Issue 1136 17th December 2024 by theinformernz

One dream comes true and there’s more

BY PAULINE STEWART

Kolbie Fraser has always loved ballet. She has been dancing since she was six. Along with her sister Brielle, brother Coby, and parents, Katherine and Blair, Kolbie has lived in Cooks beach all her life. She began ballet lessons at Lisa Gifford’s En Pointe Dance Studio.

Last month, at just 16 years, she was selected, through audition, for the New Zealand School of Dance. This is a very tough audition experience.

KOLBIE DESCRIBES HER EXPERIENCE:

“There were 30 applicants auditioning in person, but there are many more applicants. The selectors do these auditions outside of New Zealand as well, conducting virtual international auditions. All who seek selection in New Zealand need to come personally to Wellington. The result of the auditions is to have 40% NZ, 40% Australian, and 20% international. The 40% NZ represents just 4 or 5 of us, as the total is just twelve dancers selected to enter into the two-year course of dancing at New Zealand School of Dance.

“We literally drove down the day before and I came down with a flu. The first round of the audition is like a large choreography lesson with all of us present in the

same room. The selectors watch and take notes on how you manage the class.

There are eight selectors. It is very nerve wracking. I made the first level of selection from that first round.

The next stage is an interview. I came with a covid mask as I was infectious, and my eyes were watering. I thought to myself, ‘I look bad and sound bad,’ but you don’t have any choice but to keep going.

At the close, someone says to you, ‘We will be in touch.’

In the very difficult waiting time of a month, I did two more auditions as back up options as I felt the chances of being selected were against me.

I auditioned for the Alberta Ballet School in Canada and the Tanya Pearson Academy in Sydney. These auditions are by video interview and online as I am considered an international student.

I was accepted for both of them, but I really wanted the NZ School of Dance. I wanted to be in New Zealand for this stage of the career I have chosen.

When finally I received the email that I had been selected, I cried with happiness and relief.

Kolbie started ballet when she was six. Ballet has always been her favourite dance genre, though she also loves contemporary dance too. She began with Lisa Gifford’s En Pointe Studio. Her

it in my own way. You use all the steps and moves you have learned to do that. There is a degree of creative freedom which I love. I love the more recent contemporary styles as well as ballet.

“Doing ballet in Whitianga meant one class a week. There wasn’t enough, and that’s when I decided to do many more classes. If you want to be really good, and I do, then a lot more lessons are needed.”

I want to be a principal dancer. I dream about my preferences for ballet companies – the Royal NZ Ballet, the Australian Ballet or the Royal Ballet of Canada.

Dance and he would come back for summer intensives and I would notice how much he had improved.

I thought to myself, ‘I want to train with Sarah one day.’

THE WEEKLY ROUTINE:

Kolbie has been training virtually full time. For two days she is up in Auckland at Mt Eden Ballet Academy, staying with her auntie. For Mondays and Tuesdays, she participates in different types of classes seven hours a day from 8.30am to 3.30pm – ballet, repertoire class, point work class, contemporary, and simple Pilates.

love of ballet is connected very much to the story she is portraying through her dancing.

“I love portraying stories through music. It lets me express what I see as the meaning of the story,” says Kolbie.

“You can never be so perfect as not to improve, so keeping on interpreting the story is a neverending challenge. Ballet is stories, powerful stories, that can be retold again and again.”

Kolbie watches other ballets intently.

“This helps me understand the story and I can begin to interpret

“In 2020, just before lockdown, I started learning with a teacher who was just incredible. Her name is Pauline Gimon. She was a principal dancer with New Zealand Ballet and has danced all the lead roles. She happened to be teaching in Turua of all places.

She had been recommended to me. When I went to try out for her classes, she commented, ‘I finally got a bendy girl.’ I felt very good as I work hard at being pliable.

“At the end of 2022, Pauline retired and my new teacher is Sarah Fitzsimmons. She was a dancer with the NZ Royal Ballet and she taught at the New Zealand School of Dance. Sarah teaches in Ngatea. Isn’t that great?

There was a dancer out on Hauraki Plains called Oden Tully and he went to the NZ school of

“You move from class to class and you are not allowed to talk in class,” adds Kolbie

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons, she is in Thames doing ballet and contemporary dance. Kolbie made the decision to home school because of he commitment to be a ballerina.

“I was continuing at Mercury Bay Area school but I missed a lot of classes and so homeschooling was a necessary choice. I am doing pretty well in my subjects. Next year is Year 12 and I will be doing three subjects along with my full time dance.

“Every dancer has their strengths and works with these, but we always try to improve the other aspects.

Continued on page 4

extremely low and short ISS pass from 11:58pm in the SW. Thursday, 19 December: The Moon is now to the right of Mars before dawn while there is an extremely low and short ISS pass from 11:10pm in the SW moving through the Southern Cross. Friday, 20 December: Reddish Mars sits well to the left of the bright Moon before dawn. Saturday, 21 December: We have a low and short ISS pass from 11:07pm in the SW. Sunday, 22 December: Mars is now about half way between Jupiter and the Moon before dawn and in the evening we have a very low ISS pass from 10:19pm in the SW. Monday, 23 December: There will be a short but bright ISS pass from 11:06pm in the SW. Tuesday, 24 December: Santae Australis might be spotted moving rapidly down from the North near midnight by good children, appearing as a bright but silent flash as he is travelling much faster than the speed of sound. There is an ISS pass from 10:17pm in the SW. Wednesday, 23 December: We have a Christmas treat of two ISS passes with the first from 9:27pm in the SW followed by another very short but bright one from 11:05pm just above Venus in the west.

Kolbie loves contemporary dance as it provides a greater range of creative movement.

Monique’s Gallery – a beautiful and engaging place

BY PAULINE STEWART

Remember a couple of years back, when two cyclones smashed through the North Island and ripped our summer short?

Then some of State Highway 25A fell down the cliff as we headed into autumn and winter, with no one visiting. People thought they would be stuck here, and the news was all doom and gloom.

Well that’s when Monique Rush opened the Whitianga Art Gallery! It was NOT her best timing. “It’s all about being positive even when there’s nothing but bad timing,” smiles Monique.

“I’ve been an artist my whole life and I have created and sold many paintings. I also appreciate other people’s art. I had been enjoying part-time work at our local gallery. It was a dream job, getting to mix with so many amazing creatives and spending time surrounded by art.”

However, when the galleries closed in Whitianga town, Monique felt a huge loss personally and for her community. She could see she was not the only

one. The artists and previous customers of the galleries whom she spoke with also felt the same.

Monique saw a need. Her town was missing a central place to view and buy New Zealand art. “I believe that I have filled that void by making the Whitianga Art Galley a reality,” says Monique with a gleam in her eye.

“I have found a place for my art and I have established a beauti-

ful environment for local artists to showcase their works again. I proudly promote our local artists through social media, talking to people and print media.”

Monique describes how her gallery was half the space it is now for the first year, but then she was able to open up the rear area to enlarge studio and gallery space.

“I keep working with the space as the artworks are always chang-

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ing, so the space is evolving and I am pleased to say, growing. The gallery is making new opportunities work for the town.”

Monique reflects, “When you start something new at a really bad economic time, it’s terrifying. At the same time, it forces you to think outside the comfort box and gives you a realistic start. Most things after that fall into place at the right times.

“I think having passion about achieving your vision, staying positive and having a determined and hard-working mindset makes a huge difference. Anything is possible then.”

Monique uses the quieter down times to be productive; to work out better systems, to play and create in the back studio. In the busier times, she enjoys the connections and conversations with visitors and locals.

This was Monique’s vision: “I wanted to create a welcoming space filled with variety, colour, interest and excellence. It had to be visually beautiful and engaging, but also chilled out and comfortable. It was to be a place for people to feel happy and inspired, and a place where they wanted to come back many times.”

The local artists, the casual visitors, would say readily that Monique has achieved this.

Every visitor will find New Zealand and locally made and crafted paintings, prints, photographs, jewellery, sculptures, pottery, glass, woodwork, weaving, cards and more at Whitianga Art Gallery, 17 Monk Street, Whitianga.

Monique Rush, owner of the Whitianga Art Gallery in Monk Street, a treasure of artists’ work.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas

Letting you know we are open over the holiday period for any emergency electrical jobs.

Blessings

Diode Electrical Services 0273 551 650

Damon Christensen

Kolbie’s dream comes true

Contined from page 2

I really love the music and have learned a lot about interpreting the music in what I do. Probably, I am good at adage which is the range of leg movement you can achieve and also I have found I have very good balance. Partnering is quite difficult and it doesn’t happen very often.

“A very special experience will always be dancing in The Nutcracker in Auckland with the International Ballet Gala Performance.

I got to come on the big stage at The Aotea Centre with Kiri Ti Kanawa and 2,300 people – three sold out performances. It wasn’t a big part but I was on stage for half an hour. I felt like I belonged and I got to hang out back stage with all the other dancers,” Kolbie beamed.

“For dance exams, we must choreograph our own dances. Some days you have heaps of ideas and other days there is nothing ‘up to’.

“I have a very good memory for choreography; I love it and remember all the

steps and moves we learn in classes. So far, I have never forgotten on stage.

Sometimes a routine doesn’t go well. One time my ballet shoes fell off and I had to improvise to make sure I didn’t fall. Mum said if people didn’t know the dance routine, they would not have noticed. I was glad I kept my cool.”

Kolbie begins her life as a student of the new Zealand School of Dance on 29 January, 2025.

Soon after, Year 12 commences for her as a Home

Schooler. For Kolbie, she knows these two years done well, will achieve a Level 7 Diploma in dance. It gives her university entrance and it feeds into the Royal NZ Ballet Company and international ballet companies.

She is trusting the future and will give it her very best. Behind her is a supportive and encouraging family. All the very best Kolbie. We will cheer for you and remember you started in Mercury Bay at En Pointe Dance Studio.

LEVEL

5 TOTAL WATERING BAN NOW IN PLACE

Our Council is asking Thames residents to please conserve water. We’re working to remedy an equipment failure at the Thames Water Treatment Plant and require all Thames residents to be extremely mindful of their water use.

While this is underway, we are unable to run the plant at a capacity to refill the Reservoir. As a result, our treated water storage is low.

We are asking all residents to please conserve water until we are able to refill the reservoir back to normal levels.

What happens if the treated water storage in Thames runs out? It is possible that water supply may

be affected due to this issue but rest assured that our Council will provide drinking water to Thames should our reservoirs run dry. We’ll keep you updated on our website and social media. What is a level 5 total watering ban? Hand-held hoses, unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems are not permitted at any time. This includes a ban on watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, boats, houses, and decks, filling paddling pools and playing under sprinklers. Essential watering of plants, such as vegetable gardens using a hand-held watering can is permitted.

When: 21 December – 12 January

Commitment: Just 3 hours of your time during this window, or more, it’s up to you!

Help us extend an authentic welcome and create unforgettable experiences for our visitors. Hahei needs YOU!

Join Now:

* Email: ambassadors@haheirate-

From TCDC Sunday15 December

payers.co.nz to sign up.

* Download our Ambassadors FAQ here.

* Prefer to talk? Contact David Pearce, our project lead, on 021 999 448

You’ve got what it takes – let’s make Hahei shine brighter than ever!

Welcome to Dean and Razor Sharp

Tired of those blunt knives in the kitchen? Do your secateurs mangle your plants rather than trim them? Then call Dean at Razor Sharp for all your sharpening services.

Sensing a need for a sharpening service that will come right to your door right across the Coromandel region, Dean decided act on his idea and started putting the wheels in motion (pardon the pun!).

As luck would have it, a long time local (Lance) was putting his wheels in motion for a move out of town and was interested in passing on the sharpening services he had already offered to the township. Dean and Lance had a ‘meeting of the minds’ and a deal was struck.

Many may have noticed the knife sharpening sign on Kupe Drive or the van that Lance drove around town, providing his skill in knife sharpening. Lance and his wife moved to Whitianga some years ago after running a successful roofing business and while initially in the real estate profession, Lance recalled he had a talent for working with knives.

business which already had a fine reputation.

In his younger years, he was trained in knife sharpening by a butcher and was told he had an “above average” skill level. Combining this early training with his previous experience working in a fish processing factory, he developed his new business.

Dean is a recent import to the Whitianga area but also has a long-standing passion for knives, with knife making being one of his many hobbies. If fact, if you asked his wife, she would say he may have a knife addiction. Dean has a background in sheet metal engineering and has transferred these skills into many aspects of his life.

Most recently, these skills were utilised with the construction of a kit-set steel workshop where he can enjoy making knives.

Razor Sharp is a mobile service that will travel the Coromandel Peninsula to service all sharpening needs. The list of services includes axes, gardening tools, knives, straight chisels and scissors. Dean uses his experience coupled with high quality equipment to restore that Razor Sharp edge to your precious tools and knives.

Call Dean on 021 549 911 or email sharpenall@ outlook.com.

Razor Sharp Sharpening Services

Small knife, up to 10cm (blade length) $8

Medium knife, 10-16cm (blade length) $10

Long knife, 16-25cm (blade length) $12

Extra long knife, over 25cm cm (blade length) $14

Scissors (no hair dressing) $15

Reshape bevel from $12

Repair broken tip from $15

Rapair blade chip from $15

Single edged knives start from $20

Axes – hatchet $15

Axes – large felling $20

Secateurs $10

Hedge clippers $20

Chisels standard straight $10

PRICES INCLUDE GST

Message from Hon Scott Simpson MP For Coromandel

There’s a buzz of excitement around the Coromandel Peninsula as our region prepares to welcome the annual flock of holidaymakers.

Our communities have become synonymous with the classic Kiwi summer experience. When people think of BBQs in the backyard, a day out at the beach, hiking a bush trail, or going out fishing and catching dinner, the Coromandel often springs to mind. The chance to experience the way of life which we get to enjoy every day is part of the reason why people keep coming back, year after year.

The reopened walking track at Cathedral Cove is also a welcome boost as we head into the busy season. At the beginning of the year, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka made a commitment to get it open in time for Christmas and he’s delivered. A huge thank you to the team at DOC who knuckled down and got the job done. There’s more work planned to make the site more resilient, but I’m pleased that the track, which has previously drawn an estimated 250,000 walkers annually, is back up and running.

Down in Wellington, Parliament is wrapping up for the year and I’ve been reflecting on the coalition Government’s first year in office. I’m proud to be part of a team which is focused on delivering real results in the areas which matter most to New Zealanders. We cut income tax for the first time in 14 years, equipped the Police with stronger tools to combat gang activity, and made a record investment in Pharmac, which improved access to life changing medicines. There’s plenty more to do, but I’m confident we’re heading in the right direction.

Finally, Merry Christmas to the readers of the Informer. It’s shaping up to be a boomer of a summer, with visitors and locals alike ready to kick back, relax, and recharge after an eventful year. Stay safe, take your time, and enjoy the summer. Personally, I’m looking forward to spending some extended time around the electorate.

There’s always plenty of community events being held over the new year period. If you see me around, don’t hesitate to come over for a chat.

Dean is very excited about his new mobile

Navigating Employment challenges?

Whether

Deputy mayor leading way on transparency

BY GEOFFREY ROBINSON

TCDC councillors failed again to progress good-government reform at their Tuesday, 10 December meeting, but efforts to increase council transparency have attracted further in-house support, with a move to change meetings policy likely in early 2025.

TCDC ends the year a local government outlier by continuing its controversial use of public-excluded “workshops” and informal “networking” sessions, briefings and forums at which members routinely receive information and presentations, discuss and debate policy options, and pre-cook decisions to be voted upon later in official open session. Such closed-door meetings were the subject of a sweeping investigation by NZ Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier earlier this year. Boshier’s report included “open-by-default” recommendations for transparency that have since been adopted or reconfirmed by large and small councils up and down the country. In contrast, TCDC councillors flatly

rejected the recommendations (and those of its own governance manager) by a 4-3 vote on June 27, with little debate and two members, including Mayor Len Salt, absent.

Following the vote to reject transparency reforms, the mayor stated, “I support the democratic process that Council went through, and I fully support the majority decision that the Council landed on during the meeting.” There has been no subsequent public statement of support for reform from his office.

Since the June vote, how-

ever, Deputy Mayor and District Councillor Terry Walker has assumed the leadership role on the issue of public openness, transparency and accountability in council business. The long-serving Whangamata representative spoke out in favour of the chief ombudsman’s recommendations for reform and was one of the three councillors who voted against continuation of closed-door council sessions.

To gauge current support for potential governance changes at the local level, Walker recently traveled to meet with members of each of the council’s five community boards after their respective endof-year meetings, between November 25 and December 4. Response from community board members across the district was overwhelmingly in favour of greater transparency and implementation of the ombudsman’s open-by-default recommendations. Practical changes under consideration, as at other councils, include provisions for advance public notification of all workshops, briefings and networking sessions, public attendance,

detailed record-keeping, and options for recording the proceedings.

Council governance staff meanwhile have reconfirmed that any additional time and cost associated with the reforms would be “minimal”. The three Mercury Bay councillors, who all voted against increased transparency in June, had all cited cost as a concern.

Deputy Mayor Walker will be presenting a summary report on his meetings with community board members to Council, most likely at a scheduled workshop on January 28. Given near-universal support from ward representatives and cost concerns put to rest by council management, the chief ombudsman’s recommendations for openness and transparency could go back on the Council agenda on February 18 for reconsideration – and with sufficient votes to pass lined up in advance this time around.

(Former editor and publisher Geoffrey Robinson has reported on regional and local government issues in the Waikato since 2008)

Peter Boshier, Chief Ombudsman.

MB Radiology – 10 years in the Bay

BY GRAEME MATTHEWS

On 30 September 2024, Mercury Bay Radiology completed its 10th year of providing radiology services. Initially, the services provided were X-Ray and from November 2015, Ultrasound services were added.

In its first full year of operation, Mercury Bay Radiology completed X-Ray examinations for 988 people and for the year ending June 2024, we completed X-Ray examinations for 2,535 people and Ultrasound examinations for 1,457 people.

Over the same period, our staff of one part-time radiographer (X-Ray) during 2015 has increased to two part-time radiographers and one sonographer (Ultrasound) during 2024.

For the people for whom we have provided radiology services, we have saved them, as a minimum, the return trip to Thames representing a savings by our patients of 4,779,156 kilometres of travel. Based on an average 4-cylinder petrol saloon, we also estimate that over the last 10 years; by not travelling to Thames, our patients have saved $850,000 in fuel costs.

Mercury Bay Radiology is owned and operated by a Charitable Trust and is based in Coghill Street, Whitianga. The Trust was established in March 2014 as part of a fund-raising campaign spear-

headed by the Whitianga Lions, supported by The Informer and the community to raise funds for an X-Ray facility in Whitianga.

The funds raised were $248,753 and was one of the biggest fund-raising efforts seen in the history of Mercury Bay.

The Trust provides an integrated X-Ray and Ultrasound service with qualified staff.

The X-Ray system is a Digital Carestream System, and the Ultrasound is a Philips Affiniti System.

Both the X-Ray System and Ultrasound provide images of the body which are reviewed by contract radiologists, and the images

and reviews are stored on our behalf, by Hamilton Radiology and can be accessed, via the internet, by the medical profession.

For X-Ray, we currently offer services to 17,310 people and for Ultrasound, 22,240 people living in both eastern and northern Coromandel. We also provide Ultrasound examinations for maternity, with Morrinsville being the next closest centre for maternity scans.

Since 2020, the Trust has managed the operations during a period of expanding services and the restructure of radiology services on a business basis. With a

Graeme Matthews (centre) with Melanie Auricht, Administrator (L) and Rebekah Jowsey, Medical Imaging Technologist (R). The Sonographer was absent at the time of the photo.

business approach, the Trust has successfully managed challenges, from low revenue, rising costs, system upgrades and Covid-19.

The Trust Board requires the operations to self-fund future maintenance of the radiology equipment and the purchase of the replacement of radiology equipment and associated assets. In this regard, maintenance contracts for the X- Ray System and Ultrasound cost us $30,000 a year and over the next two years, both the X-Ray system and Ultrasound will require replacing.

Planning on the replacement of the X-Ray system will commence

during 2025 with planning for the Ultrasound replacement commencing during 2026.

THE FUTURE

Up until November 2024, we were providing X-Ray and Ultrasound services 4 days a week. This level of service was based on two part-time radiographers and one sonographer. One of our radiographers is currently on maternity leave and in going forward, we are reviewing our staffing levels and opening hours against expected demand.

Over the Christmas and New Year period we will provide X-Ray services. The services will be provided by a radiographer from outside the district.

To attract an experienced radiographer, we have offered free accommodation and the days we will be open for X-Ray are 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December 2024, and 3 January 2025.

We will resume normal operations on the 7 January 2025, with both X-Ray and Ultrasound services available for 4 days a week.

The radiology business is a high-cost industry. However, current strategies have ensured a firm basis for financial, operational and investment sustainability, and ensured the provision of local radiology services for the benefit of the community.

Graeme Matthews is Chief Executive at Mercury Bay Radiology

ENQUIRIES FOR STAGE 2 ARE WELCOME!

OUT AND ABOUT

CHESS CLUB – FRIENDSHIP AND SHARPENED MINDS

Coro Club café restaurant out at the Whiti airfield.

BY VERNA CARR

The Mercury Bay Chess Club meets every Monday night at 6:30 pm at the Cooks Rd Bowling Club. People play chess because it is a game that sharpens the mind through planning and strategy, critical thinking, and problem solving. Chess is a social activity to enjoy with others while engaging in a competitive game.

Next year, the chess club hopes to welcome new members of all ages and skill levels to come along and play, as it is a no-stress, no-pressure way

to learn the game and interact with other players. Players in the club are patient and happy to help novices improve their game. We work on a rotation basis, so everyone gets a chance to play everyone else.

The club has chess sets, so all you need to bring is $2 to cover the cost of supper, as hot drinks and biscuits are provided. The Mercury Bay chess club wishes all the players who participated last year a happy festive season. For more information, contact Brett Soanes at 0272117195 or brettsoanes16@hotmail.com

Raffles are very popular on the Coromandel Peninsula and this is certainly the case at Saturday markets.

As well as the Mercury Bay Lions Club team with their super size Christmas raffle prizes, the women from the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust were busy raising funds with their Christmas raffle.

Volunteers, Sandra McGrowan and Lynne Rich-

ardson sported pictorial representations of the wonderful prizes for their raffle. Funds go to assist cancer patients in this region. Raffle tickets are also available at the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Bookshop in Blacksmith Lane Whitianga. BE SURE TO BRING CASH TO THE NEXT MARKETS. Some stall holders have Eftpos machines but many don’t!

Ronnie James is the manager and organiser of the Whiti CitI Markets and she has researched, developed and produced her very own original product – a healing

SYLVIA AND DEREK BROWN

This couple have their own stall at the Whiti markets and their creative skiils have produced everything they have on sale. Having moved to Mercury Bay only three years ago, they are enjoying the freedom to create and offer their craftmanship for sale. “We love it here,” says Sylvia.

JANIA AND HER CROCHET

This young woman of 12 years has created a myriad of beautiful animals and dolls and cuddly things all with her own hands. With her Mum’s support she is at the markets ready toprovide every customer with something they love or need.

A NEW ADDITION TO THE MARKETS – ICE CREAM

The Whiti Citi Markets haven’t seen ice cream and variety like this before. The coming summer will see this stand become very popular I’m sure.

BURGERS NOT TO MISS

The Whitianga Lions Club will never let you go hungry on a Saturday morning. Libby Maconaghie and Gilly Needham were serving fish burgers as well as an onion topped sausage sizzle at the Whiti City markets .

The Mercury Bay Lions Club raffle will be drawn on Saturday 21 December at 1.00pm. That means going to The Warehouse on Wednesday or getting to the Whiti Citi Markets on Saturday morning to get your tickets if you haven’t already. The prizes are very generous. These women are unstoppable and their spirit of volunteerism is legendary.

skin balm called Genie in a Jar. It works and Ronnie demonstrates this for you. What a great gift for the weary and worn summer soles and heels.

FLOATING KEY RINGS

This is a new business and the manager is Charlotte Hayward, 11 years old. Charlotte’s family live on the estuary in Whitiangaand they told The Informer of many occasions when people dropped their keys in the water.

A friend saw the idea and Charlotte began researching as to how she could develop a product. She wrote to all the vineyards who were very happy to send her good corks – some were very special high-end brands.

Her floating key rings have stainless steel fittings and the joy is they are substantial enough to always keep those keys floating and bobbing. Char-

lotte even has some ‘Glow in the

For just $10 this is a great buy.

This is also

will find

THE COASTGUARD SUMMER LOTTERY IS OUT AND ABOUT

Go to Woolworths on most days and you will find some very good-looking gentleman waiting to see you tickets. Every resident and holiday maker knows just how important it is to have our Coastguards out in the best equipment possible ready to save lives when those on the water get into trouble

Tickets are only $15 there are to epic Extreme fishing boats to be won plus

THAI TOWN FOOD

Nina is ready to serve the most delicious dishes at the markets . it has all been freshly prepared by a small team, all Thai people. You will be able to carry away great take-outs for dinner or to sit by the beach and enjoy.

Some of the chess club members enjoying their Christmas gettogether at

GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW

RONNIE AND HER MAGIC BALM

Dark’ ones.

Charlotte’s first market. You

her

Whiti Citi markets this summer.

Enpointe – a significant legacy

These photos tell of a magnificent Christmas show presented by Lisa Gifford and her dance academy The Enpointe Dance Studio that she has owned and been leading and managing for nearly 17 years.

Over 100 families are enriched by this wonderful community of young dancers both boys and girls, and to calculate the families that have been involved since Lisa started the school would be too

many to calculate. Thousands I imagine.

The life and programme of the dance studio has literally changed lives and enlarged the dreams of many other young lives. See the story of Kolbie Fraser in this issue and of Indaria in Issue 1134, 3 December.

Sadly, Lisa and her family are leaving for Australia and she hanging up her dance teacher shoes here in Whitianga. Enpointe

Dance Academy is closing at the end of the year. This is a huge loss to our community and region in terms of leadership, teaching and the pastoral care and friendship given by lisa over so many years to her students and their families.

We do not begrudge Lisa but thank her for the years of great service and dance business. She has new opportunities in Australia particularly for her young daughter who has gained entry

as a seven-year-old to high level dance schools.

Now it is up to all of us to think about the gaping whole and believe that it can be filled. It cannot be the same as it has been let the achievements echo and encourage others. but it can be filled in a different way.

Thank you to Sean King for these phots that tell of such an excellent, colourful, community achievement. It is a real tribute

Potato growing – serious fun!

Thirty-four years of competing to see who grows the best potatoes.

These friends don’t go any easier on each other with the passing years. In fact the more they know the more aspects they include in the competition.

Everyone’s plants come from the same potato seedlings. “The difference is all in the singing and talking to the plants,” says John McQuillan, the organiser of this neighbourhood competition, with a twinkle in his eye.

At each home, the owner of the potato plant patch is observed by the group as he or she chooses two potato plants to be in the competition and then selects a third to be a reserve. Each plant is dug and the potatoes picked up from the soil.

The potatoes are carefully counted and placed in a bag; one bag for the first plant’s potatoes and one

for the second plant’s potatoes. Then there is the third bag for the reserve plant’s potatoes in case

Cooks Beach Massage Therapist

there is a tie in points. This year they needed that reserve bag.

Everyone’s yield is weighed and

to Lisa and her sharing of leadership with her young team of dancers. It is interesting that Indaria, in her interview, said ,”I hope to lead a studio like Enpointe. That’s what I am preparing for.” At 17, Indaria has to prepare for her student life and for the wonderful courses she has gained entry to. There is time ahead. Always there is opportunity and always there is someone, somewhere who can bring a new day.

counted and the heaviest potato is decided by careful weighing.

THE WINNER IS A COMBINATION OF

• The grower whose plants yielded the most potatoes;

• The heaviest potato;

• The total weight of the yield of the two plants. Three of the contestants were tied with the same score. As a result of this dilemma, they had to use their third potato to get a winner. First, Alan Miles; Second, John McQuillan; Third, Paul Simpson; 4= (fourth for the second year in a row) Callum McGillivray.

Of course, the winners need to celebrate and a few beers don’t go astray.

Medical Pedicures

Removal of ingrown toenails, corns, thickened and yellow toenails, callus/dry skin – suitable for diabetic patients.

Permanent Make-Up

Natural looking eyebrows and eye-liner. Free consulation to discuss your requirements. European trained Now operating full time out of Whitianga

Left to right: Paul Simpson, Alan Miles, Callum McGillivray, John McQuillan; above, John McQuillan holding the winning trophy to present to Alan Miles. John has this twinkle in his eye every year.

Photos by Sean King – Kiwi Way of Life Photography

Donald Trump’s attitude – crazy or timely?

BY STAN STEWART

Most of the people I know were shocked when Donald Trump won the US presidential race.

I could hardly believe it. We thought he was a buffoon – a show off – all huff and puff, lacking brains and substance.

I have been forced to think again. What did he offer the American people that inspired so many to vote for him? It must have been more than a show-biz personality. Does his promise ‘to make America great again’ really have substance?

Here is my take on what is happening. Many in the US feel government has just grown too big – 438 government departments for instance. This has led to a proliferation of government regulations. Complying with these is a burden on established businesses and creates barriers for new enterprises.

Trump is saying, “Enough is enough. Let’s simplify doing business and encourage, rather than inhibit new business”.

His actions and rhetoric directly challenge some established understandings. He is certainly critical of much of the established intellectual, Ivy League elites. It is my impression that he is saying to them, “We don’t believe your so-called wisdom, nor do we think you should have the last say on government and business”.

Looking at life from my working class roots, I have always trusted the educated elite. We believed they knew best about everything.

Trump’s appointment of Robert F Kennedy Jr for US Health Secretary brings into national leadership another ‘doubter’ of the established experts. Robert F Kennedy Jr’s skepticism regard-

ing the US Health establishment is well known. He is critical of many established health procedures and doctrines. He wants to challenge big pharma. He doesn’t accept their philosophy or many

vention confirms to my family that this was the case.

Alternative medicine always seemed a bit suspect to me, but not anymore. I accept there are others from different cultures

of their products.

My son’s paralysis meant that for ten months I was daily in hospital – three different major city hospitals. One of the results of this experience is that I have revised my opinion of doctors, surgeons and medical specialists. Previously, I put unwavering trust in the medical profession and the whizz-bang latest medical marvels at their disposal. I assumed that they (doctors, specialists, professors) know what is happening to individuals and how to get them back to health and strength. I don’t believe that now. Clearly, the doctors, with the help of their latest equipment, do know a lot about the working of a body. But I realise there is much they don’t know. The medics don’t admit to this, but the results speak for themselves. In the case of our son’s paralysis, the medics were whistling in the dark. They never owned up to this, but three years of multiple scans, MRI’s and some extreme medical inter-

and different centuries who know about health, disease, and physical wholeness. I no longer dismiss medical concepts from ancient wisdom or new ways of thinking.

What this means for me is that I now question elites, experts, in medicine and other human endeavours. I will not automatically assume, ‘they know best’. I’m with Trump on this.

My mother, whose demise and my birth coincided, had her own way of thinking and doing things. She had some ideas that were somewhere between quaint and ridiculous. I know about her wild ideas because she kept a scrapbook. Pasted into the scrapbook were cuttings from the newspaper. Beside each cutting, she had penned her own thoughts.

For instance: When one-piece bathing suits (top of the thigh, to the neck) appeared in the paper she was sure this was a sure sign that unbridled sexual excess was on the way.

Her fiercest condemnation

however was directed towards the ‘godless Russians. She highlighted a cutting which told of a fiendish Russian invention, wine-infused lipstick. The combination of alcohol and lipstick was to her a sure sign of the explosion of wickedness which would precede the end of the world.

But she wasn’t all nuts. She knew about how to bring peace and create community. My Dad told me there were often visitors at the evening meal. Mostly these were down-on-their-luck men whom mum had met at the bus station or when shopping. In

the hot weather, she kept a jug of water in the ice chest. At the hottest part of the day she would take a jug of ice water with lemon pieces from our tree out to whoever was working in the street. She knew the dustmen’s schedule and never missed them. Hard bitten workers loved her. Her Bible beliefs were extreme, but her actions promoted peace and friendship.

I think Trump is right. Let’s challenge the established ‘experts’. It’s time to consider new ways of thinking and of acting.

Shoreline Painters Colouring-In and Painting- In competition

BY EDITOR PAULINE STEWART

Entries are closed and Daena Young Administrator at Shoreline Painters is busy deciding with her team just who are the winners.

There are some very excellent standard creations and very creative entries. The staff at Shoreline are considering having some Runner -Up prizes as well because the level of competition is very close in both age groupings.

The Informer is very appreciative of Shoreline Painters initiating this wonderful competition for children and young people. The entries have brought a lot of joy – so bright and hopeful. The textures used and the creative use of colour demonstrated is way ahead of

Leia Young (8) brings her entry to The Informer herself.

the age groupings.

The winners will be published in the Christmas Eve edition of The Informer but we will be in touch with the two winners and the two runner -up entries personally on Monday morning 23 December.

A BIG thank you to all who coloured in and painted in for the last three weeks.

Authorised by Scott Simpson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Two honoured as Life Members of Mercury Bay Rugby Club

In late November of this year, a rather auspicious occasion took place at the Mercury Bay Rugby Club rooms. It was their Annual General Meeting but at the close, two members were honoured with Life Membership – Mike English (Blink) and Wayne Smith.

The ceremony for this was very simple but with an air of formality and respect. Time was taken to present a history of the service and leadership that these two men had so willingly and ably given to the Rugby Club. Two others, who were already Life Members, had not received their membership badges previously, so were also part of the presentation on the evening – Chris Costello (L) and Mike Skeen (third from left). Blink is obviously the most senior of the life members. The account of his work and contribution to rugby in Mercury Bay and wider afield is of the quality of an exceptional lifetime. It was prepared by Stephen Reynders as part of the recommendation for Blink to receive Life Membership. It is well worth publishing in our Peninsula-wide paper.

A TRIBUTE TO BLINK, OUR PATRON BY STEPHEN REYNDERS (RUSTY)

Blink’s name is synonymous with the Mercury Bay Rugby Club. So many past and present players identify Blink with the Rugby Club. He has simply been a major contributor to the MBRC over a long period of time and in a large number of roles

With every role he has undertaken, Blink has given full commitment and that has made a difference in the development of

where the club is today.

One of the major undertakings in which Blink was involved was the actual resurrection of the Mercury Bay Rugby Club. Driven by a partnership with Harry Austin and Huia Martin, this required a massive commitment of time and effort to set up the necessary structures. Blink was a driving force in this, getting the club operational.

Having a team take the paddock was a proud moment for all (the team had to provide their own jerseys). Blink was a player, a coach and administrator at this time. His love for the game and the club and his enthusiasm and full-on effort were always to the front. Blink coached at Under-19 and Senior level for several seasons.

A major development during the foundation years was the coming of invitation teams which

Blink instigated, and which helped establish interest in the area to be a place to have a rugby game. This was immediately reflected in player numbers in the younger grades. These games also gave some local players an opportunity to mix and play with All Blacks and long-serving top provincial players.

Without Blink’s efforts and contacts, these games would never have been convened.

Photos and past programmes show the calibre of players who came to the Bay and sampled the hospitality on offer, a feature that has continued to today. Blink took management roles for these games and his talent and ability were recognised in his being invited by the University of Waikato as Tour Manager to take a team to Hawaii to play rugby games. Blink’s rapport with players was legendary.

He helped establish ties with the Thames Valley Maori team hosting them in Whitianga many times for games that were especially enjoyable, and they helped enhance and develop local players.

Another feature of Blink’s tenure over the years was his involvement with the hosting of the Roller Mills Tournament. He was a committee member and a very good liaison officer. The tournament was held in Whitianga three times and each time Thames Valley requested Blink be their liaison officer reflecting his ability and commitment to the task.

Thames Valley won this prestigious tournament at Lyon Park and Blink holds this as a most treasured memory.

Blink was also a key organiser of the popular 10-A-Side tournaments as well as the Club’s Centennial. For that 100-year occasion,

he organised a fine line-up of All Blacks, Maori All Blacks and provincial players as well as locals to play a Goldfields team. This was no easy task and made a major contribution to the success of the centennial celebrations.

Today Blink continues his commitment and his love of the club and the game in the role of Patron which he honours. He is regular at all functions and games and at some trainings. He follows the team in away games and is also evident at lower grade games offering his support.

In all these roles throughout the years, Blink has made a major difference over a huge number of seasons, contributing significantly to the success the club is today.

I cannot think of any other member of the Mercury Bay Rugby Club who has made such a massive contribution.

From L to R: Chris Costello, Wayne Smith, Mike Skeen, Mike English (Blink) on the occasion of receiving their Life Membership badges.

RURAL LIFE COUNTS

Jeremy Clarkson Job Opportunity

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

How many readers watched the motoring show hosted by Jeremy Clarkson? As a wealthy man why did he go and buy a farm?

Thankfully with his commanding personality he did, as his farming commentary, is now as popular, if not more so, than his ‘road show’ and if ever a country needed such a figure to carry the flag, New Zealand is at the top level of such a job opportunity.

I have pointed out in my columns that there are only three sectors of the community where all production begins. And yet, it is these three sectors that are continually in the news for all the wrong reasons.

For example, regarding damage to the land and environment, both miners and farmers are the culprits, and as for damage to the ocean and sea floor; it is the fishermen who are to blame.

Without those industries New Zealanders would not be eating, wearing clothes, driving or flying, or have a roof over their heads. But here we have a case of one convicted Ngatea farmer, fined $309,500 for spilling a biodegrad-

able substance, which has been around for thousands, if not millions of years that has had no ill effects on the environment long term, not ever.

Then the Government Select Committee chaired by Coromandel MP Scott Simpson locks up more of the Hauraki Gulf in order to save the fishing.

At the same time, the policies still support the corrupt Resource Management Act, allowing the Councils to poison both the Hauraki Plains, including the Ngatea farming area and the Hauraki Gulf, where the residue of some twenty tonnes of poison annually is going to be flushed, via the rivers, canals and other waterways.

The Hauraki Gulf Forum has identified that the water quality in the gulf has declined over the last three years and is aware of a long term steady decline. However instead of cleaning up the toxins to encourage the fish to breed, all of these illustrious agencies including Environment

Waikato, Central Government and the nasty Environment Court, lash out at people with hefty fines. The Court and Environment Waikato will simply take cash off the supposed culprit, making it harder than ever to effect any remedial repairs.

There is clear evidence that, for some reason, successive governments have a policy of putting the boot into the productive sector, with penalties for tour operators such as the White Island tragedy. There have been tragic accidents since the dawn of time and realistically the only one, who can keep one safe, is one’s-self.

If a driver is careless in a car and hits a power-pole, is it the drivers fault or the power-pole’s fault?.

The main role of the government is to keep the people safe, and in this role the Government fails miserably, as murderers are now just a law unto themselves, the streets quite simply are no longer safe. Neither are the farmers, fishermen, or miners safe from the Environment Court or the Councils.

Someone in the Holy Bible stated, “Forgive them Lord, they know not what they do.”

Tairua,

Hinemoa Terrace

Malcolm Campbell with his son Ewan Campbell at Whitianga Airfield on Sunday.

Natasha’s vocation and new adventure

BY PAULINE STEWART

Natasha comes to Coromandel Beaches Harcourts with a vast experience in Secondary Education, spanning over 20 years.

When she turned 45, she made the decision to go out on a limb and change her career direction.

Real estate has always been an interest for Natasha.

“I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t give it a go. I’d been considering the business of Real Estate as something I could do well, for years.”

With the support of her husband, Ross, she committed to it, although she admits, going back to study after finishing university 24 years ago was an adjustment!

“The emotional attachment you can have to your home, the sense of accomplishment you have when you leave your mark on it, and the sheer potential that properties have, is exciting,” says Natasha.

Her exceptional communication skills, down to earth

personality, sense of humour and enthusiasm make her the perfect candidate for the multi-faceted nature of the job. She naturally exudes all of these traits.

Natasha is passionate about her new vocation, dynamic in her approach, and skilled in building sincere connections. She is a firm believer in the old-fashioned values of honesty, respect and hard work. Having gone through the house buying and selling process many times herself, in Rotorua, Akaroa and now Whitianga, Natasha can relate to the emotional, yet exciting, journey of selling and buying.

“Like teaching, it is so fulfilling to be a part of someone’s ‘real estate’ journey of making big decisions, moving on and achieving their dreams. Both careers involve a lot of trust, responsibility, challenges and tenacity.”

Natasha draws on her relevant experience of teaching in six different Secondary Schools in both the North and South Islands. Moving,

adapting and starting fresh are not foreign concepts to her and are what make her empathetic to the stress and uncertainty that many sellers and buyers encounter.

Ultimately, she loves the ability to create her own brand with her business. A firm believer in philanthropy, Natasha has committed to donate $500 of her commission to a local charity, sports

club, church or community organisation of her client’s choice on completion of their property sale.

Natasha chose Harcourts as her company. She says, “Their reputation and history are unparalleled. They’ve been voted the most trusted Real Estate company for 12 years in a row and that speaks volumes to an employee. The Harcourts team are wonderful to work with.”

She loves the lifestyle of living in Whitianga with her husband and two sons and can appreciate why her friends and family are so jealous that she lives here full time. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Natasha would love to hear from you.

Natasha Sarich-Dunn 0211529356 email: natashasarich-dunn@harcourts.co.nz

Community Carols in town centre

BY DOROTHY PREECE

On Friday night the beat of drums and guitars and a fine, sunny evening drew the crowd in to Taylor’s Mistake to join in singing wellknown Christmas carols under the big Christmas tree. The annual Community Carols event is organised by Whitianga Combined Churches Committee.

This year the singing was led by Tonga Loumoli and members of Crossroad Fellowship, beginning with a bracket of Maori waiata. The programme included all the traditional, wellloved carols, led by members of the Crossroad Filipino congregation and individual soloists. The carols were interspersed with Bible readings from representatives of the other Whitianga churches. The evening drew to a close with Combined Churches secretary Tony Courtenay distributing bags of lollies to the youngsters. Chairman Damon Christensen said the improved public space with its power laid on for sound and instruments has improved the quality of outdoor performance in Whitianga and makes for more lively interaction with the audience.

Natasha Sarich-Dunn

Alfred and George – The Thames ‘Men of Metal’ PART 2

A&G Price amalgamated with William Cable and Downer engineering to become Cable Price Downer, the largest engineering construction and mining company in New Zealand. Their portfolio included construction, mining, engineering, Mercedes car and trucks, Komatsu diggers, Hire Pool, Price 980 Motherwell steel importers. They were still located in Thames. A&G Price alone had around 300 staff and was one of the biggest engineering works in the country which eventually meant another factory upgrade was badly needed including the use of electric arc furnaces.

While the installation of electric arc furnaces was a successful upgrade for the business, it caused all the lights in Thames to flicker when the furnaces were turned on, eventually forcing the power board to upgrade the lines and transformer station to supply more power to the factory. Other large upgrades at the time included a new modern hard sand moulding system.

When in 1982 the New Zealand Railways restructure created huge job losses, A&G Price was also dealt a blow. Its rail contracts which at the time were around 40% of its turnover, were cancelled overnight.

It was time for history to repeat itself and the company to evolve and reinvent itself once again.

When the Anzac frigates came up for tender, one of the requirements was an internationally recognised, quality assurance and management system. So, on the 30th May 1990, A&G Price became one of the first companies in New Zealand to achieve ISO 9001 certification. To achieve the quality and production require-

ments, huge investment was put into CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines with some of the largest in the country installed at the Thames factory.

A & G Price has had many owners since Alfred and George stepped down from the day to day running of the company. The latest chapter began on 23rd July 2017, when the company was placed into liquidation and eventually purchased by Christopher and Jackie Reeve in April 2018 who are the current owners.

Under their current management, there has been a big push to be more environmentally aware and to recycle more and use renewable energy.

An interesting fact is A&G Price have been recycling steel for 156 years and when Alfred and

“The past and present – not just what was, but what is.”

George opened in Thames, electricity wasn’t even available. The first generator driven by an A&G Price Pelton Wheel was installed in the Queen of Beauty mine in 1899 and a public power supply wasn’t available till 1914, some 44 years after the engineering works opened.

But as it has done many times over, the company keeps on evolving.

It has installed one of the country’s largest hybrid solar electric systems with 1016 solar panels mounted on the Thames factory roof. Once the batteries are charged, power is fed into the plant while on weekends and

public holidays, surplus power is fed back into the grid. This supplies a third of the power needed to run the plant, meaning no fossil fuels are needed for the steel melting or heat treatment ovens.

The quenching tanks for heat treatment and the cooling water for the furnaces are recycled, cooled and reused, while castings are made from 99% recycled scrap steel. In addition, 90% of the best grades of sand used in the foundry are reclaimed for the moulding process.

The air in the foundry is also filtered. The latest energy efficient induction furnace has been installed while lights have nearly all been replaced with LEDs..

Currently the markets served by A&G Price include defence, marine, mining, road construc-

tion, steel, cement, fertilizer and lime, electricity generation, rail and forestry/pulp and paper. There is also a connection to the Americas Cup which dates back to the 1987 campaign held off Freemantle in Western Australia. For a building that hasn’t changed dramatically from the outside in 156 years, what has taken place inside the walls is nothing sort of remarkable. Alfred and George Price, the original Men of Metal, would be astonished to see just how the business has progressed, evolved and survived for so long. Their engineering expertise, vision and imagination were great attributes, and the company continues to implement them today. No doubt this continued legacy will serve A&G Price in the future.

The staff of A&G Price with the 100th locomotive the company had manufactured in Thames; a large Cupola Furnace with drop bottom.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

BY DICK WILSON

What better way to end what has been a busy year of activities for the Mercury Bay Historical Society, than to hold a social function at a completely new and novel place of interest in the local area. Some 45 members were fortunate enough to be invited to a sneak preview of “Wheels Within Walls,” Mercury Bay’s latest attraction.

Some would call this venue a museum, but it would be better described as a wonderful example of a couple’s lifelong passions. It is the brainchild of Robyn and Michael Gee, long term residents of the area, and is situated on SH25 just south of the Mercury Bay Golf Club. When open it will be recognised by the sign “Wheels Within Walls” placed atop a khaki coloured farm Jeep style vehicle at the entrance.

It’s quite a passion when an 800 square metre purpose built building is required just to hold one’s personal collection of vehicles and artifacts. The new building features a very large collection of classic cars, not all perfectly restored, which somehow adds to the charm. Some are the Gees’ own, such as two superb Rolls Royces, others belong to local enthusiasts and are on loan.

Robyn and Michael have a passion for car racing so it is no surprise to find a collection of their

race cars on display, bringing memories flooding back.

To complement all this there is a totally unique military section, including some amazing vehicles, and to top it all off a delightful old time service station awaits viewing outside.

It might be easy for readers to think at this stage, “Oh, just another car museum”, but there is much much more in this wonderful collection. Some years ago the Gees owned the Coroglen Pub so it’s no surprise to find a replica old time pub inside, but no alcohol. Fascinating!

There is an extensive collection of farm machinery, a shearing display, and a delightful collection

of old time household appliances and items to bring back memories of homes in times past, together with a totally unique cabinet making workshop, a reminder of the craftsmen of the past. Each corner seems to reveal some other fascinating item. Society members enjoyed socialising and enjoying the lunch, cooked on an intriguing barbecue, a wonderful example of Michael’s ingenuity, which showed up throughout our visit. Set in a rural environment, members commented on what a wonderful venue for an event this is, well worth considering by other groups. It can only get better and better as future plans are realised.

GARDENSCAPES

Thank you to all our wonderful clients, contractors and suppliers. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Janice & the Gardening Team

MB Historical Society members enjoying a sneak preview of Whitianga’s ‘Wheels Within Walls’, above; owner Michael Gee hard at work over his home make BBQ, right; Janice Haye and Diane Hinds admire a very unique motorbike, bottom right..

Trusted

An endowment fund coming – pertinent to the region’s future

BY PAULINE STEWART

Peter Farmer has been working on an important project for people who believe in the Coromandel Region. This project is about to become a reality.

Peter, with wife Dianne (who have a much-loved home in the Whitianga Waterways), founded the Farmer Autovillage in Tauranga (1991), which also has a branch in Whitianga (Coromandel area) as part of the company’s “Hub and Spoke” business model.

Peter’s ambition is to form a Coromandel endowment orientated community trust, similar to other very successful foundations that encourage families and individuals to set aside a small portion of the Will (estate) to be assigned to the foundation.

“When setting up such a gesture from your Will, you also advise the charity and/or cause you wish your estate to support, says Peter. Funds will be invested and the income to your nominated cause, less a very small admin charge”

“These funds are invested in perpetuity, generating income that is distributed annually to community organisations. Other Donors may prefer to see their estate funds enter a pool, with the pool funds directed to strong community initiatives and causes.

Such a totally community orientated foundation can accumulate a large amount in invested funds and individual funds. Peter believes that such a foundation needs to be set up in the Coromandel and that it is the right time to get this started.

“I suspect many donor funds will be focused improving Health Care Facilities, Emergency Access (Rescue Helicopter & St Johns Ambulance) and other Health Care support infrastructure, to enable people to be ‘medically secure’ in this region” says Peter.

His experience with Tauranga’s 20-year-old $65 million Acorn Foundation, being a Founding Acorn Trustee, and his knowledge of the Waikato Momentum Foundation

has provided Peter with a thorough background and confidence that such a foundation would be very effective across the Coromandel.

Thus, he is able to confirm that the Coromandel Community Fund will be established in 2025 with Momentum Waikato Community Foundation, Momentum Waikato is one of 18 regional community foundations in NZ – these Foundations are all about a place and its people –not one single cause. This development also has the support of our local Council, TCDC, which Peter sees as critical for the fund’s success.

A lot of the wealth here has not been made on the Coromandel: it has been brought here” says Peter. “People have chosen to relocate there. Their legacies could be focused here now, not confined to where they have been prior residents, but where they now live. This is what the idea is about. Imagine the outcome in 20 years if that comes about”

Finally, Peter stresses that these foundations are not the preserve of the wealthy and that many people can and do make provision in their wills for small, medium or large amounts”.

ABOUT MOMENTUM

Momentum has very successfully operated in Hamilton and wider Waikato, building a substantial endowment fund for their regional community, encouraging people to give smartly.

The magnificent Waikato Regional Theatre in Hamilton is a recent very successful project for Momentum Waikato, with another being a founding contributor to Puniu River Care, and iwi-connected environmental restoration organization near Te Awamutu. Momentum has also facilitated the formation of local Community Funds within the Waikato region. Recently they set up, alongside a couple of enthusiastic local community champions, a placebased Community Fund for Cambridge.

THE FUTURE

The proposed Coroman-

del Fund will be similar to Cambridge. However, it will be split into six distinct funds reflecting the six different areas - Coromandel, Thames, Whangamata, Tairua, Pauanui and Whitianga.

“From my personal aspect I am driven to see all six area funds that will make up the Coromandel Community Fund reach their targets over the next few years”

Peter is confident that in say, 5 to 10 years, this fund will be able to provide the Coromandel Peninsula Community with a substantial resource to allow successive generations to enjoy the wonder of the Coromandel.

Such Community Foundations are governed by Community leaders with very strong input from the legal, accounting and investment professions.

Peter’s ambition is to assist in the formation of the Community Foundation over the next 12 – 18 months and invites any interested/qualified people to contact him.

“My aim is to involve like-minded individuals to support this vision”.

Email: peter@farmermotorgroup.co.nz

PETER’S COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

• Waipuna Hospice. –9 years

• Riding for the Disabled -12 years

• Board Member –Avocado NZ

• Board Member – NZ Motor Trade Assn

• Chair – Bay Venues (CCO)

• Trustee TECT ($1 billion Trust)

• Founding & Life Member – Priority One

• Founding & Life Member – Acorn Foundation

• Tauranga Civic Flagpole – Donor

CORRECTION:

Last week’s issue of The Informer, page 6, “It’s the Boys Lunch Group, had an incorrect email for Peter Farmer, who is the co-ordinator of that group.

Please use peter@ farmermotorgroup.co.nz

Meri Kirihimete

~ NGAMIHI O TE TAU HOU ~

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all the elected members and staﬀ at Thames-Coromandel District Council.

2024 was a challenging year for the entire Thames-Coromandel community as we worked to achieve a new normal after the diﬀiculties of the last few years. We’d like to acknowledge the hard work that so many in the Coromandel put in this year to our ongoing storm recovery and making our district thrive. We know it hasn’t been easy.

Take care over the holidays, and here’s to continued progress and partnership in the year ahead.

Whitianga Esplanade Redevelopment update

Consultation on the Whitianga Esplanade Redevelopment project was due to close on 18 December. Our Council would like to thank everyone who shared their feedback. All views will be considered to help guide the Council’s eventual decisionmaking process.

CHRISTMAS /NEW YEAR

Some rules, regulations and schedules may change.

Kerbside collections

Additional collections take place over the summer peak period for most of the district. Check when our summer collections begin for Mercury Bay North, Whitianga and Mercury Bay South by visiting tcdc.govt.nz/bindays

Our Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations are closed on Christmas and New Year’s days, and open daily from 8.30am–5.30pm until 5 April. tcdc.govt.nz/rts

Summer dog rules

NO DOGS

Some rules have changed. If in doubt, remember dogs must be on a lead unless speciﬁed otherwise. tcdc.govt.nz/summerinfo

Service centres

Our oﬀices (and AA services) are closed from noon on Tuesday 24 December, resuming normal hours on Friday 3 January 2025. Our oﬀices will also close on Anniversary Day Monday 27 January. You can contact us 24/7 at 07 868 0200, customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz

Alcohol bans

Alcohol bans are in force from 4pm on Monday 23 December until 4pm on Monday 6 January, and over Anniversary weekend from 4pm Friday to 4pm Monday 27 January. tcdc.govt.nz/alcoholcontrol

From all of us at TCDC

FOODBANK DEMAND SKYROCKETS

Whitianga Community Services Trust’s foodbank service has come under extreme demand with the service being emptied of stock daily.

At its December meeting, Mercury Bay Community Board heard that demand had “skyrocketed”.

While harvesting from its garden and receiving donations from the ﬁre brigade and local supermarkets helped, there were concerns, especially as foodbank services in neighbouring districts have closed down.

People can help by dropping oﬀ food (not homemade) at the Trust’s oﬀices at 2 Cook Drive between 9am and 3.30pm weekdays

Community Service Award winners

Tina Bartlett and Tonga Loumoli were each awarded certiﬁcates and gold medals as recipients of this year’s Community Service Awards in the Mercury Bay Community Board area.

Bartlett thanked the Board for the recognition but also all the work it did on behalf of the community. Loumoli also thanked the Board, plus his wife and children. He said there was no warrior who stands without a team behind them.

A word from our Deputy Board Chair Rekha Giri-Percival

“I love this time of year when friends and families come together in our beautiful town. And while some might be looking forward to Christmas lunch, there are others who are might not be so lucky.

I was shocked to learn at our latest meeting the local foodbank was being emptied daily. It reinforces just how valuable community legends such as Tony Marsters and his team at Whitianga Community Services Trust are. They do an incredible job helping to feed those in need. But they can’t do it all on their own. We as a community can help by donating what we can to help meet that demand. I’ve already got my bags of non-perishables packed! Speaking of community legends, our board was proud to be joined by Mayor Len Salt in presenting this year’s Community Service Awards to Tonga Loumoli and Tina Bartlett, who each make an incredible diﬀerence to people’s lives.

And many from the community turned out to our information drop-in sessions to discuss, view and have their say on the Whitianga Esplanade Redevelopment Project. Our Board would like to thank each person who joined us or ﬁlled out the project’s survey. Consultation closes tomorrow (Wednesday 18 December) and all feedback will be considered to help guide our Council’s decision-making process.

Lastly, on behalf of the Board, we’d like to wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season.” rekha.giri-percival@council.tcdc.govt.nz

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 9am, 10 Monk Street, Whitianga. Meeting agendas and the 2025 Council meeting schedule are at tcdc.govt.nz/meetings

Watch our meetings at youtube.com/c/ourcoromandel

CATHEDRAL COVE

Anyone planning to visit Mautohe Cathedral Cove is encouraged to plan their parking before arriving in Hāhei.

The car park at the top of Grange Road in Hāhei where the walkway begins remains permanently closed to parking. It’s available for dropoﬀ and pick-up only. There is no parking along Grange Road itself. Parking can be found at the free Council-run visitors car park at the village’s entrance.

Paid parking is also available at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail on Lees Road, a little bit out of Hāhei.

A map of where to park can be found at tcdc.govt.nz/cathedral-cove-parking and doc.govt.nz

Tonga Loumoli and Tina Bartlett with Mayor Len Salt, Mercury Bay Community Board and supporters at the Community Service Awards presentation.

News from Thames-Coromandel District Council

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

Santa’s Grotto

–

77 Buffalo Beach Rd, Whitianga 14 -24 December (inc), 7pm-9pm. $2 entry pp. All proceeds go to Mercury Bay Cancer Support.

included. We’ll be doing two super fun projects each day!

To register your child, or for inquiries, please email me at hilaryemersonlay@gmail.com.

Councillor Peter Revell to Stand for Mayoralty

ISSUED BY PETER REVELL PRESS RELEASE

Thames-Coromandel District Councillor and former Thames Community Board member, Cr Peter Revell, has today announced his candidacy for the Mayoralty of the Thames-Coromandel District at next year’s local government elections.

The decision comes after much reflection and discussion with family and friends.

“After three years on the community board and now two years as a councillor, I believe I have the passion, energy, experience, and skills that our district needs for this role”.

Citing his on-going focus and commitment to his current role of district councillor, Cr Revell advised that he would not be making any further comments at this stage.

“Ratepayers can count on me to continue doing the job I was elected to do, to the very best of my ability,” he said.

“Our council is facing a number of crucial decisions over the coming months. These decisions demand appropriate discernment and consideration to ensure the right, commonsense decisions are made at the council table. I will not be distracted from doing that.”

Cr Revell added that he is making this announcement now as transparency is key

to his approach. “Being open, honest, and upfront are essential values for me. Therefore, I believe that it is appropriate for people to know my stance on such a significant matter.”

For further information contact Peter Revell on 021-912-993 or revellp@ gmail.com

The cunning of the traffic tax taking team

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

Over the years our traffic police have been quite adept at tricking the public into following good driving habits, in particular the reduction of driving speeds

I remember when speed radars first appeared, the Traffic Department announced they were going to be nice to us and tell us where these units were set up.

This they did by setting up hundreds of signs warning us to slow down as we were entering a radar-controlled area.

As we only had about 40 radar units for the whole country at that time, it soon became apparent that these “radar controlled areas” were in fact empty of such devices. Their most effective weapon was the publicity, not the units themselves.

Some years later, the Traffic boys launched their aerial attack on traffic speed. They did this by painting a whole lot of white lines, about a yard long and perpendicular to the centre line. It was then announced that a fleet of spotter planes would be checking the time when you crossed a line and then crossed another one down the road. A simple calculation would confirm your speed and if guilty an officer further down the road would stop you to give you your ticket. If pigs could fly!

Of course this was always rubbish and at the

end of the holiday season the Traffic boys had to announce that it was a bit hard getting the planes and pilots they needed, so no spotting actually got carried out. But for the cost of a bit of paint and some publicity, the Traffic Department was able to enjoy their Christmas Holidays while cutting down speed and accident; a very cunning plan.

A recent trip over the Kopu-Hikuai road has alerted me to what I think maybe their cunning plan for this Christmas.

There is a small passing lane at the top of a small hill on the Hikuai end and once you crest this hill, there is an area a few hundred yards down the road which has plenty of room to pull over.

Part of this area is shaded and on this particular day a traffic officer was parked comfortably in this shaded area. Once I came into view, he turned on his coloured light show, very festive I thought, stuck his hand out the window and signalled me to pull over. I watched in my rear vision mirror as he put down his fizzy drink and book, buttoned up his shirt and then made his way into the sun to confront me.

We had an interesting conversation where he told me they were concentrating on five things, speeding, stop sign encroachment, use of mobile phones, driving distracted and impaired driving. Most of these things would require him to drive his vehicle,

but he preferred to park under a shady tree, so I am unsure about how focussed he really was. We also discussed the irony of being able to drive to Port Charles or across the Tapu Coroglen road at 100Km per hour but only at 80km per hour on that bit of the state highway. As with all such conversations I have had, I lost and the officer duly gave me a ticket.

This little incident makes me wonder whether the concept of stopping for a car without sighting a police officer would work. In my situation the officer’s hand out the window could be replaced by an electronic sign telling me to slow down, or possibly stop.

The officer’s conversation could be replaced by something far more interesting, perhaps a podcast on the successes of the 2024 TCDC Council, or something equally brief. The car itself could be replaced by a piece of ply wood painted to look like the back end of a police car. No need for any cameras, other than a CCTV one pointed at the people who stop when they don’t need to, and possibly over react.

So the smart money is on such a scheme being quietly introduced this summer, so I suggest you be wary. If you pass such a decoy the lack of a human gives it away. You will be able to sprint past without needing to slow down without consequence, although of course if you get it wrong??

TCDC Councillor Peter Revell.

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of 9 boxes inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once.

TRADES AND SERVICES

TRADES & SERVICES

News from St Francis Anglican Church Tairua

Reverend Joan Fanshawe, of Tairua’s St Francis Anglican Church ministry team, outlines the church’s Christmas programme.

“In Advent we wait, watch and prepare, following the traditional themes of hope, peace, joy and love. Each Sunday this year the theme links to work done

by Christian World Service, especially in our neighbouring Pacific region, to build awareness and resilience to the challenges of climate change.

“Another Advent project that has evolved over several years, is to collect ‘Gifts for a Mother’ to be distributed to households

SPORTS RESULTS

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

There were 20 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. Lots of very close games this week with 4 teams only having one lose. The teams to play the final were Stoney and Chris Bennett, Selwyn Whatarangi and Debbie Holmes, Mike Gillett and Aly Crawford and Greg Healy and Eleanor Higgins. Mike Gillett and Aly Crawford came away with a hard-fought win. Highest finish for the men was 72, scored by Mike Gillett, no finishes over 50 by the ladies and no 180’s scored.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday 11 December

Best of three frames: 11 players on Wednesday and it was Ken Gibson, Rob Reilly and Wayne Malcolm with two straight wins each to challenge the finals. Wayne won the drawn bye and in a close match Rob grabbed victory over Ken to then meet Wayne in the final. Another close victory for Rob who took home the cash prize. Runner up Wayne Malcolm and with two wins Ken Gibson, Peter Challis and Kevin Taylor.

Saturday 14 December

11 players on Saturday, and it was Wayne Malcolm , Ian Baumgren and Peter Schultz with two straight wins to challenge the finals. Peter Schultz won the bye and Ian and Wayne battled out a close game with Wayne going through to meet Peter in the final frame. A great match this was with Wayne being able to win on the pink but missed allowing Peter to pot the pink and then a very flukey shot on the black to take the win and cash prize.

With two wins were Wayne Malcolm (runner-up), Doug Pascoe, Ian Baumgren & Bob Haase

MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB

Business House Competition

Tuesday 10 December

The Cut Hut defeated C.S.Construction 9-4,4-9, 4-3.

Misfits defeated Rugby Club 9-7, 9-4.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

9 Hole – Stableford

Tuesday 10 December

1, Gavin Green; 2, Phil Drane; 3, Roger Pheasant

18-hole Men - Stableford

Wednesday 11 December

1, Patrick Gonthier; 2, Richard Steel; 3, Gary Wheeler.

Twos: Dave Enright (3), Greg Peterken, Carl Mitchell, Alan Henderson, Willie Jones

Gross: Dave Enright (Div 1), Gary Wheeler (Div 2)

9-hole Scramble – Stableford

Friday 13 December

1, Gavin Green; 2, Kelvin O’Leary; 3, Bob Holliday.

18-hole - Stableford

Saturday 14 December

1, Chris Burgess; 2, Jack Coldicutt; 3, John Bow.

Twos: Osman Emer

as treats for mothers who put others’ needs first. This project is generously supported by the wider Tairua community.”

On Sunday December 15, the St Francis Church family dedicated a small memorial plaque under a tree near the church remembering Bishop Bruce Gilberd,

TAIRUA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Tairua Ladies Stableford Tournament

Tuesday 3 December

18-hole Div 1: 1, Lisa Radford; 2, Ruth Rennie; 3, Paula Parfitt.

18-hole Div 2: 1, Kim Hyun Hee; 2, Connie Graham; 3, Jan Collier.

9-hole Div 1: 1, Jude Small; 2, Susan Donaldson; 3, Norma Saunders.

Nine-hole Div 2: 1 Ros Rundle 24, 2 Faye Saunders 24, 3. Jan Stanley 23.

Super Liquor Nett Tournament

Saturday 7 December

1, Paula Parfitt; 2, Kath Hale; 3, George Chaffey.

Shootout – Sunday 8 December

18-hole: 1, George Chaffey; Runner-Up, Kath Hale.

9-hole: 1, Sue McDonnell; Runner-Up, Arthur Larsen.

9-hole Stableford

Tuesday 10 December

1, Sue McDonnell; 2, Jean McCann; 3, Dave Wallace.

Twilight Golf Final Week 4

Wednesday 11 December

1, Jenny Cosford; 2, Russ Harmer; 3, Ros Rundle.

DUNES MATARANGI GOLF CLUB

Twilight Golf Stableford

Sunday 8 December

1, Paul Dixon; 2, Lance Croawell; 3, Darren Pritchard.

9-hole Men Stableford

Monday 9 December

1, Graham Kemp; 2, Ray Green; 3, Graeme Kensington.

9-hole Ladies - Stableford

Tuesday 10 December

1, Glenda Philpott; 2, Ruth Fisken; 3, Merrin James.

Men’s 18-hole Stableford

Wednesday 11 December

1, Murray James; 2, Nick Lambert; 3, Allan Trow; 4, Tracey Mulligan. Hole in One: Quentin Francis

Haggle (Stableford)

Saturday 14 December

1, Glenn LeLievre; 2, Allison DrakeWells; 3, Peter Mathias; 4, Mary Sharp Nearest the Pin: Ross Alexander

MERCURY BAY PICKLEBALL CLUB

League Q4 – Round 19

Tuesday 10 December

Court 1: 1, Hakan Nedjat; 2, Kevin Walmsley; 3, Tim Stephens.

Court 2: 1, Trevor Hayde; 2, Graeme Eady; 3, Jim Gavegan.

Court 3: 1, Emma Graves; 2, John East; 3, Jacqui Everett.

Court 4: 1, Michael Holmes; 2, Karen Schaumkell; 3, Fiona Gardien.

Round 20 Tuesday 10 December

Court 1: 1, Hakan Nedjat; 2, Tony Minto; 3, Kevin Walmsley.

Court 2: 1, Jim Gavegan; 2, Eisaku Tsumura; 3, Graeme Eady.

Court 3: 1, Janine Hayde; 2, John East; 3, Jacqui Everett.

Court 4: 1, Lauren Stephens; 2, Karen Schaumkell; 3, Fiona Gardien.

who died a year ago. Joan Fanshawe says Bishop Bruce was much loved and respected in Tairua and will always be remembered for his humour, his love of Aotearoa New Zealand and for all humanity, as well as his ability to engage positively with all he met. He was a true man of God.”

Everyone who likes to sing Christmas carols is invited to be at St Francis Church on Friday, 20 December, at 7.00pm, to sing carols and hear seasonal readings, both traditional and more contemporary.

THE ST FRANCIS CHURCH PROGRAMME OF SERVICES INCLUDES:

Christmas Eve

Tairua Residential Care 4.00pm - visitors welcome to join there with relatives

and friends.

St Francis Church 9pm, Christmas Eve Carols and Holy Communion, followed by ‘Cake and Bubbles’ for all.

Christmas Day

St Francis Church, 9.30 am Family Service for all ages, Carols and Christmas story fun! Sunday 29 December 10.00am Pepe reserve (west side) Combined Churches end of year/New Year service together.

For our latest screening schedule and trailers go to www.mercurytwincinemas.com

Scan barcode to take you directly to our website

home of BIG SCREEN entertainment on the Coromandel

The Coromandel Informer is published weekly and distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula. Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of them are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s name, telephone number or residential address. Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher and can be cut if too big. Published by The Mercury Bay Informer Limited.

Editors: Pauline and Stan Stewart (027 271 6182)

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

Business Manager: Emma Gaunt

Newspaper Layout: Diane Andrew Social Media: EMD Agency

Circulation: 9000

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

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

What’s that Number?

MB Junior Cricketers with the greats

ItwasathrillingSaturday(December14)fortheMercuryBayCricketClubJuniorswhowereinvitedtobepartofthe walk-on at the beginning of the Black Caps third test match taking place in Hamilton against England. Some of the boys got to walk on with the English team whilst the others walked with our New Zealand team. Mercury Bay junior cricketers lined up with their sporting heroes on the field for the opening ceremony before the test began. It was great to watch. Everyone received a T shirt and a goodies bag. “It was very exciting,” said Coby Fraser one of the ten year old cricketers from Cooks Beach.

Catch ﬁsh, not cables this summer.

Cables lie on the seabed at the Pauanui Waterways entrance and between Pleasant Point and Tairua. Another cable is located on the seabed just past the entrance to Whitianga Marina.

Keep boats well clear to stay safe.

The cables are marked with warning signs onshore and by buoys on the water.

If you suspect you’ve snagged a cable, don’t try to free it. Record your position, abandon your gear, and contact Powerco’s emergency line 0800 27 27 27.

powerco.co.nz

Coby and River from the Junior Mercury Bay cricket team, excited to be at the Black Caps test match.

Issue 1136 17th December 2024

One dream comes true and there’s more

Monique’s Gallery – a beautiful and engaging place

MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

Kolbie’s dream comes true

TOP NEW ZEALAND GOOGLE SEARCHES FOR 2024

THAMES

LEVEL

5 TOTAL WATERING BAN NOW IN PLACE

Welcome to Dean and Razor Sharp

Razor Sharp Sharpening Services

Message from Hon Scott Simpson MP For Coromandel

Navigating Employment challenges?

Deputy mayor leading way on transparency

MB Radiology – 10 years in the Bay

ENQUIRIES FOR STAGE 2 ARE WELCOME!

OUT AND ABOUT

CHESS CLUB – FRIENDSHIP AND SHARPENED MINDS

A NEW ADDITION TO THE MARKETS – ICE CREAM

BURGERS NOT TO MISS

FLOATING KEY RINGS

Enpointe – a significant legacy

Potato growing – serious fun!

Cooks Beach Massage Therapist

Medical Pedicures

Permanent Make-Up

Donald Trump’s attitude – crazy or timely?

Shoreline Painters Colouring-In and Painting- In competition

Two honoured as Life Members of Mercury Bay Rugby Club

RURAL LIFE COUNTS

Jeremy Clarkson Job Opportunity

Natasha’s vocation and new adventure

Community Carols in town centre

Alfred and George – The Thames ‘Men of Metal’ PART 2

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

GARDENSCAPES

An endowment fund coming – pertinent to the region’s future

ABOUT MOMENTUM

PETER’S COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

Meri Kirihimete

~ NGAMIHI O TE TAU HOU ~

Whitianga Esplanade Redevelopment update

CHRISTMAS /NEW YEAR

FOODBANK DEMAND SKYROCKETS

Community Service Award winners

CATHEDRAL COVE

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

Santa’s Grotto

Councillor Peter Revell to Stand for Mayoralty

The cunning of the traffic tax taking team

GAMES AND PUZZLES

TRADES AND SERVICES

TRADES AND SERVICES

TRADES & SERVICES

News from St Francis Anglican Church Tairua

SPORTS RESULTS

What’s that Number?

MB Junior Cricketers with the greats

Catch ﬁsh, not cables this summer.