Issue 1208 5th May 2026

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GRASS CARP OR NO GRASS CARP?

BY PAULINE STEWART

No one likes foreign species to invade the local habitats and cause unnecessary damage. However over history it has happened. Possums are one very clear example – their fur value cannot equate to the damage they do.

The situation before the Cooks Beach Community is whether or not they will finally get a Resource Consent approved to introduce Grass

Carp in their two lakes. The purpose is to manage the weed infestation that is a constant concern and health risk and prevents the lakes from doing their job – storm water storage.

The situation has created an eyesore for everyone.

Finally after four years, a Consent for the application to have Grass Carp is close to being approved by the council. It looked like a success on 25 March this year. It was even announced by one staff member.

However, It is written into legislation that iwi are to be consulted on the use of anything in waterways whether it be natural or introduced.

A DIFFERENT VIEW

Recently and overdue, DOC undertook this final aspect which is not good news for the Cooks Beach community. The Informer spoke to a local iwi representative.

“When we looked at the lakes we were shocked at the

lack of planting around the perimeters. It was all meant to be planted initially when the lakes went in. Years ago, a small amount was done and it has mysteriously vanished.

“We would like to see an extensive planting programme and TCDC has funding for this. WRC has the responsibility for the catchment, and it can be planted right up to the perimeters of the lakes.

Continued on page 3

Pauline’s Piece

It has been a challenging time

We cannot always print articles that please. Writers have different opinions, certainly different opinions to The Editor. A different opinion is not misinformation.

Some infer that The Informer does not support local. I ask only that you read the paper – the content makes that inference false. Supporting something sometimes means acknowledging it is less than perfect. No town, business, or person is. We shop in the same stores and dine at the same local places. We need to get along openly, and one helpful way is simply to speak to one another. The success of this region depends on everyone, not just a few.

On another note, we regularly run out of space for the announcements and sports news we feel deeply committed to sharing. This week we’ve had to omit the ‘What’s On’ page. The number of pages we print is determined by advertising revenue. If you have a business to advertise, doing so helps us share community news.

Mother’s Day: I dwell with fondness on my mother’s generous love — for me, my siblings, and so many others — and the contentment she found in small things. I

would like to emulate her attitude more than I do.

You’ll notice a new column on Page 17: Chook Chat, joining us for four weeks. Marlene of Meadow Munchers is a wonderful expert on hens and small-scale egg farming. Collecting eggs and caring for hens was an important part of my own childhood.

A small story about mothering. Our Schnauzer, Millie, desperately wanted something to love. She had tried to adopt

the neighbour’s baby goats, but was met with a gruff rebuttal.

Then our young son begged us to take in one kitten from a litter whose mother had been killed by a car. The kittens were so tiny they needed feeding by eye-dropper. We relented. Boy and dog were immediately devoted to it, though we kept the kitten in a bird cage, knowing Millie’s tendencies.

One day the cage door was left open. Before we noticed, Millie had retrieved the kitten and was licking it softly. She was calm, even peaceful. We managed to return the kitten to the cage, but soon the two were communicating through the bars, Millie barking softly, the kitten stretching out a paw toward her.

We introduced them properly in a basket by the fireplace. In no time, they lay beside each other. From that night on, they slept together until Millie died of old age, thirteen years later. We never tired of their friendship. Separate creatures during the day, at night they were inseparable – and Millie defended the cat fiercely whenever trouble arose.

The mothering spirit is unconditional love.

online

STAR and SPACE STATION GAZING IN 2026 – your guide to the night sky

Tuesday, 5 May – Tiangong will be visible from 6:45pm in the SW and disappears into the Earth’s shadow just below the Southern Cross. Wednesday, 6 May – These few days are the best time to view the Eta Aquarid meteors, best seen after midnight. They originate in Comet Hally’s tail. Thursday, 7 May – We have a good Tiangong pass in the west from 6:18pm. Friday, 8 May – From 6:53pm in the SW we have a long bright Tiangong pass. Saturday, 9 May – We have a long Tiangong pass in the west from 5:52pm passing right through the Southern Cross. Sunday, 10 May – From 6:27pm we have a long bright Tiangong pass in the west. Tuesday, 12 May – The crescent Moon sits high above Saturn and Mars in the eastern pre-dawn sky. Wednesday, 13 May – The crescent Moon, Saturn and Mars are equally spaced in the east before sunrise with Mars

the lowest. From 6:04am in the north we can also view the ISS. Mars and Saturn can be seen in the eastern dawn sky this week while at dusk we have Jupiter and Venus on display in the west. Comet C/2025 R3 has survived its close encounter with the Sun and can now be seen just after dusk very low in the west below Orion. Binoculars will probably be needed to spot it as a fuzzy patch low on the horizon below the bright star Rigel on the left side of Orion moving up from night to night. Always keep the binoculars pointed well away from the Sun as instant blindness can result otherwise. The first week to 10 days of the month will be the best for comet viewing as it will steadily be getting fainter as it moves away from the Sun although it will be getting a bit higher each night and climbing up next to Rigel on the 7th.

Mike’s Minutes

‘Worth Watching Online’

LOOK UP ON YOUTUBE

1. Hawkes Bay Disaster (1931) Napier Earthquake (14min)

2. Entire History of Auckland (AI reconstruction) (10min)

3. Will fuel price blowouts push us toward electrification? (12 min)

Mike is very enthusiastic about providing content to which readers have easy access on YouTube.

MIKE’S MINUTES WILL OFFER:

• Curated 3-5 high quality YouTube documentaries and videos.

• Current events and subjects of interest to local readers.

• New Zealand focused or Pacific content.

• Practical/how-to (gardening, fishing, etc.)

• History or explainer videos.

• Inspiring human stories.

• Occasionally “just fascinating” subjects.

Whiskers and Millie – child and mother resting together in their basket.

Differing views – a decision required

“The massive and unpredictable rain events have caused a rethink.

The flooding goes beyond the lakes and that means the Grass Carp would also go beyond the lakes and though we understand that they do not reproduce, how can we be sure that will last forever. Had these rain events not had such a dramatic effect, we probably would have taken a different view.

“The other addition suggested and has been discussed is the use of a bio-aerator which will help move the water around with a good planting programme. We can’t condone the introduction of foreign species. I know planting may interfere with some people’s views but there can be pockets to view. Council has money for it, especially for the planting of these lakes. We are offering a different point of view.”

Steve Lloyd a resident of Cooks Beach and the convenor of the Cooks Beach Lakes committee is disappointed and dismayed at this viewpoint. As someone who cares for the lawns and often mows the grass around the lakes, he understands how long and costly the planning of the planting suggested would be and is surprised that there is funding available especially since the recent consultation on rates is shaving these costs.

Steve accepts that the applica-

tion has to have a consultation process but he is questioning the process if the reason for not going along with it is not scientifically or environmentally based. Consultation has to be with ALL parties.

He is aware of the process –Council would have to have a vote to tell DOC to approve the application notwithstanding the iwi viewpoint. DOC then has the final say.

THE PAST FOUR YEARS

The Cooks Beach community understand their research. They have brought in experts, made presentations with solid data that shows success over time. Grass Carp do NOT reproduce and they die in salt water. They do not eat all the weeds - they act like effective mowers. Other councils such

as Bay of Plenty have used Grass Carp for the same problems faced and to good effect. TCDC, Waikato Regional Council, DOC and NIWA have all been involved trying so many different machinery and spray solutions at huge cost but to no avail. Some machines have broken down due to the intense thickness and density of the weeds in the lakes. Steve is aware that the cost factor is not acceptable and something must be done. At times volunteers have got in there to clear out the weeds due to stench and no water movement and there are truckloads of waste taken away.

Such a long period of hard work and trying alternatives to being no closer to a solution; “Common sense has not prevailed across the board,” says Steve. He at times felt that some council staff were stonewalling the process as well as the application.

Meanwhile there is a build-up of algae bloom. Residents have had to dispose of dead ducks themselves due to the presence of botulism. These waterways are clogged and need intervention that is not repetitive.

Rates pay for this flood storage containment, and they are eye sore for a lot of the time. The

number of attempts to keep the weeds down has cost the community dearly in terms of dollars and failing to making the Cooks Beach lakes safe and attractive and good for simple leisure activities.

Current councillors have been working in the background to get a decision that will solve the issue and one which most people can agree to. The CE has been involved in hurrying up the process which did seem to lag.

So many ideas have been tried, and different ideologies have been applied.

A possible two-way solution: Could the Grass Carp be introduced as an experiment over a period of twelve months while planting, which will take considerable time, goes into effect.

The review would need to consider the removal of the Grass Carp if any of the iwis concerns are validated.

This would reduce the cost of big machinery and sprays at least and give everyone a chance to watch these, Grass Carp. If planting does what is promised, then the number of Grass Carp can be reduced, but that also must be validated by residents around the lakes and they need to be not so concerned about a view.

Could people donate the cost of one carp for one year? It all depends on a decision that allows all parties to continue to be involved and succeed.

‘Nothing But Dreams’ show – the real Tina Cross NZTrio presents “Dreamscape”

Celebrating 50 years in music, at the Mercury Bay Club this Saturday night, Nothing But Dreams brings together two remarkable careers in a show that weaves iconic songs with the stories behind them.

This show is the real Tina Cross, not a covers show. Tina, ONZM (Te Aupouri / Ngāti Porou) has been a defining voice in New Zealand music since winning the Pacific Song Contest in 1979 with “Nothing But Dreams.”

She achieved chart success both as a solo artist and as the lead singer of 1980s band Koo De Tah, whose hit “Too Young for Promises” reached the Australian Top 10. Already an established recording artist in New Zealand through her work with PolyGram Records, her trans-Tasman success marked the beginning of a wide-reaching international career. She has performed across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, USA and Asia.in her celebrated solo career sharing the stage with legends such as Sammy Davis Jnr, Tom

Jones and Meat Loaf.

Tina’s partner John Bettison, also a remarkable entertainer – acclaimed guitarist and vocalist, will be presenting some songs together.

John is a former member of Koo De Tah, and has become one of Australasia’s most respected session musicians – performing and recording across major television productions such as Australian Idol, The Voice and The X Factor, Together, they will present the songs that shaped a career, the moments behind the music, and the journey of a life lived on stage.

Tina is excited to bring

the 9 May show with John and the programme will be in two parts. “The second part is particularly geared for getting on the dance floor,” Tina says. “However, the key to this show is that it’s personal. There’s a lot to sing that I have loved very much over 50 years.” Tina’s sister, Martha Tupaea, who is an outstanding vocal performer in her own right and Tina’s brother in law, Hal, a professional bass player, will add to the music and energy of this evening, making it a family affair for what promises to be a big performance and audience night.

This is the perfect night out to mark Mothers Day Tickets $25 are available from Mercury Bay Club or book by phone. The restaurant is open from 5.30pm.

Nothing But Dreams this Saturday night at the Mercury Bay Club, is an intimate, entertaining and heartfelt celebration of five decades in music.

Congratulations The winner of 2 tickets – Ray Rout

Sunday, 17 May 2:00pm St Andrew’s by the Sea, Whitianga.

Book via Eventfinda. Door sales available 30 mins prior to concert.

Described as a “national treasure” (NZ Herald), NZTrio He Taonga Wairere is renowned for its eclectic repertoire, outstanding talent and warm kiwi stage presence. Bringing together three incredibly accomplished artists: Amalia Hall (violin), Matthias Balzat (cello) & Jian Liu (guest piano), every NZTrio performance powerfully reaffirms the importance

and cathartic nature of a live musical experience in today’s digital world.

“Dreamscape” traverses vivid musical worlds: Panufnik’s colourful Around Three Corners, Schumann’s passionate Piano Trio No. 1,

and Ives’

a journey through memory, imagination, and sonic exploration. Duration approx 105 mins including interval. „ See p13 for poster.

Passione Concert Quartet

on Mother’s Day.

Passione Quartet were brought together by their sheer love of music and a like-minded aim to enjoy and share the immense power and beauty of clas-

sical music.

DETAILS: Thames Music Group’s Sunday Concert Passione Quartet, Sunday 10 May 2026 at 2.00 pm, St George’s

Yes,

Church, Mackay Street. Tickets: $20/Adult, $15/TMG Member, Free entry/Under 18 yrs old. „ Contact: thamesmusic group@yahoo.co.nz

Cowan’s inventive wood, strings, hammers, flesh,

playful Piano Trio –

Amalia Hall, Matthias Balzat and Jian Liu.

Mayor’s column

Generosity marks New World Donation Drive Anzac and Everest; rates and our mothers

Family 2 Family donation drive by New World is clearly making a real impact in Whitianga. The generosity from locals across the Coromandel Peninsula is shining through with either the purchase and donation of pre-packed donation bags or donating individual non-perishable items.

The additional $1,600 contribution from New World Whitianga is also a meaningful boost, helping Whitianga Social Services continue their important work supporting families in need.

BY PETER REVELL

Last week, 25 April was a profoundly moving day attending ANZAC commemorations at dawn in Whitianga and later the civic ceremony in Thames.

Eleven years ago on 25 April, I was in a small Nepalese village about an hour short of Everest Base Camp when, at 11:56am, a devastating earthquake struck Nepal, claiming over 9,000 lives – including 20 at Base Camp. Our group of 12 friends, who had known each other since secondary school, had been scheduled to arrive at Base Camp at noon. We were running late.

The reason was simple. It was ANZAC Day, and we had begun our morning with a service around the breakfast table, sharing memories of our fathers and their experiences of war.

That delay potentially saved our lives.

their lives on the way down.

ANZAC Day holds deep personal meaning for me. I remember my mate who died. I remember my father and the horrors he endured in the Pacific and in Italy during the Second World War.

Standing among large crowds this year reinforced the scale of sacrifice, not only of those who never returned, but of those who carried war home, and the families who carried it with them.

For our district, service and sacrifice are not abstract. Over the past seven years we have faced 31 storm events. Each time, our communities have shown courage, loyalty, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility to one another. These values matter just as much today as they did a century ago.

RATES

adjusting depreciation provisions, and reducing personnel costs by $1 million.

I’ve been delighted by the strong response to our Annual Plan consultation, more than 750 submissions received, now being collated for Council consideration before we finalise next year’s budget. Thank you to everyone who engaged. Your input matters.

Thank you to all who have donated this year.

If you’re considering contributing, there’s still time, please visit the team at New World Whitianga before the drive wraps up on Sunday, 10 May. Even a small donation can make a difference.

The earthquake triggered a massive avalanche at Base Camp. Under Peter Hillary’s leadership, we immediately turned around and descended, abandoning our goal. Tragically, one of our party and an accompanying Sherpa lost

28 Albert Street, Whitianga Phone 07 866 4532 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm, Sun closed

Your Council is highly motivated to make our district the best it can be. Working alongside community boards and staff, we have reduced a projected average rates increase of over 13% for next year to below 3.8%, the figure I campaigned on.

Savings measures include reducing consultancy budgets, extending borrowing terms,

This Annual Plan lays the foundation for more affordable and sustainable rate increases in the years ahead. Councillors and senior staff are also taking the next steps on our 10-year plan, with Community Boards playing a vital role in ensuring local voices continue to be heard.

Finally, with Mother’s Day approaching, I want to acknowledge the mothers in our lives. Thank you for the love you have given and the sacrifices you have made.

Sara Stanley from New World Whitianga loading the van for delivery to Whitianga Social Services.

Our party and the statue of Sir Ed at Khunde.

Anzac day

Anzac is the one occasion where almost all the population of the Peninsula is gathered somewhere to solemnly share in a service of commemoration. The Informer covered four places last week. We share with readers this week something of Paeroa, Pauanui and Coromandel town on Anzac Day.

Pauanui

at

takes

away. The scene is so dramatic looking out over the ocean. The people are gathered on the beach adjacent to the Pauanui Surf Lifesaving Club.

The solemnity is not diminished as people remember the terrible loss of life that occurred on a very different beach on the shores of Gallipoli over a hundred years ago. The fly over near the conclusion of the ceremony is a magnificent signing off for the Pauanui service and is shared by all gathered for

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outdoor Anzac commemorations across the Peninsula.

After the service a community breakfast was offered to the community at the Pauanui Club. Thanks to Paul Schrader Photography of Pauanui for his magnificent local photos.

The 2026 Pauanui ANZAC Dawn Service

dawn

ones breath

Photos by Paul Schrader.

Anzac day

Anzac started with a dawn service at 6:00 am up on Primrose Hill Cenotaph. The memorial monument to the fallen and those who served sits poignantly atop the hill overlooking Paeroa township. This is especially lit for Anzac Day RSA President of the RSA John Hallett led this service with Pastor Poul Anderson of the local Co-operating Parish. The gathering was also described as a ‘Service of Dedication’. The parade commander Danny Te Iri could be heard through the stillness of the dawn across much of the town, as was the music of the Kerepehi Brass Band. This was followed by a street parade at 9:00 am and civic service at the Paeroa War Memorial Hall with large numbers of locals assembled. Long ago many young men left from Paeroa. and surrounding settlements to fight for their country in both world wars.

Thank you to Kathy Bland – photographer.

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Coromandel Town

The laying of wreaths following the 10.00am Civic Service was contributed to in a significant way by the work of local artist and florist Elisabeth Carter of Coromandel Flowers who prepared quite a few of the wreaths as her gift to the memory and honouring of those who had paid the ultimate price for freedom. These were greatly appreciated by the many people gathered solemnly for the Anzac service.

Coromandel Flowers is a excellent and creative business working very hard and generously for the Coromandel community. Why not support Elisabeth and give a woman some joy this coming Mothers Day with a bouquet of flowers or even a colourful wreath. Elisabeth can help make your Mothers Day. Ph: 021 211 9556

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A large crowd gathered at the Cenotaph.

John Hallett, RSA president. Photos by Kathy Bland.

Last Post by Alistair McMillan.

Elisabeth Carter of Coromandel Flowers.

Musings from the Village

When Men were Mice and Mums were Lions

BY GORDON T

The gardener and I were sitting on the porch the other day, a couple of beers in hand, as I helped him recover from another tough hour in the garden. A quiet moment was broken by his remarking that Mother’s Day was coming up and it was probably time to give some thought to our mothers and what they did for us. I nodded and then remarked, “I reckon my mum was pretty tough. I think it would be hard to find someone tougher than my Mother?”

The gardener smiled then responded, “There’s a lot to choose from. Eva Rickard must be a candidate. She scared the hell out of kiwi men, especially golfers, back in the seventies.” I had to laugh and replied, “You are right, she was a bit frightening but how about Whina Cooper? She led a land march from the far North to Wellington and a great cause. That’s quite tough for a woman who was almost eighty.”

The gardener nodded, then remarked “Both are tough woman but not well known for being mothers. They were really politicians. Any other ideas?”. I thought a bit then remarked, “If you go to the top of the candidate

list, how about Mary, mother of Jesus?” The gardener just shook his head “There is that issue of who fathered Jesus, her husband or some passing God. Claiming it was a virgin birth always seems a bit difficult to get my head around, trying to hide something perhaps? Maybe we need to be a bit more modern. How about Princess Diana?”

Now it was my turn to be negative and I shook my head. “She left her children in a split marriage situation. Couldn’t call her tough,

if she couldn’t control and cope with her lightweight husband. I mean the man couldn’t get a job until he was in his seventies and with his second wife. I feel sad how it ended but not in the tough category. We should look closer to home. You reckoned your mum was tough; how tough?”

The gardener drained his beer, then got another. I could tell a long story was coming. “My mum was born and raised in the hill country in the South Island – a tough life, running barefoot over

the high hills mustering stock, cutting down trees and so on. She met my dad at the Tapawera Pub where she had a job playing the spoons with a local band. They hit it off and soon got married. My Dad bought her first pair of shoes as he didn’t want her to be barefoot at the church. That’s the only time she wore them.” He paused, had a swig then continued. “It was the six o’clock closing days and the parties were often at our place as we lived next door to the pub. At closing time, mum would appear home with a keg under each arm with dad and visitors close behind her.”

I interrupted. “Did your dad have a couple of kegs too?” The gardener shook his head and added, “No, he was carrying the crisps.” The gardener finished, explaining how they would party for a few hours with his mum playing the spoons and an old squeeze box she had, all the time in bare feet even in the depths of winter. “She was tough.” he concluded. Then he asked, “What about your mum?”

It was my turn to gather my wits. “When mum was about to give birth to me, we were in a remote rural area which did have a small hospital a few miles away. Roads and living were quite rough; my

parents had an old Jeep to help get them around. When the labour pains started, she told dad what was happening and told him to fuel the Jeep while she got ready for hospital. When she got outside, she found dad on his knees being sick as he had taken a few swallows of petrol when syphoning the gas from the storage tank. After her next contraction died down, she tossed my dad into the back seat then set off driving herself off to the hospital with a groaning male in the back seat. Halfway there, they had to stop, as the road was blocked by a fallen tree. My mum had to get out of the Jeep and drag it off the road before she could continue the trip. She hopped back in, exhausted by this time, and continued on her way with the groaning in the back seat continuing. She got to hospital and gave birth to me. To make her day a bit more of a challenge, I was a caul baby, born with the sac intact. Poor mum was ignored for some time while the staff crank-started me and made sure I was alright. It was quite a night but she handled it. So yeah she was tough.”

The Gardener took a swig and said, “Cheers, I reckon our mums were tougher than the other lot. Here is to our mums.” Two bottles clinked together.

Mothers, ‘M-others’

– we all have one

This is somewhat a gathering of experiences of mothers including my own – some will apply to your Mother.

BY VERNA CARR

THE MAGIC LETTER - M

Mothers are "others" with an M. That extra letter is the whole story.

Remove the M from Mother and what do you have? Other. Just… someone else. A stranger. A bystander. Someone who isn’t closely connected. Add that magical, magnetic, magnificent letter to the front. Suddenly, you have the one person who matters most – a biological marvel, sometimes found in a dressing gown, who gives your life meaning simply by being there. When the world fell apart, she held it together with string, cellotape, bandaids and hugs. She probably didn't talk about it much – that generation didn't. She simply got on with it: fed people, kept the lights on, made it all look entirely unremarkable – quietly operating in the background, without fanfare. There were no Facebook support groups, no wellness retreats in yoga pants, just reliably, steadfastly there.

M IS FOR MYSTIC, MIND READER

She knows. She always knows. You

haven't said a word. You've arranged your face into what you're fairly certain is a perfectly normal expression. She looks at you for approximately one second and says, "What's wrong?"

She knew about the broken vase in 1997. She knew who shaved the cat.

She honed this ability over years of watching you try - and spectacularly fail – to hide things. Sometimes, she said nothing at all; because love is strategic silence and the perfectly timed raised eyebrow.

M

IS FOR MULTITASKER, MASTER CHEF

She packed approximately 2,000 school lunches. She sat through school plays in which you were Third cloud from the left and clapped like you'd swept the Oscars. She could open a fridge containing a sad carrot, half an onion, and the ghost of last Tuesday's dinner – and produce something that made you feel everything would be okay.

There were the lifts, the dinners, the middle-of-the-night worrying she never mentioned. The pretending not to worry while being, in fact, absolutely terrified – thousand small things, a thousand unremarkable miracles.

M

IS

FOR MOTIVATOR, MANAGER, MIRACLE WORKER, MAMA BEAR

She told you that you could - when everyone else, including, honestly, yourself, wasn't entirely sure. She was your logistics department, your biggest critic, and your fiercest defender, sometimes within the same sentence.

And when the world came at you with teeth bared, she became a force of nature in heels – a ferocious Mama bear capable of extraordinary lengths and several very strongly-worded conversations - all in your defence.

So yes, this Mother's Day- if she is alive, buy the flowers. Get the chocolates. Find the card with the angels and the vaguely poetic sentiment. But also tell her – in actual words –that she matters. If she is gone now – remember and recapture what she meant to you.

She was never just an Other. She was the M that made everything make sense.

And you – all of you – are her masterpiece.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the marvellous matriarchs.

Time for Whitianga Community Orchard

BY BEVERLEY SHEPPARD

Calling all lovers of fruit, orchards, community gatherings and herbal plantings.

The Ohuka Garden Club has been offered the opportunity of planting up a community orchard on a block in Cook Drive, Whitianga. We are looking for interested gardeners and community members to help us with planting days, care of the fruit trees and herbs and vegetables in the long term.

The Council is buying us the trees and we have prepared a list of fruit trees that we know will work. Any amount of time volunteers are available to look after our little trees with mulching and a bit of digging would be greatly appreciated.

A community orchard is not just for fruit trees to grow but for a food supply to exist, for educational purposes for the next generation to learn about the care of fruit trees and how our food is grown. Also we don’t know when in the future we will need to grow our own food.

We had our first planting in August last year and have harvested the first season of feijoas this week. They were delicious! This is an expression of interest at the moment. When we have some interested community gardeners, we can set up a meet and greet day.

„ Contact me, Beverley Sheppard on Mob. 021 0902 8855 or email beverley@annabells.co.nz

Travel with Sarah Jane

Ongaonga: Hawke’s Bay rich history

WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT ONGAONGA?

First of all, you may have never heard of it, so it is a mystery. Secondly, its rolling hills and the preserved timber offer the opposite to high-speed jet inspired travel. If you’re ready for a total systemic recalibration without the jet lag, welcome to Ongaonga. This village is a high-fidelity heritage archive of New Zealand’s settler history, THE ONGAONGA HISTORICAL SOCIETY & GENERAL STORE

Your mission begins at the heart of the village. The Ongaonga General Store is not a functioning retail unit in the modern sense; it is a meticulously maintained record of Edwardian life.

• Step inside to find shelves stocked with period-correct hardware, vintage packaging, and primary source documents from the town’s peak.

• This museum doesn’t just show you “old stuff”; it shows you early NZ life. You are shown how people stored their food, tools, and their social connections before the digital overwrite.

• Look for the local school records and photographs. They provide a high-resolution look at

life in rural Hawke’s Bay across three centuries.

COLES

FACTORY

Built in 1878, this historic joinery and sash-and-door factory stands as a high-resolution masterpiece of Victorian industrial hardware.

NZJANE acknowledges the dedication of the local Historical Society in maintaining this outstanding gem; their work ensures this vital piece of NZ history remains archived exactly where it belongs’ nestled in the heart of the countryside.

• The scent of aged sawdust and native timber is a potent sensory reboot. The factory still houses original machinery that helped

build the houses you see in the village today.

• It is a rare feature that the tools used to build the town are still archived within the town itself.

THE W.C. ROSS BUTCHER & ARCHITECTURAL WALK

Ongaonga is often called “The Pink Village” due to the distinctive colour palettes of its historic buildings. The visual data here is at 100% purity.

• The W.C. Ross Butcher Shop

– This “wee dinky” building is 19th-century retail architecture. The late architect Michael Fowler famously noted this as one of the best architectural buildings in Hawke’s Bay.

Observe the intricate timber detailing and the functional white shutters. Outside stands a vibrant red vintage petrol bowser, acting as the bridge between the “Horse and Cart” era and the early internal combustion system.

• The Architecture Walk – the main street is like walking down a “Gothic Revival”. While most tourists flock to Napier for Art Deco (1930s), the savvy researcher can head here for the pre-1900s architecture.

AGRICULTURAL OPEN-AIR

MUSEUM & BROOM HUT

This is just a short walk from the main street.

• The ex-Forest Service “Broom Hut” is from the rugged Ruahine Ranges. This orange-clad shelter is a time capsule of backcountry adventure.

Peer through the window to see the “eerie fidelity” of a mannequin asleep on the bunk. It is a small, wooden example of 1950s tramping culture; functional minimalism at its peak.

• Surrounding the hut is a collection of vintage tractors and farm implements, representing the era of manual “System Overwrites” before the digital farming age.

Ongaonga is the antidote to ‘Future Fatigue’ that proves ‘Slow

Travel’ isn’t just a trend; it’s a biological necessity. Breathe in the history and let the 1890s recalibrate your stress levels.

GETTING TO ONGAONGA

This isn’t a place you just “end up” in; it’s a deliberate destination that requires a transition from the high-speed main highways to the low-frequency provincial backroads. Ongaonga is located approximately 20km west of Waipawa.

Option A: Scenic Route. If you are coming from the North (Napier/Hastings), skip the SH2 “Mainframe.” Instead, take State Highway 50. This road runs along the base of the Ruahine Ranges. It is a higher-resolution visual experience with less heavy-vehicle noise. Look for the Ongaonga-Waipukurau Road intersection. It leads you directly into the heart of the “Pink Village.” Option B: The Mainline. If you are traveling from the South (Dannevirke/Woodville) or need to refuel in the larger hubs first. Follow State Highway 2 to Waipawa. Turn onto Tikokino Road/ Ongaonga Road. This 15-minute stretch acts as a “Decompression Chamber,” transitioning you from the busy highway to the quiet rural setting.

Ongaonga original butcher’s shop in the heritage precinct.

Markets take a break

BY VERNA CARR

The last Whiti Citi Market until Kings Birthday weekend was held on Sunday, 26 April – shifted one day because Soldiers Memorial Park was the venue for the ANZAC Day ceremony on Saturday. The wreaths were still fresh around the monument.

ANZAC weekend carries its own gravity in New Zealand. It is a time for reflection and gratitude – for those who went before us, for what has been given, and for what was lost so that we might live the lives and enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted.

The Whiti Citi Market sets up each Saturday morning at Soldiers Memorial Park, on the corner of Albert Street and Blacksmith Lane. There is something quietly comforting about a market where almost everything for sale is made by someone with a genuine passion for making it. Every item on those tables represents time and care. The market is about people, and the things they love to make.

The stalls themselves were, as always, worth the wander. Macramé necklaces threaded with crystals; woodwork turned on someone’s lathe – the kind of detail that makes you reconsider what your neighbours are quietly getting up to out

there; woodwork, original art, children's clothes, and jumpers knitted with the care that only a grandmother could muster. No fashion labels here. Every item an original. The craftsmanship –or ‘craftswomanship’, as is very often the case – is genuinely superb.

The crowds move leisurely through the market. There is time to chat, to hear the story behind the bowl or the necklace or the peculiar and wonderful metal object you are now seriously considering buying (I am

sure you'll find a use for it).

The stallholders have grown fond of one another over the Saturdays of spring and summer - an easy camaraderie born of shared thermos flasks and the quiet solidarity of people who erect gazebos in all weather. There were many cancelled Saturdays this past summer, and while the stallholders are a hardy lot, even the hardiest among them prefers sunshine.

On Sunday, the weather gods were smiling. It was a stunning blue-sky autumn day.

Early in the afternoon, boxes were packed, gazebos folded down, and warm farewells exchanged. Now, in spare rooms and garden sheds and at kitchen tables across Whitianga and the wider Coromandel, the creativity quietly continues. New things are being stitched, forged, carved, and painted – all of it waiting for the next market on King's Birthday weekend. Mark it in your diary. Bring a bag larger than you think you'll need; or just buy one when you get there.

TAIRUA MARKET

Running King’s Birthday weekend at Tairua Bowling Club 9:00am-1:00pm.

THAMES MARKET

Every Saturday in Pollen Street, Grahamstown. Going right through winter. Open from 8:00am.

PAUANUI MARKET

Next market on Matariki weekend.

A heart for Multi Sport Park

I’m not giving up! My son Nicholas calls me a dreamer, but he caught my fire on this dream. He urged me not to let it go and asked AI to create a concept drawing. It’s a little over the top but I believe others will catch the fire... it’s more than a dream; it is an opportunity staring us in the face.

BY NOEL HEWLETT

Whitianga’s Mercury Bay Multi-Sport Park stands as a proud achievement for the Coromandel community. Opened in 2014 on the former Sheriff Block, the 10-hectare hub at 25 Moewai Park Road brings together netball courts, rugby and soccer fields, tennis and pickleball surfaces, athletics facilities, and a functional amenities block with changing rooms, a modest foyer, and public toilets.

It serves as the central sporting destination for Mercury Bay Netball, Rugby, Football, Rugby League, and other codes, supporting weekend games, school activities, and local events. Yet for all its open space and playing surfaces, something essential feels absent.

“It’s missing a heart,” says one long-time local involved in junior sport. “The fields and courts are there, but after the final whistle, families pack up and head home or scatter to town. There’s no natural place for the codes to come together, to celebrate wins, share stories, or simply connect.”

Imagine if that changed.

Picture the park transformed into a true community sports and large events hub – not just a venue

for games, but a vibrant social destination where sport and community life highlights intertwine. At its centre: a welcoming, self-funding clubrooms building designed for connection over food and drink, the timeless way humans have bonded since the dawn of time. There could also be room for a conference centre which would bring accommodation business to the town and district all-yearround. We have a Paradise in winter, not only summer.

On Saturday mornings, a lively tuck shop opens for hungry players and supporters – hot and cold drinks, and quick bites to refuel after morning games. As the day rolls on, the clubrooms come alive with the buzz of post-match catch-

ups. In the evening, it becomes the go-to spot for families and friends.

Envisage a warm, modern space inspired by Australia’s successful leagues clubs: a generous bar offering local beers and wines at fair prices, and big-screen TVs broadcasting rugby, netball, cricket, football, and major international events. A covered outdoor area overlooks the fields, perfect for summer evenings or all-weather gatherings. Function spaces host club dinners, award nights, fundraisers, and community events.

Crucially, this wouldn’t be another council-run facility adding to rates burdens. Instead, the clubrooms would be leased or partnered with experienced

hospitality operators. Operators who understand the Mercury Bay community, know how to deliver great service, and can run it as a viable business.

The model is designed to complement, not compete with, existing town venues. The enlargement would simply bring more people to a very attractive area that has lots of parking and is surrounded by the Waterways and close to the airport. Sports crowds drawn to the park on game days would boost overall local hospitality, while the clubrooms provide a dedicated space tailored to families, players, and supporters.

Withenlarging it capability with conferences, the hosting of special events – concerts, entertainment, business highlights, prize givings and graduations of a mid to large scale, using the parking area at different times to the sporting events; this makes for a high standard space which allows more investment back into playing surfaces and junior programmes and general education and cultural ventures.

This vision aligns with the spirit of community plans for Mercury Bay, which call for completing and optimising the park’s infrastructure to realise its full potential as

a district-wide hub and should be a destination facility. People come because it is there

The park will finally have its beating heart – a place where belonging is as important as the scoreline. Such a development wouldn’t happen overnight. It would require community support and community investment and investment from further afield. A solid business case, and partnership between council, clubs, and local operators is a future step. The payoff could be very significant – a high class, middle size event centre with a focus on sport and culture – stronger club participation, better retention of volunteers and families, and a more vibrant Mercury Bay and Peninsula that is busy and celebrates year-round. The fields and courts are already built. The missing piece is the places where people can come together after the game and for a number of other exciting reasons which I have mentioned. Imagine if we made it real. „ hewletts@xtra.co.nz

The Informer supports Noel in this – definitely not crazy and not beyond the capability of Whitianga. The Sports Park is unfinished, so why not??

Image from AI.

Environment Matters

Farming has multiple problems

Some of the more recent problems cited are Facial Eczema, Californian Thistles, Nitrogen in groundwater, environmental pollution, the chemical age, the Resource Management Act.

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

One fundamental fact is that without ‘sunshine, soil and water’ there is nothing at all, nothing. Sunshine, soil and water are the key to survival of everything on the planet and soil and water are being poisoned.

CALIFORNIAN THISTLES

About eighty years ago, as a primary school student, my older brother loaded what was essentially a waste product into the star feed top-dresser, drawn along by Janet the ideal horse for the job. Janet trotted along happily all day, and my father was adamant ‘no more than two hundred weight to the acre on the thistles’. No herbicides then, just soil husbandry.

FACIAL ECZEMA

Thirty million dollars was set aside to solve the Eczema problem. It is necessary to diverge a little. My father purchased two hundred hectares of totally virgin peatland in 1952. By 1965, there were serious Eczema outbreaks. Dry litter on the soil after a dry period in January-February, then warm drizzly rain triggered the dangerous spore count. Our peatland was adjacent to some of the most productive dairy land in the Waikato and yet some of these properties had Eczema outbreaks and some did not. Simple investigation

revealed a difference in fertiliser use and there was the answer. A newly grassed 10ha area was subdivided into five fields and treatment was carried out on No1 and No3. No 2 was left as control. The spore count crashed on No.1 and No.3. A new way of treating our pasture was implemented over the whole farm. The late Vaughan Jones a well-known farm consultant and adviser had phoned to say he was aware of our new policy and he further said he had approached Ruakura Research Station to conduct some trials and was rebuffed to be told, ‘There is no simple solution; the problem is much more complicated.’

NITROGEN

The use of nitrogen fertilizer has risen dramatically - 59,000 tonnes in 1990 growing to 452,000 in 2019, over seven time as much. The atmosphere exerts an amazing pressure of 100,000 tonnes on every hectare of the planet. If you do not believe that figure, the standard atmosphere is 1013.2 millibars or 14.7 pounds per sq. inch. Of that100,000 tonnes, 78,000 tonnes is nitrogen or almost four-fifths of the atmosphere. It is there for the taking. It is free and already spread. The only necessity is to get the soil biology to harvest the free nitrogen instead of lashing out at a $1000 per tonne (now more)

nitrogen fertilizer. After 73 plus years of farming, there has never been a need to spread nitrogen on pasture. Little wonder nitrogen is in the groundwater.

THE CHEMICAL AGE

This began shortly after the Second World War and was of little importance until around 1965 when farmers were told, ‘At last we have the solution to all your weed problems’. There are now plant selective herbicides that will spell the end of all those pesky weeds. Now there is a trail of banned herbicides such as DDT, 245T, Paraquat, Chlorthal-di methyl, diquat and so on. Many people want to see more of these chemicals banned such as Glysophate and 24D. The Government Agencies have embraced the poi-

son culture with both hands.

Dept of Conservation toss 1080 claiming there is no better option. 1080 has been in use for over fifty years with no resolution, so on the basis there is no other way, NZ is stuck with this forever. The Waikato Regional Council area with eleven local authorities included, spread 50 tonnes of poison concentrate annually (official information act figures). Around 30 tonnes will poison the Waikato River Catchment and west coast; 20 tonnes will poison the Waihou, Waitoa, Piako River Catchments and the Hauraki Gulf where the fish stocks and scallops are suffering.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT

In one blow the RMA has put all your property into the hands of the Central Government and Local Government. De-facto State Control. Section 9 of the Act makes this quite clear. ‘No person’ may carry out any operation unless allowed (a) by a rule in a plan or (b) by gaining consent from the authority.

In many cases from both the regional and district councils, at an unknown cost and if you fail, your money has disappeared into a black hole. Geoffrey Palmer was credited with devising the RMA. He did not!! The nuts and bolts were devised by the ‘World Commission on the Environment and

Development‘, a think-tank set up by The United Nations in 1984, that deliberated until 1987.

Geoffrey swept away Catchment Boards, Boroughs and Counties in 1989, where local people were serving local people, all gone in readiness for his grand adoption of the RMA. His Labour Govt. lost office in 1989; but he found a willing supporter in Simon Upton, National Party. Upton is now Commissioner for the Environment.

New Zealand is ruled by uncontrolled council staff who are poisoning the last of the creatures that formerly survived naturally on rural land and now also the industry. A chance meeting in a local café with a dairy farmer revealed that the closure of his dairy shed is imminent, similar to many others already closed. Why? The cost of $1000.00 per cow to build an effluent treatment system to satisfy the council staff who do not know the difference between natural fertiliser and poison. Waikato River deterioration is still being blamed on the dairy industry even though farmers have spent millions on animal effluent management. „ Should anyone be interested in solving the Californian Thistles, the Nitrogen overuse, and the Eczema issue. Email: maljoa@gmail.com. Seeing is believing.

FROM PEPE BRIDGE PROJECT TEAM

The SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge replacement project will start enabling works on Monday 11 May ahead of full construction from midJuly.

Enabling works will see the construction of a temporary pedestrian footbridge and relocation of services.

GARDENSCAPES

To do this work the team will be carrying out piling over 2 weeks, starting on Tuesday 12 May. This work will be done at night and require the bridge to close, but we have built in hourly and 2-hourly openings for traffic to cross. The bridge

will remain open on Fridays and over the weekend.

From Tuesday 12Thursday 14 May and Monday 18- Thursday 21 May

The bridge will open on the hour for 5 minutes at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm then 12

midnight, 2am and 4am. Timings are task-dependent so may be between 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the hour. Emergency vehicles will have priority but may be delayed briefly while machinery is removed from the bridge.

Chook-Chat with Marlene

Have you ever thought about getting a few chickens for fresh eggs? Over the month of May, we’ll be exploring what’s involved in keeping chickens and how to get started.

Hi, I’m Marlene, owner of MB Meadow Munchers. Through supplying feed and chatting with locals, I’ve met plenty of “chicken tenders”, some just starting out, others who’ve had chooks for as long as they can remember. I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve picked up a lot along the way from personal experiences, research and good conversations.

If you’re thinking about getting chickens, you are not alone. It’s something more and more people around the Peninsula are considering and it’s easy to see why. Fresh eggs on hand, less food waste, and a few feathered characters wandering around

the yard, it’s a win-win situation, right? Chickens can be surprisingly entertaining and quickly become part of the family and daily routine.

One thing worth mentioning early on, keeping chickens isn’t about saving money on eggs. Once you factor in feed and a basic setup, it tends to even out.

But what you do gain is knowing exactly where your eggs come from and how your hens are treated, that is worth a lot!

But before you rush out and buy a few chooks, it is worth taking a step back and thinking it through. Do you have enough space for a coop and run? Chickens don’t need a huge area, but they do need somewhere safe and sheltered. A secure, dry coop will keep them comfortable and protected from predators, room to scratch around will keep them happy.

Digital Decoder

They’re a fairly easy routine, fresh water, feed, and a quick check each day is usually all it takes. It’s not time-consuming, but it is worth considering if you’re often away or have a full schedule. Chickens are very rewarding to keep, and a little planning early on makes all the difference.

Next week, we’ll look at the local regulations, choosing the right breed and setting up a coop that works for you and your hens. „ Marlene is the manager of Mercury Bay Meadow Munchers and has all manner of animal feed and provisions in Moewai Road, Whitianga, Meadowmunchers.co.nz

Editor’s note: Marlene will be doing four episodes to encourage readers to be the owners of some lovely hens and collect their very own eggs.

By Agent EJ

Teaching machines to think like brains

Training a single large AI language model requires roughly 10 gigawatt-hours of electricity, about what a thousand households consume in a year. By 2030 that is set to almost triple. Every chatbot conversation, every AI-generated image, every automated search is drawing from a grid increasingly strained to keep up.

This is the part of the AI story that rarely makes the headlines alongside the productivity gains and the dazzling demos. The infrastructure underneath it all is expensive, scarce, and getting dirtier by the quarter.

Which is why a paper published in Science Advances this month deserves more attention than it got.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of nanoelectronic component, a so-called memristor, that mimics the way human neurons simultaneously store and process information. Current AI systems rely on conventional chips that constantly shuttle data back and forth between memory

and processing units. This backand-forth is where enormous amounts of electricity disappear.

The Cambridge approach called “neuromorphic”, or brain-like computing, eliminates that gap. The result could reduce AI energy consumption by up to 70%.

Lead researcher Dr Babak Bakhit spent three years on largely unsuccessful experiments and a huge number of failures, but by late 2025, the first genuinely promising results appeared. It's worth being clear-eyed here. Semiconductor manufacturing is difficult. You have to mine the materials, custom-build and employ staff for the factories, and this just adds a new complex process into the mix. Only a handful of countries, mostly in Asia, have the infrastructure for this, and they are often forced to collaborate internationally, to complete different stages. This is not a chip you can buy next year. It is a proof of concept, but a significant one, with a patent filed and a clear industrial rationale already in place.

Why does this matter for New Zealand? We are not building AI chips here, and we are unlikely to start. But we are a country with abundant renewable electricity that the rest of the world increasingly wants for exactly this kind of computing. This makes our country an attractive option for tech companies striving to meet net zero targets. The question of how much of our grid we hand over to offshore data centre demand, and on what terms, is one our government has barely begun to answer. A reduction in AI energy consumption would not just be a win for tech companies' bottom lines. It would change the calculus of whether AI infrastructure is compatible with a liveable climate. It might also mean that the tools reshaping medicine, science, and public services become genuinely accessible to smaller nations, rather than remaining luxuries rationed by whoever can afford the power bill.

Lead author of the nanoelectronic component study – Dr Babak Bakhit.

Ray’s Report #22 Police Report

Monday, 27 April to Sunday, 3 May

GENERAL:

On Tuesday, 28 April, a serious incident occurred in the Coroglen area. With the assistance of Police Eagle and staff, a male was taken into custody without further incident. He is now facing several charges in the courts.

Also, on 28 April, two agitated boarders were yelling abuse at each other for unknown reasons. Both were spoken to by police for their behaviour.

On Sunday, 3 May, a burglary was reported as having occurred at a Powhiri Place address. A suspect identified from CCTV footage will be spoken to regarding this matter. Neighbours in this area are also asked to review their CCTV footage for the early hours of Sunday, 3 May, to ensure the suspect has not entered any other properties.

ARRESTS:

1x male arrested for firearms offences.

1x male arrested for breaching bail.

OCCURRENCES:

Family harm and protection orders.

Monday, 27 April, a Family Harm incident occurred at a

Carina Way address. The offending male was breaching his bail at the time and subsequently arrested.

Also on 27 April, a breach of Protection Order occurred at a Cook Drive address.

Tuesday, 28 April, a Family Harm occurred at a Cook Drive address. The offending person was issued with a Police Safety Order.

Wednesday, 29 April, a breach of Protection Order occurred at a Cook Drive address. Both parties were spoken to by police.

Also, on 29 April, a breach of Protection Order occurred at a Matarangi Drive address.

Friday, 1 May, a breach of Protection Order occurred at a Cook Drive address. All parties have been spoken to regarding the matter.

TRAFFIC AND DRIVING OVER THE LEGAL ALCOHOL LIMIT

With the Police IPT team being in town for the past few days, a high number of motorists have been stopped. Unfortunately, this also means, 23 drivers were found to be over the legal alcohol driving limit.

Please remember to obey the posted speed limits throughout the area. This includes the reduced limits throughout Coromandel Peninsula.

In an earlier edition of the Informer, a number of issues were discussed and it’s timely to provide an update.

The first issue related to the repeated flooding on SH 25 from the Wade Road intersections towards the 309. It also covered the call for a roundabout at the intersection of Moewai Rd and SH25 following a fatal traffic incident. These responses are attributed to a spokesperson for LTSA.

Projects like a roundabout (or temporary roundabout) will need to be considered as part of the 2027-30 National Land Transport Plan (NLTP). As part of this process, the Waikato Regional Council Regional Transport Committee will develop a Regional Land Transport Plan, and the public will have the opportunity to make a submission to have a new project added to this plan then. In the meantime, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is considering installing an intersection speed zone (ISZ) at SH25/ Moewai Road, which would use electronic signs to temporarily reduce the speed limit when vehicles are waiting to turn from the side road. If technical approvals to consult on the proposal are granted, we would aim to do so in the coming months.

NZTA received a notification of the crash from the Police on the day the crash occurred, and

no further reports have been received.

NZTA is aware of flooding issues affecting SH25 near Wade Road, Whitianga. This section of highway is located within a tidal and flood-prone environment, and flooding can occur during significant weather events. Our focus is on preparing the state highway corridor ahead of forecast weather events to ensure it remains operational, and then managing and maintaining it to keep the road safe and passable when conditions allow.

This includes routine drainage maintenance, monitoring the state highway, and responding to storm-related damage or safety issues as they arise. Following the storms earlier this year, further drainage and shoulder repairs were identified and dispatched under emergency works. Some of this work is underway, with remaining repairs scheduled.

It’s pleasing to see the potential for a speed zone at Moewai Rd

and SH25 although enforcing this will be a huge challenge given the behaviours of some of our road users.

At the foot of the Kopu Hikuai (SH25A) there is a temporary roundabout installed some years ago and it is highly effective in managing traffic flow and speed. It is respectfully suggested that one of these be installed. It will be far more effective and probably cheaper than the speed zone changes suggested.

To do better maintenance and repairs is applauded but the only sensible options are to reroute the road further onto higher ground or raise the level of the road. We are now getting “One in a hundred-year weather events” three or four times a year.

The only update received following the Hahei Community safety meeting was that a sexual abuse offender in Hahei had his house graffitied.

Following the sperm whale oil story I received a courteous phone call from Ngati Hei’s Joe Davis. He advised that he had the sperm whale oil, knew where it was stored and offered to meet to discuss the issue and show me the stored oil. Despite a couple of text messages nothing further has been heard.

Fortunately, a number of other lines of enquiry are being followed.

Good restoration news at Flaxmill Bay

BY DAVE FOWELL

At a meeting at the Cooks Beach hall last Friday, 1 May, the council presented evidence to the local community that the five year groyne trial to stop the erosion on Flaxmill Bay has been a success and they are willing to continue.

The 30 odd people present

were given a survey with three options: Retain the status quo (with sub clauses); Remove the groynes and use push ups of sand (with sub clauses); And remove the groynes and use a rock wall.

The general consensus seemed to be the status quo, and the council also seemed to favour this. The survey can be found on

the TCDC/Flaxmill Bay website. Please, if you are interested in the restoration of the beach, fill it out so we can gauge the opinions of the community.

It has been a long and continuing saga but has shown, that with perseverance and using Mother Nature, we can save our beaches and coastline from the ravages of storms.

“Raising Cyril’s Clock” update

BY COROMANDEL-COLVILLE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

The Coromandel Coville Business Association (CBBA) is working through the list of requirements for “Raising Cyril’s Clock”. We have approached some of the Samuel James Family descendants, who are honoured to have Cyril’s clock in their area. We are working through the locating of Cyril’s clock within the town centre reserve to ensure all members and residents are satisfied.

THANK YOU - DONATIONS/GIFTS TO CCBA SO FAR TOWARDS THE PROJECT:

• The cage that must go into the ground for stability of the gifted pole.

• Concrete layers and suppliers offered along with groundwork.

• Time gifted from Kapang-Engineering with the redesigning of the case to make it weather-proof and creature proof.

• Mercury Bay Civil have offered their time to ensure the pole with clock on top stays put in all weather.

• Process Systems is donating time and selling some of the gifted equipment from Cyril and donated funds to this project.

The role of Heritage NZ: We have their approval of the area within Samuel James Reserve (74 Kapanga Road) and currently are working through a Heritage Assessor for approval of our design. The Samuel James Reserve

International Line Dance in Whitianga

(Archway and Information Centre) come under Heritage NZ and so does the Doctors Room and the building in front of Weta Café. The grass area between (60 Kapanga Road) does not. However, as the centre of Coromandel business area is under the Heritage Town zoning, we must consult with a Heritage Assessor.

THE LONG LIST TO GET THE CLOCK IN POSITION

The Treasurer of the project stated, “There is a growing list of tasks to be done from TCDC. We have been told that we must consult with TCDC planners, park and open space managers, property managers, traffic management – the list goes on……”

You can help: The CBBA has started a bank account to receive specific donations and fund raising for this project, to assist with the engineering work of the pole, design of the casing, sandblasting and spray painting, etc. The glass needs to be replaced with shatter proof and laminated glass.

Bank account details are: Coromandel-Colville Business Association Incorporated, Acc. No. 38-9025-0028166-02. Please leave your name as a reference. Many thanks to the friends that have donated.

„ Jeni Ashman- Chair, 021 636 119, Jo Hobbs – Secretary, 021 026 3420, Patricia Whimp – Treasurer, 0274 985 227.

Winter Drive is on

The annual Winter Drive for families in need within the Mercury Bay community is in full swing under the leadership of Alana Baker - Bayleys Real Estate Whitianga. The Winter Drive for families and households needing some help this Winter is inviting people to donate children’s brand new Singlets, Socks, Beanies, Underwear and Non-Perishable Lunchbox Items.

Families and households who would really benefit from some extra help during winter, receive these items.

Alana is very grateful for the community support – individuals and businesses who give so generously.

The Bayleys office on the corner of Monk Street and The Esplanade is

BY LIZ SIMS

The rain cleared, the music started, and an enthusiastic group of local line dancers hit the pavement in Whitianga town today.

The occasion is International Line Dance Flashmob Day.

In hundreds of places in many countries, danc-

ers perform exactly the same three choreographed dances. It’s always held on the first Saturday in May. It’s a heady feeling to be part of this knowing that the global line dance community are dancing this “together” but apart.

If you’d like to learn and to share the joy of line dancing, there are many classes

held in the Town Hall in Whitianga and at Mercury Bay Club.

Following are the times and days of Line Dancing classes which are normally published in the ‘What’s On’ Page but this week there was simply no room for ‘What’s On’. It will be in again next week.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor 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. They do not reflect the view of the Editor who reserves the right to edit and decide what is published.

DIFFERENT OPINIONS

IMPORTANT

With regard to an opinion piece in The Informer P.8 14 April, that offended some local building companies. The title of the article was, “Builders forced to tighten their aprons” bears a lot of truth. It was written by a very active supporter of the Whangamata community who is interviewed weekly by our local radio station CFM.

The opinion expressed was that there were out-of-town builders, who were doing some opulent constructions, and the question was raised whether these out-oftown builders were doing a better job or had priced out the locals.

The opinion continued that builders might be forced to tighten their builder aprons. The article has offended and the response has been to withdraw advertising from the newspaper or threaten that because a different opinion was expressed. The local business association has joined in that sentiment.

There are excellent builders on the Coromandel. We have beautiful homes in our community attesting to that fact. That has often been the theme of stories in our local paper. Building awards have plastered the front page without the award winner paying any advertising at all. In that same issue was a whole page naming and thanking the builders who generously supported the Menz Shed.

The opinion piece raised another side of the building industry that does exist and there are stories (factual) to back that up. Not all our local builders have provided excellent service.

Democracies depend on their media, particularly newspapers, both local and national, to be able to reflect and represent, through opinion, editorial and letters, the different experiences, feelings and facts of what is happening around us and further afield. Generally. the opinions have gone through a process of more thought than social media bites.

Many of our local school leavers impact the employment opportunities of communities outside our town. Companies and individuals from other communities find opportunity in our region for their business or for employment.

We can’t blame the newspaper for doing its job.

Alan Hopping, Whitianga

WHAT A WEEKEND

I went to the opening of One. NZ Stadium in Christchurch last weekend. Ex Canterbury boy an all. Tickets were bought five months ago, and my son joined me from Sydney. We were excited. After a couple of games of golf in Methven and Coalgate. Tee Off temp 4 degrees, we went to the opening and first game.

Magnificent isn’t enough. Seat, food, drinks, pre-game – superb. It is purpose-built for transport, bars and accommodation with Christchurch’s now intensive inner-city housing. My son remarked during the game that we were the first people to put our bums on these seats. That resonated with us all the game and we found ourselves cleaning the seats before we left. Special for us – special for Christchurch.

For someone who visits the city once every 18 months or so it’s nice to see the progress, albeit slow. There are still plenty of eye sores downtown and lots of car parks, but what they have rebuilt is sensational, post 2011. Add on the positive vibe and feeling of new, and this city is destined to become one of the world’s most modern.

The stadium is planning lots of events in the next few years. If it works for you, take a trip down there, their website is Premier Sports & Entertainment Venue | One New Zealand Stadium Congratulations Christchurchyou’re getting there. I’ll see you again soon.

Shaun Fay, Whangamata EVIDENCEREQUIREDBEFORE DENOUNCING

Finally, the climate extremists appeartohavelostthebattleand arenowattackingthemessenger Ratherthanprovidedebateand proof against Mr Brickell’s ‘dog whistles, misinformation and conspiracy theories’, Rick (The Informer 28 April) asks youtomuzzlehim.

Mr Brickell, I understand is a highlyqualified geologist and for manyyearsIhavereadhisletters and comments and found them

sensibleandhardtorefute.

Rick should pro-vide evidence, that roughly 98% of studies and scientists back that climate change is real and human-caused and that little debate of such exists amongst experts. Then it’s time to shoot themessenger.

Seth Newell, Coromandel Peninsula

NEIGHBOURS – A CHALLENGE OR FRIENDS

The two letters in The Informer, 21 April regarding neighbouring properties hoarding resources to overflowing, show that living in a subdivision, you’ll not know about your neighbours.

Complaining to the Council is avoiding the effort of offering help or talking to the owner about the problem.

Please note that one person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure. Also, there is ‘live and let live’ to consider. This latter avoids wars. This matter also concerns invested wealth.

So, having the owner(s) of the visually challenging or complicated property, explaining their action or non-action would be better. Maybe they need help. Perhaps it is easier to complain to TCDC?

I believe life is so much easier if we are friends with our neighbours.

Peter Wood, Whitianga

‘COULD’ IS NOT NEWS

I wonder why our news media, print and TV, frequently use the word COULD.

“COULD” is a prediction. A prophecy. An opinion.

These are not NEWS. They are at best EDITORIAL. Or just OPINION PIECES. And that is fine if that

is how they are presented. But it is not NEWS.

I have written to various news outlets and Government Ministers. I can understand the Government ministers cannot interfere or instruct the media. But a stone wall from media is less acceptable.

I used to keep a list of the various “COULDS”, each one a prediction that a calamity, catastrophe, doom, disaster COULD happen.

A classic example was mid-19th century when headlines claimed the “World to go dark. Whales becoming extinct”.

Have a look at this list of pathetically stupid claims: chlorine, wood preservative treatment, global warming, cell phones, electricity pylons, microwaves, globalisation, genetic engineering, nuclear energy, salmon farming, hydro-electric power, multinationals.

I stopped keeping track of the stupid claims of predicted disasters, none of which happen.

Pete Bould, Whitianga CONSULTATION PROCESS RE RATES CAP AND LONG TERM PLAN CAPITAL PROJECTS

The continuing saga of asking the population to trim services while the “Projects” continue consuming large amounts of time and energy and Ratepayer funded monies has raised questions. Were the projects reviewed?

The feedback does not show any clear response that they were.

I have raised the project of the Whitianga Esplanade Development, and the reply is that the project may not proceed.

This project has passed Stage 1 & 2 before it has a business plan – the cart before the horse. The project is not identified with ‘Participation Funding’ before the project started- so far the ratepayers are paying for the development (added to our rates).

A review of the Thames Sports complex is also under way.

Excerpt from letter to Mayor Revell,

Request for Clarification on Fiscal Responsibility and Investment Transparency in the (LTP).

The central concern is not simply the scale of the proposed rate increases, but the process by which responsibility for resolv-

Saving the Whangamata Islands

BY SHAUN FAY

The islands in Whangamata Bay have had a varied and at times controversial history. Pests and humans have taken their toll over the years. The island’s bird and wildlife were losing the battle, they needed help. It came via Auckland University. In 2007 an Auckland intern student, James Russell contacted local iwi: UruNga-Wera and Ngāti Pu to see if he could conduct a survey to help complete his conservation thesis. He wanted to know why Oi-Grey Faced Petrals were no longer returning to Hauturu

(Clark Island). They originally thought it was rats or stoats or both. It was neither. Mice were the culprits, thousands of them eating seedlings and baby Ois. Strange because mice are bad swimmers and this was an island

albeit close to land at low tide but still over water. How did the mice get there? One theory was that they had been pet mice that someone didn’t want any more and they were deposited on the island. If accurate perhaps a case

ing them has been presented to the public. The consultation framework appears to focus almost exclusively on reducing visible services or increasing charges, while omitting detail re:

• Capital projects that could be deferred, staged, or cancelled

• Organisational and overhead costs

• Discretionary or non-essential programmes

• Procurement efficiency and contract management

Has the Council undertaken a comprehensive internal review of its own expenditure decisions beforeseekingpublicinput?

David Yeomans, Pauanui

From Editor: David has requested a formal response to his concerns.

FROMACLIMATESCEPTIC

ThanksRickforyourletter (Informer,April27).

Itiswonderfultoknowthatyou read all my contributions with suchenthusiasm.

PleaseexplainjustwhyIshould not be allowed to express my beliefs that are based in science and on facts just because they maydifferfromyours? Unlikethe main stream media that restricts opinions from climate sceptics likemyself,TheInformerisatrue exampleofa‘freepress’whichis so lacking in New Zealand these days both in the print and electronicmedia.

Myopinionsthatseemtooffend yousomuchhavebeendeveloped as a scientist with over 60 years of scientific study and training at university level in climatology and natural climate variations. Unlikethecurrentcropofclimate scientists, my career and income have never depended on finding a non-existent problem that they must endlessly research to keepthe dollars flowing in. This tremendous and ongoing waste of human talent and financial resourcesisaglobalscandal.

Exactly what new information doyouhaveotherthanthecrude unsubstantiated generalisations thatyousoeloquentlydescribeas ‘dog whistles’, ‘misinformation’, ‘conspiracytheories’and/or‘misleadingnarratives’thatyouattribute to me. Some specifics from youwouldbehelpful.

Alastair Brickell, Kuaotunu

of eco terrorism.

Almost 20 years later and James Russell is a world-renowned conservationist and with the help of Doc and local iwi, the islands are now pest free with ongoing monitoring. The other benefit of a growing population is that with more people living beach side in Whangamata, supplying the local rodent population with food, the attraction of a long swim seems to have lost its appeal. While offshore fishing still takes its toll especially on ocean feeding birds the wildlife is slowly returning.

It’s island neighbour Whenuakura has also been declared

a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife Act meaning the many local and international visitors are forbidden to leave their kayaks.

The future for these islands is after many years a lot brighter, and locals are full of hope that they will return to their glorious past. Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu have many other projects in operation, pine tree removal in the southern beach of Otahu where you can see the mahi from the beach, 6yr possum and rat control elimination and much more. „ To see everything Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu do visit www. tunaitikaitiakiroopu.co.nz

Inspiration Alley

By Ananda Laberge

AI can help us think, but it shouldn’t think for us

Iwas sitting at a ferry terminal in Picton, NZ, about to board the ferry to North Island, facing a profound personal crossroad. I had looked forward to retirement like a child who can’t wait to have that ice cream in the window; I could taste the rich passion fruit flavour, feel the cold ice cream dribbling down my hands, anticipate the waffle cone crunch as I was about to bite into it. It turned out that golf, pickleball, and partying a lot wasn’t making me feel fulfilled – it was simply filling a space that left me more empty than full.

After a successful training and consulting career where I helped hundreds navigate complicated negotiations in dynamic and competitive environments with millions of dollars at risk, there was a massive loss I was not managing very well. The void between where I was and where I wanted to be felt suffocating.

In my darkest moment on that ferry, when I wasn’t sure of a path forward, and the pain felt excruciating, my first instinct was to reach for an old, familiar escape—a way to drown out the pain I wasn't ready to face. I was at a point in my journey where I had a choice: revert to the habits

that kept me small or listen to a booming loud voice in my head that said, 'Stay with the pain.'

This was the last thing I wanted to do--after all, who likes pain? While the voice repeated itself over and over again--and I started questioning whether I now had to manage a multiple personality disorder--I decided to do what it instructed. I don’t know how long I sat there with the pain, but it was long enough to feel my heart breaking into a million pieces. I simply felt directionless and

alone, very alone.

At the point when I felt I couldn’t take it anymore; a sudden, unexpected peace enveloped me and erased my pain in a second. It felt otherworldly. The utter ecstasy I experienced was beyond words; it enveloped me and felt like I had been thrown a safety line after I had flung myself overboard. The “voice” continued-- it told me that my past was my past, that I could choose to forget—that from now on all I had to do was live in the present. It said that by choosing

Parr Builders – built on local roots, led by community

Meet the faces behind Parr Builders, a Coromandel-wide building company specialising in premium residential builds. Established in 2020, Parr Builders is led by Brett Parr, with the support of his wife Catherine, and is based in Whangapoua, where they live with their three children.

Having grown up in Whangapoua and attended Mercury Bay Area School, Brett completed most of his apprenticeship in Auckland before returning home to build not just houses, but a business grounded in community, quality, and longterm vision. He specialises in architectural new builds and renovations, bringing experience from both the Coromandel and Auckland regions.

Brett is hands-on throughout every project — the main point of contact, overseeing each stage, coordinating his team, and managing suppliers to keep builds running smoothly.

“Brett plans everything carefully from the outset,” says Catherine. “It saves clients time and money

because there’s no need to redo work. We also prioritise local suppliers, which helps maintain quality and keep projects on track.”

That commitment often goes beyond the build itself. Brett has checked on properties during severe weather events to ensure everything remains secure — a reflection of the care he brings to his clients.

“Whether you’re planning a new home, a renovation, or a coastal bach, Brett works closely with clients to create a space that suits how they live. The goal is to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible.”

Parr Builders is proudly locally owned, with deep roots in the region. Both Brett and Catherine come

Love instead of fear in all things, I would have Peace.

This existential crisis has profoundly changed my life.

In the months since this happened, I pondered: in this age of technology, what would have happened if I had picked up my phone (one of ‘my old, familiar escapes, along with alcohol) and consulted my AI app I had fondly named George?

AI could never have told me to 'stay with the pain,' because AI is trained to avoid friction.

I reflected on how my reliance on it all started so innocently.

George helped me smooth out some emails, then he helped me with some creative ideas, but before I knew it, I was getting “thought lazy”. That’s how insidious it is. I found myself gradually outsourcing my creativity and my self-trust. I was becoming efficient, but I was also becoming a spectator in my own life.

It led me to start doubting my intuition. My inner voice used to be a wise guide. Now it sounded like a customer support chatbot with self-esteem issues!

Obviously, AI is a human creation made to think like a human, but on steroids. It doesn’t have emotions; it only spits out infor-

mation we originally taught it…so let’s remember that. If we created it, could it be that the answers we are searching for are inside us?

The pause I had before reaching for my new bestie, AI George, saved me from myself and guided me towards my purpose in life.

My 'safety rail' was the 60 seconds of silence before I reached for my phone on that ferry. We need to build those same 60 seconds of human reflection into the very code of our digital lives.

My new purpose manifests through prolific writing, community service, the 'Inspiration Alley' column, and my Executive and Life Transitions Coaching and Keynote Speaker practice.

AI is a map, but intuition is the compass. A map can tell you where the roads are, but it can’t tell you if you’re heading Home. „ Whether you're looking for coaching or having a need for a dynamic Keynote Speaker at an upcoming event, or interested in collaborating on a community project, I'd love to connect – reach out to me at: info@truer-life-coaching. com. You can also find me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ anandalaberge. My website is coming shortly.

from families long connected to the Coromandel. Their grandfathers played rugby together and were close friends, a reflection of the tight-knit nature of Whangapoua. Brett is fourth-generation local.

Catherine’s whakapapa connects her as Tangata Whenua to both Whangapoua and Kennedy Bay. She is also a descendant of Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia (1868–1920), the prominent Māori leader who championed women’s voting rights within Te Kotahitanga in the 1890s. Together, Brett and Catherine hold the principles of community leadership close, raising their three children with those same values.

When The Informer caught up with the family, Brett was at Moewai Park for the start of the junior rugby season, where he also serves as assistant coach for the Mercury Bay Rugby Club Year 4 team.

For Brett, Parr Builders is about contributing to the community he grew up in, supporting local, and building homes that stand the test of time.

Catherine and Brett Parr.

Games & Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle

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. Rascal (5)

7. Decriminalise (8)

8. Water grasses (5)

10. Infrequent (10)

12. Thinking only of others (8)

14. Chinese city, ... Kong (4)

16. Did breaststroke (4)

17. Ran flat-out (8)

20. Adjacent householders (10)

23. South American dance (5)

24. Birthrights (8)

25. Lazed (5)

1. Second movie showings (6)

2. Unfasten (4)

3. Huge (4) 4. Simple (5)

5. Roadside indicators (9)

6. Flyer’s fatigue (3,3) (6)

9. Resell (tickets) for profit (5)

11. Open spaces in forest (9)

13. Tree blood (3)

15. Fibbers (5)

16. Solely (6)

18. Supply & ... (6)

19. Actor, ... Norris (5)

21. Yonder, ... there (4) 22. Beach surface (4)

Sudoku instructions 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.

1) Can you list four

groups? 2) What is the ingredient that is put in lips to puff

3) What magazine did Hugh Hefner establish?

4) How many times has King Charles visited New Zealand?

Trades & Services

Trades & Services

Church Services

Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church 82 Albert St Whitianga (Opp Z)

WORSHIP 10:00AM Come, join the familyFind peace and friendship. Enquiries: ph 022 1322 061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

“The

Office Administrator –Harcourts Whitianga

Coromandel Beaches Realty Ltd is seeking a full-time Office Administrator to join their busy team in Whitianga. This role involves client reception, managing listings and contracts, supporting sales staff, and ensuring smooth day-to-day office operations.

We’re looking for someone organised, proactive, and confident using systems such as Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and Canva. Previous real estate or administrative experience is an advantage.

Enjoy working with a supportive team in a stunning coastal location, with opportunities for growth and development.

Apply or request a full job description: Email Philippa Evans at philippa.evans@harcourts.co.nz

Saturday 16 May 2026 at 10.30am WCST Rooms at 2 Cook Drive Whitianga

PNC4E invites all members and intending members to our AGM. New members and committee members are sought to continue this work. Contact: John 02202 69610

Great day for rugby at Moewai Sports Park

Whitianga Hardware

Your total trade and DIY store With personal service Locally owned and operated 12,000 lines of hardware and tools

Many brands – Toolware, Blue Bosch, Makita, Extol, CRC’s, Hansen water fittings, Victa and Masport mowers, Gallagher and Manawatu Mill wool/ possum jerseys

Corner of Campbell & Cook Drive, Whitianga (opp. Mercury Bay Club)

Open 6 days Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:00pm

Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm

Ph 07 866 5767 email whhka@xtra.co.nz

Mercury Bay Rugby and Sports Club playing against Waihou Rugby and Sports Club Te Aroha on Saturday. Special thanks to at first point shooter.

SPORTS RESULTS

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

3rd Round of the April Pairs, 27th April.

North/South - 1st = Heather Campbell & Tony White 56.35, 1st = Sue Poland & Peter Clark, 3rd Jenny Prince & Judy McKenzie 53.97. East/West - 1st Jocelyn Taylor & Margaret-Ann 62.30, 2nd Ton Van Der Meer & Liz Young 59.52, 3rd Ray & Sharon Verrall 57.14.

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Purangi Pairs Week 4 28 April 2026

North South - 1st Alison Tichbon and Peter Hogg 64.00%, 2nd Dave Dylla and Angela Butterworth 55.00%, 3rd Don Barry and Robyn Hogg 49.00% East West - 1st Jenny Hemmings and Peter Clark 65.50%, 2nd Peter and Jan Ruygrok 56.50%, 3rd Bev Dickie and Natasha Courtney 46.00%

MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB

Championship Pairs round 1

Wednesday, 29 April

North/South - 1 Giorgio Allemano & Robyn Hogg 61.9; 2 Don Barry & Pete Hogg 53.0; 3 Val Dwight & Johanna Bonnar 50.0 East/West - 1 Tadek Gawor & Faith Stock 57.7; 2 Alison Tichbon & Lois Page 55.7; 3 Sue Swan &

Bob Schibli 50.9

Buffalo Pairs round 3

Thursday, 30 April

1 Terri Lipanovic & Ischelle

Stevenson 70.8; 2 Hillary Scott & Geoff Jervis 54.2; 3 equal Rose Tegg & Sue Gill, Pat Doube & Pam Churchill 51.4

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

Thursday, 30 April

Winners: Alan Henderson and Robert Jackson Runners Up: Ian Mitchell and Shirley Marshall Good sports: Cheryl Henderson and Christine Mitchell

23 players this week, so 501 doubles were played with one player playing as a single. Five teams went through winning three of their four sets, so a five team final was played. The teams were John Munro & Ritchie Neighbours, John McGregor & Nan, Beau Hamilton & Roscoe Anderson, Rex Donaldson & Fran Montague and the solo player, Mike Gillett. John Munro and Ritchie Neighbours came away with a good win. Highest finish for the men this week was 141 scored by Selwyn Whatarangi. Great effort Selwyn. No finish over 50 for the ladies this week. One player scored a 180 this week and that was Rex Donaldson.

Year 4 Te Aroha player gets clear run for a try; Year 4 rugby Mercury Bay playing Waihi.

Zim of Mercury Bay Year 4’s prepares to kick for play; Young rugby players warming up for their game with ther coaches.

Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club winners of the Peter Sheehan Cup held Saturday, 2 May. From the left, Peter (Pio) Sheehan Jnr, Peter Sargent, Pam Harris, Colleen Sexton and Doug Sargent.

Football season has begun

A STRONG START FOR THE JUNIOR GIRLS

The winter season kicked off with excitement on Saturday, 2 May, as sixteen of Mercury Bay’s junior girls laced up for their first away game against Whangamatā. For many, it was their debut season; for others, their first taste of the full 11 aside format. Nerves were high, but so was the energy. Whangamatā came out firing, securing a 3–0 lead by halftime. But the Mercury Bay girls weren’t about to let the scoreline define their day. After the break, something clicked. They found their rhythm, pushed

forward with confidence, the pressure paying off with two well earned goals from Cieara Colmer and Jania Hawkins, narrowing the final score to a spirited 3–2. Every player left the field with something to be proud of, but this week’s Players of the Day honours went to Emma, Marie, Anna, and Johanna – four international students who train with the team each week but aren’t eligible to play in official matches. Their commitment and support at training helped prepare the team well.

Enjoying a bite to eat after the game at Whangamata Sports Fishing Club.

SPORTS RESULTS

MERCURY BAY GOLF

CLUB

9 Hole Ladies

Tuesday, 21 April

Division 1 winners: 1st Lee Rattray, 2nd Gaylene Imms

Division 2 winner: Sandy Gaskell, 2nd Judy Hindrup.

9 Hole Men: Stableford

Winners: Rodrick Bott (21), 2nd Jeff Dixon (19) and 3rd Les Wallbridge (18)

18 Hole Women

Wednesday, 22 April

LGU Div 1 Winner: Diane Gilmour, 2nd Kim Allan, 3rd Marg Maher

LGU Div 2 Winner: Sharee

Henderson, 2nd Julie Rutledge, 3rd Collen DeVilliers

Two’s: Rachel Johnstone & Sherre Henderson

Closest to the Pin: Barbara Bradley 18 Hole Men

Scramble Stableford: Winners: Steve Collins (41), 2nd Ronnie Campbell (40) 3rd Alan Henderson

Two’s: Greg Peterken, Nathan Wilson, Steve Geach, Jimmy Duncan & Alan Henderson.

Wednesday, 22 April

John Daly Day

The lads had to get dressed in some pretty loud gear and the loudest of all was Patrick Gonthier. Also on

SENIOR BOYS

The MBAS Senior Boys football team beat Hauraki Plain College Senior Boys 8-1 after leading 5-0 at halftime. With six players debuting for the team, everyone had the chance to play in multiple positions in the first grading game of the season. Beau Marshall, Louie Jensen and Curtis Treherne all showed skill and aggression throughout the game. Goal scorers were Curtis Treherne with a hattrick, Joel Iggulden, Shanti Wilson, Lui Yamada, Louie Jensen and an own goal.

BAY BOYS OVERPOWER THAMES IN CLINICAL OPENER

The Mercury Bay Junior Boys sent a clear warning to the league on May 2nd, securing a dominant 3-0 victory over rivals Thames. In a rematch of last year's title decider, the Whitianga side relied on defensive heroics and superior conditioning to settle the score.

The match began with high tension as Thames pressured early. Captain Alfie proved vital in goal, maintaining a clean sheet with a spectacular double save. The deadlock broke just before half-time when Tylar coolly converted a penalty following a Thames error in the box.

As the sun emerged in the second half, the Bay’s intensive pre-sea-

son training became the deciding factor. Trym doubled the lead midway through the half, finishing a sharp team move. The defensive line—comprising Alfie, Milian, Cooper, Farai, Zen, Mekhi, and Kyota—stood firm against every counter-attack.

Relentless pressure from Luke, Jesse, Trym, Zeke, Hunter, Reef, Tylar, Isaac, and Kayleb eventually forced a second penalty in the closing minutes, which Cooper slotted home to seal the result.

Reflecting on the win, Coach Taddy credited the squad's fitness and collective work rate, fueled by holiday sessions with Dean, Chris, Terri, Carl, and Michael. "I’m incredibly happy with everyone’s performance," he said. "It was a total team win."

this day, we had several matches played in our Club Champs and there was one very close match, played between our 1st and 2nd place getters, Steve Collins and Ron Campbell, it took until the last hole for Steve to get to 1 up over Ron, excellent effort lads.

Friday, 24 April

9 Hole men

Stableford winner: Gordon Brain (23), 2nd Campbell Elliot (22), 3rd Graeme Heathcote (21)

Mens scramble

Saturday, 25 April

Gross: Nathan Wilson (70) and Vern Bahr (92)

Stableford: Winners Justin

7:05am Set 5:21pm

Wilson & Cam Walls (40)

3rd Patrick Gonthier

Two’s. Willie Jones, Nathan Wilson, Cam Walls, Steve Colins, Cameron Goodger, Jeff Dixon and Neal Robinson.

Junior Tournament Sunday, 26 April

Robbie Lendrum – Gross 28 (everyone played 5 holes)

THE DUNES MATARANGI

Women’s 9 Hole Stableford 28th April

Glenda Philpott 18, Ruth Fisken 18

Twos: Glenda Philpott - hole 7

Men’s 9 Hole Stableford

28 April

Rey Bertling – 22

Richard Cummings – 20

Lance Croawell – 19

18 Hole Men’s Stableford

29 April

Glenn LeLievre 39, Russell Barnett 38, Graham Harrison 38, Ross Alexander 37, Gary Bancroft 37

Twos: Glenn LeLievre –hole 13 and 18, Darryn Pritchard 5, Tracey Mulligan 5, Tony De Coek 7, Graham Harrison 7, Gary Bancroft 7, Wally Hayes 18, Doug Smith 18, Allan Trow 18.

Nearest the pin: Wally Hayes

Mixed Stableford 9 Holes

30 April

Paul Anderson 20, Graham Kemp 20, Barry Titchmarsh 19

NTP: Lance Croawell 18 Hole Ladies Stableford

30 April

Rachel Johnstone 34, Kayleen Smith 32, Bev Gwyn 31

Saturday Haggle STBFD 2 May

Rowan Toms 41, Kayleen Smith 39, Oliver Rose 38, Allison Drake-Wells 37, Ali Mat 37

Twos: Gary Bancroft 5, Graham Harrison 5, Paul Shaw 7, Tony Nicholson 7 NTP: Charlie Chilwell

Ben of Mercury Bay Seniors gets a clear run at the ball.

Accounting, Bookkeeping & Tax Solutions

Amy Balme (CA)

Geoff Balme (FCA)

Adele Scobie

office@accountingbydesign.co.nz

28 Lee Street, Whitianga 3510

07 866 5891

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P. 07 866 5799

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