BASKER ROAST
OCEAN FESTIVAL ROCKED
Oceans Festival was a happy, well organised and well managed event that brought over 2,500 revellers from near and far. People got into the spirit of enjoying the food, wine, beer, friends and great music. The plethora of costumes, from jellyfish to fisheries inspectors made the whole atmosphere very playful. The Jordan Luck Band was everything people expected with the dancing and singing along raucously – a clear message of their
Photo credits – Stephen Holmes and Linda Bird
An auspicious event commemorated
The event was The Battle of Britain, commemorated every year as near to 10 September as possible. Approximately 170 people came to the Thames commemoration, including our Mayor Len Salt, our MP Scott Simpson, Thames Community Board Chair, Adrian Catran, Royal New Zealand Airforce Base Commander, Captain Mike Cannon, Royal Navy Commander Richard Greenwood-Bell, 28 Airforce cadets and a large contingent of the community from Thames.
Young people in the Kerepehi Brass Band and from the Thames Air Cadets participated in the commemoration.
The day before, the event had to be moved from the Thames Airfield (Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield) to the Thames Sailing Club due to planes occupying the large hangar there.
The Battle of Britain sounds like a far-off and far-away historic event. It is. This momentous battle occurred 84 years ago in the early stages of World War II in England. The German Luftwaffe (Airforce) attacks on the city of London and other parts of England were striking at the jugular of British existence. Hitler had planned to invade Britain by the use of the German navy and army once the Luftwaffe had victory over the skies of England and had caused sufficient carnage to render London defenceless. The English Channel had become a mere hop for the Nazi invasion. There was a small team (Airforce and ground defence), leading the defence of Britain, urgently devising a strategy to overcome this well-resourced German Airforce which was ruthlessly attacking the British
homeland and winning many an air battle against the lesser resourced British Airforce. London was particularly suffering. Pilots from New Zealand and Australia had signed up with the Royal Airforce. One of this small team, though not the most senior, was a quiet and unassuming officer and pilot by the name of Keith Park. His strategic attack and defence plan and his outstanding leadership by example, was to put a stop to Nazi victory over the skies of London.
KEITH PARK WAS A NEW ZEALANDER FROM THAMES
Keith was the Commander in Chief of 11 Group, the most important Group in Fighter Command. This group had to not only protect the southern coastline of Britain and Southeast England from enemy attack, but to unre-
servedly, protect London. His ability to think and effect a plan in terms of overcoming the enemy, gave the Royal Airforce fighters victory and saved Britain from a loss that was critical for the whole War. It set a platform for optimism and the determination to gain overall eventual victory over the Nazi onslaught.
The freedom fought and won in the Battle of Britain is directly connected to the freedom we experience today. Essentially it restored the hope for and commitment to freedom that is the framework for our society. However faulty it is, the freedom we take for granted in New Zealand is related to the actions and leadership of Sir Keith Park.
The organiser of the commemoration, local resident Geoff Furkert, spoke of the particular contribution of Sir Keith Park, not only in the Battle of Britain but in the rest of World War II, and also of his enormous service to New Zealand life, after the war.
Geoff has personally led the drive to have suitable recognition for Sir Keith who has largely gone unrecognised in his own country. Our community leaders and the Airforce and navy officers added to his message each striking a chord of connecting our past to the current challenges in the way we live, to make a difference to our society.
• Beef & vege curry on mash potato.
• Roast chicken, roast potato, veges & gravy.
• Cottage pie with pea & potato mash.
• Sweet n sour pork, Asian veges & noodles.
star of the show this week rising about an hour after sunset in the east and travelling high overhead as the evening progresses. Its rings are almost edge on to us this summer for readers with a small telescope. The fact that it doesn’t twinkle distinguishes it from the stars. The Moon can also help us find both it and Jupiter this week. The western dusk sky has brilliant Venus low on the northwestern horizon while the predawn sky showcases bright Jupiter with much fainter and slightly reddish Mars lying lower down in the east. There will be several International Space Station (ISS) passes to enjoy this week but, as usual, timings may change, especially towards the end of the week, if it has to be moved to avoid space junk. Always best to check the website heavens-above. com for updated timings. Tuesday, September 17 –The Full Moon lies immediately to the right of Saturn – binoculars might just spot it in the Moon’s bright glow. Wednesday, September 18 – The bright Moon now sits well below Saturn and from 5:03am there is a long ISS pass moving below Jupiter. Friday, September 20 – There is a good ISS pass from 5:04am starting above Saturn
Tuesday, September 24 – The crescent Moon sits just below bright Jupiter late in the evening with an ISS pass from 5:06am very low in the SW. Wednesday, September 25 –The Moon now sits half way between bright Jupiter and fainter Mars much lower down with a very low ISS pass from 4:20am in the south.
Photo credit Wayne Martin
OCEANS FESTIVAL
Linda
There
Well
• Bring/buy a reuseable cup to be in to win prizes!
• Music with CFM
Celebrating Coro Club’s double triumph
BY TRACEY WORDSWORTH
Recently, The Informer highlighted on its front page the Coro Club Café at Whitianga Aerodrome being crowned the Best Airport Café in New Zealand. This accolade, awarded by pilots from across the country, recognises the unique charm and quality that this local gem brings to the Coromandel Peninsula.
With Alesha Innes and Niklas Brandt at the helm, the Coro Club stands out not only for its stunning views of aircraft taking off and landing, but also for its commitment to creating an exceptional dining experience.
But the Coro Club’s achievements didn’t stop there. Recently, the café took its dedication to sustainability a step further by hosting the SUC Free Mercury Bay Thirsty Thursday event. This initiative, part of a broader campaign to reduce single-use
cup waste, saw a remarkable outcome: every single customer on the day either chose to sit and enjoy their coffee at the café or brought their own reusable cup. The result? Zero single-use cups were used – a significant milestone in the collective effort to protect our beautiful environment.
The event was supported by CFM, who once again demonstrated their commitment to promoting sustainable practices, alongside the Wahi Tukurua/Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre team, who are instrumental in driving the success of this initiative.
As a community, we can
Kitchen Calendar
Alldaylong,Dineinonly State of Origin 10.05pm
take pride in the Coro Club’s achievements. Their recent recognition and ongoing efforts to champion sustainability reflect the values that we hold dear here in Mercury Bay. Let’s continue to support local businesses like the Coro Club that lead by example and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for all of us.
The next Thirsty Thursday event will be held at Earth Store on Thursday, 26 September between 7.30am and 10.30am.
For more information on how you can get involved in the SUC free initiative visit www.wahitukurua.co.nz
The tribute band bringing Tay Tay to Thames
Local Taylor Swift fans unable to make it across the ditch to see The Eras Tour earlier this year can experience some of her music live much closer to home.
After sold out performances in their hometown of Mount Maunganui and in Hamilton, Taylor Swift Tribute Band, Sunkissed, is performing in Thames on 2 November.
The band has a rapidly growing fan base after they took matters into their own hands when they realised hundreds of thousands of Swifties had been left disappointed that Taylor Swift wasn’t performing her Era’s tour in New Zealand, and formed a tribute band.
“We already knew a lot of the songs, and it was obvious there was high demand for live music from Taylor Swift, so we officially formed the tribute band and got practicing,” said band member Stella Riley. As far as Stella is aware, Sunkissed is the only Taylor Swift tribute band in New Zealand.
The six piece band will play a two hour set from all albums. They will perform one all ages event at the Civic Theatre in Thames on Satur-
This is the Taylor Swift Tribute Band, Sunkissed, performing in Tauranga.
day 2 November.
The band includes drummer and Papamoa College music teacher, Kurt Somervell; country music artist Cybele Chapman. talented up-and-coming singer songwriter, Stella Riley; Videl Harrison, who has a voice that would rival any Disney princess; man of many talents and lead guitarist James Ferns, and Taylah Medeiros, bringing Lana del Ray vibes and her own unique style to the band.
Head along to watch Sunkissed perform live, in Thames. Tickets are available from totara.flicket.co.nz –search for Taylor Swift.
SENIORNET Term 4 classes and tutorials starting
The team at SeniorNet are preparing for Term Four which starts on 10 October. Our popular classes for iPhone and Android users, Genealogy enthusiasts, and One-on-One sessions where members get help sorting out their problems. We are also offering a class on keeping Safe on-line and avoiding scams.
On a lighter note, there will be a series of workshops on making a calendar for 2025. Creating a personalised calendar to send to family and friends is rewarding and fun. There are several workshops so you can proceed at your own speed.
IT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Finally, we are always looking for people to volunteer at
SeniorNet. We are looking for more tutors for our existing classes. We are also interested in providing new classes to our members. If you have expertise to pass onto our members, please contact us and tell us your ideas.
We also need helpers who can assist the Tutors, so if you have some knowledge of Technology and enjoy helping people, we can provide a friendly environment.
Lastly, we need people with Networking skills who are willing to help us develop our workflow and improve our website. Work at your own pace. Call us if you can lend a hand. Website: Whitianga.seniornet.nz.
All our classes and one-onone sessions are conducted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Room 9 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive.
To sign up for a class or oneon-one session, call our Admin, Sheryl on 0210-226-2504 or email her on: whitianga@ seniornet.nz
To learn more about SeniorNet, watch out for our free Drop-In session in November which will be advertised in the Informer.
Discovering the Sounds of Silence
Richard Shelford-Woodcock discovers the Sounds of Silence
BY STAN STEWART
Chocky (Richard Shelford-Woodcock) is well known around Whitianga and Cooks Beach. His community involvements are many. Contacting him is not that easy as he is always on the phone and on the move. Despite this there is something different about Chocky. He is quietly centred and this is in part due to the fact he has discovered the sounds of silence.
In 2008-9 Chocky noticed that one of his friends was different –different in a good way – a calm way. On enquiry, his friend shared the benefit of a silent retreat. This retreat was a ten-day live-in retreat focused on silent meditation. Sixty or more individuals meditating, learning and not speaking for ten days. This was something completely different to anything Chocky had ever thought of let alone experienced. However, in the demeanor and character of his friend he could see something of
value. He decided to give it a try. Since then, he has attended many ten-day silent retreats. He has found that ten days of guided meditation are of great help to him. He’s found the value of the sounds of silence.
When asked about the practice, Chocky describes a community where no one speaks and where everyone focusses on their inner life. Imagine sixty people sitting quietly in a beautiful and calm space for hours of the day and no one speaks. Their thoughts are
guided by teachers of Vipassana Meditation, a practice and a discipline developed 2500 years ago.
The accommodation is simple but adequate. As would be expected, the food is vegetarian.
The days have a set rhythm which everyone follows. For busy people in a hectic world it all sounds strange. “Certainly, it is a dramatic break from the familiar, but that is the course’s strength. In some ways this unwinding is the hardest thing a person will ever do,” Says Chocky. “It’s not easy to switch off the world – your personal world and the world around you. The ten-day seminar is a chance to stop the world, the world around you and your inner world, and get off into calm and inner space” Chocky adds. “It helps you to see yourself, your issues and the world in a different light – a calmer light – a clearer light.”
Enquire: Vipassana Meditation Centre, 153 Burnside Road, Kaukapakapa.
Friends of Mercury Bay Area School would like to say thank you to our local businesses who kindly supported us with our recent quiz night.
All About Whitianga, Basker, Bid Food, Blackjack Surf, CFM, Chesters Plumbing, Coastal Chiller Hire, Coastal Sanctuary, Combat Zone, Fe Style, Gathered & Co, Guthrie Bowron, Hunting & Fishing, Lost Spring, Mainly Casual, MB Game Fishing Club, MB Garden & Landscape, Mercury Twin Cinemas, Mint Hair Stylists, Narellan Pools, Overdrive
Automotive, PaperPlus, Pawfectly Pampered, Peninsular Party Hire, PlaceMakers, Slice Slice Baby, Super Liquor, The Autobarn, The Warehouse, Umino Hoshi, Well Stocked Deli, Wild Wood Mini Golf, Whitianga Cinema, Whitianga Sports, Whitianga Fine Wines & Spirits, Whitianga Waterways, You Travel.
Thursday 4pm to 6pm Friday 5pm to 7:30pm
Richard Shelford -Woodcock
Whitianga
Invitation to health and energy
BY THERESA COLLINSJOHNSON
I was bloated and slow on energy. I was unhappy. The Gut Health programme changed my life and it has done the same for many others in this area. At first I was a sceptic and reluctant to enquire but I needed to do something and it had to be soon. I took the step and have not looked back for a minute.
Many ask me how long does a person stay with the programme? What is the regime of eating? Is it a strict diet? Describe the benefits. How did you get the energy? How long does big change take?
This has become a way of life for me. I am a smaller person and a fitter and more energetic person. It has made me a better partner and helps my daily
attitudes and approach to life overall. I want to share with others what I have studied and have learned. Success is different for each person and it is not just for women but for men too . Come and have a casual Meet and Greet. I will host it and there will be others on the Gut Health programme there. Call in and have a chat even for a few minutes. Ask any questions you have. No pressure, no obligation.
Time: Sunday, 22 September, 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Te Tiihi Nui Trust building in Albert Street next to Love It Bakery.
Dame Lisa quietly in Whiti
Dame Lisa is a national heroine and greatly loved and admired.
A few citizens in Whitianga got together recently to plan for this amazing Olympian athlete and her family to have a break in beautiful Whitianga.
And Dame Lisa has said yes to that invitation. She will be here with her hus-
band and dog from Sunday 22 September to Wednesday 25 September. No one would dispute that she needs time to relax and unwind with her family. Well done to the organisers of this invitation. However, Lisa is not here for any social engagements. It is the most well deserved break.
A Freestyle martial art for Self-defence, Self-Control, Confidence and Discipline. Suitable for children and adults.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Whitianga Town Hall 6:00 – 7:30 pm Instructor: Tony 0273335146
New Zealand Post on the move From 4 Square to
BY PAULINE STEWART
Who says NZ Post is not essential? People are still posting packages, writing letters and sending things through the mail. With September, comes the season to post Christmas mail and packages,
NZ Post at The Coromandel Four Square had a real space issue with growing demand for more store stock area. Four Square has housed NZ Post for many years. What to do? On 31 August, NZ Post moved to its new home at James & Turner about 200 metres further up Kapanga Street. This has meant big changes for Jennifer and Rob Ashman, the owners of James & Turner Ltd., who did not want the service to disappear. They are keen to provide this essential service and make it as easy as possible for residents and visitors.
The Post Boxes are an essential part of the NZ Post service, and so an extra room has been built at James & Turner to accomodate the Post Boxes. In addition, a large space has been prepared inside the store for the postal supplies as well as an area for people to write addresses and prepare their packages.
Christmas is coming and James & Turner store is ready for the extra demand on NZ Post in the Coromandel area. The town and surrounds say thank you to Jennifer and Rob.
Call in to the store on a Thirsty Thursday (after 5.00pm) and let them know how good it is to keep NZ Post in town.
The Postal Service began in New Zealand in 1840. James & Turner Ltd was established in 1889 and is the oldest active business in Coromandel township.
James & Turner
Jennifer and Rob Ashman at their James & Turner store, at 131 Kapanga Road, Coromandel Town; below, moving the post boxes from 4 Square to James & Turner.
Theresa Collins-Johnson.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN COMMEMORATION IN THAMES
Attending the commemoration was Hon. Scott Simpson, RNZAF Capt Mike Cannon, Mayor Len Salt, Thames air cadets, Capt (Retired) Russell Skeet, Geoff Furkert, Rev Brendon Wilkinson. Standing in front of the Sir Keith Park Memorial are Geoff Furkert, Capt Mike Cannon, Lesley Park and RN Commander Richard Greenwood-Bell. Photo credit Wayne Martin
Continued from page 2
Two special guests present were the grand niece of Sir Keith Park – Lesley Park, and Joanne Sullivan, who is the commissioned sculptor of a two-metre statue of Sir Keith which will finally be completed once sufficient is found.
Captain Russell Skeet (retired), the Master of Ceremonies, introduced the dignitaries and led people through the different aspects of the ceremony.
The Kerepehi Brass Band whose repertoire of battle hymns and music that has held past generations together, was top class. Its music during the event was very moving and then after the ceremony, it was terrific, good-time listening. Our CEO of TCDC, Aileen Lawrie, is a musician in the Kerepehi Brass Band.
It was a formal even sombre event – a time to remember the sacrifices of those who have fought for freedom and to say thank you. For Thames and New Zealand, the Battle of
have a very significant personal dimension of Sir Keith Park and let’s not forget the large number of fighter pilots who were kiwis and fought in the Battle of Britain. Some paid the ultimate price.
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Derek and Marbel a big PLUS for Mercury Bay
The PLUS in PaperPlus is a great deal. There are so many things to read, to look at, to write with, so much to browse. For children there is a load of choice with books and toys of all kinds.
I watched some school children move around the store after school. They were with a parent. Lego was the first choice in occupying their interest. Then it was the ‘picture flat’ books.
These look and read more like a comic book and there really is a lot of reading in them. The smallest child seemed fascinated by the soft character toys. Of course, “Can I get this?” was a question heard more than once.
PaperPlus is a heavenly place for all ages of children, if you like reading or building.
Derek and Marbel have been owners of PaperPlus in Whitianga for 11 years. They love the business and they like being the Post Office for the town even though
they had to let go of some the store’s display space.
“We love the people, and over time many become your friends,” says Marbel.
“I look after the children’s books and toys and stationery,” says Marbel. A special feature is the section of Bible story books for the children and some material for adults as well. There were many requests from customers for these books.
Derek says looking after people’s needs when they come in is the first priority. “We have a good team to do that,” he smiled.
Their three children range in age from Louisa at University, Kiefer in his last year at MBAS and Abby who is now 6.
Together, they have heavily supported the annual Filipino Independence Day celebrations and there are many community projects and events where one can see PaperPlus has sponsored or supported.
Marbel and Derek in their PaperPlus store.
Ageing – Vital topic at community workshop
“How will we work together to enable us and future generations, to age well in our communities?”
This was the key question at a “Community Conversations’ workshop last Wednesday, 11 September in the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre
The question focussed on the necessary changes to be made to the existing policy frameworks that will enable older people now, and in the future, to do just that - age well in their communities.
The discussions highlighted the need for communities to prepare for
• the complex impact of population ageing,
• its implications for the workforce,
• service provision and the local economy,
• how to enable people to live healthy lives for longer.
SOME STATISTICS:
Our communities are ageing for the first time in history, with more people living longer and contributing to society. By 2028, one million New Zealanders will be aged 65 to 100+, increasing to 1.5 million by 2050. Thames-Coromandel district is at the forefront of this demographic shift: 34% of the district’s population is aged 65 and over, significantly higher than the national average of 16.5%.
The Community Conversations session was the first in a series to be held around the country. It is part of a broader initiative led by the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum –a collaboration of leading organisations that provide services for and advocate on
Helen Flynn, Community Partnerships Co-ordinator, TCDC; Carole Gordon, Strategic Advisor, Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing | He Oranga Kaumātua, He Oranga Tangata; and Denise Cosgrove, Chief Executive, The Selwyn Foundation.
behalf of older people and their families/whānau. The Forum has been established by registered charity The Selwyn Foundation, Office for Seniors and Age Concern New Zealand.
With more older people than children now living in their communities, participants discussed the subsequent effect on healthcare services, housing, public transport, superannuation and the volunteering workforce. With key focus areas of combatting ageism and ensuring older people have access to integrated care,
EVERYONE AGES:
The Selwyn Foundation’s Chief Executive, Denise Cosgrove, attended and said: “Today’s workshop has offered a platform for local people to discuss what the ageing of their population means for them.
“We would like to thank Mayor Len Salt and the team at TCDC for supporting this opportunity and the implications it has for community planning.
“This is only the beginning and I’m delighted that participants are planning further meetings and to work together with a cross-section of government and council agencies, to support local initiatives and policy change that will help promote a longevity economy.
“We’re all in this together, and everyone ages. Thames has a huge opportunity to innovate in this space and to create a vibrant a great place for everyone to grow older.”
Note: The workshop was organised by the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for The Decade of Healthy Ageing /He Oranga Kaumātua, He Oranga Tangata, with support from TCDC.
Local professional dedicated to empowering others
BY PAULINE STEWART
“People need encouragement like a plant needs water.” Rudolf Dreikurs, a prominent figure in the field of psychology said this and it has always resonated deeply with Annemarie. It is a basic framework for her vocation.
Annemarie Leonard is a certified Therapist, Life Coach, and Counsellor with a unique blend of skills.
Her approach combines the wisdom and patience, and the expertise and experience of a professional mentor.
“My passion lies in empowering and motivating clients who are feeling stuck and yearning for change in their lives,” says Annemarie.
“Many with whom I work have gone through trauma or neglect and are seeking support to reevaluate and redirect their paths. It takes great strength to seek help. Together, we work towards finding the best way forward.”
Annemarie firmly believes that even the smallest changes can pave the way for significant and fulfilling transformations in life.
She is very aware the changes may not happen overnight, but with resilience and commitment, they can become a way of life. Her main focus is to guide people to acknowledge their past and then create a new way of living that aligns with their values, helping them overcome negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
“A person deserves to wake up each day with a sense of opportunity to become the person they aspire to be,” affirms Annemarie.” I am dedicated to helping
“My passion lies in empowering and motivating clients who are feeling stuck and yearning for change in their lives,”
my clients achieve the life they long for and become the person they know they truly are.” To help people decide if this is right for them, the first thirty minute online session is free.
ANNEMARIE LEONARD:
Annemarie is a local resident of Mercury Bay. As a counsellor, she utilises Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). She has dedicated her life to empowering individuals. Originally from South Africa, she began her career as a registered teacher and school counsellor. In addition to her international quali�ications, Annemarie holds a degree in Psychology and postgraduate diplomas in Guidance Counselling, Mental Health, and Addiction. She has furthered her expertise by obtaining a Diploma in Life Coaching and advanced training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) from the Centre of Excellence in England. You are welcome to contact Annemarie via her website at https://www.onthemovelifecounsel. com or email her at onthemovelifecounsel@gmail.com. Annemarie does online consultations.
Authorised by Scott Simpson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
Annemarie Leonard
STAN’S STUFF
BY STAN STEWART
In one sense I had seen the documentary film ‘Milked’ before. In fact, I viewed it for the first time on the screen at the Mercury Twin Cinemas, on Saturday 7 September. For years before, I had been exposed to the downside and horrors of New Zealand’s dairy industry by my adopted daughter. This prior knowledge desensitised me to the impact of this documentary. I knew what was coming.
I now accept that dairying is, in many cases, an environmentally damaging way of farming. Fnterra now lays out guidelines to prevent this from happening on their farms, however many farms are not part of the Fonterra co-op. On the other hand, if your main interest is in ‘feeding the world’, dairying is less efficient by a mile than other forms of food production. As I write this, I tremble because many of my friends are dairy farmers. The Hauraki Plains was our home for eleven wonderful years. In writing the above, I am exposing ‘my’ personal dilemma.
Add to this the fact that I begin each day with breakfast cereal and ‘whole’ milk and of an evening icecream is my favourite dessert. My daughter has introduced me to other milk-like substances made
from all kinds of things, I guess old car tyres and crushed up rocks etc. None of them taste any good to me.
Where do we go from here? The ‘we’ I refer to are people like me and the makers of the ‘Milked’ documentary, and farmers who recognise they should switch out of dairy. I feel for the farmers. Dairy farming pays the bills in a kind of regular, predictable way. Their mortgages mean that they can’t afford for this income stream to stop.
And what about Fonterra – a huge industry contributing 3.1 percent of our GDP? It sustains not only the farmers, but its earn-
apartments are within walking distance to Thames’
ings are the mainstay of entire towns and districts.
Amongst my friends are ‘Dutchies’ – immigrants from Holland. The least you can say about this migration stream is that they didn’t come here to wallow in the mire of ordinariness. They came to New Zealand to get ahead, to succeed - and succeed they have. Immigrants from Holland are amongst our most successful people in many fields, and this includes as dairy farmers. This has led me to think about Holland. It’s a tiny country - six Hollands could fit into New Zealand. However, when it comes to exports, it is sixth in the world in
food production while New Zealand is 45th. And what do they export? Lots of things but a huge amount of food. I’ve heard it said that Holland feeds Europe. That is not exactly true, but with one percent of the continent of Europe’s land mass they provide six percent of Europe’s food. It’s true that dairy produce is amongst these exports, but fruit and vegetables provide the major portion.
It’s my belief that New Zealand could feed the world. It is our destiny. But dairy farming won’t do it. Our best and brightest hope to achieve the goal of feeding the world, is farming fruit and vegetables.
In this scenario, what about Fonterra? Would this company wither and die? Of course not. If New Zealand became the garden of the world, dairy would always remain in the mix. Fonterra with its marketing expertise and streams of distribution, could be the marketer, the distributor of all kinds of food - fruit and vegetables, not just dairy. Why not?
The documentary ‘Milked’ made me proud to be living in the Coromandel and in Whitianga in particular. Why? Because one of our young adults, Amy Taylor, conceived and produced this stunning, world-class documentary
A wake-up call – ‘Milked’ – the movie
that could help shape the future of our country. From Whitianga, her work is shaking the foundations. And there are more inspiring young people, and they live right here! They walk amongst us. This brings me to something else that has dawned on me since living here. The Coromandel is one of the best places in the world to work with new ideas. I know the natural life and beauty works to inspire artists and all of the arts. I’m thinking the same great vibes are a provocative and inspirational mix for all kinds of thinking, sociological, environmental, scientific. What about this? The Coromandel is not a place where you go to get a tan and doze off. It is a natural environment that helps individuals wake up. All power to Amy. May her tribe increase.
A couple of years ago, when my daughter pushed me into buying oat milk, there was not much choice. The one litre package I purchased came from Sweden. Yesterday, I found the shelf space for non-dairy milk had expanded dramatically. The litre I purchased was made in NZ.
Tomorrow I will try this nonmilk milk. Not keen! We old guys are set in our ways. I’m not sure that I can ever get used to veggie burgers.
Beach clean-up raises funds for Coro Elim Church Build
BY MICHELLE DELLABARCA
Regular travellers up and down Thames Coast Road
may have noticed people wearing bright orange jackets and lugging big sacks on the beaches between Wilson’s Bay and Tararu.
About ten members of Coromandel Elim Church scour the coast every three months and pick up rubbish, sort it into categories and then dispose of it at the dump. Some of these volunteers have been doing this for many years.
One couple, both in their 80’s, have barely missed a day in the last ten years.
Beach debris is collected under a contract with Coromandel Marine Farmers, with about 20 to 40 percent of the litter being bits and pieces of rope washed into the sea during the harvesting of mussels.
Volunteers have noticed that over the last few clean-ups the amount of mussel related litter has reduced considerably which they credit to good work by those on the mussel barges.
The rest of the rubbish consists of bottles, cans, assorted plastics and often, rubbish bags filled with household waste. Over the years interesting finds have included fishing rods, clothing, a toaster
and a variety of hats!
Payments for performing this service go into the building fund for Coromandel’s new Elim church building. Growing at a rapid rate, it
can be seen just past the Whangapoua intersection, heading south on Tiki Road. These funds, combined with the sale of their current church building, donations from
church members and supporters, and activities such as plant sales at the Friday Market have resulted in an almost miraculous amount of money being raised.
Their current church is full on Sunday mornings, with very little room for extra people.
Pastors Steve and Rosemary Garland explain, “Once complete, the new church facility will have a fit-for-purpose centre, with a spacious kitchen, which will enable us to cater for large gatherings and serve people in our local community.
“The large upstairs space for our youth and childrens’ ministry has the potential to provide shelter and support in the event of major weather events, which happen fairly often in the northern Coromandel!”
Pastor Steve is amazed that to date, the church has got this far without borrowing money, despite facing some serious setbacks.
“With Covid, skyrocketing building costs, and unexpected compliance requirements, our well-planned budget is still short of what we need to complete our building in the time frame we have, but we hope to celebrate Christmas 2024 in our new church.”
For further enquiries, email Pastor Steve at steve@coro-elim. co.nz or check out their Give-a-little page at https://givealittle.co.nz and enter Coromandel Elim in the search box.
New look for St Andrews Op Shop
BY DOROTHY PREECE
St Andrews Church Opshop has seen frantic activity over the past couple of weeks, as a team of volunteers created new spaces for the clothing racks and other goods. For 25 years the menswear has been housed ‘up the ramp at the back’ in a separate building that was at one time the Sunday School room. With the changes, the men are no longer ‘out the back’. Their clothing is in the main shop, and so is the linen room. Ladies wear now occupies the space that was the staff room, and a separate book room has been created.
Manager Madeline Saunders said for years they had been trying to get everything under one roof and now it has been finally achieved.
“It has been a huge upheaval and a lot of work,” says Madeline. “However, the men will no longer have to go out to the main shop to pay by EFTPOS. Of course, we hope to sell more of everything now that families can shop together.”
Auckland Youth Choir coming to Thames
On Sunday, 22 September at 2.00pm Auckland Youth Choir, directed by David Squire and accompanied by pianist Claire Caldwell, will present their gold award winning recital from the World Choir Games, held in Auckland in July 2024, and the North Island premiere of Elaine Haganberg’s ‘Illuminaire’. This year the Auckland Youth Choir is celebrating 40 years of music
making, and are bringing more than 100 young singers, aged 16-27, to Thames for this concert. This is a real treat for the Coromandel peninsula. The calibre of the young performers will be outstanding. Tickets for the concert can be purchased (cash only) at the door of St George’s Church, Thames. www.thamesmusicgroup.com
Christmas Shoebox Appeal
This project is about filling a Shoe Box as if it is a care package for a child. The instructions are all in the box. It is fun looking for all the things that will fit and that will be useful and loved by the child. They go to many parts of the world where children do not have the basics of an ordinary life. It is just $12.50 postage to put with the box or you can pay for that online. Drop them off to any one of the churches or The Informer in Monk Street, Whitianga.
Coromandel Elim Church nearing completion; Basil, Paul and Carrick taking a well-earned rest after picking up litter from Thames Coast Beaches.
Opshop volunteer Christine Christie in the new book room.
Combined group search and rescue training a success
BY DEAN ALBISTON
The task was to mimic a situation where a greater search capacity may be required for a large-scale search on the Coromandel Peninsula
This was part of Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue (KSAR) annual search and rescue exercise held in August. This huge exercise was designed to combine the expertise of the neighbouring search and rescue groups, Tairua-Pauanui-WhangamataLand Search and Rescue and Waihi Land Search and Rescue. The Wade Road forestry area was selected for the training exercise as it represents some of the typical terrain that may be encountered on the Peninsula.
The experience of the weekend was to replicate a real situation with group members receiving a notification on Friday to be on stand-by for a search and to prepare their 24-hour packs. Subsequently, group members were notified of a time to be present at the KSAR base with all equipment required for a two-day search.
All search operations require group members to be trained in search techniques and capable of being out in the field overnight. Group members who are trained in managing the incident are continually gathering intelligence and directing the field teams.
The scenario: In the training search scenario, a hunter was 24 hours overdue from his trip and had not contacted friends or family. We had a local volunteer to be our lost person (along with his canine companion) which made for a realistic search situation.
There were enough participants to have five field teams pur-
suing different tasks out in the field as directed by the incident management team (IMT) and Saturday was entirely spent completing these tasks. At the end of the day, the lost person was still unaccounted for and all teams were stood down and directed to make camp and rest up for the night. For radio communication to remain open for the night, SAR members slept at base to ensure field teams would have contact if required.
Sunday began with further tasks for each field team and by a stroke of good fortune, in this instance, the lost person was located in the morning. Our volunteer hunter had developed stomach cramps and had difficulty walking which meant we had an opportunity to
use our stretcher and recently acquired “mule”, which is a large wheel fitted to the stretcher which allows us to travel greater distances with speed.
A debrief at the completion of the weekends’ exercise highlighted what went well and how we can improve in future searches. Our lost person volunteer gave valuable feedback and complemented us on how well he felt supported during the extraction.
Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue wishes to thank Summit Forests NZ Ltd and Norbert Klein for allowing us to use the forest block for our training exercise.
Dean is Chairperson of Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue
24b Lee Street, Whitianga (Next door to Pathlab) Kuaotunu & Hahei Clinics 0800 868 9579
GAMES AND PUZZLES
(10)
12. Furthest back (8)
14. Tiny insects (4)
16. Metric weight unit (4)
17. Incapacitated (8) 20. Unnecessarily (10) 23. Adolescent (5)
24. Prominence (8)
25. Earlier (5) DOWN
1. Jewish food custom (6)
2. Celebrity status (4)
3. Stupefy (4)
4. Edible innards (5)
5. Boldly (9)
6. Periods of growth (6)
9. Stone fruits (5)
11. Medical support worker (9)
13. Slide on snow (3)
15. Unhappily (5)
16. Armed gangsters (6)
18. Act indecisively (6)
19. Narrow lane (5)
21. Nauseous (4)
22. Belonging to you (4)
Informer
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.
Renewable energy: healthier, cheaper and abundant
BY DENIS TEGG
Alastair Brickell’s second energy article (Informer 3 Sept) is a glaring example of “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” He dismisses renewable energy as not totally flawless while ignoring the far greater economic, health and environmental harm caused by coal burning. Mr Brickell again overlooks that renewable energy costs just a third of coal generation. He seems unaware that coal plants waste two-thirds of their energy as heat, solar generation cuts emissions by 97-98% compared to coal, and coal extraction consumes 20-30 times more material than wind or solar.
Renewables are job rich. 142,000 clean energy jobs were added to the US economy in 2023, double that of overall jobs. Coal jobs fell nearly 8,500. (Reuters). Whitianga’s Lodestone solar farm is creating many local jobs.
Government and energy industry experts contradict Mr Brickell’s fearmongering about a non-existent energy crisis in New Zealand. His alarmist cries about our “broken” energy system coincided with a one-day spike in wholesale electricity prices to
$800MW/H. Prices have since plummeted to an average of $100 MW/H, thanks to - surprise, surprise - strong winds and rainfall.
Why didn’t Mr Brickell consult reputable sources like the New Zealand Electricity Authority?
Maybe because they confirm that despite strong demand growth from electrifying our economy and transport, we can still meet our 2030 renewable energy targets.
The “intermittency problem” that Mr Brickell catastrophises to justify coal use? It’s a molehill he’s turned into a mountain. Experts confirm it can be solved with a suite of storage options including 1 TWh of grid-scale batteries. These batteries can meet 3-4 hours of peak demand during occasional cold winter nights, as explained by Victoria University Professor Alan Brent (The Conversation).
South Australia has already proven this model works, achieving 100% renewable energy including on cold winter nights, using solar power and large-scale batteries. Plus saving consumers money in the process! (energymining.sa.gov.au/).
New Zealand, with its massive hydroelectric reserves acting as a
POLICE REPORT
BY CONSTABLE
MICHAEL CARTER
Monday 2 September to Sunday, 8 September
2024
GENERAL:
Monday, 2 Sep: Two separate family harm incidences were reported for properties on Onerere Drive. During one of these incidences, an intoxicated male suffered serious injuries after a window was broken. Medical assistance was given with the aid of attending ambulance staff.
Wednesday, 3 Sep: Family Harm incident was reported as having occurred at a Whenuakite address. Upon police arrival, the informant was spoken to and given friendly advice.
Thursday, 4 Sep: A Breach of Protection Order was reported at a Moewai Park Road address. At the time of police arrival, the parties were separating.
Friday, 5 Sep: Family Harm incident occurred at a Cook Drive address. Both parties had already separated prior to police arrival.
Saturday, 6 Sep: Three separate Breach of Protection Orders were reported as having occurred by the
offenders making unauthorised contact with the victims. These incidences are all being investigated and may result in charges being laid against the respective offenders.
ARRESTS: 1x male arrested for theft of a mobile phone.
OCCURRENCES:
Wednesday, 4 Sep: Disorder incident occurred at a commercial property on Joan Gaskell Drive. Police are continuing with enquiries to speak with this person. Burglary was reported at a Tairua Whitianga Road, Kaimarama farm where fuel and timber have been taken
Thursday, 5 Sep: Burglary occurred at a commercial premises on Abrahamson Drive. A large amount of work tools and vehicle parts were stolen.
natural battery, needs fewer gridscale batteries than other countries relying solely on solar or wind. Mr Brickell’s disingenuous dismissal of batteries and exaggeration of renewable intermittency ignores the rapid global growth of cheap renewable solutions. If renewables are deeply flawed, as claimed by Mr Brickell why are they experiencing rapid worldwide expansion and adoption? Over the last decade, wind capacity increased by 250%, solar by 900%, and battery storage by a staggering 1,400%. Last year wind rose by 9%, solar by 22%, and grid-scale battery storage skyrocketed by 65-70%. And prices are still falling, meaning even faster uptake to come.
Meanwhile, global coal-fired electricity dropped by 2-3% last year. and no wealthy OECD nation has commissioned a coal plant
Enquiries are continuing to identify the perpetrators.
Friday, 6 Sep: Burglary was reported as having occurred at a Buffalo Beach Road property where a Toyota Corolla motor vehicle was stolen from the attached garage. This vehicle has not yet been recovered.
Sunday, 8 Sep: A report was made regarding a fence being purposefully damaged at an Albert Street address overnight.
TRAFFIC:
Sunday, 8 Sep: A black coloured motor vehicle was captured on video conducting sustained loss of traction around the SH25/Joan Gaskell Drive roundabout. The driver has been identified and he is now facing charges at court. The vehicle was subsequently impounded for 28 days and green stickered.
If anybody observes this behaviour, please report it to police along with the vehicle description and registration if able. We definitely do not need this behaviour in our area.
Police are targeting Restraints, Impairment, Distractions and Speed this month.
since 2019. (International Energy Agency)
Another pesky detail Mr Brickell conveniently overlooks is the devastating health impact of coal. Heart attacks, strokes, lung diseases, and respiratory infections causing 1 million premature deaths annually and 10 to 15 million hospitalisations globally, are all dangerous impacts of coal-fired power. (World Health Organization). Solar and wind? Zero health impacts. But who needs healthy citizens when we can burn more coal, right?
Neither of Mr Brickell’s columns provides any credible sources, instead relying on unsubstantiated false equivalencies and “whataboutism” drawn from fossil fuel industry anti-renewable disinformation campaigns. Time therefore for some fact-checking: Solar panels can withstand
2.5 cm hailstones with rare damage. Peanuts compared to climate change-driven flooding, and droughts severely impact water-dependent coal plants, e.g., $125 billion in losses from Hurricane Harvey, 2017 (EIA).
98% of solar panel materials are already being recycled in New Zealand (phoenixrecycling.co.nz/ solar-panels). Recycling of wind turbines will follow as demand increases.
New perovskite solar cells have no silicon, so create no forced labour issues. Lodestone’s website confirms they ethically source their panels.
Germany hasn’t commissioned new coal plants as Mr Brickell suggests: - it shut down 15 in April 2024 while increasing renewables by 9.1%. (e3g.org/news/)
And the economic boon Mr Brickell touts from coal royalties? - a paltry $3 million in 2022 (nzpam. govt.nz). Truly a king’s ransom for our hospitals and schools! Mr Brickell’s arguments are as outdated as the zombie technology he’s desperately trying to defend. There’s no energy crisis. Instead, we are on the cusp of unprecedented super-cheap renewable energy abundance. (rethinkx.com/energy)
Suzie & Jannine
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.
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
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
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.
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
Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club – 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Social Bowls, Thursday & Sunday at 12.30pm, Contact Steve Williams 027 855 2772. 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@
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
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
Spiritual Coffee Mornings – Every Tues and Wed, 10.30-11.30am, 19 Monk St, the Starlight Centre.
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 mercurybayathletics@gmail.com
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.
HEAT PUMPS
Sales and installation of Mitsubishi and Fujitsu heat-pump/air conditioning. Call Bill for a free no obligation quote. 027 2714803
www.dynamicelectrical-whitianga.co.nz
Warm up a medium sized bedroom with a Mitsubishi heatpump. Starting at $2000 installed.
Contact: Richard 021 288 8843 Stump Grinding Coromandel
We cover the whole of Coromandel. For enquires email: inquiries@ stumpgrindingcoromandel.co.nz or check out our website: www.stumpgrindingcoromandel.co.nz
OPENING HOURS
Philip Hart
WE’RE YOUR LOCAL FOR:
Sleepers
Landscape Timber
Fencing Rails
Decking
Paving
Chartered Accountant
Sheds
Water Tanks
P: 07 866 2457
Cement
MON - FRI (7:30AM - 5:00PM) SAT (8:30AM - 3:00PM) CLOSED SUN
225 South Highway, Whitianga
47 years developing long term relationships with clients.
Nails, Bolts, Screws HAMMER HARDWARE WHITIANGA TRADE
Pergola Timber
Custom Trellis
Smart Screens
E: whitiangatrade@hammerhardware.co.nz
Specialising in Business Development, Taxation, Farm Accounting, Structuring, Accounting Systems.
For an obligation-free discussion and appraisal of your business needs, call me.
Phone 021 960 494 or 07 866 2907
Whitianga Office (Mon-Wed) 26a Albert Street, Whitianga
AEROVIEW GARDEN CENTRE
TRADES AND SERVICES
Coromandel/Thames & Whitianga area. Phone: Tony 027 494 7692
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Everyone welcome for the Easter programme Sunday 10 am – 12 noon @ 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga (Community Service Bldg) Enquiries - 021 113 0566
C3 Church Whitianga
Join Us, Expect Miracles!
Sundays 10am 22 Coghill Street, Whitianga
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
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
ST ANDREW’S BY THE SEA
Presby/Methodist Church Albert St Whitianga (Est.1898) COMMUNITY WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY 9:30am Come, join us! Bring the family! Parish Secretary: ph 022 132 2061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz
Friday 20 September – 6pm at Cooked Restaurant, 2 Mill Road, Whitianga. RSVP by 18 September to whitianga@playcentre.org.nz MERCURY BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB INC NOTICE OF
The club’s 93rd AGM will be held at the clubrooms on Saturday 5 October 2024, 9.00am. Nominations for the Board will close on Saturday 28 September 2024.
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage, opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
GR8 STORAGE, WHITIANGA Phil – 0273 433023, Car, boat, campervan storage, 20 foot containers available to store your belongings.
BOOKCASE FOR SALE
Approx 100mm x 100mm 3 shelves with solid top, no cupboard, no wobbles $280 ONO Phone: Peter 022 130 1070
Mission complete! Well done to Mercury Bay Junior Boys
Undefeated Champion of Waikato Secondary School Football Association 3rd Division.
At last Saturdays game it was Mercury bay Junior Boys versus St Johns in Clyde Park, Hamilton. The score was 3-1 to MBJB favour. Congratulations to everyone but especially Noah palmer and Ben Collins for scoring the goals.
Coach Taddy says a big thank you to Manami for taking won-
derful photos throughout the year Coach: Taddy Ito Manager: Mark Collins Team members: Ben Collins, Noah Greenfield (Greeny), Tylar Cornwall, Leo Renall, Valo Gray, Liam Robertson, Eliott Ribet, Curtis Treherne, Cameron Johnansen, Joel Iggulden, Arlo Hert, Levi Stewart, Elijah Bianchi, Noah Palmer (Palmer). Noah Gordon (Gordo), Cooper Tuinier, Yugo Kawai, Roland Matthewson.
PUBLIC NOTICES
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.
For our latest screening schedule and trailers go to www.mercurytwincinemas.com
Scan barcode to take you directly to our website
home of BIG SCREEN entertainment on the Coromandel
Follow us on:
Notice is given that Thames-Coromandel District Council has recently reviewed and amended its Animal Nuisance Bylaw Ture-ā-Rohe Kararehe Pōrearea 2019. The amended bylaw can be viewed on our website https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Council/Bylaws-Codes-and-Policies/Bylaws and a copy can also be obtained from our service centres located at:
• 515 Mackay Street, Thames
• 355 Kapanga Road, Coromandel Town
• 10 Monk Street, Whitianga
• 620 Port Road, Whangamatā.
The amended Animal Nuisance Bylaw Ture-ā-Rohe Kararehe Pōrearea 2019 is reviewed and amended in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002.
The amendments to the Animal Nuisance Bylaw Ture-ā-Rohe Kararehe Pōrearea 2019 are minor changes and include:
• Amendment to Clause 4 Explanatory Note to reference current versions of the Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan and the Thames-Coromandel District Council Dog Control Bylaw 2023 - Te Ture ā-Rōhe mō ngā Kaupapa Kurī and Dog Control Policy 2023 - Kaupapa mō ngā Kurī.
• Amendment to Clause 5 to:
Update reference in the definition of District Plan to the Thames-Coromandel District Plan – Operative in part – March 2024 and the Operative Version of that Plan, when it becomes fully operative; and
• Update reference in the definition of Person to the meaning given by the Legislation Act 2019.
Amendment to Clause 6.3 to correct typographical error.
• Amendment to Clause 7 Explanatory Note to include obligations under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Biosecurity (National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan) Order 1998; and to include current working link to Management Agency website.
• Amendment to Part 2 heading to renumber as Part 3.
• Amendment Part 3 heading to renumber as Part 4.
• Amendment to include new Part 5 heading to improve format and provide clarity
A Lawrie
Chief Executive
Thames Coromandel District Council
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.
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The junior boys are the champions of Waikato Secondary School Football Assocation 3rd Division.
The Dunes Pro-Am golf tournament
– a great success – 34 pro golfers
Last Saturday, 14 September was a very big day at the Dunes Matarangi. It was the Pro-Am Golf Tournament with 136 Golfers on the field.with the 34 pro golfers, there were 34 teams in play. A big thank you to the main sponsor, WINTON and the other sponsors: Ricoh, ITM, Lion Breweries and Euro Vintage Wines for a great prize table.
RESULTS
1st Place – Debbie Graham + Rose Cron + Leonard Philips. Pro – Quinton Thompson 97 points.
2nd Place – Norman Gilbert + Marie Dunn + Nicole Dunn. Pro – Kerry Mountcastle 94 points.
3rd Place – Patrick McElhinney + Sujit Kalidas + Richard Wilkinson. Pro – Riki Kauika 93 points.
4th Place – Ruth Rennie + Peggy McLean + Wayne Beaver . Pro – Bailey Smith 90 points
5th Place – Karen McNeill + Kris McCurrach + Shirlie Bardebes . Pro – Stewart McCaw 88 points.
6th Place-Trevor Martin + Darren Sapich + Paul Dixon. Pro – Rhys Thomas 88 points on countback.
7th Place – Ross Mudgway + Ross Harper + David Sampson. Pro – Darragh Lynch 88 points on countback.
Nearest the pin on 18th – Patrick McElhinney (trundler).
PRO WINNERS
New course record was set by Kerry Montcastle 66 Gross.
1st Place – Kerry Mountcastle 66 Gross. 2nd Place – Dongwoo Kang 67 Gross – broke the course record.
3rd Place – Michael Brodie 69 Gross.
Maintaining
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Locally
www.elitemgmt.co.nz