Fishing, Boating and a Waterways Village - tournaments, competitions, fishing Charters, fishing for all, yacht racing events and regattas, Waterways living.
Sight-seeing and adventures –Diving lessons and doing it, Cathedral Cove tours, Sea Cave tours, Jet boats, Glass Bottom Boat Tours.
Proximity to Cathedral Cove– tours, walking track and local attractions.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR WHITIANGA
BY PAULINE STEWART
The smallest column is the one on the left –THERMAL, but it is that which sets us apart from other villages/towns in New Zealand. That is the key to every other offering we have listed in the other two columns under OCEAN and VILLAGE.
Signage must placard the message of uniqueness. It will take risk and money to do this, but the whole village will benefit and so will the rest of the Coromandel Peninsula.
KNOW OUR HISTORY
The three Thermal aspects plus Cathedral Cove are attractive all year round.
We need to shout out this story to bring untold numbers of tourists to enjoy the essence of who we are and what we offer.
Once upon a time, over 80 years ago, patients at Whitianga Hospital would go to Mother Brown’s Creek (Taputaputea Stream) to bathe in the warm water that bubbled up from out of the sand. Thermal is not new to this region. It has always been here, before any human occupation.
The pioneer doctor who
arrived on horseback for his clinic would prescribe immersion in the hot water as his desired treatment for patients.
Locals would also come and bathe.
It was a thermal spring –warm healing water. Over the years the spring was lost with shifting banks and moving coastlines.
But in 1989, after years of drilling and false starts, it was rediscovered – that was the beginning of The Lost Spring. Then it was lost again and found again in 2002. Now, it is there for the world to come and enjoy.
Restaurants and cafes abound - world class service and quality food.
Great pubs, clubs and entertainment. Talented artists, art outlets – galleries and studios.
Fashion Shopping – More than ten fashion clothing and shoe stores.
Lifestyle shopping and planning – everything for the home and bach.
Food and retail – with three top grocery outlets and high end delicatessen, organic food galore, wineries and food produce farms to visit.
Airport & Accommodation- Taxi and shuttle services for all times. Plush apartments, luxury retreats, B&Bs, holiday parks, caravan parks and freedom camping.
Services and trades – excellent suppliers and skilled tradespeople for all aspects of build and maintenance of properties and grounds.
Community services - clubs, groups, libraries, museum, medical centres, specialist, health and well-being services, emergency services, including a Rescue Helicopter service.
Sporting and Leisure - clubs and tournaments –every kind and excellent golf courses and events. Bush walking, cycling, bike park, farm park and adventure fun zones for families, etc.
Regional events that attract lots of people from elsewhere: Summer Concert, Classic Car Tours and Beach Meet, Art Escape, Run Fest, Oceans Festival, regattas and boating, Cathedral Cove.
It would help every town on the Coromandel Peninsula to find what sets your town apart. The Coromandel Informer is here to assist.
Creating unforgettable memories – a great day out!
BY WHITIANGA OCEANS FESTIVAL TEAM
It’s not just about the food and drinks and about creating unforgettable memories, but it’s also supporting the wider Whitianga community.
The Whitianga Oceans Festival in the heart of the Coromandel, is an event for everyone. Get your ticket today – encourage a group to come with you. It is on Saturday. 14 September.
The festival was established in 2005 to draw visitors to the Mercury Bay in the shoulder season, with the enticement of Scallops and an opportunity to support the local community. Fast forward to 2024 and with a slight name change, the Oceans Festival is a date that’s marked on the calendar as a must do for many out-of-town visitors.
Behind the scenes of the festival are several Mercury Bay sporting and community groups, running the bars, greeting you at ticketing, and ensuring the festival has a lively atmosphere.
While the festival is only held on the Saturday, visitors tend to stay an average of two nights in the region, filling up local accommodation, dining out and enjoying the chance to shop and enjoy the boating and ocean activities.
It’s time to spread the word about the Whitianga
STAR and SPACE STATION GAZING IN 2024 – your guide to the night sky Tuesday July 23 to Wednesday, 31
A lot happening at dawn. We have plenty of planets to see now with bright Jupiter and slightly reddish Mars on view at dawn in the east while brilliant Venus and much fainter Mercury are visible low on the dusk western horizon. Meanwhile Saturn rises just before midnight and remains visible all through the night. The passing Moon can help us sort out which of the five planets is which this week. Tuesday, 23 July: The Moon has now moved closer to Saturn around midnight. Wednesday, 24 July: The bright Moon is now just above Saturn in the east. Thursday, 25 July: Mars is now to the left of Regulus after sunset and the Moon lies directly below slightly yellowish Saturn. Friday, 26 July: Bright Venus is climbing steadily higher towards Regulus in the western dusk sky while fainter Mercury is now just above it. Monday, 29 July: The Moon lies above Matariki at dawn with reddish Mars just to the right and bright Jupiter further down. There will be a very low ISS pass in the south from 6:36am passing right through the Southern Cross. Tuesday, 30 July: The Moon at dawn is now almost on top of Matariki which will make it a bit harder to see with Mars to the right, halfway towards bright Jupiter lying lower down. Wednesday, 31 July: In the early morning there will be a low ISS pass from 6:34am in the south and in the east the Moon lies just to the left of Jupiter with Mars above forming a nice triangle. At dusk bright Venus is just below Regulus in the west with fainter Mercury above and to the left.
Oceans Festival located on the Whitianga estuary parkland. Entice your family and friends from out of the region to come visit and show them what we have to offer here in Mercury Bay.
Let the music lift your spirits and the company provide many amazing memories.
Join us in celebrating the fun of good company, delicious food, great music. We look forward to an amazing 2024, Whitianga Oceans Festival.
Grab your tickets from –oceansfestival.co.nz. Tickets are on sale for $65. Oceans Festival, Whitianga, Saturday, 14 September, 2024.
Heaps
fun at Cabaret
BY PAULINE STEWART
Excellent cabaret songs, local talent of a very high calibre, weeks of rehearsing music, singing and dance, every technical detail scoured over for it to be smooth and tight, tables full of people – dining, enjoying a drink and delighted with every aspect of the show, free entry for all. This was the Cabaret last Saturday night presented in New York style at Mercury Bay Club to a great crowd. It was a small team who put the show together and presented it but the expansive array of talent between them and the commitment to excellence brought great success. The careful and creative plans of Roger Simpson, whose brain child the Cabaret was, paid off. He wanted a free and quality show for people in the middle of winter. He must be very pleased with what he created locally and what brought to the people of Whitianga and wider Mercury Bay.
Roger was Master of Ceremonies and also one of the singers and his debonair, agile style capped it. Abby Lawrence and Richard Shelby Woodcock gave us an extensive, professionally performed, repertoire of cabaret music as soloists. Abby could also do the moves which she demonstrated so well in the Cabaret and for the after programme of ‘everyone up to dance’. If you didn’t watch Richard, you could have thought Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra had ‘done it their way’ and returned to bring us their well-loved renditions. Both Abby and Richard have excellent voices.
The cabaret dance was top level with three of the six-member dance team having won national dance competitions in their
field. Lindsay Wain partnered both Janetta Wain and Kathleen O’Conaghan with elegant ballroom and charleston style segments in stunning costumes. Rob and Tyree Connor jived and boogied – a top national winning team. Leigh Alsemgeest featured in the ‘Charleston trio’. Everything delighted the crowd. The programme of professional back-
ing tracks with changing lighting flowed without a hitch with the technical skill of Alan Alsemgeest. Congratulations to this team. You made a great show for Whitianga. You live amongst the people of the Coromandel with your extraordinary talent and willingness to share it with your commitment to excellence and professionalism.
The Cabaret team – Kathleen O’Conaghan, Lindsay and Janetta Wain, Alan and Leigh Alsemgeest, Tyree and Rob Connor, Abby Lawrence, Richard Shelby-Woodcock, Roger Simpson (Director).
Takeaways
Albert St Whitianga
WILL BE
CLOSED
from Wednesday 31 July to Sunday 25 August
We will re-open on Monday, 26 August after our winter break. We look forward to seeing you then.
Vehicle crashes into building on Coghill Street, Whitianga
BY STAN STEWART
At 6.30pm on Wednesday, 10 July, a vehicle ploughed into the wall of a property on Coghill Street Whitianga. To achieve this devastating impact, the vehicle had to cross the footpath. It is unlikely that this was a parking error.
The property is occupied by Steffen Lindner, a professional counsellor and therapist in private practice. Steffen’s counselling practice also conducts group sessions in the building.
This building is also the home of the ‘Embassy of Friendship’.
At the time of the attack, Steffen was alone inside the building. The loud sound
Steffen will not be beaten by an aggressive incident that damaged his Embassy of Friendship.
of the crash, and accompanying tremors, shocked Steffen. It also attracted the attention of other residents of Coghill
Weekly Kitchen Calendar
Street. A number of people, including Steffen, observed the perpetrator driving away.
The person driving the vehicle is not known to Steffen. The vehicle used for this attack was a black Porsche Cayenne. There is an abundance of evidence to go on and the Police are investigating.
Steffen has used a large board to patch the hole in his building. He has painted on the board something of the philosophy of the Embassy of Friendship. It’s worth a read.
“Until further notice, celebrate life, moment by moment by moment”.
This is truly great thought. Never take it down Steffen!
Pepe Bridge, Tairua rebuild at last - two lanes starting 2025
This project was announced on Saturday, 20 July, 2024 by the Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown when visiting Thames and meeting with local MP Scott Simpson and David Speirs, Director Regional Relationships Waikato/Bay of Plentyat Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
“Visiting the Coromandel today, I understand the impact the current Pepe Stream Bridge is having on the local community and motorists that are visiting Tairua. At 81 years old, the single lane bridge is a bottleneck, with severe congestion experienced during holiday periods.
“I’m pleased we’re getting on with work to deliver a modern two-lane replacement,” said Simeon Brown.
Scott Simpson, MP added, “I am thrilled that the Transport Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed that SH25 Pepe Bridge, SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge, and SH27 Ohinekaua Stream Bridge will be replaced, with construction expected to begin from mid-2025 and be completed by mid-2027.”
“In the case of Pepe Bridge, it will become a two-way bridge. I have no doubt residents and all those who holiday in our region
will rejoice at this news. The sight of long lines of vehicles navigating stop-go signs in the sweltering summer heat has become an unfortunate by-product of our region’s popularity, not to mention the inconvenience that locals encounter on a day-to-day basis. Nearly 4,000 vehicles crossed it daily,” he said.
TCDC Mayor Len Salt added, “There are other one-lane bridges
either side of Tairua that contribute to the congestion, but this particular bridge, right in the middle of Tairua, has been a problem for years, so we’re really looking forward to its replacement.”
The Pepe Bridge is one of nine bridges nationally that will receive an upgrade in this period. Unfortunately, the two one lane bridges the Mayor referred to in his statement, that need to
be negotiated prior to getting to Pepe Bridge are not included in this 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
Pepe Bridge was built in 1942 and for many years now has been a notorious holiday hold-up on the Coromandel Peninsula.
In September, 2022, the Pepe Stream Bridge business case to explore replacement options was completed and approved. There
was no argument with the need for the bridge and parallel footbridge to be replaced with a two-lane bridge with an attached walking and wheeling pathway. The funding has now been approved and includes detailed design, consenting and property investigation. This important project is part of the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) and will be completed in 2027.
Altruist
The Pepe Bridge at the southern end of Tairua shopping centre, opened in 1942; from left-right – Scott Simpson MP, Simeon Brown Hon. Minister for Transport, and David Speirs, Director Regional Relationships Waikato/Bay of Plenty Wake Kotsahi, NZ transport Agency, in Scott Simpson’s office in Thames for the announcement.
WORLD HERITAGE FACT SHEET
Towards understanding World Heritage Sites
PROVIDED BY WORLD HERITAGE ACTION GROUP
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and what we pass on to future generations.
A World Heritage site is an area or structure recognised as being of outstanding international importance for its cultural, historical, natural or scientific significance.
It may be a place of great natural beauty or signify a remarkable accomplishment of humanity or, as in Mercury Bay’s case, be both. World Heritage Sites are given legal protection under an international convention administered by United Nations (UNESCO) which can help overcome variable local government attitudes to preservation and conservation, or local administrative negligence.
There are more than 1,000 such sites in more than 160 countries.
WHY WOULD MERCURY BAY QUALIFY AS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE?
Te Whanganui-a-Hei would be an outstanding candidate for this honour because of its magnificent natural beautify and its bio-
diversity, the numerous species of marine mammals and birds, many on the endangered spectrum, which are seen here.
It also has major historical, cultural and scientific significance. The feats of navigation and endurance, remarkable in the history of the world, that brought the voyagers Kupe, Toi and Hei to this place would be honoured, as would the contributions to science of Captain James Cook who charted the New Zealand coastline and made important observations of the transit of Mercury providing the exact position of New Zealand on the globe.
Ahuahu (Mercury Island) was one of the earliest arrival points of waka and notable as the place where Ngati Hei, keepers of the kumara, maintained their early plantings. It has some of the oldest and most intact archaeological sites in the country.
Wharetaewa Pa at Wharekaho was the scene of the first sanctioned powhiri between Maori and European.
WHAT BENEFITS WOULD WORLD HERITAGE STATUS BRING TO MERCURY BAY?
World Heritage sites are recognised and celebrated all over the world, a source of great
national and local pride and of mana to the people of the area. People from around the world are inspired to visit World Heritage Sites and the resultant boost to tourism greatly benefits local economies.
The sites are protected by United Nations (UNESCO) which can contribute funds for training, protection, restoration and the achievement of conservation goals so that these special areas are preserved for future generations.
WOULD THERE BE DISADVANTAGES?
Increased tourist numbers have caused problems at some World Heritage Sites but Mercury Bay already has a sound infrastructure and experienced tourist operators.
The activities of local people would not be impacted at all unless they were likely to cause seriously adverse effects on the marine environment or to the notable bird and marine mammal life in the Bay, or to archaeological areas or places of outstanding beauty – the attributes which have will have gained Mercury Bay World Heritage status.
Cultural heritage, traditions and input from local com-
munities are recognised and respected.
NOMINATION
PROCESS
A country identifies its significant sites and places them on a Tentative List from which they can be put forward to a Nomination File which is then evaluated by the World Conservation Union and the International Council on Monuments.
Professor Gordon Maxwell has first-hand experience with this process, having had ongoing involvement with UNESCO and World Heritage projects.
WORLD HERITAGE IN NEW ZEALAND
We have three World Heritage sites – Te Waihipounamu, South West NZ, the Tongariro National Park and the sub-Antarctic Islands.
A Department of Conservation report placed another 7 sites on the Tentative list in 2007 but little seems to have been done to progress any of these to the Nomination File.
Professor Maxwell believes that the ecological, landscape, historical and cultural attributes of Mercury Bay make it an ideal candidate for World Heritage status.
NOTE: Professor Gordon Maxwell, FRSB, FLS,is a professional ecologist with long term experience in Ecological Impact Assessment and science-based conservation. He has long association with this area having carried out work for the former Hauraki Catchment Board and Waikato Regional Council from the 1960s and he spends part of each year on his Waikato farm. Although supposedly retired, Gordon continues to lead fieldwork and conservation projects and he retains part time or Visiting Professorships at several Asian universities.
Contact: worldheritagemercurybay@gmail.com
MERCURY BAY WORLD HERITAGE SITE?
Public Meeting to be held on Sunday, 4 August at 2pm at Mercury Bay Club
Professor Gordon Maxwell, FRSB, FLS, scientist who has carried out many coastal ecological and resource-use projects in many countries, will discuss World Heritage designation and what it would mean for Mercury Bay. Your questions will be welcomed. Contact mercurybayworldheritage@gmail.com for further information
Professor Gordon Maxwell out on his farm in Hauraki.
Regatta – two full days of racing 12 races – Saturday & Sunday 27/28 July
BY JONATHAN KLINE
This will be the fourth year we have hosted this Regatta which features the Elliot 5.9 class.
We are expecting 13-15 yachts, arriving at the Whitianga Marina on trailers. Skippers and crew hail from a variety of clubs including Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Napier, Opua and Torbay.
Each yacht has three crew plus shore support, so a good number of out-of-town guests will be in Mercury Bay.
Volunteers from Mercury Bay Boating Club (MBBC) will make up the race management team: principal race officer, mark boat crew, shore crew on water safety. Junior sailors will be assisting senior club members, a great learning experience.
These yachts are engineless and hence must be towed from the marina to the racecourse in the bay. MBBC volunteers will conduct these towing ops.
The racecourse will be determined based on conditions. These yachts sail what is called a “windward-leeward” course, where yachts must first sail directly upwind to a top mark (tacking all the way) and then run downwind
with spinnakers to a bottom gate, before heading upwind again.
A social is to be held on Saturday night at Grace O’Malley’s.
Despite having no clubhouse out of which to operate, the MBBC continues to sponsor events that highlight the sport of sailing and benefit the community.
We appreciate the support of our community very much and I know you will welcome the crew and friends of the Regatta.
Two full days of racing, aiming for a total of 12 races.
Come and enjoy the races on Saturday.
DESCRIPTION OF ELLIOT 5.9 CLASS
The Elliott 5.9 is sailed by a crew of three and is celebrated for its responsiveness and outstanding value. It emerged in the early 1980’s as a high performing trailer yacht and continues to deliver competitive one design racing in a welcoming fleet of world-class sailors and novices alike. The boats started a revolution with their well-balanced and cost-effective design, and quickly become the boat of choice for top club training schemes and a breeding ground for NZ’s America’s Cup, Ocean Race and Olympic champions.
THIS WAS NOT A CYBER ATTACK!
BY STAN STEWART
Aproblem in Texas caused Whitianga digital cash registers to shut down trading.
“Sorry. We can’t accept credit card transactions”. Who would believe it? But it happened in Whitianga on Friday night July 19, 24. The Coromandel Informer visited Countdown during the glitch and they were efficiently and politely informing people they had only two self-serve terminals working. Everything else had shut down.
At the same time, the very same thing was happening all around the world. It was especially tough on travellers. Thou-
sands of flights in airports around the world were delayed or cancelled.
The worst cyber outage in history was not the result of a cyber-attack. It was the result of a cyber mistake.
A huge company located in Texas, you probably have never heard of, ‘CrowdStrike’ is contracted by Microsoft to protect their networks from malicious interference.
Well, they did the opposite. Due to their mistake, they injected an error into Microsoft’s software defence that caused the largest shutdown the world has ever seen.
It caused computers running Microsoft soft-
ware across the world to glitch on Friday. Blue screens, queues, a mass IT outage stalled airlines, hospitals, media, banks, malls and stores worldwide.
The company is very sorry and George Kurtz the CEO of Crowdstrike has said so. They had just about fixed the chaos caused when The Informer went to print.
The residents of the Coromandel tend to think they live in a paradise insulated from the reset of the woes of the world. However, it is not so. When there is a hick-up in the world-wideweb, the citizens of the Coromandel ‘burf’.
COROMANDEL –
What’s in the name?
Where did it come from? What does it mean?
The Māori name for the Coromandel Peninsula is Te Tara-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, meaning “the barb of Māui’s fish”. That’s easy to understand with the shape of the Peninsula coastline. What is a little more complicated is the story behind the name generally used for this peninsula –Coromandel.
The name goes back to the 16th century along the coast of Tamil Nadu state in India. Coromandel, as we now have it, was probably a mis pronouncement by Portuguese sailors of the Tamil word, Cholamandalam. This name is given to a broad costal plain in eastern Tamil Nadu state – 22,800 square kilometres. An Italian explorer, Ludovico di Vathema, perhaps first gave it the name ‘Coromandel’ in 1510. This name was then used on maps by the Portuguese. The ‘Coromandel’ coastal plain as it is now known in India is also known as the land of temples, as many temples are situated along the coast.
The name ‘Coromandel’ reached New Zealand shores on a British threemasted sailing ship. Built in Calcutta in 1798, the ship was named ‘Malabar’. However, when purchased by the Admiralty for use as a store ship, she was renamed the Coromandel, after the ‘Coromandel’ region in India.
The HMS Coromandel traversed the world,
The three -masted ship, Coromandel.
transporting goods and prisoners and missionaries. In 1820, the ship visited New Zealand to buy spars for the British navy. It was while the ship was at anchor close by Port Jackson, that Captain Downie decided to name the Peninsula, ‘Coromandel’. So, there you have it. The antecedents of the name of our Peninsula –Portuguese and Italian seamen visiting a region of India and a British ship with that name anchored off our beautiful peninsula
waiting for a load of kauri spars.
Note: These days, immigrants from present day India are to be found in every city and most towns across New Zealand. They are hard workers and without doubt are making their mark on the future of this country. I expect they know about the ‘Coromandel’ region of India. Perhaps some of them come from that area? I wonder what they make of the coastal labyrinth which is the kiwi Coromandel Peninsula.
ENTERTAINMENT
Movie fundraiser for Hato
Hone St John Whitianga
In an event that promises to be both entertaining and meaningful, a special fundraiser invites the community to enjoy a legendary film, celebrate local achievements, and support an organisation that truly makes a difference in the Mercury Bay Community. So, whether you’re a long-time fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the original Terminator movie, a supporter of Hato Hone St John, or simply looking for a fun and meaningful afternoon out, this fundraiser is for you.
The fundraiser screening is being sponsored and hosted in collaboration with All About Whitianga and Mercury Twin Cinemas with proceeds from ticket sales and raffles to go directly to the local Hato Hone St John Whitianga team, who have already attended to 795 callouts this year.
“As part of our 10 year business celebrations our team wanted to host a special fundraiser for St John Whitianga and felt this 40th anniversary screening of The Terminator would be a
fun way to support this vital local cause. We’d love to see as many people as possible getting tickets and coming along for a fun afternoon of nostalgic movie viewing, good company, raffles, and great seat spot prizes!” said Cathy Klouwens of All About Whitianga.
Our motto is, ‘St John –here for life,’ which encapsulates our commitment to providing emergency medical services, first aid training, and community care. The funds raised from this movie event will directly support
NEWS IN BRIEF
RATES REBATE CLINICS LEND
A HELPING HAND
From the TCDC weekly news wrap-up Applications for the 2024/25 rates rebate year from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA Te Tari Taiwhenua) are now open.
Once you receive your rates bill,
you can apply for a rates rebate for the current rating year period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. We know it can be challenging putting together your application, but we’re here to help. You can check your eligibility and find out more about the process on the TCDC website. You can also visit us in person at our service centres (only Thames requires
updates at our station” said Cam Rota of Hato Hone St John Whitianga. It’s great to be partnering in support of this St John Whitianga fundraising event and I’d encourage everyone to get their tickets online or at Mercury Twin Cinemas as soon as possible as there are limited tickets available,” said Anne-Maree McDougall of Mercury Twin Cinemas. Screening 4.30pm August 4. Tickets available at Mercury Bay Twin Cinemas. Email: cathy@allaboutnewzealand.com
an appointment), or phone our team on 07 868 0200 to book an appointment.
Find a local rebate clinic: If you qualify, and would like a helping hand with your application, our Council is holding a series of rates rebate clinics around the district. If you’re planning to attend in Thames, you’ll need to book a time. You should also
bring your summary of income from the last tax year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024), for the application process. If your only source of income is superannuation, we’ll have those figures for you.
Thames: 515 Mackay Street. From 5 - 9 August, call us on 07 868 0200 to book an appointment.
Whangamatā | Whitianga | Coromandel Town: No appointment is needed. Any time until 30
June 2025, you can visit us during office hours at: Whangamatā: 620 Port Road; Whitianga: 10 Monk Street; Coromandel Town: 355 Kapanga Road.
Tairua | Pauanui: One day only, Thursday 8 August. No appointment is needed. Tairua Library – 9:00am-12:00; Pauanui Community Meeting Hub –1:00pm-4:00pm. You have until 30 June 2025 to apply for a rebate in the current rating year.
ursday 9.30am-3.00pm Friday & Saturday by arrangement. If the ag’s out we’re open, parking in the driveway. 4 Yankee Lane, Whitianga www.teatimequilts.co.nz
& Tea Time hand-dyed yarn.
Ties That Bind
Free concert features young people at St Georges in Thames
- A new play has hit the stage in Thames
It began on 19 July and will go until 27 July. Ties That Bind is a very fine dramatic production, written and directed by Thames local, Hilary Rodley.
Hilary has been involved in Thames MAD for several years, appearing on stage in various musicals and dramatic productions from Around the World in Eighty Days to Legacy.
Hilary’s first play, the comedy Number Five Birdwell Road, was produced last year and enjoyed a sell-out season. This new play is a somewhat darker look at life and takes place inside the closed doors of two families who are long-time neighbours. Patricia (played by Sheryll Baynes) has remained inside for the last sixteen years, and as the play twists and turns, the audience will discover more about the secrets that have been kept and the shocking events that may have caused her to lock herself away.
Rest assured, the production will be on until Saturday, 27 July, which
Twenty-year celebration for Community Choir
As the Mercury Bay Community Choir turns 20 this year, it is time for a celebration of music and community. These themes will underpin the choir’s upcoming concert this November.
This friendly, inclusive, community choir is always on the lookout for new members. Please be assured by their Conductor, Kate Nielsen, that no previous singing experience or
is finale night. You’re in for a treat. Certainly not for the fainthearted, this is a play which might well keep you guessing right until the end.
auditions are required and a good dose of singing can help beat winter blues.
Rehearsals start on the Monday, 5 August, Mercury Bay Area School Music Room 6.15pm to 8.15 pm.
Our 20th year celebration concert is Sunday, November 10 in Whitianga.
Phone Kate 0272709058 or email suegreig8@hotmail.com for details.
Ties That Bind is on stage at the Tararu Arts Centre from 19-27 July.
Just before we went to press we heard this play is sold out.
Mercury Bay Community Choir at
A free Friday Lunchtime Concert presented by the Thames Music Group will feature St Francis School Students this Friday 26 July at 12.15pm at the St George’s Church, Thames. Koha accepted.
A scene from Ties That Bind
The purpose of the Letters to the Editor column is to allow members of
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
POLICY PLAN NEEDS CHANGE NOW – NOT LATER!
The NZ Coastal Protection Plan is ‘out of sync’ with countries in the western world in their policy that does not favour the use of rock walls, groins, or flood gates.
The regional authorities come up with the strategy of ‘managed retreat’ to mitigate against coastal erosion – this strategy is unsustainable.
An example of coastal mapping was well illustrated in the NZ herald on Tuesday, 9 July, 2024. It stated in this article that if cuts were imminent on coastal mapping, it will expose communities.
Action is needed now – not later!
In this Herald article, it showed Brophy’s beach in Whitianga and the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The mention of Brophy’s Beach brought back a memory for me. Some years ago, foreshore erosion threatened the highway bridge to be closed. Luckily, Transit NZ had a policy to protect their roads with hard options and so rocks were put in.
The residents of Wairoa, Gis-
borne, Southwest Coast, Coromandel Peninsula and many other communities in the country deserve action now and deserve a change in our ridiculous Coastal Protection Plan.
Noel S. Hewlett, Whitianga
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYSOCIAL LICENCE
Both the Department of Conservation and their Contractors should be working with both. Both DoC and their contractors have a social responsibility not only to the Environment and the Community that they pick and choose, but to the wider community as a whole.
Under consultation and permissions, DoC has consulted with Hapu, Iwi and key stakeholders including land owners adjacent to the treatment areas. All of us are stakeholders, not just a few. DoC do not consult with the community they notify. DoC said a number of years ago that the use of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is non negotiable. Now the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has delegated DoC authority to
decide applications for permission to use 1080. So DoC contractors apply to DoC for permission. Bit of a conflict of interests?
Social Licence. Both DoC and their contractors should be working with a social licence. A social licence means that they must have the majority of the support of the whole community. In the New Zealand’s 6th national report to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, under obstacles and scientific/ technical needs, it states that there is a need to retain effective social licence for TOXINS. The Department of Conservation has tried twice to obtain a social licence and failed both times. In saying all this, we the people also have a social responsibility if we disagree with the use of 1080. It is up to us to write emails to Doc and their contractor EcoFX, that we DO NOT give consent. If nothing is said it is taken as consent.
What is right with dropping a world A1 toxin from the sky. You cannot poison the environment back to health.
John Allen, Kuaotunu
CONCERN ABOUT RACE BASED SEATS
The drive to have seats on councils and in parliament for only Māori raises questions about our democracy and the thinking behind apartheid.
Firstly, the problem that having race define the source of the MPs and the councillors means should we not have seats for Chinese, Filipinos, Europeans and Indians also?
Secondly, does this mean that MPs who have Māori ancestry should either stand down or only stand for Māori seats?
Thirdly, the Treaty of Waitangi guaranteed that citizens of New Zealand were one people, i.e: equal.
Why is a group of citizens attempting to give special treatment to a racial group when we know apartheid causes civil dissension? Is being proud of being a member of one race a way of avoiding equality? The cost of making racism a part of democracy is an expense we can do without.
Trevor Ammundsen’s column,
“Through the Portal” in a previous issue of The Informer, shows an attempt to agreeably raise public understanding of the local effect of this undemocratic issue. Well done!
Peter H Wood, Whitianga
SOME CHEER FOR THIS DAY
I read the “I am Meth” poem in The Informer of 9 July, first published 14 years ago, but still very timely. The poem is so well written even though it has been abbreviated a little.
In my view, the suppliers of meth don’t receive nearly enough punishment for the harm it inflicts when consumed.
However, putting that all aside, I just thought a couple of lighthearted poems may put a smile on a few folks dials. In this day and age – a laugh or just a wee giggle could help us through all the ‘Doom and Glum’. What say you?
Karen Campbell NOTE: We agree with Karen and please refer to The Literary Corner on page 21 for her two poems. They do bring a smile.
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It’s essential to understand that I will vote as a Councillor in a way that I believe represents the interest of ratepayers for the District. This may not be my personal view but the view that I believe would be how the majority of ratepayers would want me to vote on an issue.
So why did I in this case believe it was the right decision not to support officially recording workshops as recommended by the Chief Ombudsman.
After hearing the discussion in the Council meeting of 27 June, I believed that the recording of Workshops would add further cost and bureaucracy that would be unfair to burden ratepayers with.
Additionally, the advantages of having a recording is hard to understand as there are no decisions taken at a workshop. They are held to enable elected members to gain a greater understanding of a subject with formal discussion and decisions at Council or Community Board meetings where those meetings are recorded and minutes taken and published. I see no benefit to add
additional resources to workshops. A Workshop is generally a briefing session where staff or others have an opportunity to present information for Councillors to help understand issues. No decisions, no issues; just some information sharing that is background to help elected members understand matters that will be discussed in a formal and recorded upcoming meeting.
The costs to be on the record for these meetings would be a burden that on balance I do not believe would be in the interest of ratepayers.
Council resources are already fully stretched and supporting this further layer of bureaucracy would require additional staff with all the associated cost is something I felt ratepayers should not be asked to pay for.
In summary I could see no value in adding a further layer of cost. As you may be aware, I was already concerned by the increasing number of additional resources that had been committed from decision resulting from aspects of the Long-Term Plan. For the record I consistently also voted against many of the new initiatives that were included in this year’s LTP that introduced new and non-core activities for Council such as social services and producing glossy and expensive publications such as, “Our Coromandel”.
This is a consistent position and one that hopefully will help maintain a focus of the Council sticking to its core functions and being prudent in how ratepayers money is spent.
John Grant Councillor, Mercury Bay Ward, TCDC
DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE ON TRANSPARENCY
Highly disappointing, the article ‘TCDC slams door on Open Government Reform’ (The Coromandel Informer 9 July, p.2) has not triggered any meaningful reaction from readers other than Mr Minogue’s ludicrous comments (Letter to the Editor, 17 July).
Unfortunately, pushing for more transparency and accountability of Council’s deliberative processes does not seem to be an issue of general concern.
Thumbs up for TCDC’s Governance Manager who recommended to adopt in principle, openness by default for all ‘workshops’, ‘huis’, ‘forums’ etc. and clear definitions of why case by case closure may be justified.
The resolution to keep the status quo shows a fundamental disrespect of ratepayers’ rights to transparent, open and participatory decision-making processes.
Some of Councillors’ reported comments exhibit a misguided sense of disdain for the Ombudsman’s recommendations, exposing Councillors’ deeply rooted arrogance.
Now, here is a one-in-a-life-time chance for our Mayor to shine. He was not present at the meeting and he, like any other Councillor, could trigger a new vote on this issue.
Elisabeth Resl, Kuaotunu
YOUR RECIPES DON’T WORK
The recent opinion article, ‘Fun recipes for better coalition leadership” (July 16, p.12) would indicate the writer’s culinary expertise comes from the Bear Grylls school of cooking; not pleasant eating.
He also states, “I can’t see the
logic”, a common socialist failing, but do not worry sir the last political poll showed all three coalition parties moving up and solidifying their position.
The majority seem to have no problem seeing the logic.
Trevor Ammundsen, Whitianga WHERE IS STAN ON TRUMP?
I see following a few missteps and an admittedly, terrible debate performance, Stan Stewart is calling for Joe Biden to step aside as Democrat candidate in the upcoming US election (9 July issue).
But Stan, why haven’t you written a column about how unfit Donald Trump is to hold office as US president?
Trump is a pathological liar. He’s a convicted felon. He’s a jury-adjudicated rapist and fraudster. He’s a cheat and a coward. He’s an authoritarian. He’s an insurrectionist. He’s a bully. He’s Putin’s puppet. He’s a sore loser. He’s a moron who wanted to inject bleach into people and thinks battery-powered planes will fall out of the sky if the sun isn’t shining. He’s a four-times indicted criminal defendant. He’s a bigot and a misogynist. He’s a direct threat to global democracy and the rule of law.
And he’s the only President in American history who lost an election and refused to concede or participate in the peaceful transfer of power. He then led a violent attempt to overthrow an American election.
Biden was “sharp” and “on top of his brief” according to Mr Luxon (Prime Minister).
The US election should not be close. For the sake of our climate and world peace, Trump must
lose. And for Trump to lose, this election must be a referendum on Trump. It can’t be about Biden’s age. It can’t be about anything else but how bad and un-fit Donald Trump is as a candidate.
Meg Beston, Mercury Bay Note: Meg wrote this before the attempted assassination on Donald Trump as her letter was intended for last week’s The Informer but there wasn’t room. The Informer is certain Meg would have been sensitive to that horrific incident but not change her mind on her assessment of his character and suitability for USA President.
BREAKDOWN OF $5 MILL SPEND ON CATHEDRAL COVE TRACK
It was great to read in Scott Simpson’s column last week that the new government has allocated $5 million from the tourist levy for DOC to get the Cathedral Cove track open again by this summer. This is surely good news for local businesses that depend on tourist traffic as well as the rest of us. However, I do wonder just why DOC needs $5 million for what is billed as a temporary track. Given that the permanent NZTA repairs to SH25A cost in the order of $40 million for a very major bridge and associate earthworks completed in record time, I am curious as to why DOC needs so much for a bit of temporary track work and some steps. It would be great if DOC could share with the public a breakdown of how this tax money is going to be allocated for this project including how much will be spent on DOC staff and how much on external contractors and consultants.
Alastair Brickell, Kuaotunu
THROUGH THE PORTAL Opinion
How stuff is done by council – Then and Now
BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN
Iwas at the portal the other day having a quiet beer with a neighbour, of a similar vintage to me, when the conversation came around to the apparent inability, or unwillingness, of the Council to do remedial work. We started comparing how things used to be done to how they are done now, an exercise that could have been amusing but started to make us feel ill. Just consider these examples.
1. The “shark bite” along the Buffalo Beach road which still awaits repair 18 months later.
HOW THINGS USED TO BE DONE:
The local ‘boss’ orders the blokes/women to dump a couple of loads of sand from the Taputapuatea Stream cleanout into the ‘shark bite’, then to get two or three loads of boulders to cover it and secure the bank. The next day the guy who plants grass seed would call by and sprinkle some grass seed around. All is done within a week.
HOW THINGS ARE DONE NOW:
The local ‘boss’ reads the Procedures Manual and realises he needs to first get a consent. He contacts TCDC Operations and asks them to get him a consent. TCDC Operations eventually fill in some forms and send these to TCDC consenting for approval. TCDC consenting like to cover their posterior, so send the application to TCDC legal for an opinion and TCDC legal eventually respond telling them to apply to WRC for a backup consent. TCDC consenting send forms off to WRC consenting who respond with requests for more information. In particular they want evidence of the high tide mark. The request ripples back and forward until eventually WRC consenting receive a photo of wet sand taken on a Council issued iPhone 4. WRC consenting then seek an opinion from WRC legal to ensure they are good to go and as far as we know after 18 months, that is where this matter sits. If you enquire from the TCDC as to status you get a meaningless email from TCDC Communications Control saying they are doing a brilliant job and it is still work in progress. They will let you know’ when the consents are received.’
2. The Taputapuatea Reserve Bund. This is a small bank to protect the reserve and neighbouring houses from flooding which can be quite damaging, especially for houses in the more swampy areas. The TCDC Works guy agreed it was a good idea and estimated it would only cost $10,000 to get done.
HOW THINGS USED TO BE DONE:
The TCDC Works guy discusses with the local ‘boss’ at morning tea and they agree
This
by the
it is a good idea. The local ‘boss’ orders the guys dumping sand from the Taputapuatea Stream to dump it on the reserve and gets a digger sent down to shape the bund. When this has finished, after a week or so, the guy who plants grass seed would call by and sprinkle some grass seed around. All done in a couple of weeks.
HOW THINGS ARE DONE NOW:
The TCDC Works guy discusses with the local ‘boss’ at morning tea and they agree it is a good idea. The ‘boss’ tells the TCDC Works guy to read the Procedures Manual to ensure things are done right and the project doesn’t become a stuff up. The TCDC Works guy cannot find a section in the manual on “Bund Creation for Flood Control” so sends an email off to TCDC Procedures asking for advice. TCDC Procedures note the omission and commence a project to define how this should be done so they can document it. A year later at morning tea the local ‘boss’ asks the TCDC Works guy “what happened about that Bund project on the reserve”. The TCDC Works guy just shrugs.
3. Protecting Buffalo Beach from Storm Damage through a block wall along the entire beach.
HOW THINGS USED TO BE DONE:
The local ‘boss’ knows this needs to be done urgently so gets the Works team onto the job immediately.
HOW THINGS ARE DONE NOW:
The Mayor tells the people at a public meeting that the town can have a block wall. The Mayor fails to tell the local ‘boss’ to get the work done and eventually diverts the budget onto Esplanade development work. When asked what he is doing about it the local ‘boss’ shrugs and directs you to the Mayor’s office.
Sergio and Jana working in the Coromandel
BY PAULINE STEWART
Meet Sergio and Jana Corvalan. This couple are new to Mercury Bay and look forward to, one day being regarded as ‘locals’.
Sergio is an internationally trained massage therapist from Argentina and Jana is a Medical Doctor working at Te Korowai in Whitianga. They enjoy living at Cooks Beach where Sergio’s home massage clinic is located having recently moved from Thames to Whitianga due to Jana’s job assignment as General Practitioner at Te Korowai.
“This is a very beautiful place to live. It is a healing place. We love our work, and we have time to pursue our love for dance and to teach it,”
Sergio and Jana were married in Argentina in 2017. Argentina is Sergio’s home, but Jana is from Prague, Czech Republic. She was in Argentina working in the community as a volunteer physician. When they met. It was their lifelong love of dancing that brought them together. They met on the dance floor and became dance partners. It helped that Sergio, as well as being a professional massage therapist, was also a professional tango instructor - Argentine Tango.
They moved to New Zealand when Jana accepted the invitation to work as a GP In New Zealand. We welcome them to the Coromandel Peninsula.
“We love the outdoors,” says Jana.
“It is perfect here. We love swimming in the ocean even in the winter, Sergio loves diving, and we are learning to fish. We love it. Of course, we still love dancing and Sergio is happy to teach people and I help him.”
“I want to first establish my massage therapy practice here”, says Sergio.
“I have always travelled as part of my work, so one day a week I like to go to
Coromandel town.” Sergio informed us that he can pick up clients for his Cooks Beach studio, from the ferry and take them to his clinic and back again.
“In this work, one needs to be flexible and mobile as, for some people, it’s easier to come across on the ferry. Other clients find it difficult to move or travel, so my schedule also involves going to people’s homes when they have that difficulty.”
Sergio’s years professionally teaching tango and with playing soccer, have him very tuned into
the trouble people can have with muscle injury and overuse of muscles as well as what can be done as preventative exercise.
“This is a very beautiful place to live. It is a healing place. We love our work, and we have time to pursue our love for dance and to teach it,” adds Sergio. Sergio, being new to this area, is keen to have more clients. You can contact Sergio on 027 4102454. Text or call him for an appointment and see Whit Chit Chat for updates.
Check What’s On for the dance class information.
sign
‘shark bite’ along Buffalo Beach Road has been here over a year.
Sergio and Jana dancing in Argentina, above; Sergio, top photo, working in his clinic at Cooks Beach.
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STAN’S STUFF
The hospital way of working – the only way forward!
BY STAN STEWART
It came on without warning –panting and wheezing. I looked with envy at old people being whisked past me in wheelchairs. With much huff and puff and with the support of my very understanding wife, I slowly made it from the most distant arrival gate to the arrivals hall. I doubt it was a kilometre, but it felt like a hundred miles.
Thankfully, luggage handling has been much speeded up and soon we were at the pick-up kerb. It was when we were in our friend’s vehicle that I found out that we were not going to collect our car, but we were on the way to the hospital – Auckland City Hospital.
Subsequently, I spent 24 hours in hospital. This experience led to an immediate improvement in my health and was possibly life-saving.
Apart from regaining health, I had a particular interest. My interest was finding out from where did the staff who were attending me came from. I wanted to know their country of origin. Gaining the information was easy. I simply asked the person attending me, or close to me, “Where do you come from? What is your country of origin?”
MY SUMMARY
I had personal, one on one, contact with sixteen persons. Some were doctors (one or two of these may have been specialists), others were nurses or nurse aides (I couldn’t tell the difference), some were catering staff, four were orderlies, and a couple were cleaners.
Three were Kiwis born and bred. Three were from India. Two were from Fiji. Four were from the Philippines. One from Siri Lanka. Two were from China. One was from Britain.
In 24 hours, I was looked after by sixteen individuals, from seven different countries.
In a world where conflict and strife dominate and so much of the news is depressing, I sensed a gleam of hope. What I was experiencing was not some pie-inthe-sky theory, it was reality. It had worked in the past, and last week it worked for my benefit and would continue working in the future for others. I found it hopeful.
I’m not naive. I know that behind the scenes there would be frictions, rivalry, personal likes and dislikes. That’s life in any community.
To me, the recipient, the hospital staff worked together to bring me healing. It was and is and will
be a viable, effective model. My heritage is Scottish. However, my direct ancestors were poor Scots. In the homeland, they lived in a rough cottage in a row of attached rough cottages. We, (my family) believe that no member of our family ever owned a kilt or played the bag pipes. We were not guests at the banquets in the great halls of Scottish aristocracy. I have learnt more about dear old Scotland from the Highland Games in Paeroa than I have from my family. None the less, I am proud of my Scottish ancestry. However, what I have believed for years and what was demonstrated to me in hospital is this. There is no master race or supe-
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rior culture. Every culture has its richness which is to be celebrated and valued, but there is no culture anywhere that is superior to all the rest. Only in later life have I begun to discover the depth, and the wisdom, that is in the 40,000-year-old Australian Aboriginal culture. This must never be lost.
However, in saying this, I am not suggesting that the insights and values of this culture should be the ultimate rule for developing every aspect of community life in Australia, going forward.
My friends tell me that the WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) festival is a joyful celebration of the art, dance, and
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music of many different cultures. They tell me it is mind expanding and liberating. This event is not about cultures nor races in competition. It is races and cultures in side-by-side sharing. It is an acknowledgement if the beauty, the liveliness and value of different cultures. It is from the whole experience that a person catches a glimpse of a hopeful future.
(The next WOMAD New Zealand will be in Takanaki, March 14-16, 2025.)
When I first worked in Whitianga, 1997, 1998 and 1999, one thing worried me. The community seemed too ‘white’. It seemed to me that it lacked the vitality that comes with a mixture of different races.
When I returned in 2023, I found a different community. The presence of the tangata whenua – the Maori residents, was immediately obvious. Add to this people from the Pacific Islands including the Philippines, Asia, including China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and India, the Americas, Europe, as well as from Russia and those from parts of Africa. I find this international mix to be more hopeful – the way to go. Working together as we share and respect each other’s culture is the only way forward. It can work. For years our hospitals have shown us how.
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Winter tree care
BY ANDREW NOAKES
While it may appear that there is not much going on for your trees during winter as you await their dramatic new leaf break in spring, that is not often the case. Trees undergo important processes in their development yearround, even in the dormancy phase of winter. In fact, tree roots are not dormant in winter, as they are busy seeking out the necessary resources for the tree to sustain itself through the season and beyond.
UNDERTAKING THE FOLLOWING CARE OF YOUR TREES IN WINTER:
Pruning is highly recommended to tackle in winter, particularly for deciduous trees. This is for a variety of reasons: it’s easier to check for cracks, crossing branches, dead, dying, diseased or dangerous branches without the leaves present when branches are bare.
Pruning in winter also allows time for the pruning cuts to recover before leaf break or flowering, and to help prevent fungi spreading while trees are in the dormancy stage. If your trees are located amongst flower or vegetable gardens, winter pruning reduces collateral damage to other plants under the canopy area as well.
Mulching is good practice all year round, but is particularly important in winter as it helps the soil retain moisture, prevents frost damage, and acts as an effective weed suppressant. It is best practice
to spread a thin layer of mulch without it touching the base of the tree. Always aim to add older mulch as fresh mulch can cause an imbalance in the soil’s pH, especially if it contains a high proportion of green leaves (including pine needles and other coniferous species). Old mulch provides the soil with more nutrients overall. Watering may seem less important in winter due to seasonal rains but remains important throughout the year for newly planted trees. With sunny and windy days, newly planted trees can dry out and cannot find water as easily as an established tree through its growing root system. This is also a good time to check tree ties and staking, which offer further support to the grow-
Specimen Bowwood tree in Hahei, above, without leaf – easy to see potential tree work; newly planted London Plane with stakes, left, ties and mulch to support it through winter.
ing root system.
Frost Protection is important especially for young fruit trees (ie avocados, apples and stone fruits) which are greatly helped with the application of a lightweight mesh cover to trap in the daytime heat and keep them warm at night. Mulch is also key as noted above. If you have any doubt you should check in with a Qualified Arborist or Tree Assessor. Your trees are valuable and should be taken care of year-round. Winter is a great time to check in with the needs of your much-loved trees.
Next month: Tree Buying Considerations . . .Bare Root vs Potted Trees.
Andrew Noakes, of NZ Arb Consultancy, is a local Qualified Arborist and ISA TRAQ Certified Assessor with over 30 years experience caring for trees in a variety of situations. Contact him on 0204 163 5486 or nzarbconsultancy@proton.me
NEWS IN BRIEF
INADEQUATE FUNDING FROM HEALTH NEW ZEALAND PUTS FURTHER PRESSURE ON PATIENTS
Media release from GENPRO
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (GENPRO) has firmly rejected the latest funding offer from Health New Zealand, warning that patients will be the ones who feel the pinch.
Health New Zealand this week confirmed that it will increase base level funding by 4% despite the strong messages from the health sector that much more is needed to ensure general practices remain viable and continue to provide services to their patients.
“Effectively, Health New Zealand has shifted the cost of keeping general practice viable onto the patients by underfunding general practices,” said
Dr Angus Chambers, Specialist GP and Chair of GENPRO, which represents most general practices across New Zealand.
“Practices are facing increasing cost pressures and workforce shortages, and all indications are that a 14% increase in funding is desperately needed to stabilise general practice.
Health New Zealand has chosen to increase the base funding by only 4%.”
POLICE REPORT
FROM SGT ANDREW MORRISON
FAMILY HARM:
Over the past week, we have attended six family harm incidents that have all had aspects of a person’s mental health being affected by illicit drug use, which has resulted in further poor decisions.
A 42-year-old local man is subsequently facing charges of being Unlawfully on Property and he was also in breach of a Police Safety Order.
Police advice is to have nothing to do with illicit drugs and if you are unwell to seek medical support.
A. We are still seeking information in relation to a suspected arson at Wharekaho.
B. Damage was done to a property in Coghill Street on the 10/07/24.
Anyone who observed a Porsche SUV with a kayak on the roof rack being driven erratically in Whitianga on Wednesday, 10 July, 2024 is requested to contact Police.
Anyone with information regarding the three cars burnt out at Ferry Landing on Wednesday, 17 July, 2024 is also requested to contact Police. This occurred in the early hours of the morning - the photo of the fire being taken at about 3.30am.
There have also been two further burglaries in our area this week at a holiday home in Mercury Street and to a digger parked at a Jack-
The stupidity of dishonest offending is highlighted by the $1000 plus damage caused to the digger for the offender to steal $20 worth of diesel.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously around other people’s property or if you are offered property in obviously dishonest circumstances, please let us know.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
A. Two photos from local people of the arson at Ferry Landing. The cars ablaze photo was taken by Wynand Breytenbach at 3.40am and the burnt out cars by Dr Jana Tomsky Korvalan on her way to work.
B. Please read the article on Page 4 of this issue of The Informer. Ashlee’s Experience
My morning at The Coromandel Informer
On Wednesday, 17 July, I had an opportunity to hang out with Pauline at The Informer and experience what she does.
When I arrived, I met Emma and Diane. Then we proof-read an advertisement that Pauline had written for the new summer magazine. It was hard looking carefully for mistakes. Some places were short of newspapers so we had to quickly go and drop them off to New World, Woolworths and a motel.
Next it was a trip to Pinky’s to take photos for an advertisement that Pinkys was preparing for The Informer. We took a lot of photos of plastic containers and wrote down the price and how many litres each container held. It was very detailed work.
Once we finished, we returned to the office, and I typed the information into an iPad. Next Pauline asked
Ashlee, with some of the containers that were photographed for the Pinky’s advert.
if I could quickly run to the chemist and pick up some photos that she had taken at the Senior Citizens Bowling. It was raining. I ran. When I returned, the time was 12:00pm the end of my morning experience. It was time to go home for my science homeschooling.
The work was fun, I enjoyed it and would like to go back again.
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WHAT'S ON
OP SHOPS
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop – Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Mon-Sat 10am-2pm.
St John Opportunity Shop – 29 Albert St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm and Sat 9.30am-2pm.
St Andrew’s Church Op-shop – Owen St, Whitianga. 9.30am-1pm Wed-Sat.
Social Services Op-shop – 15 Coghill St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-2pm. Donations welcome.
SPCA Op-shop – 2 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm and Sun 9am-4pm.
MONTHLY
AA Driver Licensing – Mon 22 July. In the Mercury Bay Service Centre Community Board Room in Monk St (behind the council offices).
American Muscle Street and Custom Club Whitianga – Club meetings first Sunday of the month, 11am at Smitty’s for cars and coffee. Phone Reg and Julie Smith on 027 493 5822.
Cooks Beach Garden Circle –Last Thurs of the month 11.15am-2.30pm. New members welcome. Ph Anne on 07 866 0268 for more information.
Craft Group – Meets first Saturday of the month 10am-3pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr, carpark 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 ph Marilyn 021 1806 530 or Kim 021 1200 469.
Kūaotunu Dune Care – Every third Wed of the month. To get involved, please email kuaotunudunecare@gmail.com.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) – Fourth Monday of every month, 10am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Joan on 07 866 3801 or 027 275 1372.
BI-MONTHLY
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.
FORTNIGHTLY
Greeting Card Making – The second and fourth Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. All materials provided. Contact Rev. Gillian Reid on 021 781 081 or just turn up.
Knit for a Purpose – First and third Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. Ph 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, 10am-1pm, supper room of Town Hall. Phone Vanessa 027 896 5037. Email vandoo555@gmail.com.
Mercury Bay Quilters – 10am-4pm on the first and third Mondays and second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Contact Margaret on 021 140 4016. 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. Boys Brigade – An adventure, activity, and values based ministry for boys. For boys aged 5-13 years old. Tues 5.30-7pm For information contact Robyn 020 409 39674.
Chess Club – Monday nights 6.309.30pm, MB Bowling Club. Players of all levels. Cost $2. Contact Brett Soanes 0272117195 or brettsoanes16@hotmail. com
Chinwag Café – Every Friday from 10am-12pm 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, 2-4pm, at The Lost Spring. Topics are open and respect shown. No charge.
Convener Peter H. Wood.
Cooks Beach Care Group – Join our friendly team and learn about coastal conservation. Come weeding and planting. Thursday mornings. Register www.cooksbeachcare.org.nz
Cooks Beach Table Tennis – Every Thursday night. Juniors 6-7pm $2pp/ night; Seniors 7-9pm $5pp/night. Cooks Beach Community Centre. All levels welcome. Contact Leanne Barnes 021 468 533.
Dog walking group – Every Thurs, 2pm, Lovers Rock, Robinson Road. All breeds and sizes welcome to a very sociable group. Ph Jenny on 021 186 5797.
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.
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 $10. Contact Verna 027 320 0079, vernajcarr@gmail.com.
Meditation Stress Reduction Circle –Whitianga – Mondays from 7.30-9pm 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
Mercury Bay Badminton Club – Thurs 5-7pm, 4 courts – all levels welcome
with coaching available, at MBAS gym.
Contact: Steve 027 211 3568
If you have an activity or group or the existing information is incorrect, let The Coromandel Informer know. Call 866 2090, email info@theinformer.co.nz. Our What’s On page is not guaranteed to run every week as often space is restricted. Consider paying for a classified advert if you want to guarantee your activity runs every week.
Bowling Club, 44 Hornsea Rd. Contact Lynnette Flowers 021 252 4709 or Johanna Bonnar 027 466 3726.
Mercury Bay Badminton – Every Wednesday 9-11am, at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Social badminton. Casual players and visitors are welcome. Players of all levels, ages 16+. Phone Carol 027 474 7493 for more information.
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club
– Every Wednesday at 1pm and every Thursday at 7pm at the MB Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. For more information, phone Gavin on 07 866 2343 or 021 146 9203.
Mercury Bay Community Choir –Mondays 6.15-8.15pm, Music Room MBAS. Inclusive, open, friendly choir – no prior singing experience needed, no auditions. Start date 5th August Contact Kate 027 2709 058 for details.
Mercury Bay Environmental Trust –Every Tues and Fri from 9-11am, location advised prior. For more information, please email mbenvironmentaltrust@ gmail.com or go to www.mbet.co.nz.
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 Pickleball Club – Every Tues 5.30pm-7.30pm and every Sunday 4-6pm at the MBAS gymnasium, Whitianga. Outdoor sessions every Thurs 4-pm and Sun 9-11am weather dependant, Matai Pl courts, Matarangi. Equipment and training provided. Contact Tony Minto 021 426 150. Mercury Bay Squash Club – New members/enquiries to Dawn Thurgood mercbaysquash@gmail.com
Mercury Bay Table Tennis – Every Tues, 9-11.30am 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 6pm on Thursdays. All welcome. Ph. Jason 022 186 7992 or Steve 022 378 0648.
Oneness Meditation Centre – The 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
Spiritual Coffee Mornings – Every Tues and Wed, 10.30-11.30am, 19 Monk St, 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 Thurs 10-11am at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. $2 per session. Contact Lisa Jury on 027 351 7110 for further information.
Tai Chi for beginners – Town Hall, Mondays 6-7pm. Gold coin donation. Ph Tony 027 333 5146 for more info.
Tai Do Martial Arts – Town Hall, Tues/ Wed 6-7.30pm. Ph Tony 027 333 5146.
Tairua Contract Bridge Club – Every Monday at 12.30pm at the Tairua
Whenuakite Area Playgroup –9.30am-12.30pm every Wednesday morning at the Hahei Community Centre. Ages newborn-5years. We invite all parents, carers, visitors and grandparents. Contact whenuakiteareaplaygroup@gmail.com
Whitianga Art Group – Every Thurs/Fri 10am-4pm, 23 School Road. Visitors and new members welcome. Phone Margaret on 027 635 1615 for more information.
Whitianga Menz Shed – Open Tues/ Thurs, 9am-12 noon. At the Moewai Park end of South Highway, past the diesel truck stop. All welcome.
Whitianga Playcentre – Every Tues/ Fri 9am-12 noon, 1F White St. 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, 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 Tues 9am start. For more information phone Margaret on 027 7802 744. All levels welcome.
Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss
Whitianga – Wed 5-6pm, Room 10, Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr. Support to lose weight wisely. Check out our Facebook page or phone Cecily on 027 294 1750 for more information.
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
Belly Dancing – Contact Catherine Corcoran, 021 210 2438 or smile@ catherinecorcoran.com. Weekend classes twice a month at 4pm.
Mercury Bay Dance Club – Recreational dance lessons. Thurs 6-7pm. Book with Kathleen 022 154 1702 and/or check out the Facebook page. facebook.com/ mercurybaydanceclub/.
Mercury Bay Line Dancing Club – Tues, beginners 11.15am-12.15pm; seniors 12.30-2.30pm; Thurs, absolute beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, improvers 12.452.45pm. Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Ph Margaret 027 463 8850 or Glynis 021 1099 155.
SALSA/Merengue/Bachata and Cha Cha – Contact Molly, events@beatfairy. com. Every Monday from 6.30-7.30pm at Monkey House. $20 per class which includes a drink.
Whitianga Line Dancing Club Classes
– Town Hall, Monk St, $5 per session. Intermediate classes Wed, 12-1.30pm; Beginner/Improver classes Monday 10.30-11.45am. Contact Cecily 027 294 1750 or Kathy 027 4321 353 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. GROUP INFO
Mercury Bay Athletics – For info contact alana.baker@bayleyscoromandel.co.nz
Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club
– Cook Drive, Whitianga. Contact Steve Williams 027 855 2772.
Mercury Bay Lions Club – New members are welcome. Email mercurybaylions@gmail.com. Phone Barb 0274 075 268.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated –Learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Sheryll Carruthers 021 022 62504 or email seniornet.whitianga.admin@gmail. com.
Whitianga Bike Park – 144 Moewai Rd, Whitianga. Open 24/7. Many bike tracks available, picnic areas, BBQs and walking trails. Donations welcome on entry. If you wish to volunteer or for programme enquiries, contact John 027 366 4606. 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.
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
Unusual visit to Auckland War memorial Museum
BY ALASTAIR BRICKELL
This unusual visit much enjoyed, was part of a group visit to the Auckland Museum by the Mercury Bay Historical Society. It was the latest excursion by members of the MBHS taking place last week. We were granted rare access to the underground storage facilities of the main museum and also the offsite storage facility in Otahuhu. Most of us were unaware of this latter site but it is a cavernous building with a vast collection of items held in environmentally controlled storage.
Items to be held in this facility must first be treated either in freezing conditions for some time or in a nitrogen purged controlled atmosphere room to destroy any possible biological pests. Only about 10% of the Museum’s holdings are on display at any one time, so it was a rare chance for us to see the huge range of things that the Museum actually deals with including rare documents as well as more traditional items.
Of special interest were the many drawers of archaeological treasures from all over the Coromandel specially displayed for us by the Museum staff. These included stone adzes and other tools from the Whitianga area along with an extensive and spectacular collection of spear tips
and fishhooks from Opito Bay, many of which were crafted from whale and/or dog bones.
The Society would like to thank the Museum staff for generously donating their time to give us a wonderful glimpse into the work they do to preserve our heritage for future generations.
Literary Corner
WHY DO YOU LAY THERE
It’ll soon be the wet that’s got at our feet, Soon the hot stones’ll be ‘neath our feet, cause the red hot Summer’ll be our treat!
We’ll lay in the shade – if any’s around, Don’t go straying Boy, They’ll put you in the pound. Be lucky to get even water in there, Red hot bats, that’s what you’ll share.
The red hot Summer’ll be a breeze,
LOOKING SO GLUM SCALLOP’S
Down at the bottom of the sea, We scallops make our ‘homes’, Our Real Estate, the sandy type, No high rise and all that hype.
We skuttle around, having a grand old time, Jet propelled – life’s sublime; ‘Til the terrorists turn up that is! Sure puts us in a right old tiz!
Well, we had just sat down to morning tea, The Mums, the Dads, the kids and me, When we heard a noise, the sort we dread, The water went dark overhead.
Then what came rattling down at speed, The mighty scallop dredge machine!
Stick with me pal, ‘cause I’m the bees knees, My boss thinks I’m the cutest thing, Red hot Summer, Ring a-ding-ding.
PLEA
Scooped altogether, homes all wrecked, Our fate’ll be sealed when we get on deck.
Me and my mate we’re happy and free, Now we are going to be somebody’s tea. Sacrificed for the greater good, We taste so great – so we should put cooks and chef’s heads in a spin.
So all you folks can get stuck in. Bon Appetit. As delicacies go, we taste great, But declining numbers is our fate.
So please, we would appreciate, STOP the dredging, IS OUR PLEA, So we can recover –Let us be!
Karen Palmer
The Oceans Festival changed name from the Scallop Festival for the very reason that scallops have not recovered. The Coromandel Informer felt the poem was still a good contribution to the Literary Corner.
A first – Corocine Film Festival ENTERTAINMENT
“We are thrilled to provide a platform for both established and upcoming filmmakers who may have never shown a film before”, says Anne-Maree McDougall, joint owner of the Twin Cinemas with her husband, Matt.
This is a unique opportunity for artists to share their work with a broader audience and gain recognition in the industry.
“The CoroCine festival will also be a place for artists who work in other media and may like to move towards sharing their work on the big screen.
We hope it will be an ongoing and annual event that will catalyse filmmakers, artists and film lovers to come together and enjoy the best of
Coromandel film. There is such a wealth of talent in the Coromandel, and it deserves to be celebrated.”
An impressive range of films has already been confirmed, including some well-known names in the industry.
“Mauri o te Kauri” by James Muir, “Milked” by Amy Taylor and “The House of Champions” by Kirsty Griffin and Viv Kernick are all international award winners and are not to be missed.
“The Z Nail Gang” from Anton Steele will be our feature for the opening night. Described by NZ on Screen as “Greenies meet The Castle”, it tells the story of locals planning to fight plans for an open cast gold mine in a nearby bush.
Also showing is “Starry Starry Night” by local photographer Ian Preece, whose first entry on the big screen has sold out twice already at the
Twin Cinemas and “Pirates of the Coromandel: a surfing and sailing mini voyage” from Atawhai Charteris.
We are also thrilled to kick off the coromandel artbeat spring festival with the inaugural CoroCine. This festival, running from September to December 2024, celebrates the rohe’s rich artistic and cultural tapestry: it captures the “artbeat” of our communities, from artists’ open studios, workshops, exhibitions, musical performances, theatreand many other creative events who sign up to be part of the online artbeat programme.
Fiona Cameron, Chair of He Mana Toi Moehau Trust | Creative Coromandel and Spring Festival, project manager, says, “Innovation is at the heart of the creative process, and we are delighted to welcome and highlight an event for the Coromandel that showcases
a new digital medium for our local creatives and artists to be involved in.”
“The Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival offers visitors the chance to explore our community’s creative artbeat while enjoying our rohe’s beautiful outdoor spaces. From pristine beaches and lush forests to charming towns and welcoming communities, the Coromandel provides a perfect backdrop for a cultural journey. We love to welcome visitors so they can enjoy the natural, creative spirit of our landscapes, people and places.”
CoroCine Film Festival and the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival are collaborating on a grand launch party for both events on Friday, the 6 September, so keep watching for information closer to this date! Mercury Twin CinemasFriday, September 6 to Sunday, September 8, 2024
PRESS RELEASE FROM MERCURY BAY TWIN CINEMAS
Stone tools from Whitianga area; document treatment area at Otahuhu facility of the Auckland Museum.
GAMES AND PUZZLES
(10)
12. Making possible for (8) 14. Slip sideways (4) 16. Tasks (4) 17. Not merited (8)
20. Fashionable society people (10)
23. Bird of prey (5)
24. Passenger lift (8)
25. Work (dough) (5) DOWN 1. Teat (6)
2. Seaside crustacean (4)
3. Dinner chime (4)
4. Provide with gear (5)
5. Aping (9)
6. Wedged (6)
9. Every 24 hours (5)
11. Cooked outdoors (9)
13. Convent dweller (3)
15. Wage recipient (5)
16. Medieval king’s clown (6)
18. Protect (6)
19. Suez or Panama (5)
21. Press (clothes) (4)
22. Milled (timber) (4)
Sudoku instructions
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once.
Senior Citizens Club annual tournament and a very special cup
Last Monday afternoon the rain was heavy and the wind wild, but inside the Whitianga Town Hall, about forty people were enjoying indoor bowls, some sharp card playing and the company of friends.
It was the Whitianga Senior Citizens annual indoor bowling competition for the Benjamin Robert Skinner Cup. It is best known as the Buffalo Cup because the teak timber from which the cup was made was recovered from the HMS Buffalo shipwreck in 1936.
The cup was made in memory of Mr. Skinner who desired to emigrate to NZ but died just before the family departed. The family was aware that the HMS Buffalo had been built in India and that it lay in the Mercury Bay, and requested that a piece of the wood recovered be made into a memorial cup to be used for an annual accomplishment prize. For the last ten years or so, this cup has been used for the annual Senior Citizens’ Club Indoor Bowling Tournament.
Competition is intense for the cup. This year’s winning team
was Ken Lack, Elizabeth Temple, and Dot Codyre. There was a competition of a different kind for those who are garden enthusiasts.
People choose a prize flower from their garden, and it is displayed to enable everyone to vote on which of the flowers is their favourite.
This display gathers great interest as there is some waiting that occurs at bowling competitions.
For those who aren’t bowlers, there are about three tables of card players. The Whitianga Senior Citizens Club offers lots of choice and a good afternoon tea.
Heather Walker, Yvonne
Pam Phillips, June Glendenning,
Bev McAllister, Ian Raynel, Shirley Marshall, Ray Bray, Jill Barclay, Betty Russell, Joy McGregor, Tom Riddle, Sandy Morris, Ken Lack, Lionel Lawrence (President), Tina Romijn, Val Thompson, Gary Kilmister, Lesley Willis, Gary Douglas. Winner of the ‘Peoples Choice’ flower - Yvonne Lawrence, right; Far right, Colin Everett, his two sisters – Pat Fisher, Yvonne Lawrence with husband, Lionel Lawrence. Lionel is the President of the Whitianga Senior Citizens.
The day of the Buffalo Cup competition invited a formal photo of the Senior Citizens members. Front row:
Lawrence, Jan Harvey, Maureen Lack, Dot Codyre, Elizabeth Temple, Jocelyn O’Connel,
Pat Fisher, Adrian Tedder. Back row: Judy Adams, Colin Everett,
Centre of town upstairs above Stirling Sports. 68 sq m comprising studio, kitchen, WC, and waiting/dressing room. Available 1st August. Email: jhs@xtra.co.nz Mob: 0274375321
Tea tree $200 or Pine $150 load per metre2 delivered. Phone (07) 866 3026 or text (027) 866 3026
FIREWOOD
DRY PINE – SHED STORED
$150 a cube – Whitianga based –covering surround areas. Phone 07 867 1361, 0274 958 033
DRY GUM FIREWOOD FOR SALE
$180 a cube delivered. Phone James 021 063 2037
ST ANDREW’S BY THE SEA
Presby/Methodist Church Albert St Whitianga (Est.1898)
To be held on Wednesday 31 July at 7pm at the residence of AK Hamilton at 1307 SH 25 Whenuakite (1km Whitianga side of Dalmeny Corner). All welcome Business:
1. To receive the reports from the Chairman, Treasurer and Contract Trapper.
2. Election of Officers.
3. General Business David Innes, Secretary
be held at the Matarangi Fire Station on Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 7pm. One board position is open for election for our coming year. Any members interested are advised to submit a formal nomination before 12 August 2024. All financial members welcome to attend. If you have any queries please contact –secretarymvfba@gmail.com
Bernice Janet (Bernice) Died on July 26, 2015. Born January 17, 1940. In memory of a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandma and friend. We miss you so very much. Rest in peace beautiful lady. McCALLUM, Ada Mary QSM (nee Kane) Passed away peacefully on 17 July 2024 at the Whitianga Continuing Care Unit. A Memorial Service will be held in summer.
We are looking for a person with a passion for gardening, combined with exceptional customer service skills.
A good level of physical fitness and the ability to heavy lift repeatedly is required.
We are a 7 day week business, open 9am-4.30pm. Hours for this position are 9am-4.30pm Sunday to Thursday.
CHURCH
Sundays 10am ALL WELCOME 22 Coghill St – Whitianga www.c3whitianga.co.nz
If you think this role would suit your skills then please email your application, including a current CV, to the Manager: Megan Semmens – meganblsupplies@yahoo.com 72 Link Rd, Hot Water Beach, RD1, Whitianga 3591 Phone 021 717 564
TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB
Round # Shoe Pairs
North/South: 1, Chris Death & Robyn Waters 61.25; 2, Heather & Jim Buffett 59.17; 3, Sue Poland & Peter Clark 58.75. East/West: 1=, Tony White & Doreen Wernham, Maggie Urlich & David Wilkinson 64.17; 3, Liz Young & Jocelyn Taylor 55.0.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Mahurangi Pairs Week Three
Tuesday, 16 July
North/South: 1, Don Barry and Robyn Hogg 71.03; 2, Val Dwight and Dave Dylla 58.33; 3, Rose Mormede and Bev Dickie 53.17.
East/West: 1, Robyn Waters and Peter Clark 59.52; 2, Lee Hughes and Carol Henwood 57.54; 3, Philippa Hall and Jean Myles 55.16.
Peter Hogg Scorer
GIRLS RUGBY TEAM
We played Paeroa at our home grounds. Unfortunately, we lost 27-25, it was a nail-biting game we were ahead and then little mistakes we made resulted in a try for Paeroa. Amazing effort from our girls, they pulled together and got stuck in. Big tackles and a few runaway tries.
Players of the day for MBAS was Sarah-Kate and Laura (player from Thames. There was a special mention too of Ellarose and Millie Gold for their defence and full field runs.
Montana Taogaga, Coach
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday, 17 July
Best of three frames: Eleven players on Wednesday and it was Bob Haase, Peter Schultz and Ken Gibson with two straight wins each to challenge the finals. Ken won the bye and Bob and Peter battled the semifinal with a close win to Peter to go through to meet Ken in the final frame. Another great close match here with Ken snatching the victory on the black and taking home the cash prize. Runner up Peter Schultz and with two wins Bob Haase and Ian Baumgren. Highest break Peter Schultz with 21.
Saturday, 20 July
Best of three frames: Seven players on Saturday and it was only Bob Haase and Peter Schultz with two straight wins to battle out the final third frame. A great frame this was with Bob needing two snookers with only the colours left. He fought back resulting in the black to win which Peter potted. Spectators acclaimed it was one of the best games probably they had seen in the past few years. Highest break Bob Haase with 22.
MERCURY BAY DARTS CLUB
We played doubles this week and had a player joining us all the way from Wellington. Last week’s play off happened with English Mike taking the win
This week’s winners is Stoney and Roscoe. No women’s high finish, but the men’s high finish was 78 played by stoney.
1, Beverley LeLievre; 2, Allison DrakeWells; 3, Margaret Stevens.
Nine-hole Mens – Stableford
Thursday 18 July
1, Paul Dixon; 2, David Ellis; 3, Ray Green.
PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Nine-hole Stableford minus Putts
Tuesday 16 July
1, Mark Bell; 2, Wayne Morrison; 3, Ryan; 4, Steve Borlase.
Nine-hole Stableford
Thursday 18 July
1, Caleb Mahoney; 2, Ryan Cochrane; 3, Jeff Bright; 4=, Jock Peacock, Wayne Morrison, Mark Bell .
MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB
Nine-hole Women – Stableford
Tuesday 16 July
Div 1: 1, Alison Goodlet; 2, Raewyn Whitt.
Div 2: 1, Felicity Sanders; 2, Noelene Boardman.
Nine-hole Mixed - Stableford
1, Patrick Gonthier; 2, Brent Carruthers; 3, Don Maguire.
Eighteen-hole Men – Stableford
Wednesday 17 July
1, Roger Booth; 2, Dave Enright; 3, Graham Eccles.
Twos: Dave Enright
Gross: Dave Enright
Eighteen-hole Men - Stableford
Round 3 Winter Cup
Saturday 20 July
1, Matty Menzies; 2, Mark Boe; 3, Dan Ray.
Twos: Matty Menzies.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Thursday 18 July
Winners: Alan Henderson, Jan Harvey and Pat Fisher
Runners-up: Lionel Lawrence and Ian Sanderson Good Sports: Keith Denney, Sandie Morris and Philip Davies.
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Whitianga
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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.
Winners of the Buffalo or Benjamin Robert Skinner Cup – Elizabeth Temple, Ken Lack and Dot Codyre.
Inspiration starts here, at your local Guthrie Bowron Whitianga. 2/9 Joan Gaskell Drive, Whitianga 07 866 0035 flooring@gbwhitianga.co.nz www.facebook.com/gbwhitianga
