Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000 Visiting students relish the delights of the Coromandel By Gillian O’Neill

The student group from Māngere College who spent a week visiting the Coromandel with the support and assistance of the local community. Twenty-nine students and six staff from The activities for the week included the Tours, flax weaving, a boat trip with Sea Paul said the feedback from the young people Māngere College, have extended students planning, buying and cooking Cave Adventure and korero from Joe Davis, who participated in the trip was superb with their sincere thanks to the communities of their own food on a budget, hiking through a Ngāti Hei kaumātua, about the historic quotes like, “I got to see a lot of things I have the who hosted them gold mines, swimming, visiting Cathedral encounter between Māori and Europeans in never seen before in real life,” “I had so much recently for a week of adventure, hospitality Cove and , a tour of the 1769,” said Paul. fun learning history,” and “It taught me how and unique learning experiences. Martha Mine at Waihi and talks on local Shelley Balsom, the owner of Waka Tours, to work as a team, it also gave me the chance Thanks to the combined efforts of several environmental issues, including mining and said the students were an awesome group to to experience what most of our ancestors local businesses and community organisations, kauri dieback. “At Hot Water Beach the host. “They were so interested in everything, went through to get to their destination.” the group was able to experience the very best students learnt about water safety from surf they asked questions about all sorts of While Paul said the students would be of what the Coromandel has to offer while sharing their experience with the tamariki lifesaver, Taimania, and appreciated Carter, things,” she said. “They absolutely loved the learning about the history and the people at Bader Intermediate School and Māngere Joe and Holly, also from the Hot Water Beach waka ama and they worked so well together of the area, and all at a minimal cost to the Central School to inspire the next generation students, only one of whom had visited the Surf Lifesaving Club being on patrol to help as a team. It was a real pleasure having them. to visit the Coromandel, Shelley described Peninsula previously. ensure they were kept safe,” said Paul. “We know for a Decile 1 school, getting how their attitude throughout the visit was a “Māngere College would like to acknowledge Through -based business, Waka this sort of a trip together and funding it is wonderful reminder of all that the Peninsula the contribution of the local community and Tours, the students also had the opportunity a big ask, so we were very happy to help out has to offer. “I think we sometimes take it a grant from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local to connect with mana whenua and understand where we could and make sure the students for granted because it’s right here at our Board which meant that the students only had more about the first encounters with European really had a great experience.” backdoor, but when you see the enthusiasm to give a $20 contribution towards transport settlers in . “A highlight for the The week was rounded off with a softball the kids had for everything, it really was a and accommodation for the trip,” said Paul week was forming a connection with Ngāti game against students from Mercury Bay great reminder of how lucky we are to live in Campbell, school guidance councillor. Hei which included waka ama with Waka Area School. this amazing place,” she said.

Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz Busy fundraising time for the Whitianga Lions

The members of the Lions Club of Whitianga have been very busy with two fundraising campaigns substantial amount of money,” says Ian Robbie, Whitianga Lions president. “We’re very pleased with over the past few months. how the raffle went.” Firstly, in conjunction with the Coromandel Town Lions, they have collected 49kg of “old money” for The first raffle prize, New World vouchers to the value of $1,000, was won by Whitianga resident, the Heads Up for Kids programme of Lions Clubs . Chris Kelly. “That was a great surprise and very welcome just before Christmas,” she says. Launched in July 2010, Heads Up for Kids asks New Zealanders to dig out and donate old decimal But that’s not the end of it. Keep an eye out for the Whitianga Lions over the next few weeks as and pre-decimal New Zealand currency, and all foreign money. The obsolete cash is then redeemed they will be selling raffle tickets for the Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival. Two great kayak packages for New Zealand dollars and used to fund education programmes for young New Zealanders that will donated by Dive Zone Whitianga are up for grabs. enable them to establish their goals in life and live their dream. In the photo on the left is Lions zone chairman, Gordon Barnaby (left), and Ian Robbie with the “old In the second instance, the Whitianga Lions have been selling tickets for their annual raffle to raise money” collected for the Heads Up for Kids programme. In the photo on the right is Ian with Chris money for the Whitianga Bike Park and top up their club reserves from which they support other Kelly (centre) and Manisha Matthews, organiser of the Whitianga Lions’ annual raffle. community projects. “We’ve had great support from local businesses with raffle prizes and raised a

What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information provided and sponsored by Week of Wednesday, 16 December to Wednesday, 23 December - Monday, 21 December is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, but also the day when Jupiter and Saturn have their “Great Conjunction.” They will be the closest together in the sky that they have been since 1623 when Galileo was watching. However for us in the southern hemisphere they will be quite hard to spot as they will be very low on the southwestern horizon at sunset, so the sky will still be quite bright. Jupiter will be the brighter of the two with Saturn just to the right and quite a bit fainter as it is twice as far away from us. Both should be clearly visible with binoculars or a small telescope just after the sun has disappeared below the horizon. Wednesday, 16 December - Jupiter and Saturn lie above and to the right of an extremely thin crescent Moon in the western evening twilight. A bright International Space Station (ISS) pass tonight in the NW from 9:30pm. Thursday, 17 December - The Moon is now just to the left of Jupiter and Saturn Astronomy Tours and B&B very low in the west. Friday, 18 December - The Moon is now above and to the right of the very close pair of Jupiter and Saturn low in the west. Phone (07) 866 5343 Monday, 21 December - The “Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn very low in the western twilight, the closest they have been since 1623. Summer solstice today, so the longest day of the year. Tuesday, 22 December - Reddish Mars can be seen high overhead to the right of the Moon tonight. www.stargazersbb.com

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Page 2 - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The PM’s plans to holiday on the Coromandel

The Coromandel has been branded as the place themselves without too much interference. “Where Kiwis Holiday” this summer and it “No doubt locals will be keen to demonstrate a seems even the Prime Minister agrees. bit of Coro manaakitanga (hospitality), but also While her precise itinerary has not been understand that Kiwis come here to reconnect revealed, Jacinda Ardern confirmed to national and need space to do so, and there’s no shortage media last week that her summer plans include of that in our big backyard,” he says. visits to the Coromandel. When asked about The Thames-Coromandel District has seen a how she would be spending her time off surge in domestic visits this year to the extent after what has been an extraordinary year, that overall tourism spending for the year to she revealed her main goal was to do nothing September 2020 was down just 3.5 percent except enjoy time with her family. on the previous 12 months. This compared to Where precisely holidaymakers might be a drop of 16.5 per cent for the whole of New able to bump into the Prime Minister over a Zealand. An Infometrics quarterly economic morning latte has not been confirmed, although report credits this strong performance from the her partner, Clarke Gayford, is known to be tourism sector for the Coromandel bouncing a fan of the fishing off the east coast of the back from the impact of the lockdown to record Peninsula. Back in October he commented, an overall 1.9 percent drop in GDP compared “I could live in ,” after an episode of to the national figure of minus 3.3 percent. his television series, “Fish of the Day,” in While welcoming the figures, which the the were featured. Thames-Coromandel District Council mayor, He described The Cathedral, the area’s Sandra Goudie, says connecting those who renowned dive spot, as “possibly this year’s had lost work during the year with new best of the best.” opportunities was now an important focus. Destination Coromandel, who has used the tagline “Where Kiwis Holiday” for their “There’s definitely some optimism for our first ever summer campaign, says, wherever district, but we’re hearing from our tourism Ms Ardern and her family end up staying, and hospitality sector that, while they’re the Peninsula offers everything they need for preparing for a busy summer season, they’re some rest and recuperation after the challenges still struggling to hire good staff,” she says. of 2020. “It doesn’t matter who you are “And this is while our unemployment rate for or where you’re from, the Coromandel is this quarter has increased. somewhere you can totally switch off and get “We know that some workers are still back to the simple things in life,” says general employed but working fewer hours, whereas manager, Hadley Dryden. “We hope the Prime others are out of a job, but not looking for a Minister gets a good chance to escape the new role yet. That’s why we’re working with everyday and enjoy the homegrown food, other agencies and organisations to connect art and good for your soul therapy that we’re those who are currently unemployed into well known for.” other work, particularly in the tourism and Mr Dryden says people on the Coromandel hospitality sector.” are quite laid back about having well-known As of September, the district’s unemployment faces appearing in their towns and communities rate was 3.2 per cent, up from 2.6 per cent a from time to time and tend to let them enjoy year earlier.

Issue 928699 - 1527 DecemberJuly 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3 Twenty-nine years of serious Last year of the potato growing fun “Christmas House” After 23 years providing enjoyment to the children and adults of Mercury Bay, this year will be the last of the well-known and loved “Christmas House” run by Gordon and the late Diana Barnaby. Over time, Gordon and Diana would have raised more than $30,000 from donations made to the Christmas House “wishing well.” The donations were initially passed on to the Make A Wish Foundation and more recently to the Mercury Bay Day Camp. The Lioness Club of Mercury Bay are joining forces with Gordon this year - together with a number of regular helpers - to provide one last special display of the beauty and joy of Christmas. The Christmas House at 66 State Highway 25, Wharekaho opened last Sunday and can be visited every evening between 7:00pm and 10:00pm until Christmas Eve. Santa is present to meet with children of all ages between 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Pictured is the outside of the Christmas House on Sunday evening. The spuds in the 2020 version of Whitianga’s longest running potato growing competition was on Saturday last week dug up and weighed in. The competition was started 29 years ago between four good friends - Paul Simpson, John McQuillan, Sno Hamilton and Jim Bradley. Jim moved to Australia in 1998 and Sno unfortunately passed away in 2014. Allan Miles took Jim’s place and Calum McGillivray joined the competition in 2015. According to a complicated set of handwritten rules, each of the contestants has to enter three potato plants in the competition. The crop from two of the plants, to be nominated by each contestant before every year’s dig-up starts, are then counted and weighed and points are awarded for the most potatoes, heaviest weight overall and heaviest individual spud. The spuds of the third potato plant only come into play when there is a draw and a “weigh-off” is required. As it turned out on Saturday, Allan and Paul, who are both residing on South Highway, were on the same amount of points after Round 1, a situation not encountered many times before. In the weigh-off, the crop of Alan’s third plant was more impressive than Paul’s crop and Allan was declared the winner. For Hamilton Crescent neighbours, Callum and John, it wasn’t the best of afternoons. The results led to an impromptu investigation into the difference in height above sea level between South Highway and Hamilton Crescent, and John talking about a “gourmet potato” approach this year. There was also speculation about scientifically altered soil at the two South Highway contestants’ properties. As the newest contestant, Calum never had voting rights when it came to things like rule changes, and planting and dig-up dates. A silver lining in a disappointing day for him was when it was announced that he would be receiving voting rights going forward. “We needed to wait and see if Calum was going to win this year,” Allan, who made the formal announcement, said. “There was consensus among John, Paul and myself that he would have been too much to handle if we gave him voting rights on top of winning.” Pictured are the four competitors after the weigh-in on Saturday. From the left - John McQuillan, Paul Simpson, Allan Miles and Calum McGillivray.

Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5 Campervans to be banned from Whitianga waterfront Campervans will be banned from the Buffalo at the TCDC service centres. Speaking at last camping visitors find the right places to stay Smart Environmental, TCDC’s solid waste and Beach waterfront in Whitianga under proposed week’s council meeting, mayor Sandra Goudie and provide them with information on where parks and reserves contractor. changes to the Thames-Coromandel District’s noted that the number of freedom campers to find public toilets and rubbish and recycling “Our ambassadors are all local and live freedom camping rules. was significantly down at the moment due to disposal facilities. in the community,” says TCDC’s Bylaws The revised Freedom Camping Bylaw has just the border closures and urged people to make The six people will work part-time for 10 and Compliance Team Leader, Ken Ward. been released for public consultation, however, their submissions based on the normal level of weeks with their pay and costs covered as part of “They don’t have the same delegations as any amendments will not come into effect until activity in their areas, rather than the current a $656,566 grant from the Ministry of Business, our bylaws officers, which means they are March next year. The decision to make Buffalo situation. Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which is only providing public education and advice. Beach Road a prohibited area was prompted Meanwhile, TCDC’s Responsible Camping also paying for extra cleaning at public toilets. If people are breaking certain bylaws, it’s our by what Thames-Coromandel District Council Ambassadors have started their roles They will be using an app to record numbers bylaws team that take action and issue fines if describes as “significant access and health and encouraging holidaymakers in campervans to of users at designated freedom camping necessary. All our team are totally committed to safety issues.” stay within the rules as they enjoy their stay sites in real-time, so they can guide visitors assisting people to have an enjoyable time on “There is sufficient evidence suggesting an on the Coromandel this summer. Council said to locations that may have space remaining. the Peninsula. That includes sharing the Tiaki issue with access for others to the beach and the the six ambassadors would be helping freedom Five of their vehicles have been sponsored by Promise of caring for New Zealand.” boardwalk footpath, also, due to the nature of the parking area, it has become a health and safety issue, with campervans protruding and tying pergola and washing lines across the boardwalk area,” a report presented to the elected members at last Tuesday’s council meeting stated. To attempt to resolve the issue of overcrowding, it is proposed that the current designated freedom camping area in the Lee Street carpark in Whitianga be increased to include all parks at the eastern end of the car park, approximately doubling the number of allocated spaces. Additional spaces are also planned for Paku Drive, opposite the Tairua Surf Life Saving Club, and on Woollams Avenue in Coromandel Town. While these are the main changes proposed by council, members of the public can make submissions in relation to any location around the district. Submissions can be made online until 2 February at www.tcdc.govt.nz/ TCDC’s Responsible Camping Ambassadors (from the left) Liz Thomas, Heather Campbell, Brent Hallam and Phil Andrew, along with Bylaws freedomcampingreview or via a form available Compliance Team Leader, Ken Ward. Absent from the photo are Responsible Camping Ambassadors Joke Streukens and Debbie Coyle.

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Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Rescue Helicopter Update

It is welcome news that the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) will be basing a chopper and crew in Whitianga during January next year. We appreciate Simon Tomkins, chairman of the ARHT, and Craig Gibbons, chief executive officer, joining us for a dinner with local community leaders and businessowners in the Whitianga Town Hall on 20 November where psychologist, Nigel Latta, was the guest speaker. When Simon had the opportunity to say a few words to everyone who attended the dinner, he emphasised how much the ARHT value their relationship with us and that they are in full support of our efforts to bring a rescue helicopter back to the Coromandel on a more permanent basis. The Health Select Committee of Parliament has been reconstituted after the general election and the submission on the rescue helicopter petition presented to the House of Representatives in July this year has been received by the committee. Our founding chairman, Walter Russell, and Stephan Bosman, owner of The Informer and author of the submission, will travel to Wellington next year to discuss the submission with the Select Committee in person. In the meantime, our counter collection boxes available in shops right around the Coromandel Peninsula are doing very well. Thank you to everyone for their support. The ARHT will have a tent at the Whitianga Summer Concert on 31 January next year. People will be able to support them with donations and purchase merchandise at the tent. They are looking for volunteers to staff the tent during the concert. If you would like to enjoy some excellent music while helping your community, please give Walter Russell a call on (07) 866 5032 or email him at [email protected]. From all of us at the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust, may you have a wonderful Christmas with your families and may 2021 be a much better year for us all than this year. Please stay safe during summer. Merv George Chairman Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust

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Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7 Decades of volunteer efforts honoured in Community Service Awards Countless hours of dedicated service given by the community of and its surrounds,” volunteers across our community over many his time and generosity in mentoring others decades were celebrated and acknowledged was noted in his nomination. He was also with the announcement of the Thames- credited for playing an instrumental role in Coromandel District Council Community getting a park and ride system established in Service Awards. Hahei in order to reduce traffic congestion A total of 12 community leaders selected and parking issues during the peak summer by their local Community Boards were period, improving the experience for both recognised at a ceremony led by TCDC visitors and residents alike. mayor, Sandra Goudie, on Tuesday last week. In Coromandel Town Jean Ashby was “You all give so freely to your community recognised for her work with the Coromandel without asking for anything in return, so for Independent Living Trust for the past 20 years me these awards are so special, celebrating and in particular the huge number of hours some very special people who volunteer, help- she spent ensuring people had access to basic out and contribute without strings attached essentials during the COVID-19 lockdown for the benefit of the wider community,” this year. Also honoured was Claire Laureen Mrs Goudie said at the ceremony. Stewart for her services as an Anglican Those honoured from the Mercury Bay Minister, still ministering to the community Ward were Harold Abrahamson and John whenever asked, despite officially retiring North. Harold’s nomination described how several years ago. he moved to Whitianga in 1967 and listed With a lengthy list of roles from Land the many organisations he was involved with, Search and Rescue and Kauri 2000 to the including the Mercury Bay Tennis Club, Tairua Walk Society and Tairua Beachcare, the Mercury Bay Squash Club, the local Trevor Ladd was recognised for services to ratepayers’ association, the school committee Tairua- for over 20 years. Mike King and Thames-Coromandel District Council. was the second award winner for the Tairua- As part of the school committee, he Pauanui Ward, also clocking up two decades was involved in the negotiations for the of volunteering, including as a member of the establishment of Mercury Bay Area School. Tairua Fire Brigade and the Tairua Golf and Collectively his contributions to the Mercury Country Club. Bay community span 30 years. The TCDC Community Service Awards John North was recognised for his work are presented every two years in order to with the Hahei Community Library for the give some well-deserved recognition to the past 10 years, currently holding the role unsung heroes of the various Coromandel of chairman. He has also been an active communities. Previously two awards were advocate for the community through the presented for the whole district, however, this Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association year councillors agreed to honour a larger for 15 years, becoming chairman in 2006. group of people with each Community Board Described as a “tireless lobbyist to council, having the opportunity to select more than John North (right) from Hahei being presented with this TCDC Community Service Award the Department of Conservation and others for one recipient from their area. by Mercury Bay councillor Tony Fox on Tuesday last week.

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 and Suzanne Hansen Civil Defence ...... 868 0200 Advertiser Management - Petra Bosman and Alex Kennedy Mercury Bay Medical Centre (Whitianga) ...... 866 5911 Administration - Diane Lodge Medical Centre (Tairua)...... 864 8737 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 ISSN 2422-9083 (Print), ISSN 2422-9091 (Online), © 2020 Mercury Bay Media Limited Whitianga Social Services ...... 866 4476 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 December 2020 the New Zealand Media Council, PO Box 10 879, Wellington 6143 or Do you plan to travel overseas once the world borders are www.presscouncil.org.nz. opening again following the COVID-19 pandemic? See page 2 for what’s happening Like us on Facebook. 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 928 - 15 December 2020 Letters to the Editor See the opposite page for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions

Dear Editor - Water meters on the Coromandel Whitianga has a local resident population of Every property owner on the Coromandel around 5,000 and this balloons to around 25,000 Peninsula should work together and refuse the to 30,000 over the peak holiday periods, a large installation of water meters. Why? Because they portion of which are holiday homes. Care must are simply not the answer to water problems. be taken in how the cost of water is charged to Take the Auckland model for example, make sure the locals do not get disadvantaged. they have had water meters for 50 years. The quantity of water drawn in towns like Has it solved their problems? No. We all know Whitianga fluctuates dramatically through the problem is storage capacity. the year. If property owners are expected I understand that Thames-Coromandel District to contribute for all the water supply and Council has been given by the government in infrastructure cost suitable for 25,000 excess of $2 million to install water meters on people purely on a metered basis, then that the Peninsula. This money should rather be used is inequitable. to employ the machinery necessary to increase I am not a statistician or mathematician, our storage. Next time it rains, take a drive up but it seems to me that every property should be Wade Road and see the millions of litres of charged, as part of the general rates, a uniform water just pouring into the sea. Meters are just amount (similar to the rating assessment another added cost to ratepayers and tenants. method) for the entire cost of the infrastructure We will still have water shortages until our supplying and treating water and all storage capacity is increased. future upgrades. Gwynn Howells For the ongoing running and maintenance Whitianga of the infrastructure, a usage rate should be Dear Editor - Water supply and cost struck using the entire annual water usage Last summer showed that our water supply is (say, 6,000,000m³) and then if the ongoing not adequate for several reasons. In Whitianga direct running costs were, say, $600,000, it is exacerbated by having only one supply, a charge of 10 cents for every cubic metre the draw from the Whangamaroro River, used would be fair and equitable. It would which has a resource consent limitation. mean that holiday homes would pay a fair Thames-Coromandel District Council is of share of the infrastructure cost and whenever course very conscious of this and in looking they were occupied, those in residence would to the future, have raised the issue of metering pay for what they use. Motel owners, caravan residential properties, commercial properties and motorhome parks, and camping grounds - already being metered. all being commercial - would carry a suitable In communities where the population is burden during the high season, but a low cost heavily influenced by visitors or non-resident during the off season (which could match their owners (Whitianga is a classic example), cashflows) and locals would only pay a fair a recovery of the cost of metering is going to fall proportion of the water costs. heavily on the locals who live there full time. I can see how this could be a cashflow hurdle We have seen in places like Russell the for TCDC, but so be it, that is why we have population move from full-time residents councils. to holiday homes, resulting in the shops, Peter Bould businesses and schools facing decline. Whitianga

Issue 699928 - 2715 JulyDecember 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9 Custom skin health solutions now available at Unichem Stephensons Pharmacy Determined to bring the best of the best to their Whitianga customers, the team at Unichem Stephensons Pharmacy is excited to welcome the world’s number one brand in the field of professional skin care and health to their Albert Street store. Dermalogica is renowned for their ethical approach, not just in terms of how they create their products, but also in the service they provide to people looking for genuine solutions to their skincare. “There is a real focus on the individual and what is right for them,” says Jeff Park, manager at Unichem Stephensons Pharmacy. “It is not just about selling a product, but rather what is going to work best for a particular person in terms of their skin health.” Jeff says the decision to bring Dermalogica to the Coromandel was driven by a desire to ensure both locals and visitors had access to a similar quality of products as those in the major cities. “It is very unusual to see a brand this large moving outside of the major centres, we are delighted they have agreed to partner with us,” he says. “I think customers will really benefit from being able to access not just the product, but also the expertise that sits alongside it, right here on their own doorstep.” Tia Simpson is the brand’s new in-store counter manager and is available to answer questions, provide advice and carry out a full skin health assessment for customers. “It’s quite a scientific approach, they use a skin mapping process to identify the particular features of your skin because people’s needs can vary greatly depending on a whole range of factors,” says Jeff. “From there they can recommend a tailor-made solution that is specific to you. That could be to remedy a specific issue or to just generally improve the overall health of your skin.” A strong emphasis on the environment and sustainability is another reason Jeff says he is pleased to work with Dermalogica and he believes customers too will be impressed with their approach. “They are certified cruelty-free, they take great care about what they put into all their products and even the packaging they use is certified as sustainable,” he says. Dermalogica was founded in 1986 by a skin therapist with a vision to provide custom skin care solutions that endure. Their formulas are free of artificial colours and fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, alcohol, parabens and microplastics. “There has already been a lot of interest and Tia has really been enjoying meeting and getting to know people from Whitianga and the wider Mercury Bay,” says Jeff. “She has so much knowledge to offer, I really encourage people to come in and have a chat with her and see Stephensons Unichem Pharmacy manager, Jeff Park, with Tia Simpson, how she may be able to help.” the pharmacy’s new in-store Dermalogica counter manager.

Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Issue 699928 - 2715 JulyDecember 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11 Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Issue 699928 - 2715 JulyDecember 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13 The Small-time Investor By Whitianga resident, Max Ross

Amazon The American share market is going crazy This is in the form of web hosting services. at the moment. Some more great gains for If your website is getting attacked by hackers Tesla last week. It’s not in the S&P 500 yet, using a distributed denial of services attack, but when they do get added, it will be you would turn to Amazon to protect you and interesting to see what happens. provide the infrastructure for your website to Currently my investments are up $193.62 survive the attack. which is 8.64 percent. My American shares After disrupting bookshops, Amazon are Apple up 7.72 percent, NVIDIA up 3.28 went on to disrupt all shops and then web percent, Microsoft down 1.15 percent and hosting. Now they are looking at entering Tesla up a huge 46.32 percent. My New and disrupting the pharmacy market with Zealand shares are steady with EBOS, Infratil, Amazon Pharmacy as they make a play for the Kathmandu, Mainfreight and Smartpay doing $4 billion healthcare market. If they manage well and Vital Healthcare, Fisher and Paykel to disrupt and then dominate this industry Healthcare, Spark, NZ Dividend Fund, like it has the others it has entered into, then Pushpay and Plexure all down. Amazon shares should grow significantly. This month my theme is big American For this reason I’m spending this week’s companies. I’m looking for large, well-known $100 on Amazon shares. I bought 0.022539 companies with lots of resources to ride out shares at USD3134.25 a share. any downturn. One of the biggest is Amazon. As with all investments there are risks. They have benefitted from the move to online Amazon may overextend themselves and shopping and have dominated this industry in not be able to deliver their pharmacy goals. America. They have had 10 years of growth There may also be a large drop in sharemarket in three months during the first three months prices. A future successful vaccine and an of COVID-19. Lots of people bought online end to the COVID-19 crisis could also cause for the first time and many of these will now the company’s share price to fall. A small be avid online shoppers. Amazon not only successful business could challenge and provides the website for online shopping, disrupt them. they also have huge warehouses and futuristic Please remember that what I write in packing systems run by robots. It’s well worth this column is just my personal opinion. to google “Amazon Robots” if you want to Some of my investments will lose money. see the future in action. They have fulfilment I am sharing my thoughts and strategies along centres that are 120,000m². with my results so that you can see how easy Amazon is not just an online retailer, it is to invest online, even a small amount, they also deliver hugely successful cloud and maybe learn from my mistakes. computing services to other businesses. Be careful with your money.

Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Scott’s Thoughts Golden Girls sharing the love By Scott Simpson, National Party MP for Coromandel of Christmas Over the past couple of weeks, Whitianga’s Golden Girls have been sharing the love of Christmas This has been a tough year for everybody. around the wider Mercury Bay area. On Friday, 4 December they sang Christmas carols for the I really feel for those who have lost their residents of Whitianga Continuing Care. On Monday last week they were at St Andrew’s Community jobs, those who have not been able to farewell Church entertaining the members of the Mercury Cancer Support Trust at their Christmas lunch their loved ones who have passed away and and on Wednesday last week they took their Christmas music programme to the residents of Tairua Residential Care. young people who have had their dreams of the traditional Kiwi OE put on hold. Rest home residents in Whitianga and Tairua received gift bags of assorted sweets and a heartfelt Small businesses and tourist operators “Merry Christmas” message. have been hit particularly hard. Moreover, The Golden Girls’ Christmas programme ranged this year from the fun-filled “Christmas in Killarney” the government’s decision to double sick to the uplifting “O Holy Night.” Musical director, Audrey Neville, said, “It’s always a joy and a great leave loads more costs onto businesses. They privilege to share our music with everyone. We have great fun among ourselves and it definitely argue that COVID-19 has forced this change, keeps us young.” but if that was the case, why is it permanent? Pictured is Golden Girl, Carol Pringle, with Tairua Residential Care day resident, Cecilia Gilmour, With more than 200,000 New Zealanders out of on Wednesday. work, we should be encouraging businesses to take on more staff right now, not the opposite. Still, when we look out at the rest of the Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson. world, we have been incredibly fortunate. New return, it is hopefully the first step toward the Zealanders have once again shown that when reinstatement of our previous service which faced with adversity, we come together and we had come to rely on. The nearly 50,000 adapt to whatever the circumstances. signature petition that I presented to Parliament Ours is a nation blessed with an ideal remains before the Health Select Committee. geographic location. We are surrounded by I will continue to fight for the restoration of the largest moat in the world, which makes it the helicopter service for the full peak summer easier for us than for many nations to close and period and on long weekends. protect our borders. One last note - the holiday period here can be Hopefully a busy summer period with hectic with locals and visitors alike enjoying families reuniting and visitors coming to fabulous summer festivities. I think we’ll have explore our region will provide a welcome even more visitors here this summer. With this boost to morale and to local businesses. in mind, please remember to continue scanning To those who are making their annual trip to into the places you go, this way each of us is the Coromandel or are visiting for the first doing our bit to keep things relatively normal. time, I have no doubt that your holiday here Be safe out on the roads. Take your time. will leave a lasting positive impression. Enjoy being on Coromandel time! Everyone in our region will be welcoming I wish you and your family happy holidays the news that an emergency rescue helicopter in our special part of the country and all the and crew will be based back at Whitianga very best for Christmas and what I hope will be during January 2021. While it is only a limited a better New Year in 2021.

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15 New tourist attraction full circle for the Mercury Star Considering ways to use their second ferry boat more often, Jeremy and Louise Lomas, the owners of the Whitianga Ferry, came up with the idea to offer cruises up the Whitianga River and around the Whitianga Waterways canals as a new tourist attraction in Mercury Bay. “We prefer to use our newer boat as much as possible on our service between the Whitianga and Ferry Landing wharves,” says Jeremy. “It’s more suited for our passengers and drivers as it is roll-on roll-off for bikes and push chairs. The Mercury Star, our second and older boat, was up to six years ago the main ferry boat in Whitianga but is really just a back-up for us and doesn’t get used much now. But it will be great for this tour as it offers great visibility and is an iconic boat in the area. “By embarking on this new tourist venture, we’ll get to use the Mercury Star a bit more and hopefully show those who join us for the cruises a perspective on Whitianga they wouldn’t see from land. The houses at the Waterways most certainly look different from the water than what they look from the street.” The tour will include commentary about the history of Whitianga, the Ferry Landing Wharf, Back Bay and the Whitianga Waterways, as well as local wildlife and prominent natural features along the way. The area is rich with history, which many people don’t know about. “A few weeks ago, we took the Mercury Bay Library volunteers on a tour up the river and they absolutely loved it,” says Jeremy. “The entire cruise takes place in sheltered water, so it’s suitable for everyone. For the Mercury Star, things are also coming full circle as she was initially designed and built as a ferry as well as a cruise boat for the Whitianga River.” Bookings for the cruises can be made online at whitiangawaterwayscruises. co.nz. The first cruise will take place on Friday, 18 December. “Initially we’re planning to do only one tour a day, around high tide,” says Louise. “Over time, we’ll definitely be offering more cruises if the demand is there. “We’re expecting each cruise to last approximately one hour and 20 minutes, and we’ll take a maximum of 30 people on board. There will be ample room for everyone and no one will have an obstructed view of the surrounding landscape. We hope the tour will offer those who join us with an experience they won’t be able to get anywhere else.” Jeremy plans to personally skipper the Mercury Star for as many cruises as he possibly can. As a former America’s Cup sailor for Team New Zealand, that will be an added bonus for those who are on board when he’s at the helm - not everyday you get shown around by a renowned New Zealand sportsman. A spot on the cruises cost $35 per adult, $15 per child and $80 per family (two adults and two children). Jeremy and Louise Lomas, the owners of the Whitianga Ferry, at their second and older boat, the Mercury Star.

Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17 Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Issue 699928 - 2715 JulyDecember 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19 A great send off from What’s On The next few weeks Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours As they have been doing for the past eight years, the team at Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours took all the Next year’s Whitianga Scallop Festival School Year 8 students on one of their signature tours on Friday last week. The students date announced were accompanied by principal, Eamonn Kelly, and deputy principal, Michael Ewing. The Mercury Bay Events Trust has announced that the 2021 “It was a great day,” says Mike Grogan, owner of the business. “The weather was perfect and Whitianga Scallop Festival will be held on Saturday, 18 September. everyone really enjoyed the experience, including hot chocolate and cookies on the beach at The festival will once again include all of the great seafood, Cathedral Cove. For us it’s a great way to send the children off on their next adventure after finishing live music and entertainment that has made the event one of their Whenuakite School careers. New Zealand’s best loved food and wine festivals. “It’s also an opportunity for the children to appreciate one of New Zealand’s most amazing tourist Both organisers and regular festivalgoers were understanding, attractions, right in their own backyard. What we’re seeing now is that some of the children albeit disappointed, of the fact that it was not possible to have who went on the tour six or seven years ago is coming back to work for us. We’re pretty stoked a festival this year given the risks posed by the COVID-19 about that.” pandemic. Pictured are the students on the water on Friday. The Whitianga Scallop Festival delivers a jam-packed day centred around music, food, wine and entertainment, as well as an opportunity for community groups such as Mercury Bay Area School, the Mercury Bay Scouts and the Mercury Bay Lions Club to raise generous funds for their organisations. To be held at the Northern Reclamation and Taylor’s Mistake, tickets go on sale in April 2021. “We have no doubt the event will continue to be a sell-out and are thrilled to have it back on the calendar,” says Nick Reader of the Mercury Bay Events Trust.

Whitianga Christmas House 66 State Highway 25, Wharekaho. Open until Christmas Eve from 7:00pm until 10:00pm every evening. Santa in residence every evening between 7:30pm - 9:30pm. Whiti Village Markets Friday, 18 December from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Buffalo Beach Reserve, Buffalo Beach Road, Whitianga. Whitianga Art, Craft & Farmer’s Market Saturday, 19 December from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga. Coastal Collective Market Saturday, 19 December from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at 17 Captain Cook Road, Village. Informal Opening of the New Whitianga Skatepark Tuesday, 22 December at approximately 4:00pm at Tayor’s Mistake, Whitianga. A sausage sizzle and live music will be available. Mercury Bay Community Christmas Lunch Christmas Day at Crossroads Church, corner of Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Doors open at 11:00am with lunch (all the Christmas favourites) to be served at 12:00 noon. A free lunch (a gift from the community to the community), but please book beforehand by emailing [email protected].

Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Lessons learned by everyone in extraordinary school year By Gillian O’Neill As the bells sound for the final time in 2020, Principal of School, Mary Kedzlie, the principals of two Mercury Bay schools have acknowledged the resilience within the school been reflecting on a year of both unprecedented and wider community. “Of course we also challenge and unexpected triumph. had the passing of our much loved former With students and staff heading into six principal, Anna Yates, so it has been a tough weeks of summer holidays, Mercury Bay Area year,” she said. School principal, John Wright, said this time of “We’ve been through a lot, but the way recuperation and rest will be more important people have come together and supported each than ever. “We have all faced that element of other has been wonderful. insecurity and uncertainty this year, no matter “By coincidence, we had started a schoolwide how old you are that takes a toll,” he said. focus on mindfulness back in February, “So, for our students, staff, Board of Trustees before COVID-19 was even a thing and I think and really our whole community, this will that really stood to us, we were able to continue definitely be an important time to relax to practice that over lockdown and throughout and recharge.” the year and we saw real benefits from that. Despite all the disruption created by The other thing of course was kindness. COVID-19, Mr Wright said he remained Jacinda told us to ‘be kind’ and that was always grateful for the unique learning opportunities one of Anna’s sayings, sprinkle kindness the extraordinary year had presented and was around like confetti, so encouraging and seeing full of admiration for how people had adapted the students taking opportunities to be kind and coped. “I don’t think anybody could have prepared us for that moment when all the was fantastic.” planning in terms of our learning for the year Despite the challenges, Ms Kedzlie said would just have to stop,” he said. the students had excelled in their learning “It was as if we hit the pause button and we and should be commended for their efforts. certainly lost momentum. But what was such “Just looking through some of the end of year a surprise was how quickly we were able to reports, the disruption doesn’t seem to have get over that and just keep going. Once we had any impact and we can celebrate some accepted the situation we were facing, we were really good learning,” she said. able to move forward with such tenacity and While taking lots of positives from the year, positivity, it was really remarkable.” Ms Kedzlie acknowledged 2020 had been MBAS’s strong focus on wellbeing had taxing and tiring for staff. “That first term was been especially important in supporting really 22 weeks long,” she said. “The holidays both students and staff. “It was something weren’t a holiday for our teachers because they we always overtly promoted as a school, were preparing for online learning. They have but we really saw the value of that this year,” all done amazingly well, but I know everyone Mr Wright said. is definitely ready for a rest.”

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21 Heroic effort by firefighters quashes bush fire within metres of homes By Gillian O’Neill Witnesses to the large bush fire at Pumpkin Hill north of Tairua on Saturday last week say the blaze was within just a few metres of several properties and have praised the actions of firefighters for saving people’s homes. Fourteen crews from across the Coromandel and beyond attended the fire which broke out just after 2:00pm with two helicopters also called in to assist from the air. Crews from Tairua and Cooks Beach were among those first on the scene where high winds caused the incident, which was originally confined to a 4m x 4m area, to rapidly escalate. “We had gone out to go look for a wilding Firefighter Lance Williams and Senior Firefighter Brian Hart from the Tairua Volunteer Fire Brigade defending one pine for a Christmas tree and when we arrived of the Pumpkin Hill homes from Saturday’s bushfire. Photo by Gail New. home, our local police officer from Tairua was on site and he told us we couldn’t get to our house because they had closed the road,” said Donna Harvey who lives at the end of Sailor’s Grave Road which runs adjacent to Pumpkin Hill. “We don’t believe the fire would have reached our house, but I think they were concerned we could be cut off and that was why they evacuated people living along the road.” Donna and her husband, Ben, spent the evening at Flock restaurant in Tairua with several other residents while they anxiously awaited news. At the same time, absentee owners took to social media seeking updates from locals on the evolving situation. “It was pretty nerve-racking,” Donna said. “We weren’t too concerned about our place, but there were others there with us who lived a lot closer. We knew firefighters were dampening down around their homes to try and protect them, but no-one could be sure what was going to happen. It was definitely very scary.” As well as paying tribute to the efforts of the emergency services, Donna said she was quite overcome by the generosity and care from people in the community. “Many of them were friends and people I know, but we’ve only been living here for six years and the number of people who got in touch to check we were okay or to offer us a place to stay was amazing,” she said. The tension eventually gave way to relief after residents were told they could return to their homes at around 9:00pm and the fire had been brought under control. “It was a huge relief just knowing that everyone’s home was okay,” Donna said. “You could still see the smoke rising from the hot spots there on Sunday morning. When you look at it and see how close it was to some of the houses, it’s quite incredible. For one of our neighbours, it must have been only about 2m from their property. I would say there were at least four houses that would have been in serious jeopardy. On one house you can see how the gutters melted from the heat. Everyone has been talking and supporting each other and we just feel so grateful to all those firefighters who came from all over to help.” A fire crew from remained onsite into the night to continue to monitor the scene. The incident meant the Tairua Volunteer Fire Brigade had some extra guests on Saturday evening at what had been planned as their end of year Christmas party, with many visiting firefighters provided with a meal after a tough and exhausting day. This was the second scrub fire in under a week attended by both the Tairua and Cooks Beach brigades, however, the crews managed to extinguish the earlier blaze before it spread to adjacent bush. It has prompted pleas to the public to be extra vigilant during what are already extremely hot and dry conditions. The cause of Saturday’s fire has yet to be confirmed. Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Issue 699928 - 2715 JulyDecember 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23 Tairua Water Taxi and Tours to Santa’s rescue With no one-horse open sleighs available, or indeed the usual ferry, it was new business, Tairua Water Taxi and Tours, that came to Santa’s rescue on Saturday last week ensuring the man in red’s traditional trip across the harbour to greet children at the Pauanui Wharf could still take place. Hayden Smith and Katy Lingard, who have been operating Cathedral Cove Water Taxi from Hahei for the past four years, responded to the emergency call from the Tairua Information Centre earlier in the week after it emerged the Tairua Ferry would not be available for Santa’s transportation. Although their new venture, Tairua Water Taxi and Tours, was not scheduled to start until 19 December, the couple who live in Hot Water Beach decided to come to the aid of the community. “A huge thanks goes out to Hayden and Katy for bringing a boat over to take Santa to Pauanui,” said Eve Roper, Information Centre manager. “Also a big thank you to Sean Butler from Te Puia Surf Company for taking the day off to drive the boat.” With Santa back in Tairua after his visit to Pauanui, it was then the job of the Tairua Volunteer Fire Brigade to ensure he made it safely from the wharf to the Pepe Reserve where he was greeted by a huge contingent of children who had enjoyed games, market stalls and other activities throughout the morning. Eve said the community had not only swelled the park, but also swelled the hearts of the many fundraising groups through support and donations. “Thank you to everyone who volunteered their Saturday to help, you are all legends,” she said. Hayden and Katy made the decision to embark on their new service, which they will run in addition to Cathedral Cove Water Taxi, after a successful pilot weekend during the Tairua Boat Show in August when they offered a water taxi service between the Tairua Marina and Pauanui. After a hugely positive response, they invested in a new weatherproof boat, capable of carrying 10 passengers and will operate Tairua Water Taxi and Tours on demand over the summer period. The service will run between Royal Billy Wharf in Pauanui, the Tairua Wharf and the Pauanui Waterways and will focus on supporting local businesses by helping more residents and visitors access cafés and restaurants with a personal pick-up and drop-off service. More information and contact details are available on the business’s Facebook page. Pictured is Santa at Tairua’s Pepe Reserve on Saturday with helpers, from the left, Annabelle Fang, Zoe Winter and Kaia van Doorn.

Page 24 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 School students’ SeniorNet Update “Walk Through Christmas” By Mavis Hicks

This year is almost over and what a year it after the Open Day. Others can come along, has been. The world is in turmoil with the join SeniorNet and talk to our tutors or COVID-19 pandemic and people trying to committee members to see which workshops cope with no travel and no social mixing. would best suit their needs. We are so lucky that the internet has enabled Membership can also be renewed, new us to remain in contact with all the folks we members can join and workshops can be wished to hear from. The internet has also booked by phoning Lorna on (07) 866 4215 enabled us to find entertainment or catch up (daytime only please). with learning new things. We need to start thinking about how With Christmas on the horizon, no doubt we go forward in 2021. We have a steady SeniorNet Whitianga members will be membership, but need members to step receiving gifts of new devices. Next term we up to help manage SeniorNet Whitianga. will be running workshops on how to deal Many SeniorNet groups have closed through with some of these. Readers feeling unsure on lack of support and it would be such a shame how to operate their new gifts are welcome after so many successful years if we were to join SeniorNet and we will help you to forced to follow them. unravel the operating techniques of your Our AGM is in March next year, so please new toys. think about helping us. Information regarding the AGM will be sent out after Christmas. Becoming more computer literate, learning Help can be in many forms depending on Once again, three churches in Whitianga hosted 167 excited primary school children on Monday about new devices as they become available your experience and what you are willing to and Tuesday last week in the annual “Walk Through Christmas.” Four class groups from Mercury and how to use smart phones, will enable us offer. It is not necessary to be a tutor or helper. Bay Area School, Te Rerenga School and Whenuakite School took part in the event. At St Peter’s to organise our lives better. It’s no longer There are a host of other ways to help with Anglican Church they sang the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church optional. The new ways are here now, the running of SeniorNet. We do not have they did a pop quiz about the Christmas story and at St Andrew’s Community Church they like managing without cheque books or watched a Nativity play. classes during the school holidays so minding physical banks. Learning small amounts as children/grandchildren would not be affected St Andrew’s, being the last church that was visited, provided drinks and cookies before the we go will be a lot easier than trying to learn A happy and Safe Christmas to all. children went back to school. The tremendous response to a call put out to church members for to cope with big technological leaps in one “star shaped cookies” saw the children leave with happy Christmas tummies. go. Everything is moving along very quickly Every year the children receive envelopes with Christmas activities to take home, including a and with so much being done online, it’s not programme of Christmas services and events from all the churches in Whitianga. going to be helpful to get left behind. The Walk Through Christmas has become a tradition since Rev Stan Stewart initiated it in 2002. We will have an open day on Tuesday, Children aged five to eight experience the event for three successive school years, accompanied 9 February next year where our members by teachers, parents and young siblings. can renew their membership and register Pictured are some the MBAS students watching the Nativity play at St Andrew’s on Tuesday. for classes. Our next term will start shortly

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 25 Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle 928

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. Has buoyancy 1. Camera lights 5. Cautious 7. Avoid (capture) 2. Intended 8. Tiny particle 3. Trades for cash 9. Official stamp 4. Sun umbrella 10. Jumped up 5. US frontier movie 11. Hostile crowds 13. Prepare for publication 6. Straighten again 14. Cleans by rubbing hard 12. Outgoing flow, ... tide 18. Queuing, ...up 15. Overcome 21. Hitch 22. Detour round 16. Improve in quality 24. Freedom fighter 17. Skin mite rash 25. Bass brass instrument 19. Very cold 26. Match before final 20. Talks idly 27. Await with horror 28. Forest plant 22. Knife’s cutting edge 29. Enforces (payment) 23. Italian food

Last week’s solution

Last week’s winner - Chris Nicholsen

“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week) “Anā! E pūkana mai nā!” - There it is staring right at you! 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 would like to wish the community a Meri Kirihimete and ngā mihi nui for all the support during this year. They are taking a break and will start back when the school starts back with their first session on 15 February 2021 at 9:00am at the MBAS old dental room.

Page 26 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Students set sail for life lessons on the water Mercury Bay Boating Club volunteers have once again been sharing their time and skills with students from a variety of local schools, helping to build confidence both on the water and in themselves. During December, groups from Whenuakite School, School and Mercury Bay Area School have all taken to the waters off Whitianga, many students experiencing the thrill of sailing for the first time. “The Mercury Bay Boating Club is privileged and proud to be serving our local and wider community with programmes that use sailing as a platform to teach life skills,” said club commodore, Jonathan Kline. “Once the students leave the beach alone on their yachts, everything changes. The water becomes deep, the boat moves according to their commands, right or wrong, the town is far away and looks different. The young sailors must face and overcome fear, build self-confidence and cope with adversity, A large contingent of students, families and supporters from the Mercury Bay Area School Learning Support group all while refining balance, coordination and enjoyed a morning of sailing on Friday last week thanks to the Mercury Bay Boating Club. the physics of sailing. Could there be a better sail with the club was the Learning Support played host to the end of year celebration from so many people,” said Karen. classroom than that?” students from Mercury Bay Area School. for the students, their families and teachers, Whenuakite School principal, Eamonn Jonathan acknowledged in particular the “We have had a great relationship with as well as those in the community who Kelly, expressed his school’s utmost grit and determination shown by several Jonathan and the team at the Mercury Bay supported the students’ learning throughout gratitude to the Mercury Bay Boating Club students who overcame a high level of anxiety Boating Club for some time now and we are the year. for the opportunities it was providing for to eventually excel out on the boats. “By the very grateful to them for doing this each year “The quality and variety of experiences that students, while Coroglen School principal, time we made it back to shore there was only for our students,” said the school’s Learning we can give the students to enrich both their Jean Saunders, thanked Jonathan Kline, the joy and the energy that comes from not Support co-ordinator, Karen Johansen. learning and their connections with the wider Roger Harwood and all those at the club who giving up, even when you are afraid,” he said. Following their morning sail on Friday last community is continually growing and that were involved in delivering the programme The latest crew to have the opportunity to week, the Mercury Bay Boating Club also is thanks to the amazing support we receive each year.

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 27 Sudoku

Sudoku Puzzle 928

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

Last week’s solution Last week’s winner - Malc Cooke

Page 28 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Skatepark Trust’s personal Fishing Report By Wayne Barnes of the Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club Sponsored by Mercury Bay Marine - Tel (07) 867 1280 thanks to Whiti City Cabs As their contribution to a fundraiser for the Mercury Bay Skatepark Trust at “An Evening with Nigel Latta” attended by local community leaders and businessowners in the Whitianga Town Hall on 20 November, Though unrelenting strong north-westerly for this year’s Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Phil and Michelle Butler, the owners of Whiti City Cabs, offered to transport attendees free of charge in quarter winds have made fishing difficult Club’s Coromandel Hobbies Kids Day at The return for them making a donation to the new Whitianga skatepark. during the last month, last week have seen Wharf competition organised by Michelle and As a result of Phil and Michelle’s generosity, donations of more than $1,000 were made. On Friday last some very fishable weather and with the water Campbell Fraser. There are three age categories week, Chris Devenoges, one of the trustees of the Skatepark Trust, caught up with Michelle to thank her temperature behind the Aldermen Islands now in the competition this year - under 5s, five to personally for her and Phil’s support. “We never would have got the new skatepark off the ground without 19°C, yellowfin and skipjack tuna won’t be eight, and nine to 12 as at 1 January. Registration the community backing we’ve received and continue to receive,” Chris said. “It was great to meet Michelle far away. is at our gazebo on the approaches to the Tairua and let her know we will include Whiti City Cabs on the plaque containing the names of all our supporters Those who manage to get out at first light, Wharf on Tui Terrace from 8:00am. Fishing is that will go up at the skatepark.” are being rewarded with snapper and tarakihi from 9:00am through to 12:00 noon. in the deeper water around the Aldermens, This year fish will be progressively weighed Weather permitting, the new Whitianga skatepark will informally open on Tuesday afternoon next week but closer in things have become much harder. as they are caught, and all children participating (22 December). The skatepark will then be able to be used. “We’ll have a sausage sizzle and a bit of live music to celebrate the occasion,” Chris said. “The formal opening is scheduled for 9 January next year.” Some unexpected catches are also being will be provided with a free sausage sizzle lunch reported with banded wrasse, goatfish and red and a drink. While keeping the entry fee low at Fundraising for lights at the skatepark is continuing. moki all landed with rod and reel lately. $2.00 per child, we aim to provide a fun-filled Pictured are Chris and Michelle on Friday last week. On Saturday, 5 December, the Tairua-Pauanui day. Prize-giving will take place at our new club Sports Fishing Club’s formal award for being rooms, commencing at 1:00 pm. the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s “Club This year we again have on board Coromandel of the year 2019/2020” was recognised with the Hobbies who along with our existing fantastic presentation of the trophy to us by Bob Gutsell, sponsors (the Housie Ladies, the Art Group, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council national Tim Preston and Bryce Ruthe) have put together president. As part of the presentation, Bob spoke a prize pool that puts Santa to shame. Michelle at length about the history of the council from is flat-out wrapping prizes for the various its inception on 3 May 1957 and the continued categories. Michelle asks that all parents who purpose of the organisation. He then outlined have children entered in the competition ensure the eligibility criteria for the award and how our their children are at the prize-giving on time club had met those to come out on top. This was as there will also be spot prizes drawn by followed by an emotional and passionate reply entry number. If you require any additional by our president, Warren Maher, that focused information about the competition, please don’t on our history, our community involvement, our hesitate to contact Campbell on (021) 037 6427. vastly increased uptake of junior members and Our Fish of the Month for November winner our indebtedness to our band of loyal supporters. was Quenton Hayward with a blue cod of Our 40th Anniversary Grand Slam tournament 1.830kg. Quenton wins a 40oz bottle of Black is picking up pace with four of the 31 entrants Heart Rum sponsored by Independent Liquor. having caught six of the seven species required Our Fish of the Month and another three participants with five, so the for December is pressure is on. albacore tuna. Our junior and small fry anglers are eagerly Tight lines, awaiting Saturday, 2 January as this is the date Wayne Barnes

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 29 Brain Teaser - Vaki Puzzle © Tamaki Education and Sports Society Inc

Brain Teaser Puzzles 928

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.

Vaki Puzzle Instructions The puzzle is solved when there is a letter (A - D) and a number (1 - 4) in each cell and each letter and each number appears once in each row and once in each column. Each pair occurs once and only once in a solved puzzle (A1 is the same pair as 1A).

Last week’s solution - Fill In Puzzle

Last week’s winner - Gary Douglas

Page 30 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Surprise award nominations Police Report By Sergeant Andrew Morrison of the Whitianga Police for Athletics Club Shocked but super proud is how two of the founders of Monday, 7 December to Monday, 14 December 2020 the Mercury Bay Athletics Club described their reaction after hearing the club had been nominated for two General Police were called when a separated couple’s Sport awards. We attended incidents this week relating arguing started to get out of hand at a Leeward Emily O’Donnell and Alana Baker believed they were to drunk people making bad decisions. Drive address. having a casual catch-up with officials from the Incidents ranged from threatened assaults Also on the 13th a couple argued at a regional sporting body on Thursday last week when CEO on family members through to threats Tarapatiki Drive address and the suspect ran Matthew Cooper surprised them with their nomination against neighbours when asked to turn loud off prior to Police arrival. certificates for the Community Connection and Sport music down. On the 7th a flat deck trailer, registration and Active Recreation Partnership categories. A drunk burglar was apprehended on 8K939, was stolen from a State Highway 25 “We were totally ambushed, we actually felt really Centennial Drive and an injured man who Whenuakite address, while a bicycle was emotional, especially because of the specific awards decamped from a crash scene on Buffalo Beach also unlawfully taken from Blacksmith Lane we have been put forward for,” said Emily. Road was found hours later and needed to be that day. The ladies who, along with Candice Van de Ven, helicoptered to hospital. There were two petrol thefts from an Albert started the club just 16 months ago, said the honour Please enjoy work Christmas functions is heartening because it acknowledges that their goal Street premises during the week and enquiries and other events held at this time of year, of building a club that would have engagement and are continuing in relation to security footage but please make good decisions around alcohol buy-in from the whole community has been achieved. obtained. consumption. “That’s what we are most proud of,” said Alana. Three swimmers were rescued at Cooks On the 9th a pig was killed and stolen from “The way the community got behind the club, the kids, Beach on the 9th with the Coastguard and Hot a paddock off State Highway 25, Whitianga parents, trainers, sponsors, people who have donated money, time, expertise and labour. It has been a massive Water Beach lifeguards responding. Stay safe while we also attended a disorder incident on Joan Gaskell Drive when two boys threatened joint effort and we are so very grateful to everyone who in the water and swim within your ability. has supported us along the way.” Arrests each other in an ongoing dispute. 12th - 1 x 46-year-old local man for Burglary. Traffic After an opening season based at Lyon Park Occurrences 1 x 46-year-old drunk driver apprehended this in Whitianga with just a junior age group, the club this year relocated to the Mercury Bay week on the 12th - awaiting blood alcohol Three Family Harm incidents attended Multisport Park, developed purpose-built facilities - including a long-jump pit and throwing this week. analysis. circles - and opened up a new senior section for older children and teenagers. “It has gone really On the 11th a couple argued about their Investigations are continuing in well and we have already had some of our members go on to compete at Blue Ribbon events,” relationship at a South Highway address and relation to dangerous driving incidents on said Alana. “We will be looking at entering more inter-club competitions next year and hopefully even sound advice was given, while on the 13th the Kaimarama Road. hosting our own event here in Whitianga.” Emily and Alana have requested the club’s nomination certificates to be put on display at The Informer’s offices in Whitianga. “We don’t have a clubhouse, so don’t have anywhere to go with the certificates,” said Emily. “We thought it’s fitting to ask The Informer as they were the first Whitianga locals to back us. Their enthusiasm and support, including financial support, really helped us to get out of the blocks.” The Sport Waikato award winners are set to be announced in an online ceremony in late January next year. Pictured are Emily (left) and Alana receiving the two award nominations from Sport Waikato CEO Matthew Cooper on Thursday last week.

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 31 Classifieds and Public Notices

SITUATIONS VACANT

QUALIFIED BUILDERS WANTED TO JOIN OUR AWARD-WINNING TEAM Cove Construction is a busy construction company with a diverse skill base and a can-do attitude. Are you able to work on all types of projects, from high-end architectural homes through to renovations and alterations?

Because of our increasing workload and diverse range of projects we are looking for builders who can lead or add value to our tight-knit production teams.

The suitable applicant will need to be motivated, organised and have a good sense of humour.

You will need to have a large skill base and experience along with the ability to problem solve and think outside the square. You will also need to have your own tools and transport.

The chosen applicants will be required to build positive relationships within our company’s teams, sub-contractors and customers.

We offer excellent pay rates to reflect experience.

If this sounds like you please send your CV and covering letter to Nick Gill - [email protected] or call (021) 666 350. To check out more about Cove Construction visit www.coveconstruction.co.nz or Facebook - Cove Construction Ltd.

Page 32 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Classifieds and Public Notices 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 commit to a minimum of three months and 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 online application.

WORK WANTED Commercial Cleaner Required Whenuakite Country Kids is looking for a cleaner for up to 15 hours per week, starting in early January 2021. Please email Katherine at [email protected] for more information.

DEATH NOTICE

RINTOUL, Elizabeth Hamilton Wilson (Beth) Passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on 12th December 2020. Dearly loved wife of Kevin. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Ewen DAVE’S DRAINAGE and Sandy, Ross and Suzy, Del and Trevor. Loved Nana of Ben, Sam, Kelsey, Drainlaying, Public & Private, Ethan and Savanah. 1.8 Ton Digger Hire. Will be remembered with 30 Years Experience. fondness and love. Free Quotes or Advice. A service to celebrate Beth’s life will be Call Dave 027 727 0348 held at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, 82 Albert Street, Whitianga [email protected] on Friday 18th December at 1:00pm, followed by private cremation. MIKE’S MOWING TWENTYMANS $25 empty sections, fortnightly or monthly mowing. WORK WANTED Free edge spraying. Phone Mike or Deb 866 4678 Mercury Bay Spouting or 027 320 1703. For all types of guttering HOUSE WASHING and spouting Detergent Soft Wash, Handyman Services. Tony 021 505 109 Phone Russell Short on 866 2097 or 0273 602 937

coromandel garage doors For new door installations, auto openers and full maintenance service. Phone Don McLean (022) 453 2188 Email [email protected]

Rubbish Removal Trees, Lawns, Garden Bags Phone John 866 5511

Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 33 Classifieds and Public Notices for sale HOUSES FOR SALE AND REMOVAL TO LET

FIREWOOD HOUSE FOR SALE AND REMOVAL Pine, shed stored, $120 per cube Three-bedroom, two-bathroom. Phone (07) 867 1361 Phone (021) 868 148 Free delivery locally TAIRUA BACH FOR REMOVAL Approx 60m², square shape, on piles, FIREWOOD easy to move. Phone (021) 906 287 Green wood for next winter - Poplar $90, Macrocarpa $120, CHURCH SERVICES Mixed Hardwoods $130. Dry wood for now - Old Pine $130, Red Gum $160, Black Wattle $180. www.goodwoodfirewood.co.nz Chris - 021 240 9909

ABSTRACT PAINTING CLASSES

STORAGE SHEDS, various sizes, dry and secure. Affordable rates. 866 4273 Ph: 07 866 5147 STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660 Container It Self Storage, 17 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Ph: 0274 817 258 BIRTH NOTICE STORAGE, Self storage/boat storage, - Kuaotunu. Ph: 07 866 5693

Nadine Schwenke and Michael Homfeld are proud to announce the safe birth of their son Quinn Homfeld, who arrived naturally at 7:24am on Wednesday, 2 December 2020 at Waikato Hospital, Small office space in central 12m berth in whitianga weighing a healthy 9lb 2oz. Proud parents waterways Whitianga location and baby are doing well. Water and power supplied. Available long term, affordable rent. Short-term - up to 3 months. cattery Phone (021) 672 748 for details. Phone (022) 621 3042

GARAGE SALE OFFICES TO SHARE SATURDAY, 19 DECEMBER, 9 Wells Place, Whitianga. Please not We are looking for a professional business person to share before 8am. Assorted household items. our Whitianga town centre offices. MARKETS ST ANDREW’S BY THE SEA Please phone Malcolm on (021) 473 223. community bus Community Church Albert Street, Whitianga COMMUNITY WORSHIP PUBLIC NOTICES MERCURY BAY COMMUNITY BUS EVERY SUNDAY 9:30am. For your door to door travel to Come, join the family of God! hospitals and related services in Enquiries 869 5452 Whitianga Lions Club Thames, Waikato, Auckland www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz and Tauranga. Christmas Raffle results To book phone 866 4993 or • Prize 1 Number 538 867 1333 or 021 0270 6897 WANTED • Prize 2 Number 953 Advertisement sponsored by the Mercury Bay Club • Prize 3 Number 305 LAND WANTED • Prize 4 Number 292 DOG GROOMING 6-20ha bare land wanted by retiring WHITIANGA ART, • Prize 5 Number 870 farmer not ready for a town life. • Prize 6 Number 336 Willing to lease while waiting for title. CRAFT & FARMERS • Prize 7 Number 493 Call Mark 027 324 7012 MARKET • Prize 8 Number 83 • Prize 9 Number 557 MOTOR VEHICLE Saturday, • Prize 10 Number 639 Hatchback, auto, around $3000. All prize winners have been notified. HEALTH AND NUTRITION Phone Wayne 027 646 2275. 19 December 2020 Soldiers Memorial Park, Our grateful thanks to prize sponsors - BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM • New World Whitianga WITH THE BEST NUTRITION Albert Street, • Unichem Stephensons Stay healthy. Pharmacy Phone 027 947 8311 or email Whitianga, • 100% Whitianga [email protected] 8:30am - 1:00pm. • ABS Limited • The Warehouse HOLISTIC HEALTH Unique locally created art, • Mercury Bay Consulting Ltd • Hammer Hardware YOUR CONSCIOUS HEART craft & local produce. • Charlies Workshop INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALER Phone Doreen • My Kitchen at the WORKSHOP FACILITATOR Mercury Bay Club SPIRITUAL MENTOR 866 5237 • Manisha Matthews - CLAIRVOYANT Organiser VERNA (027) 320 0079 or 021 061 6489 vernacarrspiritualhealing.com

Page 34 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Sport Results

MERCURY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB victory. It was fitting that the boys and girls, who are all Peter and Ian fought out the semi-final. It was a very Most Improved - Ian Baumgren, 8-Ball Club Champion - Seven-A-Side Summer Soccer Finals - off to university next year, were able to lift the trophy in close frame with Peter taking the win. The final was Forrest Littlejohn, 8-Ball Club Championship Runner-up Thursday, 10 December their final year. another close frame, but club championship runner-up, - Willie Jones, 8-Ball Most Improved - Dekota Jefferson. In the more social side of the competition, “The Informer A big thanks again to our supporters - The Informer, Ian, was too good for Peter and took home the meat pack. Thank you to the snooker and 8-ball organisers - Somewhat Important Plate” went right down to the wire. Thames-Coromandel District Council and Pub Charity - Peter Challis (runner-up) finished the day with three wins. Roger Smith, Jason Smith and Barry Roach. That Team and Kroos Control were very evenly matched and our volunteers and Committee members. We hope Those with two win were Ian Pudney, Barry Roach and PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB and played incredible football with lots of attacking you all had fun and we will see you next year. Paul Bean, who also had the highest break of 22. Eighteen-hole Stableford - Saturday, 12 December opportunities and excellent defence. They could not be MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB Snooker - Saturday, 12 December Results - 1 Grant Webster 41, 2 Kevin Milroy 40, 3 Neil separated at full time or after extra time. The outcome was Ladies Singles and Doubles Championships - Best of three frames. Eight players. Peter Shultz and Phil Vowles 38, 4 Equal Neil Robertson and Dave Corps 37. decided on penalties, with Kroos Control winning 3 - 2. Tuesday, 8 December Jones met in the third frame final with two straight wins An appropriate end to a great game of football. Women’s Singles Final - Lisl Wollheim-Jones def Zoe in the first two frames. Veteran Peter was still on good 4BBB - Grant Webster and Richard Agnew 49, Nearest In the more competitive side of the competition, Schofield 10 - 9. form, as he has been for the past few weeks, and took the Pin - Neil Vowles, Best Gross - Neil Vowles and Kevin “The Informer Kind of a Big Deal Cup” was contested Ladies Doubles Final - Toni Griffin and Zoe Schofield def the win and the meat pack. Those with two wins were Phil Milroy 80, Twos and Net Eagles - Richard Agnew. between Brazilliant FC and The Magnificent Seven. Locked Lisl Wollheim-Jones and Trish Graves 9 - 3. Jones (runner-up) and Forrest Littlejohn, who also shared THE DUNES MATARANGI GOLF CLUB at nil all after half time, the senior boys and girls from MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER AND 8-BALL the highest break of 20 with Peter Schultz. Eighteen-hole Stableford - Saturday, 12 December Brazilliant FC strung together some very good passing and Snooker - Wednesday, 9 December Snooker and 8-Ball Prize-giving - Results - 1 Tony De Coek 36, 2 Tracey Mulligan 35, finished with putting the ball in the back of the net with 10 Best of three frames. Twelve players. Ian Baumgren, Peter Saturday, 12 December 3 Dennis Ford 34. minutes to play. They managed to hold their composure Challis and Ian Pudney achieved two straight wins each Snooker Club Champion - Forrest Littlejohn, Snooker Twos - Mike Friis and Paul Shaw, Nearest the Pin #18 - and see out the remainder of the game to seal a 1 - 0 and progressed to the finals. Ian won the bye draw, and Club Championship Runner-up - Ian Baumgren, Snooker Peter Sharp.

Photo left - Brazziliant FC, winners of the Mercury Bay Football Club’s Seven-A-Side Summer Soccer competition. Back, from the left - JJ Twemlow, Woody Teacy, Jake Teacy, Shoshana Beck, Ren Tsumura, Floyd Ross and Corban Murray. Front, from the left - Kelly Evanson, Taiju Watanabe and Kazuki Kuriyama. Photo centre - the Mercury Bay Tennis Club ladies doubles championship finalists. From the left - Toni Griffin, Zoe Schofield, Lisl Wollheim-Jones and Trish Graves. Photo right - Forrest Littlejohn (right) and Ian Baumgren, the Mercury Bay Club snooker championship winner and runner-up for 2020.

Issue 928699 - 1527 DecemberJuly 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 35