Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000 MenzShed’s first “Sheddie of the Year” By Stephan Bosman

At the MenzShed AGM on Thursday last week, Trevor Smedley became the first recipient of the Malcolm Brown Memorial Trophy as the shed’s “Sheddie of the Year.” “Malcolm Brown, our inaugural chairman, passed away just more than a year ago,” shed president, Brian Mearns, said on Thursday. “Our AGM is an opportunity to remember him as the man who was at the forefront of the group of men who were responsible for our very existence as a MenzShed. We acknowledge Malcolm’s enthusiasm, humour and drive, and his legacy will be remembered at our AGM annually through the presentation of a memorial trophy carrying his name.” The trophy was made by Whitianga MenzShed member, Dave Key, and was presented to Trevor by Malcolm’s wife, Pauline Brown. “Our first Sheddie of the Year is a man who never misses a day’s work at our shed,” Brian said, before announcing Trevor as the winner. “Trevor Smedley is usually first to the shed to open up and to get us all ready to go. He is often seen cleaning up, getting rid of the rubbish and doing all the menial tasks that are so important, yet often overlooked by the rest of us. He’s a worthy winner.” Trevor is a retired refrigeration engineer who moved three years ago from Auckland to Whitianga to be closer to family. “I had no Whitianga MenzShed president, Brian Mearns (left), with Pauline Brown, wife of the late Malcolm Brown, and Trevor Smedley, idea I was in the running to become Sheddie winner of the Malcolm Brown Memorial Trophy as the shed’s first “Sheddie of the Year,” on Thursday last week. of the Year,” he said. “Winning the trophy time is occupied by fishing from the shore or Brain said. “We have earmarked a suitable the MenzShed’s building project and will was a real surprise. I was introduced to the taking his boat out on the water. “I like fishing site and hope to have sign-off in the not too be donating the proceeds of the art expo Whitianga MenzShed by a neighbour and on Lake Taupo too,” he said. “I’m a member distant future that we can build something they ran over Queen’s Birthday Weekend to joining up was one of the best things I’ve ever of the Tongariro and Lake Taupo Anglers suitable to our requirements on the site. the shed. done. It’s something I love to be involved in, Club and enjoy spending a few days every Insofar as our building fund is concerned, The Business Support Community Trust is there’s never a dull moment.” now and again in the Central North Island.” things are ticking along nicely, but we’ll also in the process of organising a golf day Trevor also helps out at the Whitianga Bike The Whitianga MenzShed is in the process never say no to anyone who would like to fundraiser for the shed - to be held on Sunday, park, mostly fixing the bicycles the park has fundraising for a bigger shed. “We’ve help us out with a few dollars.” 22 August. Word is that a brand-new ute will available for patrons to use. Some of his spare outgrown the space we’re in at the moment,” The Whitianga Lions are supporting be up for grabs for a hole-in one.

Distributed throughout the , coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz MBAS students set to shine and entertain in new musical production By Suzanne Hansen

Mercury Bay Area School is getting ready by some of ’s greatest artists and Actor, Maria Davenhill (Year 9) says that her the closing night. to present its first musical stage show in five bands. The production will definitely appeal to biggest challenge was learning all the lines MBAS principal, John Wright, says the years, “For Today - the 100% Kiwi High School those who love Kiwi music. and cues and how it all works together in production has been a huge undertaking and Musical,” and everyone involved is bursting The cast and crew are made up of a wide mix a performance. One of 11 dancers, Indaria the effort gone in from the students has been with excitement. The 76-strong cast and crew of students from the MBAS middle and senior Bainbridge-Davies (Year 10), who has been remarkable. He encouraged everyone in the are busily honing their last-minute lines, cues, schools, including those studying performing dancing since she was two years of age, community to come along and support them. dance routines and songs for a production arts technology, dance and music. But because says that the challenge for her has been the Opening night for the show is this Thursday, which will have their audience toe tapping to the production was open audition, it has been unpredictability of working with a live band and 17 June at 6:30 pm in the school hall. A matinee Kiwi classics from the likes of Dave Dobbyn, an opportunity for all students wanting to give live music as opposed to recordings. performance earlier that afternoon is already it a go. The lead male is not even into drama, Bik Runga, Fred Dagg and Split Enz. All say the best thing about taking on a sold out. There are further evening performances For Today - written and scored by Kiwi, but he is putting himself out there. In fact, all the production like this is the camaraderie that on Friday 18 and Saturday, 19 June at 6:30pm. Hamish Arthur - is loosely based on “High students are putting themselves out there. has been built through the many rehearsals School Musical,” with a story that speaks of I spoke with a few of the cast and crew, Tickets are $10 for children and students, an ex-rugby star who has been involved with including student conductor of the band, Charli and teamwork, which is bringing students who and $15 for adults. Children under five are an accidental loss of a friend. On returning to McDougall (Year 12), who has the massive previously had no connections closer together. free. Tickets can be purchased at school, rather than play rugby, he has joined the challenge of keeping the band and ensemble Many new friendships have formed that will Pharmacy in Albert Street, Whitianga or at the school choir so that he can meet and get close all in sync in a large production. Ironically, endure well beyond when the curtain falls on MBAS front office. to a new and popular girl, who was previously her biggest challenge is getting the students to involved with another boy connected to wrap their heads around music that some had the accident. never heard. I say ironically because what is Mercury Bay Area School would like to thank the following sponsors and The show is full of action, romance and unfamiliar music to these guys are classics to individuals for their support of “For Today - the 100% Kiwi High School Musical” drama, all set to a score of contemporary songs most Kiwi adults. Pounamu Sponsors - and Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding. Gold Sponsors - Connected Electrical, Ideal Building Coromandel, PlaceMakers Whitianga, Peanuts Childcare, Bayleys Whitianga, Mercury Bay Optometrist, Dive Zone Whitianga, En Pointe Dance Studio, All About Whitianga and Guthrie Bowron Whitianga. Silver Sponsors - Fun Zone Whitianga, Richardsons Real Estate, Percival Construction, OP Columbia, Evolution Fitness, Nautical Holmes, HAMR Home, The Lost Spring, Accounting By Design, Mercury Bay Medical Centre, Peninsula Test & Tag and STUDIO 77. Pewter Sponsors - Van de Ven Builders, Cyber Research, PC Electrical, Subway, Wild Wood Mini Golf Chops Landscaping Maintenance Design, Q’s Plumbing, Black Jack Surf, East Coast Automotive, Willis Electrical, Elements Construction, Gathered Co, Diode Electrical Services, Peninsula Auto Electric & Marine, Coro Oyster Co, Remax, New World Whitianga, Colenso Café Shop Orchard and Coastal Signs. Bronze Sponsors - Mercury Bay Pharmacy, Jenny Bloom, Mercury Bay Museum, Marguerite Muellers Counselling, Korimako Creative, Hula Café, The AutoBarn, Reina Cottier Art, Planners Plus, Whitianga Tractors, Firefly Graphic Design, Kempaint, Mercury Bay Marine, Advanced Auto Electrical & Marine, Good Energy, Mercury Bay Club, Ohlson & Whitelaw, Evolution Tattoo Studio NZ, Love It Bakery, Dekker Construction, Stronglite Event Hire, Peninsula Business Services, GJ Gardner Thames/Coromandel, JTEC Consulting, Gold Collective and Dave Rhodes Productions. The cast and crew of “For Today - the 100% Kiwi High School Musical,” the Mercury Bay Special Thanks - To our bright memories: Dorothy and Duncan McDonald, Joanna Mannington, Area School musical stage show that will be performed from Thursday this week. Mark Irwin, Creative Mercury Bay, Ace Panel and Paint, Coromandel FM and A1 Towing.

What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information provided and sponsored by Week of Wednesday, 16 June to Wednesday, 23 June - Venus makes a lovely sight low in the west after sunset. As the twin of Earth in many respects, it appears very bright with its perpetual cloud cover. The US Magellan satellite launched back in 1989 used radar to penetrate the clouds and revealed a very active surface covered in volcanoes, many flat topped like Mt Tarawera or Ngongotaha near Rotorua. Later satellites have suggested that many of the Venusian volcanoes may still be active. The only other place in the solar system known to have active volcanoes today is Jupiter’s moon, Io. The International Space Station (ISS) makes some bright evening passes this week too. Wednesday, 16 June - Bright Venus, reddish Mars and the crescent Moon all form a line in the dusk sky as they travel along the ecliptic with the Moon high up in Leo. Friday, 18 June - The ISS makes a brief pass from 6:49pm in the NW. Sunday, 20 June - The ISS makes a bright pass from 6:52pm in the NW and disappears into the Earth’s shadow just past the Astronomy Tours and B&B Southern Cross near to Alpha Centauri, our closest star. Monday, 21 June - The ISS has a lovely pass starting from 8:04pm in the NW right next to Venus, Phone (07) 866 5343 passing high overhead and disappearing next to Scorpio’s tail at 8:10pm. Wednesday, 23 June - The ISS makes a bright overhead pass from 6:07pm starting in the NW near to Venus again. www.stargazersbb.com

Whitianga and tides Tides data sponsored by

nzwindows.co.nz 4 Dakota Drive Whitianga Tel 07 869 5990

Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Conversations must continue about the future of our oceans

Organisers of a public meeting aimed at shining the spotlight on the distressed state of the is urging Coromandel residents to continue the conversation in order to build momentum for action. Sharyn Morcom, one of a team of people behind the “Our Oceans - Our Future” meeting which attracted more than 200 people to C3 Church in Whitianga on 5 June, says the large turnout and seeing the display of passion over the issue made her hopeful that the will is now there to find solutions. “The feedback we have had is that people really appreciated the educational aspect of the meeting, hearing the science and were now asking where to from here,” she says. A diverse panel of experts, and environmental and community leaders came together at the event to paint a dismal picture of a deteriorating marine environment, including declining stocks of many species, pollution and damage. The case was made that large sections of the Gulf need to become marine reserves to afford the sort of protection required to promote recovery. However, Sharyn says there is still a long way to go. “Because of the large numbers in attendance, we didn’t get to have the kind of open discussions that I would have liked to see and I think are necessary,” she says. Sharyn is hoping a new Facebook group, “Coromandel Ocean Protection,” which has been set up to continue the conversation will be a good forum for this. There has already been a significant level of engagement in the group where a video of the hui can also be viewed. The action was inspired by Ngāti Hei’s rāhui on the scallop beds at Opito Bay which garnered cross- community support. “We want to hear from our locals about how they feel as regards what is happening, what their observations are, the changes they have seen and what they would like to see happen going forward,” Sharyn says. “I think it is clear we cannot just keep going down the road we are on, we need to change course. We cannot accept that what is happening in our oceans is just normal, it is not. I hope we are now on a road towards identifying solutions.” Pictured is the audience at the meeting on 5 June. Photo courtesy of the Coromandel Ocean Protection Facebook group.

Issue 954699 - 1527 JuneJuly 2016 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3 Anita Prime shocked and humbled to receive Queen’s Service Medal By Gillian O’Neill “We’re not on this earth for very long, so I Her main focus currently is Na Ihowa Ahau, just feel like I want to do the best I can while a weekly life skills and Christian values- I am here.” based youth group in Whitianga which It’s a simple philosophy that Whitianga now attracts up to 50 students each week. singer-songwriter and volunteer youth Anita runs the sessions with a team of worker, Anita Prime, says inspires her. volunteer helpers and Countdown have also However, it has fuelled an extraordinary helped out with sponsorship. “We have some passion and commitment that has been food and we play games, we sing songs, recognised at the highest level with her sometimes we have videos and we talk about being awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for positive skills that we can use in our everyday services to youth and the community in the lives,” Anita says. recent Queen’s Birthday honours list. Anita believes the wider community has a “I couldn’t believe it,” Anita says. “I knew role in “linking arms” with whānau, especially that I had been nominated by a student of when it comes to teenagers. “Having raised mine, but I never thought for a second I would three teenagers, I know from experience they be selected. There are so many others, even get to the stage where they often don’t want to in the circle of people I work with regularly, listen to their parents, so it is important they who could have received this, so I am blown have other supporters and role models around away and totally humbled.” and places where they feel they belong.” The singer, songwriter and CEO of Prime Previously, Anita helped establish Team X Music Academy has undertaken charitable in Palmerston North which partnered with work in several New Zealand communities local schools to provide life skills through and performed at numerous charitable peer education, particularly for at-risk youth. Whitianga singer-songwriter and community worker, Anita Prime, who was awarded concerts. Having enjoyed success in her This team became the second most utilised a Queen’s Service Medal in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours list. musical career, she says she has a strong youth agency in the Manawatu supporting Despite only making the permanent move a community that believes in looking out for desire to give back through supporting young around 600 young people. few years ago, Anita says she has felt like one another. This, along with her deep faith, people to feel connected to their community, In 2008, Anita worked with a group of part of the Mercury Bay community for a continually motivates her to try and make including understanding and taking pride young Māori to write and produce a song that lot longer. “My grandparents had a place at a difference. “There are amazing people in the role they can play within it. “Since received radio air play. Wharekaho and we came here every summer,” here doing incredible things,” she says. moving to Whitianga five years ago, that has She has also established a community she says. “I also have cousins who are Ngāti “They certainly aren’t thinking about getting really been my main priority, I do just enough gospel choir in Whitianga, provides free Hei. I remember going over the hill when it a medal when they do what they do, in fact work to pay the bills and then the rest of my singing lessons for children from low-income was just a track and all the dust would fly they don’t seek any reward. They are just time I can spend volunteering and working households and sponsors children with everywhere. I have many great memories.” trying to do the best they can and that’s what with the kids,” she says. musical potential. Anita says she feels lucky to be part of a I’m doing too.”

Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5 St John to benefit from Town Garage Sale As is every year the case, the Mercury Bay Area School primary school leaders were given the opportunity to choose the charity that will receive this year’s Whitianga Town Garage Sale registration fees. The garage sale took place over Queen’s Birthday Weekend and an amount of $225 was available to donate. After some deliberation, the students decided on Friday last week that the money should go to St John Whitianga. They said they know how busy St John is and they are aware of news reports highlighting the ambulance service’s plight for more funding. Pictured are the students who made the decision. Back, from the left - Ward Coleman, Theo Costello, Tia Samuel, Te Atakohu-Hine Rhodes, Annabelle Kline and Marlie Candelaria. Front - Riley Flynn, Skye Condon, Sasha Lim and Charlotte Allen.

Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Letters to the Editor See page 10 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions

Dear Editor - Meeting about the wellbeing of our moana was declared unlawful by the High Court, with a clear direction that public consultation A huge shout out to the almost 200 people who packed the C3 Church hall on Queens Birthday should occur. Saturday to attend the community meeting about the wellbeing of our moana. I was proud that When consulted, the public can point out that some emission reduction actions will save we were all able to meet together in such a spirit of goodwill. ratepayer funds. For example, the installation of solar on Regional Council’s We heard from speakers representing Ngāti Hei, recreational and commercial fishers, regional office roof will have a net saving of $101,623 and avoid 83 tons of CO2 emissions. government, the Hauraki Gulf Forum, Sea Change, marine reserve science and conservation Denis Tegg initiatives. Many viewpoints and a lot of data to absorb, but for me it was the karakia and Thames opening by the youngsters from Mercury Bay Area school who really made the strongest plea Dear Editor - Sedimentation caused by pine forests for us adults to seek collective solutions to ensure future generations can experience a healthy sea filled with marine biodiversity. Ideas are already flowing for positive follow up actions. In March 1995, an exhausted cyclone passed down the eastern coastline of the Coromandel. In the meantime, please make a submission to the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan review It brought with it non-damaging rain and a two-day period of a strong easterly going south- (this round is closing on Friday, 18 June.) Find details of the review and keep in touch via the easterly that lashed Northland, Coromandel and the East Cape coastlines. It created a period of “Coromandel Ocean Protection” Facebook page. If you were unable to attend, a video of the five to six metre swells that poured into Mercury Bay in the usual spectacular fashion. meeting is also posted there. In a way, that south-easterly storm was not unlike the beating that we have just experienced, Anna Horne perhaps not quite as strong but with a very different outcome. After the first 24 hours of that Whitianga 1995 gale, Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach was littered with thousands of displaced shellfish of all varieties along with starfish coral, sponges, crabs etc, but dominated by thousands of Dear Editor - Why do we live in Mercury Bay? mussels all struggling to stay alive after being left high and dry by the falling tide. It looked We live in Mercury Bay in an environment the rest of the world envies. We are flooded with like a bombsite. people who want a taste of what they believe they may have lost. If we ignore what brings I have a very rough idea of the number of mussels washed up because with my mate, Mark people here, we lose that. Our way of life is enviable and we are in danger of throwing it away. Savage from Washington, USA, we gathered 24 fish boxes of live mussels and returned them There is a concern that we don’t entice our youth to stay, but we buy their loyalty with to the Simpsons Beach reefs. concrete. Let’s re-evaluate whether skateparks and other urban developments are our best In complete contrast - as far as I can ascertain with my family’s search efforts along with solutions. Surely, we can show them why we came or stayed in the first place. Let’s show our neighbours friends and beach wanderers - we have not been able to find any more than 12 youth why we live here. mussels - let alone a crab, starfish or any other marine animal - that may have existed on the Christine Gilbert Simpsons Reef before this current storm. And we looked for three days. What possibly could be the reason for this change in outcome? It could be said that human Dear Editor - Consultation on the climate crisis greed is to blame, but humans rarely take starfish and sponges. Alastair Brickell thinks it is “scandalous” (in a Letter to the Editor published in The Informer I suspect that sedimentation is to blame. But sedimentation has been with us forever and it of 8 June) that Thames Coromandel District Council is consulting the public on the climate is only in the last 20 or so years that our reef community ecologies have been falling away. crisis - the greatest ever threat to human civilization. So could it be a change in the material of the sedimentation? Alistair is totally out of step with public opinion. A local survey had 81 percent agreeing I therefore pose the question - could it possibly be the establishment of pine forests on the that Thames-Coromandel District Council should reduce its own emissions and a Hawkes Bay Coromandel Peninsula that is the reason for the destruction of our coastal marine ecologies? Regional Council survey had 55 percent saying they would pay more on their rates to address Whatever it is, we need to do something and quick. the climate crisis. Chuck Edwards Responsibility for costs lies with TCDC itself. Council’s previous decision-making Wharekaho

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Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7 John Saunders - a heart for the community By Whitianga resident, Dorothy Preece Whitianga resident, John Saunders, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, 6 June, aged 80. He leaves behind his wife, Madeleine, and their two sons. John and Madeleine were married in England in 1963 and the young couple arrived in New Zealand in 1970. John taught physics at Edgecumbe College, which he continued to do when he and Madeleine purchased 20 acres of land in Otakiri in the early 1980s, where they developed a successful kiwifruit orchard. In 1995, John and Madeleine moved to Ohope Beach and John took up a teaching position at Trident High School in Whakatane where for 10 years he was head of computer studies. John and Madeleine came to Whitianga in 2005 and very soon became part of the community. John joined Evakona Language School teaching maths and science. He became the deputy head of Evakona and held that position until Christmas 2020, when he was diagnosed with a serious illness. John was keen on physical fitness and could be found working out at the gym at 5:30am most days, while spending all his “leisure hours” working for diverse good causes. John brought a clear head to many community committees. Beginning in 2010, John served as secretary for the steering committee to set up the Mercury Bay Community Bus, a project which Madeleine now coordinates. Always very generous with his time, John worked tirelessly in support of the many organisations in which he became involved, including the Whitianga Lions, the Mercury Bay Golf Club where he was men’s captain for two years, the Mercury Bay Table Tennis Club and the Mercury Bay Historical Society, where for some years he was the treasurer. With Madeleine, John served on the committee for the Mercury Bay Community Christmas Dinner, putting in endless voluntary hours. In addition, he wholeheartedly supported Madeleine in her role at the St Andrew’s Church Op-Shop. In 2014, John joined the Mercury Bay Bowling Club and found the sport that he loved the most. He organised members’ roll-up days and in November last year, he won the Club Championship Men’s Pairs with Des Dwight. On Closing Day this year (Sunday, 16 May), John was part of the winning triples team for the Margaret Jones Trophy and his name is now on the club honours board. John Saunders was a man of quiet humour, few words and plenty of action. Many in the community will mourn his passing and he will be sadly missed. John Saunders, one of Whitianga’s most dedicated volunteers, passed away on Sunday, 6 June.

Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Small-time Investor By Whitianga resident, Max Ross

Lemonade The sharemarkets are ticking along very is paid out in a claim, then it’s given back and steadily. Currently I’m up 2.77 percent, which if it’s not part of a claim, it goes to a charity is $133.04. My top performer is EBOS, up 50 decided by the customer. percent, and my worst performer is Sunrun, This means there is no conflict between the down 46.9 percent. company and the insurers. If they pay or don’t Twenty-three of my picks are up and 15 pay a claim, it doesn’t change the profits of are down. Last week’s pick, LAM Research, the company. This changes the conversation is down 0.7 percent. My New Zealand shares from greedy insurance companies not paying are carrying the day as my American growth out their responsibilities to us working and technology shares have not yet recovered together for the greater good. from their recent slump. I like that as a philosophy and I like the This week I am going to purchase USD52 creative thinking that has gone into this of Lemonade. This is a relatively new company. They are small and their shares are American company that is looking to shake expensive, but I like the chances of a long- up the insurance markets. term good return. The company uses artificial intelligence The risks are that the company doesn’t have to set pricing for insurance and you set up a big moat. I imagine it would be easy for your insurance through an app. It offers other insurance companies to pivot towards pet, and life home and renter’s insurance. using the flat fee model and installing artificial The line on their website that made me giggle was, “Replace brokers and bureaucracy with intelligence to price and offer insurance. bots and machine learning, aiming for zero Will the large insurance companies paperwork and instant everything.” change and copy the small newcomer or Looking to disrupt a huge financial system will they move too late and find Lemonade a with new ways of approaching the customer, new threat? saving money and utilising big data to be This week I am investing my NZD75 or more efficient, I see some real potential for USD52 into Lemonade. this new company. They are firmly targeting Please remember that what I write in their marketing at the millennials and when this column is all my personal opinion. they began, they did this by only focusing on Some of my investments are losing money. renter’s insurance. I am sharing my thoughts and strategies Lemonade encourages everyone to look along with my results so that you can see how carefully at their insurance. They claim a flat easy it is to invest, even a small amount, and fee on their insurance, the rest of the money maybe learn from my mistakes. Be careful is considered as belonging to the insurer. If it with your money.

Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9 Why not join the Creative Peninsula Past - 1923 Mercury Bay team?

Every now and again, Informer contributor, on the 13th day of the month. A contribution by Creative Mercury Bay Meghan Hawkes, reads through the The future prospects of looked Creative Mercury Bay (CMB) is reaching team are planning events for the second newspapers that circulated in Mercury Bay very bright. Dilapidated fences had been out to Mercury Bay residents to join its team half of 2021 and need more performing arts and on the Coromandel Peninsula in earlier removed, plots ploughed and unpainted shacks of volunteers. enthusiasts to help carry out this mahi. years. Here are several interesting snippets of demolished. A better class of house and modern Since 2012, CMB has delivered an annual Already on the team are, in addition history she uncovered from 1923. bungalows were being constructed giving the programme of performing arts events and to Anusha (who’s also the marketing A great ball of fire struck the telegraph town a prosperous appearance. wānanga to the Mercury Bay community coordinator), Cathy Aronson (trustee), Jan Steamers were delayed in rivers due to low wire about a mile from the Colville Post (music, theatre and dance). It is the only Wright (trustee), Clayton Gould (committee), tides caused by constant westerlies. The tides Office during the height of a violent storm. group in Mercury Bay with a dedication Dave Rhodes (committee and treasurer) and interfered with the running of many of the small An explosion of the telegraph pole followed, to creating a lively performing arts scene, Kerryn Wakelin (event administrator). coastal craft that maintained regular services splintering the insulators and the cross arm so locals don’t have to travel to the cities. “Our current team is small, but highly to the river ports and out ports. The Pono, into hundreds of pieces and scattering them for The team is looking to increase their kete motivated,” says Anusha. “We’ve got fresh bringing cargo to , Kennedy’s many feet. of skills and experience, so people with new ideas, drive and ambition and we’re Bay and Port Charles was delayed after getting diverse skill sets are encouraged to volunteer. looking for more locals who are keen and A spectator more than half a mile away said stuck on a mud bank and waited days for an the noise was equal to the explosion of a case “CMB has always been a community willing to lend a hand. Naturally, you will be opportunity to sail. initiative, run by locals for locals,” says a fan of the performing arts and will want to of dynamite and for quite 10 minutes his ears Several areas of Crown land were lying were full of reverberations. An insulator bolt Anusha Bhana, chair of CMB. “So any advocate for its place in Mercury Bay. Plus idle and a road from to Karaka at skills you can bring to the table would you must be genuinely passionate and willing was burnt down to the size of a two-inch nail. Thames was investigated. The proposed route be awesome.” to contribute to the Mercury Bay community.” A hole nearly five feet across was torn in the would climb up the Karaka and follow steep The past 12 months were hugely successful Positions available include trustee, ground at the foot of the pole. The fire ball grades rising to a height of several hundred feet for CMB, despite the challenges of COVID-19 committee member and casual volunteer, and continued its course through a ploughed field higher than the present Tapu-Coroglen Road, and was last seen travelling towards the hills, and would require expensive formation lockdowns and the halt on live events. some of the specific skills needed include at an immense speed. through heavy country. Together the team produced the popular fundraising/grant writing and finance. The full severity of the storm was felt on In view of the fact there were two trans- online performing arts series, “Bubble Bites,” “We know that most people have day jobs the gulf of the Coromandel Peninsula and it Peninsula roads to complete - Tapu to born out of a desire to connect performing and other commitments, so we want to make greatly damaged the road to Thames. Coroglen and to Tairua - the idea artists with their audiences during the Level 4 joining our team as flexible as possible,” The new light tower on Ohena Island, was quashed. The Thames County Council lockdown, at a time when live performances says Anusha. “This means you can give as opposite Mercury Bay, had been completed was finding it difficult enough to maintain 15 were not possible. In February 2021, they much or as little time as a volunteer, whatever and was to be lighted for the first time. It was to miles of coast road from Thames to Waikawau produced Whiti Fest, Mercury Bay’s first suits you best.” be a great advantage to vessels using the inner without the addition of another road. summer busking festival, showcasing 20 If you’re unable to volunteer but are still passage up and down the East Coast. The light Two lady visitors bound for Whangamata local performing artists of various ages across interested in contributing to CMB’s work, showed a one second flash and was obscured reached but owing to heavy weather five locations in the Whitianga Town Centre. you can become a CMB sponsor or make for five seconds. were stranded there. When they could leave, A partnership with THINK Coromandel Gig a donation. When the Tairua Co-operative Dairy they were accompanied by a gentleman. Guide saw them stage the Ebony Lamb and To express your interest in either a short- Company opened its 1923/24 season, They were warned of a very bad slip but Gram Antler gig in October 2020 to a sold-out term or long-term volunteer role, or to become some large suppliers were not quite ready due decided to risk it. It presented some difficulties audience, as well as a sold-out performance a sponsor/donor, please email Anusha at to rough weather and a total absence of grass to the ladies but they pluckily attempted it of the Auckland Youth Orchestra in [email protected] or call her growth but the quantity of cream received at and managed to get over, receiving a liberal March 2021. on (022) 328 71912 for a chat. the factory was entirely satisfactory. There was plastering of mud. The rivers had gone down Overall the year's events reached an online For more info, visit the CMB website, some superstition, though, around the strange considerably and they finally arrived at their and in-person audience of over 20,000 people. creativemercurybay.co.nz, and stay connected coincidence of 13 cans of cream being received destination in good heart. On the back of this success, the CMB with CMB via Facebook and Instagram.

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 Editor - Stephan Bosman, Chief Reporter - 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 JUNE 2021 the New Zealand Media Council, PO Box 10 879, Wellington 6143 or Do you have any concerns about www.presscouncil.org.nz. See page 2 for what’s happening Like us on Facebook. being vaccinated against COVID-19? 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 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11 Museum Musings

It has been a busy time at the Mercury Bay community who gave not only the resources Museum recently with arrival of not one or to “build” the tank we needed, but also gave two, but now six pieces of timber that we their time to us for free to clear the site, create believe are from the wreck of HMS Buffalo. the tank and then fill it - Over the weekend of 28 May, we received a • Steve and Ray - Steve’s Building total of five timbers that were collected from Maintenance. the beach with the community’s assistance. • Peter - Ground Prep. These pieces of wood have been laying at • Ted and the team - Carters Building the museum under tarpaulins, staying wet Supplies. by way of daily hosings by the museum • Matthew and Steve - Whitianga Water volunteer team. Cartage. Then just last week, we received another We would also like to say thank you to piece that was found north of the Taputapuatea the members of the community who have Stream (Mother Brown’s Creek) and we were contacted us about the timbers and for keeping called in to pick it up. Thanks to Hirini from a lookout on the beach for any further pieces Thames-Coromandel District Council for of wood that may wash ashore. It is amazing helping to retrieve it. to have these wonderful pieces of our local So what do we have to do with these history here in the museum for us to care for timbers? While we wait for a maritime and learn from. archaeologist and timber conservator to We will update everyone again on the arrive, they have advised us to place the wood progress of the wood as soon as we have in a 50/50 mix of salt and fresh water to allow the funding available to do an assessment/ a desalination process to start. conservation plan. You can also follow We put out a call late last week for help our progress on the Mercury Bay Museum to create the space for this and now these Facebook page. timbers have a temporary home to lie in. Until next time, We want to say a huge thank you to the Rebecca Cox following members of our wonderful Mercury Bay Museum Manager

Timber from the wreck of HMS Buffalo in a holding tank that was created with assistance from members of the Mercury Bay community.

Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13 Returning to their native Christchurch after years of service to the community By Tony Stickley After years of selfless service to the Hahei Patrol, though they admit there was little to community, Gilbert and Christine Bannan are do in law-abiding Hahei. returning to their native Christchurch to be For the past eight years, Gilbert has served closer to family. on the Grange Road Private Water Supply Over the past 28 years, the couple have Committee and was also on the Hahei been involved in virtually all aspects of Emergency Response Team, which produced Hahei village life and their departure will a pamphlet telling locals what to do and leave a huge void that will be difficult to fill. where to go in an emergency. For a couple of After first buying a property in the village in years, he was also on the Hahei Residents and 1993, they finally made it their home full- Ratepayers Association, where a major focus time in 2010. was on providing parking and managing Undoubtedly, one of their greatest tourists going to Cathedral Cove, and was achievements was the setting up four years also involved with the village’s park-and-ride ago of a trust to construct a memorial garden shuttle to Cathedral Cove. at Kotare Reserve, in close consultation with Now, after many years of volunteerism, Thames Coromandel District Council and the couple have decided it is time to let Ngāti Hei. others take over. “We are not going to be Gilbert called on his finance background doing any volunteering in Christchurch,” said to organise the fundraising of the $40,000 Christine. “We are going to have a rest and to $45,000 needed to establish the garden, finally retire.” with donations from the community, Lotto, Gilbert praised the 24 volunteer groups Pub Charity and the council. The reserve that are being relied on to keep Hahei so features a rock wall in a tranquil garden well-presented and appealing to tourists. setting where people can buy a plaque to “We have unique destinations that overseas commemorate a loved one. It is often used Gilbert and Christine Bannan are returning to Christchurch after a 28-year association with Hahei. people would expect to pay to visit,” he said. by locals and visitors alike as a place of “That money could be used to get facilities quiet contemplation. there, but perhaps unknown, and once they Gilbert (who admits being unable to paint to upgraded to a good standard instead of having This year, for the first time ever, an ANZAC were offered the opportunity, people of all save his life) was previously a trustee of the to rely on the hard work of local volunteers Day service was held in Hahei, taking place ages came along in their droves.” Mercury Bay Art Escape, working closely all the time. I think we are selling ourselves in the memorial garden, after Gilbert sought Most of Gilbert’s career in finance was with a coordinator who managed the artists short by not charging for people to visit some approval from the Mercury Bay RSA. with local councils around the country and and the annual Mercury Bay-wide open of our premier destinations, because some of But unlike the traditional dawn service, later with an Auckland share-broking firm, studios. Other volunteer activities he has been them are absolutely unique.” it was held at 10:30am to make it more- while Christine did secretarial work and also involved with include the Hahei Reserves The couple are returning to Christchurch family friendly and easier for people who trained as a counsellor. Group - weeding, planting and keeping for family reasons, but say they will miss wanted to pay their respect, but could not Christine, who was a volunteer librarian roadside reserves spick and span. “We have the many friends they have made in Hahei make it to the dawn service in Whitianga. when they first moved to Hahei, is an a nice, tidy little village because of what the over the past 28 years. “It also means that we “It was unbelievable,” said Christine. “We had accomplished artist, having one year been volunteers do,” he said. will be able to go and watch the champion 200 to 300 people just pour into the reserve. joint winner of the “People’s Choice” award Both Gilbert and Christine have involved Crusaders on a more regular basis,” Gilbert I think we tapped into a desire which was in the annual Mercury Bay Art Escape. themselves in the Mercury Bay Community said with a smile.

Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Issue 699954 - 2715 JulyJune 2016 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15 What’s On In the next few weeks

Regular Activities Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information. Op-Shops Whitianga Art Group • Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Meets every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 23 School Road, Whitianga. Visitors are invited to join us for (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. a day of painting. Start-up materials supplied. Phone Jenny on (027) 210 0160 for more information. • The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to AA Driver Licensing Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm. The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. • St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga 10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in Room 10 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Justice of the Peace Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals and eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely. Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Check out our Facebook page or phone (027) 294 1750 for more information. Bookings not necessary. Phone 866 4476 for more information. Cooks Beach Garden Circle Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Meet the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on 866 3264 or 10:00am - 2:00pm. Anne on 866 0268 for more information. Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Alcoholics Anonymous Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie Whitianga Big Book Group meets every Thursday at 6:30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Church, Dundas Street. Phone etc. Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) for more information. Whitianga Playcentre Serenity Al-Anon Group Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Whitianga. For children 0 - 6 years, Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by free entry. Visitors welcome. someone else’s drinking. Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) ICONZ for Girls Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Every Tuesday during the school term from 4:00pm - 5:30pm at The Dwelling, Coghill Street, Whitianga. For girls 8 - 13 Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. years old. Phone Robyn on (020) 409 39674 for more information. SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated ICONZ (for Boys) Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their Every Tuesday during the school term from 5:30pm - 7:00pm at The Dwelling, Coghill Street, Whitianga. For boys 5 - 10 computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on years old. Phone Robyn on (020) 409 39674 for more information. (027) 486 0150 for more information or to join. Scottish Country Dancing Chinwag Café - Every Friday from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. A place for over Meets every Tuesday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in the Supper Room of the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Phone Anthea 50s to meet other people, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and have a chinwag. on 866 4516 or (021) 158 1522 for more information. Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club Meet every Wednesday at 1:00pm and every Thursday at 7:00pm at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Gavin on (07) 866 2343 or (021) 146 9203 for more information. Mercury Bay Area School Production - “For Today - the 100% Kiwi High School Musical” Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club Thursday, 17 June - Saturday, 19 June at 6:30pm each night. Tickets $15 adults, $10 children/students, Meets every Thursday at 6:45pm at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Come along and join in or phone Alan on Under 5 free, available from the MBAS office (EFTPOS only) or Mercury Bay Pharmacy. 866 4024 or Cheryl on 0274 527887 for more information. Thames Valley First XV Rugby - Saturday, 19 June Mercury Bay Pickleball Club Mercury Bay Area School v Paeroa College in Paeroa. Kick-off at 11:15am. Meets every Sunday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per Thames Valley Senior Rugby - Saturday, 19 June session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available. Mercury Bay Senior A Marlins v Paeroa in Paeroa. Kick-off at 2:00pm. Mercury Bay Tennis Club Mercury Bay Senior B v Paeroa in Paeroa. Kick-off at 2:00pm. Club night every Thursday at 6:30pm at Lyon Park, Albert Street, Whitianga. Mercury Bay Table Tennis #UsTwo - Six Decades of Sisterhood Meets every Tuesday from 9:00am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on Saturday, 19 June at 7:30pm at the Coghill Theatre, Coghill Street, Whitianga. A play by former Green Party (07) 869 5162 or (027) 565 5575 for more information. MP and Coromandel Peninsula resident, Catherine Delahunty, and her sister, Sarah, about their respective Mercury Bay Badminton journeys through life. Tickets $15 - $20, available at the door. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome.

Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Issue 699954 - 2715 JulyJune 2016 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17 Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle 954

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. Village’s population 1. Salad leaf vegetable 5. Suitor 7. Thin candle 2. Rink 8. Musical pitch 3. Learn for exam 9. Skin irritation 4. Spreads out untidily 10. Curtain 11. Restive 5. Shorter 13. Brave deed 6. Hail as 14. More effortless 18. Be thrifty 12. Witness (event) 21. Karate blow 15. Religious non-belief 22. Lessens 16. Brings from overseas 24. Circle (planet) 25. Load-bearing post 17. Hare relatives 26. Become weary 19. Male swan 27. Final figure 20. Crayon drawings 28. Rock band’s sound boosters 22. Coral isle 29. Long-handled spoons 23. Behaved Last week’s solution

Last week’s winner - Andrea Foster

“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week) “Inā te reka o taua kai!” - That food was really nice! 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 meets every Monday 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 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 “Covid refugee” says goodbye Scott’s Thoughts By Scott Simpson, National Party MP for Coromandel with golf tournament

Over the past few weeks, three community our remote coastal communities still do not meetings have been held in Whitianga to have reliable connectivity and some people do discuss important issues facing our region not have cell phones. A system that is entirely now and into the future. digital is too prone to technical failures. I and about 200 others were at the “Our My preferred outcome is the continuation Oceans - Our Future” meeting to discuss of the current sirens alongside the proposed the state of our marine environment. Sadly, digital alerts. the meeting reinforced what we already Finally, last month I held a community knew - by every measure the Hauraki Gulf meeting at the Mercury Bay Boating Club. is declining. Fish stocks are lower and water And even with the huge sea swells outside, quality is worse. There was much frustration it was good to catch up with everyone. at the meeting, especially as there has been We had a great turnout and people were a lot of work done over the years to create rightly concerned about the level of a plan for the Hauraki Gulf’s restoration centralisation we are seeing from the and reinstatement. This resulted in the “Sea government. Changes that are taking place in Change” plan released in 2017, but the education, health and local government are government has done nothing with the report removing decision making processes from and issued no response to it. local communities. We’ve had centralised So, if nothing else, the meeting highlighted systems before. They didn’t work then and that lack of action. People at the meeting they won’t work now. fronted up to the fact that situation is bad for the Hauraki Gulf. Now we need the government to act with urgency and take the necessary steps to protect our marine environment. Mercury Bay Golf Club’s “Covid refugee” - George Still, who came to Whitianga from the UK for an extended Last Saturday, a meeting in Whitianga holiday before the coronavirus pandemic struck - will be returning to his home country on Thursday discussed the future of tsunami sirens on this week. the Coromandel Peninsula. People are really During his time in Mercury Bay, George became a passionate golfer and won several club competitions. upset with Thames-Coromandel District To thank the club members for their hospitality over the past 19 months, George hosted a men and Council’s decision to remove the tsunami ladies stableford tournament called the “Covid Refugee Cup” last Sunday. Thirty-eight club members siren alert system. This change was signalled participated in wet conditions. earlier this year and I have had many people George designed the cup - with its pedestal arguably the heaviest trophy in amateur golf in New contact me with their worries about turning Zealand - himself. the sirens off. I share these concerns. The Once the scores were finalised, Richard Schofield was declared the winner of the trophy with a score of 41. plan now is to just rely on the digital warning He was followed by Brett Proctor on 40 and Graham Dun on 38. system that goes to cell phones. Too many of Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson. Pictured is George (left) and Richard with the Covid Refugee Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19 Sudoku

Sudoku Puzzle 954

Name: ______

Tel no: ______Win two Trumpet ice creams. 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 Buffalo Beach Four Square directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which they were announced the winner.

Last week’s solution Last week’s winner - Peter Merz

Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Fishing Report Inaugural Pickleball Club By Wayne Barnes of the Tairua- Sports Fishing Club Sponsored by Mercury Bay Marine - Tel (07) 867 1280 championship

It is hard to believe it has been just over 12 The Mercury Bay Pickleball Club held their first ever club championship at the Mercury Bay Area School entrants, and 27 wild boars, 41 red crayfish gym last Sunday. Groups of four played games up to 15, accumulating points in the qualifying rounds, months since we came out of lockdown, and 56 snapper were weighed. Winners of followed by semi-finals of three games each to identify the eight finalists to play off in the plate (bronze time really does fly as you get older. each junior category were - Snapper Mason final) and club championship finals. On 1 June, Richard Barnett of Waikato Schlaetser 2.620kg, Rabbit Reef Horne “The championship was open to all our club members and competitors ranged in age from 18 years to Regional Council advised as follows, 2.185kg and Possum - Cooper Thomsen late 70s with both men and women playing against each other,” says Rachel Johnstone, club president. “We are still seeing the impacts of the 3.300kg. Winners of each adult category The tournament was sponsored by Grace O’Malley’s Irish Inn with further prizes from Mercury Twin Cinemas. storm surge that hit the east coast of the were - Heaviest Boar Richard Harden Coromandel Peninsula last week. Tairua and “The finals were fast-paced, action-packed and thrilling to watch by the supporters and those eliminated 72.650kg, Heaviest Red Crayfish Shannon earlier in the competition. Grant Chambers of was the tournament referee, himself an Whangamata Harbour navigation channels Wood 1.815kg and Heaviest Snapper Josh accomplished pickleball player and also a member of the Kumeu Club in Auckland.” have been significantly altered as a result of Airey 6.240kg. The winners of the Big Fiona Gardien was the only women through to the championship final competing against Kevin Walmsley, these weather conditions. [The] Whitianga Three Trophy were team “The Wright Way,” Hakan Nedjat and Udo Gladbach as the players rotated through three games while accumulating Harbour has also been affected. Boaties comprising Chiya and Wayne Wright. individual points. are advised until further notice to navigate We are one week into our Kilwell Month- In the plate final, Kodi Bale, the club’s youngest player at age 18, competed against Kimberly White- east coast harbours with extreme caution. long competition and 31 fish have been Chambers, Monika Gladbach and Hamish Lim. Sand bars and channel markers have moved weighed, but no Canada geese as yet. Udo Gladbach was ultimately crowned the club champion with 39 points and winning the Grace O’Malley’s and do not necessarily mark safe channels Current leader is Tate Maxwell Hayward Cup. Hakan Nedjat came a close second with 37 points and Kevin Walmsley finished in third place with 34 points. until they are checked and confirmed. with a snapper of 6.725kg. It is not too In the plate final, Kimberley White-Chambers was the winner with 45 points, well clear of Kodi Bale with It will take a couple of days for our staff to late to enter this competition, contact Cie 33 points. Hamish Lim finished third with 30 points. realign them.” Robinson-Bates at email cie.robinson. The Mercury Bay Pickleball Club plays through winter every Sunday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the MBAS I have also been advised by the Slipper [email protected] or phone (021) 448 168. gym. All are welcome. Island operator that there is a build-up of Full results next month. Pictured are Sunday’s championship finalists. From left to right - Hakan Nedjat, Kevin Walmsley, material on the seaward side of our river Our very popular fortnightly Sunday roast Udo Gladbach and Fiona Gardien. bar a lot further east than normal, please dinners recommenced on 13 June and the take care. first of our fun quiz nights will begin on The few boats that are able to get out when Thursday, 24 June. the weather permits are reporting snapper Our Fish of the Month for May was john in prime pre-winter condition just about dory and was won by Ron Cross with a fish of everywhere. There have also been some 1.84kg. Ron wins a 1l bottle of Black Heart very nice gurnard and trevally caught on a Rum sponsored by Independent Liquor. slow drift over sand along the 50m mark. Our Fish of the Month Our inaugural Big Three tournament was for June is gurnard. held between Friday 21 and Sunday, 23 Tight lines, May. The tournament attracted a total of 92 Wayne Barnes

Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21 Brain Teaser - Hexoku © Lovatts Puzzles

Brain Teaser Puzzles 954

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.

Instructions - Fit the numbers 1 to 6 into each hexagon so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers are the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.

Last week’s solution - Vexagon 1. Plump, 2. Smooth, 3. Scallop, 4. Loophole, 5. Pollution, 6. Monopoly, 7. Mammoth, 8. Oppose, 9. Elope.

Last week’s winner - Debbie Bishop

Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Sport Results

MERCURY BAY JUNIOR RUGBY evenly matched game, winning 45 - 35. MERCURY BAY NETBALL CENTRE moving into space and creating good passes between Saturday, 12 June Liam Clothier received Player of the Day from both Wednesday, 9 June each other. Year 4 - The team played a nail-biting game in Mercury Bay and Waihi. Finn Walls had an amazing game, Year 5 and 6 - Gold Ferns 7 v Black Panthers 2, Whiti Fire The Small Whites Players of the Day were Brandon Carse, Whangamata. The final score was 40 all. also receiving Player of the Day. 10 v Aurora 6. Cooper Wood and Kip Summer. Tries - Alex McLean (3), Rimaati Joshua (3), Ryder Goodall Year 7 and 8 - The team took their last home game of Year 7 and 8 - The Blue Mustangs 11 v The Stingerz 8, 10th Grade Sharks - The team had a great game at home (1) and Reuben Percival (1), Player of the Day - Rimaati the regular season to Coromandel Town to say thank you Coro Diamonds 18 v Blue Stars 7, Red Demons 26 v Coro against the Tairua Tigers. The final score was 5 - 0 to the Joshua, Try of the Day - Alex McLean, Tackler of the to the three Coromandel families that have been traveling Ferns 2, The Falcons 40 v Tairua Hotshots 4. Sharks. Our goal scorers were Ruben Jennings (2), Lucas Day - Reuben Percival, Player of the Day Awarded by the each week to Whitianga for their boys to play for the Bay. College - Coromandel Area School 29 v Ink 17, McDonald, Blake McDonald and Nieve Driscoll. Opposition - Boh Boyd. The opposition was a very young Hauraki team with only The Leprechauns 31 v Baywatch 30, Hustlers 39 v The Players of the Day were Blake McDonald and Louis Year 5 - The team travelled to Waihi and had a rough start 13 players, so Mercury Bay lent Hauraki two players. Heat 23. Edwards. with a few car sicknesses which reflected in our first half, It was a comfortable win to the Bay team, who secured Senior/Social Division 1 - Hot Shots 41 v Whiti Cross 10th Grade Stingrays - The team played against which saw Waihi in the lead by five tries. Mercury Bay themselves a home semi-final in two weeks’ time. WOD 24, MB Magic 28 v Hawkes 24, MBAS Senior A 31 v Whenuakite at the Mercury Bay Multisport Park. The definitely had a better second half with Zaan Mayo and Many thanks to the Coromandel Town Rugby Club for Win or Booze 8. weather and the grounds were amazing. The score was Lennox Austin scoring a try each. But it wasn’t enough for hosting the team. Senior/Social Division 2 - Darkside Dynamos 29 v 6 - 2 to the Stingrays. The team is starting to play as a the slick Waihi side. The final score was 35 - 10 to Waihi. MERCURY BAY AREA SCHOOL RUGBY Placies Ladies 28, Tukana 22 v Darkside Dominos 12, team with lots of passing and supporting each other. Try of the Day - Zaan Mayo, Tackle of the Day - Lennox Saturday, 12 June Midcourters 24 v Sweaty Betty's 21. Our Players of the Day was Neve for amazing goals and Austin, Player of the Day - Patrick White, Waihi's Pick of First XV - MBAS 20 v College 15. MERCURY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB Aidan for giving it a real run. Player of the Day - Zaan Mayo. MERCURY BAY SENIOR RUGBY Saturday, 12 June 12th Grade Marlins - The team played at home against Thanks to our sponsors, New World Whitianga and Cove Saturday, 12 June Mini-kickers - The team played against . Thames. It was an awesome game thoroughly enjoyed by Construction. Senior B - Mercury Bay 5 v Coromandel Town 21. It was fantastic to see how much improvement there has the spectators from start to finish. Both teams showed Year 6 - The team travelled to Waihi to play an exciting, Senior A - Mercury Bay Marlins 9 v Hauraki North 9. been since the beginning of the season. Players were great teamwork and fantastic skills. The game ended in a 2 all draw. Players of the Day for the Marlins were Noah Candelaria and birthday boy, Tom Lamason. 12th Grade Orcas - The team faced the Paeroa Rangers in Paeroa. Oliver Anderson scored the first goal in the first minute of the game and added the last as well. Lennox Jennings also scored two goals. Annabelle Kline was on form and scored the fifth against Paeroa’s two. A convincing win against a strong Paeroa team. Players of the Day - Oliver and Annabelle for a huge effort. MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Eighteen-hole Ladies Stableford - Wednesday, 9 June Results - 1 Equal Chrissie Smith and Lynne Butler, 3 Gail Doughty. Nearest the Pin #4 - Lynne Butler, Nearest the Pin #18 - Lynne Butler, Longest Putt - Chrissie Smith. Eighteen-hole Men Scramble Stableford - Wednesday, 9 June Results - 1 Dan Ray 37, 2 Kevin Smith 36, 3 Ken Photo left - The Mercury Bay Year 4 rugby team who drew against Whangamata on Saturday last week. George 35. Photo right - Whenuakite’s Cooper Tuinier (in the red) kicking the ball in his team’s 10th Grade football game against the Best Gross - Kevin Smith 78. Mercury Bay Stingrays on Saturday last week. Aidan Fitzgerald and Indie Newson (number 11) are defending (Continued on page 25)

Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23 Page 24 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Sport Results Classifieds and Public Notices

(Continued from page 23) TO LET Nine-hole Ladies Gross/Net - Thursday, 10 June and Shirley Marshall. Winners Division 1 - Gross Audrey Vickers, Net Christine Good Sports - Peter Rabarts, Glynne Jackson, Heather Godden. Walker and Trevor Knight. Winners Division 2 - Gross Felicity Sanders, Net Rose Tegg. PENINSULA INDOOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION Eighteen-hole Men Scramble Stableford - Open Pairs Championship - Saturday, 12 June Saturday, 12 June Fourteen teams comprising nine from Mercury Bay, three Results - 1 Wayne Malcolm 40, 2 Dennis Andrew 39, from Cooks Beach and two from Tairua took part in the 3 Muzz Bennett 38. tournament played at the Cooks Beach hall. Four games Best Gross - Stephen Geach 75, Twos - Bob Haase, were played and six points were needed to qualify. Three Nearest the Pin (Division 1) - Brett Goodger, Longest Drive teams qualified. The team of Ray Rout and Lee Pudney (Division 1) - Mark Burcombe, Nearest the Pin (Division 2) (MB) drew the bye, and the team of Wayne Fisher and Pat - Ron Watson, Longest Drive (Division 2) - Wayne Malcolm. Fisher (MB) defeated the team of Maryanne Thompson PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB and Dot Lidgard (T), which set up the final between the Eighteen-hole Men and Ladies Strokeplay two Mercury Bay teams. After another great game of nine Championship Net 4th Round - Saturday, 12 June ends of bowling, it was Ray and Lee who took the Pairs Results - 1 Jeff Bright 68, 2 John Hamilton 69, 3 Bob title for this year. Walker 71, 4 David Young 72, 5 Al Sims73. MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER 4BBB Net - Jeff Bright and John Hughes 62, Net Eagles Wednesday, 9 June - Neil Vowels. Best of three frames. HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB Mahurangi Pairs Week 2 - Tuesday, 8 June Ten players. Brian Codyre, Ian Baumgren, Paul Bean and North/South - 1 Bill Cummings and Robyn Hogg 60.94, Forrest Littlejohn achieved two straight wines each and 2 Alison Tichbon and Sue Gill 49.48, 3 Annette Cummings progressed to the semi-final. The first semi-final saw and Jean Myles 48.44. Brian despatch Ian and in the second semi-final, Paul East/West - 1 Bev Dickie and Peter Hogg 62.50, 2 Peter took the win over club champion, Forrest. The final was France and Myra Hoogwerf 58.75, 3 Annette Cox and an intriguing frame between two very good players, Angela Butterworth 49.38. but veteran Brian was on great form and took the win over MERCURY BAY HOCKEY Paul. Paul Bean (runner-up) finished the day with three Thursday, 10 June wins. Two wins for Forrest Littlejohn, Ian Baumgren and College Grade - Mercury Bay 9 v Hauraki Plains College Ian Pudney. 2nd XI 2. Highest Break - Brian Codyre 26. STORAGE SHEDS, various sizes, dry and secure. Affordable rates. MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Saturday, 12 June Thursday, 10 June Only five players, so a round robin tournament was Ph: 0800 944 660 Winners - Ray Rout, Cheryl Henderson, Wayne Fisher and held with veteran Peter Schultz taking the honours with STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660 Pat Fisher. four wins. The runner-up was Phil Jones with two wins. Runners-up - Keith Denney, Ian Sanderson, Merle Ward Phil also had the highest break of 19. Container It Self Storage, 17 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Ph: 0274 817 258 STORAGE, Self storage/boat storage, Matarangi - Kuaotunu. Ph: 07 866 5693

situations vacant Ray Rout and Lee Pudney, winners of the Peninsula Indoor Bowling Association’s Pairs Championship on Saturday last week.

Classifieds and Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE situations vacant

Mercury Bay Squash Club AGM Thursday, 17 June | at 5:30pm at the Mercury Bay Rugby Club. All welcome.

situations vacant

POSITIONS AVAILABLE OP Columbia (OPC) is a major participant in the aquaculture industry on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. We specialise in processing Greenshell™ mussels. If you are motivated, reliable and have an excellent work ethic, then this job would suit you. We pay competitive rates with the opportunity to increase pay based on performance. Travellers are required to provide a current work visa. NZ applicants need to have NZ residence or a valid NZ work visa. Shift times available: Dayshift processing 6:00am to 3:00pm Hygiene (cleaning) shift 3:30pm (times are subject to change) Applications can be made online at www.opcolumbia.co.nz or call into the office to submit an application.

Issue 699954 - 2715 JulyJune 2016 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 25 Classifieds and Public Notices for sale HEALTH AND NUTRITION THANK YOU

DRY FIREWOOD DELIVERED BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM Firewood for sale THANK YOU Red Gum $160/metre, Dry pine $100 cube delivered local. WITH THE BEST NUTRITION Macrocarpa $150/metre Stay healthy. The family of www.goodwoodfirewood.co.nz Also kindling wood, $15 box. Phone 027 947 8311 or email John Saunders Chris - 021 240 9909 Phone 027 247 7410 [email protected] would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the Mercury Bay cattery CHURCH SERVICES WANTED Cancer Support Trust, Dr Dan Asquith, the District Nurses, the carers from Te Korowai, Vehicles wanted neighbours and friends Top cash paid for any for the wonderful care and VANS, UTES, TRUCKS, support John received as his life 4X4s, CARS - drew to a close. dead or alive, damaged, We will always be grateful de-registered, mechanical problem, for the kindness shown to us by no WOF - we buy it. community bus so many people. Call 0800 333 398 Madeleine Saunders

MERCURY BAY WORK WANTED COMMUNITY BUS

For your door to door travel 866 4273 to hospitals and medical-related facilities. Public, DHB and private. Waikato, Tauranga, Thames Auckland. To book phone 07 866 4993 or 867 1333 or 021 0270 6897 Advertisement sponsored by the Mercury Bay Club coromandel garage doors For new doors, auto openers and DOG GROOMING full maintenance and repair service. Phone Don McLean 022 453 2188 THE BESS HANDZ Email [email protected] EMBROIDERED MONOGRAMS www.corogaragedoors.co.nz Alterations, repairs, zip and hem service. Phone 866 5277.

DAVE’S DRAINAGE PET FOOD HOUSE WASHING Drainlaying, Public & Private, Detergent Soft Wash, 1.8 Ton Digger Hire. Handyman Services. 30 Years Experience. Phone Russell Short on Free Quotes or Advice. 866 2097 or 0273 602 937 Call Dave 027 727 0348 [email protected] Rubbish Removal ST ANDREW’S BY THE SEA Trees, Lawns, Garden Bags Community Church Phone John 866 5511 MIKE’S MOWING Albert Street, Whitianga $25 empty sections, COMMUNITY WORSHIP fortnightly or monthly mowing. EVERY SUNDAY 9:30am. Free edge spraying. Come, join the family of God! Phone Mike or Deb 866 4678 Enquiries 869 5452 or 027 320 1703. www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

THE CHURCH OF Mercury Bay Spouting JESUS CHRIST For all types of guttering OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS and spouting Everyone Welcome Tony 021 505 109 Sunday 10 am – 12 noon HOLISTIC HEALTH @ 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga (Community Service Bldg) Enquiries - 021 113 0566 INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALER WORKSHOP FACILITATOR TAROT CARD READINGS SPIRITUAL MENTOR CLAIRVOYANT All welcome VERNA (027) 320 0079 Whitianga SDA Fellowship vernacarrspiritualhealing.com Saturday @ 10:00am Family worship 6 Puriri Place Phone 022 354 4069 PENINSULA CHIMNEYS or 027 248 2984 Chimney Sweep Clean and efficient service. LOST Phone or text John (021) 138 3295. DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING A member of At Cathedral Cove during the morning of Saturday, 5 June. Phone (027) 479 4438 or the Police. Page 26 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 954 - 15 June 2021 Kids enjoying sport is what motivates award-winning cricket coach By Gillian O’Neill When Glenn Crowe’s eldest son, Hunter, Alongside coaching the Hauraki Plains really matter how old you are or what size Districts Cricket Association development decided to take up cricket a few years ago, College First XI for the past three years, you are or how fast, and boys and girls can officer for Thames-Coromandel, for helping the Tairua builder quickly identified the many Glenn - with the backing of his wife, play together. to drive the successful re-emergence of the positive benefits of the sport and decided to Sarah - is one of a small group of volunteers “So we’ve got us 50-year-olds out there game on the Peninsula. look at helping out. from communities across the Peninsula, having a go as well as these young ones Ramesh’s work earned him the accolade Hunter, now aged 16, had started playing including Mercury Bay, who set about coming through. In Tairua we have a good, of Cricket Development Officer of the Year with his school, Hauraki Plains College, reviving the sport after an absence of 17 strong core of juniors now and the parents are at the recent New Zealand Cricket Awards, and when Glenn asked where the nearest local years. “It has been awesome,” says Glenn. getting involved too, so I think we’ll go on something Glenn says is richly deserved. club was for him to join, he was told Kaihere. “We got a junior competition up and running and build from here.” “For years, someone would rock up and do “That’s when we realised there was pretty a couple of years ago and now this year we’ve Glenn’s other two sons are also passionate a cricket skills session maybe once a year much no cricket here on the Coromandel, added the senior grade. That’s the beauty about the sport, Austen playing with Tairua at the school and that would be it,” he says. which seemed a shame,” says Glenn. of the game, anyone can play it. It doesn’t and Cullen at Hauraki Plains. “We’ve also “Now there is real commitment there with taken a rep team down to a compete in a events like the Sista Smash which this year development tournament in the Hawke’s Bay attracted about 300 girls and things like last year, which was a fantastic experience” training sessions for volunteer coaches. says Glenn. “For me it’s about seeing the “Pretty much anything we need, Ram will confidence grow in the kids. When they get try and help us out and I guess that helps keep that first four or their first wicket, you can us motivated as parent volunteers because almost see the pride and sense of achievement. you know you aren’t just out there doing it That’s what it’s all about for me.” on your own. There is positive action being His efforts resulted in Glenn winning the taken to get more people involved and that’s Northern Districts Cricket Association award why cricket is now a growing sport at a time for Outstanding Contribution and Services to when other codes are struggling.” Community Coaching at a recent ceremony To date, through the Tairua Rugby & Sports at Sky City Hamilton. “These community Club, Glenn has also helped secure thousands awards were presented at the same event of dollars in grant funding for two roll-out as all the elite awards, we were there, pitches, uniforms, equipment and the recently as volunteers, with members of the Black installed cricket nets at Cory Park Domain, Caps, all being acknowledged together,” all of which is helping with developing says Glenn. “So we had the likes of the the sport. Volunteer Groundsman and the Volunteer The next goal is a family-friendly social Umpire. For me that shows Northern Districts tournament in January. “We like the idea of Cricket recognises the value of the grass families playing together, all ages, coming roots game and the contribution it makes to down and getting involved - mums, dads, the development of the sport, which I think is kids, grandparents - with a focus on fun, Tairua’s Glenn Crowe who recently won the Northern Districts Cricket Association award for really great.” that’s something we are working towards Outstanding Contribution and Services to Community Coaching. Glenn credits Ramesh Subasinghe, Northern next summer,” says Glenn.

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