Issue 1188 16 December 2025

A mix of things

Ialways prepare to write a single article but so much happens in the week and then there the need to point out some contents of the paper or mention what is not there because we had no space – the single themed article doesn’t find enough room.

Water reticulation for Hahei and Simpsons Beach

Letters sent by TCDC to residents regarding the cost of installing the upcoming reticulated water supply (sewerage) to Hahei and Simpsons Beach. The letters have caused some distress as the cost stated is a lot and not affordable for quite a few of the residents. They wonder how they are going to pay for it. This promise of providing reticulated water supply has been in the making for nearly 40 years so it should not come as a surprise. How to fund it is the big question as local residents know it is needed and in the end everyone will be grateful. Local

committees are working with the Community Board and Council to ensure an equitable method of being able to pay for it over the system’s technical life is worked out. There is a drop-in (information session this Friday.

Bondi Beach – the news of 16 being killed and over 40 in hospital as a result of a father and son shoot to kill rampage specifically of Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah, was chilling and repulsive. I wept along with a whole country.

There are endless commentaries on this. People will talk about it and think about it for a long time. It will fade – even though it is terror.

It is about extreme hate and sickness of mind with enough sanity to plan and execute successfully.

This hate and sickness of mind targeted Jewish people – nothing about it is right.

Council Reform – Geoff Robin-

• Brisket, mash potato with BBQ gravy.

• Sausage, mash potato, peas and onion gravy.

• Garlic Chicken, roast potato and creamy beans.

• Pulled pork, roast veges with gravy.

son needs to be commended on his research and working knowledge of the journey by local councils to try and achieve a simpler and more workable system of local government in years past. From what I have read, Glenn Leach who was once our TCDC Mayor, is also to be commended for his foresight and courage in what seemed to be a David and Goliath situation.

Please read Part Two this week on pages 11 and 21. Our ability to invest in infrastructure and afford services and shelter for a good life rely on a leaner Local Government

system with more involvement from residents and ratepayers. Personal – this last week our family had discussions about Walker’s progress (my son) There has been no progress in his ability to walk independently of a granny walker this year. Walking is actually very difficult and toileting is paralysed. He is wondering whether he should accept this situation as being final. Interesting question and I can’t say Yes to that. I won’t accept. I believe in Hope and even if there isn’t a chance yet, I think Hope still has a place in the big picture. He has a

Tides: 3:37am 4:09pm HOT WATER BEACH

good family and love is the key to their life together. That is a comfort that drives my Hope.

Love is the key to the Bondi Beach tragedy but in many situations love has been obliterated by belief systems and hatred over centuries. Power can look like love but it is a treacherous, deadly disguise.

I can’t let Hope go. It makes me work harder and try to be smarter and my community has ways for me to express that hope. I wish you Hope this Christmas for what you would most like to happen in your life.

and SPACE STATION GAZING IN 2025 – your

Tuesday, 16 December: The crescent Moon lies well above and to the left of faint Mercury low in the east before sunrise. Wednesday, 17 December: The Moon is now closer to Mercury but still above and to its left and from 11:17pm we have a short and very low ISS pass in the south. Thursday, 18 December: Mercury sits very low in the pre-dawn eastern sky with a thin crescent moon just above it. Friday, 19 December: The minute crescent Moon now sits directly to the right of faint Mercury in the pre-dawn sky and from 11:17pm in the south there is a short ISS pass before it disappears into the Earth’s shadow just above the Southern Cross. Saturday, 20 December: There is a low ISS pass in the south from 10:30pm moving just above the Southern Cross. Monday, 22 December: The ISS makes a good pass from 10:30pm in the SW before it moves into the Earth’s shadow. Tuesday, 23 December: The ISS has a low pass from the SW at 9:42pm. Wednesday, 24 December: The

crescent Moon sits well to the left and below Saturn after dusk. The ISS makes a good pass from 10:30pm starting in the SW and heading towards the North Pole but disappearing into the Earth’s shadow before it gets there. However, keen eyed children might just catch a glimpse of Santae Australis moving down from that direction later tonight. Venus and Mars remain hidden from us this week as they are too close to the Sun to observe but as soon as it gets dark slightly yellowish Saturn can be seen high overhead with amazingly bright Jupiter then rising around midnight. The Moon can help us spot elusive Mercury very low in the dawn sky. A small telescope or powerful binoculars

Extra destination for Waka Kai this Summer

Last week, early on Thursday morning, Waikawau Bay on the east coast of the Coromandel was added to New World’s Waka Kai destinations to deliver groceries and supplies.

The Waka Kai shore to shore delivery commenced for this Summer – 2025/26 on Saturday, 13 December and will go all Summer long, seven days a week except Christmas Day.

Waikawau Bay is a new destination. It is a DOC camping site and going down to the local grocery store or dairy is out of the question. But Waka Kai is now their local dairy as this first time visit meant fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat when sometimes their campsite stores are down to tins and boxes.

Waikawau Bay will be a weekly

visit as it is a smaller site but may increase over the summer.

It is such good news and a great service for the DOC rangers and campers,” says New World Whitianga owner, Kerry Stanley.

The regular daily delivery destinations for Waka Kai are Pauanui, Tairua, Hahei, Cooks Beach for the south run and Opito Bay, Matarangi, Whangapoua and Kuaotunu constitute the north run.

Waka Kai is an amphibious vehicle which will drive up onto the beach, so you won’t have to get your feet wet when picking up your grocery orders. When New World launched its Waka Kai in December, 2019, it was a world first and was introduced as a summer offering to help locals and holiday makers. After the

cyclones hit the Coromandel in late 2022 and early 2023, Waka Kai became an essential service as roads were cut and there was no power in many places for some of the time.

“New World Whitianga is the only store in New Zealand doing these deliveries and we are very proud of being able to offer this service,” says Kerry. “We are very appreciative of Heineken Silver who are keen supporters and sponsors of Waka Kai. They make the delivery cost possible.

“Our service reduces the traffic on the road by delivering to locals and holiday makers on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula via the sea.,” says Kerry. “It also cuts down the travel time especially for families. They don’t need to pack the kids in the car.

People can just order and we deliver.

“This will be the sixth summer delivering to residents and holiday makers on the Coromandel and New World Waka Kai have the ability for more services and supply. The new boat delivered last year, is 11.2metres long and made by Smuggler, another fantastic New Zealand company. It can easily carry two tonnes of groceries.

Basically, the staff arrive at 2.00am to pack the Waka Kai. That’s when the delivery trucks arrive. So the orders are done in the middle of the night with the boat leaving for its Coromandel run at 8.00am. Waikawau Bay was a special run and the team left at 5.30am.

Deliveries are free to all of these

locations this year for orders over $100 (conditions apply). See www.newworld.co.nz for more information.

„ Kerry Stanley is the owner/ operator of New World, Whitianga

Waka Kai is stocked with a range of essential grocery items including fresh produce, dairy, meat and other household essentials. Customers order online but Waka Kai always has those few extra groceries just in case.

Tony Marsters, the skipper of Waka Kai, lands for the first time at Waikawau Bay last Thursday. DOC staff and campers were very pleased.

Not just tough flooring, but soft finishings and lasting service

BY PAULINE STEWART

Deane Parkinson has been in business for 30 plus years. His Carpet Court and Curtain Studio businesses in Blacksmith Lane, are one of the anchors of the central township of Whitianga.

Everyone knows that wonderful life size baby rhino statue that greets you when you enter their very attractive store. That rhino is Carpet Court’s branding message – their carpets are as tough as a rhino’s outer skin and as long lasting. But right behind that mascot, you are very likely to find Deane at the front counter, approachable and ready to welcome you.

He is a direct communicator, interested in everything around him, but there is no element of pushiness in the man. With his years in this business, there is little he does not know and he has a wealth of knowledge and experience about everything the store offers.

Deane exudes a confidence in the quality of the product and service that Carpet Court and Curtain Studio offer, and that quiet confidence extends to his staff.

“We have a very competent and creative team, says Deane. “They

are good people and they put up with me.,” he grins.

“We work with reputable brands and for one of the biggest flooring companies in the world,” Deane says. “We have our own brands that are specific to both Carpet Court and Curtain Studio. There are 63 stores across New Zealand and it is good to be a part of this strong network.

“In terms of curtains, we can

assist at all levels – from new bespoke builds to a customer requiring a single blind, we are more than happy to assist. With custom made options and a large selection of pre-made offers, we can provide our customers with all the window solutions they require to fit their budget. The curtain side is a huge part of the business and in terms of range and variety of product, anything

is possible.

When Deane is not running his business, he enjoys fishing and boating. “I live in the perfect town to satisfy these two enthusiasms” he smiles.

The informer also talked to Nicola and Claire, two of Curtain Studio’s consultants. Helen was busy in store talking to one of their customers.

“People come in and most of the time we have never seen the space they are describing”, says Claire. “They just have a picture in their minds and are looking for something that will leap out at them as being just right. We need to imagine what they are trying to create and go from there. It can be exciting as they are relying on you to help them get it perfect for their home. Nicola has the technical knowledge and she can look at someone’s house plans and understand the detail and spatial requirements. “

“Sometimes we need to dress the whole house off the plans and that is a big job and very satisfying” says Nicola. “In the planning stages, we are looking carefully at potential colour solutions for our clients. Claire goes out to the home to do a thorough consultation, and to show them

how different options will work with their spaces. Sometimes the house is all finished and the customer is very upfront and says, “We haven’t thought about curtains.” That is not difficult for us; we have a great range of materials and fabrics and we are confident we will find the right set of everything for them.

“One of the pleasures of our work regarding is that we are the last touches for the finishing of the home. The flooring is installed and then we dress the windows. That is such a great feeling - making something compete and beautiful.

Design Consultants Shinneal and Claire undertake home consultations across the Eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, which include an obligation-free measure and quote.

“Our goal is to give customers and clients the end result they have envisaged.” says Claire. “Hopefully we can even exceed that.”

Deane and Shinneal and all the staff at Carpet Court and Curtain Studio wish you a very good Christmas and a promising New Year.

„ Book your free measure and quote call 07 834 6463 or email whitianga@carpetcourt.nz

Helen Armstrong, Nicola Mahoney, Claire Kelly, Deane Parkinson and Shinneal van Kampen.

Dining Out over Christmas & New Year

OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY

MARINA BAY EATERY

Open Christmas Day. Set menu. Two sittings for lunch, two sittings for dinner. Limited seats – Bookings essential. For more details see the Kitchen Calendar on page 6.

1/15 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga

MERCURY BAY CLUB

Open Christmas Day – Christmas lunch of baked ham, roast lamb and roast veg, followed by Christmas pudding, pavlova, ice cream. From 11.30am-1.30pm and the doors will be closed at 2pm. Ticketed event: adults $35, children $15. Tickets can be purchased from the bar prior to the event. The gaming room will not be open.

69 Cook Drive, Whitianga

OPENING HOURS OF OTHER EATERIES

COROGLEN TAVERN

Closed Christmas Day. From Boxing Day onwards we are open from 11am to late every day. Concert Days are different, we close our day to day bar at about 7/8pm.

1937 Tairua Whitianga Rd, Coroglen

COROMANDEL OYSTER CO.

Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day other than that open 7 days from 8:30am – up to 7:30pm on a Friday night.

1613 Manaia Road, Coromandel

LUKES KITCHEN

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Otherwise open 7 days a week for breakfast lunch and dinner 9:00am-10:00pm.

20 Black Jack Road, Kūaotunu

PEPPER TREE RESTAURANT

Open 11am till 9pm

8.30am - 9pm ish from 18 December

31 Kapanga Road, Coromandel

STAR AND GARTER HOTEL

11am till late (kitchen open till 9.30pm ish)

5 Kapanga Road, Coromandel

THE CHURCH BISTRO

We open 7 days a week, 5:30pm onwards. We will be closed on 25 December and 1 January. 87 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei

THE DUNES RESTAURANT

From 26 December to 8 February open 7 days from 8am – late. Closed Christmas Day.

741 Matarangi Drive, Matarangi

THE HIVE

Open 7 days a week as of 17 December.

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Open New Years day at 1pm.

450 Purangi Road, Cooks Beach

THE OLD MILL WATERFRONT CAFÉ

Open Wednesday to Sunday 8.30am to 2.30pm 1-21 December. Closed 22 to 26 December. Then open Tuesday to Sunday 27 December to 15 February 8.30am to 2.30pm.

1 The Esplanade, Tairua

THE POUR HOUSE

Open every day from 12 noon except Christmas Day.

7 Grange Road, Hahei

SMITTYS SPORT BAR & GRILL

Closed on Christmas Day, otherwise 10:30am each day until late.

37 Albert Street, Whitianga

Water Treatment Plant a milestone for Hāhei

ADAPTED FROM TCDC PRESS RELEASE 10 DECEMBER

Hahei now has access to safe and reliable water with less chance of water use restrictions during summer’s visitor surge.

The opening of the Hahei water treatment plant on Wednesday, 10 December was an infrastructure milestone for the local community.

Deputy Mayor John Grant officiated at the event on Pa Road, unveiling a plaque to the plant that has been designed to comply with the Drinking Water Compliance Rules now and into the future.

“Today we are strengthening TCDC’s commitment to providing safe and affordable drinking water for the communities we serve,” said Deputy Mayor Grant.

Apart from the 150 properties connected to the Council supply, the plant also makes available safe, sustainable and reliable water to the Hāhei Water Supply Association that has 171 properties not previously connected to Council supply.

“For Hahei residents and ratepayers, this means fewer water restrictions, lower longterm costs, and peace of mind knowing your water supply is secure, even during the busiest summer months,” said Deputy Mayor Grant.

Up until now, these Hāhei properties have been accessing water privately through the association. However, ongoing increased demand – particularly during summer – and Government reform have presented significant challenges for the small coastal community.

Council’s water plant upgrades have been

included in recent Long Term Plans and, since 2016, our Council has been working with the association to help integrate their supply to provide safe and reliable delivery of water while also catering for the extra demand that meets new Government standards.

TCDC Project Manager Ian Smith says there were concerns with scarcity of water from the existing bore sources in Kotare Reserve.

“It was imperative we find another source to provide a greater capacity of water and help to futureproof water delivery for the Hāhei community.”

The plant draws on the bore opposite 169

John Grant, above, in his role of Deputy Mayor declares the water treatment plant open; Wiremu Davis, representing local iwi, blesses the occasion and speaks words of encouragement to the gathering.

Hāhei Beach Rd, approximately 1.4km out of town, and can provide almost 700m3/day. The new bore will help protect the coastal aquifer that many, including the local camping ground, rely on.

Councillor Grant acknowledged and thanked MASON Engineers and their sub-contractors, EPL Construction, Kinetic Electrical, AG Dryden Ltd, Graham and Elizabeth Harsant for their co-operation during exploratory drilling for the new water source, the entire project team and the Hahei community for their patience and support during the construction period.

The Hāhei upgrades follow completed upgrades at Whitianga, Tairua, Pāuanui, Coromandel Town, Onemana and Whangamatā over the past seven years. Matarangi Water Treatment Plant is expected to be upgraded in the new year as the last in the series.

Water issues and Hahei’s supply

BY RAY VAN BEYNEN

One of the Coromandel’s great assets is its plentiful water supply. Its geography and geology ensure as much good quality water as is needed by our residential and rural communities. Most of our water supply is derived from rainwater and aquafers.

Our problem is the ability to collect and store sufficient water for our needs. This is usually done in a variety of ways by small town reservoirs, town and village storage tanks and off course individual household tanks.

During the last serious drought in Whitianga the RMA prevented extra water being taken from the river and it was lost into the sea purely over a bureaucratic overlay. Water tankers had to supply the Eastern seaboard from Thames. I would advocate that every res-

idential dwelling on the Coromandel Peninsula is required to have at least one 25,000 litre water tank thereby making most households self-sufficient and alleviating the storage problem.

In our village of Hahei we have had a mixture of water supplies including two community operated supplies and one council one as well as a mixture of rainwater collection, private bores and private springs.

This year saw the completion of a water treatment plant in Hahei. The village now has a new bore at the top of snake gully (the only road entry into Hahei) and a small number of storage tanks.

My understanding is that the bore supplies the water, it is pumped down to the treatment plant, treated, and then pumped back up the hill for storage and then finally pumped back down to the con-

sumers in the village. This begs several questions, and I would be grateful for some answers from TCDC.

Why did TCDC not site the treatment plant next to the bore to save double or triple handling and ensure a noisy and ugly plant was not put into the middle of a residential area?

Why have TCDC proceeded with this scheme when they do not yet have ownership of the land the bore and storage tanks sit on?

Why are there so few storage tanks?

Why did this project take so long? Locals report constant delays, deadlines not met and a perception that one part of council were not communicating with the other.

What will happen to privately owned collection and storage systems should the village ever be fully reticulated?

Watch this space for answers soon.

Thank you to all our wonderful clients, contractors and suppliers. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Freehold Marina Ownership

History-making auction Whitianga Mariners Precinct

BY PAULINE STEWART

The buzz of people chatting, expecting, filled every space. About 75 people had crowded into the inside of Hoppers Waterways Office in Reweti Drive, Whitianga and out on the footpath for the bewitching time of 1.15pm Saturday, 6 December.

The occasion was a first in New Zealand Real Estate history. Leigh Hopper and his Hopper Developments team were offering 28 lots at reserved prices – 28 Marina free-hold properties which included the land as well. The crowd had come for the auction of these 28 lots.

This was a concept years in the making, a bold and risky undertaking. The freehold ownership nature of this offering cannot be emphasized enough.

In Andy Grey’s words: (Andy is CEO of Hopper Developments).

“It all started from one of Leigh Hoppers doodles in his trying to create a residential product that was more about the water than the land, but that also included the land.

PRE-TITLE RELEASE

This development includes:

• Initial 28 private FREEHOLD berths designed to accommodate a variety of vessels up to 25 metres

• Each berth includes a small adjoining freehold land lot

• Planned future marine facilities and services

Andy added a huge thank you and special recognition of Westpac who had been fund ing them for 25 years. People showed their affirmation with hearty applause.

Leigh Hopper‘s enthusiasm and leadership experience impacted the gathering when he spoke following Andy.

He quickly reflected on the ‘long-time coming’ nature of

The consent for this project had been granted four years ago but this was fol lowed by a slow economic period. The waking up time is here. This is a Marina offer ing that is about catering for larger cruising boats – and it is designed to stay aboard. The land parcel is included to build an apartment if you wish or leave it to when you are ready. “

Members of the Whitianga Lions club and the Whitianga MenZshed, Mercury Bay Big Band and Dixie Band gathered at the Whitianga Bike Park on Monday, 15 December for a tree planting to remember Kevin Robinson who died unexpectedly12 months ago on 15 December. Kevin was a member of all the groups named and President of Whitianga Lions. He was a very good, generous and community giving man. His music and the spirit of his leadership live on. John Pedersen and Gordon Barnaby lead this occasion and others share their memories of friendship and achievement with Kevin.

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY –SECURE ONE OF THE AREA’S FINEST SITES!

*Artist’s ImpressionOnly

Leigh Hopper.

Dayle Baker places a photo of Kevin at the base of the tree.

Representing the Museum & Mercury Bay on the global stage

Final update on “Let’s get Becs to Belgium” project.

In October 2025, Becs from the Mercury Bay Museum and her daughter Amelia made the long trip to Oostende, Belgium after an amazing yearlong community crowd-funding campaign to represent the Museum and Mercury Bay on the global stage First stop and their base for the two weeks was Oostende, a seaside city on the Atlantic coast of Belgium. What an amazing place to be based – the history and heritage of the town was awe inspiring. Right from the time they arrived at the train station to the walk through the city centre passing neogothic churches and to the sculptural artwork that is scattered throughout.

The key reason for the trip was for Becs to attend the International Kongress of Underwater Archaeology (IKUWA8) and present alongside her HMS Buffalo Re-examination project colleague Dr Kurt Bennett to associates from all around the world. The presentation was on the second day of the conference, so we had a chance to catch up with our colleagues and network with new friends from the underwater archaeology sector, museums and heritage sites.

The presentation titled ‘Building community-led maritime archaeology in New Zealand: Successes and future needs’ took the attendees on our journey with the HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project. We discussed the project, the outreach programmes, our collaborations with other organisations & even our children’s book. It is amazing to look back at all our mahi over the past five years and then have it acknowledged by our global colleagues as work that is on target and on the same course as other citizen science projects around the world.

The conference theme was ‘Telling our tales of the past’, which really run through on the other presentations and sessions that we attended. It was very different for them to be listening to work being done in maritime archaeology that

is based on heritage from the 1401500s, our shipwreck is 1840!

Once the conference had finished, Amelia and Becs headed to Ypres. They were based here for two days to immerse themselves in the history of the Great War – World War 1. They visited the Ypres Museum and the In Flanders Fields Museum which are both housed in the Cloth Hall in the Great Place, Ypres. These museums are full of immersive interaction and history of the region. The Ypres Museum follows the story of Ypres and where it fit within the history of Belgium. Children would love this museum with its interactive activities and following the cats through. We were not aware that Ypres was the City of Cats –just another story to add to their rich history. The In Flanders Field Museum takes visitors through

the timeline of World War 1 and the battles in the Ypres salient ie Passchendaele and the Battle of Ypres. This was a sobering space as it tells of the heartache and tragedy of war. The Cloth Hall was built between 1200 and 1300 and was one of the largest commercial buildings of the Middle Ages. It was demolished during World War One (1915-1919) and laid in ruins until 1933. It was completely rebuilt by 1967.

No visit to Ypres would be complete without being present at the Menin Gate at 8pm to hear the buglers of the Last Post Association. The Menin Gate is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient.

The memorial has approximately 54,000 names of the missing engraved on it but does not

include the names of New Zealand’s missing. Our government decided that they wanted New Zealand’s memorial to be closer to the battlefields where our men fought and lost their lives, so the memorial for New Zealand is at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

While in France, Becs and Amelia also visited their two greatgreat Uncles (brothers) who lost their lives in the battle just 10 days apart. These cemeteries are in the middle of farmers crop fields but so well looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and their partners. It was emotional to stand at their graves and know they are the first from the family to do so.

Becs would like to thank the community for their support as without it we wouldn’t have been represented on the world stage. Becs is looking forward to putting her newfound knowledge into practice in her work at the Musuem with our visitors, in new exhibitions and in our outreach programme.

If you want to know what else Becs got up to while in Belgium or more on the HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project, then pop into the Museum and have a chat. „ Opening Hours: The Museum is open Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 3.00pm and Sundays from Sunday, 21 December.

Cloth Hall Ypres.

Tyne Cot.

The Coromandel’s long quest for truly local government

Part 2: Personalities, Power and Politics. Why the 2012 Unitary Council Plan was doomed

Part One was in last week’s issue – 9 December – The people, the mayor and the campaign p.2 and 21.

BY GEOFFREY ROBINSON

By the time Coromandel residents launched their citizens’ campaign to end two-tier local government, discontent had been simmering for years across New Zealand.

The system of district and regional councils, invented in 1989, had its merits. But inefficiencies, overlapping responsibilities, delays, spiraling costs, endless planning, and bureaucratic mission creep were of growing concern to big and small

business, residents and ratepayers, the rural sector, and even many mayors and staff in local government itself.

DISCONNECT AND SWIFT RESISTANCE FROM POWER

For the Thames-Coromandel District, much like its rural/provincial counterparts in Northland and the Wairarapa, the problems went further and deeper. The small coastal communities of the peninsula, with their own district character and aspirations, comprised a natural community of interests.

Geographically, economically and socially distinct from Hamilton and the SH1 corridor and its bigcity priorities, the Coromandel’s disconnect with Waikato Regional Council was only natural and long in the making.

When the Campaign for a Unitary Coromandel Council (combining the responsibilities of both district and regional councils) went public in January 2012, the response from entrenched interests was swift, and it was clear the effort to disengage from Waikato Regional Council would be, at

best, a case of swimming against the political current.

A week after the Campaign kickoff, WRC Chairman Peter Buckley insisted his council was, in fact, “in touch” with eastern Waikato districts and represented “good value” for money. This was the same Peter Buckley who, a few years earlier at a 2007 election victory dinner, told a key financial supporter the Regional Council would be history if he (Buckley) had his way. At the time, the WRC chairman salary was $145,000 plus expenses. How a few years

can change one’s outlook. Just as a goose would not volunteer for Christmas supper, regional council leadership would never green light a Thames-Coromandel “secession”.

EXPANSION PLAN AND REBRANDING BY WRC

Since its creation, WRC had been known as Environment Waikato (EW), highlighting its primary responsibilities for air, water, and soil health, flood control, and other environmental concerns.

Continued on page 21

Matarangi development history is told

BY DOROTHY PREECE

The Dunes Restaurant in Matarangi was the venue for 30 Mercury Bay Historical Society members to meet for lunch and learn some of the history of the development of the iconic Matarangi Beach.

Larissa Jackman shared Philip Wells’ childhood memories of the early days and Cynthia Lingard read memories from Fred Bonkovich, who farmed across the water in Whangapoua.

Charlie and George Simpson purchased the land from an Englishman in 1950, when the road into Matarangi was a very narrow, metalled track only accessible by horseback. But the crayfish were plentiful!

Charlie was married to Doreen’s and their first house

was constructed of car cases. George was married to Joy and they moved into the Simpson family bach. Back then, the land was covered in manuka scrub which they back-breakingly cleared with hand slashers. They made hundreds of concrete strainer

posts by hand, and brought water down from the bluff. It was tough. Finally, the Simpson farm was working working and they ran sheep. Fertiliser came in on scows, which pulled up on the beach. In 1960 a tsunami took away the end of the sandspit and forever changed the

Whangapoua Harbour.

In 1964 the Simpson farm was sold to Ken Woodhead, who owned the Whitianga Hotel.

George Simpson, now 94, lives in Kuaotunu.

Dick Wilson researched the modern story: Ken Woodhead developed the first 40 residential

sections in Matarangi and Kenwood Drive bears his name. Since then, Matarangi has had mixed fortunes and seen numerous developers, including Rothman’s Tobacco and DB Breweries. Hundreds of tons of sand were shipped in to raise the level. Shops and an airstrip were developed. Sir Bob Charles designed an iconic golf course which Dick Wilson, a keen golfer, described as the best in New Zealand. Sadly, the golf course was reduced to make way for more development, but the first and second fairways still remain, with their stunning views. The airstrip also disappeared. After many disputes, Matarangi Beach is now enjoying a boom time, with 1400 permanent residents enjoying the lifestyle.

Matarangi as it was in 1972; History researchers Larissa Jackman and Dick Wilson.

From Facebook ‘Historic New Zealand Photos’

Ashlee’s family trip to Sri Lanka

BY ASHLEE HOWARD

In February 2024, my family and I embarked on a trip to Sri Lanka for three months. After sixteen hours, we arrived in the capital, Colombo, and took a taxi to our accommodation 20 minutes away in Negombo. On the way, my sister Anastasia and I waved to every person we drove past and they waved back with friendly smiles on their faces. This made us feel welcomed, safe and comfortable to be in a new country. With a population of 25 million on an island the size of the Central North Island of NZ, Sri Lanka was extremely busy compared to what we are used to living in Whitianga.

After two days in Negombo, we travelled by train to Kandy. Located in the mountains, this was one of my favourite places in Sri Lanka. We stayed in a house on top of a hill with beautiful views and monkeys at our front door daily. There was a sign just down from our house saying, “Beware: leopards roam at night.” We would walk to stalls on the side of the road down the mountain to buy fresh green coconuts and other fruits that we don’t normally have or grow in New Zealand. While staying in Kandy, we visited a big, white, 25-meter-high Buddha. We climbed up some stairs to the top of the Buddha’s head where we

had a breathtaking view of the mountains, the town and beyond.

We found the people in Kandy and throughout Sri Lanka to be really friendly and happy, even though they had very little, like for example a family we met who invited us to their home for dinner. Their house was made of tin with lots of other tin houses around it like a little shantytown. The whole family slept in one room and they had very few belongings and money, but still cooked us dinner and shared with us what little they had. I loved how happy and giving everybody

was although they had hardly anything. They were so lovely.

One of the highlights for me, while staying in Kandy, was the Elephant Freedom Project. This was a place where two elephants had been rescued from the logging and riding industry. We fed them cucumbers, walked them and gave them their daily bath in the river, brushing them with coconut husks.

From Kandy we travelled to Nuwara Eliya and then on to Adam’s Peak where Mum and her partner Jack hiked up a big mountain. After that we decided to go

down to the beaches. Staying in the seaside town of Hikkaduwa, we rescued a mother cat and her two kittens. We put them in a box with blankets and kept them in our room. Because they were so skinny, we brought fish from the markets for the mother cat. Next we went to Wijaya beach in Unawatuna. This was another one of my favourite places because we stayed in a house in the jungle; we heard monkeys every day and it was only a 5-10 minute walk to the beach where we got to swim with turtles. They would come so close that you could touch them and feed

them seaweed out of your hands. Anastasia even got bitten by one! It was one of the most stunning beaches I saw in Sri Lanka. Near Unawatuna we went to a water park called Leisure Land where we saw wild snakes. One slithered close to Mum while she was sleeping on a raft in the water, just an arm’s length away from her face. Another one came into the pool while I was the only person swimming. I absolutely freaked out, screamed and jumped out of the pool with no hesitation. That was my last swim for the day!

Jack, Sheree, Ashlee and Anastasia at the Elephant Freedom Project; Sri Lankan family.

BY CONSTABLE MICHAEL CARTER

„ Monday 8 December to Sunday 14 December 202

GENERAL:

Monday, 8 December, a burglary was reported as having occurred at an Albert Street address. Fishing gear was taken from a boat at the address.

Tuesday 9 December, a report was made regarding a vehicle being interfered with on Jacaranda Drive.

Also, on 9 December, a burglary was reported at a commercial property on Joan Gaskell Drive. Enquiries are continuing to identify the offenders.

Wednesday, 10 December, a report of Disorderly Behaviour was made at an address on White Street. All parties will be spoken to regarding the incident.

Thursday, 11 December two burglaries: One was reported as having occurred at a South Highway address. A trailer was stolen from the property.

The second was reported at a commercial property on Blacksmith Lane.

Serious assault: This occurred on SH25. The offending male appears to have failed to comply with the Road User Rules and become agitated at the victim. He blocked the victim and punched him causing the victim to lose consciousness. This is appalling behaviour and if anyone witnessed the incident, please come in and speak with police as this person needs to be held to account for their actions.

Saturday, 13 December a burglary occurred at a Matarangi address. A Mazda Bounty was taken from the address.

OCCURRENCES:

Four family harm incidents

Monday, 8 December, reported at a Catherine Crescent address. Both parties were spoken to regarding the matter.

Wednesday, 10 December, the matter occurred at a Robinson Road address.

Thursday, 11 December, occurred at a South Highway address. Both parties were spoken to regarding the matter.

Friday, 12 December, occurred at an Albert Street address. The offending person was served with a Police Safety Order.

ARRESTS:

1x female arrested for breach of bail

TRAFFIC:

A couple of minor traffic driving complaints have been received due to driving behaviour.

With the upcoming silly season, police are requesting that drivers comply with the Road User Rules and to the conditions. We want everyone to have a safe and wonderful Christmas and New Years.

Police are targeting Restraints, Impairment, Distractions and Speed this month.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

REFORM

Much of the commentary about the Local Government and Resource Management Act reforms, misses the big picture because of ‘personalising’ the issue with various public identities or through some overt means of politization.

In my opinion, here is the context that really matters.

Since the 1980’s particularly, our economy has been modernising and transforming at an ever increasing pace. This saw the inevitable replacement of old, outdated Local Government Law, with the new Local Government and Resource Management Acts that created City Councils, Regional Councils and Unitary Authorities as we know them today, along with whatever powers they had over Resource Management.

These changes were important steps in the evolution of Local Government in NZ.

In the past 10 years, there has been a growing awareness that the increasing pace of change required another review of Local Government and Resource Management to make them more ‘fit for purpose’, in the light of improved transport, communications, and other technological applications

The last Labour Government started to move down this track first but unfortunately muffed the whole thing up by

attempting to transfer water assets from local authorities to new Water Authorities that passed ownership and control to Maori.

That was a tragic move that cost the Labour Party the election.

It is National’s turn to have a go, and they have made a much better fist of it in my opinion. They have studiously avoided the path of racial division that sucked the life out of the last effort.

However, whether the new National Party effort will be a comprehensive solution to the current problems we face, is still up for debate.

For example: 1) The Mayors who will replace Regional Councillors appear to have only vague obligations with regard to Council unifications that make genuine national sense rather selfish, local sense and;

2) Unless the new laws are very thoughtfully written, then like the Local Government and RMA before them, the meanings of them will be interpreted by the Court system, in ways entirely different to the original intent.

At present, the whole thing is a moving feast that hopefully offers a genuine comprehensive solution to better Local Government and Resource Management in our beautiful country. We all need to chill out a bit...

Restricted fire season starts in ThamesCoromandel

BY FIRE AND EMERGENCY NEW ZEALAND

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving Thames-Coromandel to a restricted fire season at 9am on Tuesday 16 December, until further notice.

A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light an open-air fire. The restricted fire season will cover all of the Thames-Coromandel District Council boundaries.

„ 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.

IT’S NEARLY CHRISTMAS –WHERE ARE THE FLAGS?

A little colour goes a long way. Every summer, the flags on Whitianga’s power poles have been one of those little things that make our town feel special. They brighten up the streets, give the place a festive buzz, and remind everyone that Whitianga has real heart. They’ve always been a simple way to show off our pride in where we live.

Whether it’s welcoming holidaymakers, supporting community events, or just adding a splash of colour on the way to the beach, they make the town feel alive. Lots of people say the flags are a real part of “what Whitianga feels like” when summer rolls around.

So this year, many of us are looking around and wondering… where are they? We all know the benefits – they lift community spirit, making the town look great, and help support local businesses by creating that warm, welcoming vibe Whitianga is known for. If the poles and brackets are already there, what’s stopping us this time? Is it funding? Is something broken? Is no one sure who’s meant to organise it? Whatever the reason, it would be good for the rate payers groups and Community Board to know so they can jump in and help if needed.

The flags matter. Together we can make sure the flags are up for the Summer even if we miss Christmas and keep Whitianga looking bright and beautiful.

Linda Cholmondeley-Smith, Whitianga

Editor’s note: The Informer is

aware that the Mercury Bay Business Association was not able to get the flags up in time this year. A new lot of flags were needed as the others have shredded with heavy winds during the early part of 2025. The Community Board has supported with funds and new flags are in the pipeline. A stress test was requested from Council before the flags could be put up on the existing poles which have always had the flags, adding to the difficulty of doing this prior to Christmas.

GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS SET THE TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE

Thank you for your recent article highlighting the efforts of the Whitianga Lions Club and their friends in erecting the town Christmas tree. It is always heartening to see the dedication of community members, many of whom give their time and energy year after year to ensure this festive tradition continues to shine in the centre of town.

We would, however, like to kindly note that about four years ago the Christmas tree was bequeathed to the Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA). Since then, the MBBA has taken responsibility for storing and caring for the tree between seasons. Its transportation and erection have been generously undertaken, at no cost, by MBBA member Rick Burgess of Mercury Bay Hi-abs. Rick’s ongoing support has been invaluable in ensuring the tree is safely and efficiently put in place each Christmas. Likewise, the electrical work associated with the tree’s decorations has been carried out by local elec-

trician Carl Gubb, also at no cost. This collaboration between the Lions Club, MBBA, and local volunteers is a wonderful example of how our community works together to make Whitianga vibrant and welcoming. We are grateful to all who contribute their time, skills, and resources to keep this tradition alive.

Paul Clayton, Mercury Bay Business Association

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITYPART 2 THE BOATING CLUB

After writing a letter to the Editor in The Informer issue 1180, I have had many replies on the subject of saving our inland coastline from erosion.

This is one important subject I would like to put to our newly elected Councillors and Community Board members.

I would like to alter a passage from my previous letter and that was the putting of coastal defences along Buffalo Beach. I realise now that this issue was not achievable and should be left for future Councils to progress. However, the section of the beach that was the Boating Club site should be actioned with some public input. In addition, I believe that the Boating Club building should stay where it is and the site developed around it.

I would happily give a donation of $100 to buy a rock to build the wall, how about joining me?

Noel S. Hewlett, Whitianga Editor’s note: Part ONE: Noel Hewlett, an experienced Councillor, is very committed to protecting our shoreline and ensuring rock walls become a part of TCDC’s agenda for the future.

Dal Minogue, Ferry Landing

TRAVEL

TRAVEL WRITER – SARAH-JANE

What’s so great about Collingwood: Nelson

Collingwood is less a town and more a historical ambush. While most tourists blaze through on a date with the Heaphy Track or Farewell Spit, they’re missing out on a place where the locals know everyone’s name, and probably their great-grandparents’ gold-mining drama, too.

It is well worth a visit and a time of enquiry. It's two hours of white-knuckle driving over the stunningly twisty Takaka limestone hills from Nelson. Don't be a speed bump on the way to adventure; stop and let Collingwood whisper its secrets and you will have a great time.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Heritage Time-Travel Trail: Grab a coffee and wander along Tasman Street, past the St Cuthbert's Church (1873), Courthouse (1901 – now the Pizza Café), and Post Office (1906). Imagine a local world where news was either the price of gold or which neighbour got fined for a stray cow.

Golden Bay Machinery & Settlers Museum: It’s where old tractors go to retire plus a great collection of working steam machinery used by the early settlers.

The Double Museum experience: Collingwood Historical Museum and the Aorere Museum are conveniently located next to each other.

The Langford Store Pilgrimage: Take a 15-minute scenic detour to the Langford Store in the Aorere Valley near the Heaphy track. This heritage grocery-storeturned-art-gallery store containing a great collection of nostalgic items.is famed for holding the title of possibly the best coffee in all of Nelson (even though it's technically in Golden Bay. It's also the official last chance for sup-

plies before you truly commit to the Heaphy Track wilderness.

The Mussel Inn: Go for the mussels, stay for the excellent locally brewed beer and legendary music venue. It's a great social hub.

THE SELFIE HOT SPOTS AND FAR MORE THAN SELFIE VALUE

The Heritage Building Backdrop: Look sophisticated and historically aware against any of the charmingly preserved structures.

• The Historic Cemetery: why not a dramatic pose next to an ornate Victorian grave and its

fabulous fencing? #CemeteryChic. This is an authentic view of 19th century life so it is not to be underestimated – the short, sharp lives of young men taken by mining accidents, children lost to now-vanished diseases, and the ever-present threat of drowning.

• Wharariki Beach & Split Apple Rock: These are nearby, not in Collingwood, but they offer epic backdrops that state clearly, "I'm in New Zealand and I brought my camera!"

TIP: Wharariki Beach tides, check before you start the journey across fields and sand dunes.

FESTIVALS

Collingwood’s Summer Food Festival is famous for combining fine local cuisine with a highly competitive (and hilarious) wife carrying competition.

WHO NAMED THIS PLACE?

It was named for Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, who was famously Lord Nelson’s sidekick at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. So basically, this town is named after the greatest wingman in naval history.

Mozzie repellant and a hat needed as there is no shade.

The Courthouse Cafe; The Langford Store.

Whangamata was in the Santa spirit last Saturday with a fair in Williamson Park from 11.00am to 4.00pm and the Lions Club Santa Parade at 1.00pm. Whangmata does events very well and Geoff Marsh organised a great parade. There were more floats than expected –lots of classic cars and lots of kids. The winner of the floats

was the After-School Music Programme and the Garden Club with their terrific little Volkswagon came second. Thames really showcases their different cultures with colour, costumes and music. Local iwi especially the children stood out with their engaging presence, and the Indian community in bright colours and all ages.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT MERCURY BAY CLUB

28th December 1.00pm-4.00pm

Photos by Garry Brandon

Whitianga Santa Parade delivers festive cheer for the community

BY CLARE TOD

Whitianga was alive with Christmas spirit on Saturday as crowds lined the streets for the annual Santa Parade, proudly organised by the Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA).

The parade featured a fantastic turnout of floats from local businesses and community groups, creating a colourful and festive atmosphere that delighted families of all ages. It was a highlight to see the number of float entries and spectators exceeding those of previous years.

Judges awarded Best Community Spirit to SUNZ Seafood float, while Best Decorations went to Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Trust, recognising the creativity and effort that went into making the parade such a success.

A standout highlight of the day was the generous donation of 500 Santa hats from an MBBA member, which quickly filled the streets with festive red and white. The hats added to the fun and excitement, with nine lucky hats winning spot prizes

at the official lighting of the town Christmas tree. The celebrations were topped off with a major prize – a children’s bike, generously donated by PlaceMakers Whitianga.

The MBBA extends special thanks to committee member Tanya Jones-Blok (Urban Homes) for leading the organisation of the event, supported by Rick Burgess (Mercury Bay Hi-Abs), Clare Tod (Wanderlust Media), and Paul Clayton (Smitty’s Sports Bar & Grill). Their combined efforts ensured the parade ran smoothly and safely.

The association also acknowledges the invaluable support of event volunteers, including parade marshals, Hoppers Construction, TCDC and the cheerful “Santa Hat Elves” who helped distribute hats throughout the CBD.

The Whitianga Santa Parade continues to be a much-loved community tradition, bringing together businesses, families, and visitors to celebrate the festive season. The MBBA thanks everyone involved for helping create a joyful and memorable event for the town.

Nysha, aged 3.

Coromandel Santa Parade a big & festive turnout for a small town

The parade was delightful. There were several superbly decorated floats as well as decorated vehicles and some humour. CFM put in a lot of effort with their adapted caravan float. They are in every Santa Parade, just like Santa Claus and their float gushed out snow which was such a great touch. As with Whitianga, it was such a pleasure to see sweets being tossed (gently) and excited children pleading for the sweets and chocolates to fall their way.

A special feature was the nature of the gathering after the parade. Floats were parked on the school field; the ‘Bits and Pieces’ band of about 15 members played Christmas songs and carols for the crowd. The Fire Brigade connected a fire hose and children danced in its shower. Well done Coromandel businesses and community groups; you are really working for your community.

Bits n Pieces Band, Coromandel

COLOURING IN COMPETITION

Protect our native dune plants and wildlife - they are unique to NZ!

Protect our native dune plants and wildlife - they are unique to NZ!

Protect our native dune plants and wildlife - they are unique to NZ!

Keep your spade for sandcastles! Digging in the dunes is dangerous

Keep your spade for sandcastles! Digging in the dunes is dangerous

Keep your spade for sandcastles! Digging in the dunes is dangerous

Join a Coastcare group or event near you!

Walk on the paths not in the dunes

Walk on the paths not in the dunes

Leave space for shorebirds Walk on the paths not in the dunes

Leave space for shorebirds

Leave space for shorebirds

Join a Coastcare group or event near you! Your full name: Age:

name:

Join a Coastcare group or event near you! Your full name: Age: Parent/guardian name: Parent/guardian contact:

contact:

Your full name: Age: Parent/guardian name: Parent/guardian contact:

Win! Coastcare Waikato Summer Colouring Competition is open from 15 December 2025 – 31 January 2026 and is open to all Waikato region school children aged 5-12 years. Categories are 5-8 years and 9-12 years. Entries can be returned to libraries in Raglan, Whangamatā, Tairua, and Whitianga, emailed to coastcare@waikatoregion.govt.nz, or sent to ‘Coastcare Waikato’ on Facebook and Instagram. See prize list and full T&Cs at waikatoregion.govt.nz/coastcare.

Win! Coastcare Waikato Summer Colouring Competition is open from 15 December 2025 – 31 January 2026 and is open to all Waikato region school children aged 5-12 years. Categories are 5-8 years and 9-12 years. Entries can be returned to libraries in Raglan, Whangamatā, Tairua, and Whitianga, emailed to coastcare@waikatoregion.govt.nz, or sent to ‘Coastcare

Win! Coastcare Waikato Summer Colouring Competition is open from 15 December 2025 – 31 January 2026 and is open to all Waikato region school children aged 5-12 years. Categories are 5-8 years and 9-12 years. Entries can be returned to libraries in Raglan, Whangamatā, Tairua, and Whitianga, emailed to coastcare@waikatoregion.govt.nz, or sent to ‘Coastcare Waikato’ on Facebook and Instagram. See prize list and full T&Cs at waikatoregion.govt.nz/coastcare.

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

La La Land Part Two

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

The people in La La Land are now finding the going a little tough and would like to increase their business turnover maybe extend their floor-space, but the cost of the consent to do so, may be more than the cost of establishing the operation itself.

One quick personal fix is to leave La La Land as permission can run from any figure to a hundred thousand dollars or any old figure really. There is no fixed price quoted and no guarantee the consent will be granted and the officials keep your money whether you get the consent or not. On the other hand, ten thousand dollars will buy a lot of container shipping sea miles and corresponding family air miles. Thousands and thousands of La La Land people have done the sums and decided to sail or fly off. The loss of New Zealand born and bred ‘Kiwis’ could not be worse as these ‘Kiwis’ are the ones that wanted to progress their lives and thus make a contribution to their wellbeing and the economy.

The Gummit (my name for the La La Land government) have shown their faith in industry by increasing fines for farmers from three hundred thousand to one million dollars and for urban culprits from six hundred thousand to ten million dollars. That is the penalty for spilling anything the Gummit has identified as a contaminant.

What constitutes a contaminant is a mystery as a paper in front of me recommends pony, cow, any animal manures as great for the compost bin and later into the garden. However, should any of those materials named, get anywhere near a waterway or have the ‘potential’ to be washed into water, ‘Enforcement

Action’ can be taken not by the council, but by the unelected staff in the council. These officials in the councils are causing mayhem and Geoffrey Palmer and Simon Bridges gave the officials permission to be a law unto themselves.

Environment Waikato gave themselves ‘Resource Consent 124871’ and this number is quoted as a consent to poison and as a result, can pollute land and water anywhere the staff choose, for whatever reason they deem necessary.

The governments in La La Land, all of them, from central to local, seem to have forgotten that industry and production pays their wages, import our cars, tractors, lathes and so on, even as the country goes from credit to debit. Can you believe you and I have to have a consent to start producing almost anything at all to save the environment, that all the authorities are poisoning.

Ayn Rand said: “When in order to produce, you need to gain permission from those who produce nothing, you will know your society is doomed.”

Australian chain buys local Holiday Park for $16m

ADAPTED

FROM ONE ROOF NIKKI PRESTON 9 DEC 2025

Sheree and Grant Webster sold after 18 years, citing health issues and a desire for family time. The sale of this very popular, award winning holiday park, ensures the campground remains and staff are retained for at least 12 months.

Sheree Webster and her husband Grant told OneRoof that selling Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park after 18 years of ownership had been emotional.

“It was a really huge decision,” she said. “We pretty much got to name our price, but it was hugely emotional.”

Hampshire Holiday Parks paid over $15.8m for the land and buildings and shelled another significant but undisclosed sum for the campground business.

The Australian chain has acquired 10 New Zealand holiday parks over the last two years. In October, it

paid $50m for Taupo Holiday Park, and last year it snapped up Ōhope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park for $27m.

Sheree and Grant had started thinking about exiting the business 18 months ago, but a brush with cancer accelerated their plans. Grant had just finished chemotherapy for blood cancer earlier this year when she discovered she had breast cancer. Both have since received promising prognoses and are now looking forward to spending their first summer in almost two decades on holiday.

“We need to look after ourselves. Our kids are all grown up now, but they’ve

had 18 years of no summer holidays with their parents. We are going to give them a summer holiday this year.”

The Websters were originally dairy farmers and had been at a nursery at 790 Hot Water Beach Road buying native plants for their subdivision in the mid-2000s when the idea of setting up a campground in the area took hold.

“One of the things that was in the back of our minds, especially Grant, because he grew up here, was- the property had to stay as a holiday park. This will always stay a holiday park, and there will always be good employment here,” said Sheree.

Speed limits lowered after reviews

SH25 Coromandel Peninsula speed limit consultation results.

SUMMARISED FROM A PRESS RELEASE 11 DECEMBER

ANNOUNCEMENT OF OUTCOME OF RECENT SPEED REVIEWS

We’re making changes to the speed limits on 4 short stretches of SH25 in Coromandel Peninsula. These new speed limits will be in place before Christmas. The communities were very keen to see the lower speeds in place, and we were able to give these reviews priority to make this happen.

Under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024 (the rule), the speed limit reviews take into consideration safety, technical, cost benefit and other data, alongside community feedback, including through

a formal public consultation, to determine the outcome of the recommendation made to the Director of Land Transport for approval. These speed limit changes have now been certified by the Director. We received a total of 982 submissions on the 4 speed limit reviews. Across the Coromandel Peninsula, the majority of submitters saw benefits in

lowering the speed limit on all 4 sections of SH25.

The support for the safer speeds came from many different avenues, but in particular, from local residents.

• In Kūaotunu, 71% and 69% felt there were positive benefits in lowering 2 sections of SH25 from 70km/h to 50km/h.

• In Wharekaho, 63% were positive about speed limits going from 70km/h

to 50km/h in their area.

• Between Thames and Tararu, 58% saw the benefits of changing the speed limit to 50km/h.

Many said that a lower speed limit would be safer for pedestrians and cyclists using the road, particularly where there were few footpaths and narrow roads and a lot of people crossing the state highway.

There was a 6-week public consultation with partners, stakeholders and the community from August to October this year. The enforcement of the new speed limits will become legal once the new signage is in place and this is expected to be in the next few days, and before Christmas.

A copy of the consultation report can be found on our website.

UPDATE ON OTHER CONSULTATION THAT HAS CLOSED

At the same time we consulted on the SH25 speeds, we also consulted on SH2 Karangahake and Waihī. We are still working through the certification process for this review and will be announcing the result early in 2026.

Hot Water Beach is a very short distance from the Holiday Park. Photo: Sarah Harris

week’s winner

Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. 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 12:00pm on Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from the New World checkout manager directly.

1. Brother’s daughter (5)

7. Sale items (8)

8. Once more (5)

10. Heavy (rain) (10)

12. Issued (from) (8)

14. Severs (4)

16. Broad (4)

17. Soberly (8)

20. Musical ensembles (10)

23. Weighed down (5)

24. Unbalanced (8)

25. Fatigued (5)

1. Subtle difference (6)

2. Voucher (4)

3. Urge (on) (4)

4. Minimal (5) 5. Cares for (fingernails) (9) 6. Sacred songs (6)

Wanderer (5)

Scenic painting (9)

13. Detective, private ... (3) 15. Venetian waterway (5)

16. Completely (6)

Sighed sleepily (6)

Earn (5)

Binds (4)

Hindu dress (4)

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

The Coromandel’s long quest for truly local government

Continued from page 11

But in March 2011, EW changed its public branding to Waikato Regional Council, signaling a major shift in strategic direction and putting a stake in the ground for leadership in regional development and planning. Two years prior, EW had employed a “business development manager”. Before long, the newly rebranded WRC disbanded its standing Environment Committee completely.

COUNTER PLANS THAT DON’T INCLUDE WRC

To some observers, WRC was now a big business masquerading as representative government, and there was no chance this growing business would willingly give up its market share in the eastern Waikato to “separatists”. As one Waikato regional councillor candidly explained at the time, the council’s primary “stakeholder” was not the community of voters and ratepayers who elected so-called representatives; rather, the council’s main stakeholder was central Government. By mid-2012, without public admission that a political struggle was underway, battle lines were nevertheless clearly drawn. On one side, a plan to restructure greater Hamilton together with four or five neighbouring districts in a unitary authority had the support of Hamilton City Council, its Mayor Julie Hardaker, and prominent business groups. It would sensibly comprise the broad area where “Hamilton people” live, work, shop, play, and travel. The proposed Hamilton Council in the western Waikato would dovetail with a Coromandel/Hauraki unitary council in the east. In this scenario, there would also be no WRC.

Lined up in opposition to amalgamation plans in Hamilton and the Coromandel were the affected western Waikato district mayors and, more critically, an entrenched and powerful WRC. In large part, their opposition could be seen as simple bureaucratic self-interest. But WRC was not just playing defense. This was an opportunity, not just to preserve power, but to increase it. And the groundwork was being laid at regional council for something bigger – a single, all-Waikato supercity council from Taupō to the Bombay Hills, with WRC in the driver’s seat.

A SUPER WRC WAS IN MIND

In early August, WRC hosted a one-day conference in Karapiro with big business interests and so-called “stakeholders” from around the region. Organised by the “independent” Institute of Public Administration (IPANZ) and titled “Rethinking Local Government”, the gathering included a workshop on the council amalgamation process, billed as a “neutral forum”.

The Karapiro conference followed reports that Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional councils were busy considering amalgamation options of their own, including boundary trade-offs.

BOP district councils had already expressed interest in a single-tier council for their region, and reportedly, there was interest in Tauranga for sweeping Thames-Coromandel District into their new council boundaries. Although no Waikato supercity plan had yet been publicly proposed, the handwriting was on the wall. And at the end of the day, nothing would be worse for the Coromandel communities.

Adding weight to all-Waikato regional planning was the newly formed (2012) Waikato Mayoral Forum (aka Waikato Local Government Forum), a monthly “informal gathering” of the region’s mayors, the WRC chair, and council CEOs to discuss possibilities for joint planning and local government efficiencies. The Forum agreed on four work streams -- roading, water and wastewater, planning, and governance. It did not work on local government reform issues, such as amalgamations, although this was recommended by WRC. The Forum’s position was that councils could do their own work on that issue.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOT BUYING MAYORAL FORUM

To local government critics, the Mayoral Forum was yet a third level of local government created to help the two dysfunctional existing layers get along. From its inception, the Forum was opaque -- no agendas, no formal minutes, no statutory structure, no public accountability, and no official information obligations.

When Coromandel unitary council campaigners presented their first 1,000 petition signatures to TCDC in November, they were buoyed by the strong support of Mayor Glenn Leach, who publicly indicated his intention to explore costs and options for council restructure, including the possibility of a unitary council.

Mayor Leach also stated his outright opposition to an all-Waikato supercity council.

OPPOSITION TO GLENN LEACH IN FAVOUR OF STATUS QUO

Despite everything, TCDC Mayor Leach would be going it alone along with first-term Hamilton Mayor Hardaker. For Hauraki, as with Hamilton City’s neighbour-

ing districts, disinterest in unitary amalgamation was most likely due to self-interest and perceived dilution of local control, despite picking up regional council responsibilities in their districts. In the case of Matamata-Piako, there was more to it.

MPD Mayor Vercoe was an influential political figure in the Waikato, serving as chairman of the Mayoral Forum. He was also chairman of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty zone for Local Government New Zealand, an advocacy group for local councils that had been opposing proposed national legislation to reshape local councils. In other words, another voice for the status quo.

TOO BIG A HURDLE FOR COROMANDEL

In late 2012, central government enacted changes to the Local Government Act, simplifying the process for council restructuring, including creation of unitary authorities, but adding some procedural fishhooks. Any individual or group could now propose a plan. But other councils affected by the proposal would have only four weeks to respond to a proposal with a detailed alternative plan. Ultimately, however, no restructure plan would go ahead if it failed to win an official poll of all affected voters. As an example, the Coromandel might propose a unitary council plan for the Peninsula plus Hauraki, but to have it accepted, the plan would need support of more than 50 percent of all Waikato Region voters, as they all would theoretically be affected by the Coromandel departing WRC. This was a very high procedural hurdle.

At the direction of Mayor Glenn Leach, TCDC staff went to work in 2013 preparing a report on costs and benefits of the proposed Coromandel unitary council. Solid analysis and hard numbers would be needed to support any future formal proposal. But as Leach also knew well, the Waikato Mayoral Forum was working at cross-purpose in the background, quietly and deliberately, like a political Trojan horse.

DECEPTION

The Forum was hip deep in an effort to assume responsibility for two overarching pillars of local government – spatial planning

and economic development. A central feature of its work would be creation of a single “Waikato Plan”, leaders said, along with an all-Waikato economic development plan. The Forum said it would “ensure that local authorities in the Waikato share common goals and objectives when it comes to making policy choices, investment decisions, and engagement with central Government.” According to Chairman Vercoe, leaders had to say, “We represent 400,000 people.” With the entire Waikato population at 416,000, the only way to make those numbers would be to create a Waikato supercity.

According to its chairman, the group did not “have any collective view” about the future shape of local government. But Vercoe had political ambitions. He announced his resignation as MPD mayor to run for WRC in the newly redefined Waihou constituency, where he served three terms through 2022.

When the long-awaited TCDC staff report came back in June with positive analysis regarding a potential unitary structure, Council engaged local government consultants Morrison Low to conduct next phase analysis on options. But the 2013 local body elections were also on the horizon.

SOUND DEFEAT FOR “ONE WAIKATO”

Without mentioning the risky words “Waikato Supercity”, WRC leaders drafted a full slate of eight ”One Waikato” candidates for a ballot-box showdown with the competing Rates Control council team. While promoting the Mayoral Forum’s all-Waikato economic and planning agenda, “One Waikato” would be laying the foundation for a single region-wide council instead of the competing two-unitary council scenario. Government and big business wanted as few local councils as possible -- think fewer plans and rules, faster permitting, lower costs, and greasier wheels.

Come October, the “One Waikato” ticket was roundly defeated, with six of eight candidates rejected, including in Hamilton.

Rates Control councillors were on record backing the alternative, more local, Greater Hamilton uni-

tary council solution.

‘LOCAL’ COULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE BIG POWERS

Planners for unitary councils in both the Thames-Coromandel and Hamilton areas progressed their work. All councils and the Mayoral Forum carried on with the status quo through the next year.

Rural Far North District Council put forth a unitary council plan, but was countered by Northland Regional Council.

What would happen on the Coromandel was outlined in the Local Government Commission’s September 2014 briefing to the incoming minister. The Waikato Property Council was preparing its Hamilton unitary authority plan, but as the LGC stated, “Any such proposal would require a process spanning the whole of the Waikato Region.”

The LGC continued, “It is also understood that a different proposal has been developed by [TCDC] that proposes a separate unitary authority for the Thames-Coromandel District and neighboring parts of the Waikato, possibly including part of the current Western Bay of Plenty DistrictReports suggest that any application may be deferred pending attempts to develop a “spatial plan” for the region. Any reorganization process covering the Waikato region has the potential to be larger and more complex than [either Northland or Wellington].”

In the end, the campaign for truly local government on the Coromandel fell prey to a combination of entrenched interests, institutional inertia, personal political ambitions, and legislated procedures that put council restructure in the too-hard basket.

Fast forward to 2025, and local government structure is just as it was. But the reasons for change are also just as they were.

“And the best outcome going forward, as change is coming, may be just what Coromandel Peninsula residents were asking for all along.”

„ Geoffrey Robinson covered local body reform efforts for the Hamilton News and other Waikato publications from 2011 to 2014

Hugh Vercoe; Glenn Leach; newspaper articles from the time.

FAIRIES, PIRATES & PRINCESSES PICNIC IN THE PARK

FINAL SANTA EVENTS OF THE YEAR

TAIRUA SANTA FUN RUN

All ages 5km & 500m events, Pepe Harbour, Tairua, Saturday 20 December, open from 1:00pm, race starts 2:00pm, prizegiving 3:15pm. Visit Tairua Information Centre to register.

MATARANGI SANTA PARADE

Saturday, 20 December 11:00am Parade starts cnr Matarangi Drive and Fernhill Rise heading towards the shopping centre.

TRADES & SERVICES

TRADES & SERVICES

STUMP GRINDING SERVICES

Monk Street, Whitianga Office Ph: 07 8671087

CHURUCH SERVICES

St Peter the Fisherman

7 Dundas St, Whitianga ANGLICAN WORSHIPCHRISTMAS SERVICES

Wednesday 17 Dec Remembered at Christmas Service 7pm (Remembering those we have lost or can’t be with) Wednesday 24 Dec Christmas Eve Service – 8pm

There will not be a Christmas Day service here or in Hahei, but if any one from Hahei wishes to attend the Christmas Eve Service and needs to be picked up from the Ferry please phone 0273-450-583.

All welcome – Any other enquiries phone 021781081 www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.org.nz

STABI 389

35hp Honda, depth sounder, VHF, excellent trailer.

$12,500 ono Phone 021-146-0143

SEA NYMPH SEA RIDER 565 Deep23ºV, Mercury 4 Stroke, 150HP. Water Skis etc. Galv. multiroller trailer with electric winch. Wake board canopy and stainless bait station. Marine radio, Garmin Navigation, Auxillary O/B bracket. Stainless boarding ladder. Fastidiously maintained!

$46,000 ono Phone 021 180 2803 WHITIANGA

Wanted: House for removal

Are you demolishing or removing a house?

We are wanting one to relocate to Coromandel Town.

Contact: Jamie 022 131 5513

Whitianga (Opp Z)

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00AM Come, join the familyFind peace and friendship.

Enquiries: ph 022 1322 061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

• Unitec- Waitakere (Auckland),

PERSONAL

LOOKING FOR FRIENDSHIP

Single male – 70, fit, healthy, caring, with excellent references, looking for a lady friend to go on outings and meals, etc, for long-term relationship, but happy to see where it goes. Contact (in total confidence) design@theinformer.co.nz

Application for a Scholarship to study Medical Imaging

THE MERCURY BAY COMMUNITY RADIOLOGY AND HEALTH TRUST (MBCRHT)

The scholarship would be for a two-year period and available to a 2024 or 2025 school leaver who is a permanent resident of the Mercury Bay area and enrols in 2026 for a recognised Medical Imaging qualification offered by one of the following four New Zealand tertiary education providers:

• Universal College of Learning (Palmerston North)

• ARA Institute of Canterbury (Christchurch)

• University of Auckland

The scholarship is for $10,000 per annum. Payment of the second year of the scholarship is dependent upon the satisfactory performance of the first year.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to spend time at Mercury Bay Radiology which will enable them to gain an understanding of the profession.

There will be one scholarship awarded every second year.

Candidates interested in applying for the scholarship should email their request for an application form to: graeme.mbradiology@gmail.com

The Longest Day Challenge at The Dunes Matarangi

Friday, 5 December dawned and they were off – 2 teams, 14 golfers, up to 34 kms walked and 72 holes of golf played in 13 hours at The Dunes, Matarangi, with nearly $24,500 raised for the Cancer Society, funds used for providing cancer support in NZ.

‘Table 10 Goes Again’, a team of 12 players in their pink shirts raised, as of 9/12, $24,431.00 and are leading the country for the highest amount raised by a single team, an achievement the Team and The Dunes are incredibly proud of.

The Dunes supported the Teams with the logistics of playing throughout the day, the local

supporters cheered from balconies, driveways and across the lakes and additional money was raised through raffles and a donation box. At the completion of each 18 holes there was a quick stop for sandwiches provided by The Dunes and it was time to start again.

Supporters and visitors were on the deck of the Dunes watching the golfers playing their 72nd hole with much cheering and clapping as the 72 holes were completed. Bev Gwyn, past Chairperson of the Dunes Golf Committee said, ‘although exhausted, the players all had huge smiles on their faces and were exhilarated

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

Results: 26 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. Lots of very close games this week with several teams winning 3 out of 4 sets. The winning team was Fletcher Bale and Karen McKenzie winning 4 straight sets. Highest finish this week for the men was 60, scored by Todd Neilson. No high finishes for the ladies this week. One player scored 180 this week and that was Rex Donaldson. Last darts night this year is

on Tuesday, 16 December. Starting date for 2026: Tuesday, 13 January.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday, 10 December

Greg Murphy and Kenny G met in the final with Greg winning Saturday, 13 December

Bob Haase only person with 4 wins 3 wins, Greg Murphy, 2 wins Kevin Taylor

just thinking about what they had achieved and the impact they had all made together.’

Grant Morgan, Team leader of ‘Table 10 Goes Again’, said that, ‘the challenge is deeply personal for all of us as everyone on the Team knows someone, family or friends, affected by cancer and we understand the struggle they go through. Playing four rounds of golf is tough but it’s nothing compared to what these people face every day. Taking this challenge was our way of honouring their fight and supporting the vital work of the Cancer Society’. An amazing effort by all and a wonderful achievement.

HIghbreak 28 by Bob Haase.

MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB

Business House results – Tuesday, 2 and Tuesday, 9 December

• Gubb Electrical defeated P.C.G. Surveys 9-7 9-5;

• Gubb Electrical defeated The Rugby Club 9-1 6-9 4-0,

• P.C.G.Surveys defeated Coastal Carpets 4-9 9-3. 4-3.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Men – Stableford Tues, 9 December

1 Rod Bott – 19, 2 Patrick Gonthier – 19, 3 Peter Chaffin – 16.

Two’s: Wed, 10 December

18 Hole Men – Stableford

1 Carl Mitchell – 42, 2 Steve Collins – 42, 3 Micky Henderson – 40.

Two’s: Willie Jones, Jay Marshall, Steve Geach, Dave Enright

Nine-hole Mixed – Stableford Fri, 12 December

1 Glennis Drane – 22, 2 Patrick Gonthier – 22, 3 Micky Henderson – 21.

Two’s: Rod Bott

NTP #4: Eddie Lyle; NTP #6: Rod

Bott

18 Hole Men – Stableford Sat, 13 December

NZ manufactured aluminium windows and doors since 1990:

- New builds & renovations

- Replacement joinery in existing homes

Fifteen clubs play in Christmas Tournament

- Aluminium & glass balustrades

07 869 5990

| nzwindows.co.nz

1 Abrahamson Drive, Whitianga (Mon-Fri,

BY JEAN MCCANN

BEDS R US WHANGAMATA

SPONSORS CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT AT TAIRUA GOLF CLUB

Friday, 5 December was a wonderful day. We had for our 9/18 Hole Beds R Us Christmas Tournament. We had players from fifteen clubs attend and even some from Whitford. Many of them had not played on our course and were blown away with how well this country course is looked after. This is a credit to the green keepers and the many volunteers who help on our course.

18 HOLES

Overall Gross Winner: Maree Jamieson

Division 1:

Nett: Sue Mitchell, Whangamata

Stableford: Esther Hall, Thames Division 2:

Nett: Faye Saunders, Whangamata

Stableford: Connie Graham, Tairua

1 Neal Robinson – 39, 2 Jack Coldicutt – 38, 3 Gordon Kirkham –38.

Two’s: Steve Geach, Rohit Ranchhod, Willie Jones, Patrick Gonthier

Div. One: Gross – Neal Robinson – 74; Div. Two: Gross – Rob Baines – 88.

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Nine-hole Stableford Tues, 9 December

1 Frank Geoghegan, 2= Annabelle Wharton, Anneliese LA Roche, Kevin Milroy.

Nine-hole Nett plus Putts Thurs, 11 December

1st Lady: Jill Huston 1st Man: John Hamilton

DUNES MATARANGI GOLF CLUB

Nine-hole Mens Stableford Mon, 8 December

Results:

1 Lance Croawell 22, 2 Peter Mathias 19, 3 Barry Titchmarsh 18.

Nine-hole Ladies Bring a Bottle Stableford Tue, 9 December

Results:

Jamieson was overall gross winner.

NINE HOLES

Division 1:

Nett: Sue McDonnell, Tairua

Stableford: Annette Eltringham, Tairua

Division 2:

Nett: Frances Reid, Tairua

Stableford: Shona Russell, Tairua

1 Glenda Philpott 21, 2 Ruth Fisken 19, 3 Joanne Nicholson 18. 18 Hole Mens Merry X’Mas Stableford Wed, 10 December

Results: 1 Tony Nicholson 41, 2 Robert Fisken 40, 3 Darryn Pritchard 39.

Two’s Results: Chris Palmer Glenn LeLievre # 13 Nearest the Pin on Hole 18: Geoff Hill

9 & 18 Hole Ladies X’MAS DAY Ambrose Net Medal Thur 11Dec

Results: 1 Allison Drake-Wells and Joanne Nicholson 30.5, 2 Sandra Bowen and Marie Murphy 30.75, 3 Noeleen Mulligan and Merrin James 33.5.

Saturday Mixed Haggle Stableford Sat 13 December

Results:

1 Brent Holtom 39, 2 Craig Batty 36 (on countback), 3 Nick Lambert 36.

Two’s Results:

Tony Munro, David Todd, Brent Holtom # 7; Nick Lambert # 13; Craig Batty #18 Nearest The Pin #18: Chrissie Smith.

Maree

Mercury Bay Club indoor bowls prize giving.

Message from Hon Scott Simpson

MP For Coromandel

With Christmas just a week away, I want to wish all the readers of The Coromandel Informer a safe and Merry Christmas. I hope that you enjoy yourselves with friends and family, and a take well-earned break over the summer.

Our towns really come alive this

Stories of growth and wonder

BY CHRIS BOVILL

Chris Bovill is passionate about encouraging women to flourish. For twenty years Chris has organised the annual HEART (Home Educators’ Annual Retreat), providing space for countless women to be refreshed. Her deepest desire is to encourage those around her, and wring as much joy out of each day as possible! Chris lives with her husband Mark on a dairy farm near Ngatea. They have six adult children and a big collection of grandchildren.

WHY I WROTE THESE BOOKS

As a busy mum to six children, carving out time to sit, read, and reflect on the deeper things of life was brief and usually came with multiple interruptions. Short, power-packed stories that inspired me, were what I would reach for. The ones that resonate with the stage you're in – with the overwhelm of doing all the things, and give you a few minutes to be still – to linger in the calm of a reflective moment. These snatches of time were often found in short stories with a spiritual analogy woven throughout. These 'devotionals' became a golden thread

that wove hope, connection and encouragement throughout a weary day, providing inspiration that helped refresh my heart and mind somewhere between tackling the mountain of washing, and helping feed the calves on the farm.

STORY TELLING TO STORY WRITING

After lots of practice as a story teller while tucking our children in to bed each night, I have gone on to write sixty short stories of life on the farm; of funny expe-

riences; of teachable moments; and reflections from nature. I have collected these in the form of a book called Flourish and also in my second book Wonder. A third book is now well underway, to complete the trilogy.

My hope is that these stories bring the encouragement and connection we all crave.

One reader said: “The author invites you into her life and her home, and reading her stories makes you feel as if you're sitting across from a warm fire with her having a cup of tea as she gives you encouragement. It's an easy read, and the stories are short but sweet. I highly recommend this devotional.” – Carol Cuppy

time of year, as the Peninsula fills up with returning and first-time visitors who want to enjoy the classic Kiwi holiday. Their enthusiasm to experience all that we have to offer creates a buzz around our region, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the positivity.

The good news is the holiday season isn’t just for visitors; locals are more than welcome to get in on the action. There’s always something new to discover, but the classic activities are just as good, such as relaxing the days away on our world-class beaches, spending a day out on the water, cycling the Hauraki Rail Trail, or frequenting our retailers and restaurants.

The political year is also wrapping up, which is a good time to reflect on the last twelve months, as well as what the Government has been working on throughout this parliamentary term.

We’ve been focused on responsibly managing the government books and encouraging economic growth. It hasn’t been an easy period for the economy and it was never going to turnaround overnight, but we are starting to see real progress. Look no further than inflation which is now less than half what it was under Labour, or interest rates which have been cut nine times, saving those with an average mortgage around $10,000 a year compared with late 2023.

There’s always more to do, which is why we’re delivering reforms like Fast Track, so that infrastructure, housing, and energy projects get approved faster. This will create more jobs and lift incomes. We’re also abolishing the RMA and replacing it with a new planning system. Under this new system, there will be fewer plans, fewer consent categories, and fewer consents overall.

I’m confident that our plan is working, that it’s delivering real results for people now, and that we’re building a brighter future for the next generation of New Zealanders.

Additional material from Scott’s interview with CFM on Friday 12 December

“Chris Bishop has done an extraordinary job in the pulling together of the RMA proposed changes.

“The hand brake of the existing Resource Management Act has not served our environment well. If we can get this right, we are setting New Zealand up for the next twenty, thirty years. The feedback on the new RMA plan has been overwhelmingly positive and not just from developers and businesses but from many groups within the NGO sector who understand the need for balance between caring for and improving our environment and development. Getting the balance right is critical.”

Scott Simpson with BusinessNZ Chief Executive, Katherine Rich.

One potato – two potato plants, and that’s it!

BY JOHN MCQUILLAN

We were enjoying a meal and a drink together many years ago and we talked about a potato competition. We didn’t start in that year but worked on some rules which we thought would work for an ongoing competition. Those rules have hardly changed and our first competition was 34 years ago. Now as well as growing potatoes and competing for the potato cup, it is our way of ensuring we get together and keep in touch. In essence, we are a group of friends for the long haul.

Each year a different home is the venue for the final stage of the competition.

Allan Miles was the winner of 2025’s competition which concluded Saturday, 13 December and this is his second win two years in a row – his score was 29 out of 30.

There is quite a bit of planning to this local potato competition. Each competitor plants the potato seedlings at the same time. They come from the same source. How the potato plants are fertilised or cared for is up to each gardener. Then from their potato crop, they choose three plants to

be part of the competition. Two plants will be their entry in the competition and the third plant is there for the situation where there is a tie and the third plant is needed as a tie breaker. At each home, the owner of the potato plant patch is observed by the group as he or she chooses two potato plants to be in the competition and then selects a third to be a reserve. Everyone watches the owner as each plant is dug and the potatoes are picked up from the soil. The potatoes are very carefully counted and placed in a bag.

One bag for the first plant’s potatoes and one for the second plant’s potatoes. Then there is the third bag for the reserve plant’s potatoes in case there is a tie in points. This takes place at every house including the final house. Now everyone’s yield is weighed and counted and the heaviest potato is decided by careful weighing.

THE ASPECTS FOR JUDGING:

Quantity of potatoes from the first two plants. Winner Allan had 75 potatoes from his two plants. The overall weight of the two-

plant harvest. Allan’s 75 potatoes weighed 14lb and 1/8 oz.

The heaviest potato from all the potatoes harvested. Allan’s heaviest potato was 11 and a half oz.

No taste test: What is not judged is the taste as the team of potato growers feels this is a personal taste judgement and not fact.

The finale is a shared meal together and sometimes the potatoes are on the menu This is followed by the presentation of the winner’s cup which sits on a wooden wagon. In the following days, the winner’s name

is engraved on the cup trophy. Allan Miles’ name will be printed beside his last year’s title. There are elements which speak of eccentricity but this is also enjoyed by every competitor. It’s a while since I have won so I’ll be working on my soil enrichment this next year

Since The Informer visited our team of potato growers, two more longstanding local competitions have come to light. We would like to hear about these and any other competitions between potato growers on the Coromandel.

The potato growing team. Back: Paul Simpson and Allan Miles. Front: John McQuillan holding the winning cup on its truck, Linda Simpson, Calum McGillivray. John McQuillan’s potato patch – he didn’t do very well this year.