The Informer - 11th June 2024

FEEL WE BELONG – THANK YOU!

the Celebration of Independence Day

BY PAULINE STEWART

It was exciting to be in the Whitianga Town Hall last Saturday evening, 8 June.

The large community of Filipinos invited people they had come to know through their living and working here in New Zealand, to join their Independence Day celebrations.

They are a people very proud of their country and their independence and they share this pride unashamedly on Independence Day.

Now, the Whitianga Town Hall is from a past era. Although a solid building and quite serviceable, it is very basic in terms of a civic centre, without a single lavish touch.

Filipinos as good friends and neighbours. Some travelled from Tauranga and Hamilton to be there. Mayor Len Salt, his wife Svargo, and our local MP Scott Simpson, were official, honoured guests who travelled from Thames to be there to bring a greeting and enjoy the hospitality and programme. Actually, everyone was treated as an honoured guest. The word that comes to mind to describe the experience of the evening, is ‘happiness’. It was tangible. A well-prepared welcome for everyone and a programme that was inclusive, colourful, entertaining and informative, spread that happiness.

However, the hall was turned into a feast of colour in every aspect of décor, a feast of hospitality, dance, music – a total celebration of goodwill to make memorable for everyone, the day that local Filipinos celebrated their Independence from Spanish rule, 12 June, 1898, in

About 200 people gathered in the hall; at least half were local Filipinos and the rest their hosts, their employers, their employees, their sponsors, their extended family; all of whom, regarded the

The speeches, costumes, dances, songs, and bountiful array of food were an expression of it. But the happiness people experienced was about more than that.

It lies in the spirit of the Filipino people. Their whole approach and attitude to celebrating is in their values of thankfulness, working hard and sharing what they have, plus a deep sense that spiritual values imbue the whole of life.

Even the struggles, disappointments and hardship they experience cannot hold back celebrating. This did not discount, the serious way they honoured the long, past journey to independence, the meaning of their flag, the different peoples that make up their Philippines; but the overriding commitment is a thankfulness for freedom and a commitment to better themselves, their family and their country for the future.

Continued on page 3

Our recent aurora spectacle

BY ALASTAIR BRICKELL

Many of us were thrilled by the recent auroras visible around the world including here in Whitianga. This rare sight is something we might be lucky enough to see again in the coming months and maybe even into next year as the Sun is entering the most active phase in its 11-year cycle.

The auroras were caused by an ejection of the sun’s outer atmosphere called a CME (coronal mass ejection) which is highly charged gas called plasma actually breaking off and travelling through space to interact with the earth’s magnetic field.

These CMEs originate in sunspots which are active areas on the sun, and they become more common during periods of heightened solar activity which occur over the 11-year cycle. The particular sunspot that was responsible for the recent spectacular auroras has now rotated around the sun and came back to face us this past week so there might have been further solar treats.

The heightened solar activity is expected to continue over the next few months as ‘solar max’ of the cycle is reached either this year or next.

This was a rare chance to actu-

ally see the earth’s magnetic field. This field is usually invisible to us, but very much in action, protecting us from potentially harmful, solar radiation by diverting the sun’s charged particles towards the poles, where they cause the upper atmosphere to glow. The colours are caused by gases in the atmosphere being turned into a plasma with blues and greens probably caused by oxygen and the reds and purple by nitrogen high in our outer atmosphere. The auroras are often best seen after midnight when we are looking towards the downstream tail of the Earth’s magnetic field where most of the action is occurring.

This magnetic field is very important to us as without a magnetic field of its own the Earth would have suffered the same fate as Mars which has virtually none. As a consequence of eons of geologic time, Mars has had its atmosphere steadily eroded away by solar storms and now has only a very tiny fraction left.

About the Colours: Some of us may have been disappointed that they did not see all these colours which are often very obvious in photos. The trouble is that our eyes are designed to work under daylight conditions and are very insensitive to colours when they are faint as is the case with auro-

ras. Modern digital cameras or phone cameras are much more sensitive to colours at these low light levels and time exposures enhance this effect, producing the dramatic colours often seen in photos. The colours are real as they are caused by the fluorescing atmospheric gases but it’s just that our eyes cannot appreciate them unless the colours are exceptionally bright.

The sun’s varying activity is often considered to affect the earth’s atmosphere and weather and especially the ozone hole. However, it’s effects can even extend to the distant planet Neptune, where it has been linked to

the11 year-long cyclic changes to cloudiness in its atmosphere and weather.

Another consequence of being near solar maximum is that the sun’s very active magnetic field deflects potentially harmful cosmic rays from us. These originate largely from exploding stars elsewhere in the Milky Way, our galaxy. This was very obvious to me as I was flying to and from the USA last month.

I often carry a Geiger counter with me on flights to record levels of these cosmic rays. On the most recent flights this level of radiation was about 20-30% less than normal, a very significant reduction.

FUN FACT:

When you are flying, you can get 30-40 times the radiation you receive on the ground… but it’s virtually harmless for short periods. So while the sun, our nearest star, may seem quite tiny in the sky, its changing state cannot only reach and affect us on a daily basis, but also distant planets like Mars and Neptune.

Alastair is the author of our weekly Star Gazers, page two of The Informer. He is a geologist and astronomer and recently went to the US to witness the total eclipse of the sun. Alastair and Harriett host and own Stargazers Astronomy Tours and B & B at Kuaotunu.

note from

Tuesday, 11, June-Wednesday, 19 June Saturn can be seen rising after about 1-2.00am very low in the east, but the other bright planets occupy the eastern horizon just before sunrise this week. Jupiter is the brightest and visible from about 7.00am with fainter Mars above it. Venus and Mercury are much lower down but now too close to the bright rising Sun to be easily visible.

Wednesday,12 June: The crescent Moon will be a lovely sight in binoculars lying just next to Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, and there will be a long Tiangong pass from 6:32am in the west. Thursday,

13 June: There will be a short Tiangong pass from 5:35am starting high overhead near Saturn. Friday,14 June: The First Quarter Moon now sits halfway between Leo and Virgo in the evening and there is a low ISS pass from 6:25pm in the north. Saturday, 15 June: We have a short ISS pass from 7:12pm in the NW. Sunday,16 June: The Moon now lies just to the left of Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, with a long bright ISS pass from 6:23pm in the north moving just above the Southern Cross. Monday,17 June: We have a long ISS pass from 5:34pm in the NW and another shorter one from 7:10pm in the west. Tuesday,18 June: We have a long bright ISS pass from 6:21pm in the west. Wednesday, 19 June: There will be a short and low ISS pass from 7:08pm in the west.

A pano image taken Saturday night 11 May taken by Tina Macrae.

Filipino Indendence Day celebrated

Aries, above, made this Independence Day cake – it was all edible; Dave and Mary Green, top left, of Coast to Coast, a long-time sponsor and friend of the Filipino people with their family; Scott Simpson, MP (top centre), stands with MCs and organisers; John Nistal and family (centre) of Greenstone Recruitment Consultancy. Len Salt, Mayor of Whitianga, greets the crowd; Mabel Murie, Svargo Salt and Bess Kingi; Noven Fortuno with Elaine Adamson.

Continued from page 1

It is clear the Filipino people bring that spirit to their new country, New Zealand, their second home. What a gift they are to this region and there is more to come from them. Their music, their industriousness, their creativity, their playfulness, are needed here in our future.

„ Editor’s note: There is a sizeable community of Filipino people in Whitianga. Some are business owners, some are married to kiwis and others have taken up work opportunities in the hospitality, seafood and entertainment industries. They come from many different parts of the archipelago that comprises the Philippines, but they work together and help one another to become a part of New Zealand society. There is also a Filipino community on the Hauraki Plains.

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A magnificent plane at Whitianga Airport

BY KEITH SKILLING

viation enthusiasts and historians were very privileged to have a visit to Whitianga last week of a significant piece of New Zealand’s aviation history. The FG1D Corsair made its first visit to Whitianga airfield as part of a training sortie from Ardmore to check and licence some new and younger pilots onto the aircraft.

Whitianga airfield is ideal for this type of training, the aero club having recently spent many thousands of dollars upgrading the grass surface, and of course its’ proximity to Ardmore being only a ten-minute flight away.

This Goodyear built Corsair is the only remaining example of the 424 Corsairs operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force both here and in the Pacific during World War Two (WWII). After the war it was taken to Hamilton to be scrapped but by good fortune it was saved from the scrap heap, the only Corsair that was saved, and for many years it was stored beside Asplins garage in Hamilton.

In the early 1970s it was purchased by an American collector and was exported to the US for restoration back to flying con-

dition. After several changes of ownership, it ended up at Dux-

ford in England having been purchased by the famous New Zealand pilot Ray Hanna, the ex-leader of the RAF Red Arrows. Ray returned the aircraft to New Zealand in 2004 where it has been a regular participant in airshows ever since.

The Corsair was designed as an aircraft carrier borne fighter aircraft with a very powerful 2000 hp Pratt and Whitney radial engine capable of speeds up to 770 kph and being equipped with six 50 mm cannons it proved to be very successful in the Pacific during the latter part of WWII.

It is easily recognised by its distinctive inverted “gull” shaped wings.

Because the powerful engine required a huge propeller, 14 feet

in diameter, room had to be made so that it cleared the ground. This was achieved by “bending” the wing down in a gull shape so that the wheel legs could be made of sufficient length and strength to absorb the shock of landing on an aircraft

I am very privileged to have been involved with flying this Corsair for the last 30 years, my first experience being at Falaise in Normandy, France, during the fiftieth remembrance celebrations for the WWII D Day landings there on the 6th June 1944.

What a sobering experience it was to be flying low level along the Normandy beaches accompanied by several other WWII fighters, looking down and being touched by the thoughts of what had happened there fifty (now eighty) years ago! I flew it regularly in Europe over the next ten years including five glorious years with an aerobatic display team of four WWII fighters sponsored by the Breitling watch company, the Breitling Fighters. During this period, we flew dozens of displays in twelve countries to millions of spectators at the majority of major airshows

The newest Corsair pilot Bevan Dewes, left, getting his “wings” from owner Mike Jones, right. Keith Skilling in the centre, far left Frank Parker President of NZ Warbirds assoc; Keith describes this photo on the right, of “an old one of me in the Corsair at Wanaka.”

including the Paris Airshow. Our final display was at the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow in 2004. It has been a long and wonderful association.

The Corsair has fortunately been purchased by an Auckland businessman, Mike Smith, so it will be staying in New Zealand. Mike has very generously offered me the chance to fly it again, but it is time to hand over the baton to a younger generation of pilots and train them to fly it and ensure it remains in capable hands. Hence the Whitianga visit. Mike is very generous with

the aeroplane ensuring that the remaining New Zealand Corsair pilots from WWII (currently four still alive) get to see and touch it again, along with ensuring that it will continue to be seen in the skies at future airshows. He spends a lot of his time in Tairua so expect to see more of it in our local skies. So, if you hear the throb of the big 2000hp engine or see its distinctive “gull” wings overhead, pop down to the airfield, it may just land and you can get a close-up view of this magnificent piece of New Zealand aviation history.

Two champion rock n rollers

Meet Rob and Tyree Connor. They are looking forward to teaching people to dance. They love dance. They compete, judge, train, teach and MC occasions for dance and have been doing it for decades.

It is a hobby at which they have excelled together, but it is one they greatly enjoy as well as one in which they have won and also judged at a regional and national level.

Rob’s intense and consuming life of auctioneering and real estate needed to ease, and Tyree knew her work as an eduction consultant and trainer in the agricultural industry could be done mostly online; so, a change of lifestyle for both of them was imminent.

That brought Rob and Tyree to Whitianga a little over two years ago. They love it and have found friendship, community involvement and of course, several who share their love of Rock N Roll and dance in general. Both are still working, but life has a better pace.

“We met and got married through dance,” saysTyree. “Our love for each other and dance has never waned, and both our girls have danced at competition level.”

Tyree grew up on a farm and has

never lost her affinity for farming and agriculture. But in her early teens, her family moved away from the farm. “At thirteen, I was at Hamilton Girls High, and I went along with a group of friends to the River City Rock N Roll Club to learn to dance. I was hooked.

“At 15, I was teaching and by the time I was twenty, I was competing at a national level. It was the eighties and dance competitions were very big. We would go to dances every weekend. There were a lot of dance events to choose from; dancing was the social norm.

Rob came alone to the River City Rock n Roll Club as an adult to learn to dance – a brave step for any man.

“He had two left feet but was persistent and persevered,” says Tyree. “Seven years later, he was in his first final in the national competitions. There he was in seven years, and it took me thirty years to win the New Zealand Open competition,” smiles Tyree.

“We both love the aspect of adding your own style to the basic steps. That has always appealed to me with Rock n Roll. A different piece of music gives freedom to add and use your body in a different way,” says Tyree.

Cabaret: Rob and Tyree know that the Cabaret coming up in Saturday, July 13, at Mercury Bay Club, is a chance to introduce a lot of people to dance. It is locally organised with lots of variety in the music.

Rock N Roll Lessons re-commence the Sunday after the Cabaret, on Sunday, 21 July from 4pm at the Mercury Bay Club. Tyree and Rob are inviting people to come along and see what the dancing is like, as a prelude to coming to the Cabaret. “No pressure,” says Tyree – come and see.

The big kiwi party night

Saturday, 15 June, 7.00pm

Roger Simpson and his team have organised a great night of entertainment for this Saturday night.

The Coromandel Informer mistakenly put in its last issue that the entry fee was $20. That’s a mistake and also that his name is not Smith but Simpson. ENTRY IS FREE!!!

The Mercury Bay Club welcomes everyone. Non-members of the club can be signed in by a Club member. Or better still, join the club. It is $25 only for a year and $40 for a couple.

The excellent music for dance as well as singing along to, has been added to since last week with the addition of Filipino Kiwi Party Band (FKPB), a new band in Whitianga who will add an excellent dimension in music and their own slant on Kiwi party music, and vocalist Wanda Brljevich, whose voice is very compelling.

This Kiwi music night finishes when the last person walks out the doors. A very fine menu at Mercury Bay Club provides meals from 5.00pm.

Roger says, “You can dress in theme if you want. This is a night of Kiwi party music, guitar playing and singing songs. There is a segment of open mic as well; if someone wants to get up and song a song they can, as long as they are prepared and know their song,” adds Roger.

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Rob and Tyree Connor.

Mayor comes for Leadership Day

BY PAULINE STEWART

ll the students and staff

greeted the Mayor, Len Salt with a well polished and resounding Haka followed by Karakia.

This was a special Leadership Day for Whenuakite School. The Principal, Gary Veysi, had planned for the students to meet their regional leader, the Mayor and to hear from him a little about his life and work, and for him to meet the student leaders. The students and school staff had obviously been rehearsing and preparing for some time for this special day.

Following the very formal time of greeting, the entire school and some parents and community neighbours gathered for the school assembly. This featured

a number of leadership and academic achievement awards to students, plus the presentation of eight students from Year Eight who had been chosen to be leaders of the four newly established sport and activity ‘House’ teams. Each student on the entire school roll had been assigned a ‘House’. The central feature of the occasion, however, was the visit of the Mayor. Len shared his love for languages developed at school and how that had stayed with him and helped him. He encouraged the

students to learn Te Reo and to pursue languages. With regard to Len’s enjoyment and playing of an instrument – a banjo. They were very interested to know what a banjo was and how it was played – different from a ukelele. This raised a lot of inter-

est. There may well be another Mayoral visit looming in the future.

One of Mayor Len’s key points was that leadership involved careful and patient listening and that you didn’t always hear what you wanted to hear.

He was keen for them to keep on and persist with things they were trying to be good at. Everything worth doing took practice and work.

The eight young house leaders who shared morning tea with the Mayor and their Principal, will long remember that morning as a very special time – big thoughts about leadership, direction forming stuff.

The theme and the visit were a fine initiative by the principal and staff of Whenuakite School.

Principal Gary Veysi, Mayor Len Salt and Year Eight teacher, Chris Bailey with the Whenuakite School youth leaders - From left: Viper Hamilton, Ella Rieding, Nate Walsh, Violeta Popadich, Brielle Fraser, Wills McGovern, Ruby Olsen, Charlie Bahr. Zachary, right, receives a merit award.

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Planning your Treescape – Part 3: Speci c Species Recommendations

BY ANDREW NOAKES

This is the third and final instalment of the series “Planning Your Treescape,” that aims to give you the information and ability to make informed decisions about tree planting on your land.

Part One – Covered questions to contemplate before planting and how to determine availability of natural resources on your land.

Part Two – Covered various environmental players in the long-term viability of a treescape.

With that background information, we are now ready to talk specifics and suggest various species to consider when planning your treescape.

With the dynamic weather on the Coromandel Perninsula, most properties either suffer land slips (on the hills) or boggy areas (in the lower flatlands); some have to contend with saline rich soil, and others high winds. Each area will call for different species to be planted, to both suit the conditions and help dissipate regularly occurring landscape problems.

Plantings in hilly areas should include trees that have large root systems to help stabilise the soil.

Planting in lower areas should include trees that can tolerate and thrive in “wet feet.”

Plantings on the coast should include trees that can not only tolerate, but thrive in a saline soil.

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER:

„ Natives:

• Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) is a large evergreen conifer that improves soil structure and tolerates seasonal drought. They can grow up to 35 metres tall and are found throughout NZ.

• Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) stands up to winds, improves soil structure, tolerates wet and saline heavy soils. There are a few different varieties to choose from that can vary in size.

• Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydiodes) is NZ’s tallest tree. They grow well in wet soil, improve soil structure, and stand strong against wind.

• Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) are hardy: they tolerate wet soil, drought, frost and can cope with saline environments. They make a dramatic tree line.

• Totara (Podocarpus totara) are hardy: tolerating wet soil, seasonal drought, frost and wind; they are also good for stabilising soil and create wildlife habitats. The various varieties offer different bark textures and shapes.

• Titoki (Alectryon excelsus) are smaller sized flowering trees that are drought and wind tolerant.

„ Exotics:

• Poplar (Populus lombardy) grows well in wet areas and is fast growing. They are good shelter band trees,

though one must be cautious in high wind areas as full-grown trees are prone to failure.

• Willow (Salix) varieties are fast growing and thrive in wet areas; they are great for soaking up excess water.

• Oaks (Quercus) and Ash (Fraxinus) varieties each tolerate seasonal drought and offer splendid autumn colour. Can be planted as amenity trees.

• Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis) are medium sized trees offering dappled light that are wet and wind tolerant.

„ Food Producing:

• Grafted citrus trees don’t mind wet soil.

• Prunus and Malus (stone fruit and apple) trees don’t like frost; cherries don’t grow well in this area.

• Various nut trees can be successful in this area, ie walnut, macadamia, almond.

Trees are an investment, both financial and for the benefit of the ongoing landscape, to be enjoyed for you and generations to come. Plant wisely. If in need of specific advise, be in contact, I am happy to advise you. Good luck.

„ Next Month… Winter tree care.

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

Whitianga community Menzshed project We Need Your help

BY GORDON BARNABY

For most men, after a lifetime of paid employment (or self-employment), coupled with the drive to pay off mortgages, and become financially independent; retirement looms as a time to slow down and spend more time doing the things they enjoy, but have not had the time available.

However, retirement for many is also a time of emotional and mental turmoil as they adjust to a life that no longer revolves around the routines, social connections, and expectations of a career. This change can unfortunately bring about feelings of social isolation, a lack of purpose, a decline in self-belief and self-worth.

Sadly, older males (men over 50) are over-represented in statistics around suicide ideation.

The Menzshed is founded on the understanding of the need to address men’s health. It fosters a culture of connectedness and friendships, and a sense of belonging where men feel valued by sharing their knowledge and experience.

This can boost men’s mental health in terms of creating a safe space where men feel comfortable speaking with their peers who understand their problems. It provides a place where men can meet, make useful contributions to their communities, and addresses social isolation.

The Whitianga Menzshed was established in July 2018 becoming a registered Charitable Society called “The Whitianga Community Menzshed”. It proved to be an immediate success and membership rapidly grew. Thanks to the Vetter family, then owners of Peninsula Roofing, they donated the use of a building at Moewai for the organization’s use at no cost.

Demand for use has outgrown the facility as membership has grown. Now, we are exploring options to assist with the additional funds needed to allow us to move ahead with the fundraising for the building costs for the new Menzshed building. Site, plans and costings have been prepared for the new building.

At this stage, we have managed to fund raise just over $213,000, allowing us to put all our funds raised directly to the building fund. We require an additional $479,000 to complete the total amount to complete the new facility. With the building costs constantly increasing, we are very aware that we need to keep moving forward with our fundraising efforts so that we are not finding ourselves ‘chasing our tail’ with the cost of this project continually growing.

We’ve had the joy of operating here in Whitianga for five years now and have seen the benefits of this for many people over that time. At this stage we have

over 30 members but we know that this will grow once the new shed is built and we have more room. Currently, things are very crowded for our members –

We have also had a number of enquiries from women who would love the opportunity to be able to come and work on projects too and we are planning to have a dedicated day each week where women can come along and work independently or alongside the men to create their projects.

The shed that we are proposing to build is 30 m x 12 m with an additional separate building which has been largely funded by the scouting group as the toilet block which will sit alongside the new building to be used jointly by the scouts when they decide to move on with their building.

We would be very grateful if you are able to assist us in any way to help us achieve the additional funds required to enable us to move ahead with this valuable community asset.

Should you wish more information please feel free to contact either Glenn Schache phone 0274 952 015 or Ernie Pitchfork 021 872 747 who will be able to provide more details on the building proposal for the Whitianga Menzshed. All donations will be acknowledged with a “tax rebate” receipt. You may deposit into our account 02 0496 0124241 001.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Authorised by Scott Simpson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

The men love the Menzshed but it is very overcrowded.

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

History of poisoning on the Coromandel

BY JOHN VEYSEY

The NZ government set up a business making 1080 baits way back in the middle of last century.

They imported the 1080 poison and made 1080-baits for spreading wherever they could find a “pest” to poison. The rabbit was the first victim and the 1080 bait factory got underway. The government made the baits and controlled their distribution through the rabbit boards and then regional councils. When the rabbits could absorb no more 1080, new “pests” were sought. That next “pest”, the one

to really get this business off the ground, was the possum. The possum had first been imported to provide NZ with a fur industry but the government showed no interest in fur. The possums were left to their own devices and became rather populous in places. The government funded trappers to control possums in these populous places, but then government realised that all this trapping could be done with 1080 baits.

All publicly-owned land, about one third of NZ, lay exposed. The 1080 was needed or else our forests would disappear under an epidemic of possums. An epi-

demic like this needed an emergency solution and this was 1080. Preserving instead of destroying the native was a new concept and the spreading of 1080 baits presented itself as the most practical and lucrative way forward. The term “conservation” was adopted. Conservation and poison started life together and, hand in hand, have remained DoC’s driving force ever since.

Large tracts of public land frequented only by hunters and hikers received 1080 baits for the first time. Bait manufacture increased and all eyes were set on the 8 million ha of public land out there awaiting 1080 baits. It was a

huge job and in 1987 the department of conservation (DoC) came into being primarily to distribute more 1080 baits. The DoC staff who set up office in Coromandel town spent their first few years looking round for places to poison.

LEAPING AHEAD FOR A MINUTE:

In 1994, DoC dropped their first 1080 baits over Coromandel Peninsula. Today, thirty years later, every inch of our DoC-managed land has been covered in 1080 baits; sometimes more than once. DoC’s mission has been accomplished.

Staff numbers can now be cut down and the 1080 baits will keep coming automatically at the maximum rate our area will allow. 1080 drops on the Peninsula come on a 4-yearly cycle. Staff are now getting ready to drop their baits over the entire south end of the Peninsula.

I was recently asked: “When a dog eats a dead possum and dies, is that “secondary poisoning”? It is indeed secondary poisoning which is practically unavoidable when a poisoned creature on its last legs strays into the dog’s back yard. Theoretically, DoC will be dropping enough poison to kill more than 30 million dogs.

WEDNESDAY, 12 JUNE – 11.30AM-1.30PM Room 10, Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga

ANZ Bank’s Dawn Prendergast (Digital Team Leader) and Candice Prendergast (Branch Assistant Manager) will talk about current tricks and strategies that scammers use to part you from you money.

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

A CLOSE CALL FOR LOCAL CONTROL

BY GEOFFREY ROBINSON

When local historical events get memory-holed or misrepresented, communities lose the benefits of instructive hindsight. And with local community input on policy and services now front and centre, the value of setting the record straight is more important than ever. It’s what helps keep elected officials from repeating mistakes or following previous dead-ends.

Case in point is a recent emotional claim that local environment advocates “played a significant role in sinking the proposal put forth by Glen Leach for the Coromandel to obtain World Heritage status”. The claim was that the proposal’s failure is to be regretted.

For the interest of many new residents, it was actually Waikato Regional Council (WRC), not upstart locals, that put a stop within weeks to a ‘hare-brained

tourism scheme hatched in 2015 by then-Mayor Glenn Leach and Florida-based travel consultancy, Miles Marketing Destinations. A quick look at what was to be, shows why stopping it was a good outcome.

WHAT WAS TO BE:

The Leach-Miles plan was unveiled on August 18, 2015 at an invitation-only workshop for many government and NGO representatives. The mayor’s idea was to gain official “protected” landscape status for the Coromandel under rules of the International Union of Conservation in Nature (IUCN). Workshop attendees received a 54-page “Feasibility Report” and a 12-page “Public Summary” prepared (with discretionary mayoral budget funds).

The so-called Coromandel “Heritage” plan, which had been developed with no public consultation and kept under wraps, called for

peninsula-wide designation as an IUCN Category V Protected Landscape, strict rules for which would guide the region’s longterm planning and future policy regime. Specific decisions for the district would follow an overarching multi-agency agreement between tourism industry executives, government, DOC, and WRC, all conforming with IUCN rules.

The IUCN is a global NGO involved in lobbying, advocacy and field projects, with a stated mission of influencing governmental policies on environmental management. It has head offices in Greenland, Switzerland, more than 900 employees, and facilities in over 50 countries.

When the plan went public, however, it drew strong local opposition. Many district residents were shocked by the dramatic departure from local democracy, self-determination and local control – namely introduction of an over-

seas-directed regime for management of the Coromandel’s unique natural environment and cultural assets.

Opponents pointed out that foreign NGOs had no business driving the legislative and regulatory framework for our communities. While agreeing on the importance of environmental protection and sustainable economic development, there was resistance to a plan from special business interests that skirted the normal legislative and consultative processes.

Opponents were spot on. In fact, IUCN designations are generally designed for areas without an effective regulatory framework like New Zealand’s sweeping national policy statements and the robust regional and district plans and policies that follow, all with extensive public consultation.

For many Coromandel residents, IUCN rules were deemed completely unnecessary and totally

inappropriate.

The proposed Coromandel “Heritage” proposal came complete with an action plan. First up was a formal presentation to Waikato Regional Council to gain its approval.

But within days of an introductory mayoral sales pitch to the full regional council, WRC responded with its firm refusal to support in principle the misguided eco-tourism branding plan. The so called “World Heritage” tourism marketing and management plan went nowhere, sunk by our elected representatives in Hamilton.

While possibly a marketing and branding setback for industry, it was an important lesson in preserving democratic process and local community control. Although IUCN have changed their categories and Miles Marketing has rebranded, that lesson learned still needs to be kept alive in the memories of the local voter.

Moving beyond throw-away cups

BY KAT NEILSON-JONES

Cafes and coffee drinkers in Mercury Bay are being asked to clean up their act by putting an end to throw-away cups or single use cups (SUCs), and some local businesses are already taking action with ecofriendly alternatives.

The move, driven by waste minimising trust Wāhi Tukurua, looks to phase out the plastic-lined take-away cups of which an estimated 250,000 end up in landfill each year from Mercury Bay alone.

The cups, most of which appear to be cardboard, are not recyclable because of the plastic content

and nearly all those which claim to be compostable, require a commercial composter not available in the Thames Coromandel region.

Overflowing rubbish bins in Whitianga and surrounding streets in summer bear witness to the problem, with coffee cups a regular feature amongst the waste. Now the landfill that takes our waste is close to full and Wāhi Tukurua spokesperson Tiffany Reed says enough is enough. She likens the move away from SUC)s to the end of plastic bags.

‘At first there were a lot of people worried about how they would manage without the plas-

tic carry-bags, but now we are all taking our own bags and probably wouldn’t be seen dead with a plastic one!” she says.

The step away from SUC’s is in line with work already carried out in Aotea/Great Barrier Island – where SUC’s are no longer an option – and Wanaka which is well on the way to phasing them out.

Colenso Café and Nook Grocers + Refills are both well into the process of replacing SUCs with eco-friendly options.

Welcome Chunky Cups: NG+R owner, Georgia Gilsenan-Fitzgerald, says she has always offered loan cups and mugs, encouraged

people to bring their own keep cups and deterred the use of SUC’s by charging extra for them. She is now using the Chunky Cup system which allows a customer to purchase a stainless-steel cup for $10 which they can then return for a refund at any participating outlet or swap out for a clean one with their next purchase.

Colenso Café are doing similar and also suggesting people stop, relax and enjoy their cuppa in house. Owners Dean and Leah Walker say SUCs do not fit with their values around waste reduction and they will not be repurchasing once the current supply runs out.

Tiffany believes Mercury Bay and the Coromandel Peninsula can do what others have already achieved and she encourages people to see this as one small action they can take in the war on waste. At the markets in Whitianga on Kings Birthday weekend, a very good trade was being done in the Chunky Cups Wāhi Tukurua team are leading this excellent campaign for you to purchase a $10 reusable cup. „ Contact Kat email: kat@livinglines.co.nz

Kat is a Trustee of Wahi Tukurua, Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Trust

Tracey Bell, Chanti Ducker, Kat Neilsen-Jones, Tiffany Reid of Wahi Tukurua at the King’s Birthday Whiti Citi Markets, enthusiasts for getting everyone to use a Chunky Cup – just $10.

The state of real estate

This is a summary of a presentation made by Bayleys’ Shaun Paterson at a recent meeting of the Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA) held at Chesters Plumbing in mid-May. Over 60 attended and the overview presented was appreciated by the MBBA members. Shaun gave an overarching perspective on the state of Real Estate, not just a Bayleys one. Real Estate concerns all of us and The Informer asked Shaun if part of his presentation could be shared for a wider audience.

Having taken us through the past market cycle for context, Shaun started by giving the audience an overview of ‘big picture’ elements driving real estate dynamics.

1. Inflation – headed in the right direction but still carries risk with food, fuel and insurances examples of ongoing challenges for differing economic factors.

2. Interest rates – Have now been stable for 12 months. May be slower to come back than expected given the inflation position. This is likely to extend the flat market.

3. Finance becoming easier to come by with continued relaxation of CCCFA rules.

Turning to speak more specifically about the real estate market, one key theme was the amount of stock that has come into the market in the past 6 months.

Speaking of Whitianga, Shaun said, that when you searched Trade-Me for properties for sale on the 1st April, 2022, there were 60.

Now, if you search the same site, there

are 195.

In mid-May this year, in the Mercury Bay Ward (from South of Kennedy Bay to Pumpkin Hill), there were 526 properties for sale on the market. 285 new properties have come into the market since Christmas. So buyers have choice and this is certainly driving a buyers market.

“Despite the increased supply, there is also more meaningful demand, when compared with last year. Notably 55 properties traded in the first quarter of this year in Mercury Bay, compared with the same period last year when the area was storm effected as well as facing the market headwinds.”

With these dynamics at play, although the market saw significant drops post its April 2022 peak, pricing has now remained stable for an extended period.

Interestingly, entry level homes between $600,000 and $900,000 have been trading well with first home buyers particularly active.

IN SUMMARY:

• Listings are high with a lot of choice for buyers. Further listings are expected as brightline rules are relaxed in July.

• More meaningful activity then previous 12 months BUT stock levels & sentiment to limit price recovery.

• Interest rates are stable and financing is becoming easier.

• Investors are expected to return through the course of the year with the return of tax deductability and relaxation of brightline rules.

• First home buyers continue to dominate – choice, value and government support.

Total

• Opportunity to acquire substantial land holding

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• Proven business model and potential for growth

• Seaview across Tairua Harbour

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Purchase includes land, buildings, thriving business, chattels, fixtures, and fittings. Only minutes' walk from Tairua Township and opposite the estuary and wharf. Tairua Shores Motel boasts a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor. Spread over 1,807sqm (more or less), featuring nine well-maintained motel units and a substantial two-storey recently refurbished three-bedroom owner's home. Easily run by a couple. Consent is already obtained for adding additional units, offering opportunities to increase income. Possibly look to unit title the property and sell down the components. Alternatively, sell a business lease and keep the freehold investment.

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STAN’S STUFF

If the power fails –two beauties to help us through e ermette and the Coolgardie Safe

BY STAN STEWART

How do you get your hands on these items? A Thermette is probably, possibly, at the back of your grandpa and/ or grandma’s shed. Go fossick. The Coolgardie Safe – you can knock one up in an hour or so. No special skills are required

There are some readers who lived in rural areas who will remember life before electricity. I can still remember the excitement we had when with the flick of a switch, a 60watt electric bulb lit up our kitchen.

These days a hundred miracles later, I can’t think of anything that rivals that excitement. We have become blasé – nothing surprises us – we expect things to become easier, more spectacular, more transformative – yawn!

But what if the power failed? The electric suppliers are hinting that could be a possibility this winter. What then? Don’t panic. Getting back to basics may not be such a bad thing.

It’s only in the last year that I heard about this wonderful Kiwi

invention. And my guess is that most Kiwis will have never heard of the Aussie invention – the Coolgardie Safe.

Just suppose the power did go off for a long period. Well, these two inventions could help us survive and cope.

The Thermette: John Ashley Hart, invented and patented the thermette in 1929. Although he was an electrical engineer, he invented something which had no need of electrical power – all that was needed were a few twigs. It was first advertised as a ‘billy and fireplace all in one’ and marketed as a ‘Wonderful Xmas Present for Dad’.

As far as I can tell, this invention never crossed the ditch as it seems quite unknown in Australia. My guess is there were copyright problems. Perhaps Australia’s ever present bushfire danger meant that the ashes produced by the thermette could have been seen as a bush fire hazard.

The thermette looks like a super-sized vacuum flask. You didn’t sit the Thermette on a fire or fireplace. The fire was inside

the flask. Set with bark, twigs, anything flammable at the base. inside the base, the fire flared up the interior of the thermette, often visible as flames coming out of the top of the device. The water (12 cups) was contained in a sleeve inside the flask in direct contact with the flames.

Thermette users extoll two great features of this flask. 1. You don’t need much fuel to fire it up. Twigs, bark, leaves will do it. Once lit and placed in the base, it’s away. 2. The water boils in minutes. No waiting forever as the billy swings forever over the fire.

During the second World War, John Hart waived the copyright so the thermette could be used by NZ troops in desert warfare. There it gained the name Benghazi Boiler. The thermette created confusion with the German high command. Not actually the thermette itself, but the marks it left on the ground. Inspecting trenches that had been vacated by kiwis, the Germans were puzzled by the round burnt patches in the kiwis’ trenches. It was speculated that the New Zealanders were working with some

new kind of rocket.

The Coolgardie Safe: The blistering heat of the Coolgardie gold fields in Western Australia caused food items to spoil in hours. To cope with the effects of this climate around 1890, Arthur McCormick invented the Coolgardie Safe. McCormack observed how when a bottle was wrapped in a wet cloth, the contents of the bottle cooled. He was observing the principle of heat transfer during the process of evaporation.

Based on this principle, he developed a safe with mesh walls which was draped with wet cloth. As the cloth dried, the items within the safe were cooled – not frozen, but chilled. Butter remained firm and meat would not spoil so quickly. The idea was taken up commercially and versions of the Coolgardie Safe were manufactured and sold all over Australia.

My Dad made his own. The design was simple. It was a box shape about 700mm square with no walls. Inside there were shelves and it had a door on the front. The box including the door,

POLICE REPORT SPORTS

BY CONSTABLE MICHAEL CARTER

„ Monday, 3 June to Sunday, 9 June.

GENERAL:

Monday, 3 June: A burglary was reported as having occurred at a Racecourse Road address. Alcohol and food were taken.

An orange-coloured Holden SV6 was stolen from the Joan Gaskell Drive area. Any information regarding the location of this vehicle is requested to be passed on to police.

A trespass incident occurred at a Kupe Drive address. This person will be spoken to by police.

Tuesday, 4 June: A burglary was reported occurring at a South Highway address. A tractor was stolen from the location which has since been recovered. This tractor was driven out of town between 9.00pm and 1.00am by the offending person. Police are asking for assistance via CCTV or people who observed the driver to contact their local station.

Wednesday 5 June: A burglary was reported

occurring at a Moewai Park Road address. An offender was observed shoplifting from a Coghill Street premises. Enquiries are continuing to identify this person.

Thursday 6 June: A burglary was reported as having occurred at a Buffalo Beach Road address. Unknown persons have caused damage to the property to gain entry.

An address was burgled in Matarangi where various items were taken.

ARRESTS: No arrests this week.

OCCURRENCES:

Monday 3 June: Family Harm incident was reported occurring at a Cook Drive address. A drunken argument between both parties with them both receiving sound advice from police.

Tuesday 4 June: A Family Harm matter occurred between adult siblings at a Matarangi address. Parties

were separated by police.

Friday, 7 June: A Family Harm incident occurred at a White Street address. One of the parties was later removed by police for further assistance from outside agencies.

Sunday, 9 June: A Family Harm matter occurred at a Kuaotunu address where the intoxicated party refused to leave other family members alone.

TRAFFIC:

Sunday, 9 June: A single vehicle collision occurred on Kuaotunu Wharekaho Road where a utility slid off the road. The driver is yet to be spoken to regarding the matter and other items located within the vehicle.

Several drivers have been observed in breach of their licence conditions. Please obey the road user rules and your driver licence conditions as they carry high demerit points. This includes drivers converting their overseas licences to NZ licences.

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

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Bright Pairs Week One

Monday 4 June

North/South: 1, Robyn Waters and Dave Dylla 65.42; 2, Jocelyn Taylor and Peter McNeil 56.36; 3, Alison Tichbon and Peter Hogg 49.17.

East/West: 1, Carol Henwood and Johanna Bonnar 60.83; 2, Anne Knowles and Peter Clark 57.92; 3, Denis Knutson and Robyn Hogg 56.67.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT

BRIDGE CLUB

Championship Pairs Round Six

Wednesday 5 June

North/South: 1, Giorgio Allemano & Robyn Hogg 72.40; 2, Alison Tichbon & Pete Hogg 60.42; 3, Susan Swan & Bob Schibli 48.96.

East/West: 1, Hilary Scott & Norma Hart 55.00; 2, Rose Tegg & Terri Lipanovic 53.75; 3, Amy Hyde & Geoff Jervis 49.38.

Whiti Champ Pairs Round Two

Thursday 6 June

1, Pat Doube & Terri Lipanovic 64.5; 2, Norma Hart & Alison Gibson 60.4; 3, Angela Cook & Ian Hogg 54.1.

MERCURY BAY DART CLUB

15 players this week, so 501 singles were played this week. The better players had to play off a handicap to give everyone a chance of winning. Two players went through all four rounds unbeaten. They were Rex Donaldson

Thermette,top; a commercial version of a Coolgardie Safe, above.

was covered with chicken wire. On top of the box, he placed a large baking tray. He filled this with water. He cut up wheat bags and draped them over the four sides of the structure with their tops in the baking tray which was full of water.

The bags sucked up the water and as a result the interior of the safe was cooled by evaporation. My job was to keep topping up the water tray. Don’t panic! If they do turn off the power, we can still survive.

and John Munro. A one game final shootout was played with Rex Donaldson coming out the winner. Highest finish for the men was 77, scored by John Munro. None of the ladies had a finish higher than 50. No 180’s scored this week.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday, 5 June

Best of three frames: Eleven players on Wednesday and it was Brian Codyre, Peter Challis and Ian Baumgren with two straight wins to challenge the finals. Ian won the drawn bye and the semifinal was fought out between two veterans and past champions, Brian and Peter, with a black to win to Peter who moved on to meet Ian in the final frame. However it was Ian on form and he took a comfortable win and the cash prize. Runner up Pete Challis, and with two wins were Brian Codyre, Doug Pascoe, Wayne Malcolm and Greg Murphy. The highest break of 18 was achieved by Ian Baumgren and Peter Challis. Saturday, 8 June

Best of three frames: Eight players on Saturday and it was Peter Schultz and Ian Baumgren with two straight wins to battle out the final third frame. A great even match this was, coming to black to win and past Club Champion Peter potting it to take the win. With two wins Ian Baumgren (runner up), Phil Jones and Doug Pascoe who also had the highest break of 29.

Noumea coconuts and canned foods

A Whitianga Student was one of the 250 New Zealanders stranded in New Caledonia.

BY MICHELLE RHODES

Shardae Slade, now a student of Psychology at Waikato University was reunited with her Mum, Granny and Aunty in Whitianga last week. On the last Royal New Zealand Airforce Hercules flight, Shardae and her three friends finally made it home.

The four, Shardae, Nikil, Mia and Div, had set off to backpack in New Caledonia for 15 days. What they got was two days holiday and 13 days of an unplanned somewhat scary adventure.

THIS IS SHARDAE’S STORY:

“We were staying in the Youth Hostel in Noumea, close to the Parliament Building. Everything was going fine, but on returning to our hostel on the first night, there were people in the street waving New Caledonia flags and placards in French about freedom. At the hostel, management explained it was a local protest about an unpopular change, but “they hoped they would keep the peace”.

The following morning, things got a bit scary. As we left Noumea, we saw tyres in the centre of the road and one truck carrying younger men in balaclavas. They had petrol cans. There had been a lot of destruction during the night.

Lining the streets were locals of all ages, the elderly and kids with

flags and banners, but they were friendly to the tourists, giving us ‘Peace’ and ‘Surfer’ signs.

We arrived at a campsite near Hotel Auberge de Poe in Bourail. David, the owner, was amazing, kind and supportive, offering to shop for us and as our money ran out, let us do our laundry free.

After three days at the camp site, with no mobile phone signal, so no media or news, we headed into town for supplies; only to find the petrol station closed and food running out in the shops. We got whatever provisions we could, and after letting family know we were okay, we headed back to the camp site.

Our camping stoves didn’t fit with the French gas bottles

available, so we just lit an open fire on the beach and lived on scrambled eggs, pasta and chips. At one stage, all we had left was two litres of water and a bottle of Tequila. We foraged for coconuts on the beach; the milk gave us a bit more fluid.

It was so hard to find out what we should do and where we should go. At the New Zealand Consulate, no one spoke English and it closed between 11am and 2pm. We tried to change our flights, but these kept being cancelled by the airline the night before.

We saw people in a wealthy French suburb building a barricade across their street. They offered us safe refuge in the

street. They seemed to be expecting a full-on civil war and told us to get out as soon as possible.

My Mum called ‘NZ Safe Travel’. Their advice was for us to go to the Sheraton Hotel as they had food. It turned out the food was only for paying guests. On the upside, we did meet other Kiwis at the Sheraton, and some people from Britain and France. We decided to keep in contact through a ‘Whats App’ chat group.

Then there were three days of silence – nothing official, no contact, no news.

Safe Travel and the Consulate kept telling us not to drive to the airport. Through the What’s App chat group, we heard you had to be in Noumea to be allocated a

seat on a flight. Knowing a couple had left in the days before and got to the airport safely and aware that fuel and food supplies were running out, we decided the best thing to do was to get to the airport. We sensed the local feeling towards tourists was okay.

We were so pleased we made that decision. A French speaking couple said they would lead a convoy of cars to the airport and negotiate for us through any roadblocks. Most of the cars had only enough petrol for the one trip back to the airport.

On the way, the roads looked worse but were still passable. The locals had tables and chairs and food at the side of the road. There were all smiles and waves as they directed us through the roadblocks. It reminded me of Bob Marley’s Jamaican revolution and the song “Stand Up for your Rights”.

We were searched by the French armed forces before getting on the RNZA Hercules and were delighted to find snacks waiting on our seats.

When we finally landed in NZ, not one official met us. There was one man from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Transport (MFAT) who said everything was okay once we arrived in Auckland but said and did no more. There has been no debriefing or follow up by the MFA. Communication could have been better, and lessons could be learned.

Rugby at Lyon Park – Saturday 8 June

This try was hard won by MBAS. Right, this player fell hard and developed a cramp injury following this hard out attempt to push the run through. Below, Paeroa player had close company for passes for a run that ended in one of their team scoring a try.

Shardae Slade, centre back, with the group that kept in touch with each other through Whats App. This was taken on the eve of their departure from Noumea; the scene above was part of the journey between the airport and the township of Noumea.

Isaiah off to train in skateboarding in USA

BY PAULINE STEWART

Isaiah Johnston is on a mission to go to Woodward, California for the biggest Skateboarding School Programme held in the summer holidays in USA.

Isaiah, a student at Mercury Bay Area School and highly skilled competitive skateboarder, has been working hard for some time to raise the funds to fulfil this dream. He is very grateful for the help of the Whitianga and wider community.

“I have had so much support from a whole bunch of people.” Isaiah practises at his local Whitianga Skate Park. It has been terrific for training and practising and now there is the new Tairua one as well.

“At this skateboarding school, I can compare myself to the best skateboarders in the world and I will learn lots of new things. This is not a competition but training, and there are professional skateboarders there to teach you.

Isaiah explains he was very nervous when he sent off his application to attend the Skate School.

“When I got a scholarship, that was the best news, as it has helped with expenses. I intend to make this experience worth it for everyone who believes in me.”

Isaiah has developed quite a philosophy around his skatingboard-

Idea for promoting Whitianga

ing. “Skatingboarding is not just about learning new tricks; that’s a part of it, but you have to understand and trust yourself to take risks. Sometimes I have struggled with confidence, but I have learned to break every new challenge down into small steps, and practise one step at a time. Once you master something, then you can add to that and create something unique that is your own particular style and creation. You have to stay alert, healthy and very focussed.”

FAMILY SIZE RAFFLE

Now Isaiah is on the last leg of

fund raising. With his family, Gabriel and Rachel owners of Hula Café, they have received gifts and vouchers from a host of local businesses and friends, to make up a very generous raffle to offer to their community.

“There are boat tickets for Sea Cave Adventures, New World vouchers, a Warehouse gift card, Earth Store vouchers – that’s just a start for all the things in this raffle,” beams Isaiah.

He is inviting people to come to Hula Café and buy a raffle ticket. “It’s going to be drawn on Friday, 21 June and I leave on Monday, 24 June!”

Isaiah has a very busy last few days as the band in which he plays drums and guitar – The band.com has a place in the Inter-school Smoke Free Rockquest Regional Finals on Friday and Saturday, the weekend prior to his leaving for USA. Isaiah’s Dad will take him to Bay of Plenty to compete on behalf of his college, MBAS.

Isaiah has a ‘Give A Little’ page as well as the raffle to try and meet the amount he needs to be on his way and return home safely. Be part of supporting this very good young man.

Email: isaiah.johnston.42@gmail. com

Give A Little – https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/camp-woodward-skate-fundraiser

Recently, The Informer published an article by Suzanne Hansen on ways to describe Whitianga and what was missing in the roadside signage on the town’s perimeter making it difficult to even know which way to get to Whitianga. The absence of anything attractive describing or depicting Whitianga visually was also noted in her article.

A recent Business Association meeting conducted an exercise asking people (about 60 in attendance) to find their best words to describe Whitianga – capturing the essence of the current and future Whitianga for all visitors. We thought that this response from a member of the public was worth a special place outside of Letter to the Editor. We thank Lynn for putting out her ideas.

Please send in your ideas and words. For any of the towns on the Coromandel Peninsula.

IDEAS TO PROMOTE WHITIANGA AND MERCURY BAY

These sculptures are eye catching in the town of Derby in WA – population 3,500. They measure approx 4m wide x 3m high and are made of stainless

steel and weatherproof.

A crayfish might be suitable for this region – and/or a snapper. There is an artist in Whitianga who could probably make these.

Similar sculptures could easily be incorporated into a promotion selling a town.

As a photographer I know something like this would be photographed by every visitor and shared around the globe. I hope you can consider this idea. Lynn Clayton

Email: lynnmc46@gmail.com www.lynnclaytonphotography.com

Instagram: Kiwigran

Isaiah,

Isaiah skateboarding at the Whitianga Skate Park.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SURVEY REVEALS CONCERN OVER FAST-TRACK APPROVALS BILL

A new Horizon Research survey (1000 respondents, margin of error +- 3%) has revealed serious concerns among National Party voters about the proposed Fast-Track Approvals Bill and its potential to undermine democracy and enable corruption.

The poll shows that 76% of National voters are worried the Bill could permit currently prohibited activities (like mining within Thames Coromandel towns). 61% fear mining on (Coromandel) conservation land, while 53% are concerned it may allow developments previously stopped by the Supreme Court to proceed.

A majority of 53% believe there is a risk that commercial interests that donated to coalition political parties could improperly influence development decisions.

With 70% wanting a public say on local developments and 66% distrustful of just 3 Ministers alone approving their pet projects, the Bill threatens transparent democracy.

These National voter concerns underscore how severely PM Luxon misjudged by surrendering to Shane Jones’ and David Seymour’s extremist demands.

New Zealanders are repelled by the growing evidence of election donation corruption scandals

linked to the Bill.

Over 50,000 people made submissions opposed to the Bill. A similar number will have marched in protest in Auckland by the time this letter is published.

It is time for Luxon and National to listen to the valid concerns of voters across the political spectrum and ditch this repugnant undemocratic legislation.

Dennis Tegg

QUESTION WHETHER THE EARTH HAS MOVED

Some ink has been spread across the written page since the correspondence between us and I had imagined, I would have an answer to my second question in the Letters to the Ed pages in the last two Informer issues …but no.

Considering the earth has moved concerning the article (front page The Informer, ‘Unified and Strong Message from residents and ratepayers” and changes have taken place, could there please be an update in print in 11 June 2024 issue that names the Ratepayers organisations that come under the umbrella of the Alliance which appears to primarily be covering the eastern seaboard of the Peninsula……my neighbourhood.

John Freer on RNZ interview claimed 12 of 19 were still on board the alliance (small letters it seems with shrinking numbers). It would be helpful if the local community media, as is The

Wine Wine Tasting

TUESDAY 16 JULY – 6.30PM

Informer, gives the latest and correct information rather than misinformation on who is in the shade of of this collective.

Isabel Gilbert Palmer. Kuaotunu

Response: The Editor may not know anymore than Isabel who seems to be inferring that the editor is smearing ink over information. No one was more dismayed at the news that there isn’t unity. It was a great day when more than one report to The Informer glowed about the unity of the Residents and Ratepayers Alliance expressed in their combined voice to TCDC.

There’s also seems to be some sensitivity over why it is that the four main points that a decent portion of the Associations were in strong agreement with, were published. At the time, The Informer was in receipt of information that said unity was across the board. In terms of the four points, they were never a secret and they have been expressed again and again in different ways through many public submissions. They are not new. But now it is known Kuaotunu and others are not in agreement.

Isabel would do well to stay with John Freer’s more recent announcement that 12 of 19 are in agreement. That in itself should have a capital ‘A’ and not the small ‘a’ Isabel suggests for Alliance. That’s decent and still a powerful voice.in or out of the Alliance,

ratepayers need to check with their local association as to where they stand. What is important is that locally, people are involved. Associations cannot possibly represent everyone in their local area - unity is hard or impossible to get anywhere. To ask our Council to prioritise essential core services before anything else, and to heed carefully the evidence-based research, preparation and experience that local voters often represent, is for this Editor, a basic yardstick of local government practice.

NOT A MELTING POT

I believe the author of the article, issue 1106, 21 May, is deliberately or insensitive to the fact that he is actually stirring the pot of interracial and cultural understanding. This is benefitting his own agenda of suppressing Māori people and their human rights.

Michelle Rhodes, Whitianga

NEW ZEALAND POLITICAL SYSTEM

It was with dismay that I read Trevor Ammundsen’s muddled hypothesis about why one does not have to be Māori to stand in a Māori Ward (May 21). Trevor mightn’t have enough familiarity with New Zealand history to realise that this rule has always been standard. Even at a national level, one does not have to be Māori in order to stand for a Māori seat in Parliament – any citizen of any

ethnicity can stand as a candidate in Māori electorates.

Why? The most basic, universal principle of democracy: an elected representative, is there to represent the interests of the electorate voters – not to represent himself or herself!

A few politicians appear to have forgotten this important fact, instead preferring to represent the interests of wealthy lobbyists – but it’s sad to see in this newspaper that some of our citizens are beginning to forget it too.

As for why Māori seats exist –that’s one of the checks and balances of democracy, intended to avoid a “tyranny of the majority”. It’s not about electing Māori –there are already plenty of Māori politicians – it’s about making sure that the one in six Kiwis who are Māori (but outnumbered in their own country) get to elect people whose main job is to represent their interests. Historically, this has worked well. New Zealand has a highly democratic and inclusive political system by world standards. It’s a legacy of which we should all be proud.

Juanita Packman,, Whitianga

WHERE ARE THE SHORTTERM PLANS?

Never mind the “Long Term Plan”, what’s the short term plan for fixing the broken public toilets at Cooks Beach which have been out of action for months?

Jacqui Maria, Cooks Beach

Kairanga & Martinborough Wine Tasting and Dinner Evening Includes 5 Wine Tastings, Antipasto Starter, 5 choices of Set Menu Main Meal and 2 Choices of Dessert. Tickets only $60 – limited numbers

Tickets available from the bar or phone us with credit card details. Please choose meals prior to buying tickets. Event available to persons 18 years or older.

(07) 866 4546 www.graceomalleys.co.nz

Judo, Jui Jitsu, Muay Thai, TKD, Karate,

The greatest of all time? – e Forwards

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

The recent death of Sid Going inspired me to have a go at picking the best Māori Rugby team of all time. In last week’s edition of The Informer, I released my picks for the back line but now it is time to have a go at the forwards.

Number 8 – There have been some magnificent Number 8s in Māori rugby with possibly the most skilful being Zinzan Brooke. In making my selection, I felt the need to pick a team captain, a person the whole team would follow. This does of course lead me to pick Buck, now Sir Wayne Shelford (1982 to 1990). Buck had to be the toughest player you ever saw. Tales of having his scrotum repaired in the

middle of a test match and so on testify to this. He was an unbeaten All Black captain, not losing a game in 27 tests as leader, so he is my pick as captain for this squad.

Blindside Flanker –

Known as “The Black Panther” during his playing days, Waka Nathan would be my standout pick for this position. He was a fast, uncompromising loose forward who had opposition backs nervously looking over their shoulder. He went on to coach the Māori All Black team in the eighties.

Openside Flanker – Not a lot of standout performers in this position, with possibly the best being Daniel Braid. However, they all miss out to the need to also have Zinzan Brooke in the team. He was quite capable of playing on the Openside and would have

made a fearful loose forward trio with Buck and Waka. Locks – Those that are older than I may refer back to Tiny Hill but he was before my time so misses out. My picks are Robin Brooke (1990 to 1995) and Troy Flavell (1998 to 2003), both of whom were athletic and uncompromising.

Props – No team is going to do too well if it doesn’t have a strong front row, so in this area my picks would ensure that the pack never took a backward step. Both

Tighthead Prop Carl Hayman (2002 to 2005) and Loose Head Prop Joe Moody (2015,) have been considered to be the best in the world at their positions at some stage. I doubt if any other front row would get the better of them.

Hooker – My selection

was possibly not the tightest of Hookers, but he was dynamic in the loose scoring of a number of famous tries against the opposition such as Australia and Wales. Hika Reid (1980 to 1988), known fondly as Hika the Hooker, was a popular and entertaining player who would not let the front row down. I may have set myself up to be shot down, but I believe this would be a great team. All of them made the full All Black team and some would be considered true greats of the game. As a team, they would be very difficult to beat.

Feel free to write in with how you would amend my team but keep to players who have actually played for the Māori All Blacks. Fast Fijian Wingers don’t count.

Zinzan Brooke.

GAMES AND PUZZLES

ACROSS

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.

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Last week’s winner CONGRATULATIONS

Andrea Foster

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.

Last week’s word search solution – “hydration pack”

Lyn McGowan

MERCURY BAY FOOTBALL

Eighth Grade Football

The MBFC 8th Grade travelled to Tairua for the U8 Football Festival on Saturday. We had a great turn out with other teams travelling from all over the Waikato area. Our teams played Te Aroha, Thames, Paeroa and Tairua. Our players of the day were Hunter McDonald, Liam Foulkes and Lawson Davies for their great playing and team effort.

Tenth Grade Football

The Mercury Bay Marlins jumped over the hill to play the Paeroa Rangers in glorious sunshine. This was the first real test for the Marlins with the Rangers

opening the scoring early. The first half proved to be an exciting encounter with each team finding

TRADES AND SERVICES

the net multiple times. The second half saw the game open up with the Marlins capitalising on a tiring defence. Chase Whitford played his heart out on the right wing and earned himself Player of the Day.

Mercury Bay Junior Boys vs Hamilton Boys High Silver (HBHS)

Mercury Bay welcomed HBHS with another lovely sunny day in Whitianga. This was our first game of the season, and it was combined with the “Knock-out Cup” game. The winner will progress through to the next round.

Mercury Bay hit the ground running early to capitalize on a home-ground advantage and

scored well through Joel Iggulden, Ben Collins, Curtis Treherne and Noah Palmer all scoring goals.

The HBHS striker had a one-onone with Bay keeper Arlo Hert, who made the heroic save to keep the lead before half time and Eli-

jah Bianchi made an amzing run back to snatch the ball to deny the Hamilton team a shot at the goal.

Referee: Carl Gubb. Coach Taddy Ito and Manager Mark Collins. Well done and great performance to our boys.

Whitianga

21 Coghill Street 07 282 0736

Whitianga@gdcgroup.co.nz

Thames

516 Pollen Street 07 282 0736 Thames@gdcgroup.co.nz

10th Grade Chase Whitford: Player of the Day

Coach Taddy Ito, Cameron Johansen, Noah Palmer, Leo Renall, Yugo Kawai, Noah Gordon, Cooper Tuinier, Valo Gray, Noah Greenfield, Levi Stewart, Ben Collins, Roland Matthewson, Tylar Cornwall, Eliott Ribet, Elijah Bianchi, Curtis Treherne, Joel Iggulden)

TRADES AND SERVICES

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

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

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

DRY PINE – SHED STORED $150 a cube – Whitianga based –

Church Hall Friday 28-Sunday 30 June No charge – koha appreciated. To book contact Annie Lynch 07 866 3711 or 027 322 3332 standrewswhitianga@gmail.com

Bella, Peyton, Lily, and George. A celebration of Judy’s life will be held at St Andrew’s By The Sea, Albert Street, Whitianga, on Thursday 13th June, at 12noon, followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers donations to Hospice would be appreciated and may be left at the service or posted to Hospice Waikato PO Box 325, Waikato Mail Centre Hamilton 3240. TWENTYMANS

THE DUNES MATARANGI GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Men – Stableford

Tuesday, 4 June

1, Rer Bertling; 2, David Ellis; 3, Ray Green.

Nine-hole Ladies – Stableford

Tuesday, 4 June

1, Merrin James; 2, Pip Perry; 3, Glenda Philpott.

Eighteen-hole Mens Monthly Medal

Wednesday, 5 June

Net: 1, Gavin Alden; 2, Brad Adams; 3, Mark Hall; 4, Tracey Mulligan; 5, Max Gaskell; 6, Tony De Coek; 7, Luke Steiner.

Gross: 1, Gary Bancroft; 2, Tracey Mulligan; 3, Gavin Alden; 4 Max Gaskell; 5, Aaron Smith; 6, Brad Adams; 7, Tont De Coek. Nearest the Pin: Doug Smith.

Twos: Gavin Alden, Jared Adams, Charlie Chilwell, Brad Adams, Geoffry Hill.

Nine-hole Men - Stableford

Thursday, 6 June

1, John Schoutens; 2, Rey Bertling; 3, Steve Airey.

Eighteen-hole Ladies

Thursday, 6 June

Net: 1, Shivani Hall; 2, Chrissie Smith; 3, Polly Lambert.

Gross: 1, Chrissie Smith; 2, Sandra Bowen; 3, Polly Lambert.

Putting: 1, Chrissie Smith; 2, Bev LeLievre.

Saturday Haggle – Stableford

Saturday, 8 June

1, Brian Tomlinson; 2, Cathy Drake-Wells; 3, Nick Lambert; 4, Mary Sharp; 5, Justin Wilson; 6, Geoffrey Hill; 7, Max Gaskell.

Nearest to the Pin: Scott Daniels. Twos: Scott Daniels.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Women – Gross

Tuesday, 4 June

Div 1: 1, Audrey Vixkers; 2, Gaylene Imms; 3, Glennis Drane.

Div 2: 1, Jean Hancock; 2, Judy Hindrup. Hole in One: Alison Goodlet - #6 hole

Nine-hole Mixed - Stableford 1, Eddie Lyle, 2 Bill McLean, 3 Kelvin O’Leary.

Eighteen-hole Women

Wednesday, 5 June

Lou Rivas Net: Winner - Christine Van Veen

3, Shirley Springer.

Twos: Chrissie Smith

Nearest Pin #4: Sheree Henderson

Nearest Pin #18: Shirley Springer

Longest Putt: Christine Van Veen

Eighteen-hole Men - Stableford 1, Mark Boe; 2, Cam Walls; 3, El Camino Wade.

Twos: Alan Henderson, Nigel Crosland, Mark Kilgour, Mark Boe.

Div 1: Gross - Mark Boe.

Div 2: Gross - Graeme Heathcote. Nine-hole Mixed Scramble – Stableford Friday, 7 June 1, Eddie Lyle; 2, Peter Chaffin; 3, Roger Pheasant.

Twos: Patrick Gonthier, Roger Pheasant. Eighteen hole Men – Stableford - Rd 1 Duxfield Cup - Saturday, 8 June 1, Neal Robinson; 2, Kerry Allan; 3, Ken Geore.

Twos: Neal Robinson, Dave Enright, Kevin Smith, Gary Wheeler, Brett Goodger

Div 1: Gross – Neal Robinson; Nearest Pin - Mark Kilgour; Longest Drive - Greg Peterken.

Div 2: Gross - Rob Baines; Nearest Pin - Gary Wheeler; Longest Drive - Gary Wheeler.

& BLIND DESIGN CONSULTANT

Guthrie Bowron Whitianga are currently seeking a maternity leave replacement for one year with possible extension.

WE ARE: We are Guthrie Bowron Whitianga – trusted specialists selling Paint, Wallpaper, Curtains, Blinds and Flooring including tiles. We place a high focus on building a strong team culture & we aim to create the right feel for our team as well as our customers. We support our community and each other and one of the best bits of what we do is helping our clients to achieve amazing results with their decorating projects large or small.

ROLE

You will have the opportunity to consult in homes or on building sites in amazing locations on the upper Coromandel Peninsula as well as from our showroom, advising your clients on their window & soft furnishing choices. You will be involved in all aspects of the job from initial

brief to completion including design & colour choices, measuring, quoting, ordering and co-ordination of installation. You will also carry out sales of home décor items like rugs, cushions, mirrors etc sold in store. Saturday mornings are rostered so you would cover one every 5-6 weeks.

Remuneration varies between $5467k based on experience.

TEAM You will be joining two other consultants in window furnishings and enjoy teamwork, bouncing ideas and have the support of each other & the management team. Many of our clients require flooring, paint and wallpaper and you collaborate with our wider team of sixteen to put the overall look together.

EXPERIENCE

Previous experience in an interior design or window furnishings industry and sales is of recognised value, but not completely essential. We will train a person with the right

attitude and a natural ability with colour, design & interiors. Our first focus is for motivated team players who can provide exceptional honest service, who enjoys sales, is detailed, is passionate about interiors and is up for a learning challenge.

BENEFITS

We offer job training, paid overtime, flexibility around time off, generous staff discounts on all the products we sell. We are proud of our inclusive culture and offer a genuine fun & friendly work environment and tight team culture.

HOW TO APPLY

If you enjoy a challenge, colour & design, providing great service for your clients, working with a fun team and think you’d be a great fit with us then tell us why. Sure, we want to know a bit about your employment history & references but most important to us is who you are as a person. Please share with us a bit about your life, your goals and the things you are passionate about.

Please apply with a cover letter outlining the above and a brief CV to rach-jules@gbwhitianga.co.nz

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

What’s that Number?

LGU Rd3 Div 1: 1, Lynne Butler; 2, Dianne Gilmour; 3, Diane Andrew

Div 2: 1, Christine Van Veen; 2, Janine hayed;

Alison Goodlet after getting her hole in one on the 6th hole at Mercury Bay Golf Club.

GOLF