Vol. 29 No 6, May 21, 2020 www.opunakecoastalnews.co.nz Published every Thursday Fortnight Phone and Fax 761-7016 A/H 761-8206 for Advertising and Editorial ISSN 2324-2337, ISSN 2324-2345 Inside Le vel 2 begins as lockdown ends On the first day of Alert Level 2, people were emerg- ing from seven weeks lock- down with adults and chil- dren alike keen to experience the sun and surf and all that Hairdressers busy. Coastal Taranaki has to offer. Page 3 In Oakura township most businesses were open. The hairdressers and barbers were busy and booked out for some days. Victor Higgins, manager of Lemonwood Eatery which opened at Level 2 said they’d had a few bookings for the weekend and were seeing Scientists discover a their loyal customers. Owner plastic eating caterpillar Barbara Olsen had been busy Page 5 over the Lockdown making birthday cakes and chutneys. Victor meanwhile had set up the website and kept in touch with people. The wage Opunake poised to open. subsidy had been a big help and no one had lost their job. ing “we really missed you.” served by a waitress and tables, chairs and door han- iconic Headlands Bar and After seven weeks people There were strict guidelines there was a maximum of 10 dles. They also had a glass Restaurant in Opunake said were clearly hanging out for to follow such as signing to a table. They also had to for used pens and clean pens. they had been “pretty busy” their favourite takeaways. in, customers having to be spray everything including Birendra Rawat from the since level 2 doing deliveries Ali Hayward of Opunake and were pleased to be back. Fish, Chips and More said On the fi rst day of Level 2 New district governor people were clamouring for customers were dropping by for Lions page 13 fresh fish while the take- the Dreamtime Surf Shop to aways were picking up.” satisfy their caffeine cravings. People are being cautious,” “The coffee’s been busy, she felt, and keeping their but not that busy in retail,” distance. On the second day said owner Craig Dingle. of level 2 it was “getting “We have sold a few repair busier.” After seven weeks kits and things like that.” people were hanging out for Reopening in Level 2 had their favourite takeaways meant new things to work Jarrah Edge and Beth Hunt, through, like clearer trace- owners of Sugar Juice had ability and more paper- used the Lockdown as an work. There was also the opportunity to refurbish their effect of the lack of interna- popular café. They had not tional tourists to consider. Beware unfl ued heaters. been busy on the first day His customers had See our Heating Feature of Level 2 but people were been “mainly locals.” centre pages. slowly gravitating back, say- “It’s just early days. We have to take every day as it comes.” Enjoying a family reunion at Sugar Juice in Opunake was Bruce Flay who hadn’t seen his son and daughter-in- law and grandchildren for eight weeks. He was there with his wife. “It’s great to come and have a catch up with the family,” said Bruce commenting that his grandson Marcel was “a bit taller” and commented wryly that “we had put on weight.” They had all kept in touch by speaker phone. The family group from left were Bruce, Marcel Flay, Chauncey, Tabatha Forbes, Darcy Flay and Clare Flay. Sixteen covid-19 cases in Taranaki There were 16 cases of and tested in their cars. Pharmacy owner Tae Wan “it had been good to see Coronavirus in Taranaki. “Anyone with cold or flu Kim said over the Lockdown Continued page 3 Most of those were in symptoms such as a runny Stratford and New Plymouth nose, sore throat, they’ll test.” Bluff Oysters and they’ve recovered said The medical centre had the manager of Coastalcare also been busy with phone $32 Punnet in Opunake Aretha Lemon. consultations, video There had been no cases consultations with flu in Opunake or “not that injections and vaccines I’m aware of,” she added. given to people in their car, One of four testing stations which some people were Fresh Gurnard in Taranaki, Coastalcare pleased about, said Aretha. $39 kg had been operating over the Most of the Coastalcare Lockdown and it had worked services are returning this Fresh Cut Locally Grown really well, she said. “The week. Clients are requested public have been very good however to phone fi rst and Broccoli $2 Cauli $2 Cabbage $2 at following instructions. We book an appointment, not needed people to do that – just turn up. People should Opunake’s Only Greengrocer they adapted really quickly.” refer to the advert in the They are still testing with Opunake & Coastal News. 61 Tasman St, Opunake Ph 06 761 8478 people being screened In Opunake Coastal See us online at www.opunakecoastalnews.co.nz FOR ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL PLEASE PHONE/FAX (06) 761-7016 2 NEWS AND VIEWS Thursday, May 21, 2020 OPUNAKE & COASTAL NEWS Send your your views to: EDITORIAL Letters to the Editor The Lockdown LLettersetters ttoo thethe 23 Napier Street, Opunake. Prime Minister Jacinda the well-being of their com- EEditorditor Fax: (06) 761 7016 Ardern must be commended munities. Good on them also. email: [email protected] for the way she has led the na- However, it must be kept You are welcome to use a pseudonym but must tion during this crisis. Going in mind that for everyone Underwater Club to secure supply your name and address to us. early and hard was the right who was caught by the po- Remove the winch’s wire with an ex- approach. Also appropriate lice, there were probably ten geotextile bags tremely strong hook to each mental guardian angel who really deserves it. was the easing of restrictions people who escaped detection bag, then one by one remove has taken it upon himself to Seeing that Mr Langton (to Level 2) after six weeks. by the ‘thin blue line’. In the asap them from the seabed, then spirit of reconciliation I be- One can vividly remember look after this beautiful lake, belongs to the Opunake Lions With 96% of people who once onshore or somewhere, lieve there should be a sort of on February 28 last year when which to me is really and truly Club, maybe once a year they became ill with the Covid 19 make sure there’s a place pardon and all prosecutions Chris Fuller expressed his wonderful to see happening, could organise one huge com- virus recovering and a dwin- where these bags are de- waived and the offenders (to deepest concerns over those as I am in no doubt at all lakes munity project to help clean dling of reported new cases to stroyed completely as soon use a strong word) left with geotextile bags spewing out similar to this one all have up this lakeside area, and almost zero, we have a posi- as possible. merely a warning on their plastic particles underwater their own similarities with plant suitable plants which tive result. It’s sad, of course, After that seek some com- record. There is no point in off Opunake Beach. their different types of issues. could enhance its surround- that a number of people lost pensation from ASR if they leaving the stain of a police Eleven years after this ut- It seems Mr Langton has ing areas. their lives. are still operating, but if prosecution against the names terly failed project these bags spoken to the Taranaki Coast- People like Mr Langton are Well done to everyone who not, just cut your losses , of people who are mostly re- are still sitting underwater, so al Community Board and the extremely hard to fi nd, and stuck to the guidelines. How- and also seek ideas from the sponsible citizens, but perhaps I do believe its high time both South Taranaki District and Opunake township is also ex- ever, not too many people Department of Conservation . had a lapse of judgement in councils seriously discussed Taranaki Regional Councils, tremely lucky to have such a will have had a perfect record Remember this, our environ- unusual and hopefully un- how to remove these bags not only on what he’s done, lake close by, so I hope every I suspect. ment, whether it’s on land or likely to be repeated, circum- before any more damage is but on his concerns about the so often they help Mr Lang- It was good that police did in our oceans is extremely stances. Anyway, if a Minister done, which is no doubt put- lake, as both councils trust in ton out. Remember this, who their admirable best to ensure important to every one of us. of the Crown (and Minister of ting the marine ecosystem in him and his judgment calls, so is going to take over if this people stuck to the safety Tom Stephens health, no less) has not been jeopardy. maybe Mr Langton could be man isn’t around anymore? guidelines. The road blocks, New Plymouth prosecuted for his much pub- Now may I suggest both in line for a top New Zealand Tom Stephens by community members, in licised lapse, neither should councils share the cost of Environmental award as he New Plymouth places such as the Far North, anyone else be. hiring an extremely power- Opunake Lake although maybe not entirely ful launch which may have a Over the last 17 years, Mr legal, at least showed a public Rolland McKellar heavy winch on it to remove Rex Langton has become Publication ADELPHOS spiritedness and a concern for these bags, get the Opunake Opunake Lake’s environ- dates for the Choosing Life “Let’s create your business growth year Life isn’t always beer and them right now and wants But is Jesus’ resurrection skittles.