Issuu

FATHER’S DAY BUFFET BREAKFAST

Sunday, 1 September

8am-12 noon

Bizarre? No,

it’s normal.

BY STAN STEWART

The sign said BIZARRE. The store was closed. It was Sunday afternoon in Coromandel. These three boys were fully engaged in their phones. They were together but each one was with his phone.

The word ‘Bizarre’ spoke to me at that point but yet it was really very ‘normal.’

We asked would they mind if we published a photo of them. Without hesitation they said, “Go ahead’. “Thank you, boys, – you are a sign of the times”.

A few days ago, we sat in a café on the Coromandel. Our meal took a little time coming, so it gave time for me to look around.

This is what I saw. Some had already been served and were tucking into their meals. We weren’t the only ones waiting for our order.

The cafe had 23 patrons. Ten were of European descent, two were Maori, eight were Asian, and two from Africa (I think). They were mostly young

adults with five of us being in the 50 plus bracket. The young people looked smart and engaged. Here’s the kicker. They were all scrolling or working with, or absorbed by, their phones. True! No one was talking. I imagined that they might have been involved with small talk, pitching for a date or something. No. Their personal phones were the only show in town. The café music played rhythmic South American music with a strong dance rhythm. I tapped my fingers along with the beat. But no one in the café was talking. All were phone absorbed.

Across from us was a dad with two daughters, about fourteen and eleven. The eleven-year-old wanted the dad’s attention. She leaned over and pushed his phone away. They exchanged a few words. The daughter obviously received the answer she was after. Without any sign of emotion, Dad and daughter returned to their phones.

I don’t know what it means or where it’s going, but this is the world we live in.

SOLAR FARM COMING TO WHITIANGA

Z’s leading utility-scale solar energy company, began generating electricity at its farm in Kaitāia in late November. It is the country’s largest solar installation to date and the first solar farm in NZ to bid into the electricity market.27 N Lodestone’s first five solar farms will generate enough energy to power 50,000 homes, or a city the size of Hamilton.

These five farms delivered by Lodestone Energy will make the largest solar project Aotearoa’s ever seen and will give Kiwis an alternative power option and play a key role in meeting our zero carbon goals.

The Whitianga solar farm is Lodestone’s fourth North Island project within its Phase 1 five-site plan. Construction will commence in Spring 2024 with plans to be generating by late 2025.

This site was chosen because of the high sunshine hours in the area, its proximity to local electricity demand, and a nearby distribution network connection. Previously a dairy farm, the low-lying land adjacent to the Whangamaroro River suffered from surface flooding and boggy conditions. Lodestone’s agrivoltaic solar design sets panels widely apart and two metres above the ground allowing machinery to operate and sheep to

graze comfortably around the panels. Lodestone’s project team and construction partners are currently working with local community stakeholders including the local iwi, Ngāti Hei ki Wharekaho.

Once operational, the Whitianga farm will have a capacity of 33 MWp and will be capable of powering the equivalent of 6,800+ homes a year. The solar farm will open 6 September, 2024.

Note: The Informer was unable to speak with Lodestone Power personally. This information is from their website and recent press releases.

Energy is urgent topic for new Zealand’s economy and wellbeing. Read Alastair Brickell’s article 20 August and Denis Tegg’s article in this issue page13.

The location of the solar farm near Whitianga.

ANNOUNCING CENTENNIAL MARLIN TOURNAMENT

In celebration of a century of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club is holding a very special tournament commencing 100 years to the day of the first marlin ever to be weighed by the club, recorded on 26 February, 1925, landed by angler Mr. E.E. (Chad) Chadban (pictured).

This is going to be an event to remember with the MBGFC commissioning a ‘Centennial Trophy’ to remain in the clubrooms forever, honouring the boats that enter and the winning team(s) of the momentous competition.

Entries for this once-in-alifetime tournament will be open soon! Make sure you are part of history.... this is one you won’t want to miss! Centennial Fishing Tournament – 26 February to 1 March, 2025.

end of the month but it will be right on the horizon for the next few weeks. Saturn remains high in the late evening sky and is about the same brightness as Mars and Mercury but slightly yellowish. There will be lots of International Space Station (ISS) and Chinese Tiangong passes to enjoy this week but, as usual, timings may change, especially towards the end of the month, if they have to be moved to avoid space junk. Always best to check the website heavens-above.com for updated timings Tuesday, August 27 – The Moon, bright Jupiter and faint Mars form a wide triangle at dawn. Wednesday, August 28 – The Moon, Mars and Jupiter now form a nice tight equilateral triangle at dawn and from 6:28pm we have a short and low ISS pass in the SW followed by Tiangong at 6:42 starting beside Venus and moving through the Southern Cross. Thursday, August 29 – The Moon now sits below Mars with bright Jupiter higher up at dawn and there will be a short ISS pass from 7:16pm in the SW. Friday, August 30 – There will be a long but low ISS pass in the south from 6:28pm. Saturday, August 31 – There is a long bright ISS pass from 7:16pm tonight in the SW passing through the Southern Cross. Sunday, September 1 – We have a long bright ISS pass in the SW from 7:28pm. Monday, September 2 – Another long bright ISS pass tonight from 7:15pm in the SW moving above Venus. Tuesday, September 3 –There will be a long bright ISS pass from 6:26pm in the SW moving beside Scorpio’s head.

More needed in branding exercise Part 2

BY PAULINE STEWART

The findings reported by Suzanne Hansen on behalf of the Mercury Bay Business Association in last week’s issue of The Informer (Page three) were well presented and voted on (by ticking a preferred box) at the MBBA AGM.

There were four lead suggestions all very similar. Any content shared and published in The Informer in previous issues from readers and ratepayers did not seem to be included anywhere. I refer to the three themes of ‘thermal’, ‘ocean’ and ‘village’ and what they represent.

There is a more difficult challenge in promoting Mercury Bay while including all the general aspects of the different locations. Perhaps the obligation in terms of being the Mercury Bay Association and not Whitianga Business Association as Suzanne indicated, has prevented focussing on specific features.

Somehow this worthy endeavour has clouded the specific benefits that Whitianga offers and what other places offer as well. There is nothing that speaks of all year-round attractions.

The ‘Coastal Playground’ theme describes very well the whole of the Coromandel Peninsula Coastline, missing the mark to highlight

Whitianga or even Mercury Bay. The words “Coastal Playground” seem more suitable as the overall branding of the Peninsula to be unpacked further by each town ad locality.

We have a fledgling Mercury Bay airline that we cannot afford to lose. We have business association members and non-members whose businesses are struggling through the winter months amidst rising costs.

AN IMPORTANT PATA REPORT:

We have the befit of using the findings from a PATA report (Pacific Asia Travel Association) which was done some years ago at a cost of $98,000 paid for by TCDC (ratepayers).

PATA’s brief was - ‘Would the Coromandel Peninsula ever grow to a point where it would attain international destination status?

The PATA analysis was that the way forward must include and highlight an all-year round attraction that was quite unique; for example, a ski field with off-season recognised forest walks (Like Abel Tasman), or a geothermal resort town. The informer wrote about this 16 June, 2024. How does this MBBA strategy help our winter visitor traffic?

How will it help our airline? How does it even acknowledge such a

• Cottage pie with pea & potato mash.

• Creamy chicken, leek, corn with kumara mash.

• Beef lasagna & cheesy veges

• Roast pork, roast potato, veges & gravy.

Blink and you’ll miss this very old, overgrown, outdated sign welcoming you to Whitianga.

significant report which relates so closely to Whitianga?

Of the four branding slogans proposed by MBBA, not one meets the criteria set out in the PATA report.

The Bay has two geothermal resorts, one natural - Hot Water Beach and one created from a geothermal spring researched and drilled some years ago to become The Lost Spring. We also have one thermal resort in the pool system at Top Ten Holiday Park at Hot Water Beach – award winning and very popular.

Just last week, I went to the counter of The Lost Spring (geothermal) and asked them how business had been on the weekend. The response was 496 couples which does not include other traffic for meals and drinks. How

many restaurants and bars and cafes did these people also patronise? Did they visit the shops? Where did they stay? There is opportunity here for the town (and the Bay) to capitalise on what is to be gained from ‘thermal’ doing well. I asked about this most recent weekend and the response was, “It has been very quiet.”

We live by the ocean and people fish all year round. We have one of the largest fishing clubs in the country. We have the biggest dive school in the country. We have a number of ocean-going charters to take people to The Cathedral Cove and associated sites. The Long-term Plan includes developing the wharf to expand our ocean participation facility.

The ‘coastal playground’ does

not do justice to these particular offerings. The strategy needs to include a strong invitation regarding the cooler and winter months. We have had too many quiet weekends and that does not need to be so. We need to tell a different story together on all our social media. If I was selling clothing I would like to say somewhere on my social media ‘Come and enjoy the all-year- round thermal ocean village.”

Whitianga is the central town of Mercury Bay and that needs to be front and centre, not a byline. There is a similarity to Queenstown, the central town of The Southern Lakes District. Queenstown is the name promoted everywhere, not The Southern Lakes District. People discover a fount of good things and enjoy them once they get to Queenstown. Whitianga is a great town on the Bay and it will lead people to discover Mercury Bay. I am trusting there will be a rethink of these vital issues by the people who are doing the work on behalf of the town and the Bay. Suzanne Hansen and the Mercury Bay Business Association want to boost everyone’s business to better serve the economic future and the sense of wellbeing of the retailers, businesses, residents, the visitors and home-buyers to Mercury Bay on an all-year-round basis.

CHARLIES WORKSHOP WORKSHOP

Charlie’s Workshop is taking a very well earned break. We will be closed from Wednesday 16th August and will reopen on Monday 21st October 2024.

Thank you to all of my customers for your support and business.

5 Monk Street, Whitianga 07 866 2218

OCEANS FESTIVAL

Are you coming? Have you bought your tickets?

A joyful, diverse festival, showcasing the best of the coastal region awaits you. Oceans Festival goers will sample the finest local wines, delectable treats from food stalls - Indian, Uruguayan, Kiwi, Hungarian and Aussie, amazing seafood and every kind of meat eater and vegan menus while they move to the beat of The Jordan Luck Band (pictured), as well our local artists.

Thousands are already coming, underlining the event’s significance, drawing people from all over the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Auckland.

Saturday, 14 September, Oceans Festival on Whitianga’s Esplanade from 10.00am. Tickets from: www.oceansfestival.co.nz 021 632 721 info@oceansfestival.co.nz

A successful Surf n’ Turf Tournament for The Mercury Bay Bowling Club

BY DOROTHY PREECE

ercury Bay Bowling Club

Mhosted its annual Surf n’ Turf Bowling Tournament over the weekend. It is the biggest annual fundraiser for the club and it’s been going for more than 40 years. For more than 30 of those years the major sponsors have been OPC and Moana Fisheries, who gifted the impressive Moana Trophy. Some years ago, due to the scarcity of seafood the name was changed from Seafood Tournament to Surf n’ Turf.

In all, 128 competitors, representing 32 clubs from all around New Zealand went head to head in teams of four on the greens. The drizzly 8:30 start on Saturday did nothing to deter their enthusiasm, sustained by a conveyor belt of hot food from the club’s kitchens.

Being a winter tournament,

the Surf n’ Turf is played only on the Astro-turf green, so the teams play in relays. When one group is on the green, the others enjoy morning tea or lunch in the club rooms.

The competition continued in fine weather on Sunday, when Franklin Junction Bowling Club came out as the overall champions, winning 16 ends and leading by 13 points. It was a well-deserved win. Frankton Junction have been stalwart supporters of the Mercury Bay tournament for many years, but this was their first-ever win. The runners-up were Thames Coast Bowling Club.

Papanui (Christchurch) Bowling Club also got lucky, though not at bowls. While staying in Whitianga they won the raffles at Mercury Bay Club and at Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, from which they donated three pork roasts to the Bowling Club.

Sunday was sunny and enjoyed by all the bowlers; Steve Williams, President (2nd from right) has presented the Moana trophy to the Frankton Junction winning team from Hamilton. Saturday was wet but bowling went on under umbrellas; The Christchurch boys didn’t win the tournament but they won the rafﬂes at the Mercury Bay Club and at Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.

TEQUILA TEQUILATasting

MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

6.30PM

Tequila Tasting and Dinner Evening

Includes 5 Tequila Tastings, Mexican Platters, 5 choices of Set Menu Main Meal and 2 Choices of Dessert.

Tickets

only

$70 – limited numbers

Tickets available from the bar or phone us with credit card details.

Please choose meals prior to buying tickets.

Event available to persons 18 years or older.

Doing the basics is ﬁrst priority

An excerpt from the Prime Minister’s speech at the recent Local Government NZ Conference which was held in Wellington last week.

“If you’re a ratepayer, you probably want your council focused on doing the basics brilliantly – fixing the pipes, filling in potholes and maintaining local assets quickly, carefully and cost effectively.

But nothing in life is free – you expect your rates to pay for that stuff. What you don’t expect to pay for is the laundry-list of distractions and experiments that are plaguing council balance sheets across the country.

That’s why I announced four new measures at today’s Local Government New Zealand conference to get councils back to basics.

HERE’S WHAT WE’LL DO:

1. Make changes to the Local Government Act to restore councils’ focus on local services and infrastructure

2. Investigate performance benchmarks for local councils so ratepayers know exactly what they’re getting for their rates

3. Investigate options to limit councils from spending ratepayers’ money on pet projects and nice-to-haves

4. Review the transparency and accountability rules that apply to councils to ensure democratic decision-making for ratepayers.

In central government, we’re getting on with the job. We’re stopping wasteful spending, shifting money from the back office to the frontline, setting clear delivery targets and expectations, prioritising what to do and what not to do, and letting Kiwis

keep more of what they earn.

My parting message for councils today was that it’s time for them to do the same.

Go line by line, stop the wasteful spending, remove the bureaucracy, focus on better customer service, and end the projects that aren’t delivering value for money.

Chris Luxon PM

Editor’s Note: It was reported that groans were heard from the floor even while the Prime Minister was talking.

Despite the groans, it seems like the only funding for infrastructure must come from the ratepayers pocket. So for our Thames Coromandel District Council, it will be spending on the core essentials – roads, lighting, footpaths, and water – drinking, waste, and storm.

Where does a colour, glossy Council magazine that is not even a line item in the communications budget of the current LongTerm Plan, fit into this?

Hours Thursday 4pm to 6pm Friday 5pm to 7:30pm

Fiscal Challenges for the Mayor –and most people really

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

The Mayor looked disdainfully at the screwed up paper on his desk in front of him. His assistant’s summary of the Prime Minister’s speech at the Local Government Conference did not please him (see page16), summarising as it did all of the good works he felt he had done, but calling them faults. “Bald headed bastard” the Mayor thought. “Who does he think he is?”

Gathering himself, the Mayor looked around the room at his inner circle, gathered here behind drawn curtains to help him work out his response. He thought of them as his team, a group that could meet confidentially for workshop sessions that might upset the public if they were also involved. No point in wasting rate payer funds on large meetings he thought as he signalled the staff to start serving the luncheon hors d’oeuvres.

The group looked at the Mayor expectantly and finally he spoke. “It appears we have to be fiscally responsible, to not waste money,

to deliver essential services efficiently and not get way laid by silly personal projects (faves), else we get no Government support, or worse,” he announced.

The group looked stunned and immediately reacted; “They can’t be serious”, “No Council does that”, “What is the point of being here” and other such mutterings could be heard.

The Mayor stood and went to a window. Pulling back a curtain so he could look at the back yard of the industrial section next door. He smiled, thinking of the nice ocean view he was to get in the new Council Building that was proposed. Surely they don’t expect us to stop that he thought but kept this thought to himself. “Ideas people, I need ideas to show them we are compliant, willing and deserving of more central government money.”

The scuffling of feet was quite audible and finally a hand shot up. “What about the sea wall to protect Thames? Surely, the mud bank isn’t expected to rise that much”. The Mayor pursed his lips; that would be a $78 million sav-

ing, quite significant. “A possibility,” he responded. “However, that will get us into trouble with the Greens. But then again they are not a practical bunch.” Looking at his assistant, he asked them/ they to prepare a list of parties they could credibly blame if this project was to be cancelled. “Good start people, but we need more” he requested.

“How about cancelling the summer magazine we are doing at rate payers expense purely to compete with the local commercially produced magazine?. It seems to be costly and pointless”. The Mayor frowned. He didn’t want to state that he was annoyed that the commercial magazine had come under scrutiny. He merely pointed to his assistant and asked them/they to put it on the list.

“We are moving people, but more. We need more ideas”. Another hand shot up and, once he had received the nod from the mayor, the hand’s owner stood and suggested “We should accept that offer of free rocks to fill in the Shark Bite on Buffalo Beach. Will save us heaps and gets the

This is a satirical piece and must be read in that vain.

job done right away”. Fiscally and practically a good idea but still left a problem with the Waikato Regional Council who would still want a resource consent. The hand’s owner added, “We should write to WRC saying we could no longer entertain their demands for consents over coastlines they knew nothing about due to our fiscal prudence.” The Mayor nodded vigorously, “This was good stuff” he thought.

The lass in the front row coughed politely and upon receiving a smile from the Mayor outlined her thought.

“We could cancel that $12 million project to move the boat launching ramps at Whitianga 100 yards closer to the Pub” she stated. A murmur broke out and someone announced that this was a safety issue. The lass carried on, “We could build a walkway about 6 metres up and connect it to the palm trees; have stairs at each end; lift the pedestrians safely over the height of the cars.” Everybody started looking around. Nobody had thought of this before.

Ideas were now coming thick and fast. Seems there has been quite a list of council decisions that offered scope for savings. “What about the swimming pool we built over a midden? Instead of destroying and rebuilding, why not just give it to Maori? Could be an earner for them and will save heaps.” Another idea came out from the back “The extra seats needed for Maori wards, that can wait and will save money, could cover a small increase in consultant’s fees.” Finally, a louder voice said “Why not lower our staff head count by getting rid of the unnecessary positions and dead wood?”

There was a stunned silence and the Mayor said quietly, “I would like you to make your suggestions serious and practical please”.

Editor’s note: Utopia - An interesting video series that helps Australians laugh at themselves called Utopia is worth watching. It has run for five seasons and is very popular. Utopia can be found on You tube and Netflix.

NZ Post service in Coromandel Town on the move

BY MICHELLE DELLABARCA

Big changes are afoot in Coromandel Town.

The NZ Post kiosk currently situated inside the 4 Square is moving up the road on the 31 August, and will be located in James and Turner Hardware, at 131 Kapanga Rd, from Wednesday, 4 September. The Post Offices Boxes are also relocating there.

I asked Chris Beard, the manager of Coromandel 4 Square why this is happening.

He explained that the Coromandel store is undergoing a big refurbishment as part of the 4 Square group 100-year anniversary. He is excited about the changes and the improvements this will bring to their loyal customers. Part of the design process was to maximise use of space within the shop.

As locals will be well aware that space is at a premium in the busy summer period, with NZ Post customers vying with shoppers and trolleys, leading to blocked aisles in the 4 Square, and it was suggested that the Post Shop should be moved. Chris said he was happy for these changes to be made with two non-ne-

and Liz

their

gotiable conditions – that there would still be an easily accessible NZ Post Shop in Coromandel town, and that the current staff could continue to be employed.

Enter Jenny Ashby from James and Turner Hardware. She has offered NZ Post space within her hardware shop, about 100 metres up the road from its current position.

The PO Boxes are to move to the courtyard beside James and Turner as well.

NZ post services will be performed by a newly trained staff member, and the much appreciated

their

and familiar staff, Liz and Sarah will continue to work in the checkout team at the 4 Square.

Chris says that the public can expect to see some of the physical changes happening in the next few weeks and hopes the whole renovation project to be completed by Friday, 1 November.

Most of the renovation work will be done at night, so there should be minimal disturbance to shoppers.

They will be bringing the latest ideas and trends to town and there will be some positive surprises in store for their customers.

Cyclone damaged Colville Road progressing well

Colville Road is steadily returning to full service, helping to reconnect our northern communities.

This week, Our Council reopened another cyclone-damaged site to two lanes, 7.8km from the start of Colville Road, making travel smoother for residents. With four more sites in progress or set to begin soon, we’re keeping up a steady pace, averaging one site completed every three weeks.

and other roads in the district, but we’re committed to restoring these vital connections. We appreciate your patience as we continue this important work.

There’s still about a year’s work left on this

From TCDC newsletter 16 August, 2024

Sarah

have

last day in

NZ Post Customer Service role this coming Friday, but you will still ﬁnd them at Coromandel 4 Square.

Whitianga - the Antarctic connection

BY DOROTHY PREECE

Myrna Gary has come from Phoenix, Arizona to look after her friend’s dog, Zac. She first met her Kiwi friend Bobby Preston when they both worked for the World Bank in Washington D.C.

The friends have kept in touch and as Myrna is an inveterate traveller, she accepted Bobby’s invitation to come and look after Zac while Bobby is away.

It is not Myrna’s first trip to New Zealand; she has visited Christchurch many times on her way to the U.S. Base at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica, just 1.5 miles from the Kiwis at Scott Base.

“My dad’s worked for the U.S. State Department and we trav-

elled the world,” Myrna says. “I went to schools in Morocco, Libya and Munich. My mom’s family was from Finland, so I guess I have cold climates, and travelling in my blood.” From university, Myrna went to Chile as a Peace Corps volunteer before working 25 years in Human Resources with the World Bank.

At age 61 Myrna applied to go to McMurdo Station with the U.S.

ANTARCTIC PROGRAM

“I love penguins. I wanted to see the Adeles and Emperor penguins in the Antarctic, so I applied and got accepted.”

Along with scientists, tradespeople and staff from all over the world, Myrna arrived in Christchurch, put on all the regulation

protective gear and boarded the huge C-17 cargo plane to Antarctica. “That first season, August 2001 I got to be a dishwasher on

the base. It’s a horrible job, working ten-hour shifts, six days a week. Nobody does dishwashing twice! The next season I was a bus driver, moving people around. But in those first two seasons, I never saw a penguin. So, I had to go back.”

The next two seasons saw Myrna as airport manager on the ground at McMurdo Station, checking people onto the 800-mile flights to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station located at the geographic South Pole. She saw penguins too, but still she went back.

Myrna’s next role was as McMurdo’s administrative support person for the National Science Foundation, the body that has overall responsibility for the

U.S. Antarctic Program. “There are 38 countries represented on the ice, and it is a collaborative agreement.” Myrna looked after visiting dignitaries, arranging functions, tours and events. “I met Sir Edmund Hillary twice, and I met Lianne Dalziel when she was Mayor of Christchurch.”

Myrna has made 12 visits to McMurdo Station. Her last trip was in 2018, at age 78. From temperatures over 38 degrees Celsius in Phoenix, to a wind-chill factor of -32 Celsius at the Pole, it’s not everyone’s idea of a holiday, but Myrna has made many Kiwi friends on the ice. “New Zealanders are outstanding people, and Christchurch is a pretty special commute to and from work,” Myrna says.

A good time ‘Through Time’ at MBAS Quiz

BY KATHY MOY-LOW

We have only 10 tables left to sell and at $30 a ticket, people get a lot of value at the same time knowing they are helping to raise funds for our school. Check out the poster.

Our MC and quizmaster will be Fabian Roberts of CFM.

Our quiz this year is based on general subjects but there will be a specialised round based on our “Through Time” theme.

We have had a great response from our local community for sponsorship.

Ball & Co are one of our major sponsors this year and Rob and Ange Ball will be our auctioneers. Some of the main items up for auction include return flights for two to Auckland from Barrier

Air, JBL Clip4 Bluetooth Portable Speakers and 520BT Wireless headphones from 100% Whitianga. Our live auction will also include smaller items.

Lance and Renata of Liquor Land are generously sponsoring our drinks and supplying prizes for our winning team and best dressed table.

There will also be some Silent Auction items to bid on at the quiz, as well as spot prizes and

lots of fun interspersed between quiz rounds. Our full list of sponsors will be published in quiz week. We are always looking for more sponsorship and donations.

This year our whanau have donated lots of grocery items which we will raffle in quiz week and draw at the quiz. We are grateful to PlaceMakers who have donated a wheelbarrow for our groceries! It looks like there

will be three draws, as items are still coming in!

Last year we raised $7,000 and this year we are aiming for $10,000. This will go a long way to purchasing replacement shade sail cloths for the junior school and outside seating for the middle and senior areas.

IT WILL BE A GREAT NIGHT

Get your ticket or book a table of eight.

Myrna Gary and Zac.

“YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS?”

Questioningelectedcouncillors’(mis)understandingofgenuineconsultation,dueprocessanddemocracy

BY FLEMMING RASMUSSEN

In life and the law, seeing a debate in a broader context can help avoid misunderstandings, unproductive arguments, and speaking past each other.

AN UNSETTLING PATTERN

If being “tone deaf”, as evidenced by its deliberate June 2024 decision not to adopt the Chief Ombudsman’s recommendation to abandon closed-to-the-public workshops, was not enough, our Councillors are at it again, this time seriously contemplating contravening the intent of the newly introduced Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024 (the Act).

It is a rare day that I am genuinely surprised by something. Our Councillors contemplating not following the (intent of the) law genuinely surprises me. I am disappointed and concerned.

GENUINE CONSULTATION, DUE PROCESS AND DEMOCRACY

This article’s title paraphrases John McEnroe’s 22 June 1981 Wimbledon on-court meltdown, during which he argued against a line call (his ball was called out – this was the days before VAR).

‘You cannot be serious”, is an appropriate analogy to our Councillors’ present contemplations.

Thursday, the week before last, 15 August 2024, I submitted at TCDC’s hearing and consideration of their final proposal on adjusting ward boundaries and establishing a general Māori Ward (per our Councillors’ 31 October 2023 remit and subsequent decisions).

The review was civil and orderly. All but five (5) submitters had indicated they wished to present. Add to that one late, shrewd submission by my learned friend Cr Gotlieb, in a private capacity (more about that later if legal standing is required if/when TCDC are heading to the High Court or faces a Judicial Review), and the mighty eighty (80), yes, eighty, written submissions received – claiming that total to be representative of our electorate’s +33,600 registered voters requires more than a straight poker face!

NOTHING COMPARES TO A BINDING POLL

Whether or not we have one or more Māori Wards is a structurally important decision. Genuine, transparent consultation underpinned by a rigorous process is non-negotiable when considering proposed structural changes to democracy and representation.

Without it, any outcome or decision will always be difficult to justify (when scrutinised). Whereas, when followed and adhered to, the decision, whilst potentially unpopular amongst some, the integrity of the decision itself becomes beyond approach.

Respectfully, our Councillors, in their rushed eagerness to “Approve Option 2 – To establish one or more Māori wards for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections” and subsequent supporting decisions, have failed to adhere to a genuine, transparent consultation process.

For any such decision to be truly legitimate, our Council must seek the electorate’s opinion through a binding 2025 poll on establishing one or more Māori Wards for the 2028 triennial (local) general elections.

THE ACT

Without reverting to too much legalese, TCDC as a “Group 2 local

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authority” (per s 10(2) of the Act) must by no later than next week, 6 September 2024, resolve to either (a) affirm or (b) rescind its resolution to establish one or more Māori wards for the 2025 triennial general election (per s 29(1) of the Act).

IF TCDC decides to affirm its decision to establish one or more Māori wards, TCDC must conduct a binding 2025 poll about whether from the 2028 triennial general election to have one or more Māori wards (per s 39 of the Act). Realistically, this poll would likely coincide with our October 2025 local government election.

A (POTENTIAL) PERVERSE OUTCOME

Essentially, this could lead to a perverse situation whereby our Councillors have decided to have a general Māori ward for the 2025 local government election, a Councillor being elected for that Māori ward at that 2025 local government election, whilst the electorate simultaneously decides it does not want to have a general Māori ward for the 2028 local government election and beyond. That would leave a newly 2025 elected general Māori ward councillor with the unenviable mandate of being a one-term Councillor without a mandate by the people but a mandate by

Whitianga, 155 Kupe Drive

• Stunning 2021 cleverly designed 4 bedrm, 2 bthrm, 2 lounge, dbl internal access garage, family home.

FOR SALE $1,250,000 VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L29266453

8 (out of 10) Councillors who unilaterally decided to establish a general Māori Ward – without asking the electorate! Such an outcome should concern us all.

DECISION TIME

Quoting Cicero: “The welfare of the people is the ultimate law.” The primary duty of (local) government is to serve and protect its citizens through a commitment to justice and the well-being of our society.

To our Councillors: Please do not rush this. Let us get it right. It is too important to get wrong. Please reconsider your position and let us, the electorate, decide in a binding poll. This is the best way to ensure the integrity of the process and the decision itself. Let common sense prevail, please. It will all be decided next week at TCDC’s upcoming Council meeting on Tuesday, 3 September. 2024. Our opinion matters. Contact your local Councillors and let them know what you think.

What do you think?

Flemming Rasmussen is a local independent lawyer.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE), a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, philosopher, and writer whose influence has profoundly shaped Western thought, particularly in advocacy, law, and democratic ideals.

Whitianga, 259 Kupe Drive

• Near new executive home with boat ramp access & canal views across the road.

harcourts.co.nz/ L27573990 Jo Wardle-Heath 027 470 7883

Kirstin Brown 027 301 1775, Dayle Candy 027 433 6862

Tairua, 8 Laycock Road

• Sunny, private and dressed to impress!

• Manicured gardens, private entertaining and plenty of storage.

• Caravan, spa pool and shipping container included!

• Sunny open plan kitchen/dining/family area with superb indoor/outdoor living. Separate butler’s pantry, great storage, bathroom heated ﬂoors, ducted heat pump. FOR SALE $875,000

FOR SALE $785,000 VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27137119

Adam Fuller 022 018 0856

• 3 bdrm, 2 bthrm, oﬀice/studio, 2 living areas & dbl garage.

• Plenty of room to park the boat & campervan. FOR SALE By negotiation

harcourts.co.nz/L29436768

Noelene Bellingham 027 280 8477

• Centrally located bach.

• Private front courtyard great for entertaining.

• Layout designed for a no stress holiday, 2 bthrms strategically placed within each of the 2 utility spaces with the cozy living area in the middle.

FOR SALE By negotiation VIEW harcourts.co.nz/L27279887

Philippa Evans 021 266 9295

Tairua,

Tairua, 28 Kauri Place

Whitianga Classic Car Club Car Rally –some twists, turns and disagreements

BY MICHELLE FARMER

On a stunning blue-sky Sunday, 11 August, the Whitianga Classic Car Club held a Fun Car Rally around Whitianga.

My weather app said it was only 16 degrees, but in the sun, and out of the wind it certainly felt a lot warmer.

It is interesting how a car rally can bring the competitiveness out in people.

A car rally has, by definition, tricks, twists and turns in it. Expect the unexpected!

Our rally director, Jack Coldicutt, who has attended many rallies, said this was an easy one, but it sure confounded and challenged some teams.

There were lots of ‘discussions’ between co-pilots and drivers, mainly with the driver overruling their navigator with detrimental results on the final score card: Who went wrong? Who would

not follow the navigators instructions? Who chose to follow the car in front at their peril? Who can’t read the price of diesel correctly? And who can’t count Norfolk Pines? I think we all learned a lot about ourselves, our abilities to read instructions and the need to let go of our preconceived assumptions.

RURAL LIFE COUNTS

All came in, in the end, with much discussion continuing over lunch at the ‘secret destination’Stoked Restaurant and Bar: It all made a lot more sense when Jack explained the calculated traps.

The event was all very professionally run with fancy signs along the way as markers and clues and a very special pur-

pose-built trophy for the winners.

Some teams read the ‘Overriding Rules’ once part way through; and consequently, were a little behind the eight ball to begin with.

Some teams got lost along the way; the logical and pragmatic ones retracing their steps to the last marker and then systemati-

cally re-reading the instructions and proceeding differently.

And the winners were - Pam and John Tindill with 60 positive points and a mileage count very close to the calculated one. It was fab weather for it, with lots of fun had by all as well as two perfect ginger cafe dogs relaxed under the table during lunch.

Stuck with a mouse trap, poison and stupidity

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

How many times have people been told that if you keep doing what you have been doing, you will only get what you have already got?

Issue 1118 of The Informer, 13 August yet again, carries another large, this time a whisker off half a page, notice of intention to saturate a large portion of the Coromandel Peninsula with the favourite killing method, 1080 poison air-dropped, whether you or me like it or not. The Department of Conservation are authorised by, of all people the Environment Protection Agency, who have issued delegated authorisation to DOC to issue further to EcoFX, whoever

EcFX might be, and they in turn need permission from the Ministry of Health to actually apply the poison. The advertisement goes on to say, “this is the only viable method to control predators in this area, due to the vast and rugged terrain.”

This appears to read, that this is the solution for now and evermore. Has DOC ever considered asking New Zealanders for a better way of controlling the vermin? If all people thought in the manner DOC does, travellers would still be boarding sailing ships to go to Europe, but thankfully there were intelligent people who thought of a better way and we now go in 24 hours instead of 24 weeks. Also printed in the issue of ‘The Informer’ is the observation

by John Veysey of the silence of the Moreporks. This is not at all surprising as different poisons have different effects on vermin. From personal observation, some vermin lose body heat and crawl out into sunlight to try and

MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

Robert

Physiotherapists

keep warm, but the poison does not matter, if say mice or rats succumb in the open, then their carcase will be ripe pickings for the owls. Indeed, this secondary slaughter is the only way to kill weasels, ferrets and stoats. Only Governments could devise such a confusing system.

The Environment Protection Agency was originally set up to assist ‘projects of importance’ to have an easier ride through the RMA consent process. That has now been speeded up again by their ‘fast track legislation’. ‘Murphy’ of Murphy’s Law got it absolutely correct when he said ‘where two or more people are involved, no one will be responsible’. So rest assured no one will be responsible for any mishaps from

the 1080 drop. Claims are made that the 1080 has no lasting effect and is bio-degradable. However, a sport paper a year back claimed that ‘Kauri Dieback’ was occurring in the area where 1080 had been spread. The author claimed that the decomposing pellets in the leaf litter of the forest floor was in direct contact with the tree root zone. There is no doubt whatever about the by-kill taking place as a result of the poisoning across the entire Waikato Region as many creatures have simply disappeared since the advent of all of this poisoning. The weeds were the target in the drains, creeks, lake shores, parks and reserves but the waterfowl and water dwellers have paid a heavy price.

Winners Pam and John Tindill with the trophy; one of the teams trying to work out where they went wrong?; ﬁnal destination was at Stoked Restaurant and Bar, The Esplanade, Whitianga.

Renewables Win: e coal crusade is stuck in the past

A response to Alastair Brickell’s ‘Energy in New Zealand is broken’ in The Coromandel Informer 20 August

BY DENIS TEGG

Alastair Brickell’s piece advocating for increased gas and coal electricity generation in New Zealand reflects a misguided and outdated perspective on energy policy. Alastair seems to have dropped his old denial of climate change and has moved to a new form of denial that attempts to discredit renewable energy solutions like wind and solar power.

This new denial promoted by the fossil fuel industry is a fool’s errand for one simple and compelling reason. Solar energy ($US36-46/MWh) is one-third the cost of coal power generation. ($US70-100 MWh) Source: Lazard Investment Bank. Solar and wind are so cheap that the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, California and Texas have all had negative prices recently. This is why 94.1% of all new U.S. power plants (62.8 GW) in 2024 are expected to be Wind/ Water/Solar (including storage), and coal generation has declined by 25% since 2014.

Brickell overlooks how the decades of hikes in electricity

prices are due to political moves privatising power companies in the 1980s. These companies now prioritise profit over supply. Secondly, the companies have delayed commissioning their ample, already consented renewable energy projects to maximise profits during peak demand periods.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)’s July 2024 report ‘Electricity Demand and Generation Scenarios’ eviscerates Brickell’s claims about expanding gas and coal generation in New Zealand. It concludes that wind and solar energy are the cheapest and the most efficient and reliable options for meeting the country’s growing electricity demands.

According to the MBIE report, the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources in New Zealand is set to increase dramatically, reaching between 96.2% and 98.3% by 2050. This shift will be driven by the continued growth in wind and solar power and grid-scale batteries, plus the implementation of innovative solutions like time-of-use pricing, which encourages con-

Tuesday and Wednesday Whitianga Town Hall 6:00 – 7:30 pm Instructor: Tony 0273335146

sumers to shift some of their energy usage to off-peak times. EV batteries will soon be able to feed power into the grid to ease peak demand.

Brickell’s argument for fossil fuels as a transitional resource (peakers) to meet peak demand is outdated. The MBIE report emphasises the sufficiency of alternative solutions like green peakers (biomass, biogas, or hydrogen peakers) and gridscale batteries to manage peak demand. These technologies enable renewable energy storage and reduce the need for additional fossil fuels, ultimately lowering costs for consumers.

Decarbonising our energy will reduce total energy consumption due to the higher efficiency of renewable electricity compared to petrol and diesel, thus offering

both environmental and financial benefits and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Brickell’s calls for increased fossil fuels are unnecessary and counterproductive. The claim that New Zealand’s energy security depends on fossil fuels is a fear-mongering tactic promoted by big oil. The MBIE report from a conservative Ministry shows that New Zealand can achieve energy security through renewables alone and could do even better with more ambitious policies.

One such policy is the expansion of rooftop solar across New Zealand. Encouraging the widespread adoption of solar panels on homes and businesses would significantly increase the country’s electricity supply while driving down costs. Rooftop solar, especially when paired with home batteries and electric vehicles, offers substantial economic benefits to households and the national grid alike.

Despite the myths perpetuated by some, New Zealand’s solar potential is considerable. Areas like Thames Coromandel, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and even Invercargill receive

more sunlight than many parts of the UK, Germany, and even northern Spain, where solar energy is already thriving.

Solar farms can increase biodiversity, contrary to common belief. They often have more species of plants, insects, and birds than traditional farm fields and sheep can graze beneath them.

Transpower’s analysis confirms that the national grid can handle a substantial increase in solar generation.

The shift from fossil fuels to renewables is irreversible. The Electricity Authority’s 2023 study ‘Ensuring an Orderly Thermal Transition,’ predicts a significant decline in gas-powered generation from 14% to 1.4% by 2032. Coal production is in steep decline. This transition would accelerate even further if not for the resistance from Coalition political parties that cling to outdated fossil fuel policies. Despite these detractors, renewable energy is winning. The economic and environmental benefits are too great to ignore. New Zealand will continue to lead the way in building a sustainable, cheaper renewable energy future.

Authorised by Scott Simpson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Double use of land – sheep graze under the solar panels.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BROKEN ENERGY EXPLAINED

Mr Farrell (The Informer 20 August) has, unfortunately, totally misunderstood both my letter and NASA’s reports. Both are affirming that, although human carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions drastically reduced during the Covid-!9 pandemic, atmospheric CO2 continued increasing exactly as before thus proving that closing down the world’s industry is futile. Also, as natural CO2 makes up 96% of atmospheric CO2, and human only 4%, commonsense tells us that it wouldn’t make much difference anyway.

Mr Farrell queries my sources which are NASA’s JPL Report, dated 9 November 2021, ”Emission Reductions from Pandemic........” , which clearly states that, “The most surprising result is that while CO2 emissions fell by 5.4 % the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere continued to grow at about the same rate as in preceding years”. Also the UN’s ‘World Economic Situation ....144 “ dated 1 December 2020 “ CO2 emissions reduced but the impact on atmospheric CO2 is minimal.” These reports are all the more convincing because both NASA and the UN are at the forefront of climate alarmism but even they, unlike the media and politicians, admit the obvious.

The high price of petrol and electricity in NZ is a direct result of politicians’ misguided beliefs that human CO2 emissions greatly affect climate leading to the catastrophic results that are depressingly explained in Mr Brickell’s excellent analysis ( Informer 20 August ).

The ‘climate emergency ‘ has been described as the greatest scientific fraud ever perpetrated on humankind a thought well worth pondering when we next fork out to fill up

Gerry Sanders, Whitianga ENERGY – TIME TO CATCH UP

I note interest in the debacle over power supply and pricing. NZ used to be a highly innovative country with some very clever people. Perhaps it is time to throw away predudice and look to tidal flows and the sea as a free perpetual source of energy. Why build massive Wind and Energy farms when we are surrounded by this resource.

John Reece, Manurewa WHITIANGA OR MERCURY BAY?

I note from articles in last week’s Informer that the Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA) has decided that they want the new unique branding for us to be ‘Mercury Bay – NZ’s Coastal Capital’. Branding is a bit difficult for our area as we don’t seem to really know what to call ourselves… are we Whitianga or Mercury Bay?

We have the Mercury Bay Busi-

ness Association but a Whitianga Oceans Festival’, probably our most famous regular event.

I would think that ‘Whitianga’ is probably better known outside our area as that is what appears on nationally televised weather reports and news items.

To the uninitiated, ‘mercury’ might have connotations of pollution and toxicity although most locals know its origin lies in Captain Cook’s remarkable viewing of the Transit of Mercury back in 1769 which allowed our location to be accurately placed on the globe for the first time. Thus ‘Whitianga-NZ’s Coastal Capital’ might be more appropriate.

However, it also seems very strange to me that we don’t make more mention of our thermal attractions; internationally famous Hot Water Beach along with our wonderful The Lost Spring.

Being a narrow island nation, NZ has an abundance of coastal localities, many of which might rightly claim to be the capital. However, only a very few localities have thermal treasures such as ours.

Surely, we should emphasise this wonderful uniqueness in our branding instead of the commonly held coastal aspect. It is the thermal aspect that truly sets us apart I would have thought.

International visitors have almost all heard of Hot Water Beach whose name neatly combines both the thermal and coastal aspects. So how about “Whitianga – NZ’s Thermal Capital by the Beach’ or something similar. So, perhaps the MBBA could briefly pause its branding refresh while The Informer holds a competition to find a suitable name/phrase that resonates with us all.

Alastair Brickell Star Gazers, Kuaotunu

EAT UP YOUR SEAWEED GREENS KIDS

The Government has recently announced a $5 million boost towards Caulerpa eradication attempts, in addition to $650,000 already spent by the Northland Regional Council.

Fast-growing, invasive seaweed Caulerpa has been called a “cancer of the sea”.

It is said to aggressively displace or smother everything living on the seabed. Quantity and variety of fish also decline in Caulerpa infested areas.

It has been found in the Bay of Islands, Great Barrier/Aotea and Great Mercury Island/Ahuahu.

An Auckland University study, commissioned by the Waikato Regional Council in 2012, warned of another alien seaweed pest, Undaria “gorse of the sea”, that “can change the entire structure of marine ecosystems” and “disrupt the habitat for native species

The purpose of the Letters to the Editor column is to allow members of the public to express an opinion, about an article or a topic of interest. Please keep them to 200 words or less. These letters do not reflect the editor’s view. The editor reserves the right to edit and decide what is published.

such as paua, scallops and wild mussels”.

Caulerpa reproduces from small fragments, undaria from microscopic spores – both can drift long distances or be carried on boat equipment and fishing gear.

Undaria is now endemic in the Firth of Thames. Yet the WRC, despite the strong warnings in the 2012 report, granted resource consent to Ohinau Aquaculture for a proposal that will involve a huge marine structure that even the applicants’ paid marine scientist admitted would provide an ideal place from which Undaria could colonise and spread. The frequent movements of boats and equipment from Coromandel and Wilsons Bay, where Undaria is already endemic, would almost certainly bring it to the infested waters of Mercury Bay. Even the most meticulous efforts to clean everything, every time, would be unlikely to remove all the microscopic spores.

The Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve is only a couple of kilometres spore-drift away.

Undaria infestations have proven to be irreversible even in early stages so there’s not much point in the government throwing money at trying.

The good news? Undaria is edible for humans. Sorry kids, no scallops or paua – we didn’t buy any mussels from the supermarket and we didn’t catch any fish again. but eat up your nice seaweed greens.

Annie Stewart, Pokeno WORKSHOPS ARE MEETINGS AFTER ALL

I would like to thank Mr Rasmussen. What a first class letter you had printed in The Informer, 20 August. You asked, “What do you think?”

Well…

It’s the citizens and ratepayers who elect and employ our councillors. They are paid and expected to spend the rates etc from all properties wisely.

Of course, there are a heap of other people who also work in council offices who must be paid – let us not forget.

As one of the ‘employers’, I think I have a right to hear what those on Council are thinking. Many moons ago, I spent hours listening to what was discussed at the meetings.

Once before, we ratepayers tried to get more transparency among other things, with some success I might add.

Sadly, through the years, it seems that non-transparency has slipped back into the processes. I imagine with the fast pace of modern technology information can and does get passed on very rapidly. Discussions over things concerning ratepayers that are not official meetings, maybe

thought to not be necessary to report in any form.

This is not always the best outcome. A workshop is a form of meeting. Its part of the planning process. Discussions at any planned meeting should be noted down in the form of minutes. That needs to be a mandatory practice and not a very exhausting one. Surely someone can take notes as discussion flows.

It is not a discussion in the carpark. We citizens and ratepayers should be prepared to read these reports if they are made available or they can be transmitted n It would be in everyone’s best interests; as would a reprint of Mr Rasmussen’s opinion piece. Just a thought.

L.A. Campbell, Whitianga WHERE IS OUR IMAGINATION?

Surely we citizens of Mercury Bay can come up with something better for our signage than what is currently being suggested. I appreciate the work done to this point but the four ideas seem all the same to me and lack specifics. It could be any town on the coast in NZ. The words need to evoke images that visitors can recognise and that create anticipation – being the advantages offered by a visit to Mercury Bay. We do need to highlight the things we do in the cooler months. It’s been very quiet on the Peninsula as well as Mercury Bay.

I hope eventually a large billboard at the crossroads just prior to the Whangamata turnoff at the base of the Hikuai/Kopu hill road. Could be a reality. The billboard would be a stop and read one –showing the Mercury Bay area (in full colour) with the various attractions, scenes and activities appropriately numbered. At the base of the area map a short description of what is on offer in that area i.e. Hahei – Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach; Whitianga – our beaches, Lost Spring, and the scenic trips on the ocean. There will need to be action as well as our imagination if these signs are to eventuate.

Merle Edwards, Whitianga

RASMUSSEN REBUTTAL AND COMMON SENSE

The article written by local lawyer Flemming Rasmussen titled “What are they thinking?” might seem straight forward, but there are nuances that must be taken into account that undermine his conclusion that the majority of TCDC Councillors are somehow guilty of an egregious “rejection of transparency”, making Ratepayers and Residents big-time losers.

There is no legal obligation for any TCDC Councillor to act in the way he thinks they should. A Chief Ombudsman‘s recommendations carry no legal obligation and

Councils are quite free to reject them if they see fit, which in this case the majority of TCDC Councillors did.

Talk about raising a storm in a tea-cup.

And Councillor Morrissey’s concerns about the current ability to have “free and frank” discussions amongst Councillors at Council workshops? That is a valid concern that is completely unaddressed by Flemming Rasmussen.

However, the main points missed by Flemming:

1) The general public has virtually no interest in attending public workshops. The only people that do are pressure groups or individuals with a particular interest in single agenda items, (I am not going to pay for any share of that coastal protection wall) or ideological matters (I/we are against 1080 being dropped on Papakai or Moehau).

2) Because of the general lack of public interest in minutely scrutinising every aspect of Council decision making, when the public vote in elections, it is almost never about a Councillors track record, but about whether they think a Council candidate: a) has the mental capacity to perform the duties required of them; b) whether or not they find them ‘likeable’ personally; and , c) whether or not they feel a candidate can be trusted to make the right decisions.

So Flemming Rasmussen’s talk about measuring transparency, openness and access as fundamental pillars of democracy by deciding whether or not Council workshops are open to the public, is at best small beer and of virtually no relevance to how things happen in the real world.

Regardless of all the above, what I find most concerning about Flemming Rasmussen’s take on all this, is his desire to connect the recent high levels of rates increases to the 4 Mercury Bay and Coromandel Councillors’ approach to how Council workshops are run. Really?

I would have thought the past Council decision to underfund water infrastructure because of the previous government’s Three Waters grab-job played a big role in this. I would also expect the massive rises in interest rates on Council debt, driven by Reserve Bank policy decisions, important as well. And that is to say nothing of the inflation unleashed by all the money created by the previous government during covid! And isn’t it funny that similar rates rises are occurring in all Councils throughout NZ, rather than just ours where Council workshops have suddenly become a hot topic because one person decided to do a bit of stirring?

Dal Minogue, Ferry Landing

From Warren Maher Waikato Regional Councillor for Thames Coromandel

SHARK BITE:

Firstly, a couple of updates to consent applications about which I have had questions. The consent for the remedial work to the “shark bite” erosion area has been issued by Waikato Regional Council and now sits with TCDC.

HIKUAI BIKE TRAIL

EXTENSION:

The proposed extension to the Hikuai bike trail from the existing trail which currently runs from Pauanui to just past Duck Creek, and is proposed to cross the Tairua river and extend through tracks and boardwalks into Tairua town has had its WRC consent approved. This will be a great facility for both towns, and fund raising is due to start soon.

OMBUDSMAN AND TRANSPARENCY:

Council recently held a workshop on best practices pertaining to workshops and briefings, on the

back of the Ombudsman’s Report and Findings. Discussion was had around the table with the ten councillors present and the general consensus was reached to open workshops and briefings to the public. This outcome will now result in changes to the Standing Orders which will be ratified by full Council, including public

notification periods and methods. My view of transparency for rate payers into all Council meetings was echoed around the table, and the views and opinions expressed

by Councillors should be open to public scrutiny.

NEW AND DIFFERENT MODEL OFWAIKATO REGIONAL DEV AGENCY REQUIRED:

With the recent closure of the Waikato Economic Development agency Te Waka, the Waikato region has been left without a regional economic voice. WRC has heard from the current Government on a number of occasions that they are only interested in funding projects which have

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regional economic growth or are enabling that growth, that have full region backing. WRC is currently having discussions around what a future organisation may look like. It is critical that our regions are heard in this discussion, as this was a criticism that the previous organisation focussed on the Hamilton area mainly. Remembering that this is something you are rated for, I urge individuals, groups or organisations to reach out to myself or directly to WRC if you have any input or experience relative to this discussion.

REMOVAL

OF WILDING PINES – ACCESS CLOSED:

Finally Waikato Regional Council is funding the removal of wilding pines from Clark Island of Whangamata beach this coming week. For public safety access to the island will be closed for the 4 to 5 days of the operation while these pest trees are removed.

Tairua 1 Wharf Road

SPORTS

JUNIOR BOYS

FOOTBALL

Saturday, 24 August 2024

Mercury Bay Junior Boys vs Hamilton Boys Bronze. There are now only 3 games left to the end of the season. A win would put us with in-touching distance of winning Division Three. The Bay turned up to a boggy Fitzroy Park in South Hamilton in rainy conditions and missing key players. But the Bay team looked bright and showed no signs that they had just travelled 2.5 hours by car and were up for a fight without the missing players. Both teams were fighting fiercely for the ball and both teams showed a threat to

score an early goal at both ends. The Bay defense of Elijah, Cameron, Elliot, Leo, Liam, Ben, and Yugo held on making big tackles, and Goalkeeper Arlo made oneon-one saves. The tireless attack of the Bay from Tylar, Curtis, Palmer, Greeny, Cooper, Elliot, Ben, and Yugo scored a goal through Curtis to finish the first half 1-0 to the bay. In the second half the Bay were producing more chances at goal and Palmer had a few one-on-ones with the goalkeeper but the Bronze keeper was on form and saved them all. Bay managed to secure the second goal halfway through the second half to win 2-0.

WHAT'S ON

OP SHOPS

Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop –Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Mon-Sat 10am-2pm.

St John Opportunity Shop – 29 Albert St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm and Sat 9.30am-2pm.

St Andrew’s Church Op-shop – Owen St, Whitianga. 9.30am-1pm Wed-Sat. Social Services Op-shop – 15 Coghill St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-2pm. Donations welcome. SPCA Op-shop – 2 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm and Sun 9am-4pm.

MONTHLY

AA Driver Licensing – Friday 13 September and Monday 23 September. In the Mercury Bay Service Centre Community Board Room in Monk St (behind the council offices).

American Muscle Street and Custom Club

Whitianga – Club meetings first Sunday of the month, 11am at Smitty’s for cars and coffee. Phone Reg and Julie Smith on 027 493 5822. Cooks Beach Garden Circle –Last Thurs of the month 11.15am-2.30pm. New members welcome. Ph Anne on 07 866 0268 for more information. Craft Group – Meets first Saturday of the month 10am-3pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr, carpark end. Work on your own craft (stitching, colouring in, scrapbook, card making anything goes). Bring your lunch and enjoy mixing with other crafty people. Any queries ph Marilyn 021 1806 530 or Kim 021 1200 469.

Kūaotunu Dune Care – Every third Wed of the month. To get involved, please email kuaotunudunecare@gmail.com.

Mercury Bay Model Railway Club – Monthly meet. Contact. Damon 0273551650

Mercury Bay Shooting Federation – Muzzle loader, rimfire, centre fire, military, pistol. Email mbsfsecretary@gmail.com

Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) – Fourth Monday of every month, 10am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Joan on 07 866 3801 or 027 275 1372.

BI-MONTHLY

Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc – We meet bimonthly for either coffee mornings or luncheons. Learn more about us by phoning Merle 07 867 1737.

FORTNIGHTLY

Greeting Card Making – The second and fourth Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. All materials provided. Contact Rev. Gillian Reid on 021 781 081 or just turn up. Knit for a Purpose – First and third Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. Ph Gillian Reid on 021 781081 for further details, or just turn up.

Mercury Bay Creative Fibre – Spin, knit, weave, crochet. First and third Wednesday every month, 10am-1pm, supper room of Town Hall. Phone Vanessa 027 896 5037. Email vandoo555@gmail. com. Mercury Bay Quilters – 10am-4pm on the first and third Mondays and second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Contact Margaret on 021 140 4016. Whitianga Tramping Group – Every second Sunday at 8.30am. Phone Wally 021 907 782 or Lesley 021 157 9979 for more information.

If you have an activity or group or the existing information is incorrect, let The Coromandel Informer know. Call 07 866 2090, email info@theinformer.co.nz. Our What’s On page is not guaranteed to run every week as often space is restricted. Consider paying for a classified advert if you want to guarantee your activity runs every week.

WEEKLY OR MORE

Alcoholics Anonymous – The Whitianga Big Book Group meets every Thursday at 6.30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Church, Dundas Street. Phone 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) for more information. Al-Anon Serenity Group – For those affected by someone else’s drinking. Every Wednesday at 1.30pm. Phone Pauline on 021 086 10955 for more info.

Boys Brigade – An adventure, activity, and values based ministry for boys. For boys aged 5-13 years old. Tues 5.30-7pm For information contact Robyn 020 409 39674.

Chess Club – Monday nights 6.30-9.30pm, MB Bowling Club. Players of all levels. Cost $2. Contact Brett Soanes 0272117195 or brettsoanes16@ hotmail.com

Chinwag Café – Every Friday from 10.30am12.30pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. A place for over 50s to meet other people, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and have a chinwag.

Coffee and Discussion Group – Every Sunday, 2-4pm, at The Lost Spring. Topics are open and respect shown. No charge. Convener Peter H. Wood. Cooks Beach Care Group – Join our friendly team and learn about coastal conservation. Come weeding and planting. Thursday mornings. Register www. cooksbeachcare.org.nz

Cooks Beach Indoor Bowling Club – Every Wednesday 1.45-4.30pm approx, Cooks Beach Hall. One month free trial (4 times). Contact Coral Strong 021 2303 944.

Cooks Beach Table Tennis – Every Thursday night. Juniors 6-7pm $2pp/night; Seniors 7-9pm $5pp/ night. Cooks Beach Community Centre. All levels welcome. Contact Leanne Barnes 021 468 533. Dog walking group – Every Thurs, 2pm, Lovers Rock, Robinson Road. All breeds and sizes welcome to a very sociable group. Ph Jenny on 021 186 5797.

Hahei Contract Bridge Club – Every Tuesday 12.30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Learners and casual welcome. Contact Don Barry 021 741 959 or Robyn Hogg 021543015.

Meditation Classes – Thursday evening. Spiritual, heart, soul development. Sacred energy, chakra activations, working with spiritual guides. Open forum conversation, Thursdays, 6.30pm at Flat 1, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga. Cost $10. Contact Verna 027 320 0079, vernajcarr@gmail.com.

Meditation Stress Reduction Circle – Whitianga

– Mondays from 7.30-9pm at the Embassy of Friendship, 5 Coghill St. More info Steffen Lindner (Counsellor, Therapist & Mindfulness Facilitator) ph 022 0853 121 or email steffen@eof.nz

Mercury Bay Badminton Club – Thurs 5-7pm, 4 courts at MBAS gym. Please note club nights currently limited to existing club members due to high attendance levels. Contact: Steve 027 211 3568

Mercury Bay Badminton – Every Wednesday 9-11am, at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Social badminton. Casual players and visitors are welcome. Players of all levels, ages 16+. Phone Carol 027 474 7493 for more information.

Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club – Every Wednesday at 1pm and every Thursday at 7pm at the MB Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. For more information, phone Gavin on 07 866 2343 or 021 146 9203.

Mercury Bay Community Choir – Mondays 6.158.15pm, Music Room MBAS. Inclusive, open, friendly

choir – no prior singing experience needed, no auditions. Start date 5th August Contact Kate 027 2709 058 for details.

Mercury Bay Environmental Trust – Every Tues and Fri from 9-11am, location advised prior. For more information, please email mbenvironmentaltrust@gmail.com or go to www. mbet.co.nz.

Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club – Every Thursday evening, Whitianga Town Hall, 6.45pm. New members and visitors welcome. Phone Cheryl or Alan on 027 452 7887 for more information.

Mercury Bay Pickleball Club – Every Tues 5.30pm7.30pm and every Sunday 4-6pm at the MBAS gymnasium, Whitianga. Outdoor sessions every Thurs 4-pm and Sun 9-11am weather dependant, Matai Pl courts, Matarangi. Equipment and training provided. Contact Tony Minto 021 426 150.

Mercury Bay Squash Club – New members/ enquiries to Dawn Thurgood mercbaysquash@ gmail.com

Mercury Bay Table Tennis – Every Tues, 9-11.30am at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Ph Anne on 07 869 5162 or 027 565 5575 for more info.

Mercury Bay Tennis Club – Social tennis at Lyon Park is on from 6pm on Thursdays. All welcome. Ph. Jason 022 186 7992 or Steve 022 378 0648.

Oneness Meditation Centre – The centre focuses on the meditative art of going deeper within. Learn how to meditate, breath, calm the mind, relieve stress, anxiety and be a calm, peaceful, courageous, dynamic human being. Every Monday, 9.30-11.00am. Further info. text Linda 027 650 4881or email linda_c@orcon.net.nz

Spiritual Coffee Mornings – Every Tues and Wed, 10.30-11.30am, 19 Monk St, the Starlight Centre. Grab a coffee and join in some great conversation where we talk about topics and subjects that have meaning. Gold coin donation. Contact Verna 027 320 0079.

Strength, Balance and Mobility classes for Seniors – Men and women, every Thurs 10-11am at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. $2 per session. Contact Lisa Jury on 027 351 7110 for further information.

Tai Chi for beginners – Town Hall, Mondays 6-7pm. Gold coin donation. Ph Tony 027 333 5146 for more info.

Tai Do Martial Arts – Town Hall, Tues/Wed 6-7.30pm. Ph Tony 027 333 5146. Tairua Contract Bridge Club – Every Monday at 12.30pm at the Tairua Bowling Club, 44 Hornsea Rd. Contact Lynnette Flowers 021 252 4709 or Johanna Bonnar 027 466 3726.

Whenuakite Area Playgroup – 9.30am-12.30pm every Wednesday morning at the Hahei Community Centre. Ages newborn-5years. We invite all parents, carers, visitors and grandparents. Contact whenuakiteareaplaygroup@gmail.com

Whitianga Art Group – Every Thurs/Fri 10am4pm, 23 School Road. Visitors and new members welcome. Phone Margaret on 027 635 1615 for more information.

Whitianga Menz Shed – Open Tues/Thurs, 9am-12 noon. At the Moewai Park end of South Highway, past the diesel truck stop. All welcome.

Whitianga Playcentre – Every Tues/Fri 9am-12 noon, 1F White St. Contact whitianga@playcentre. org.nz or 027 880 3947. Whitianga Senior Citizens Club – Indoor bowls and card games. Mondays at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk St, 1pm-4pm. Join us for a fun time and afternoon tea, 55+ age group. Phone Lionel Lawrence (president) on 027 274 6964 for more info.

Whiti Stitchers – Embroiderers meet every Tues 9am start. For more information phone Margaret on 027 7802 744. All levels welcome.

Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga – Wed 5-6pm, Room 10, Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr. Support to lose weight wisely. Check out our Facebook page or phone Cecily on 027 294 1750 for more information.

DANCING

Argentine Tango Dance Class – Fridays, Town Hall, Whitianga, 5.30-7.30pm. No prior experience or partner necessary. Text Sergio for questions 027 410 2454

Belly Dancing – Contact Catherine Corcoran, 021 210 2438 or smile@catherinecorcoran.com. Weekend classes twice a month at 4pm. Mercury Bay Dance Club – Recreational dance lessons. Thurs 6-7pm. Book with Kathleen 022 154 1702 and/or check out the Facebook page. facebook. com/mercurybaydanceclub/.

Mercury Bay Line Dancing Club – Tues, beginners 11.15am-12.15pm; seniors 12.30-2.30pm; Thurs, absolute beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, improvers 12.45-2.45pm. Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Ph Margaret 027 463 8850 or Glynis 021 1099 155. SALSA/Merengue/Bachata and Cha Cha – Contact Molly, events@beatfairy.com. Every Monday from 6.30-7.30pm at Monkey House. $20 per class which includes a drink.

Whitianga Line Dancing Club Classes – Town Hall, Monk St, $5 per session. Intermediate classes Wed, 12-1.30pm; Beginner/Improver classes Monday 10.30-11.45am. Contact Cecily 027 294 1750 or Kathy 027 4321 353 Zumba – Contact Carly, book at www.infinitefitness. nz. Wednesdays at 5.30pm at gym for Zumba and Step Zumba on Mondays at 4.45pm, 86a Albert St. GROUP INFO

Mercury Bay Athletics – For info contact alana. baker@bayleyscoromandel.co.nz

Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club – Cook Drive, Whitianga. Contact Steve Williams 027 855 2772.

Mercury Bay Lions Club – New members are welcome. Email mercurybaylions@gmail.com. Phone Barb 0274 075 268. SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated – Learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Sheryll Carruthers 021 022 62504 or email seniornet.whitianga.admin@gmail. com.

Whitianga Bike Park – 144 Moewai Rd, Whitianga. Open 24/7. Many bike tracks available, picnic areas, BBQs and walking trails. Donations welcome on entry. If you wish to volunteer or for programme enquiries, contact John 027 366 4606. Whitianga Gun Club – For information, phone Mike Deverell 0274 959 477 or Graham Sutcliffe on 021 846 655.

Whitianga Community Patrol – Monitors the township and neighbourhood. If interested in volunteering, ph Gary 027 391 3043.

Mercury Bay Junior Boys win against Hamilton Boys Bronze

STAN’S STUFF

BY STAN STEWART

Reading this may save your relationship and/or your life?

I knew something was wrong. But what? I could feel it. From breakfast to bedtime, I felt that steely gaze.

I asked, “Is something wrong?” “No”. There was not a hint of emotion. “If everything is fine with you, it is certainly fine with me,” was the reply.

On the second day the dark cloud was thicker. “There’s nothing wrong. It must be in your head.”

On the third day the dark cloud darkened. I could sense a tornado was on the way. Finally, she spat out, “I had hoped it meant more to you.” What is she talking about? What is it? Light dawned. I had forgotten our wedding anniversary. I worked on making it up but that ship had already left the port.

News of my memory lapse was known by close female friends. I had wondered why they had looked at me askance. Next year one of them rang me the day before the anniversary “Just in case” she said. I was most grateful.

We all have special dates scattered through our years. Some people keep them in little books.

Dummies like me, being disorganised with recurring dates, just hope they will pop into our heads at the right time. Fat chance!

Even couples who are living together without marriage will have special dates. Here’s my advice. Write them down. Put them in your phone if you know how to do this. I am not too good at setting the reminders for these dates. I did write some in a book but then I lost the book. Hopeless! As my future shortens, I think of the past quite a lot. Some things I would like to forget visit me in the

midnight hours. These memories are neither peaceful nor beautiful. In fact, they are unwelcome. They truly do disturb my sleep and their residue robs my energy the next day. I awake in the morning depressed and listless. However, I now believe I have a choice – even in my waking hours at night I can choose what I think about.

For instance, my loved daughter who, without warning, died in a minute. As I lie awake, I can recall the saddest detail of my life with her – her youthful years – the arguments, the periods of shout-

ing and anger, or I can recall the happiest and brightest memories of her. Increasingly that’s what I do.

I have been thinking of the past as a photo album. On some pages are the photos of the funeral, the record of tears and regrets. These days I am deliberately flipping past these pages and opening the book of my memory to the happy pages – and there are plenty of them. Thinking of these occasions calms me. When I drift off, I sleep more calmly. When I awake, I don’t have a hangover of sadness or grumpiness.

They are everywhere – plant barns, hardware shops, many kinds of gift shops, and everywhere else. I am talking about greeting cards, special occasion cards. These days many of them are funny. ‘I’m sure I’ll get some howlers at my next birthday. But I have stopped thinking of them as a waste of space. Sometimes I have been deeply moved to receive a card that has come at the right moment - just the right day with the right words.

I was never a fan of the American ‘wonder-woman-of-cards’, Helen Steiner Rice. I found them a bit syrupy for my liking. But she sold millions and millions, and her work is loved across North America. I note that her husband

Rescue Helicopter Trust tells Peter the story

It’s been 12-years since the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust took off. Now, after its recent annual general meeting, chairman John Stephenson and his trustees are looking at what lies ahead.

With a focus on providing ground facilities to support rescue helicopter operations, the trust is also in the business of raising money to ensure on-going rescue helicopter operations into the Coromandel Peninsula.

Significant local funding support over the past 12 years has enabled the trust to provide a hangar and crew accommodation facilities at the Whitianga airfield. The facility was further

enhanced this year to assist helicopter operations and patient handling, the trust achieving this with assistance from Pub Charity and the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust which is the primary provider of the rescue helicopter service.

John describes the trust over the past 12-month as being quite lucky when it comes to funding, mentioning the support of key sponsors and the many people from local communities who make a regular flow of unsolicited donations.

“It is a lifeblood, and we are always looking for more whether it be from sponsors, groups or individuals,” he said.

“It is quite comforting to see how generous our communities and the public are.”

The rescue helicopter does not receive direct government funding, missions are part paid by the Accident Compensation Commission, the other half requires funding raised by the rescue helicopter trusts.

And a quick reality check, the average cost for an hour-long mission for the helicopter and crew is around $8,000. This does not include all the support costs behind that.

Average annual mission numbers for the Coromandel Peninsula are around 180 which means the annual helicopter airtime costs nearly $1.5 million.

The establishment of the Whitianga base has meant that crews and a machine are based on the Coromandel Peninsula during peak holiday periods. This year involved a six-week period.

A further positive fact is the

Forgot that day? Trouble ahead!

took his own life. To me this says that life is tough even in the most positive and well-meaning environments.

My friend Brian makes cards. He has been doing it for years. He watches birds through his kitchen window. With great patience, he waits for just the right moment, and then the camera goes clickthe beauty of the creatures is captured. That’s the way he captured the two tiny birds I’ve printed with this essay. The picture arrived in the post as a beautiful card, hand-written, full of news and care. Brians’s wife sends these cards to many people.

We can’t all capture the beauty of the world as Brian does. However, we can pass on some brightness. At least that is my hope for me. In the photo album of my mind, I want to focus on the good things that have happened and that I helped make happen. For me, the time is too short now to dwell on the sadness, the mistakes and conflicts from years ago.

Mostly I will try not to forget shared milestones. And then or when something bright and beautiful comes along, I will buy a card or do something appropriate. And I say to myself and whoever reads these words, “Good luck with that.”

location of a 30,000-litre fuel storage area along side the hangar, this ensuring long distance flights can be operated off the Coromandel Peninsula coast knowing there is an available fuel source.

The Coromandel Trust does not operate helicopters. The primary provider, the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, uses its three machines located at Ardmore Airport. These are supported by rescue helicopters located in both Hamilton and Tauranga.

John said Trustee representation covered the Coromandel Peninsula and Trustees would welcome the opportunity to meet with individuals or groups to discuss the work and significance of the rescue helicopter service to the local and wider communities.

Details regarding the Trust and funding can be found at the website – coromandelrescue.org.nz.

John Stephenson Mob: 027 437 5321

Brian Byrne’s front garden is a delight for birds and his photography.

CHRT Chairman – John Stephenson

GAMES AND PUZZLES

Jostle (5)

9. Leg bone (6)

12. Shepherd’s canine (8)

15. Task-completion date (8)

17. Harvester (6)

18. Garbage (5)

21. Collected (7)

22. Pushes (shirt in) (5)

23. Lubricates (7)

DOWN

1. Appeased (8)

2. Form a queue (4,2)

3. Glimpse (4)

4. Ocean’s flow (4)

5. Anyone (7)

6. Afresh (4)

10. In a state of activity (5)

11. JM Barrie play, ... Pan (5)

13. Connoisseurs of food (8)

14. Over-zealous supporter (7)

16. Photographer’s tool (6)

18. Stretched firm (4)

19. Coverings for head (4)

20. Vampire’s tooth (4)

Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Café in Whitianga. Hand deliver, mail, scan/photograph or email your entry to The Coromandel Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, or info@theinformer. co.nz to reach us by 12.00 noon on Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from Espy Café directly.

Sudoku 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.

Whitianga

based

Whitianga

HOUSE WASHING

House wash, roof wash, fences, driveway, patios – soft-wash for best moss and lichen clean and treatment, exterior window cleaning or general waterblasting, 100m hose so access no problem. Cover the whole peninsula. Phone 0800 737 777 or andy direct 027 313 4386 email: atlasgroup@xtra.co.nz

TRADES AND SERVICES

Coastal Asphalts 2020 Ltd

GARAGE SALES

& Whitianga area. Phone: Tony 027 494 7692

CONTAINER IT SELF STORAGE

Shed for rent - inc power, 7m x 7.5m $178 per week inc GST,17 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Ph: 0274 817 258

GARAGE SALE 59 AQUILA DR, WHITIANGA SATURDAY, 31 AUGUST 9AM-12.30PM – NO EARLIER PLEASE Bikes, weedeaters, lawnmower, sea kayaks, wool rug, many household items

FIREWOOD

FOR SALE

Tea tree $200 or Pine $150 load per metre2 delivered. Phone (07) 866 3026 or text (027) 866 3026

Anglican Worship

Every Sunday at 9.00am at St Peter the Fisherman 7 Dundas Street, Whitianga ALL WELCOME

Enquiries phone 021 781 081 www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.org.nz

Tairua-Whitianga Road, KAIMARAMA 021 0283 0515

C3 Church Whitianga Join Us, Expect Miracles! Sundays 10am

COMMUNITY WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY 9:30am Come, join us! Bring the family! Parish Secretary: ph 022 132 2061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage, opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660

STORAGE, WHITIANGA Phil – 0273 433023, Car, boat, campervan storage, 20 foot containers available to store your belongings.

Everyone welcome for the Easter programme Sunday 10 am – 12 noon @

SPORTS

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Women

Tuesday 13 August

Div 1: 1, Pam Voigt; 2, Audrey Vickers.

Div 2: 1, Jenny Cotterell; 2, Raewyn Whitt.

Nine-hole Mixed -

Stableford

1, Kelvin O’Leary; 2, Ron Watson; 3, Gavin Green

Nine-hole Women -

Stableford

Tuesday 20 August

1, Christine Godden; 2, Jenny Layton; 3, Jenny Cotterell.

Nine-hole MixedStableford

1, Eddie Lyle; 2, Don Maquire; 3, Wayne Kettle.

Eighteen-hole Women –Fun Day

Wednesday 14 August

Winner - Bingo Bango

Bongo: Barbara Bradley Stableford: 1, Faith Stock; 2, Christine Van Veen; 3, Christine Lowe.

Perfect Round: Marg Maher; Nearest to Pin #4: Sharyn Smith; Nearest to Pin #18: Sharon Young; Longest Putt #9: Anita Elmers.

Eighteen-hole MenStableford

1, Johnny Day; 2, Willie Jones; 3, Greg Peterken.

Twos: Willie Jones; Div 1: Gross - Mark Boe; Div 2: Gross - Johnny Day.

Eighteen- hole Women

– Morrison Cup Rd1 (no winner yet)

Wednesday 21 August

Twos: Anita Elmers; Nearest to Pin#4: Sharyn Smith; Nearest to Pin#18: Anita Elmers; Longest Putt#9: Sharyn Smith.

Eighteen-hole MenStableford

1, Ken George; 2, Kevin Smith; 3, Brett Proctor.

Twos: Geoff Lowe

Div 1: Gross -Mark Boe. Div 2: Gross – Steve Collins. Nine-hole Mixed

Scramble - Stableford

Friday 16 August

1, Graham Dun; 2, Don Maquire; 3, Peter Chaffin

Nearest Pin #6: Jeff Dixon; Nearest Pin #4: Eddie Lyle

Nine-hole Mixed

Scramble - Stableford

Friday 23 August

1, Jenny Layton; 2, Phil Drane; 3, Roger Pheasant.

Nearest Pin #3: Roger Mortleman.

Eighteen-hole MenStableford

Saturday 17 August

1, Carl Mitchell; 2, Andrew Fleming; 3, Richard Bennett.

Twos: Dan Ray, Gary Wheeler.

Div 1: Gross - Richard Bennett, Nearest to Pin - Cam Goodger, Longest Drive - Dan Ray. Div 2: Gross - Gary Wheeler, Nearest to PinDave Cumming, Longest Drive - N/A. 18 Hole Men – Stableford

Saturday 24 August

1, Nathan Wilson; 2, Matty Menzies; 3, Rohit Ranchhod.

Twos: Wayne Kearney, Sam Murphy, Matty Menzies

Div 1: Gross – Nathan Wilson; Nearest to PinMatty Menzies, Longest Drive - Sam Murphy. Div 2: Gross - Rohit Ranchhod.

TAIRUA TOWN AND COUNTRY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Scramble

Tuesday 20 August Net: 1, Brian Fellows; 2, Joyce Birdsall; 3, Sue McDonnell.

Stableford

Thursday 22 August 1, Robyn Hunter; 2, Ros Rundle; 3, Arthur Larsen. Eighteen-hole Scramble

Stableford

Saturday 17 August 1, Mike McCann; 2, Jenny Tawa; 3, Warwick Rogers.

Stableford

Thursday 22 August 1, Ray Russell; 2, Robyn Hayward; 3, Leon Smith.

THE DUNES MATARANGI

Nine-hole Ladies B9 –Stableford

Tuesday 20 August 1, Ruth Fisken Nine-hole Mens B9

Russian Roulette

Stableford

Thursday 22 August 1, Barry Titchmarsh; 2, Rob Fisken; 3, Steve Airey.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Eighteen -hole Ladies

Gross Nett & Putting

Thursday 22 August

1, Chrissie Smith’ 2, Sandra Bowen; Cathy Drake-Wells got a two on hole 5 and hole 18 - Well done!

Eighteen-hole Mixed

Haggle Stableford

Saturday 24 August

1, Peter Mathias; 2, Tony De Coek; 3, Andy Swainbank. Nearest the Pin#18: Allison Drake-Wells.

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Nine-hole Par

Tuesday 20 August

1= Catherine Borlase, John Hamilton; 3= David Young, Brian Keucke.

Nine-hole Stableford

Thursday 22 August

1= Lauren Stephens, Steve Borlase; 3 John Hughes; 4= Catherine Borlase, Richard Duckworth, Dave Gibson, Anne Costello.

Eighteen-hole Stableford

Saturday 24 August

1, Steve Borlase; 2, Callum Murray; 3, Richard Agnew; 4, Neil Vowles.

4BBB: Steve Borlase and Bob Walker.

MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB

August Competition

Round Three

Wednesday 21 August

North/South: 1, Giorgio Allemano & Gavin Hedwig; 2, Geoff Jervis & Kate Palmano; 3, Bob Schibli & Denise Knutson.

East/West: 1, Tadek Gawor & Sue Gill; 2, Rose Tegg & Norma Hart; 3, Jenny Layton & Sue Swan. Championship Singles

Round One

Thursday, 22 August

North/South: 1, Faith Stock & Gavin Hedwig; 2, Kathy Moy-Low & Jenny Layton; 3, Amy Hyde & Geoff Jervis. East/West: 1, Alison Gibson & Debbie Cragg; 2, Hillary Scott & Pat Doube; 3, Norma Hart & Paul Bradley.

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Paci�ic Pairs Week Three

Monday 19 August

North/South: 1, Christine

Onehunga Weed

(Prickle Weed) Control

The TCDC contractor will be carrying out weed control of Onehunga Weed (Prickle Weed) in susceptible areas throughout the Thames-Coromandel District.

Our application dates will start from 30 August to the 30 September, between the hours of 7am and 2pm.

The application will be carried out by knapsack, boom sprayer and spray gun. The chemical that will be used is Clopyralid. Signage will be used at all appropriate areas.

We will start in Pauanui, Whangamata, Mercury Bay, Thames and the Thames Coast, finishing in Coromandel Town.

Meinhold and Rob Stewart; 2, Diny Naus and Donna Harvey; 3, Lee Hughes and Lynette Flowers.

East/West: 1, Robyn Waters and Jocelyn Taylor; 2, Peter McNeil and Kim van Diepen; 3, David Wilkinson and Liz Young0.

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

Another good turnout this past week with 19 players, so doubles 501 were played. Three teams went through with three wins, so a three-way final was required. The teams were Nan and Stoney, Debbie Holmes and Peter Reekers and Wayne Olsen and Mike. Wayne Olsen came away the winner, playing without a partner, as Mike had

to leave early to catch the last ferry. Well done Wayne. Highest finish for the men was 113, scored by Selwyn Whatarangi. No high finishes from the ladies this week and no 180’s score

MERCURY BAY INDOOR

BOWLING CLUB

Thursday 22 August

Winners: Ken Lack, Wayne Fisher and Wayne McNeill Runners Up: Alan Henderson, Sandie Morris and Jan Harvey Good Sports: Merle Ward, Lee Pudney and Pat Fisher

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday 21 August

Best of three frames: Nine players on Wednesday and it was Peter Challis and

home of BIG SCREEN entertainment on the Coromandel

Wayne Malcolm to challenge the final third frame. A close match in the major of the game but in the latter Peter was needing a snooker to stay in and Wayne carried on and took the win and the cash prize. Peter Challis (runner up) and also with two wins was Peter Schultz. No high break recorded.

Saturday, 24 August

Best of three frames: Nine players on Saturday and it was Wayne Malcolm and Bob Haase with two straight wins to battle out the final third frame. Bob had a comfortable win and took home the cash prize. With two wins Wayne Malcolm (runner up) Phil Jones and new player Tane.

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

Scan barcode to take you directly to our website

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

Editors: Pauline and Stan Stewart (027 271 6182)

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

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Newspaper Layout: Diane Andrew

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

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