to G. J. Gardner homes who totally supported this event being the major sponsor. With their help, 70 youth from the Coromandel Peninsula got to take part for free, 40 of them coming from Mercury Bay Area School.

the brightest followed by Mercury and slightly reddish Mars. However, Saturn can be seen rising late at night after about 1.00am very low in the east. There will be several Chinese Tiangong and International Space Station (ISS) passes to enjoy this month but, as usual, timings may change, especially towards the end of the month, if they have to be moved to avoid space junk. Always best to check the website

heavens-above.com for updated timings.

Wednesday, 29 May: The Moon sits high above Saturn which is low in the dawn sky in the east and there will be very low ISS pass just skimming the southwestern horizon and passing thorough the Southern Cross from 6:50am.

Friday, 31 May: There is another very low ISS pass from 6:46am in the south.

Saturday,1 June: Saturn now sits above the Moon in the eastern dawn sky.

Sunday, 2 June: Mars lies just below the crescent Moon in the dawn sky. There is a low ISS pass from 6:44am in the SW.

It was also a great weather day and a time for so many volunteers to give their time and effort to assisting what is a very community-oriented event, though it is also commercial and professional in terms of the level of runners participatin,g and the large number of athletic visitors and their supporters it attracts to this area.

Nick Reader, event organiser on the right, assisted by his daughter Elise.

Te Korowhai took part as a group – every last one finished the 10km walk.

Suditja and Navdeep Rajbir and their 11-day old baby, Emaan enjoy a small outing. Whitianga is their home.

Whitianga Run Fest

Male:

Female: 1, Mish Waylen; 2, Kirsten Milne; 3, Lilli Pritchard

10KM WINNERS

Male: 1, Tom Allison; 2, Liam Hill; 3, Blaze Houghton.

Female: 1, Annalise Spragg; 2, Rachael Kramer; 3, Mollie Allison

6KM WINNERS

Male: 1, Taingarunui Hinds; 2, Marlon Ross; 3, Nick Jensen. Female: 1, Mirabella Breen; 2, Noa Jensen; 3, Libby Van de Ven

3KM WINNERS

Male: 1, Nikau Parr; 2, Dominic McKenzie; 3, Otis Roughton. Female: 1, Charlotte Hayward; 2, Cassidy Short; 3, Penny Urie.

Open MIC Night 7pm Supporting local original music

Weekly Kitchen Calendar

BingoMusical7pm Musical bingo, win cash, bar tabs, show tix

SLOW COOKED BEEF CHEEKS

DARTS NIGHT Best gosh darn night of the week. Courtesy Tav’n Wag’n will pick you up and drop you o in Whiti. Must book just give us a call !!

TRIVIA

Filipino Music Community night - 7pm $10, loads of bands & performers. All Welcome

Double the fun ! $10 band, Rude Intrusion Room 1, Room 2, DJ’s, tech house & DnB

HOSPO CLUB 9PM. Snacks, tunes, discounted drinks for Hospo workers.

Friday night shenanigans.. Chase the Ace & Meat Raffles 5pm - 7pm

CLOSED: Grab you tix for Tiki Taane’s second show on FRI JUNE 21 www.tikidub. com Private Event Hire Available Email: events@beatfairy.com For further information

Fansatic food, Roaring re, Live sports, BEST banter around PLUS FREE POOL SUNDAY!

Hour Monday ... 4 - 6pm Why wouldn’t ya !!

Tender Tuesdays At the Tav 200g Sirloin Steak, eggs and chips! $19 Available All Day!

Scallop Burger (Add Bacon for Extra Awesomeness) Mussel Fritter Stack (Tav Made Recipe)

(Spicy Tav Made Sauce)

Fashion – food and fun raises funds for Cancer Support

BY PAULINE STEWART

Eighty women (yes, only women) had puchased their tickets for a fashion parade, dining and general fun and frivolity last Sunday afternoon, 3.00-6.00pm; all held at Basker Restaurant and Bar on The Waterways. It was organised by Vickie Flynn and Mary Ray of Whitianga’s Stilo Design and Stilo Hair & Co. along with Daisy Calder, Chef and Manager of Basker. They were assisted by all their staff, plus a full hospitality team at Basker.

There was lots of glamour –women of all ages and styles came in their gorgeousness. One ninety-year-old was seated right near the front of the action. It was a beautiful setting and the fashion parade took place among the guests seated rather than a catwalk.

The menu was classy, tasty, delicious and bountiful. Everyone received a goodies bag on arrival and there were spot prizes and raffles with many winners during the night. The programme was ably led by our MC, Rekha GiriPercival.

The parade of current season fashion was from the clothing of Stilo Design; the hair styles were

the work of the staff at Stilo Hair and Alyce Flynn was the master of all the make-up. The fashion models were the team from Stilo Design and Stilo Hair plus some elegant extras recruited by Vicky Flynn.

The models were impressive and professional in appearance, style and elegance. “It is not easy to walk the fashion plank in front of your local friends and col-

leagues. However, they smashed it,” says Vickie Flynn, owner of Stilo Design.

The beat of the music, a suitable supply of bubbles and cocktails, sumptuous servings of food, plus good will in all directions made it a very successful night. Daisy Calder and her magnificent team in the kitchen and front of house were outstanding.

“It was great seeing so much

support, “says Vickie. “We sold out in a week, so make sure you get in early for our next one.”

There was one table fully booked by the volunteers who enable the work of the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust. All the profits from the night were for this Trust to support its work.

This Trust provides the resources to enable local cancer patients to remain in their homes.

The Trust has the vehicle to carry all the equipment needed and along with that comes the best people who work to make the lives of cancer sufferers as good as it can possibly be right here in Mercury Bay. Well done everyone! See page 15. And next week we will acknowledge the sponsors and publish the amount made for Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust.

Models, Laura Spencer, Chris MacKenzie, Ang Price, Hannah Parry, Trish Mulligan, Jamee Dixon; top right, organisers of the fashion show and owners of the Stilo Design & Hair Collective, Mary Ray and Vickie Flynn.

Coromandel Our

Water charging changes for Whitianga

From 1 July, Whitianga property owners will have two water charges instead of the current one.

The set charge that property owners currently pay for water supply will drop by almost 50%. In addition, after 1 July property owners will be charged for water depending on the volume that they use as measured by their meters.

The set charge for 2023/24 is $803.90. As of 1 July, this will drop by a bit less than 50%, depending on what is set in the Long Term Plan (LTP) process currently underway.

The name of the set charge on rates notices will change

KOPUREADY TO LAUNCH

The Kōpū marine servicing and business precinct will be officially launched by the Rt Hon Minister Winston Peters on 21 June, completing a $15 million project that is expected to generate up to 100 jobs in the long term.

The 80m long commercial wharf and floating pontoon provides in-water marine servicing and vessel loading, and a regional public boat ramp and car park.

from the current ‘Water Serviced’ to ‘Water Serviced/Metered’. This rate covers maintenance and upkeep of water supply infrastructure and the operation of your local water treatment plant.

Property owners will be charged from 1 July for the amount of water that they actually use, at a rate proposed in the draft LTP of $1.62/cubic metre (1,000 litres). If no water at the property is used, there will be no water consumption charge. A separate rates notice for this volumetric charge will be issued to ratepayers twice yearly, around April and November. tcdc.govt.nz/wateruse

“With the Kōpū Marine Precinct nearly ready to service industry vessels, and with Te Ariki Tahi Sugarloaf Wharf in place, our district has two important bits of infrastructure positioned to enable the aquaculture industry to grow,” says our Mayor Len Salt.

KERBSIDE COLLECTIONS IN JUNE

There are no kerbside collections on the King’s Birthday public holiday, Monday 3 June. Yellow week collections of mixed recycling, glass and food scraps are one day later across the entire district.

Check the collection schedule for your area at tcdc.govt.nz/bindays Rubbish and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS) will remain open as usual on King’s Birthday and Matariki public holidays on Monday 3 June and Friday 28 June, from 8.30am–4.30pm. tcdc.govt.nz/RTS

Meanwhile, Te Ariki Tahi is set to expand with a proposed $20 million upgrade to establish five commercial berths and a separate recreational facility, with potential to double green-lipped mussel volumes by 2040. The wharf currently handles 90 per cent of mussels harvested in the North Island. tcdc.govt.nz/kopu | tcdc.govt.nz/tearikitahi

A word from our Deputy Board Chair Rekha Giri-Percival

“As a district Councillor, I’ve been taking part in discussions and decision-making for the Long Term Plan. It’s been a long process and tough decisions have had to be made. We’ve definitely walked a tricky tightrope between spending on essentials and ensuring our rates are not pushed beyond affordability. We’ll have details on our Council website, but I want to acknowledge the work of my fellow Councilors, staff and the members of the public who took the time and effort to provide us with feedback on the draft Long Term Plan. Our most recent community networking session a couple of weeks ago was cut short by bad weather, so we couldn’t complete all the site visits we planned, but we did get to visit Kūaotunu Hall and the Kūaotunu Library and had a quick look at the nearby dune planting site. Thanks to the volunteers who run the hall and library and take part in the local dune care group. I’m looking forward to meeting more of our community volunteers at our Volunteer Week activity later in June – see the ad below for details.”

rekha.giri-percival@council.tcdc.govt.nz

The Board’s next meeting is on Wednesday 12 June, at 9am in the Community Board meeting room at 10 Monk St, Whitianga. Agendas are published two working days before meetings at tcdc.govt.nz/meetings where you can also find meeting minutes and recordings.

VOLUNTEER WEEK CELEBRATIONS

Join us at a special gathering to celebrate volunteers in our local community and express our gratitude to those who volunteered during recovery from our 2023 storm events.

Friday 21 June – 11.30am Westpac Trust Helicopter Hangar, 90 Moewai Rd tcdc.govt.nz/volunteerweek24

LTP close to adoption

May has been a big milestone in our Long Term Plan (LTP) journey as Mayor Len, Councillors and staff heard more than 70 individuals and groups speak to their submissions on our LTP proposals. Council then spent two days deliberating the submissions, on 21-22 May.

The draft LTP will be audited on 6 June, and adopted later this month, when we’ll share the key decisions at tcdc.govt.nz/LTP-2024-2034

tcdc.govt.nz customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz

Photo by Mike Hill

From Italy to Whitianga with financial services – Returning home

Giorma Allemano is a Financial Advisor living on the Coromandel Peninsula. Whitianga is the place where he wanted to return for his life and work and that is what has happened.

Giorma’s family emigrated to New Zealand from Italy in 1995 and came to Whitianga. “I was four,” says Giorma.

“I went to the kindergarten in Eyre Street and then to Mercury Bay Area School. It was like living in a paradise.

I moved away for University and gained my Masters Degree in Business at Massey University. My work took me to Melbourne and then Italy, but now I am able to live here again as I work remotely.”

Giorma is very enthusiastic about his work. “As a Financial Advisor, my job is to help people make financially beneficial choices when it comes to mort-

gages, asset loans and KiwiSaver. With asset loans and mortgages, I prepare and structure the loan for my client in a way that enables them to pay it off as as quickly as possible and reduce their overall interest.

“Sometimes it’s as simple as arranging a cash-back for clients even just on a refix, which most people are unaware, is available. I also take care of dealing with the bank and will approach the one offering the best deal for my client.”

The other aspect of Giorma’s job is KiwiSaver. “Most people have it and yet many people are unsure of where their KiwiSaver is or how it is set up,” says Giorma.

“An incorrectly set-up KiwiSaver compared to a correctly set-up account with a recommended provider can easily mean hundreds of thousands of dollars difference, especially for younger people.

“I recently helped a family set up their KiwiSaver and that of their four-month-old. The mother thought it was a great idea to give the grandparents the account number for Christmas and birth-

“I also take care of dealing with the bank and will approach the one offering the best deal for my client.”

day presents. So many people either do not take advantage of KiwiSaver or don’t see that they can noticeably improve its growth by speaking to an advisor.

“The awesome part of my service is that in one session I can help people get the most out of a long-term investment that, if done correctly, can really make a difference to their first home purchase and retirement. The service is free to clients as the bank pays the advisor fee which is why people should make the most of it. Speaking with a financial advisor is an easy way to ensure your money is working smarter.”

Giorma explained that it has been great to have had a number

of businesses in town arrange for him to go in on a quiet day and help their staff with their KiwiSaver.

He has connected with accountants in the area so that they can inform their clients about what financial advice could benefit them and whom to contact.

In his spare time, Giorma enjoys football, fishing, surf and playing chess.

All of these he can do easily in Mercury Bay. He still believes it is a paradise.

If anyone is interested in knowing more about these financial services Giorma offers, contact him on 021 0351213 or giorma@ ascendfinancial.co.nz

to NZ

– Ensuring you are with a recommended provider to help your account grow

massive difference.

– No inconvenience of dealing with the banks

– Correctly structured loan that will help you pay it off sooner and pay less interest.

– Cashbacks on refinancing and refixing

KiwiSaver and mortgage advice are completely free to the client

Giorma Allemano

BY SUZANNE HANSEN

Whitianga doesn’t want to be a John (or Jane) Doe. Our eastern beach paradise deserves a distinct identity. This should be one that we can shout about from the rooftops by creating branding assets and using them wherever we communicate, through our road signage, our town adornments, our business marketing materials and promotions, our festivals, and events and so much more.

You might ask why this is important, but there are some solid examples of how a coordinated plan of identity can work for a town.

Take Napier as an example. Following the massive earthquake in 1931, when fires destroyed most of the commercial heart of Napier, the city was rebuilt in the style of that era, Art Deco.

In 1985, a group of citizens formed the Art Deco Trust in order to promote a newly published, “Take a Walk-Through Art Deco Napier” leaflet funded by the Museum, the Ministry of Works and the Napier City Council which attracted 1000 initial visitors. With focused marketing over the ensuing years, Napier

has become the the Art Deco Capital of NZ, hosting a regular programme of festivals and events, city adornment and promotion which has put the small town on the map internationally.

Another good example is the small Marlborough Sounds hamlet of Havelock, which is now known as the Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World because they self-proclaimed as such.

Havelock is a tiny town of roughly 600 residents who have transitioned their whole town into a destination to visit with a fabulous festival in March which rivals the Bluff and Hokitika festivals, attracting over 4000 attendees. Their town is festively decorated with mussel signage throughout, and offers great mussel cuisine, boat and factory tours, and they even have a mascot, Matua Mussel, whom you can

see riding a surfboard in the centre of town. Kitschy? Yes; but effective. Havelock is a destination as a result.

Of course, the Coromandel Peninsula has a wider motto, “Good for your Soul”, but the Coromandel is a large geographically diverse region, with unique communities who have unique draw cards. Currently, there’s a sense that our geographic boundaries are somewhat smudged between the various destinations on the Coromandel Peninsula.

But what is unique about the Mercury Bay and what makes us an obligatory visit when you are coming to the Coromandel Peninsula? What puts Mercury Bay on anybody’s list of travel priorities when they are planning holidays with scarce leisure time?

We want your help to decide this. The Mercury Bay Business Association in partnership with Coromandel’s CFM and The Coromandel Informer, are running a public competition to define what is great about the Mercury Bay so we can create and better promote a strong identity.

We’re after collective brain power to work out how to best describe our place to the rest of the world. We ask you to take a little time to properly visualise Whitianga with its surrounding communities from Hot Water Beach up to Whangapoua. Come up with your own thoughts on this, a few words that identify what makes our location a place of some significance, a destination worthy of consideration. From there we will distil your thoughts and come up with a handful of viable options for selection.

Go to Discover Whitianga – The MBBA to enter your ideas or drop them into The Informer Office on Monk St, in town.

We will choose four of the best entries and each will win a $50 voucher from four local stores. The competition runs from June 5 through June 21, 2024, so get in your ideas!I

„ Note: In last week’s issue, Suzanne wrote about the signs leading into Whitianga and that there is nothing directly clear or descriptive about Whitianga’s character or features on these signs. Do your best to get behind this initiative led by Suzanne on behalf of the Mercury Bay Business Association.

Havelock’s Matua Mussel mascot.

Two new school Principals

Whenuakite big plans for school environment

Gari Veysi took up his new position at Whenuakite School on 30th April. The children call him ‘Mister V.’

For the past 10 years he has been the Principal at Mamaku School, Rotorua. His wife Angelina and family are currently still in Rotorua, where Angelina is also a teacher. Gary says while it was a wrench to leave Rotorua, he is looking forward to the new life with the Whenuakite community.

“For years we have been visiting the Coromandel area and staying at Hahei,” Gary says. “About 18 years ago I had a look around Whenuakite School, and I told Angelina, I want to work here one day.”

His teaching experience has taken him to city schools but they were not for him.

Gary loves the natural environment and he believes education happens just as effectively in the outdoors as it does in the classroom. As Principal at Horahora School near Cambridge, Gary was

able to connect with high sporting achievers in the horse world and in rowing.

“These are inspiring role models for young people, helping them to build ambitions.” At Te Ranga School, Te Puke the children helped with the possum hunts, raising $25,000 per year for the school. At Horahora and Mamaku Schools, the children helped to eradicate

pests and protect native bush areas.

Gary and his wife Angelina also believe very strongly in the performance arts and every kind of artistic activity which encourages self – expression. On Mothers’ Day this year, Mister V. invited mothers, aunts and grandmothers to a barbecue breakfast at school. The guest speaker was former

rugby seven’s coach Sir Gordon Tietjens and each class presented an item. “This was my first introduction to the school community, and I was blown away by the attendance. We had 80 women here. It was very heartening,” Gary says.

“Already I can see we have some very high academic achievers here at Whenuakite, but not all are academically minded. We have to make opportunities for our children to excel at whatever they most enjoy doing, and you can’t always do that in the classroom.”

Gary says there are plans afoot to improve the school grounds, some of which have been in place for a while. “We have Ministry funds to extend the office, but on the back of that I have canvassed the families of the school community for their ideas on what we need in the future, and how we can design a better environment for our school. We are now working on our ‘Vision Map’ to incorporate as many ideas as possible.”

School Principal ‘at home’ in Coroglen

BY DOROTHY PREECE

On Monday, April 29, Karlos Bosson was officially welcomed to his new role as Principal of Coroglen School. Karlos grew up on dairy farms around the Waikato region and Port Albert on the Kaipara Harbour. He brings extensive experience from his teaching career in both large inner-city Auckland schools and rural settings, making him wellsuited for this position.

The Bosson family moved to the Bay in 2010. Karlos initially taught Year 9 at Mercury Bay Area School and helped to launch the Students Aviation Trust, a community school partnership

focused on building light aircraft to introduce students to the aviation industry. “This was a fantastic initiative,” Karlos remarked. “Having been an Automotive Engineer before I transitioned into teaching, I was thrilled to contribute to this programme, which has gone from strength to strength.”

In 2015, Karlos, his wife Vicky, and their children, Louis and Sadie-Belle, relocated to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where Karlos accepted a two-year contract to educate children of the indigenous Bedouin tribes. “Bridging the language gap was challenging, but I discovered many

‘Mister V.’ Whenuakite School Principal Gary Veysi (right) with the Vision Map for the school, and some of the senior students whom he calls ‘future leaders’.

Two new school Principals

parallels between their culture and our Māori traditions. This common ground helped me connect with the students. I believe that understanding and connecting with students is essential for effective teaching.”

The family returned to Whitianga in 2018, where Karlos assumed the role of Principal at Kaiaua School, a community in the midst of flood recovery. “During the week, I lived in Kaiaua and commuted back to Whitianga on weekends.

I became involved with the Kaiaua community and joined the local Fire Brigade, after an incident where a car crashed through the school fence.” Karlos continues to serve as a member of the Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Now at Coroglen School, Karlos, SadieBelle, and their dog Koda attend school together.

“The students adore Koda, he is like a therapy dog and he offers another means of connecting with them,” Karlos noted. He is also adjusting to the new routine of returning home every night.

Karlos is passionate about developing a local curriculum that leverages community resources.

Coroglen School has a strong environmental focus, integrating programmes like Enviroschools. Students engage in various outdoor learning activities, including Garden to Table and Trees for Survival. The school’s garden and fruit trees contribute to the Ka Ora Ka Ako School Lunches program.

“Coroglen is so rich in history, offering our students a unique opportunity to learn about the past for the benefit of future generations,” Kar-

los said. “The original classroom is a beautiful building that needs restoration. The land, river, and people here hold many stories. I want to learn with them to continue the journey of remembering the past. There are many ways we can connect with our local environment to enhance our students’ learning experiences.”

Karlos has been deeply touched by the support and generosity of the Board, students, parents, and the broader community.

“The welcome has been overwhelming,” he expressed.

Coroglen school students with their new Principal

Shirley’s investiture

BY PAULINE STEWART

Shirley Julich was a recipient of the first King’s Birthday Honours in 2023. She was awarded Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).

There were two recipients from Whitianga, Shirley and Derek Collier. Derek received a Queen’s Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and his community. It is quite an honour to have two recipients from one small town. Shirley’s Investiture was just last week, almost a year since she received the honour, and just a very short time before the second year of King’s Birthday Honours, 2025, is to be published.

Dr Shirley Julich’s academic achievements and the titles of her published papers and dissertations span twelve pages. Her work in the field of Restorative Justice and Sexual Abuse has been nationally and internationally acclaimed and her services to the community in that field earned her this very special honour.

Shirley’s sons came from London (Craig Julich- Serventy) and Sydney (Vernon Julich), to be with their Mum and their father, Harry, for this most auspicious family occasion.

Shirley has been quick to add that Harry, her husband, has been such a loving and practical support through the long journey of study, research, achievement and service.

Shirley is Associate Professor, School of Social Work at Massey Univer-

sity and serves on the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust as part of this community.

An interesting aspect of her investiture from Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General, was that the two had done their Ph.D studies together and Dame Cindy reminded Shirley of that when she was investing her with her ONZM. It was a very beautiful personal connection to add to a most significant day.

Shirley’s family, Craig, Shirley, Barry and youngest son Vernon; right, Dame Cindy Kiro and Shirley.

Gary Hinds – ‘We’re going back next year’

Gary Hinds farms 3,000 hectares and 1,000 head of dry stock at Boat Harbour Road, Whenuakite. He’s also very much involved with the Hot Water Beach Lifeguards, but a lot of the time his mind is in Nepal.

So far, he’s done ten trips to the area at the base of Everest, and next year he’s going again.

Gary’s first trip was in 2012, when he accompanied his 16 year-old niece, Mercury Bay Area School student, Chelsea Johnson with 22 others to Nepal to plant trees for her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

They went to Khude, one of the Sherpa villages at the bottom of Everest, and then they carried on through the Khunde Valley. Youth to Everest organiser John Gully was in charge.

After that, every year until 2019, Gary got groups of local students and adults together, some of whom have gone multiple times, to join the expeditions carrying out projects to help the local people.

“Covid came along, and we weren’t able to go again until April this year,” Gary says.

“In previous years, we never did the trip up to Chomolungma, the first base camp on the mountain.

I always felt it was a shame not to go that bit further on, and this year we did it. It’s just over 5,000 metres, usually a two-day trip but

we took rest days to get used to the altitude.”

Eight keen people from Mercury Bay were on that trip, includ-

Total Mobility is here

.... Register now

ing Gary’s daughter Taimania. “I’ve been there twice now,” Tamania says. “Some people have been about eight times. The coun-

try is so beautiful; there really are no words to describe the place. I saw it differently the second time. I feel I got to know more about the

people, and I am really looking forward to going again.”

Taimania is a nurse at Whitianga Continuing Care Unit. The residents have been knitting beanies for the people in Nepal, which Taimania took with her.

“We gave a beanie to one little boy who followed us everywhere after that.”

Next year Gary plans to take a group of adults to Nepal, and then in 2026 he hopes some of those adults will help to accompany a group of 16-18-year-olds.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, Gary’s partner Sandy keeps things going and trains the Nippers to be Lifeguards.

If a reader is interested, contact Gary – email: hindzy@xtra.co.nz

Save up to 75% on taxi fares*

*Conditions apply

• Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme aimed at giving people with disabilities mobility options. Whitianga Social Services administers Total Mobility in Whitianga.

• The scheme provides financial assistance, giving registered users up to 75% discount on taxi fares up to a maximum subsidy. The user pays the balance of the fare to the taxi driver. People who use the scheme must carry a valid Total Mobility photo ID card to get the discounted fare.

• You can only apply through Whitianga Social Services. They are responsible for ensuring that the membership and photo ID card applications are completed correctly and returned to the Waikato Regional Council. The assessor will take a photo of you and collect information from you about your mobility situation.

To register for your assessment contact us on phone 07 866 4476 or register online – visit www.wcst.org.nz or print off the online form, complete it and drop it to us at 2 Cook Drive Whitianga

Mercury Bay comrades just returned from the trail – (left to right): Gary Hinds with their Sherpa guide and Carter Hodge, Cindy Williams, Morgan Woolston, Samantha Robinson, Jonty Abrahamson and Taimania Hinds; right, a beanie all the way from Whitianga Continuing Care.

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

Bittern on the brink?

BYLINE NEEDED HERE

As a child walking down the road to catch the school bus, it was a regular treat to find a Bittern – frozen, large beak pointing skyward, almost taller than me, pretending it wasn’t there.

A generation later my niece and nephews enjoyed that same privilege as they too trod the gravel road to and from the bus.

That swamp still remains, largely intact in the embrace of the Whenuakite River as it curves around Harebridge Farm thanks to the husbandry of my brother Ralph and the family farmers before him.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the rest of the river where in many places pastures reach right down to the waters’ edge. This is the situation reflected throughout New Zealand with more than ninety percent of our former wetlands lost, mostly to agriculture. Those which remain are in a sorry state through poor water quality and invasive species.

Australasian Bittern/MatukuHurepo is a flagship species

for our wetlands although its streaked plumage, shy nature and cryptic behaviour mean that there is much we don’t know about its lifestyle.

What we do know and have known for years is that the population is in steady decline – now believed to be only 800 birds throughout New Zealand and described as Nationally Critical (DOC Threats Classification). This is the last step before extinction. It is hard to imagine that in the early 1900’s there are descriptions of flocks of Bittern 100 strong!

But it gets worse. Let me

Bittern – Shy, reclusive and extremely susceptible to human disturbance.

explain.

Drones with thermo-imaging cameras can now fly known Bittern hotspots on early spring mornings searching for the birds and their nests.

This seasons’ search of 1300ha (27 wetlands) in prime habitat in Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Northland and the Coromandel yielded 50 adult Bittern but only three Bittern nests.

Our Bittern need help and they need it now – how can you help?

1. Spread the word – share the link to this highly informative NZ Geo article on your FB page https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/thegrief-bird/

2. Advocate for an urgent national collaborative approach to Bittern management. Talk to your local District Council, Regional Council, local DOC office & Iwi representatives. Use any influence and contacts you have.

3. Our Bittern are starving – farmers drains are now an important hunting habitat. Ideal conditions are clean clear water, 8-75cm deep (15cm best) with good fish passage to the sea i.e. no high culverts that bar fish movement. See this link for information on fish passage: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/habitats/freshwater/fish-passage-management/ Advocate with any lowland farmers you know, publicise in any newsletters that reach lowland farmers. This link provides more detail on freshwater habitat restoration: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/ habitats/freshwater/freshwater-habi -

tat-restoration/

4. Educate our tamariki – excellent resources are available for schools on the LOVE BITTERN! – AROHA MAI MATUKU_HUREPO! website at https:// lovebittern.com/raising-awareness and scroll down to Childrens Resources.

5. Support your local wetland restoration, weed and pest control groups as much as you are able.

6. Support the newly minted Bittern Conservation Trust as they work to help species led conservation for the Australasian Bittern. They can be contacted via the LOVE BITTERN! website or follow them on their Facebook page.

7. Full information and reports from the Coromandel Matuku-Hurepo workshop can be found at Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Trust https://pfhc.nz/ matuku-bittern-conservation-workshop-field-visit

8. Watch Emma Williams from DOC present at the 2023 Australasian Bittern Conservation Summit. https:/www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eRBcSwt0Hfg

It’s

Plenty of Pukeko and Harrier nests were also located. Two of the Bittern nests were in Bay of Plenty in an area that has been managed for Bittern for the last two decades.

The third was in a harbour on the Coromandel, a place which has the unenviable distinction of having lost at least four Bittern to road kill in the last twelve months.

In my own back yard, near Hot Water Beach, another Bittern lost its life on the road, just in this last month.

On one nest the female (who has sole charge) was observed off

the nest for up to five hours at a time – presumably in search of food – leaving her offspring highly vulnerable.

Past survey methods have focussed on counting booming males, females are much more difficult to find, transmitter and track. This new survey technique strongly suggests the females are faring even worse than their males.

Starving chicks, as yet unable to fly, have been regularly handed in to DOC Tauranga having been discovered emaciated in harbourside gardens. It looks like chicks aren’t doing well either.

We don’t know for sure, but the anticipated lifespan of our Bittern is 10-11 years, so unlike Kakapo, we don’t have a long time to work this out.

A 2021 estimate has suggested a mere 125 pairs left.

I am grateful a chance conversation led me to the recent Coromandel Matuku – Bittern Workshop and opened my eyes to the decimation of this iconic bird of my childhood. Join me in turning the tide for our MatukuHurepo.

all here in Whitianga

BY JENNY EDWARDS

The night at the Basker Restaurant last Sunday with a fashion show and meal was for me seeing three generations in action. I share a little story about three genrations involved in cancer support in Mercury Bay. There was a very generous and community minded grandmother. Her name was Val Barber. She was a great worker and wonderful woman supporting the Cancer Support Trust, particularly in the bookshop in Blacksmith Lane. Often her granddaughter, Daisy, would be with her helping her grandmother sell the books. Sometimes Daisy would give her pocket money to support this cause her grandmother believed in very much. Daisy’s Mother, Bev, would help too. A few years have passed by. Val Barber has died. Her granddaughter, Daisy is the

Chef and Manager of Basker Restaurant and Bar and last Sunday night lead a great hospitality team with generous, efficient service and excellent food for 80 plus women. Her mother Bev Calder, who owns The Fig Cafe in Albert Street, was there to support and lend a hand. Bev and Daisy are all still involved supporting the work of the Mercury Bay Community Support Trust and the Sunday night’s fund raiser at Basker was an example. The night was a tribute to all the volunteers

and our valued community.

We thank them for their support and it is so heart warming to know of these three generations in action. In the come of age. We have come so far since our beginning in 1988. We have 40 women on the roster in the bookshop who are all avid readers and avid supporters of the work of the Cancer Support Trust.

„ Jenny Edwards was the founding leader of the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust and is still very involved.

Daisy Calder, chef and manager at Basker.

Great response for Art Expo this weekend

BY CYNTHIA DALY

Members of Whitianga Lions can’t wait to see what is in store for the public when they help 50 local artists set up on Friday, 31 May for their annual Art Expo opening night that evening. The entire Art Expo is free to the public to attend.

FRIDAY NIGHT OPENING PREVIEW:

From 5.30pm the public will be able to join the artists and Lions members in the Whitianga Town Hall for the preview where over 500 artworks will be exhibited. At 6.30pm the winners of the Secondary Schools Art Competition will be announced.

More than 25 entries from around the Coromandel region have entered this competition with a total of $850 in prizes being awarded between first, second and third placings. All the entries will be on display, and many will be available for purchase.

On behalf of the Whitianga Lions Art Expo committee, Mike Brown says: “On opening night the public will be able to purchase and take-home artworks of their choice, chat with artists over a glass of wine sponsored by a private donation and Whitianga Woolworths, and delicious European cheeses sponsored by YOLO Cheese New Zealand.

“We have had a tremendous response to this year’s Art Expo which is raising money for Project Mammogram. Don’t forget to buy a few raffle tickets. There are some great prizes to be won –value in the thousands of dollars!”

The artists offer original paintings and prints, pottery, mosaics, jewellery made from locally sourced components, photography, greeting cards and even mini artworks of individual alphabet letters. The variety and quality are outstanding.

Following opening night, the Whitianga Lions Art Expo will run from 10am to 4pm Saturday, 1 June to Monday, 3 June, with

many of the artists replenishing their exhibits as

items sell.

NOT JUST A LUMP OF CLAY

are only limited by your imag-

ination,” says Whitianga potter Claire Bryers, and there is nothing more inspiring for her than a lump of clay.

Claire is exhibiting in the Whitianga Lions Club Art Expo and the list of what she’ll have available stretches from starfish and mussels to hearts and decorative bowls – each a unique piece of art with patterns glazed with colours she has made from scratch. Blue and green are her favourite colours – our coastal environment where Claire is very much at home.

Take her mussel shells. They are a horse mussel form that allows Claire the space to add in intricate detailed creatures and crustaceans of the sea.

“I was born in Auckland by the beach and I never realised how much I missed it until I came back. I always try and take home an offering for the kiln from the beach.”

In 1981, as a young mum, Claire started a hobby course in pottery and ceramics.

“I liked to just start with a lump of clay and make something from it… I liked the fact that you started with nothing.”

“Claire supplies her works to Whitianga, Hahei, Cambridge, Tauranga and Rotorua.

Claire will tuck herself away in her workspace in the garage to create and then, once dry, her pottery heads to her electric kiln to fire, glaze and do the final firing. “You have a certain idea what you get out but it’s never exactly what you think and it can still surprise you, which is really lovely.”

ARTIST PAYS TRIBUTE TO KĀREAREA IN LATEST PAINTING

Twenty years living in Queenstown gave artist Jackie Chatfield an appreciation for our native birdlife, her favourite the New Zealand falcon or kārearea is now depicted in her latest painting that will be exhibited at the Whitianga Lions Art Expo at King’s Birthday Weekend.

The painting’s detail is exquisite from the downy fleck of feathers to the gripping talons grasping the rock it has pitched itself on, surveying the landscape below.

An accomplished award-win-

ning artist, Jackie’s paintings are even more impressive when you find out that she is predominately self-taught and has very limited sight.

“I now mainly focus on painting birds and portraits and I love painting skin,” says Jackie.

Jackie says her interest in painting portraits took her on an exploratory journey of how to paint skin by understanding pre-Raphaelite art techniques.

“But my favourite subject to paint is still birds, especially our beautiful New Zealand natives. They are so delicate, and their song is so beautiful and I try to capture their character too.”

Jackie shows no sign of slowing up despite her sight difficulty and she will be an artist worth viewing at the Whitianga Art Expo where her falcon painting is bound to draw a lot of interest.

GANNETS AND OUR BACKYARD

Ginney Deavoll is a first-time exhibitor at the Whitianga Lions Art Expo

One of her latest paintings – a

movement of gannets in a dive towards the sea transports me to the coastal hills above Muriwai Beach and the sight of gannets on the wing catching those coastal wind currents to glide.

Ginney says, “It’s always been about our backyard, about New Zealand and our remote places, all our wilderness and flora and fauna. And I always thought that if I can paint my wonder and awe that I feel about it, and if that can shine through all my work, then my hope is that other people will see it and it will inspire them to go and have a look for themselves, whether it’s the local bush walk, a snorkel trail, or to go and do a great walk further afield.”

Thank you: Whitianga Lions Art Expo committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support in bringing this Art Expo to life: The Informer, CFM, All About Whitianga, Stephenson’s Pharmacy, Whitianga Woolworths, Peninsula Roofing and Peninsula Scaffolding, YOLO Cheeses New Zealand and of course all the artists taking part.

“You

Jackie Chatfield, right, and her owl painting; Ginney Deavoll, above, first-time exhibitor; Claire Bryers creation from ‘a lump of clay’.

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Reptiles a big part of Kayla’s life

BY PAM FERLA

Tairua Community Librarian, Kayla McCallum has been fascinated with animals all her life and always thought she would end up working with them.

On her ninth birthday she was given three red eared turtles –Tiger, Pebbles and Bubbles. As a teenager she volunteered at Franklin Zoo, which included reptiles and an ex-circus elephant. Her soft spot for animals, especially those needing a home, continued and now she’s almost got a zoo of her own.

She has three blue-tongued skinks plus six for adoption (an opportunity folks). There tongues are such a pretty blue. She also has two bearded dragons plus one for adoption, four water dragons plus four young for adoption, and two leopard geckos. There are 13 red slider turtles that are all for adoption and Kayla also keeps two reeves turtles, one Australian painted turtle and one

snake-necked turtle. She loves that the snake-necked looks like it’s always smiling and says these larger creatures are best kept in a big pond.

But wait, there’s more. She has three rats plus a love bird, two cockatiels and two lorikeets. She also has frogs, newts and fish. Oh, and there are also four dogs at home, all rescued to have a good life.

Kayla’s dream is to “do things properly” on her property so that people can visit her flock, enjoy and learn. She’s a popular visitor at kindergartens and schools and took some of her reptiles to Tairua’s library during the school holidays. Children find them fascinating.

Kayla reckons keeping reptiles is not onerous. Adult reptiles do not eat every day and they sleep (called brumation) much of the winter time. They don’t make a noise and if you set up their tank (the proper name is vivarium) in a bioactive way, you don’t have

Kayla’s dream is to “do things properly” on her property so that people can visit her flock, enjoy and learn.

to clean up after them. They are easier to catch than a lot of pets, like the rabbits or the pig Kayla used to have. They all eat insects and that is why she breeds meal worms and crickets.

“You can be as interactive with them as much as you want to,” says Kayla, whose reptiles are used to being handled.

“Reptiles may seem to lack personality but they really do have personality,” she smiles.

“Some are cuddly, some are stand-offish and some of them are just sassy.”

She hopes to get her Native Reptile Licence in the future. When she’s not working, Kayla runs Scales and Tails Reptile Rescue with her fiance, Nathan.

NEW LIBRARY JOB

Kayla grew up in West Auckland and spent holidays in Pauanui throughout her life. She moved to Pauanui four years ago and worked as a casual librarian in Tairua for a year during the challenge of Covid.

Then she became a part time library worker and has just been appointed Tairua’s community librarian, replacing Jen Hutchinson, who has moved on. Kayla says she is grateful for everything Jen has taught her.

Meanwhile Noodle – a bluetongued skink with lovely markings along his back – listens to this interview lying on a branch of wood in his vivarium opposite the counter at Tairua Library. He is seven years old and may live till about 20.

As happens with some reptiles, he lost his tail but it’s growing back and when in his splendour, he may reach 50cm in length.

Like many reptile pets, the time came when his owners moved on and Kayla was ready to give him the love and attention he deserved. Lucky Noodle.

Breakfast celebrates staff and volunteers

BY DOROTHY PREECE

Whitianga Community Services Trust (WCST) staff and volunteers were thanked and celebrated at a breakfast last Sunday morning at Basker Cafe. Among 45 invited guests were TCDC Acting Deputy-Mayor Rekha Giri-Percival, and Regional Public Service Advisor, Shelley Sanerive-Pere. The powhiri was given by WCST Community Co-ordinator Mike Bennett. In a surprise announcement, Whitianga Social Services Manager Tony Marsters said they would be honouring six of the longest-serving members of the WCST team with long-service certificates.

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ana, (20+ yrs transport/driver) were present to receive their certificates from Councillor

Giri-Percival, and Citations of Appreciation from Ms Sanerive-Pere, on behalf of the wider region.

The others named were Delle Jackson (24 yrs visitor/ driver/ opshop), Barbara Reed (21 yrs transport/ driver), Chrissy Roe (16 yrs Transport Co-ordinator/ front desk/admin.) and Eveline Flowerday (12 yrs driver/transport).

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merly acknowledging our immense gratitude and regard for all those who serve the community with such loyalty. In the day-to-day course of their work, our staff and volunteers often have to deal with difficult situations, and sometimes we are too busy to thank them. We just want them all to know how much we appreciate their commitment to the people of Mercury Bay.”

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Tairua librarian, Kayla McCallum, with two of her many reptiles, blue-tongued skink Noodle, and (right) bearded dragon Mary Jane.

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THE TOWN

STAN’S STUFF

Things may not be what they seem – Appearances can be deceptive

From 1947 until 1953, I lived in the best designed town in Australia – Yallourn. In every respect this company town was perfect. Built to accommodate 5,000 people by Victoria’s State Electricity Commission (SEC), it was designed to be the ideal town. All power was underground, and gardens and recreation facilities were top quality.

In the 60s the decision was taken to destroy this garden city. The reason given was that the SEC wanted to mine the coal under the town. But the Yallourn coal stretched for hundreds of miles in all directions. I think there was another reason. This perfect town had a kind of cancer.

‘Pollution’ was a word hardly ever spoken in those years. I believe it was pollution that killed that garden city. The reason for the mine was the near-by open cut coal mines and power stations. Twenty-four hours a day the power stations belched out

smoke and soot. Washing hung out to dry would be covered with black spots. More than that, the power station soot made its way into the cracks between the tiles of the lovely homes. Even when I was there, some homes had their ceilings collapse under the weight of inches of coal dust. Yallourn seemed picture perfect, but it had a deadly disease. Things were not were what they seemed.

THE MEAL

Summer in Perth, Western Australia is usually hot. In the company of friends, on one sweltering Sunday, we made our way to something that was new in Perth (early eighties) – a food court.

Housed in what had been a warehouse, twelve or so stalls served food from around the world. Our group chose Indian. The curry caught my eye. Made from a mixture of capsicums and vegetables, it looked just right for my Sunday lunch. The proprietor asked how would I like it. I said, ‘Normal’.

The first mouthful blew my head off. Never in all my life had I

encountered such an inferno. The crunchy vegetables were familiar to me. The sauce was not. Too proud to admit defeat I kept on eating and sweating.

The strangest thing was that a few minutes after I had eaten the gastronomical torture, I experienced a cool change. It was then that I realised why people in hot climates eat scorching hot food –to cool off.

THE MAP

Aussies can’t read New Zealand maps. They don’t know what they are looking at.

For eleven years we lived in the Karangahake George. Over that time, we had a number Australian visitors. All of them were keen on sight-seeing. They reckoned a Coromandel whizz-around would be just the thing for a day trip. We said they shouldn’t try to rush it. Overnight half-way was our advice. The Aussies scoffed and regaled us with tales of hundreds – thousands of K’s driven in Australia. We said New Zealand kms were different. They didn’t believe us. Only one of our visi-

tors made it around in one day. They returned pasty faced and spent most of the next day in bed. When it comes to reading maps, all kilometres are the same length, but traversing them can be quite different. Appearances can be deceiving.

Looking at the world today, I wonder where are we going? Where is the good news? The Middle East, the Ukraine, Fiji, and add to all this, ChatGPT? What jobs will be left when artificial intelligence can do everything more quickly and more effectively than we can? I find these spectres depressing.

But I am not sure what I am looking at. Maybe the seeds of hope are out there – somewhere.

Today, I watched a priest from Los Angeles, Gregory Boyle, who has worked with gang members for 30 years. When rehabilitation happens, he said, it is because of compassion and being able to impart in individual gang members a sense of personal worth. His approach seems opposite to bigger prisons and draconian punishments.

Goodall, family for her life amongst chimpanzees.

I recently watched Jane Goodall. She is famous for her life amongst chimpanzees. She has found that to preserve the chimps’ habitat, she has had to help the villagers who live outside the reserves. Her love for these people and the assistance she gives them, helps to create a stable and flourishing environment.

Her mantra is: “Every single day we live we can make a difference, and together we can change the world”.

Truthfully, when I look at today’s world, I don’t know what we are looking at. But I believe in what Jane has written and re-enforced by the life she lives. Gregory Boyle and Jane help me to find meaning in the chaotic world we face.

Jane

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Before attending Tihoi Venture School, 14-year-old Jackson Hay was apprehensive about spending 18 weeks away from home. He had never lived away from his family, didn’t know his roommates, and had never used a potbelly stove for cooking.

As the first day unfolded, Jackson was assigned a cabin and met his roommates, easing his initial apprehension. He made his bed, unpacked his gear, decorated his cubicle with family photos, and explored the campus. He was about to embark on a unique educational experience at St Paul’s Collegiate School Tihoi Campus.

The Tihoi Camp is an integral part of the educational journey for all Year 10 students at St Paul’s. For 45 years, Year 10 boys have spent two terms at the specialised camp, participating in a programme focused on fostering independence, self-esteem, and a love for the outdoors.

Jackson’s cabin was one of nine, featuring the bare essentials with concrete floors, chipboard tables, and a potbelly stove. The luxuries included a toaster and an electric frying pan. The boys quickly learned to do their laundry, cook meals, chop wood for the fire, and complete other camp tasks.

The students’ weeks were split between academic studies, held four days a week, and outdoor activities, which filled the remaining days. This balance of learning appealed to Jackson. “Outside learning was better for me. Even on the days we were inside, we had just three periods, and I looked forward to spending the rest of the time outside,” he said.

A significant component of the programme was the fitness challenge. By the end of his time at Tihoi, Jackson had completed two half-marathons, which he said, “was my greatest accomplishment.” Jackson and his roommates

Transforming educational experience at Tihoi Venture School

had to cook dinner for the eight of them in the house. Feeding 72 hungry boys each day took some organising by the chef. The boys received a hearty lunch to give them the energy they needed for the outdoors.

“The food was amazing, like a restaurant.” The boys were not allowed to bring any sugary products or drinks (called contraband) from home, so they relished the opportunities to bake and enjoy desserts.

Leaving behind confectionery was just the start. The boys also went device and gaming-free.

“We left behind our phones and Xboxes but soon found better things to do. When I came home, I wasn’t as interested in those things anymore.”

Jackson experienced significant personal growth during his time at Tihoi. “I made friends with boys I would never have met at school. The experience helped me mature and become more motivated. I learned to get along with

others and gained confidence in the bush.” His most memorable moments were the solo times in the bush, starting with a six-hour solo, progressing to a 20-hour, and culminating in a 44-hour solo.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ll never get a time like that again.” Jackson also enjoyed completing courses in rock climbing, abseiling, caving, tramping, and kayaking.

Towards the end of his stay, Jackson participated in a two-day tramp with his parents, where he demonstrated his skills by managing the fire, cooking, and ensuring their safety in the bush.

“I was proud to show them what I had learned.”

By the time it was Jackson’s turn to pack up his gear and head home to Hamilton, he found it hard to say goodbye to the friendships and the comfort of his cabin.

“The bonds we formed and the joy of our shared adventures were hard to leave behind.”

This sentiment was echoed

during the emotional graduation ceremony, where boys shared their journal entries and celebrated each other’s achievements, marking the end of an unforgettable journey.

Jackson is now in Year 11 at St Paul’s Collegiate School and feels a little envious as he sees the current Year 10s prepare to leave for their adventure. “I would do it all again if I could. I would even stay for a year. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to go.”

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St Paul’s Collegiate Tihoi Venture School is the only school of its kind in New Zealand. It is located 30 minutes west of Taupo, adjacent to the Pureora Forest on the site of the Old Tihoi Mill.

The school has been operating since 1979 and has hosted more than 4,000 boys in its 18-week programme. This transformative experience fosters independence, resilience, and a deep connection

to the outdoors. It’s an opportunity for students to grow in ways they never imagined, making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. St Paul’s currently has spaces for 2025 Year 9 boarding students who will experience Tihoi in 2026. Enrol at St Paul’s to give your child this incredible opportunity.

„ St Paul’s Collegiate School - Hamilton, 77 Hukanui Road, Hamilton. Phone 07 957 8889. Enquiries Nerroly Hay, stpauls@stpauls.school.nz „ www.stpauls.school.nz

Authorised by Scott Simpson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Area view of Tihoi, left, a wonderful place of adventure and challenge; rock climbing at Tihoi, above; Jackson working on the firewood, right.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SOCIAL INVESTMENT BONDS COULD BE BIG

On reading an article by Richard Prebble in the New Zealand Herald on 15 May, I was inspired to put pen to paper and share his excellent views.

Richard stated that a Social Investment Fund would commission outcomes for vulnerable New Zealanders and would work for the community, non-government organisations and iwi providers.

The Social Investment Policy was introduced in the 80s by Finance Minister, Bill English, but unfortunately was defeated and not pursued by the incoming government.

Since 2013, Australia has been successfully using Social Investment Bonds to tackle issues ranging form homelessness to recidivism – the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

The National Party stated in their manifesto that the bonds would start off with public money.

A huge portion of revenue for our trading banks operating in New Zealand comes from Investment Bonds and if a portion of this was moved to social investment, it must be a benefit to our country.

As Richard Prebble said in his article, it could be the Coalition’s big idea for this government.

I wonder if we could not do something on a regional or local scale with private investors and commission Social Investment Bonds for some significant projects that have wide support and are essential.

Could that not be possible? It would mean we could offer resources to our people and moderate return on investment, and then development would attract more investment; – sowing a seed here.

Noel S Hewlett Whitianga

LANGUAGE AND BULLYING AT THE

‘CHALK FACE

I went from a North Shore primary to Secondary School and then on to Teachers Training College and ended up teaching for 46 years as a travelled primary teacher at the New Zealand ‘chalk face’.

My experience allows me to say that I never saw or heard that speaking Maori in schools was forbidden or wrong.

Indeed, children who could speak Maori in the playground were looked up to as skilful. So, why have we got stories of intolerance circulating? Is it to foster supposed support for a NZ underdog? As a teacher, I was able to say that there was no bullying on my watch in the playground. If a school has bullying, it is because adults have absented themselves.

Personal presence is the answer to cessation. This does

not absolve the parents of bullies from responsibility.

Peter H Wood

CORRUPTION ON THE RIGHT WING

In recent opinion pieces, Trevor Ammundsen railed against what he perceives as corruption in RMA processes and got upset about the “rude” behaviour of “socialist” politicians.

Just last week, there were numerous reports of questionable behaviour by right-wing politicians. So, the excitement is building as we await Trevor’s latest exposé.

National MP David MacLeod failed to disclose $168,000 in election donations. As Environment Select Committee chair, he reviewed the Fast Track Approvals Bill. One donor, financially interested in an offshore mining application denied RMA consent by multiple courts, sought to bypass RMA hearings for fasttrack approval from MacLeod’s ministerial colleagues.

Secondly, former National PM John Key is being sued in the USA for insider trading.

And, NZ First Mining Minister Shane Jones met with directors from three mining companies, urging them to fast-track their applications. Initially, Jones did not include this meeting in his ministerial diary, claiming it was last-minute, but later admitted it was arranged days earlier.

What do you say, Trevor, about private lobbying of Ministers leading to fast-track consents without public input? Is this the “lucrative gravy train” you mentioned?

There’s plenty of juicy material here for your anti-corruption crusade. Or is it only lawful iwi participation in RMA processes or “rudeness” by left-wingers that qualifies for an exposé?

Paul Sommerville Tairua

‘MELTING POT’ DISCREDITED

The ‘melting pot’ theme of Mr Ammundsen’s contribution belongs to an unenlightened and racist past. Assimilation or ‘blending’ as Mr Ammundsen proposes is a failed, discredited policy of last century. The treatment meted out to Native Americans, the ‘stolen generation’ of Australia and Māoris in Aotearoa was shameful and an effort to make its citizens the ‘same’. More enlightened policy has promoted integration. Integration versus assimilation can be understood by a food analogy. The casserole is a blending – a reduction of diverse ingredients to a whole whereas integration is akin to fruit salad – a concoction of diverse tastes and flavours. A diverse society is a rich one rather than a monocultural bland one. We witness young sportspeople embracing

„ 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.

their cultural identity; they are heading, thankfully, in a different direction than that proposed by this Mr Ammundsen. There is no turning the clock back. His assimilation model died a deserving death long ago. Uniqueness and diversity are winners both for the majority and minority culture here in New Zealand.

Diana Walford Whitianga

GOOD NEWS ON UNITY

May I say “thanks” to The Informer for this front-page news of last week – making us, the general public aware of The residents and ratepayers Associations of the Coromandel Peninsula – all seventeen of them – now working together. Congratulations.

I was a member of the CCPRA (Combined Coromandel Residents and Ratepayers Assoc). This was years ago. We met monthly in Coroglen, being more central for those coming from Whangamata, Coromandel Town, and further north or down the east coast etc. We found we had more power and were taken more seriously by being combined.

In the present day’s environment – with our modern digital know how, communication is so much faster. Sadly, some of us may not possess these phones, computers etc to stay in touch. Or maybe it’s due to lack of hearing or sight or lack of available transport that prevents being ‘in the know’. Even so, some may want to add to a R.R Association. After all, the more people there are, the bigger the voice and hopefully the better the voice.

We ‘the person in the street’ can make a difference. If we can know how to contact you or you knew how to contact us through traditional means, then please do. I really congratulate you all for ‘getting together.”

It surely does my heart good.

K. A Campbell Whitianga

„ NOTE: The Kuaotunu RRA has withdrawn from the Alliance and did not agree with what was published on the front age of last weeks issue of The Informer (Sec. Ian Preece)

MEDIA BIASED AND LACKING ‘FREE SPEECH’ ETHIC.

I recently experienced a situation that I had not realised was so deeply embedded in our society. The change in government is here, real, alive and working. But there are still many out there, who, after 6 years of working within the previous government, are mentally unable to move forward and take on board the reality of what is needed to rectify the problems we are now facing.

FACT – The Labour government employed an additional 18,000 extra bureaucrats. Why? It seems

that when they could not solve a problem they just employed more people.

It is not rocket science to understand the extraordinary drain on finances this blatant overspending created. Funding was removed from vital services – Health, our Children’s Welfare, and the list goes on. An urgent fix is needed, but, as the elected government moves to address this issue the media are crying foul.

Add to this that many do not seem to comprehend that the millions of dollars squandered by Nanaia Mahuta took vital funding away from other services. It is money that can never be recovered. This drain on funding has now largely been stopped, but it does add significantly to the financial issues the Coalition Government is working to correct.

It is time the Media got behind our elected government and supported them.

1. The Coalition inherited a financial disaster: Acknowledge it.

2. National media is hell bent on a society divided by race: Promote ‘One People’ FACT – It is obvious our alarmist media is still in the pocket of the previous government They continue to give airtime to the very people who financially destroyed our country.

REALITY CHECK – TV3 has gone – and TV1 is in financial strife. Their downward spiral will continue as more and more of us stop watching because their content is so biased to the past government; a government which lost because of their fiscal incompetency (well documented) and their structured path to a divided society.

We need to balance the media harping on about the terrible ‘cuts’, and their support of the very people who caused the problem, and deliver a message that it’s time for Wellington to get real and face up to the economic realities facing New Zealand.

To a media absolutely seemingly determined to give New Zealanders a one-eyed view of the situation. I say. “Shame on You”.

Perhaps this is a good time for us to acknowledge the encompassing and unbiased structure of our own weekly media, The Coromandel Informer.

I am relieved that there is an open platform for all to contribute to with The Informer and that they are not held to account by outside influences (e.g.) the “Stuff” platform. (Stuff recently refused to publish an Advert from the Tax Payers Union on the basis that it might ‘upset’ some people in Wellington. While Stuff acknowledged that the advertisement was totally in line with Advertising Standards Authority rules, they outright refused to publish it). So much for their

commitment to Free Speech and unbiased opinion.

Ady Cole-Ewen Wharekaho

„ Please Note: – While the Informer Editor does not always agree with the content delivered, she stands by our right to “Free Speech” for everyone. This is not common in today’s media, particularly as she does sometimes get criticised and abused by those who do not understand that the content is not necessarily her opinion.

INCORRECT RE OUR RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS

It has been brought to our attention via the Kūaotunu Residents and Ratepayers Association that your latest issue carries a gravely incorrect story on its front cover. As you are aware by now the KRRA are not in support of this alliance. Neither are the Otama or Opito groups and there are likely more who would be surprised to see themselves included in this so-called ‘unified’ message. It would be advisable to check which associations do actually support the alliance.

The KRRA in fact enjoys a very good relationship with the council. As our community also holds with the utmost importance matters of conservation and kaitiakitanga, the values of the alliance do not sit well at all with the values of our community and it is upsetting to see our values deceptively declared in this way.

Our personal values (Roimata and Carolyn) also do not align with the declaration that the council should not focus on social services. In a cost of living crisis, where families are often having to choose between heating the house or feeding themselves, a council that does not have any interest in social services would be an inhumane one.

The Informer’s strong bias against the council and Mayor Len Salt is very apparent. However, letting your biases take over from facts is disturbing. We have personally found it distressing to have something stated about our community as fact which is not the truth at all.

You would be well placed to follow journalistic ethics and leave your biases at the door and conduct far more thorough fact checking in future.

Ngā mihi Roimata Taimana and Carolyn Wadey-Barron

„ 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 try to keep them to 200 words or less.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYER ALLIANCE – COROMANDEL

PENINSULA

Media Release Tuesday, 28 May

Ratepayers Alliance Wants Answers from Council

Newly formed and understood to be unique for the Coromandel Peninsula, an alliance of residents and ratepayers’ groups now wants their local council to front up on a variety of community issues.

The alliance was formed in response to concerns that both Thames Coromandel District Councillors and Council staff were not listening to the communities or appropriately consulting with them.

Now the alliance wants to see community empowerment reinstated, something the current council and the one before it has moved away from.

This was confirmed by the alliance spokesman Rob Boston, who is also chairman of the Whangamata Ratepayers Association.

Mr Boston said the approach to council was supported by 12 residents, ratepayers and community organisations across the Coromandel Peninsula. He said several alliance meetings had been held, including one with the mayor and councillors. At the most recent meeting the formal approach to council was determined.

The alliance has requested the council respond to four matters the first being the re-establishment of the community empowerment model.

A response is requested by the end of June to the following:

i) The reintroduction of the community empowerment model covering both operational and fiscal matters – thereby enabling community decision making by community boards.

ii) That council’s primary focus be on core services – roading, storm, waste and drinking water,

rubbish and recycling – not on social services.

iii) That council commit to undertake genuine and proactive community consultation underpinned by transparent communication on matters relating to local communities.

iv) The development and implementation of a sustainable economic growth policy for the Coromandel Peninsula.

Mr Boston said the approach had been circulated to the members of residents and ratepayers’ associations – the council’s response will be shared with them. He believed the mayor fully understood the reach and impact such a group could achieve, having previously chaired the Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association.

For further comment please contact: Richard Shelford-Woodcock –Phone: 0273 053 657

Email: coroalliance@gmail.com

A similar letter has been sent to the Mayor, Len Salt and copied to all TCDC Councillors and Community Board members requesting a response by 21 June, 2024.

„ Editor’s Note: The Informer has had two communications regarding the fact that the front page editorial was ‘misinformed’ in that not all 17 Residents and Ratepayers are part of the Alliance, and neither do all agree with what was written. Kuaotunu has specifically asked to be omitted and for the Informer to retract what has been written as untrue. I cannot. Our intention was to cover the broad spirit of unity and we were aware of the 10 Associations meeting. We should have said 7 were absent. I attempted to get that message across but it was not clear. We were not correct in stating everyone was in agreement. I apologise for any offense caused.

The letter above reflects that 12 Residents and Ratepayers are of one mind on some important matters regarding the way the budget of TCDC is to be allocated.

Long Term Plan Four main submission areas

FROM WARREN MAHER WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCILLOR FOR THAMES COROMANDEL

As you read this, WRC will be in deliberations for four days considering the Long Term Plan. On the fifth day, is a full Regional Council meeting with an agenda of 153 pages. My sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to make a submission, and to those that made the time to present their submission in person or online.

We have had about 2,000 submissions with 156 people indicating they wished to be heard. Contrary to the opinion of some, your submissions are heard and will be considered in the deliberations. It is a tough balance to keep the rates rise as low as possible recognising the current cost of living pressures, while also committing to levels of service under inflation pressures, plus the ever-increasing challenges in the biosecurity and biodiversity spaces.

The feedback on the five main submission topics now drops to four with the imminent closure of the economic development agency Te Waka. This does leave the question of what an economic development agency for the Waikato Region will look like in the future.

Come and enjoy our heated rooms, heated beds and warmed oil to make your winter massage a cosy experience.

Monny and June are ready to massage away those winter blues. Our winter hours remain 9am-7:30pm Friday – Wednesday.

Note: We are now closed Thursday.

Come see us at 58 Albert St, Whitianga or call for appointment 027 777 6898

This then leaves the Natural Heritage Rate, Region Wide Public Transport Rate, Regional Development Fund and Primary Industry Compliance Rate as the main items, alongside several other topics raised in the submission process. So, this is what your 14 WRC Councillor’s will be debating over the next week, with the final decisions being made and publicized on 25 June, 2024.

Thank you to all that have emailed me with your support for the continued running of the Thames Connector Bus Service. This has been a successful trial of a long-awaited service between Thames and Coromandel put in place as a trial with Government funding. Waikato Regional Council has included this service in its low-cost, low risk funding application to Waka Kotahi, and we are hopeful, as an existing service, it will receive Government backing when they announce the funding round in mid June. There are also proposed services for the east coast towns of Tairua/ Pauanui, Whangamata, Whiri-

toa and Whitianga to Thames, but with the indication from the Government to pull back from public transport, I don’t feel confident. Perhaps a letter to your local MP may help. Finally, the next round of hill country erosion funding is opening with letters being sent out to 508 landowners and managers. This funding pool is available to help with fencing and planting and means you could receive up to 70% for works to reduce soil erosion and protect forest remnants on steep land. Anything we can do together to prevent silt entering our rivers and streams, and ultimately our oceans, has to be an improvement.

„ warren.maher@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Warren Maher.

Whitianga’s Town Garage Sale

FRIDAY

4 Yankee Lane, Whi�anga – 9.30am-3pm Hand - dyed wool, embroidery threads and patchworks supplies.

SATURDAY

39 Whitby Avenue, Whi�anga – 9am-2pm

Pop up shop selling a selc�on of vintage and comtemporary homewares and other bric a brac.

20 Jackman Avenue, Whi�anga – 8am-1pm

Boho clothing - lovely, used / new larger sized clothing, nic nack’s, bikes, new macrame hangers and pots.

25 Park Lane, Whi�anga – 8.30am-2pm

Quality ladies clothing and shoes - new and preloved. Quality baby and children’s clothing, shoes, toys and more - up to 2 yrs, new and preloved, pregnancy clothing and accessories.

48 Alf Simpson Drive, Whi�anga – 8am-1pm

My trash could be your treasure, come and have a look and get yourself a bargin. All sorts of this and that!

36 Kupe Drive, Whi�anga – 8am-2pm

Combined garage sale, snowboard, household goods, children’s games, furniture and other items.

3 Whitby Avenue, Whi�anga – 8am-12.30pm Arts, cra�s, furniture and knick knacks.

4 Yankee Lane, Whi�anga – 9.30am-1pm

Hand dyed wool, embroidery threads and patchworks supplies.

3 Wa� Street, Whi�anga – 9am-2pm Clothes, kitchen items, plants, general items.

50 Whitby Avenue, Whi�anga – 9am-2pm Kitchen items, garden tools, garden pots and plants.

119A Albert Street, Whi�anga – 8am-1pm Electronics, cat carrier, housewares, clothing, wide collec�on of alcoholic merchandise.

SUNDAY

20 Heritage Close, Whi�anga – 8am-1pm House and outdoor items and fishing kayak.

21 Carina Way, Whi�anga – 9am-12 noon Something for everyone. Toys, books, fishing gear, etc.

SATURDAY

& SUNDAY

19 Aquila Drive, Whi�anga – 9am-1pm

General household items, tools and boa�ng goods.

7 Cholmondeley Crescent, Whi�anga – 8am-2pm Household items, weedeater, chainsaw, market umbrella and more.

19 Tarapa�ki Drive, Whi�anga – 8am onwards Builder’s le�overs, pots and household things.

73 Centennial Drive, Whi�anga – 8am-11am

Household goods, please call 0276 504 881 for informa�on.

47A Centennial Drive, Whi�anga – from 8.30am onwards

Furniture, household items, TV cabinet, bedside cabinets like NEW, clothes, linen and bric a brac.

103 Robinson Road, Whi�anga – 8.30am-12pm

House downsizing, household goods and general things.

12 Cholmondeley Crescent, Whi�anga – 8am-2pm Tools, fishing gear, crockery, plants and general things.

SAT, SUN & MONDAY

62 South Highway, Whi�anga – from 8.30am

Immaculate leather 3 seater sofa, storage cupbaord, cream coloured bedroom suite, office desk & chair, fishing gear inc surf caster, Giant sports bike & other house hold items.

Vape-Free Kids

NZ, NationwideYouth Anti-Vaping Newsbites continued......... Rock ready to roll under new strategy

FROM THE ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY FOUNDATION NZ

Five mums are on a crusade to raise awareness of New Zealand’s vaping epidemic and to fight for families who have been torn apart by addiction. Read Vape-Free Kids NZ’s full story here. They were recognised by an award from the national conference of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, thanks to the generosity of GJ Gardner, the Foundation’s only Platinum Friends of the Foundation sponsor.

Vape-Free Kids was founded in May 2023 by Ms Wilton, who noticed the

rapid rise in the number of vape shops and was starting to hear of the issues schools were having with students vaping.

“So, I connected with co-founder Charlie Christie online, who had launched a petition calling for tighter rules on vape retailers and we started the Vape-Free

Kids NZ Facebook group. They then connected with three other mums - Charyl Robinson, Tammy Downer and Anna Stewart, and they formed a working group to help tackle the growing problem, she says. “Many of our members have shared heart-breaking stories of how their family has been torn apart by youth vaping addiction, or kids who’ve given up a bright future in sport.

“This is all because vape companies have been allowed to systematically target young people with their brightly coloured, appealingly flavoured nicotine products.”

Quarries delivering rock, aggregate and sand - already by far the nation’s largest mineral producers - will be amongst the first to benefit from the sector’s new strategy.

Resources Minister Shane Jones announced recently a Draft Minerals Strategy to use the resources under the earth to enhance prosperity for New Zealanders.

Wayne Scott, who heads the Aggregate & Quarry Association says the strategy’s first action is to fund GNS Science to complete a detailed stocktake of New Zealand’s known mineral potential.

“We’ve been calling for this for more than six years. It will build on work we started with GNS in 2018 in Ōpōtiki, which showed the benefit of identifying and using local rock resources.” He says when the town’s proposed harbour development looked to truck in rock from the nearest existing quarries 100km away, the projected cost doubled.

“Finding local rock supplies helped

make the project viable. Such benefits can become available around the country once GNS completes its identification of aggregate potential stocktake, which will principally identify viable rock and sand resources in each region.”

“GNS has identified potential areas for aggregate extraction close to four high-growth areas; Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Queenstown/ central Otago. The big cost in dollars and carbon emissions is transport, so these resources are best quarried close to where they’re used.”

He has also welcomed the Draft Mineral Strategy’s commitment to have annual benchmarks of quarries and mines to assess if health, safety and environmental outcomes are improving.

“This new strategy reflects that winwin approach and quarries are happy to have their trucks as the first to be ready to roll and provide benefit,” says Wayne Scott.

Source: Excerpt from Aggregate and Quarry Association of NZ 24.05.24

THROUGH THE PORTAL Opinion

LTP provides an opportunity to honour commitment

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

The May edition of this fine paper reported on final verbal submissions being presented regarding the long-term plan. Of the 11 submissions reported by The Informer, 8 referred to a perceived faulty Long Term Plan process and/or financial unfairness. It has also been reported that submissions to the LTP are declining and the Council may wonder why this is.

The answer lies in the process the Council has put in place, a process that is cumbersome and ineffectual. It is very questionable that this process works for rate payers.

I took part in this process this year and from what I observed it is about the Council, presumably Councillors and senior staff, constructing and presenting their plan, or some of it, and we mere ratepayers are just meant to agree with them. When we are consulted on our ideas we are given a crayon to write with and a postage-stamp sized piece of paper to write on. We are not told what the Council’s ideas are so we cannot compare our ideas to these or, god forbid, criticise their plans. And when we make a submission our role is to comment on and

approve what has been decided; not to present an alternative or question the thinking behind these decisions. Throughout the whole process there doesn’t seem to be any feedback from Council, yet alone meaningful discussion on what the Community may desire.

To try and gain an understanding of the process I decided to follow the paper trail as best I could. My starting point was our 2021 Community Plan for Mercury Bay Central (Whitianga and immediate area). This Plan is 14 pages of very beautiful presentation, unfortunately less effort went into thecontent. It is not until page 8 where you have a section headed “Our People” which lists a number of things the Council cannot really do much about; things such as needing more Affordable Housing. The following 3 pages list what we want for our Infrastructure and Environment and the local Iwi get a page to present their wish list. There is very little that is concrete in any of these pages.

Page 12 is a little better, listing projects the communities would like to see. It is not clear who requested these or whether the Community Board agrees with them but as they are all included

one presumes they have been agreed to. This includes the only Footpath/Cycleway requested which is to run from the campground at Simpsons through Wharekaho to Harbour Lights Terrace.

When you get into the LongTerm Plan itself you do get some figures. For example, there was approximately $160 thousand to be spent each year on footpath construction. Bearing in mind there is only one footpath in the plan you would think the good people of Wharekaho could safely walk along the road by now, but apparently not. Even worse the budget for the 2022/23 year was halved. Also of interest was that there was no budget for the Whitianga Esplanade project in 2022/23 LTP or Annual Plan. By the time we get to 2023/24 the Footpath budget is now zero, but a quick drive down that way shows that nothing has been spent on this item. To be fair that was a tough year for Council and funds obviously had to be diverted to the repairs need after the 2023 storm season but according to the Council’s own figures, at least $320 thousand would appear to have been allocated to the Wharekaho footpath since 2021 but this was not spent

on it. So where did the money go? Are ratepayers entitled to see how ‘the actual compares to the plan’?

The 2023/24 year saw our capital expenditure budget slashed by 90% approximately which is why there was nothing for the footpath, but miraculously $80,000 of the reduced budget was allocated to the Esplanade even though its LTP budget was zero. I wonder how this decision was made.

The 2024 – 2034 Long Term Plan set out the budget and commitments far better than previous years. The TCDC (council) is to be commended on this, but it becomes a bit sadder for the good people of Wharekaho. Their footpath appears to have gone. The Council had three years to get it done, did not do so and the money appears to have gone elsewhere and ratepayers have no visibility of this.

Is this really a process for the benefit of rate payers? Not to worry though; we have found a budget of $12.5 million for work on the Esplanade even though there does not appear to be a plan for this. The original requirement seemed to be for a pedestrian crossing by the wharf but I guess this has grown in magnificence.

Will that $12.5 million be invested the best way possible

for the community? Possibly, but possibly not. Maybe the community should be asked to decide. Last year, our Mayor stated, “If Whitianga want a block wall, Whitianga can have it – subject to budget.” This commitment was made at a public meeting, held at the mercury Bay Bowling Club, early in 2023 when discussion was quite intense regarding preserving our beach and shore front through the building of a rock/ block wall post Cyclones Hale and Gabriel.

Well Mayor Len Salt, how about we see some genuine democracy. Call a public meeting in Whitianga and put it to the vote. Where do we want the $12.5 million invested –securing our beach against the effects of climate change or an undefined piece of work at the Esplanade? Let Whitianga decide.

As this goes to print, TCDC has concluded its deliberations on the LTP (21 and 22 May) and presumable taken into account all the submissions presented by. Lastly volunteer ratep[ayers and community organisations. Added to that,I see from last week’s The Informer – front page, some key points from a united front of the Residents and Ratepayers Associations.

We wait in anticipation.

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

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

Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc

We meet bi-monthly for either coffee mornings or luncheons. Learn more about us by phoning Merle 07 867 1737.

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.

Mercury Bay Lions Club

New members are welcome. Email mercurybaylions@gmail.com. Phone Barb 0274 075 268.

Whitianga Tramping Group

Every second Sunday at 8.30am. Phone Wally 021 907 782 or Lesley 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! 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.

Boys Brigade

An adventure, activity, and values based ministry for boys. For boys aged 5-13 years old. Tuesdays 5.30pm-7pm For more information contact Robyn 020 409 39674.

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.

Cooks Beach Table Tennis

Every Thursday night. Juniors 6-7pm $2pp/ night; Seniors 7-9pm $5pp/night. Cooks Beach Community Centre. Players of all levels welcome. Contact Leanne Barnes 021 468 533.

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. 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. Ph Anne on 07 869 5162 or 027 565 5575 for more info.

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.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Kim Abrahamson: 07 866 5896 or 027 478 2232

Peter Bould: 021 923 198

Barbara Blair: 07 866 5181 or 021 310 351

Heather Bruce: 021 132 8878 or 07 866 5873

Derek Collier: 07 866 5893 or 027 436 8444

Bess Kingi Edmonds: 022 158 9782

David Harvey: 0274 878 363

Patricia Hynds: 021 935 780

Mary Kedzlie: 07 866 4096 or 027 290 4940

SPORTS

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Club Champions 2024: Women

– Silver, Saki Mosen; Bronze 1 –Sharon Young; Bronze 2 – Marg Maher; Bronze 3 – Donna Russell; 9 Hole Div 1: Alison Goodlet; 9 Hole Div 2: Jenny Cotterell

Men – Senior: Steve Geach; Intermediate: Kevin Smith; Junior: Richard Hanna; Super Junior: Johnny Day; 9 Hole: Paul Bradley

Congratulations! It was a great day with lots of close matches.

‘The Moorings’ Nine-hole Tournament – Tuesday, 21 May

Div 1 women – Best Gross - Alison Goodlet. Best Nett

Linda- Stratford. First Stableford - Carolyn Osborne (Walton). Longest Drive - Div 1, Women Linda Stratford

Div 2 women – Best Gross - Jacqui Kerr (Omokoroa). Best NettRose Tegg. First Stableford - Judy Hindrup. Longest Drive - Jenny Cosford (Tairua)

Closest to the pin - Glenda Philpott (The Dunes)

Men – Best Gross - Trevor Hildreth. Best Nett - John Twemlow (Waihi). First Stableford - Paul Bradley.

Longest Drive – Trevor Hildreth

Eighteen-hole Rae Lalande –American Foursomes – Net

Wednesday, 22 May

1, Fiona Gardien & Kerry Allan; 2, Faith Stock & Richard Schofield; 3, Sheree Henderson & Brett Proctor Nine-hole Mixed Scramble –Stableford Friday 24 May

1, Patrick Gonthier; 2, Jenny Layton; 3, Phil Drane.

Twos: Patrick Gonthier.

Nearest Pin #6: Patrick Gonthier; Nearest Pin #4: Jeff Dixon Meat Pack Mixed Scramble –Stableford – Sunday, 26 May

1, Brett Proctor; 2, Roger Booth; 3, Cam Goodger.

Twos: Brett Proctor

THE DUNES MATARANGI

GOLF CLUB

Front 9 Hole Men – Stableford – Monday, 20 May

1, John Schoutens; 2, Ray Green; 3, Rob Fisken.

Twos: John Hackett 5th, Barry Titchmarsh 7th

Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford

Wednesday, 22 May

1, Mark Hall; 2, Glenn LeLievre; 3, Mike Friis; 4, Kerry Mason; 5, Gary Bancroft; 6, Chris Palmer.

Twos: Barry Bowen 7th, Tracey Mulligan 7th

Nearest the Pin#18th - Craig Batty.

Back 9 Hole Men 3 Club Day –Stableford – Thursday, 23 May

1, Ray Bertling; 2, Mark Deutsch; 3, Lance Croawell. Richardsons Women’s Eighteen- hole TournamentFriday, 24 May

Div 1: Gross - Shirlie Bardebes; Net - Del Cameron; Stableford - Dianne Sweeney; Gross Runner-up - Robyn Pellow; Net Runner-up - Maree Dunn. Stableford

Runner-up - Jean McDermid, Net

Third - Noeleen Mull, Stableford Third - Jean Hyland.

Div 2: Net Winner - Kim Primrose; Stableford Winner - Lynne Grove; Net Runner-up - Judith Potter; Stableford Runner-upBrenda Riggs; Net Third - Lynne Butler; Stableford Runner-upJudy Muir.

Saturday Haggle – Stableford

Saturday, 25 May

1, Alex Jones; 2, Chris Palmer; 3, Bruce Walkley; 4, Max Gaskell; 5, Paul Melloy; 6, Peter Sharp; 7, Mary Sharp.

Twos: Robin Flemming, Peter Sharp, Max Gaskell, Brian Tomlinson, Allison Drake-Wells, Gary Bancroft, Chris Paslmer.

Nearest the Pin#18 - Gary Bancroft

MERCURY BAY DARTS CLUB

22 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. A lot of close games with the double to start seeing the downfall of a lot of teams. Three teams went through with three wins and one lose. They were Wayne Olsen & Rose Stables, Peter Reekers & Kyla and Greg Healy and Debbie Holmes. A one game shootout was played between these three teams with Wayne Olsen and Rose Stables running down Greg Healy and Debbie Holmes for a hard-fought victory. Highest finishers were 60 for the ladies, scored by Rose Stables and 125 for the men, scored by Wayne Olsen.

MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

Thursday, 23 May

Winners: Alan Henderson, Ian Mitchell, Lionel Lawrence and Sandie Morris.

Runners-up: Merle Ward, Heather Walker, Jan Harvey and Philip Davies (visitor).

Good Sports: Wayne McNeill, Judy Cullinane, Wayne Fisher and Marie Denney.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB

Championship Pairs round 4 Wednesday, 22 May

North/South:1 Susan Swan & Bob Schibli 58.3; 2 Robyn Hogg & Giorgio Allemano 57.5; 3 Dave Dylla & Augusta Canegallo 52.1.

East/West 1 Amy Hyde and Geoff Jervis 63.3; 2 Pete Hogg and Alison Tichbon 60.0; 3 Kate Palmano and Gavin Hedwig 52.1. Kaimarama Pairs Round Three

Thursday, 23 May

1, Geoff Jervis and Ischelle Stevenson 67.8; 2, Pat Doube and Amy Hyde 64.2; 3, Paul Bradley and Steven Knowles 57.1.

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Round Three Tairua Pairs

North/South: 1, Johanna Bonnar and Peter McNeil 65.48; 2, Judy McKenzie and Jenny Prince 69.13; 3 Heather Buffett & Doreen Wernham 57.94.

East/West: 1 Jim Buffett and Tony White 59.13, 2 Jocelyn Taylor and David Wilkinson 58.33, 3 Robyn Waters and Sue Poland 55.56.

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Hahei Beach Pairs Week Three 21 May

North/South: 1, Robyn and Peter Hogg 66.00; 2, Myra Hoogwerf and Anne Knowles 50.00; 3, Ann Scott and Johanna Bonnar 46.00. East West: 1Alison Tichbon and Robyn Waters 68.50, 2 Dave Dylla and Peter Clark 57.50, 3 Ngaire O’Brien and Philippa Hall 53.50.

MERCURY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB

Saturday 18 May saw the two Mercury Bay FC 10th grade teams face off against each other, and the game didn’t disappoint. There was action aplenty and the game was at times played with relentless speed. It was very hard to fault both team’s performance with the ball finding the back of the net more than 10 times between the two teams. Coaches labelled the game the best junior football they had seen. Thanks to all parents and supporters to came to support in the glorious sunshine. Players of the day went to Nash Martin and Anuhea

Mercury Bay Orcas 10th Grade

Beautiful Saturday morning for football, we played a great away game against Whenuakite. Mercury bay orcas defence was fantastic and they didn’t let up. Player of the day was well deserved and went to Seth Wilmshurst.

The MBFC 8th Grade played against Te Rerenga on Saturday25 May at Moewai Sports Park. The kids had a great morning. Players of the day were Jack Fearnley for his amazing playing, great passing and defending and Cooper Wilson for his awesome playing and always getting involved.

Mercury Bay Junior Boys vs Hamilton Boys High School Bronze team. A win for Mercury Bay

This is the last grading game for this year. This game result will put us in our grade for this year.MB welcomed 10 men HBH Bronze with another sunny weather in Whitianga.

MB went hard and fast scoring the first goal by Curtis and the second by Joel to go 2-0. HBH Bronze brought it back with a through ball to their striker for 2-1.

Joel scored again to increase the lead to 3-1. Bronze scored again 3-2 to finish the first half.

The second half: MB kept the pressure up and increased our lead to 4-2. Bronze scored a goal, score to 4-3. MB would score and so would Bronze; score 5-4. Then Yugo scored to increase the lead to 8-4 but Bronze never gave up scoring 2 goals.

The final score was 8-6, a win for Mercury Bay. Well done to Levi, Palmer, Joel, Curtis, Ben, Yugo, Tylar, Liam, Elliot, Elijah, Cameron, Arlo, Greenie, Leo, Cooper. Thank you to the supporters who turned up.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday 22 May

Best of three frames: Nine players on Wednesday and it was only Jason Smith and Greg Murphy with two straight wins to battle out the final third frame . It was

Greg who had a convincing win over Jason and took home the cash prize. Runner up was Jason Smith but no information was provided who also had two wins. Highest break Greg Murphy with 22.

Saturday 25 May

Best of three frames – 7 players on Saturday and it was Ian Baumgren & Greg Murphy with two straight wins to fight out the final third frame. It was Ian on form and took the win & cash prize. With two wins Greg Murphy (runner up), Doug Pascoe and Bob Haase. Highest break Peter Schultz with 20.

Sacult.

Noah Palmer with the ball; the two Mercury Bay 10th Grade Football Teams; Sam Wilmshurst, right, Player of the Day 10th Grade Orcas.

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Issue 1107

Crossword Puzzle

© Lovatts Puzzles 364

Name:

Phone no:

Issue 1107

Word Search Grid 24

Name:

Phone no:

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

(10)

(5) 24. Clemency (8)

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(6)

(4)

(4)

5. Prudent (9)

6. Swan chick (6)

9. Decompose (5)

11. Annoying (9)

13. Sick (3)

15. Hip or knee (5)

16. Face blemish (6)

18. Taunted (6)

19. Yields (5)

21. Ethnic group (4)

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

Theme: THE BRAIN

(5) ACTION AXONS BRAIN STEM CELLS CEREBRUM CORTEX HEMISPHERE HIPPOCAMPUS LOBES MEMORY MESSAGES NERVES PATHWAYS SMELL SYNAPTIC TASTE TEMPORAL THALAMUS THINK THOUGHT TOUCH VENTRICLES WHITE MATTER

22. Clarified butter (4)

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. Circle the letters not used and that is your answer. Last week’s winner – Anastasia,

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Last week’s winner – Sue McGregor

week’s word search solution – Flowering Maple

TRADES AND SERVICES

TRADES AND SERVICES

Email: info@concreteworx.co.nz www.concreteworx.co.nz

Contact John 0276 425 654 •

•

•

•

Thames Office 541 Pollen Street 07 282 0736

Thames@gdcgroup.co.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

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

Everyone welcome for the Easter programme Sunday 10 am – 12 noon @ 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga (Community Service Bldg) Enquiries - 021 113 0566 THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Malcolm Carr Insurance is looking for a person with sales and admin experience who has either and

• Have good communication and telephone skills.

• To be prepared to undergo ongoing insurance training to keep up with industry minimum standards

• Have computer skills to a high level.

• Be

CHURCH

10am

WELCOME New location: 22 Coghill St – Whitianga www.c3whitianga.co.nz

CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE

WATTLE FIREWOOD FOR SALE

$160 a cube – reliable, dry

Phone Chris 027 383 8955

FIREWOOD

FOR SALE

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

Phone (07) 866 3026 or text (027) 866 3026

ank you from e Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust

We sincerely thank the following businesses, organisations and individuals for their ongoing support over the past year:

Accounting By Design (Geoff Balme), All About Whitianga, Autobarn 2004 Ltd., CFM Radio, Carpet Court - Whitianga, The Coromandel Informer, Guthrie Bowron, Hahei Library, Graeme Heathcote, The Lawnmower’s Son Gallery and Hahei Homestead (Shaun Jackson & family), Phillip Hart, Mercury Bay Area School - Dave Mulholland, Mercury Bay Lions Club, The Lost Spring (Alan Hopping), Man of Steel Group, John McKenzie & Terry Reardon, Santa’s Workshop – Penny Murray, St Andrew’s Church Trust, The Scrapbaggers Group, Waikato- BoP Cancer Society, Whitianga Lions Club, Whitianga Lodge of the Freemasons - Norm Adams, Whitianga Menz Shed, Whitianga Social Services Trust.

Thank you to all book donors and purchasers and the many volunteers who give their time and expertise in our fundraising book shop.

Thank you to those supporting cancer patients, those delivering/servicing equipment - as well as all memorial donors throughout the year.

Your generosity enables the Trust to significantly support cancer patients and their families in this wider Mercury Bay Area.

Mike Taylor Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust

DRY GUM FIREWOOD FOR SALE

$180 a cube delivered. Phone James 021 063 2037

FIREWOOD

DRY PINE – SHED STORED

$150 a cube – Whitianga based –covering surround areas. Phone 07 867 1361, 0274 958 033

WANTED

House bus to park on property for full time working quiet mature man. Kupe, Thames, Paeroa, Ngatea areas.

Phone Michele 022 074 6330

Email:

michele.smith0211@icloud.com

MERCURY BAY COMMUNITY PATROL INC AGM

Wednesday 12 June Masonic Hall, 68 Cook Drive, Whitianga commencing 7.00pm

To the Community of Whitianga and greater area on behalf of the Mercury Bay RSA Inc. we would like to express our gratitude and thanks for the collection of $6415.00 for Poppy Day 2024.

A very special thanks to all the volunteers who sat at the collection stands, along with the Ferry, the and the Business owners who allowed our Poppy Boxes to be on their counters, without your support this would not have been possible.

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ank you.

Trevor Fraser President Mercury Bay RSA Inc.

DECEASED ESTATES NOTICE TO CREDITORS & CLAIMANTS

All persons having a claim against the estate of the deceased person mentioned below are hereby requested to send details of such claims to Samuel Douglas, Solicitor at iCLAW, Level 2/286 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton, email: sam@iclaw.com, not later than 27 June 2024.

They are warned that after that date the executor may administer or distribute the estate having regard only to claims received. Claims due and owing at the date of death should be so certified. This notice is issued pursuant to Section 79 of The Trusts Act 2019.

Margaret Ellen Rees formerly of Whangamata and latterly of Tairua, Retired, who died on 5th July 2023.

Follow us on:

For our latest screening schedule and trailers go to www.mercurytwincinemas.com The home of BIG SCREEN entertainment on the Coromandel

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 and can be cut if too big. Published by The Mercury Bay Informer Limited.

Editors: Pauline and Stan Stewart (027 271 6182)

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

Business Manager: Emma Gaunt

Newspaper Layout: Diane Andrew

Social Media: EMD Agency

Circulation: 9000

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

Editorial: info@theinformer.co.nz, Advertising: sales@theinformer.co.nz Admin: office@theinformer.co.nz After hours: 027 271 6182

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