Beach Monitoring to Better Plan for the Future by Tony Stickley

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000 Beach monitoring to better plan for the future By Tony Stickley

Beach art created over Easter at the southern end of Buffalo Beach in Whitianga, close to the Whitianga Harbour Entrance. Records showed that there had been a significant build-up of sand at this part of the beach over the last 40 years. Changes to the shoreline of 17 beaches along have occurred over the years. storms and changes in climate patterns It said that local councils needed to the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula In a recent indicator update report, over longer time periods. “Houses and understand the extent of natural beach change are being regularly monitored in a bid to WRC said that its database of shoreline infrastructure that have been built close to “sustainably guide” existing and new help local authorities better plan for the change helped planners considering the to the sea are vulnerable to these natural developments in these areas. future. Recently a Waikato Regional Council impact of developments near the coast. fluctuations,” the report said. “Engineered A key focus of New Zealand’s Coastal survey team was busy measuring the dunes It noted that many of the Coromandel’s coastal structures such as seawalls are sometimes Policy Statement was reducing and, where along Buffalo Beach in Whitianga, one of housing developments had been built close to placed on the beach to protect at-risk assets, possible, avoiding coastal hazard risk and the beaches forming part of the monitoring the shoreline. but these can damage natural and recreational this was an important part of regional and programme. The information will be fed into Sandy beaches were naturally prone to values of the beach and can transfer the district council plans. “Shoreline change a long-standing database to see what changes changes in shoreline position due to major erosion risk to the adjacent coastline.” information is one tool that can be used to (Continued on page 3)

Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz Memories abound as family members remember Val White By Gillian O’Neill

A talented, determined lady with a wicked sense quilting and her 25-year involvement with the of humour is how the family of the late Val RSA, including serving as treasurer. “She was White have been remembering the 99-year-old meticulous about that,” Erica says. “She was former Whitianga resident who passed away in never out by as much as a cent.” October last year. Val’s quilts were regularly donated to With planning underway to have a plaque for fundraising drives for the likes of the SPCA Val installed on the RSA memorial wall at the or St John. A true survivor, she recalled being Mercury Bay Cemetery, her daughter Erica, son at school and looking around to see all her Bob and their respective partners, Stan Dungan classmates lying on the ground after the Napier and Heidi Jeary, met up with Des Gyde from the earthquake struck in 1931. Her teacher was lost Mercury Bay RSA in Whitianga on Wednesday in the disaster. last week, sharing photographs and a colourful Driven by a desire to fly, Val joined the array of memories. New Zealand Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, From being crowned Miss New Zealand in reaching the rank of WA2 which Des describes 1940 to serving in the Air Force, there’s lots as someone who was experienced and “on the to chat about and Erica and Bob are rightfully way up.” proud of their mum’s accomplishments and Seven years ago, just before leaving Whitianga general approach to life. “She had it tough to move to Gisborne to be closer to her son, growing up,” Erica says. “Her mother died when Val spoke to The Informer and described her she was just three so she didn’t have it easy but time assisting with the building of Hudson and she never let it hold her back, her attitude was Hinds bombers as part of a team of 20 women always to just get on with things.” based at Ohakea who hand stitched linen over “She had no problem telling people what she the plywood frames of the aircraft. “I got invited thought, she had a strong mind and was very up in one of the planes I had helped to make independent,” Stan adds. and the captain asked me if I’d like to take the Val White (nee Des Landes) who passed away in October last year. The family say this resilient streak was part controls,” she remembered. “I flew it for about quilts. “She trained as a milliner and she would involved,” he says. of what kept Val in such good health until she half an hour, along the beach near Tangimoana. make the most amazing hats,” Erica says, As a result, Des is also looking forward to passed away peacefully in Gisborne. “She It was a wonderful experience.” Bob says it was noting how her mum took huge pride in her being able to install plaques for several other never had any medication, she was never sick,” one of the highlights of his mum’s life and her appearance, always endeavouring to look her former servicemen from the Whitianga area who Erica says. “She nearly made the hundred but eyes lit up whenever she talked about it. best. “Whenever there was a special occasion, have died in recent years. Erica says Val would just not quite.” If she was precise with her bookkeeping for she would make herself a new one.” have been delighted to know that her passing Born Valayo des Landes in Napier in 1921, the RSA, Val was equally conscientious about Des says he has loved getting to know Val’s had helped instigate others being recognised Val lived in Whitianga for 30 years, moving to her quilting. “If she wasn’t happy with it, family and learning more about her history alongside her. “She was clear about where the town with her husband, Bob, of the well- she would redo it,” Bob says. “Or she might which he has worked hard to research with she wanted to be on the wall too,” Erica says. known White family. “His predecessors had want a very particular colour and if she couldn’t assistance from a friend. “She was a remarkable “She said don’t put me on the edge because it built the stone store down by the Robinson find it, the quilt would go away in the cupboard. lady and since her family have been in touch might be cold.” Road boat ramp so they had a lot of history with It could be months later and she’d spot what she with me, I have also been finding out more Des has obliged and Val’s plaque, which will the area,” son Bob says. was looking for and then she’d get the quilt out about the process of getting plaques for the RSA be in place within the next few weeks, will go Val’s life in the Whitianga community and finish it.” wall at the Mercury Bay Cemetery made and the directly underneath her husband, Bob’s and particularly centred around her passion for But Val’s craft talents didn’t stop at just best people to deal with for the particular skills happily one in from the edge.

What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information provided and sponsored by Week of Wednesday, 7 April to Wednesday, 14 April - The Moon can help us find the constellations Capricorn and Gemini this month. Venus is now lost in the Sun’s glare until May, but early risers can see the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn very close together before sunrise low in the east. In the early evening, try comparing the colour of reddish Mars sitting very low in the NW just to the right of the red giant star Aldabaran in Taurus. Wednesday, 7 April - Saturn lies above and to the left of the Moon while Jupiter is directly below its crescent in the pre-dawn sky. All three lie in Capricorn today. Thursday, 8 April - Jupiter and Saturn sit above and to the left of the Moon in the morning sky. Saturday 10 April - A crescent Moon lies directly above faint Mercury low on the eastern dawn horizon with Jupiter and Saturn high above and with the International Space Station (ISS) joining the show Astronomy Tours and B&B from 6:01am in the SW before eventually passing just beside Saturn. Sunday, 11 April - Faint Mercury lies just below and to the left of the thin crescent Moon just before sunrise. The ISS will suddenly pop out of the Earth’s shadow about 5:15am just below the Southern Cross. Monday, 12 April - The ISS Phone (07) 866 5343 makes an early pass from 6:03am in the western sky. Tuesday, 13 April - Another early but bright ISS pass from 5:18am in the NW moving high overhead. www.stargazersbb.com

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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Beach monitoring (Continued from page 1) understand which areas of coastline are at Coromandel that form part of the monitoring risk from erosion due to natural processes programme are Whiritoa, Whangamata, over decades,” the report said. Onemana, Opoutere, Pauanui, Tairua, While the data showed that, in general, Hot Water Beach, Hahei, Cooks Beach, the position of the dune toe along the Maramaratotara (Front Beach), Buffalo Beach Coromandel’s east coast beaches fluctuated, (including Brophy’s Beach), Wharekaho, there was “no clear widespread long-term Opito Bay, Kuaotunu East, Kuaotunu West, (permanent) shoreline change.” “While most Matarangi and Whangapoua. beaches seem quite stable now, a long-term In Whitianga, the recent indicator trend for erosion may occur in response to report said that Brophy’s Beach had been climate change, due either to accelerated influenced by human activities, including sea level rise or a modified wave climate,” stormwater drainage and more recently by the the report said. construction of a geotextile seawall. Monitoring along the east coast of the At the northern end of Buffalo Beach, Coromandel began at some beaches in 1979 severe erosion occurred in the winter of 2000. and there are now 46 monitoring points “The shoreline in this area was then artificially spread over the 17 beaches, though some of rebuilt and seawalls have prevented any them no longer required to be monitored. significant erosion since,” the report said. WRC’s coastal and marine team leader, The shoreline had been able to fluctuate Michael Townsend, told the Informer, more naturally further south, though this area “Understanding how shorelines are changing had experienced erosion partly caused by is a key component of our coastal monitoring. effects of the seawalls. “This site is located We expect the need for this type of information north of the Taputapuatea Stream (“Mother to grow in the future with sea level rise and Brown’s Creek”) and has experienced changing climatic conditions.” over 25m of erosion since the late 1990s,” Mr Townsend said WRC staff used various the report said. “Historic aerial photographs methods to measure shoreline change, taken in the 1940s show this shoreline has including GPS technology to measure beach fluctuated significantly over periods of height. “The recorded beach height can then many decades. be compared with previous surveys to see “While the shoreline at Buffalo Beach how the shape of the beach changes at that has not recovered since the erosion in the location,” he said. late 1990s and in 2000, the beach has been Other techniques included operating relatively stable at most sites in the last cameras at beaches, including Tairua, 20 years, with fluctuations of no more in conjunction with NIWA, to compare how than 10m.” the beach changed over the years. Historic No monitoring point was located at the aerial photographs also provided an important southern end of Buffalo Beach close to the record of coastal change. Whitianga Harbour Entrance, but other The next indicator report is expected to be records showed that there had been significant released later this year or early next year. accretion (sand build-up) over the last The 17 beaches along the east coast of the 40 years.

Issue 944699 - 627 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3 Pet Rock Day in Kuatunu

Pet Rock Day, every year a major fundraiser for the Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten, The artists of Mercury Bay North supported the event exceptionally well with several highly was held last Sunday at the Kuaotunu Reserve. A large number of beautifully painted and creative entries. decorated rocks was once again entered into the decades old event. Unlike previous years, We’ll let the photos do the talking. no age group winners were chosen, but the bidding at the rock auction was as spirited as ever.

Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Businesses affected by power cut may seek to recover costs Many Whitianga businesses, mainly in Monk Street, were taken by surprise when their power was cut on Monday last week. According to Powerco workmen in the street at the time, it was a planned outage. The power was cut at 9:30am and only came back on at 4:00pm. None of the affected businesses were aware that the outage was going to happen. Several of the businesses were forced to close and some had to dispose of perishable products. On enquiry from The Informer, Powerco released the following statement - “Powerco apologies for an error in its notification process which meant that 64 customers were not informed of its work in Whitianga [on Monday, 29 March], ahead of time. The work, which involved replacing a transformer, required a planned outage to allow the field crew to work safely. “Unfortunately, customers were not notified of the planned outage due to human error in the planning process. Usually outage information is provided to [power] retailers who in turn notify their customers of the upcoming outage. In this instance, the correct information was not provided to the retailers. “Powerco is sorry for the inconvenience caused and advises residents and businesses who may seek to recover costs resulting from the outage to contact them through customerexperience@ powerco.co.nz. Pictured is the new transformer that was installed.

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5 The Small-time Investor By Whitianga resident, Max Ross

Tesla self-driving My returns are steady this week. I’m up sensors. They use digital cameras only. 2.59 percent, which is NZD99.89. It’s not a Their reasoning is that humans can drive great return, but give it time. Many of my perfectly well with only the sense of vision. investments are long-term opportunities and If we can do that, then it should be possible to I am not concerned about the short-term create code that can do the same. price action. Tesla cars have cameras in all directions Currently 10 of my picks are up and 18 and they believe the stream of data coming are down. My biggest winner is Mainfreight, into the car is enough for it to autonomously up 39 percent, and my biggest loser is still drive safely. Plexure, down 40 percent. Tesla does not rely on pre-created maps of Long-time readers will be aware that I the environment. Using the cameras, Tesla’s am a huge Tesla bull. I really like what the artificial intelligence senses the environment company is doing and I’m an avid follower and responds to that input alone. It may use a of Space X and the Starship progress. Elon map for navigation, but not for self-driving. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is driving amazing This means that Tesla self-driving will be companies and doing amazing things. able to drive on any road, anywhere at any Earlier this week, I watched a fascinating time. Even if an alien spacecraft lands in the discussion with Andrej Karpathy who is middle of the road, the car will not crash. the head of autonomous driving at Tesla. Of the two approaches, one seems so much It made me eager to grow my investment in the company. better to me than the other. Liking what I There are two approaches to solving the heard, I decided to invest another NZD100 self-driving problem. The maps and sensors into Tesla this week. approach is being used by Waymo (formerly Please remember that what I write in this the Google self-driving project) and others. column is just my personal opinion. Most of It involves placing expensive LIDAR and my investments are currently losing money. other sensors onto a car. It then uses very high- I am sharing my thoughts and strategies precision digital maps of the environment. along with my results so that you can see how The cars can only autonomously drive within easy it is to invest, even a small amount, and these maps and they need to be updated to maybe learn from my mistakes. Be careful stay relevant. These cars will cost a lot more with your money. and only be able to drive within certain If you want to invest in shares or funds geo-fenced areas. through the Sharesies online platform, use The other approach is that taken by this link https://sharesies.nz/r/KHQQWP. Tesla. They don’t have any expensive new You and I will each get $5 to invest.

Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Letters to the Editor See page 30 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions

Dear Editor - Surface of the Fund, to another Whitianga Scallop Festival. from the waters around Little Barrier Island immediately. It is truly time to support Tapu-Coroglen Road How can Destination Coromandel be so as there were so few scallops left in our sustainable tourism only. The Scallop Festival I live on the Tapu-Coroglen Road with my unaware of the crisis not only for scallops immediate area. The calls for a broad rāhui on certainly does not fit in that category. family and at present have to travel twice a but most other fish stocks in the Hauraki Gulf scallop collecting definitely has merit, but not Why not simply have a Whitianga Festival? day on a very dangerous road. For three or Marine Park? if it just places pressure on stocks elsewhere. Anna Horne so weeks numerous people have complained My understanding is that the scallops for Meantime I call on Destination Coromandel Whitianga to Thames-Coromandel District Council, the last Scallop Festival two years ago came to withdraw this Scallop Festival funding Dear Editor - Boaties bearing the brunt of but nothing has been done. council greed It became a problem with the first rain after It is really disappointing to see boaties bear the last road maintenance. The mud surface the brunt of proposed increases in Thames- becomes extremely slippery and before I was Coromandel District Council’s charges in aware of the danger, I nearly crashed into their budget. Clearly seen as a soft target another car, fishtailing past it with my child with a whiff of “let’s hit the rich pricks,” in the car. Now whenever it rains, I have to the 150 percent increase in launch permits is drive 30km an hour or risk my life. eye watering. The majority of council’s other It looks like a low priority with council. charges have no increase which further rubs Hopefully no one is badly hurt before repairs salt water into the open cut. are done. Kuika Illingworth In keeping up with the consumer price Coroglen index, we all need to pay a bit more. This should be borne by all folk in the Reply from Thames-Coromandel District community for services accessed… maybe Council to Kuika Illingworth’s letter some a little less , some a little more… but a We have received a complaint about the little more is not an eye watering 150 percent. Tapu-Coroglen Road in wet conditions, some So boaties need to rail against this weeks after the most recent regrading works. and demand council look at treating its All road surfaces are more hazardous when constituents fairly and get a more equitable it rains, and the surface conditions of unsealed solution. roads can vary considerably between wet and Don Barry dry conditions. We will investigate the issue Cooks Beach and if a problem is found, we will undertake Reply from Thames-Coromandel District remedial works. Council to Don Barry’s letter Dear Editor - Funding for the Whitianga The increase in boat ramp launching charges Scallop Festival or the daily and annual rate is a proposal in I just want to express my absolute dismay our Long Term Plan. The best way to give that Destination Coromandel has allocated feedback in support or against is by making a $12,000 of my taxes, via a Regional Tourism The Tapu-Coroglen Road after recent maintenance work was done. There is concern that submission by Monday 12 April at tcdc.govt. Operators’ Signature Events Marketing the work caused the road to become unsafe. Photo by Gemma Richards. nz/longtermplan2021.

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7 Thousands needed for repairs The sound of taiko drums on at Coghill Street Op-shop Mill Creek Road A fundraising drive is underway in order to raise money to address a leaky roof and the installation of a new ceiling at the Whitianga Community Services Trust’s Coghill Street Op-shop (pictured). The roof leak has developed in the join between the original building and an extension which was added a few years ago, and is causing major issues for the op-shop volunteers. “The leak is over the storage area and every time it rains, they are having to move everything out to try and keep it dry, there have been a couple of occasions where the clothes got wet, so it’s a big problem and we need to get it sorted,” says Peter van der Putten of the trust. The building also doesn’t have a ceiling which can make it uncomfortably hot in summer for staff and customers and often cold in winter. “We have had to close a few times because it just got too hot in there,” says Peter. “Getting a ceiling put in will help us control the temperature.” The total cost of both projects is $18,000. “The first priority is the leak and we have an estimate of $2,000 for that,” says Peter. “We’ll get that done first and then continue fundraising for the ceiling.” One of the initiatives underway to help raise the funds is the sale of a “Healthy Eating Healthy You” cookbook which was developed by nutrition expert, Stacey Conning, in conjunction with a course for members of the community focusing on tips and tricks for healthy eating. The book is available to purchase at the Whitianga Community Services Trust (also known as Whitianga Social Services) and the Coghill Street Op-shop. The trust would also welcome any sponsors who would like to help fund the work and a fundraising barbecue is being planned for June. MaryAnn Arnold and Catherine Williams, participants in Stacey’s course, which was delivered through the trust, say the sessions had been extremely worthwhile. “Getting an understanding of food labels and how to read things like salt and sugar content has been one of the most helpful things I have learned,” says Catherine. MaryAnn says she enjoyed that the course wasn’t focused on dieting or weight loss, but on simple guidelines to help people consistently make sensible decisions for eating better. Several members of Haere Mai Taiko from Auckland spent Easter weekend practising their Japanese drums at the Koru Dojo on Mill Creek Road, South of Whitianga. According to dojo owners, David and Hisae Lynch, the normally quiet rural valley echoed with the rhythmic beat of the taiko drums all weekend, but the comments received were all positive. “No complaints from the neighbours, there’s something amazingly stimulating in the sound of these drums in expert hands,” said David. The group have visited The Coromandel every year since 2011, but missed last year due to COVID-19. They usually put on a free concert in Whitianga, but this year decided not to do so as they had been very busy performing at cultural and sporting events around the country. “We felt we needed to go back to basics this time,” said Jonathan Hopcroft, one of the leaders of the group. The drummers enjoyed practising in the dojo because of its special atmosphere and connection with Japanese culture through aikido. “Although taiko is a Japanese art, it’s also international and we have nine different nationalities in our group,” said Jonathan. Haere Mai Taiko was formed by the New Zealand Japan Society of Auckland, a non-profit organisation that works to create a bridge between the people of New Zealand and Japan. Pictured are those who attended the weekend. Back, from left to right - David Lynch, Jonathan Hopcroft, Wendy Liew, Naoki Yajima, Karino Ito and Loryn Barbarich. Front, from left to right - Michiyo Mori, Hisae Lynch, Fumiko Goodhue, Nick Wood, Vanessa Chang, Chikako Takayama and Helen Au.

The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Tuesday afternoons and is distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula. What’s that Number? Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours ...... 111 entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s name and surname, telephone number and residential address. Police (Whitianga) ...... 866 4000 Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher. Police (Tairua) ...... 864 8888 Statement of scientific fact needs to be accompanied by evidence of the fact. Police (Coromandel Town) ...... 866 1190 Published by Mercury Bay Media Limited Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers ...... 0800 555 111 Editors - Stephan Bosman and Gillian O’Neill Dog and Noise Control ...... 868 0200 Contributors - Meghan Hawkes, Jack Biddle, Anusha Bhana, Suzanne Hansen Civil Defence ...... 868 0200 and Tony Stickley Mercury Bay Medical Centre (Whitianga) ...... 866 5911 Advertiser Management - Petra Bosman and Alex Kennedy, Medical Centre (Tairua)...... 864 8737 Administration - Diane Lodge Need to talk? Call/text anytime for support from a trained counsellor...... 1737 Office 14 Monk Street, Whitianga 3510, Mail PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542 Telephone (07) 866 2090, Fax (07) 866 2092 Harbourmaster (Whitianga) ...... 027 476 2651 Editorial email [email protected], Advertising email [email protected] Coastguard Radio Operators ...... 866 2883 Whitianga Social Services ...... 866 4476 ISSN 2422-9083 (Print), ISSN 2422-9091 (Online), © 2021 Mercury Bay Media Limited Whitianga Locksmith Services ...... 027 446 6921 The Mercury Bay Informer is subject to the principles of the New Zealand Media Council. Please contact us first if you have concerns about any of the editorial content published in The Informer. If we were unable to address your concerns to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with ONLINE POLL FOR APRIL 2021 the New Zealand Media Council, PO Box 10 879, Wellington 6143 or Are you in favour of a temporary ban on all scallop www.presscouncil.org.nz. See page 2 for what’s happening Like us on Facebook. harvesting in the waters of the eastern Coromandel? in the night sky, and the Whitianga and Follow us on Twitter. Hot Water Beach tides. Check us out on Instagram. Have your say at www.theinformer.co.nz.

Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9 Rescue Helicopter Update

The Coromandel is keeping the rescue We wish them well. a medical condition. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. helicopter busy. During March, the Auckland Our money boxes on shop counters across 13.03.2021 Whitianga - Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a girl suffering a medical complaint. Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) flew 20 the Coromandel remain a good source of She was flown to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition. missions into the Peninsula. funding. Thank you to everyone who are 13.03.2021 Colville - Crew tasked to Colville to assist a female patient in her 30s suffering a medical Stephan Bosman, owner of The Informer contributing. complaint. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition. and driving force behind the petition to We were pleased to make Crosby Field, 13.03.2021 Waihi - Crew tasked to Waihi to assist a female patient in her 60s suffering a medical again have a rescue helicopter based on the our rescue helicopter base in Whitianga, complaint. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition. Coromandel over the busy holiday periods, available to the ARHT to sell tickets for the 14.03.2021 Thames - Crew tasked to Thames to assist a boy suffering a medical complaint. He was has been invited to address the Health Select Shelby GT-H they are raffling off. flown to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition. Committee of Parliament on Wednesday next If you would like to get in touch with us, 14.03.2021 Whitianga - Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a male patient in his teens suffering a week (14 April). He will be accompanied please phone me on (027) 452 1298 or email medical condition. He was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a moderate condition. by Walter Russell, founding chairman of [email protected]. 14.03.2021 Tairua - Crew tasked to Tairua to assist a male patient in his 70s suffering a medical the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust, Visit coromandelrescue.org.nz if you would complaint. He was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. and retired paediatric surgeon (and Whitianga like to know more about us and what we do. 14.03.2021 Cooks Beach - Crew tasked to Cooks Beach to assist a female patient in her 60s suffering resident), Kevin Pringle. Please stay safe out there. a fall down some stairs. She was flown to Middlemore Hospital in a moderate condition. Stephan, Walter and Kevin are spending Merv George 20.03.2021 Pauanui - Crew tasked to Pauanui to assist an elderly female patient suffering a fall from this week preparing their presentation, Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust standing height. She was flown to Tauranga Hospital in a moderate condition. including discussions with the ARHT. Chairman 25.03.2021 Whitianga - Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a female patient in her 30s suffering a medical complaint. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. Missions flown by the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust into the Coromandel Peninsula during 26.03.2021 Hahei - Crew tasked to Hahei to assist a male patient in his 60s suffering a medical February 2021 complaint. He was flown to Thames Hospital in a serious condition. 03.03.2021 Whitianga - Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a female patient in her 30’s in labour. 26.03.2021 Matarangi - Crew tasked to Matarangi to assist a female patient in her 20s suffering a She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. medical condition. She was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a moderate condition. 03.03.2021 Matarangi - Crew tasked to Matarangi to assist a baby boy suffering a medical complaint. 28.03.2021 Whitianga - Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a female patient in her 50s suffering a He was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition. medical complaint. Unfortunately, the patient died and Westpac 1 returned to base. 04.03.2021 Hikuai - Crew tasked to Hikuai to assist a female patient in her 60s involved in a motor vehicle accident with multiple patients. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. 08.03.2021 Shelly Beach - Crew tasked to Shelly Beach to assist a male patient in his 60s suffering a medical complaint. He was flown to Thames Hospital in a serious condition. 12.03.2021 Pinnacles - Crew tasked to the Pinnacles to assist a female patient in her 30s suffering a walking injury. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a minor condition. 12.03.2021 Whitianga - Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a female patient in her 80s suffering a medical complaint. She was flown to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition. 12.03.2021 Coromandel Town - Crew tasked to Coromandel to assist a female patient in her 60s involved in a head on collision. She was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition. 12.03.2021 Whangamata - Crew tasked to Whangamata to assist a female patient in her 80s suffering

Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Community Board says yes to paying more for some priority projects The Tairua-Pauanui Community Board is urging Thames-Coromandel District Council to proceed with the Manaia Road Hub project, the upgrade of the Paku boat ramp and more carparking for the Pauanui town centre over the next three years at an estimated cost of $680,000. While TCDC says starting these projects, along with additional money for footpaths ($67,000), street lighting ($26,000) and reserves ($50,000), would increase rates in the Tairua-Pauanui Ward by another $12.51 during the first year of the new Long Term Plan 2021-2031, it does not outline the full impact of the costs on rates for the subsequent years. TCDC has dubbed all these projects “nice to haves,” leaving it to ratepayers to make submissions during the current public consultation period to indicate if they are willing to pay the additional costs. However, it remains unclear what the full price tag will be and TCDC did not respond to a request from The Informer for this information. Under the current draft plan, $33,000 would be spent on the Paku boat ramp next year and a further $108,000 in 2022/2023. The Pauanui carparking would be completed next year at a cost of $92,000 while the Manaia Road Hub - an extension of the current library building - would cost $223,000 in 2022/2023 and an additional $229,000 the following year. The money for footpath construction, streetlights and reserves would all be spent next year. Tairua and Pauanui ratepayers are already set for an average rates bill of $4,034 per year for the next 10 years and this additional spending will add to that. The Tairua-Pauanui Community Board has made these recommendations to council in its formal submission to the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan. Ultimately it will be for TCDC to make a final decision as to which projects proceed, taking into account all the submissions received from members of the public before 12 April. Details on how to make a submission are available on council’s website. “Our Board is serving our community to the best of our ability and with transparency,” said Tairua-Pauanui Community Board chair, Warwick Brooks (pictured). The Board also said it does not support the proposed annual boat trailer parking fee of $200, but would be in favour of a $100 charge. It’s the first time fees will be implemented at the Tairua Wharf boat ramp. It is expected this will extend to the heavily used Paku boat ramp once upgrade work is completed.

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11 Creativity and connections celebrated at Art Escape Gala Evening By Gillian O’Neill Connecting and reflecting was the mood of The Showcase Exhibition contains an artwork the evening at the Mercury Bay Art Escape from all the artists who are members of the Gala Evening at Hot Waves Café in Hot Water Mercury Bay Art Escape. Beach on Thursday last week. The People’s Choice Award was decided Traditionally a launch party for two weeks based on more than 400 votes from members of workshops, exhibitions, artists in residence of the public who visited the exhibition since sessions and Open Studios, a postponement 6 March. due to COVID-19 meant this year’s Gala The strong influences of the Coromandel Evening became a celebration on the eve of environment are prominent in many of the the final and bonus weekend of artists opening exhibition pieces, with the sea and marine their doors to showcase the wider Mercury landscape featuring heavily. Among those Bay area’s talent to locals and visitors. with flavours of the ocean were “Armoured It was an adaptation which Mercury Bay Art Ray,” an eagle ray crafted from copper and Escape chairman, Ian Preece, said reflected reclaimed Oregon pine by Tairua wood how both those in the Art Escape family carver, Tim Aldrich, and “Champagne Cliffs, and the wider New Zealand community had Hahei,” Souzie Speerstra’s acrylic on canvas. negotiated the past 12 months. “It has been a However, it was Raewyn Helms-Davis’s bit of a year,” he said. “We had just concluded extraordinary portrait, “Blue Boy,” capturing the final weekend of last year’s Art Escape a pensive moment of thought which won the Open Studios when it was announced we were coveted Artists’ Choice Award. going into lockdown. We were all facing the The Gala Evening also featured a talk from unexpected. Here we are a year later and we are still dealing with it.” guest speaker, Di Tocker, a glass artist from Ian congratulated all the artists, sponsors Mercury Bay Art Escape chairman and winner of the Showcase Exhibition’s People’s Choice Cambridge, and the auction of several donated and supporters for “sticking with us” for Award, Ian Preece, with award sponsor, Lea Jurkovich, of Bayleys Real Estate. art pieces, including a glass sculpture from the 2021 Open Studios, which was planned Di, a painting “Alofa mo Oe'” from Mercury he said. “The sense of isolation strained our to build a community,” he said. “Because we Bay Art Escape patron, Samoan-New Zealand under the shadow of uncertainty. “We met as relationships and connections as we faced are all participating, we don’t often get the artist Fatu Feu’u, and a photograph from a steering group and we made the decision to fear and uncertainty about what it all meant. opportunity to go and see each other’s work Greywacke winemaker, event sponsor and run with it, and we are grateful to you all for When you look around, you can see what it and this had really provided a great way for us coming on board and supporting us during means to people to be able to be here tonight, to see and enjoy what everyone else is doing.” photographer, Kevin Judd. what has been a very challenging year,” celebrating and appreciating local art.” While highlighting the team effort that The Art Escape also acknowledged Mary he said. Sticking with the theme of connections, goes into the Open Studios, Ian celebrated Channings and Terry Bright, former owners Noting how lucky New Zealand was Ian cited the Art Escape’s social media focus a personal success on the night taking out of Hot Waves who were hosting the Gala relative to other places in the world in terms for this year’s event as a particular highlight the Showcase Exhibition’s People’s Choice Evening and Showcase Exhibition for the of being able to have such events, Ian said he and thanked Marion Manson for her work with Award for his stunning photograph of final time having recently sold the café to new felt very grateful. “The one thing that comes that. “As well as promoting the Open Studios Kuaotunu beach, one of a series of seascape owners, Danika and Stu Fanshawe. to my mind above everything else about the and other events, it has also been a great way works that took 12 months to capture with Ian The Showcase Exhibition continues at Hot past year is the importance of connections,” for us to stay connected with each other and waiting for the right light and weather. Waves until Sunday, 2 May.

Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Catherine’s Column By Catherine Delahunty - Coromandel Peninsula resident and former Green Party MP

A roof over our heads Recently, I went to a funding meeting in afford to live in the houses that should be Thames with a wide range of community available. The Coromandel Peninsula is full of groups from Whitianga and Colville to Paeroa. empty houses and holiday baches, but they are The funders asked us to identify the greatest no use to homeless people or people sleeping barriers to wellbeing in our communities as well on couches in a relative’s rental flat. Housing, as what was going well. Everyone in the room like clean water and enough food, is a human identified housing as the greatest challenge for right, not something just for the deserving our communities, but not one of the groups middle class and the rich. We need to listen to were actually set up to work on housing. homeless people and meet their needs. Some of them become housing advocates by The man who was sleeping under a shelter default through their work on other issues. in my street in Wellington was there because When I pointed out this contradiction, he needed to be alone. He told me that flats for I was given some useful history. Apparently, single men with no income were virtually non- Thames had a housing forum for a while and existent and when I listened to him, I could see people really tried to create housing solutions, he needed to have that space. but no social housing trusts or agencies have Crowding people into motels is not the answer been established. either, imagine being forced to live with total I went home feeling very concerned about the strangers just so you had a roof over your head. situation. The government is not committed to People are raising children in cars and garages a massive state housing build which we clearly while others visit their palaces with magical need. They are not facilitating tiny house views of our coastline, and it just feels wrong. flexible rules or alternative building materials I would pay more taxes or rates to change the which work, like mud brick. The rhetoric of housing crisis and would sleep better at night if “social housing” is not something Thames- we were all under a decent roof. Coromandel District Council leads on either. In the meantime, I am part of a network We do need some community leadership to that collects extra fruit and veggies from my kickstart a housing trust or model made up of neighbours in the Kauaeranga Valley and gives some genuine social housing with affordable it to Te Whāriki o Manawāhine o Hauraki rents or long-term leases. We need to stop who distribute it to whanau who need it. pretending that homelessness and overcrowding We have been doing this since last March when only happen in the cities. COVID-19 started and it’s good to see good My mother-in-law in Opotiki set up a housing food getting shared. trust and used quite a bit of her inheritance to One day last week, I was picking some create affordable and secure housing for some apples for the network from a beautiful heritage people who really needed it. I wish that we apple tree in the orchard of a very generous had a philanthropist with her resources to kick- neighbour. A light rain fell and the scent of start a housing trust in this area. But it’s not the Golden Delicious hovered in the soft air. There ultimate solution. The solution includes a long- were so many apples ripening without pesticides term state commitment to housing people in a on this magnificent tree. Abundance is all variety of models. around us to be shared. Abundance and equity We also need rent controls so people can equals community.

Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13 Mercury Bay’s big fish have been reeling in the visitors for almost a century The long Easter weekend once again match - the only known woman game fishing signalled the arrival of a steady stream of boat skipper in the world,” Illingworth writes. trailers negotiating their way patiently via the “She is Mrs Connie Simmons, of the Ngaire, narrow, winding roads and one-way bridges a 36-foot launch that she handles with to reach the prize of the fishing paradise that complete skill and confidence. Connie knows is Mercury Bay. It’s a path well-travelled plenty about fishing too, in the 1949/50 even in times when getting here presented season she boated 36 fish to become the top an even loftier challenge, as described in Whitianga boat for the season.” Neil Illingworth’s “Fighting Fins - Big Game However, the trawl through the post- Fishing in New Zealand Waters.” colonial history of fishing in the area and The book, published in 1961, devotes in particular the origins of the first game separate chapters to five of New Zealand’s fishing club, the Mercury Bay Swordfish and prime fishing destinations and the section on Mako Shark Club, goes back to the 1920s. Mercury Bay opens as follows, “The road “EE Chadban, the ‘Chad’ of Mayor Island over the Coromandel Range is steep, narrow fame, was responsible for getting game and tortuous, climbing 1,400 feet quickly in fishing going in Whitianga,” the book says. just a few miles from the Thames coast and “He began fishing at Mayor Island in 1922 dropping just as quickly at the other side. but left after two years to run the hotel at It seems a little fearsome on first acquaintance, Whitianga. One day in the winter of 1924 but it has never stopped a fisherman from Harry Chapman, an old Norwegian cray A photo from Neil Illingworth’s book, “Fighting Fins - Big Game Fishing in New Zealand reaching Whitianga.” fisherman who lived on Mercury Island, saw Waters.” Connie Simmons is pictured next to Koni Tamahana at the Whitianga Wharf. Some who now regularly negotiate the a marlin alongside his boat and the next time At the time the book was written, Connie was the only known female holiday traffic for the privilege of getting he was ashore he went to the hotel and told game fishing skipper in the world. out on the water here might argue little has Chad about it. He (Chad) went out with local changed. Those who have been long since launch-owner, Bob White, on the Vanita and felt hats to prevent their hands from being cut oil to make them supple. connected with the town will recognise many saw marlin himself, so he made up a party of on the line. They came back that first day with “Whitianga was agog at the prospect of of the great names that Illingworth refers to. three boats for the following weekend to try a striped marlin and a mako shark, and Chad the new sport and it was no trouble to find His narrative of the town, the fishing and and catch them. immediately decided to get the sport going enough enthusiasts to form a game-fishing people is a whose who of the stalwarts of the “Chad and his party did not have any game for the following season. He sent to Auckland club ready for the opening of the 1925 season. local fishing scene. fishing gear, but they trolled kahawai baits for hooks, lines and a couple of Nottingham At a meeting held in an old fish shed on the “The Whitianga charter fleet, like those tied to stout hapuku lines and when they had reels, and then went to the bush and cut a town wharf, Chad was elected president of elsewhere, has its share of colourful and a strike they tied the end of the line to a four- pair of tanekaha poles for rods. These were the Mercury Bay Swordfish and Mako Shark interesting characters, but it has one gallon drum and left the fish to fight the drum stripped of their bark, smoothed, seasoned in Club, a post he held until he left Whitianga distinguishing feature that no other centre can until it was tired and then hauled it in, using a stream and then allowed to soak in linseed 10 years later, and Archie Wells (owner of (Continued on page 16)

Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15 Mercury Bay’s big fish have been reeling in the visitors for almost a century (Continued from page 14) the Dart, one of the boats used in Chad’s for much of the club’s growth,” the book anecdotes clearly acquired through an agricultural tractor as a makeshift fighting experiment) became secretary-treasurer. says. “He is Jack Crawford, the secretary, conversations with those who were immersed chair. Boy had brought in quite a few fish The first committee consisted of Harry who took over the job in 1949 and has since in the area’s game fishing activity at the time. by himself when some of the professional Gordon, Norman Gordon, Snowy Bilyeald, devoted thousands of hours to the interests “One of the most amusing stories from this skippers began to tease him about not Albert Bowman, Bill King, Jack Hovell, Roly of game fishing in Whitianga. Jack is a sort centre is about a big fish in a small boat,” boating the fish. The following weekend, Sewell and the local policeman, Tom Cannon. of organised chaos, always on the go and one of these stories begins. “Keen as mustard, Boy returned to the wharf with a stiped That winter, members built gallows on the apparently managing to do about 10 things Boy Smooth goes game fishing by himself marlin of 280lb in the boat. Some wise beach between the town wharf and the wharf at once.” in a 15-foot open boat, the Wanda, with an Whitianga heads are still being scratched at the hotel for the fish to be weighed on. Illingworth goes on to share numerous outboard motor and an old sprung seat from about how he got it there without assistance.” “By 1926, news of the new fishing grounds Also featured is Don Ross’s tale of the had spread and there were more visitors. English tourist who excitedly fought for Some of the early launches - the Renown, 10 minutes after what he believed was his the Dauntless and the Maybelle - were offering first ever gamefish strike having fished all for charter at a rate of £3 a day. But even in over world. So sure was he that his luck the second season it was mostly weekend had changed, he did not even mind that fishing in fair weather only, with the boats his catch got away. Despite his suspicions, leaving Whitianga at three or four o’clock in Don said nothing when the bait was reeled in the morning for the fishing ground.” untouched and he never had the opportunity The book goes on to chronicle the demise to tell the man what he later discovered, of the game fishing club during the war years that what the man had hooked and battled and the Great Depression in between until with was a rubber car tyre. the revival in 1947 with Roy Dale, the hotel Commenting on the new fascination for proprietor, calling the first meeting and being tuna which he describes as “the new glamour elected president. “Since then there has been story for Whitianga,” Illingworth writes, no holding the club,” Illingworth writes. “Local skippers and anglers foresee a great Membership has sprung up to almost 1,000 future for tuna fishing as knowledge of tackle in the 14 years since the club was re-formed and technique develops and the seasons when and the game fleet has grown to eight charter the fish can be found become more clear.” launches and more than half a dozen regular Amazing how far the story of game fishing private launches,” in Mercury Bay has travelled over the Well-known personalities continue to make past 100 years. Hopefully, our weekend an appearance in the Mercury Bay section A map of Mercury Bay as it appears in Neil Illingworth’s book, “Fighting Fins - Big Game visitors have left with plenty more good of the book. “One man has been responsible Fishing in New Zealand Waters.” The book was published in 1961. stories to tell.

Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17 Road home proved a “man trap” for Tairua mill worker Historian and Informer contributor, Meghan Hawkes, has again done some research to piece together the story of an early Coromandel resident, this time Patrick Holland who was laid to rest at the Tairua Historic Cemetery. John Falls had spent most of a December night know. He was perfectly conscious when he in 1877 wandering about the flat at Tairua said that, but then Patrick deteriorated and looking for his mate, 22-year-old Patrick died at around 11:00am. Holland. The two bush men had arrived An inquest found that Patrick Holland from Mercury Bay the day before and had came to his death by accidentally falling over gone drinking at Flynn’s Tairua Hotel. When a bank on to a stump of a tree. But had he? they were ready to leave at about 10:00pm, One of the jurors protested the news report John got a bottle of brandy and Patrick a of the verdict - the cause of death was not the bottle of wine from Mrs Flynn. John gave one published he said. The jury had actually Patrick the brandy to carry as he was the found that Patrick Holland was coming from soberest. Patrick put both bottles inside his the hotel to the men’s huts when he fell over shirt and John started for the men’s huts down a little bank and broke the bottles, causing at the timber mill. He left Patrick standing at a wound about four inches long just below the door of the hotel thinking he would follow the ribs. The cut was clean as if done by a him. But Patrick seemingly vanished and knife. They returned the verdict that “Patrick John, befuddled by drink, eventually gave up Holland met his death by falling over a bank, his search. he having bottles in his breast and the bottles He got up about 4:00am, just as dawn was breaking, and went to look for Patrick again. striking against the stump of a tree broke and He then met Paddy Gibbons who told him caused the wound which was the cause of Patrick was lying injured in a waterhole, his death.” having fallen over a bank and being staked by The jury also recommended that the a tea tree stump. When they reached Patrick, government, before renewing the license of Paddy Gibbons bound him up with his shirt the Tairua Hotel, should see that a proper and, with the help of other men, they moved road was made, the saw mill company having him to the Tairua Hotel. obstructed the one formerly in use. The road At the hotel, John Todd helped to wash to the hotel from the mill was regarded as a Patrick and asked him how he came by his regular man trap for a man in his sober senses, injuries. He answered that he got hung up on let alone a man worse for drink. a tea tree stake. John also asked him what Patrick Holland is buried at the Tairua made him go down that way. He said he didn’t Historic cemetery, his grave now unmarked. A grave at the Tairua Historic Cemetery. Photo by Mike Hawkes.

Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19 What’s On In the next few weeks

Regular Activities Whitianga Tramping Group Op-Shops Meets every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information. • Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Scottish Country Dancing (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Meets every Tuesday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in the Supper Room of the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Phone Anthea • The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to on 866 4516 or (021) 158 1522 for more information. Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm. Whitianga Art Group • St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday Meets every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 23 School Road, Whitianga. Visitors are invited to join us for 10:00am - 2:00pm. a day of painting. Start-up materials supplied. Phone Jenny on (027) 210 0160 for more information. Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Mercury Bay Pickleball Club 10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets Every Tuesday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm and every Sunday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School Justice of the Peace gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available. Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Mercury Bay Tennis Club Bookings not necessary. Phone 866 4476 for more information. Club night every Thursday at 6:30pm at Lyon Park, Albert Street, Whitianga. Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Mercury Bay Table Tennis Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie Meets every Tuesday from 9:00am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on etc. Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. (07) 869 5162 or (027) 565 5575 for more information. Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Mercury Bay Badminton Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information. SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their Meets every Thursday at 6:45pm at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Come along and join in or phone Alan on computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on 866 4024 or Cheryl on 0274 527887 for more information. (027) 486 0150 for more information or to join. Whitianga Playcentre Specific Activities/Events Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Whitianga. For children 0 - 6 years, Mercury Bay Grey Power Coffee Morning free entry. Visitors welcome. Thursday, 8 April at 10:30am in the Supper Room of the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. AA Driver Licensing Phone Merle on 867 1737 for more information. The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Mito Q K2 Cycle Race Scrapbags Quilting Group Saturday, 10 April. All distances finish at the Tairua Rugby Club, Tairua. The K2 (192km) starts in Tairua, Meets every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. the K1 (96km) starts in Coromandel Town and the Nicholas Browne Challenge (53km) starts in Thames. For more phone Shelley on 866 0236 for more information. information, see k2cycle.co.nz. Mercury Bay Creative Fibre Thames Valley Senior Rugby - Saturday, 10 April Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am - 2:00pm. in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Mercury Bay A v Waihi Athletic A in Whitianga. Kick-off at 2:00pm. Whitianga. Phone Wendy Russell on 866 3225 for more information. Mercury Bay B v Thames B in Thames. Kick-off at 12:25pm. Matarangi Craft Group Coromandel Town B v Waihi Athletic B in Coromandel Town. Kick-off at 2:00pm. Meets fortnightly at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley on 866 0788 for more information. Tsunami Sirens Public Forums Mercury Bay Quilters Monday, 12 April at 12:30pm in the Mercury Bay Community Boardroom, 10 Monk Street, Whitianga (behind the Meets the first and third Mondays, and second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Whitianga TCDC offices) and Tuesday, 13 April at 9:00am at St Francis Church, 248 Main Road, Tairua. The tsunami sirens Social Services, Cook Drive. Members range in age from 14 to in their 90s. New members welcome to join and share their on the Coromandel Peninsula are being disconnected, but come along to see what measures are in place to keep quilting knowledge, and help make charity quilts for the neonatal unit at Auckland Hospital and the children admitted to everybody safe. Starship Hospital. Phone Margaret on (07) 866 0411 for more information. Whitianga Marathon Mercury Bay Community Choir Saturday, 22 May. Four course options - 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 5km. Entries now open. This “all-comers” choir rehearses every Monday from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Mercury Bay Area school Music Room. See whitiangamarathon.co.nz for more information. New rehearsals start on 8 February. New singers always welcome. Phone (022) 643 7462 for more information.

Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21 Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle 944

Name: ______

Tel no: ______Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or [email protected] to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which they were announced the winner.

ACROSS DOWN 1. Person, ... being 1. Famous space telescope 7. Plugs 2. Parent’s sister 8. Practice rifle 3. Bang (toe) cartridge 4. Spurt 10. Jingling instrument 5. Punctuation mark 6. At rear of vessel 12. Originates (from) 9. Inuit boat 14. Planted (of seeds) 11. Room décor material 16. Converse 13. Poet’s word for before 17. Nuclear generators 15. Chillier 20. Prescription 16. Walk quietly dispensaries 18. Squalid 23. Hurried 19. Smudge 24. Intimidates 21. Gnaw 25. Falsified 22. Long narrative Last week’s solution

Last week’s winner - Pete Prime

“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week) “Me he korokoro tūī.” - Like the throat of a tūī. English equivalent “What a wonderful voice.” Saying of the week supplied by Te Puna Reo o Whitianga - a playgroup with a focus on Māori tikanga and te reo Māori. The group members meet every Monday and Tuesday at 9:00am at the old dental clinic at Mercury Bay Area School. All those with pēpi or young tamariki are welcome to join.

Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 New reserves contractor aims to create new local jobs A new team will be taking responsibility for manage and maintain the Peninsula’s parks, contracts with hospitals, schools, councils, Services will be our partner in managing the upkeep of the Coromandel Peninsula’s reserves, playgrounds and cemeteries. The sport stadiums and golf courses. It already our green spaces and recreational assets,” outdoor spaces from July this year. Kiwi-owned and operated family business holds sports or full facility maintenance said TCDC chief executive, Rob Williams. Thames-Coromandel District Council has was founded in 1992 and will replace current contracts with 12 other councils, including “During the tender stage they contested both last week announced that, after a competitive contractor, Smart Environmental Limited. Auckland, Christchurch, Far North District, the priced and non-priced attributes well, tender process, Recreational Services The company tends more than 5,500 parks Whangarei and Tauranga. scoring above the other contenders. And Limited has been awarded the contract to and reserves around New Zealand and has “Our council is pleased that Recreational while we are excited about the future, we also want to acknowledge the hard work over the years by the crew at Smart Environmental.” Recreational Services has committed to working directly with Smart Environmental in order to take on as many staff as possible who may be impacted by the loss of the TCDC contract. “We are thrilled to be coming to the Coromandel starting 1 July,” said Recreational Services chief executive, Cameron Parr. “We are blown away by the district’s natural beauty and we’re looking forward to working alongside [TCDC’s] parks team in finding innovative approaches to engage with the community to have a greater sense of ownership, pride and satisfaction in their local parks.” TCDC’s parks and reserves contract is for an initial five-year term with the potential for two one-year extensions at the discretion of council. Recreational Services says it is likely Some of those who were present when it was last week announced that Recreational Services Limited has been awarded the to have vacancies for more people who have Thames-Coromandel District Council parks and reserves contract. From the left - Graham Norton (Recreational Services Quality skills in areas such as operations management and Improvement Manager), Bruce Hinson (TCDC Operations Group Manager), Damon Brown (Recreational Services Regional Manager), and administration, horticulture and tree Rob Williams (TCDC Chief Executive), Cameron Parr (Recreational Services Chief Executive), maintenance. The company’s website, Derek Thompson (TCDC Community Facilities Manager) and Micaela Parker (Recreational Services People and Culture Advisor). rs.kiwi.nz, has more information.

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23 Board Talk Sudoku By the Mercury Bay Area School Board of Trustees

One year on from lockdown. Looking back with gratitude... It has been a year since the country first Some students needed to remain at school Sudoku Puzzle 944 went into lockdown and we have so much due to their parents being essential workers to be thankful for. It was a frightening and in our community. For these young people, uncertain time. We followed the advice, our teachers were essential, they became part Name: ______we moved at pace, we learnt rapidly. of an extended school bubble. And now New Zealand continues to be one of Our parents and caregivers faced the best places to be in the world. challenging times. But they coped so well. Tel no: ______Our Board of Trustees is immensely proud They adapted to enable learning from home. Win two Trumpet ice creams. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to and thankful for the actions of our staff, Families adapted to being together 24/7. The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or students, parents and caregivers. Many of us thrived and welcomed the chance [email protected] to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim The school leadership team jumped to be together, working on projects at home their prize from Buffalo Beach Four Square directly before the Wednesday of the week following into action, turning out online learning and remembering our baking skills. the issue in which they were announced the winner. programmes and providing IT solutions The threat isn’t over. We are still at Alert within days. The communications coming out Level 1, but our lives have largely returned Sudoku Puzzle Instructions of the school were superb, relevant, timely to normal. When alert levels change, Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes and frequent. we know what to do and we can act fast. inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. Our student leaders produced beautiful We still need to follow the hand washing and encouraging online videos, showing us signing in rules. glimpses of how they were managing in their We can think of ourselves as blessed bubbles and sending messages of kindness, or lucky compared to most of the world. achievement, unity, respect and identy. But it wasn’t just luck we have to thank for Our school expectations stood up to the how were are living today. We have amazing COVID-19 challenge - we already had the leadership and teamwork to thank. Thank skills and we put them into practice. you all, what an incredible school. What a Our teachers put in a massive effort, wonderful community. converting lessons to a new online format. Amanda Scobie Meeting by Zoom became the new norm. Mercury Bay Area School Board of Trustees Wellbeing was at the centre of their delivery. Parent Representative

Last week’s solution Last week’s winner - Ian Johnson

Page 24 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Fishing Report Sponsored by Mercury Bay Marine - Tel (07) 867 1280

In this week’s fishing column, Whitianga resident, Brent Langridge (also known as “Boppa”), talks about his success with kayak fishing in the Whitianga Estuary. “Fishing in the estuary is very good at the moment,” he said. “Change of light is always the best time to go out, but other times when visibility in the water isn’t that good - for example when it’s overcast or drizzling, or it has rained the previous day - will also give you a better chance to catch snapper and kahawai. “I normally get into the water at the Robinson Road boat ramp, directly opposite where I live, and head straight for the mangroves. I use squid for bait and a chicken pellet berley trail also helps. The water is only two to five feet deep in the mangroves. “The past few weeks I’ve caught my bag limit every time I went out. I love cleaning and filleting fish and few things give me more pleasure than dishing out some of what I’ve brought home to family and friends.” When asked if he was concerned about sharks in the estuary, Boppa said that he has spotted a bronze whaler or two before, but he’s not too worried. “They’re not bugging me,” he said. “That’s also one of the benefits of a chicken pellet berley trail as there’s no blood that may cause the sharks to get closer to me.” Having sharks in relatively close proximity in the water isn’t a new experience for Boppa. He was on board the charter vessel Te Ika Nui when it sunk in the Kaipara Harbour on 21 January 1995. Six men were on board at the time. Boppa was one of four who survived. “I ended up in the water holding on to a life ring with one of the other men, not knowing if we were going to be rescued,” he says. “That’s when I spotted the shark fins. It was a very unsettling, especially as the other man had a bleeding head wound. We decided to move as little as possible, which may have helped us to not attract any unwanted attention. “Fortunately, after an hour in the water, another charter boat came by and we were hauled to safety.”

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 25 Brain Teaser - Anagram © Tamaki Education and Sports Society Inc

Brain Teaser Puzzles 944

Name: ______

Tel no: ______

Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Café in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or [email protected] to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from Espy Cafe directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which they were announced the winner. Themed Anagram Instructions - Unscramble the letters of the phrases to make five words relating to the theme, each starting with the given letter. The letters in the shaded squares will spell out another word relating to the theme. This is the mystery keyword.

Answers

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

4. ______

5. ______

Mystery keyword ______

Last week’s solution - Acrostic Puzzle

A. Abalone, B. Night, C. Digging, D. Yearns, E. Wheel, F. Absorb, G. Rebel, H. Hog, I. Oven glove, J. Leone, K. Allot, L. Rejecting, M. Tulip, N. Intro, O. Spot, P. Teed. A-P: Andy Warhol, artist. QUOTE: “Since people are going to be living longer and getting older, they’ll just have to learn how to be babies longer.”

Last week’s winner - Malc Cooke

Page 26 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Kayden Te Manu bowls over his clubmates with title win A chance event gave 10-year-old Kayden Te club’s First Year Players title for 2021 on Manu the opportunity to roll his first bowl Saturday, 27 March. “I was very excited down the green at the Mercury Bay Bowling when I won,” Kayden says. “It felt different Club. Just over two months later, he became playing in a competition and I was nervous, the club’s First Year Players Men’s Singles especially in the last round which got very Champion. close. At first I was up by heaps of points, The Mercury Bay Area School student fell then the other guy started coming back. I only in love with the game when he accompanied needed one more point to win and eventually his parents to a round of the Business House I got it and I was pretty relieved.” Competition held in January which they were Mercury Bay Bowling Club president, playing in for fun. Judy Russell, says everyone at the club has “One of the people from my mum’s team been impressed with Kayden’s ability and was running late so they asked me if I wanted his attitude. “It is encouraging to see such a to fill in and have a turn,” Kayden says. young person, enthusiastic, not intimidated He was instantly hooked, asking to and keen to compete with adults, a lot being play regularly to the point his mum, Kim retirees,” she says. Newman, eventually gave him her spot on Both Kayden and his fellow club members the team. “He was just completely into it and hope his passion and success may inspire he seemed to have the skill for it,” Kim says. more young people to get involved in “Even all the regular members at the club the sport. were telling him he was a natural.” “It’s really good fun and I think a lot After the competition, Kayden was of kids would like it they gave it a go,” determined to continue playing, going to the Kayden says. club at least once a week, sometimes more Kim and Duane will continue to support frequently, to practice and then signing up as Kayden to develop and improve. “I’m going a member. to keep practising and hopefully enter more “The club has been amazing,” says dad, tournaments,” Kayden says. Duane. “The encouragement and the support Kim is also looking into the possibility they have given him is fantastic.” of inter-school competitions where Kayden “Not only have they welcomed him but Ten-year-old Kayden Te Manu, the Mercury Bay Bowling Club’s First Year Players Men’s Singles could meet other young players. “We’re they have been providing him with coaching, Champion, with Robyn Anderson, the club’s First Year Players Ladies’ Singles Champion. very proud of him,” she says. “To see his all free of charge with the members dedication and how passionate he is about his volunteering their time,” Kim adds. to know his new more senior clubmates. play better,” he says. bowls is awesome. Being involved in a club At 10, Kayden is the youngest club regular “They are really nice, they have been giving These new skills came in handy when that offers such a positive and supportive by quite a stretch, but says he is loving getting me lots of tips and tricks and it is helping me Kayden faced a tense battle to take out the environment is also really great.”

Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 27 Sport Results

MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Eighteen-hole Buildlink Cooks Beach Monthly 2 Dave Dylla and Chris Hilford 54.17, 3 Bill Cummings Chocolate Fish - Perrine Busby, Georgie Matchett and Nine-hole Tutti Frutti - Tuesday, 30 March Medal Net - Saturday, 3 April and Colin McAnnalley 49.58 Winston Gallot. Results Men - 1 Bob Holiday, 2 Eddie Lyle, 3 Gavin Results - 1 Kevin Milroy 68, 2 Bob Walker 68, 3 Tim HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB Raffles - Mary Anne Thompson, Steve Morris, Shirley Green. Bartlett 73. Paku Pairs Week 1 - Tuesday, 30 March Morris, Mike King and Lynnette Flowers. Results Ladies - 1 Lee Pudney, 2 Maree Denney, 4BBB - Neil Vowles and Bob Walker 64, Best Gross - North/South - 1 Don Barry and Robyn Hogg 69.17, 2 Bill MERCURY BAY BOWLING & SPORTS CLUB 3 Ann Blair. Tim Bartlett 76, Nearest the Pin - Bob Walker, Twos/Net Cummings and Lee Hughes 55.42, 3 Vivienne Leigh and First Year Singles Championships - Eighteen-hole Ladies - Wednesday, 31 March Eagles - Kevin Milroy, Lucky Card - Phil Ander. Val Dwight 46.25. Saturday, 27 March Results Division 1 - Caron Clinning, 2 Kim Allan, THE DUNES MATARANGI GOLF CLUB East/West - 1 Robyn Waters and David Wilkinson 58.33, Men’s Winner - Kayden Te Manu (10 years old). 3 Chris Watson. Eighteen-hole Stableford - Saturday, 3 April 2 Alison Tichbon and Annette Cox 57.50, 3 Maggie Ladies Winner - Robyn Anderson. Results Division 2 - 1 Miki Sedcole, 2 Marg Maher, Results - 1 Trevor Martin (Formosa) 41, 2 Geoff Atmore Beattie and Natasha Courtney 52.50. The Club has seven first year players this season, 3 Maria Duxfield. 36, 3 Coralie Russell (North Shore) 34. TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB five of whom competed in the First Year Singles Nearest the Pin #4 - Chris Watson, 2 Nearest the Pin MERCURY BAY AEREA SCHOOL Monday, 29 March Championships, and all have availed themselves of #18 - Jane Deadman, Twos - Caron Clinning. Across the River Swim - Friday, 26 March North/South - 1 Paula and Ollie Gilbert 58.33, 2 Peter coaching from the club’s three coaches. The club thanks Eighteen-hole Men Scramble - Year 7 Girls - 1 Savarna Brightwell, 2 Mackenzie Boyd, McNeil and Wendy Morris 57.64, 3 Lee Hughes and Colleen, Kerry and Don for the time they dedicate to the Wednesday, 31 March 3 Mia Jamieson. Dave Dylla 52.82. coaching of members. Results - 1 Graham Eccles, 2 Garry Morton, 3 Micky Year 7 Boys - 1 Noah Candelaria, 2 Taj Lorimer, East/West - 1 Lyn Baines and Lynnette Flowers 58.33, MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER Henderson. 3 Reuben Vaughan. 2 Heather Buffet and Jean McNeil 56.75, 3 Celia Young Wednesday, 31 March and Nolene Kirkpatrick 55.95. Best of three frames. Twos - Pete Maher, Steve Geach and Kevin Smith, Year 8 Girls - 1 Miranda Coleman, 2 Taylor Ferrier-Kerr, 3 Angel Scobie. MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Ten players. Forrest Littlejohn and Willie Jones were the Gross - Steve Geach. Year 8 Boys - 1 Lennox Jennings, 2 Tom Lamason, Thursday, 1 April only players to achieve two straight wins to compete Nine-hole Ladies - Thursday, 1 April 3 Joseph May. Winners - Peter Rabarts, Colleen Taberner and Graham in the final. A great third frame between two mates, Results Division 1 - 1 Merrin James, 2 Jenny Layton, 3 Junior Girls - 1 Sienna Reader, 2 Anna Smith, 3 Chloe Walker. but in the end it was Willie who took the win over club Christine Godden. Morcom. Runners-up - Keith Denney, Cheryl Henderson and champion, Forrest. Those with two wins were Forrest Results Division 2 - 1 Suzanne Hansen, 2 Noeline Junior Boys - 1 Jay Lorimer, 2 David Murie, 3 Jabe Marie Denney. Littlejohn (runner-up), Brian Codyre, Peter Challis and Boardman, 3 Judy Hindrup. Beazley. Good Sports - John Taberner, Glynne Jackson, Bev Pete Shaw. Eighteen-hole Men Scramble Stableford - Intermediate Girls - 1 Elise Reader, 2 Meg Hoyland, McAllister and Wayne Fisher. Willie Jones also had the highest break of 22. He gave Saturday, 3 April 3 Olivia McDonald. COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB his winning prize of a chicken to Jason Smith, organiser Results - 1 Jeff Dixon, 2 David Lang, 3 Brett Goodger. Intermediate Boys - 1 Jack Fiddler, 2 Will Lockhart, Wednesday, 30 March of the twice-weekly competition. Gross - Mark Burcombe, Twos - TJ Wilson, Brett 3 Maitland Bevan. Four teams played with the four of Arthur Taylor (skip), Saturday, 3 April Goodger, Dan Ray, Wayne Malcolm, Ken George and Senior Girls - 1 Hannah Hardy, 2 Jasmine McCleery, Alan Henry, Murray Haycock and Tui O'Keefe winning all Best of three frames. Dave Enright. 3 Louisa Murie. four games, with Arthur playing some wonderful bowls. Six players. Peter Schultz won all three his three frames PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Senior Boys - 1 Conrad Van der Putten, 2 Sebastian By a mathematical coincidence, the other three teams and took home the chicken. Willie Jones was the only Nine-hole Men and Ladies Stableford - Ross, 3 Kobe Adams. each had one win with 10 ends - hard to share four player to win two frames. Tuesday, 30 March MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB Easter eggs among that lot! Highest Break - Gavin Kerr 21. Results - 1 Equal Roberta Preston and Wayne Morrison March Competition Round 3 - Wednesday, 31 March TAIRUA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB 16, 3 Jim Brown 13. North/South - 1 Myra Hoogwerf and Sue Gill 60.00, Monday, 29 March Ladies Championships - Tuesday, 30 March Nine-hole Men and Ladies Stableford Monthly 2 Rose Tegg and Pauline Van Groenedaal 53.75, Winners - Shirley Morris, Steve Morris and Mark Singles Final - Zoe Schofield def Lisl Wollheim Jones Medal - Thursday, 1 April 3 Equal Don Barry and Peter Hogg, and Gavin Hedwig Flowers. 9-6. Results - 1 Roberta Preston 21 (winner of the Monthly and Kate Palmano 51.67. Runners-up - Joan Smith, Mike King and Lynnette Doubles Final - Lisl Wollheim Jones and Trish Graves Medal), 2 Brain Keucke 19, 3 John van Groendaal 17. East/West - 1 Giorgio Allemano and Colin Day 62.08, Flowers. def Julie White and Maggie Johnson 9-5.

Page 28 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Classifieds and Public Notices SITUATIONS VACANT HOLISTIC HEALTH

Liquor Store INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALER Duty Manager Needed WORKSHOP FACILITATOR Must have a relevant management TAROT CARD READINGS qualification and experience in SPIRITUAL MENTOR the liquor industry. CLAIRVOYANT Applicants must have a VERNA (027) 320 0079 General Manager’s certificate vernacarrspiritualhealing.com and LCQ. Email your CV to [email protected] POSITIVE YOU 2021! or see our team in store at Together, let's build New Zealand! PlaceMakers continuously strives to be the best 118 Wharf Road, Wednesday classes - building partner in the market and takes pride in providing the highest level of Coromandel Town. Personal and Spiritual Growth service to our customers. We continue to grow and we have an opportunity for a 13 weeks of healing mind/body/spirit. customer service-focused team member to join our trade team in the key role of Photography week 10: APRIL 7 Trade Sales Support based at PlaceMakers Whitianga. energy alignment and manifestation We are looking for a vibrant individual who is self-motivated and pays attention to VERNA (027) 320 0079 accuracy. Your main responsibilities will include - • Receiving incoming calls • Following up customer inquiries PROPERTY SERVICES/PROJECTS • Processing orders for collection or dispatch • Source and order special products and solutions • Handling general price enquiries • Co-ordinate plan estimations and facilitate pricing • Providing backup service for our Account Managers We will be looking for the following attributes in the successful candidate - • You will need strong communication skills PUBLIC NOTICES • Provide a high standard of customer service • Be able to work under pressure, and organise your time and environment for Mercury Bay maximum efficiency Community Choir • You will need to be computer literate Notice of the 2021 Annual General Meeting Applicants for this position should have NZ residence or a valid NZ work permit and To be held at 5pm on will be required to undergo pre-employment and medical testing. Wednesday, 28 April at If you have a “Know How Can Do” attitude, enjoy working in a team environment 24 Meadow Drive, Whitianga. All welcome. and would like the challenge this position brings, then please forward your PUBLIC NOTICES CV and cover letter to Melissa Ford our Operations Manager - [email protected] Applications close 27th April 2021.

Décor Consultant Working at PlaceMakers is all about giving customers the best service and great advice, and developing our people and their capability, so leverage yourself and develop your customer sales and service experience in this challenging and diverse role as a customer service focused Décor Consultant in our Whitianga team. To be successful in this role, you will need to have good computer, written and communication skills, be flexible, willing to learn, and will go the extra mile for our customers and team-mates. We are seeking someone who thrives on building lasting customer relationships across our customer base. An interest or previous experience in Paint Solutions or Kitchen Design would be a great advantage, as would any previous customer ADVERTISEMENT SPONSORED BY THE MERCURY BAY INFORMER service experience. So, if you are keen to kick start your career and have a positive attitude, we would love to talk to you. PlaceMakers can offer you a safe and rewarding environment to work in, great people to work with, providing excellent career opportunities within a progressive and growing business. To apply, please email your CV to [email protected]. Applications close 4:00pm, Friday 27th April 2021. Please note a full pre-employment medical, including a drug test will be required.

Issue 699944 - 276 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 29 Classifieds and Public Notices for sale CHURCH SERVICES TO LET

FIREWOOD Dry wood - Old Pine $130, Red Gum $160, Black Wattle $180, Poplar $100, Mixed Hardwoods $150. www.goodwoodfirewood.co.nz Chris - 021 240 9909

cattery

866 4273

community bus

MERCURY BAY COMMUNITY BUS For your door to door travel to hospitals and related services in Thames, Waikato, Auckland and Tauranga. To book phone 866 4993 or 867 1333 or 021 0270 6897 STORAGE SHEDS, various sizes, dry and secure. Affordable rates. Advertisement sponsored by the Mercury Bay Club Ph: 0800 944 660 STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660 DOG GROOMING Container It Self Storage, 17 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Ph: 0274 817 258 STORAGE, Self storage/boat storage, Matarangi - Kuaotunu. Ph: 07 866 5693

Small office space in central Whitianga location Available long term, affordable rent. Phone (021) 672 748 for details.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH THE BEST NUTRITION Stay healthy. Phone 027 947 8311 or email [email protected] ST ANDREW’S BY THE SEA Community Church THANK YOU Albert Street, Whitianga COMMUNITY WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY 9:30am. the mercury bay cancer Come, join the family of God! WORK WANTED support trust thanks the Enquiries 869 5452 following businesses, www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz organisations and individuals for their ongoing support - accounting By Design (Geoff Balme), THE CHURCH OF All About Whitianga, CFM, Coastal Satellites, Coastal Signs, Guthrie Bowron, JESUS CHRIST Stafford Moody, The Frame Place, OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Graeme Heathcote, The Golden Girls, Everyone Welcome Kupe’s Car Wash, Lioness Club of Sunday 10 am – 12 noon Mercury Bay, The Lost Spring, The Whitianga Menz Shed (Brian Mearns), @ 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga Maureen Stott, Mercury Bay Golf Club, (Community Service Bldg) The Mercury Bay Informer (Stephan and Enquiries - 021 113 0566 Petra Bosman), Mercury Bay Library, Rubbish Removal Steve Rush, Simpsons Beach Camp, Skinny, WANTED St Andrew’s Church, Te Rerenga School, Trees, Lawns, Garden Bags Whitianga Lodge of the Freemasons, Phone John 866 5511

Whitianga Scrapbaggers and Vehicles wanted Top cash paid for any Whitianga Social Services. VANS, UTES, TRUCKS, 4X4s, CARS - DAVE’S DRAINAGE And all book donors and purchasers, dead or alive, damaged, Drainlaying, Public & Private, and the many volunteers who generously de-registered, mechanical problem, give their time and expertise in 1.8 Ton Digger Hire. no WOF - we buy it. our fundraisng bookshop. 30 Years Experience. Call 0800 333 398 Free Quotes or Advice. Call Dave 027 727 0348 WORK WANTED [email protected] MIKE’S MOWING Mercury Bay Spouting $25 empty sections, coromandel garage doors For all types of guttering For new door installations, auto openers fortnightly or monthly mowing. and full maintenance service. Free edge spraying. and spouting Phone Don McLean (022) 453 2188 Phone Mike or Deb 866 4678 Tony 021 505 109 Email [email protected] or 027 320 1703.

THE BESS HANDZ EMBROIDERED MONOGRAMS Alterations, repairs, zip and hem service. Phone 866 5277.

CHIMNEY SWEEP 25 years servicing the area. Phone Chris (021) 082 47928

Page 30 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 944 - 6 April 2021 Another local’s Whitianga Honours awarded as Tairua Marathon entry fees to be SLSC celebrates successful year refunded Nick Reader (pictured) organiser of the Whitianga Marathon, drew Andy Park’s name last week as the sixth Mercury Bay resident who will have their Whitianga Marathon entry fees refunded to them. Andy is living in Whitianga and has entered to run the half marathon distance. In total, Nick will be refunding the entry fees of eight locals. Two more names will be drawn over the next two weeks. “Refunding the entry fees is a small initiative to motivate Mercury Bay residents to enter the event,” says Nick. “Wouldn’t it be great to see a lot of local faces at the start line?” The event, to take place on Saturday, 22 May, offers four distances participants can either run or walk - marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km and 5km. The marathon is a new distance that has been added to the event from previous years and is something unique with the first half of the course taking entrants from Ferry Landing to Cooks Beach and back, and the second half taking them along the half marathon course through Whitianga. It may well be the only marathon in New Zealand with a ferry ride in the middle. The half marathon course is also different from previous years. Instead of two laps of approximately 10km each, participants will run or walk a single lap, taking in much more of the town. “The half marathon is flat, an ideal course for half marathon entrants trying to improve on their personal bests,” says Nick. Mercury Bay Area School students can enter the event for free. With almost 800 entries already received, the 2021 Whitianga Marathon is on track to become the A year of challenge, growth and change was marked on Saturday evening at Tairua Surf Life Saving Club’s biggest long distance running/walking event Mercury Bay has ever seen. “It’s going to be a great annual dinner and prize-giving held at Tairua Golf & Country Club. day,” says Nick. “And hopefully the event will keep on growing to become one of the highlights on Over 90 members gathered for the celebration. Chairman, Tony Cheetham, reflected on the significant the New Zealand marathon calendar.” events of the past 12 months, including the passing of life member, Graeme Ridler. “Graeme was all about producing the best possible lifeguards in terms of skills and knowledge to send out onto our beach and we are proud to continue his legacy, with eight new lifeguards qualifying this year,” he said. Major highlights included winning Coromandel Club of the Year and Patrol Club of the Year at the Eastern Region Surf Life Saving Awards, and securing funding of $699,000 from the government’s Provincial Growth Fund to develop a new purpose-built clubhouse, a project that is due to commence in June and be completed for the start of the new summer season. “It was also of course the year of COVID-19,” said Tony. “I would like to thank Surf NZ who were fantastic in getting information to us. Another biproduct of everyone holidaying at home was what felt like half of New Zealand decided to send their kids to our summer Junior Surf Programme (JSP), so we had record numbers, reaching around 135. I would like thank our instructors who did an amazing job and our senior guards who came back to help us by acting as mentors for this young team of instructors.” Tony also acknowledged the hardworking committee and sponsors of the club, and the Tairua community who he said continued to show fantastic support. Pictured are those who received awards on Saturday evening. Back, from the left - Jamie Bryson (Club Service Award), Ryan Tourani Rad (Hamish Stewart Club Spirit Award), Fairven Harris (Most Improved Lifeguard), Bella Muir (Emerging Lifeguard of the Year) and Sean Ridler (Volunteer of the Year). Front, from the left - Tom Simpson (Rescue of the Year), Jae Broomfield (Lifeguard of the Year) and Scott Kerr (Peter Tait Memorial Award). Gabby Hughes (JSP Instructor of the Year ) is absent from the photo. The Kina Cup for Best Patrol was won by Alpha.

Issue 944699 - 627 April July 2021 2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 31