Election fever is here. The race for Mayor has begun
BY PAULINE STEWART
Perhaps fever is too strong a word for Kiwis. No one could doubt that people are interested in who they will decide by vote to lead their local government. Over 170 people coming on a Sunday afternoon with no draw card of free food or drink is a clear indication people want change and they want to listen and decide who can deliver it.
Truthfully there were six humans, not superhumans standing before the crowd as our mayoral candidates in Whitianga town hall. Last Sunday, 2.00pm to 4.00pm. people were largely from Whitianga and Cooks Beach. It is the first of five such meetings around the Peninsula between now and the end of September ( See page 12).
I don’t think anyone made a final decision yesterday. We have time.
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COROMANDEL TOWN IS WORKING HARD FOR THE FERRY TO RETURN
Continued on page 2
Photo courtesy of Coromandel Town Information Centre.
Ferry – Top priority for CCBA
Continued from front page
To advocate for and reinstate the ferry service from Auckland to Coromandel return is the key goal of the Coromandel Colville Business Association.
The Coromandel ferry service stopped when Covid came. It was such a plus for travellers from Auckland and also for locals but it was always economically vulnerable.
But the people of Coromandel had the ferry coming into Hannafords Wharf at Te Kouma, a few kilometres south of the township. There was always hope that it would one day be able to come right into the commercial wharf in the town of Coromandel.
Legendary Barry Brickell had come up with a vision of having a separate pier near the Coromandel town wharf and trains would bring the people to and from the ferry. These were exciting ideas. Of course the vision and the ideas come before the funds or investment. It wasn’t the right time. There were also a number of environmental objections to the ferry coming into the town wharf. Then the storms came –cyclones Hale and Gabriel.
Fullers do not seem to be ready to return, and it is public news that the Fullers busines
We’re gunna need a big carrot to hook this one!
Why should we get the Coromandel ferry back? Have YOUR say!
This was suplied by Gini Collin of Earth Energies.
operation is for sale. Coromandel township has looked at all the negatives of restoring the ferry and at all the possibilities it could bring to their town, north of their community and the whole Peninsula and they have committed to exploring every avenue to make it possible. They believe with very thorough due diligence and with the development of infrastructure that will create income associated with a restored ferry service the it can become a reality. It will change
the level of income for oromandel town but it does not need to change Coromandel’s nature.
Jenny Ashman, Chair of the Coromandel Colville Business Association is leading the charge and presented a visually detailed report at the public meeting – what has been done and what is yet to be done. It was the second public meeting. 74 had attended the first one. There were 40 at the second meeting which the Informer attended. As the details become more clear and the detail
Opportunity for artist at beautiful gallery
Gallery 6 in Kapanga Road Coromandel Town is looking for two participating artists to join them before Christmas. This is an exciting opportunity – more details next week. Phone 027 777 1572.
emerges then it is a natural evolution to a smaller working group. There were many astute business and commnity minds present at this meeting.
Jessica Black, Economic Development Support Advisor at TCDC has been a tremendous support and practical help in preparing the reports and in investigating economic possibilities associated with a regular ferry service. More input is coming on this project. The next public meeting is Wednesday 27 August.
Gallery 6, is an artist collaborative with works by painters Diann Cade, Donna Scatchard, Vaughan Udall and fabric art by Raewyn Penrose. Also on display are ceramics and craftworks from other local makers.
191 Kapanga Rd, Coromandel Town Opening hours: 10am-2pm Friday to Monday
By Alastair Brickell
ISS pass followed by another short one at
Moon is now just to the left of Saturn. From 6:04pm in the north there will be a
in the west. Wednesday, 13 August: The Moon has now dropped to sit directly below Saturn and in the dawn sky we will have a lovely view of Jupiter sitting right beside Venus and from 6:52pm there is an ISS pass in the NW. Brilliant Venus remains unmistakable in the pre-dawn sky with considerably fainter Jupiter rapidly rising up to meet it on the 13th. The two brightest planets will be a lovely sight in binoculars. Meanwhile the Moon can help us locate Saturn over the weekend and sits right beside it next Tuesday. On Tuesday, we have two ISS passes on one night as it travels at 8km every second and only takes about 90 minutes to come around the Earth again.
Standing for Mayor – first public meeting
Continued from front page
This is a taster. It is too early to interpret how many ‘horses’ will be actually in the race by the end of September. There is no clear head start for any candidate yet. The reality is the one who becomes Mayor will need the support and active engagement of capable Councillors and Community Board Members who are literally with their people on the ground advocating for their communities’ needs and projects What is clear – is that one person’s vote counts.
Yesterday was about the Mayoral candidates answering questions sent out by the Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association who organised the meeting. The questions were also printed in The Informer 22 July. In addit ion, they were to reveal their clear understanding of what they saw
as the role of Mayor in leadership, setting priorities, rates and change and to be specific about these.
PETER REVELL
I am unique among the candidates. I am the one who has served this district and communities as a Community Board member and currently as a district Councillor . I know its strengths and its obvious failings. I stand here with decades of experience in the commercial world knowing how to get stuff done. I stand here to lead TCDC to ensure that this district maintains its premier position as the place to live and to visit in NZ . Our culture, our people, our history, our environment our beaches make it unique.
The context of this election is the most prolonged and deeply felt cost of living crisis in New
Zealand . Many commentators say it is the worst for decades.
Kiwi bank chief economist says, ‘The cost of living crisis is decimating discretionary spending. Power prices have gone up 10.4%. and you and I as rate payers are trying to cope with this. We are cutting our food purchases we are cutting short holidays, we are turning down heaters. Now here is the kicker in all this, None of us in this room, no rate payer can avoid paying rates. None of us can lower the rates levied on us by Council.
By law we have no choice but to pay.
The biggest single contributor to inflation is the rate burden that is placed on residents. The Finance minister has said very clearly to councils; - ‘Focus on the basics get rates under control.’
Please see Peter’s pre-paid ad on page 5 – advertising a special meeting he is holding this Friday.
STEVE HART
He introduced himself as Controversial
Steve’s theme was, ‘The system is broken. We need to fix it.”
“How are we going to fix it?” was his question.
“I’m not going to fix it. Not me, not the councillors not the community board members but ‘we’ – the community.”
I will introduce weekly forums all around the district – inviting everyone and debate what you want. Figure out what you want,
come and discuss what you want.
I will invite all councillors and Community Board members to go through fear facility training.
I want them to facilitate these weekly forums not dictate but invite you to run your community, What is my vision for Coromandel? To have a vision you need a visionary and I haven’t seen a visionary.
We certainly need a new vision for the Coromandel. It is foresight, strategizing, and creating what we want. What do we want?
I want something for our children and our children’s children. We have to fix our broken system. I am issuing a notice as your future Mayor to fix things.
Steve is both an academic and practical worker with 15 university degrees and a record of full time work over many years for Councils in New Zealand and
abroad combining architecture with landscape architecture, urban design and overlaying it with permaculture. He is essentially an ecology scientist. “I am not afraid of any argument or any criticism. I don’t walk away from anything. We have a huge amount of talent and expertise here to be invited to the table.”
Council has to change its fiscal management. I suggest creating a public audit on everything spent. There are moves to employ consultants before there is opportunity to hear about projects.
Policy – Steve has prepared a 28 page document on his policy –his manifesto for the Coromandel Peninsula. This is available. He has a smaller version aswell.
PATRICK KERR
Patrick actually answered the set questions and added some.
I want to state – Who I am; what I stand for; How I am going to proceed as Mayor.
Why I am standing.
What experience I will bring to the job.
I am originally from Timaru. Coromandel has been my home for 10 years.
I have a proven business background, I chair Enterprise Whangamata.
I have experience in Council and staff and conduct business on our behalf. Things must change. We cannot afford to keep on like we are.
Continued on page 5
Steve Hart.
Flemming Rasmussen, MC – setting out the rules of the afternoon; Peter Revell.
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I stand for accountability, back to basics, a fair deal for all the rate payers, targeted economic development.
My vision – a vibrant Coromandel, togetherness, acknowledging our different communities. Coromandel has a unique environment. We can cherish and protect our environment. We need to achieve economic sustainability. We must implement business and community friendly policies.
We must focus on our buiiding, conference and hospitality sectors – creating growth particularly in the shoulder times. Offer tourists more reasons to visit –quality over quantity.
We have over half of NZ’s entire population within two and a half hours drive.
Transparency and Openness –Why is this so hard? I believe we should adopt the Ombudsmans Report fully and get on with it.
We pay taxes to central government to receive social services. We pay rates and land tax to local government. For this we receive basic infrastructure services. Let’s not confuse the two.
What is the core council business? – Roading infrastructure, rubbish, parks, sports fields footpaths and parks.
Back to basic infrastructure –our core services must be fit for purpose and they must be done well. Does anyone here want to pay more rates?
We paid rates of $83million in fiscal year 2022-23. We paid 109m last year in 2024-25.
This year they want us to pay $117m. an average of $4,100 per ratepayer.
No limit to their appetite to tax us. Cost of living crisis.
Rates will be $135m in 2028-29 fiscal years $4,700 for each of us.
TCDC is using us like an ATM .
DENISE MESSITER
A simple ‘kia ora’ launched Denise into a quiet confident presentation that advocated a community based style of leadership. “We desire leadership that reflects all of us. I can walk in both worlds and I know how to bring both these worlds together. Your needs are real. Your vision is powerful. You need a Mayor who sees you, hears you. Whether it’s fixing the road, about a pipe or a pothole; these are statements about what we value.
I will bring leadership that does not hide behind closed doors. It is a time for courage.
My vision is simple – a thriving resilient, inclusive Coromandel with community co-governance, engagement and connection. We need smarter infrastructure, employment, transparency, compassion, Maori inclusion, real seats at the table for youth. We are not ‘one size fits all’. We are a chain of small settlements –we are NOT the same but we all want the same for our settlement. The services I receive for my rates need to be fair and equitable allocated. Denise spoke clearly of her qualifications.
I am a local. I was taught by this place. I come from here. Five grandchildren. I have a Masters
degree in Policy Analysis. I have governance expertise. I was the first Maori Policy Analyst in New Zealand.
LEN SALT
Len obviously has health concerns and he spoke to alleviate concerns of the people from his wheelchair.. He does have operations ahead of him but assured the gathering these wer enot monumental.
Len reminded the gathering of the cyclones, Hale and Gabrielle which drastically altered Mayoral priorities just weeks after the previous elections. He spoke of the success of Waka Kotahi buildng State Highway 25A three months ahead of time. Local government played its part in this and he was proud of that. He described the very difficult economic circumstances of small business in those post-cyclone times and hiow he and his council stepped up and found funding from central government to assist.
Len forthrightly defended his role in supporting Maori Wards and conducting the processes that moved it ahead. He will support maori wards in the future. “Every place I have looked at where Maori arr working for and representing their people show exceptional success.” He urged people to take the maori economy seriously and to be aware that technology and working on that closely with iwi would be apriority for him.
Len acknowledged that people were not feeling like they were getting a voice and that the dis-
connect perceived between ‘us (local elected members)’ required a closer connection by Council to the Residents and Ratepayers Associations.
On a question posed form the floor as to what did he see as the opportunities to take costs out of TCDC operations, Len answered –
“Our council has done an extraordinary amount of work on this very topic. Be careful you don’t start stripping your financial model back so far that you fail to deliver services and amenities. We have to be open to what our communities want and what they are prepared to pay for. Whether it is libraries etc or pink roads, they want if they are prepared to pay for these, then we a responsible to work to help them make it happen.
JAMES SUBRITZKY
James stood out in his broad brimmed maroon hat somewhere between a Quaker and Indiana Jones. He demonstrated a great
heart for the needs of the people, walking the DOC walks with drug addicts. Getting them free of addiction through the environment. This was his starting sentence.
James also advocated for councils to enable the set up of small businesses. Where the council saw empty shops, he proposed they help set up small businesses and then invite small private enterprises to take over and run these businesses. He was clear that the communities of the Peninsula needed this kind of partnership from Council.
His statement, “Councils need to keep us alive,” indicated that he was very aware of some of the economic struggles in the smaller communities. James’ direct answers and very lateral thinking were refreshing as the last speaker . The people’s energy had faded a little.
James as yet does not reflect being experienced in local government but he has a great heart for caring for people and his energy may well be needed in the social arena.
He had suffered some inconvenience on the day which had his notes not being with him. We shall hear more from James Subritzky.
Note: A straw poll decided the order of speaking of the candidates and we have kept to this order for the purpose of your reading a little about each candidate. Please see TCDC website for candidates details.
Patrick Kerr; Denise Messiter; A panel representing the Residents and Ratepayers Associations was appointed to form up questions for the candidates.
Mayor Len Salt; James Subritsky.
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Punk Rock made for a loud and successful community night
BY PAULINE STEWART
Leo Magri of Coromind magazine has said about Punk Rock, “It is loud. Punk Rock is rude, Punk Rock is in your face. It is not polite. It’s been upsetting people for years.” Leo is a Punk Rock musician (drummer) and is a member of the local three piece Punk Rock band, Corrosive Moses. The entire community was invited to come and enjoy a night of punk rock at the Whitianga Town Hall on Saturday, 19 July. It was titled “What’s with all the noise”. It certainly filled that description. The central feature of the night was to celebrate the release of Corrosive Moses’ first single, and video, “Buttercup”, filmed by friend and director, Fauze Hassen. Other bands featured in the programme – TheBand.com, Commodore 65 – also of Punk Rock ilk. The duo of Roimata and Andy Hopping was not – they were Pop and upbeat and also great. DJ Sunray took the vibe to the late hours and she would have to be one of the most popular DJs in the North Island. Everyone was local. It was an all ages gathering. I might have been the oldest there but the punk rockers of Mercury Bay have quite a few 50 plus friends.
The Town Hall’s official ceremonies and hundreds of civic meetings would not have recognised the dim, flashing lights, the very loud music, the luminous plants, the mass of shadowy figures –
some dancing and a lot watching, as the music thundered – be it rhymical, and very discouraging of conversation.
I shout-chatted with some of the crowd, many whom I knew. It was a fact that after greeting one another, one of us would comment, ”This isn’t actually my kind of music. That conversation occurred several times. However, other things were shouted above the music. Such as – “Isn’t it great to see this on a cold winter’s night,?” or “I’m pleased for the youth to have this kind of event,” or “A good crowd –the place is thumping!”
These are not the utterances of the weak minded; they are not people pretending to be grooving to the latest noise of punk rock. Most can’t hear the words. They are there and they don’t look sour or bored.
The fact is many simply wanted to support Corrosive Moses and the other bands – support them in their vision of what they would like to achieve. Many had received a personal invitation. Also, some have children who love Punk Rock and so registered their support for whatever their children or grandchildren treated as a great night out. Some wanted to show their support for the event. It was a small town in action – acting locally but thinking in a global context, embracing something positive out of their circle of interest and out of their comfort zone.
It can’t always be about supporting what we enjoy person-
ally. Some of the music was head banging in volume and rhythm, but seeing others really get into it meant it was a passion for them. Whoever went through the doors would automatically recognise that a lot of people had worked hard behind the scenes to create the atmosphere and energy and bring the crowd, all because they believed in it. Between 150 and 200 people went through the doors of the town hall on this mid-winter night.
Leo Magri, says that their fulllength album is on the way. He invites people to listen to the songs and defies the community “Not to be moving and singing along to them in the end.”
by Spid
Top: from left – Leo, Stu Pedley and Gabe Johnson of Corrosive Moses. Bottom: Emily, Robert and Charlotte enjoying punk rock.
Photo
TRAVEL
TRAVEL WRITER
– SARAH JANE
What’s so great about the Karangahake Gorge
Explore lesser-known New Zealand, the Karangahake Gorge, and the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park as you delve into a blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue.
Visitors exploring New Zealand's North Island, a trip to the Karangahake Gorge is an absolute must-do part of the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. For those in Auckland, and the top of the North Island, the park’s stunning landscapes and fascinating past are right on your doorstep, offering an accessible escape into nature and history.
WALK THROUGH HISTORY, THROUGH NATIVE BUSH & FOREST
Grit and the sheer determination of 19th century gold mining prospectors led to extraordinary feats, as massive pieces of machinery hauled into remote and inaccessible bush areas by horse and human power. This relentless pursuit of gold did lead to the widespread destruction of the region's magnificent mature kauri forests.
Windows Walk: This is perhaps the most popular walk due to the scenery, visible mining remnants, and a disused gold mining tunnel. An outdoor adventure for kids. The walk starts in the Karangahake Reserve car park. The track is clearly signposted.
Victoria Battery is worth the effort: The battery was considered the largest and most advanced facility of its type in New Zealand. Over 800 men were employed at the height of production, operating three shifts. Gold mining was the primary reason the nearby township of Waikino was established.
FAMILY FRIENDLY WALK: GHOSTS & TUNNELS
The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway features historic railway remains in a stunning natural gorge setting, including two steel truss bridges and a 1 km rail tunnel. The track passes industrial remnants of historic gold mining. The walkway route is on the railway line through the gorge and then opens out alongside the Ohinemuri River, passing the massive Victoria Battery complex and finishing at the Waikino Station where a cafe and train rides operate in peak season. There is the option of a shorter loop section which includes bridges and the 1100 m railway tunnel at Karangahake.
TAKE A RAIL JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY
Catch a train, the Working Historic
Railway, Waihi New Zealand operates tours and there is an onsite cafe. For walkers who do not wish to return on the loop track there is road access to the Waikino Station. The Goldfields Railway operates seasonally between the historic gold mining town of Waihi and the Waikino Station. It is a popular break for cyclists who put their feet up for part of the Hauraki Rail Trail journey.
TAKE A HIKE: FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARDY MINERS
Waitawheta Valley logging tramway area: Waitawheta Tramway – Walkers follow an old tramline (1898-1928) on a relatively flat track through the spectacular Waitawheta Gorge. Plaques describe the historic gold mining activities and flora and fauna. It is a great family friendly walk that can be taken in sections..
For more details check out: Waitawheta Tramway: Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, Bay of Plenty region brochure. The entire track length is 19 km.
KARANGAHAKA GORGE WALK LOCATIONS https://goo.gl/maps/hoFv7bmhNC57uJR29
CAN YOU TAKE DOGS ON THE KARANGAHAKE GORGE WALK?
Yes, dogs are allowed on many of the tracks in the Karangahake Gorge including the Historic Walkway track. And you can both take a dip in the river afterwards.
QUICK FACTS –KARANGAHAKE GORGE
• Most walks start at the Karangahake Reserve car park
• View the Karangahake Gorge brochure at: www.doc.govt.
• Kaimai to Coast brochure: www.doc.govt.nz/documents/ parks-and-recreation/tracks-andwalks/bay-of-plenty/kaimai-tocoast-brochure.pdf
• The Victoria Battery site: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parksand-recreation/places-to-go/ bay-of-plenty/places/kaimaimamaku-conservation-park/ karangahake-gorge/victoria-battery-site/
CAN YOU TAKE DOGS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AREA? No, dogs are not allowed in DOC areas unless guide dogs with the relevant permit.
Young people crossing the bridge to explore the gorge walkways.
National Pie Awards – great local effort
Aresident of Cooks Beach is the media liaison for Bakels, the organiser and sponsor of New Zealand’s national Pie Awards. Cynthia Daly is her name and she has been residing in Cooks Beach with her husband for three years. Cynthia is a regular writer for The Informer due to her involvement in community service as a member of the Whitianga Lions Club. Cynthia has a great deal to do with the promotion and publicity associated with the Bakels national Pie Awards 2025 was a spectacular awards evening at the Cordiss Hotel in Symonds Street, Auckland, attended by hundreds of people all dressed in seventies vogue and heavily endowed with Beatles wigs and metallic gold wear, all seated at a sea of tables. Every guest was stylishly name tagged and received a gift card offering a lava lamp at the end of the evening. The ballroom was a colossal splash of colour, mirror lights and seventies design party disco décor.
& KiwiSaver Advisor
–
Announcing the winners for each of the major categories was trumpeted by spectacular glitzy dancing routines and interspersed by the serving of a three course meal.
The Informer was present at the awards evening and very hopeful that one or some of the thirteen entries from the Coromandel Peninsula might get a place, as in
2023, Chill Café of Whangamata won a gold award and Tatti Frutti, now of Tairua, won a second with their pie. This year, out of 4,600 pie entries from 540 different bakeries and cafes, there were no awards for the Coromandel area.
COROMANDEL PENINSULA’S
COGHILL CAFE
It is wide knowledge that Coghill Café in Whitianga received a lot of the judges attention with Brent’s pie, as a first time entry in the café boutique award section. The red heart on the top of their pie is red quinoa edible seeds.
To their credit, Coghill Cafe did feature in Seven Sharp, TVNZ One Thursday, 31st August because of their quality of baking and the service given by Brent and Fiona as a family team.
It was an exciting night and bakers in general would feel
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affirmed and honoured for their craft. The humble pie is very important to kiwis and still the most-loved ready to serve food in New Zealand. Believe it or not, there were no pies, large or small as part of the menu at the 2025 Pie Awards. However, the pie warmers out in the foyer of the Cordiss were full
of beautiful pies which you could sample as you left. Well done Bakels and all the bakers of the much loved pie.
The Ballroom at the Cordiss ready for the Pie Awards.
Cynthia Daly, Media Liaison for Bakels with Tony Marshall, National Sales Manager, Bakels New Zealand; The pie entered by Coghill Cafe.
Top: The TV NZ News team enjoying Pie Awards night.
Left: The Informer Editor with Suzanne Byrne, travel writer and Yvonne Tahana, TVNZ news.
Above: The grand Gold Award winning pie – Mr Samraksmey So (Sam) of Rosedale Bakery and Café, Albany. Potato Top with a French themed layered potato twist.
Vernon John Cooper (Jack)
I am Jack’s step-son. Bernice Cooper was my Mum. Vernon John Cooper was, in the very best and most interesting ways, a man of many contradictions – a good man, full of character. He had 91 years of life well lived. Jack died on Thursday, 24 July.
BY MIKE PEPPER
HOLDER OF A RANGE OF NAMES AND TITLES
Vernon John. John. Jack; brother to Viv and Kevin; Husband to Bernice, Ex-husband to Audrey, father to David and Jackie, step-father to Kim, Julie, Linda and myself, grandfather and great grandfather to an ever increasing hoard.
In terms of his livelihood, he was repairman, locksmith, engraver, proprietor, Freemason and Provincial Grand Master.
THROUGH IT ALL, A WHITIANGA LOCAL
Across his career in Whitianga from 1962 to 2015, he was a proudly:
• Certified Radio, TV and appliance repairman.
• Proprietor of a shop that specialized in jewellery, watch repairs, shoe repairs, dry cleaning, cigarettes, Golden Kiwi tickets and hair cutting, but only on a Saturday.
• Sporting goods proprietor.
• Founder of Whitianga’s first second-hand shop.
• Founder of Mercury Bay Refrigeration.
• Founder of Vee jays party ice.
• Grower of 10,000 strawberry plants on a vacant lot on Albert Street.
• Founder of Whitianga locksmithing and engraving services.
• Co-founder, along with Bernice, of the Whitianga Garden Centre and the Arlingham House Homewares store on Monk Street. He and Mum would sell the odd trinket and cut the odd key, in between long bouts of sitting on the front porch watching the world go by.
A MAN ON A DIET FOR 55 YEARS BUT NEVER ACTUALLY LOST ANY WEIGHT
One day in the eighties he decided on a strict diet of chicken and salad for lunch every day for 40 years. He never had dinner unless out with others. He displayed incredible will power that would
then be undermined by his endless snacking on a buffet of custard squares, avocados, cheese, pickled onions and chocolate.
A STICKLER FOR GOOD MANNERS, AND PERHAPS THE BLUNTEST MAN YOU EVER MET
There are stories, either of a little old lady who’d locked her keys in her car where he was ‘such a help, a lovely man, such a gentleman’, Or stories of some unfortunate Aucklander who after arriving in town, having left the keys to their bach back in Auckland, who would have the misfortune to call him at 7oclock at night seeking his services. Jack’s response was normally, “Break a window and I’ll be there in the morning.”
JACK, THE CHARACTER
He loved his cats. Many saw Jack feeding the cats at Monk Street, right up until he was unable to leave the house. The cats never wanted to move from Arlington House, so John came every day to feed them and spend time on the bench seat talking to the cats and to all those who passed by. One of the cats, Morse, died some years ago. A small team have been sharing in the care of the other cat, Girl, when Jack has not been well. John asked for Morse, whom he loved dearly, to be buried with him. When it came to money he was ‘a man with short arms and long pockets’ as he used to say. He had
a ‘money was no object’ when it came to certain food and beverages that caught his fancy, which they did; often -
• South Island Whitebait and cod by the freezer full.
• Denheath custard slices (Denheath thought he was a café, on-selling them).
• Bluff oysters couriered to his door on the first day of opening season – 20 dozen Bluff oysters in one sitting. Including drinking the oyster juice with a nip of vodka every other mouthful of oysters. He was the driver of either a rickity old ‘shit-box’, filled with cat-food and screwdrivers, or an immaculately hand-groomed Lexus.
An owner of multiple black tail cocktail suits and bowties; but rarely seen wearing anything but faded cargo shorts and threadbare jumpers.
A Locksmith who had his own car stolen because he used to leave the keys in the ignition.
A much trusted locksmith, who it can now be revealed, also made personal copies of the keys for both the side door of the continuing care unit and the padlock on the ferry landing cemetery gates, so he could visit Bernice outside of normal visiting hours whenever he pleased.
A NATURAL SPORTSMAN
• Champion squash player who, together with Geoff Norman, formed the Mercury Bay Squash Centre and built two courts.
• Trophy winning Marlin fisherman
• Scratch handicap golfer.
• Life- long jogger and then when his knees gave out, daily cycles in to his very late 80’s. Never strapped his helmet. Wore his
slippers as cycling shoes. Jack only gave up smoking in 1982 and never seemed to suffer any ill effects.
A lack of regard for rules and regulations extended to whenever a Tsunami warning would ring out across Whitianga. He’d use it as an opportunity to drive to the post office and clear his PO Box, because he rightly assumed the town would be nice and quiet.
MISCHIEVOUS ARCHITECT OF THE WHITIANGA GHOST TRAIN
Only very recently, Vernon John Jack Cooper confessed that it was in fact himself and Brian Edindger (dynamic duo known locally as Shaft and Shag).
After organising a series of fishing club events that involved a large outdoor PA system, combined with an extensive record player collection and knowledge of all things electrical, they picked a clear winters night for their prank.
They drove around to ferry landing, rigged up a record player and horn speakers to the back of his holden, and played a track from a series of recordings of famous trains from around the world. They then repeated this feat no less than four times and never told a soul. He was very proud that not only did it cause a stir locally, but that the story of the Whitianga Ghost Train made the front page of an Aussie Newspaper.
“They broke the mould” doesn’t do him justice.
Thank you to all those who, particularly in the last ten years since mum died, would ring up to see how he was going, stop in for a chat, drop off food, or even just wave out as he fed the cats in Monk Street. He deeply appreciated it.
He loved Whitianga. loved being part of the community here. Loved being one of its many colourful characters.
To quote from an article on his career and life in Whitianga from The Informer in 2019, “He never regretted a moment of it.”
Over the last few years this is where you could meet Jack Cooper –outside the TCDC building in Monk Street, feeding his cat.
This is Jack’s cat that is still alive – being fed by friends.
Meetings for the candidates
THE DUNES GOLF CLUB, MATARANGI - TWO MEETINGS
1. Sunday, 17 August, 4.00pm-6.00pm at The Dunes, Matarangi. Meet the Mayoral candidates.
2. Sunday, 24 August, 4:00pm-6:00pm at The Dunes, Matarangi. Meet the Councillor and Community Board members standing for election in Mercury Bay Ward. Tony Fox will be Chair of these meetings. The bar at The Dunes will be available for drinks and snacks. Enquiries: 021 866 045
THAMES WARD CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR, THAMES WARD COUNCILLORS AND THAMES COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS
Saturday, 30 August, Midday at The Thames Civic Centre.
MERCURY BAY WARD CANDIDATES FOR COUNCILLORS AND COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS
Saturday, 30 August, 2:00-4:00pm at Whitianga Town Hall.
PAUANUI & TAIRUA SOUTH EAST GENERAL WARD CANDIDATES WE ASSUME FOR MAYOR, COUNCILLORS AND COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS
Saturday, 6 September, 10:15am at Pauanui Club, Sheppard Ave, Pauanui.
COROMANDEL TOWN CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR, COUNCILLORS AND COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS
Wednesday, 24 September, 5:00pm at the Combined Clubs, Woollams Avenue, Coromandel.
Candidates
CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR
• Steve Hart
• Denise Messiter
• Len Salt
• Patrick Kerr
• Peter Revell
• James Subritzky
CANDIDATES FOR TCDC
COUNCILLORS
Coromandel-Colville General Ward (1 vacancy) Robert Ashman, John Morrissey.
Mercury Bay General Ward (3 vacancies)
Tony Brljevich, Deli Connell, Rekha Giri-Percival, John Grant, Flemming Rasmussen, Peter Wood.
South East General Ward (2 vacancies)
Denis Beaver, Mark Drury, Neil Evans, John Freer, Kurt Jarrett, Alison Smith.
Te Tara o Te Ika Māori Ward (1 vacancy)
Michael Barlow.
Thames General Ward (3 vacancies)
Steve Baker, Scott Bright, Fiona Cameron, Greg Hampton, Steve Hart, Cole McDowell, Kishan Raikwar, Martin Rodley, Robyn Sinclair.
COMMUNITY BOARDS
Coromandel-Colville (4 Vacancies)
Jean Ashby, Susanne Borgstede, Kim Brett, James Castle, James Davis, Kate James, Gavin
Jeffcoat, Alexei McDermott, Danny Topia.
Mercury Bay (4 Vacancies)
Kim Abrahamson, Rob Davis, Caroline Hobman, Bess Kingi, Peter Mackenzie, Joanne Pullin, Richard Shelford-Woodcock.
Tairua-Pāuanui (4 Vacancies)
Georgina Bond, Warwick Brooks, Michael Bush, Chris New, Barry Roberts.
Thames (4 Vacancies)
Adrian Catran, Steve Hart, Stuart Hislop, Rob Johnston, Glenn Leach, Holly Mackenzie, Cole McDowell, Warren Sly.
Whangamatā (4 Vacancies)
Mark Drury, Neil Evans, Graeme Smith, Sally Smith, Terry Walker, Heather Watt.
LEADERSHIP YOU
“NZ Move It team were incredibly careful
P. McNeill, 2025 (repeat customer)
“The guys were both really nice. They arrived on time and the move went perfectly. They were efficient and worked hard. It could not have been a better experience (and I have moved house almost 50 times over the
R. Preston, 2025
“The boys were marvellous. Couldn’t fault them!”
T. and L. True, 2025
A great night for fisher and hunting women A top birthday cause
Hunting and Fishing put on a Ladies Night last Friday, 1st August, a purely social and networking evening with snacks, bubbles and a goodies bag for women who love fishing. The night sold out- 30 places - in a few hours of putting it on facebook. One enthusiastic fisher for such a night drove from Whangerei.
Ashley, owner of Hunting and Fishing whitianga with her husband, Alex, welcomed all her guests and the team of hostesses offered food and wine to everyone. The women could roam the huge array of gear and clothing but the activity to paint your own design on a lure caught everyone’s attention as well as two winning presentations from the occasion’s two special guest speakers invited Lisa Hogboms represented Okuma NZ of Composite Developments. Okuma Fishing Tackle has developed an impressive range of fishing rods and reels and Lisa shared her own experience of rods and reels that work for her.
Renee Taylor of Salt Aotearoa Salt Aotearoa spoke about inspiring connections to the moana/ocean and to one’s self through freediving and kaimoana/seafood. Salt Aotearoa is a community of water wāhine/women and both young presenters talked with many of the guests personally.
Speaking to the event’s photographer CJ Poole, Caitlin said, “It is so good to have something just for the women as so many events
are so predominantly male when it comes to fishing and social events to do with fishing. Well done Hunting and Fishing!
Mabel Murie used the occasion of her birthday to raise funds for Filipino children who lack so many basic facilities and possessions due to the typhoon of 2024.
She worked with her friends to cook a beautiful and delicious buffet meal, organise live entertainment, booked the Town Hall and invited the community.
This was on Saturday evening, 2 August.
THE Informer spoke to Mabel.
“We have raised $1950. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support in helping me raise funds for the beautiful children in the Philippines. The kindness and generosity of the wider community and the willingness of my Filipino community to help out in so many ways has
made a tangible difference to what I hoped for. Thank you so very much everyone.
Everything that we raised will go to the village where so much devastation was caused by the 2024 typhoon. “ This is a great recipe for an adult birthday – invite your friends and have them pay a small amount; feed them well, provide friendship and music and send the money to a cause dear to you. We often get gifts we no longer need.
A Lifestyle Village in Thames on the Coromandel 2 AND 3 BEDROOM VILLAS NOW AVAILABLE
We now have a variety of villas to choose from – and all are within walking distance to Thames’ shops, cafes, and walkways. The perfect location to enjoy your fun-filled retirement.
Our spacious villas provide you with plenty of warmth and light and garden patios to enjoy. There are a variety of layouts to choose from including 2 and 3 bedroom villas, and 2 bedrooms with a double garage. All residents enjoy the use of the Village Community lodge and participation in all activities and amenities at your leisure.
Mabel Murie
Sol cooked a feast for Mabel
Painting lures at the ladies night; having fun and clowning around; Alex and Ash owners of Hunting & Fishing, Whitianga. Photos from C.J. Poole
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WEAK APPEASEMENT
BRINGS 15% TARIFF
New Zealand’s 15% tariff punishment from the US is the result of this government’s weak appeasement. While Australia and the UK fought hard and secured a 10% rate. our leaders rolled over, too scared to upset Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters boasts of good ties in Washington. Trade Minister Todd McClay says he had “good engagement.” Finance Minister Nicola Willis calls it a “blunt formula.” But none of them, including PM Luxon, fought back.
Trump falsely claimed we charge 20% on US goods. Where was our outrage? Our facts? Our defence?
Now Kiwi exporters are paying the price. The wine industry alone faces $112 million in extra costs. Dairy exports worth $883 million, and meat exports worth $1.8 billion, are now hammered with 15% tariffs. Our farmers and producers are being punished because our government refused to fight.
And in a brilliant strategy, we let the FBI set up shop in New Zealand – angering China, our biggest trading partner – while our so-called “friend”, the US, slaps us with higher tariffs.
This isn’t diplomacy – it’s failure. We need leadership with a spine, not a government desperate to bend the knee to Trump while letting Kiwi exporters get thrown under the bus.
Ron Alder, Whangamata
THIS COUNCIL RATES WELL ON GOOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The tired rhetoric of “reckless spending” and “financial mismanagement” by TCDC is already echoing through this election cycle, but voters deserve more than recycled talking points from new mayoral and councillor candidates; they deserve the facts.
According to the latest government data comparing all councils (https://static3.stuff.co.nz/ summary-of-council-performance-43993340.pdf), TCDC is performing very well on all key financial measures.
First, the forecast rates increase for 2025–26 is 8.0%, below the national median of 9.2%, ranking 13th out of 27 councils in TCDC’s peer group (small metro and large provincial). This shows the council is moderate, not extravagant.
Second, TCDC’s net debt stands at 43.2% of total revenue, ranking as the 5th lowest among its 27 peer councils and placing it in the top 30% nationally for low debt levels. This prudent debt management is especially impressive given ongoing recovery efforts from Cyclone Gabrielle and other disaster impacts.
Third, regarding budgeting,
TCDC expects to earn 101 cents for every $1 spent, ranking 34th out of 66 councils nationally and 9th in its peer group. It’s living within its means, unlike many councils running deficits.
The numbers don’t lie – Mayor Len Salt and this Council have delivered solid financial stewardship that outperforms most councils nationwide. This election, demand receipts, not rhetoric –vote based on verified results, not opportunistic political spin.
Denis Tegg, Thames
WHERE WE LIVE RAISES ALARMS
Being on the ‘Earthquakes @ Geoscience Australia’ alerting system, for the last several weeks there have been multiple 5+, 6+ Richter Scale alerts daily in the Kamchatka area.
Then we get an 8.8 earthquake last Wednesday and tsunami warnings in areas of the ‘Ring of Fire’.
Why am I sharing this? Because of where we live.
The funnel-like shape of Mercury Bay makes it one of three areas in New Zealand that would suffer catastrophic consequences in the event of a tsunami.
For years MPs, Mayors, Councillors and Community Board members have all acknowledged the risk and chosen to ignore the importance of a complete warning system that includes sirens. Why would they willingly and deliberately be so dismissive of our collective safety you might ask? I’ll leave that for you to decide!
However, my concern is for seniors as well as the entire community. Many seniors are at great risk not having an effective warning system, just like the elected officials in Kerr County, Texas in the US. The officials who chose not to pay for an early siren warning system that other counties did choose to pay for, led to fatal consequences that left many of their citizens paying a much higher price, their lives.
Not one of the current TCDC MPs, Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members has an excuse as they’ve all been given information on a cost-effective
The purpose of the Letters to the Editor column is to enable members of the public to express an opinion, about an article or a topic of interest/concern. 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.
system, which by the way, is being installed in Northland because their civic leaders do realise that the safety of the people, aka ratepayers, want to do what they can to keep their constituents safe. If we follow the science, which is abundant, all-purpose sirens need to be progressed into being established now. Seniors and regular citizens have signed petitions and made their voice clear. This is no longer an issued to be pushed aside.
I respectfully request it is time for elected officials to listen and partner with Grey Power to act on the implementation of this now.
Linda Cholmondeley Smith, President, Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc
LEFT RIGHT OR CENTRE...OR LEFT OF CENTRE AND RIGHT OF CENTRE?
It’s a great piece Dal Minogue offers which possesses some good questions if you are a student of politics in its very basic form with little perception to the greater dimensions of the entire world and history of politics.
I find it a puzzle too; often perplexed by the dogma, the rhetoric and the jargon which does not communicate with the man in the street. Mind you that’s only 98% of us. The circuit or is it a circus of “Meet the Candidates” will hopefully open up many questions to severely test all candidates. What will be the key and hottest questions for Thames Coromandel? Will it be Environmental? Coastal Security? Rates Rises? Bureaucratic Incompetency? Building consents? The ongoing fiscal abuse? Fluoridation? Consultation? Biggest question is –Where is the money coming from? or Follow the Money? Or will it be – What have YOU achieved in your three years as our elected representative and where is the proof of that?... Put your gloves on. I will be there at all the Meet the Candidates meetings. See ya there.
Steve Hart, Thames
THANK YOU TO THE PREVIOUS GENERATIONS
What a great country we live in! A democracy without the ‘dog eat dog’ competition between citi-
zens, where those less fortunate are supported by the majority; –where there is care and support for the aged.
The payment of superannuation for all, with no means test is a generous hand out. How much further our country can afford it is being worked on.
Meanwhile, observing the grey -haired demographic amassed in the village (Whitianga and I are say other places on the Peninsula) for morning tea/breakfast tells me that the “super’ supports our small community in its consuming. We depend on government support. Thank you to previous genrations.
Peter H Wood, Whitianga
ROCKS FROM MOMENTUM
Election time with candidates promising ‘change’, change from this and change to that. These will likely be empty promises as we have seen in the past that the elected councillors have watched their administrative power swept aside by central government. District councils have found themselves competing with regional councils often both charging the rate-payer to do the same job.
Those whose homes are teetering on the brink of flooding by sea will not get a break-water supplied by Denis Tegg’s council but now we have a people’s bank called ‘Momentum’, a group of forward-thinking financiers who could easily supply the necessary funds to build the necessary breakwaters and everyone would be happy.
Walls of rocks have proven superbly successful elsewhere and we have a lot of local rock for the job. Rock walls look like the logical solution to Mr Tegg’s sleepless nights. These breakwaters would provide us with time to think, get over any panic and move forward sensibly. Not even Denis Tegg knows when the sea will rise or by how much, but history shows that these breakwaters will provide many decades of safety in which to live and sleep soundly.
John Veysey, Colville
DISAPPOINTED WITH CANDIDATES MEETING
We had high expectations when we attended the Meet |the Candidates meeting on Sunday afternoon at Whitianga Town Hall.
It was great to be able to have the six contenders for Mayor in one place and try to assess which one will make the best Mayor for this time in our history and for the whole of the Peninsula. Thank you. to the organisers and the brave people standing for Mayor.
Two things stood out as disappointments.
Though most of the candidates were well-prepared, only one really answered the questions which we set out by the Ratepayers Association and which we all had read in The informer
The second disappointment was that if you were sitting half way back or further in the hall, you could not really see the candidates. Yes, we could hear them but seeing them is also very important.
We appreciate the preparation and promotion done for the meeting and a lot of people came . Could something be done re the seating of the candidates for Council and Community Boards for the next meeting on 30 August at the Town Hall?
Cassie Lucas, Whitianga
CORRECTION
RE TRANSPARENCY
ARTICLE:
“Last week’s Informer incorrectly identified correspondent Geoffrey Robinson as a former BBC staffer, which he is not. Robinson is former editor and publisher of a group of urban newsweeklies and, since 2007, has covered a range of local government and environmental issues for Stuff, the Waikato Times, Hamilton News, and many regional and rural publications. He lives in Port Charles.”
COMMENT FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS AFTER TRANSPARENCY ARTICLE PUBLISHED, 29 JULY ISSUE
Unfortunately, Terry Walker has not been able to get support, so he said he’s going to wait until the next (Sept 16) meeting to put the issue to a vote. With all three MB members against and still running, it’s hard to believe the public isn’t really vocal about this. From Geoff Robinson
The kind of tsunami warnings that they have in Northland.
A crowded Town Hall for Meet the Mayoral Candidates.
Historical Society’s big day at Waihi Gold Discovery Centre
Members of the Mercury Bay Historical Society had a very big day out last Saturday, when they visited Waihi to learn about the town’s gold mining history. It was an early start at the Gold Discovery Centre to meet tour guide Eddie Morrow. Eddie is a ‘mine’ of knowledge about the history of gold mining in Waihi, and how the town has grown up around the industry. The first ‘gold fact’ Eddie told them was that all that glitters is not gold –at least 75 percent of what comes out of the Martha mine is silver!
It began in 1878 when two gold prospectors, McCombie and Lee, discovered “a promising outcrop of rock” on a hill in the area then called Waihihi. There was no town called Waihi. This was 26 years after Charles Ring discovered gold in Coromandel, precip-
itating the Coromandel gold rush.
The Waihi Gold Discovery Centre is a treasure-trove of working models, dioramas and information depicting the progress of the
POLICE REPORT
BY CONSTABLE MICHAEL CARTER
Monday 28 July to Sunday 3 August
GENERAL:
Monday, 28 July, a burglary was reported as having occurred at a Kuaotunu address. Batteries and diesel were targeted by the offending person(s).
Tuesday, 29 July, a burglary was reported as having occurred at a Matarangi address. Various items were removed from the property.
Wednesday, 30 July, a burglary was reported as having occurred at a Moewai Road address. Solar panels were removed from the location.
Wednesday, 30 July, another property was targeted by burglars on Moewai Road. CCTV cameras were taken by the offenders.
Thursday, 31 July an electric scooter was taken from outside a commercial premises on
Albert St. This item has since been returned to the owner and the offender spoken to.
Friday, 1 August a letterbox was purposely damaged at a Cook Drive address.
Friday, 1 August, a Nissan Safari was stolen from a commercial property on Campbell St. Enquiries are continuing to locate the vehicle.
Saturday, 2 August, a burglary was reported as having occurred at a commercial property on Joan Gaskell Drive. Grocery products were taken from a secure compound area.
Saturday, 2 August, drugs were located at a White Street address. These items were subsequently seized by police.
gold industry and of the town. Society members thoroughly enjoyed manipulating the interactive activities and state-of-the- art models.
From there the group moved on to the Waihi Museum to a welcome from historian and archivist Doreen McLeod. The Museum houses many fascinating historic
artefacts and precious early videos, archives and records of the nascent gold industry.
Saturday afternoon saw the group on board Eddie’s Gold Mine Tours bus, to visit sites in and around Waihi, beginning with the dizzying 260-metre depth of the original Martha Mine open pit, and through the many processes necessary to extract miniscule amounts of gold and silver from many tons of rock. The ore-bearing quartz is found anywhere from 200 to 600 metres underground, and the mine owners, OceanaGold, are still finding original hand-dug tunnels at a depth of almost 600 metres.
At the end of the day, Society members had a new-found respect for those old pioneers who risked everything to get at the shiny stuff.
ARRESTS:
1x male arrested for Impedes Breathing
OCCURRENCES:
Thursday, 31 July, a fight occurred between agitated persons on Sarah Ave. All parties have been spoken to by police regarding their actions.
Thursday, 31 July, a family harm assault occurred at a Matarangi address. The male was located and arrested for strangling his partner.
Sunday, 2 August, a verbal argument occurred at an Endeavour Close address. All parties were spoken to by police.
TRAFFIC:
Tuesday, 29 July a vehicle was driven dangerously and then impounded as the driver was forbidden. His subsequent actions have arisen to further charges of Disorderly Behaviour. Police are targeting restraints, impairment, distractions and speed this month.
Penwardens find special treasure in Waihi
Daphne and Erwin Penwarden were among the Historical Society Tour Group to Waihi last Saturday.
The visit meant a lot to them. As they gathered outside the Gold Discovery Centre, they looked at the church building next door – St John’s Anglican Church – and remembered the day, “fifty-seven years and ten days ago” when they were married in that church.
Eddie and Daphne met in 1965 when they were both working in Waihi at the Akrad Radio Corporation factory, close to the church. Erwin was an apprentice radio technician and Daphne was assembling radio-telephones. The company was later bought out by Pye Radio which for many years was a significant
employer in Waihi. The Penwardens moved to Whitianga in 2004, to become well-known in Lions and the Menz Shed.
Daphne and Erwin Penwarden at the Gold Discovery Centre.
Mine group at the Gold Discovery Centre; Larissa Jackman ‘generates’ electric power.
SPORTS
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Mahurangi Pairs Week 5 Tues
29 July
North/South: 1 Robyn Waters and Peter Hogg 64.50, 2 Dave Dylla and Sue Gill 62.00, 3 Robyn Hogg and Tia Ormsby 56.50.
East/West: Bev Dickie and Margaret Muir 57.50, 2Jean Myles and Pam Churchill 57.00, 3 Lee Hughes and Kevin Milroy 47.50.
MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB
July Competition Round 3 Wed 30 July
North/South: 1 Kate Palmano & Gavin Hedwig 60.5; 2 Deidre Stevenson & Colin Day 57.0; 3 Ian Hogg & Bob Schibli 56.0.
East/West: 1 Chris Southwell & Geoff Jervis 55.5; 2 Pete & Robyn Hogg 55.0; 3 Sue Swan & Jenny Layton 54.5
1. Johanna Bonnar & Peter Clark 73.33. 2. Robyn Waters & Peter McNeil 60.83. 3. Lee Hughes & Jocelyn Taylor 60.00.
MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS
19 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. With the odd number of players, this necessitated one player playing without a partner. The single player was Selwyn Whatarangi. From the beginning it was clear that Selwyn would be very hard to beat. Two teams went through unbeaten winning all four sets. They were Peter Reekers & Bluey Stratton and Selwyn Whatarangi. Selwyn Whatarangi came away with the win. Highest finishes were 80 for the women, scored by Chris Bennett and 83 for the men scored by Beau Hamilton. Only one 180 scored tonight and that was by the champion of the night, Selwyn Whatarangi.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Thursday 31 July
Winners: Wayne McNeill, Judy Cullinane and Betty Simpson Runners Up: Alan Henderson and Wayne Fisher. Good Sports: Ken Lack, Shirley Marshall and Jan Harvey
MERCURY BAY CLUB
SNOOKER
Wednesday, 30 July
There were 9 players to challenge the round Robin competition. Peter Challis and Ian Baumgren had three straight wins each and met in the final frame. A very close match with Ian grabbing victory and the cash prize. Runner up was Peter Challis and with two wins were Greg Murphy. With the highest break was Dennis Rush with 30.
Saturday, 2 August
10 players on Saturday in the round robin tournament and it was Doug Pascoe and Greg Murphy with three straight wins each to challenge the final frame. A very close match this was coming to black to win, which Doug potted
to take the win and the cash prize. Runner up Greg Murphy and with two wins were Jason Smith, Peter Schultz and Ian Baumgren who also had the highest break of 23.
MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB
Nine-hole Mixed – Stableford Fri 1 August
1 Paul Bradley, 2 Jeff Dixon, 3 Kelvin O’Leary.
19 Men - Winter Cup Sat 2
August
Winner: Patrick Gonthier – Best 2 Rounds of 4
Eighteen-hole Men - Net
1 El Camino Wade, 2 Patrick Gonthier, 3 Les Walbridge.
Two’s: Graeme Butler, Alan Henderson, Rob Baines
Eagles: El Camino Wade
Div. One: Gross - Dom Szparagowski. Div. Two: Gross - Patrick Gonthier.
Radonich, Ryan Cochrane.
4BBB NETT: Jeff Bright and Catherine Borlase
THE DUNES MATARANGI
GOLF CLUB
Nine-hole Mens Stbfd Mon 28
July
1 Ray Green 20, 2 Robert Fisken 20, 3 Paul Anderson 19.
Tony Cotton Memorial Shootout Qualifier Eighteen-hole Men Nett
Wed 30 July Results: 1 Paul Anderson 64, 2 Darren Gribble 65,3 Mark Hall 73.
Nearest The Pin # 18: Thomas O’Connor
Two’s Results: Quentin Francis # 7; Mike Friis and Chris Palmer # 13
Eighteen-hole Ladies Shootout Qual and Marie Jones Round Stbfd
TAIRUA GOLF CLUB
Week ending 1 August
Tues 22 July Nine-holes 1
Frances Reid; 2 Brendan Platt; 3. Sue McDonnell, Jan Stanley, Jill Shanley, Ken Garrett.
Eighteen-hole Net Medal Thurs 24 July
1 Glenn Farrell; 2 Brian Fellows; 3 John Reid; 4 Brendan Platt. Nine-holes
1 Sue McDonnell; 2 Jan Stanley; Gabrielle Tucker; Frances Reid.
9 Hole Stableford Tues 15 July
Michael McCann; 2 Robyn Hayward; 3 Brian Fellows; 4 Susan McDonnell.
Eighteen-hole Net Medal
Results Sat 26 July
1 Geoff Cambie; 2 Tony Anderson; 3 Warwick Rogers; 4 John Fraser.
28 July 18 Hole Thames Valley Ladies Handicap Pennants
Eleven teams competed in the Handicap Pennants. Rounds were held at Te Aroha, Thames, Pauanui, Hauraki and the final was held here in Tairua on 28 July. Three wins from the Tairua team
Fiona Caldwell, Kath Hale and Robyn Hayward gave us to 4th place. Top scorer for Tairua title goes to Robyn Hayward winning all seven matches she played.
PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Eighteen-hole Nett Sat 2
August
1 Jeff Bright, 2 Mike Farrance, 3 Jo Geoghegan, 4 Catherine Borlase, 5= David Young, Wayne
Two’s: Teri Tomlinson and Peter Hunt # 5; Allan Trow # 13; David Todd # 18.
Nearest the Pin # 18: David Todd
FOOTBALL
Mercury Bay Waves U12 Girls vs Te Rerenga Girls
Wow – what an awesome display of football from both teams! Mercury Bay Waves U12 girls travelled to Kuaotunu to take on the Te Rerenga girls in absolutely stunning weather - what a prime spot for a football match!
The future of girls’ football in
our area is looking very bright. It was a hotly contested game played with great sportsmanship and spirit. It was especially pleasing to see our girls bringing the learnings from the past three weeks into the game like they had been doing it all season. Their energy on the field was infectious and matched by the positive encouragement from the sidelines of both teams. Players of the Day: Arabella Macdonald and Celeste Jowsey, both played with exceptional energy and skill today. Piata Morgan-Joyce once again scored an absolute cracker of a goal.
Mercury Bay Juniors: The team travelled away to Te Awamutu on the weekend. It was another tight game where the team created the most opportunities, but despite goals from Tylar Cornwall and Player of the Day, Beau Marshall, the game ended in a 4:2 defeat. It shows that with such a competitive league, you always have to be at your best and take each chance that comes. The team is confident they can bounce back and looking forward to home games in the next few weeks.
12th Grade 'Rays: The team faced up against a tenacious Hauraki Plains side in beautiful conditions on Saturday. They spent the first half chasing the game for long periods of time but the second half saw some skill passing and making the most of goal scoring opportunities to take the game away from the opposition. Congratulations to Archer and Cody for taking the spoils as Players of the Day.
12th Grade Sharks: e welcomed Thames to our home ground. As Thames was short on players, Mercury Bay generously lent them four players. The game
was an exciting clash between talented players. The match highlighted the excellent sportsmanship between the two teams. Reef Havard scored three goals, while Kayleb Cornwall scored two, and Luke Collins and Harry Sharman each scored one. Players of the Day were Marlie Tuinier and Harry Sharman.
8th Grade Mercury Bay: We travelled to Whangamata for our 8th Grade soccer festival. The kids love the festivals as we play 4 different teams. We played Whangamata, Paeroa, Thames and Hauraki with some very competitive games. Our Players of the Day were Oak Sunn and Carlo Julian.
8th Grade Players of the Day –Oak Sunn and Carlo Julian
The Mercury Bay girls team in training.
12th Grade Sharks
MB Juniors at Te Awamutu lost 4-2.
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
You just have to believe it
BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL
Issue 1168 of the Informer has two ‘letters to the editor’ one from Brenda Smythe about the price of butter and as a farmer now into my seventy-third year of experience I have to agree. This was once the land of ‘milk and honey,’ where we had ample milk and cream and the ‘lamb roast’ on Sunday was traditional for the family. Way way back butter was sometimes used for axle grease. Now we have people in the ‘land of milk and honey’ struggling for quite simply good food. The second letter from Brighid Southwell raises the point that in the run-up to local elections there has been no mention of concern about the environment.
The environment and food are linked in every way inextricably. There is no possibility of separation. An email received during the weekend contained information about spray programmes in the USA. Dr Meriel Watts wrote the ‘Poisoning of NZ’ and in the book raised exactly the same issues experienced in the US when spray drift causes not only loss of
Malcolm Campbell.
your herbicide free crop or garden, but damages badly your health as well. The poison identified when past the trade name was essentially 24D. There were nine pages of A4 size instruction on the use of the product and this stark warning on the label, ‘should clothing become contaminated with this material destroy the clothing’.
Another label I have seen on one other said expressly ‘do not launder and recycle’. Also at the weekend a farming paper arrived. It stated the wine industry earns New Zealand a billion dollars annually and is the countries sixth largest
export. Great stuff! However there is a severe downside. “Vine yards are heavily reliant on chemicals to fight fungal disease and that can come at a cost to the soil microbiome, long term crop health and the environment”.
So a few weeks ago when Vincent Arbuckle wished to permit an increase in the level of glyphosate in the grains and in your bread, he did not say that if you break bread and take some wine there is a second take of chemicals.
Now in the same article in the farming paper about the wine industry there are some astonishing figures “New Zealand farmers use 3,400 tonnes of pesticide annually. Under the USA Environmental Protection Agency’s classification 5% of herbicides, 60% of fungicides, 8% of insecticides and 72% of plant growth regulators are suspected carcinogens.” Until the 1960s there were none of these chemical killers and we farmed successfully without them and now they are destroying the environment and as Brighid has pointed out no candidates are alarmed at what is actually taking place
in the farming world. The sods that are poisoning our world have cleverly blamed effluent coming from farms and here I disagree with Brenda. I have personally got into the shht in the effluent drains and bucketed and shovelled it out.
Admittedly a bit smelly but a good shower and clean clothes worked wonders. I did not have to destroy the clothes just washed them. And some fruit trees we had planted got a dose of the Shht and you know we got some luscious peaches.
Every day thousands of New Zealand men and women line up behind, beside and almost under cows and the milkers are not dropping like flies. There is no comparison between effluent that we all produce, which is a natural fertiliser and the poisonous brew being sloshed around and promoted by the Authorities. The New York Times Report aired on 23 July TV1 news, that there was an alarming increase of between 10 and 25% in lung cancer. The report said this disease was initially associated with smoking, but was now widely appearing in people who had never smoked.
National Wild Goat Hunting Competition returns
HUNTERS AND LANDOWNERS CALLED TO ACTION:
The Department of Conservation (DOC) and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) are proud to announce the return of the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition – a nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the environmental and agricultural damage caused by wild goats.
Running from 1 August to 26 November 2025, the competition encourages hunters and landowners across Aotearoa New Zealand to tackle the growing wild goat population.
Wild goats are prolific breeders and pose a serious threat to native biodiversity and farmland. This competition is a practical and rewarding way for communities to contribute to conservation efforts while enjoying the outdoors.
This year, the competition has the private landowner category open again. Landowners who register can be paired with vetted NZDA hunters and go in the draw to win over $3,200 worth of prizes from Bushnell and Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd.
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Last week’s winner CONGRATULATIONS
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.
Last week’s winner CONGRATULATIONS Peter
Finlayson
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 8 August and Monday 25 August. 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 Buffalo Beach Reserve 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 Alison 021 0508 772 or Sally 027 3962 383.
Kūaotunu Dune Care – Every third Wed of the month. To get involved, please email kuaotunudunecare@gmail.com.
Hospice Waikato’s Bereavement Support Group
– Lost a loved one? Join Hospice Waikato’s monthly bereavement support group. Connect over morning tea with others who understand. Held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. 10.30am to 12.00pm at Whitianga Social Services. Registration required. Contact Hospice Waikato to register at 07 859 1260. 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 021 264 3753.
BI-MONTHLY
Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc – We meet bi-monthly for either coffee mornings or luncheons. Learn more about us by phoning Linda 07 866 5516 or our fb page Grey Power Mercury Bay/Whitianga Inc.
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 10.30am-12.30pm 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.
Coroglen Farmers Market every Sunday until Easter at Coroglen Gumtown Hall (SH25), from 9am-1pm. 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 – The Cooks Beach Indoor Bowling Club have had to move their weekly bowls games whilst the Cooks Beach Community Hall undergoes renovations, not to be deterred by this, one of their members offered the use of his garage for the Club to use and this is where they now enjoy playing and are thankful for having this as their venue. New members are most welcome, please contact Coral ph. 0212303944.
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. Elevate Fitness – Strength and balance class using chair, sitting and standing exercises – Monday and and Thursday 9:00am Whitianga Town Hall, $10, ACC approved. Aqua Fit Water Workout, Hot Water Beach Resort, $20 including soak in spa, 11:30am Monday and Thursday. Movement to Music exercise class –strength & cardio, The Embassy of Friendship, Coghill Street. Call Nicole 021 0265 2693.
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.
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 Bowling and Sports Club – 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Social Bowls, Thursday & Sunday at 12.30pm, Contact Steve Williams 027 855 2772.
Mercury Bay 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 021 146 9203.
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.
Mercury Bay Community Choir – Meets Mondays 6.15 to 8.15pm at the music room Mercury Bay Area School. Start date 4th August. No auditions, no previous singing experience required. Phone Kate 027 2709058 for details.
Mercury Bay Environmental Trust – Every Tues and Fri from 9-11am, location advised prior. For more information, Phone: 027 954 7434please 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 027 452 7887 or Sandie 021 825 667 for more information.
Mercury Bay Pickleball Club- At the Mercury Bay Area School Gymnasium, Tuesdays Members Only 5.30-7.30pm; Saturdays Social & New Players 9-11am; Sundays All Players 3-6pm. Members, Visitors & Guests $5, a complimentary session is available to new players wanting to trial pickleball. Current membership only $10 to 30/09/2025 www.mercurybaypickleball.co.nz Contact Tony 021426150. Moewai Sportspark sessions are weather dependant & advised on our facebook page Mercury Bay Pickleball. Matarangi (Matai Pl Courts) Thurs 3-5pm(Winter) 5-7pm(Summer) Saturday 9-11am Contact Grant 0223836351. Hahei Tennis & Pickleball Club-Thursday & Sunday Contact Tim 0278432683 or refer their facebook page.
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 on Thursdays at 5.30pm. All welcome. Ph Jason 022 186 7992 or Carl 027 680 5570. 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 4881 or email linda_c@ orcon.net.nz
Spiritual Conversation Mornings – Every Tues and Wed, 10.30am-12pm, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga the Starlight Centre. Grab a coffee and join in some great conversation where we talk about topics and subjects that have meaning. $5 donation. Contact Verna 027 320 0079.
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.
The Knitwits – A knitting group that meets sociably every Thursday from 10.30 to 1.30pm. Held at Social Services building, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. If you would like to join us please contact Cathy Lines on 0211171037 for more details.
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.
Yoga for Everyone - beginners/retirees/inflexibles welcome. Tues 5.15pm, Thurs 4.20pm, Fri 8.45am, Sat 8.15am. Gentle Simple. $25/90 minute session. Txt Rosemary 0274 489326 for info.
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 Line Dancing Club – Tuesdays beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, Seniors 12.45-2.30pm; Thursdays absolute beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, improvers/seniors 12.45-2.30pm. Contact Margaret 027 463 8850 or Glynis 021 1099 155. NEW!! NEW!!
Silver Swans Adult Ballet Class - Tuesday’s weekly 10am to 11.10am $20, Whitianga Town Hall supper room. All ages welcome. Marilyn Swan,experienced professional teacher of Dance.M: 0273365263 E; swanebbs@gmail.com Whitianga Line Dancing Club Classes – Town Hall, Monk St, $5 per session. New Beginners, Wed 2.303.30pm, Beginner/Improver classes Monday 10.3011.45am, Intermediate classes Wed, 12-1.30pm; . Contact Cecily 027 294 1750 or Kathy 027 4321 353 Zumba – Wednesdays at 5.30pm at gym for Zumba and Step Zumba on Mondays at 4.45pm at the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk St. GROUP INFO
Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc – Coffee Morning, 11am on Thursday 21 August 2025 at the MB Club. Doors will open at 10.30am. All are welcome. Informative & interesting speakers. Any questions or to learn more about us ph: 07 866 5516 Mercury Bay Athletics – For info contact mercurybayathletics@gmail.com
Mercury Bay Lions Club – New members are welcome. Email mercurybaylions@gmail.com. Phone Cecily 027 253 3088 or Chrissy 021 177 4226. 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.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Matarangi Volunteer Fire Brigade Association Inc.
Will be held at the Matarangi Fire Station on Wednesday 17th September 2025 at 7pm.
A board position is available for election. Members are advised to submit a formal nomination by 17th August.
All financial members invited to attend.
If you have any queries, please contact: secretarymvfba@gmail.com
Whitianga Volunteer Coastguard Inc NOTICE OF AGM
Date: Saturday, 30th August 2025
Time: 11am to 12 noon
Venue: Whitianga Coastguard Training Room, Albert Street, Whitianga
All members and potential members welcome.
KUAOTUNU VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE AGM
WEDNESDAY 27th AUGUST 2025 7:00 PM START TO BE HELD AT THE KUAOTUNU FIRE STATION 13 BLACKJACK ROAD, KUAOTUNU.
Ph: 0274 817 258
GARAGE SALE
GARAGE SALE
Saturday, 9 August, 8.30am-1.00pm Homewares, furniture, biltong, baking, whitewear, heaps of clothing and more. Look for the sign –Sarah Avenue, Whitianga
Section 33F of the Maritime Transport Amendment Act 2014 Removal of Abandoned Vessel
Waikato Regional Council will be removing MV of an unknown name, it is a white coloured launch approximately 10m. This vessel is in an unseaworthy derelict state. The vessel has been left in the berths in the mangroves adjacent to the Thames Marina. As an abandoned and derelict vessel, it will be removed under Section 33J & 33L of the Maritime Transport Act. To prevent removal and disposal the owner needs to contact the Harbourmaster 0800 800 401 by Friday 5 September 2025.
Waikato Regional Council will be removing MV IDA, it is a white coloured launch approximately 11m. This vessel is in an unseaworthy derelict state. The vessel has been left in the berths in the mangroves adjacent to the Thames Marina. As an abandoned and derelict vessel, it will be removed under Section 33J & 33L of the Maritime Transport Act. To prevent removal and disposal the owner needs to contact the Harbourmaster 0800 800 401 by Friday 5 September 2025.
Waikato Regional Council will be removing MV Calypso Lady, an approximately 11m launch with a white coloured hull and light yellow cabin. This vessel is in an unseaworthy derelict state. The vessel has been left in the berths in the mangroves adjacent to the Thames Marina. As an abandoned and derelict vessel, it will be removed under Section 33J & 33L of the Maritime Transport Act. To prevent removal and disposal the owner needs to contact the Harbourmaster 0800 800 401 by Friday 5 September 2025.
Official results for the Take a Kid Hunting
HEAVIEST BOARS
1st – Summer and Kaia Maddox and Cecelia and Livinia Veal
54.8kg, 2nd – Shem and Marika Macdonald and Alex McLean
47.7kg: 3rd – Levi Medland
40.7kg; 4th – Sunny O’Brien and Mac Vause 39.5kg; 5th – Charlie Rose Hanning – 38.9kg; 6th – Ridge and Blair Coleman 37kg; 7th – Benji and Brock Norris 35kg; 8th – Frankie, Ryder and Mila Hamilton 34.6kg; 9th –Reana and River Taverner, Triden Makiri and Jake Hudson 34.1kg; 10th – Hunter Tewhero 34kg.
HEAVIEST SOW
Kenzie and Kohen Harvey 47.7kg.
BIGGEST TUSKS
1st – Sunny O’Brien and Mac Vause 18”; 2nd – Summer and Kaia Maddox, Cecelia and Livinia Veal 16 7/8”; 3rd – Charlie Rose Hanning.
Intermediates: 1st – Indie Hayward – 4.28kg, 2nd – Ryder Hamilton – 4.27kg3rd – Gia Swindlehurst – 4.22kg. Combined Critter Weight (Possums and Rabbits Only) – Summer and Kaia Maddox and Cecelia and Livinia Veal – 102.1kg.
The Stunned Mullet, Okuma, Hunting and Fishing Whitianga, Peninsula Cars, Churchy's Charters, Farm Source, The Coroglen Tavern, The Warehouse, The Glasshouse, Paeroa Marine, Second Nature, Blackjack Surf, Fun Zone, Subway, CFM, Dive Zone, Buffalo Beach Four Square, Upholstery by Lisa and Dutchies. Toyworld Whitianga.
Rugby carnival at MB Multi-Sport Park
The combined team from Waihi/Paeroa wearing new uniforms made possible by their sponsors. The four team members in front are displaying the logos – Matamata AG Centre, AE Electrical, First Credit Union, Dayle Foote Buildres, Magon Construction, Farm Source.
The rugby teams playing one Saturday were combined teams from different areas around the Peninsula and Hauraki.
(FCA)
Whitianga Boat Chandlery
Editor: Pauline Stewart (027 271 6182) Design Support: Diane Andrew
