Te Kai Whakarongo Issue 1233 | 27 October 2026 | Proudly locally owned and operated
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CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
GREAT SHOW PAEROA
Over 5000 people enjoy fireworks and the carnival in the Paeroa Domain BY PAULINE STEWART
O
n my journey between Auckland and the Coromandel this last weekend, I stopped in Paeroa for the local Lions Club Fireworks Display. I know the town and have attended its community events over the years: Scottish Tattoo Celebrations, Christmas Festivals, Motorbike Races. However, I had never been to the Fireworks Display.
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On Saturday night, the conditions could not have been better – a clear blue day fading into a cool evening, hardly a breeze. Everything was set for a large crowd – cars were slowly filling up the town. Pedestrians with their bags, picnic chairs, and some with blankets were casually moving towards the Paeroa Domain. Continued in Pauline’s Piece page 2, and page 3
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Pauline’s Piece When a town looks up together Continued from front page The lit up Paeroa Domain looked beautiful. My first task was to find somewhere to park. Cars were parked almost everywhere – business carparks were open for cars to use, two cars abreast along some streets and some homes had four or five cars on their lawns and in their drives. There were no parking officers directing traffic, no fuss and no blocked traffic. I drove until I found a space, at the back of a business almost on the footpath but not quite. This managed chaos relied on people using common sense, allowing the neighbouring car some room. A 300 metre walk and I arrived at one of the three entrances to the Paeroa Domain. Some families and individuals had set up their own picnic chairs or were sitting in the back of their cars outside the Domain. This meant they did not have to pay – no shame in that – their decision. There was no attempt to prevent people from enjoying the fireworks without a ticket. The event had boundaries, but stopping people from enjoy-
ing the fireworks was not one of them. However, the cost of the event does need everyone to contribute from their wallet. People flowed in steadily. Adult entry was $10, while a family of four or more paid $25 – an affordable price at a time when many outings are beyond the reach of ordinary households. The entry team ably handled eftpos or cash. Inside, the bleachers offered an excellent view, but there was much to enjoy before the sky lit up. Food trucks offered hot coffee, ice cream, burgers, a variety of Asian food, hot dogs, potato twists, chips. The fair was not a five-star restaurant, but people were enjoying it and my choice was delicious. The queues moved quite quickly. People gathered to buy light sabres, glowing head pieces in many shapes – light-up leis, bunny ears and Halloween-style headgear sparkled from a number of make-shift stalls – just a table with a sole person selling their wares. Mobile payments and cash worked well for all the purchases.
Many sideshows – an Avengers-themed bouncy castle, merry go-rounds, ferris wheels, a miniJeep course – delighted children and parents alike. Country music played from a truck stage, creating a relaxed and happy backdrop. Volunteers wearing Lions Club insignia were scattered everywhere, although not obtrusively. There was only one announcement for a lost child, quickly followed by the reassuring news that the child had been found. While adjusting my camera, I was distracted by a small family: parents and three children talking together in an Asian language. I smiled and asked whether they were from Vietnam. “No, Cambodia,” they replied in English – clear but hesitant. For a few minutes, we exchanged names, and I learned that they were the owners of Ngatea Bakery and had been in the area for four months. We parted as friends. It was a brief encounter, but it seemed to sum up the whole evening. I could see similar interchanges happening around me as
people waited for the fireworks. They were in the mood to be friendly – they had already got their ‘money’s worth’. In that setting, political, racial and ethnic divisions were far less powerful than the simple human wish to belong. The lights went down, and the fireworks began. It was a magnificent display – the sky burst ablaze – a frenzy of movement, colours, an explosion of energy and sound. It lasted perhaps 15 to 20 minutes. Even the most sophisticated adults stood with wide eyes, surprised by its beauty. I did not know what to expect from Paeroa, a growing country town – but it was a grand show. I was told that the fireworks may have cost around $30,000. With 4,700 people in the domain and many more gathered near the fences – it was an economical gift to the community. I wondered how the packed streets would clear. There were no traffic officers directing us. People simply walked to their cars, waited their turn – within 20 minutes, I was on my way to visit a friend.
Their work created a space where everyone was welcome. Thank you, Paeroa Lions Club, and Rotary Club and all the volunteers you gathered – lots of them partners and community members plus a lot of students from the local college who were part of Leos – a Lions Club organisation for young people. Community events such as this – affordable, celebratory and welcoming – can uplift the best from us. They can include everyone – even those who chose to not spend any money but simply enjoy what the sky offered during the fireworks. Even when you stood alone, you were close to other people physically – no longer a stranger. That’s essential for any community. These events require own desire to add to our community something of ourselves. Singly, your physical presence and your own contribution make a difference. When we do this together, there is expansive blue sky achievement ahead. A special thank you to Philip Hughes, the Event Coordinator.
This promotion to encourage local dining out in winter finished in September. The two winners for the month of September were: Melissa Pauling who dined at Cooked, and Vicky who dined at Blue Lagoon. Each has won a $100 voucher from The Informer to spend at a restaurant of their choice.
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Notice of Public Meetings Matarangi Public Meeting Thursday 29th October 5:30pm Matarangi Fire Station Whitianga Public Meeting Friday 30th October 11:00am Cooked Restaurant - 2 Mill Road, Whitianga Come along and hear from NZ First Candidate for Coromandel Vincent Andersen
Authorised by: Vincent Andersen - vincent.andersen@nzfirst.nz
2 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
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Fun and affordable – thank you to the Paeroa Lions Club 4.
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1. Natalie from Re-Use and Repair Centre; 2. A portion of the large Domain crowd; 3. Sisters, Kimberley Hain and Regan Capper; 4. Xi Huang sells light gear to the teens; 5. New owners of Ngatea Bakery – the Heng family – Channoy, Vanny, Bently, Panha and baby Beckham; 6. Country singers entertain the crowd before the fireworks; 7. There were many side shows for all ages to enjoy.
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Reroute of Hahei Beach Short Walk – a way forward
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Department of Conservation staff have met with the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association (HRRA) for a second time to work through next steps for the Hahei Beach Short Walk.
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his walk is part of the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove Reserve, connecting Hahei Beach to the track leading to the globally renowned cove and its famous rock arch. The Hahei Beach Short Walk was damaged by a landslide in early 2026, thwarting DOC’s earlier reroute project and leading to questions about the track’s ongoing viability. The HRRA had made a submission outlining a proposed way forward. Their preferred approach was to retain access along the existing Hahei Short Walk while constructing a new section of track that would bypass the landslide-affected area. During those discussions, DOC staff proposed the community take a larger role in looking after the track. The HRRA’s preferred approach is to undertake routine maintenance and trapping activities, with DOC continuing to carry responsibility for visitor safety, major asset replacement, and post-event recovery works. DOC Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says DOC staff and HRRA representatives acknowledge the fiscal barriers to reopening tracks vulnerable to landslides. Stabilising the track around two bridges located on the top section of the Hahei Short Walk was estimated to cost $303,000 in 2024, compared with $121,000 now to build the reroute. DOC’s position: “Given the ongoing risks to infrastructure and the costs associated with stabilisation, the reroute provides a more practical and resilient long-term option for walking access,” Nick says. A representative from engineering consultancy Tonkin + shared background on the work the company undertook for DOC, including landslide risk assessments across the wider Cathedral Cove Reserve. “Given the increasing cost of responding to storm damage across the country, DOC prioritises investment in infrastructure that is better able to withstand future events and provide long-term value.” The new reroute will offer views across Hahei Beach to Te Pare Pā and Hereheretaura Pā, particularly on the descent from Grange Road. www.theinformer.co.nz
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This view is still the most desired destination for Hahei track walkers.
New infrastructure previously installed at Waimata Gemstone Bay is planned for removal and reuse on the reroute. DOC will build a new barrier across the area where the old stairs were damaged at Waimata, and seating will be installed at the bottom of the bay for visitors to enjoy. Te Karaka Stingray Bay infrastructure will be removed as planned. Existing bridges on the track are also planned for removal once the rerouted track is completed. Contractors begin on 14 November. Both organisations acknowledge the cultural connection Ngāti Hei has to Mautohe, protected through whakapapa and settlement legislation. Meetings were also attended by representatives from the Harsant and Carter families who have a generational and active commitment to the area through previous and current land ownership and knowledge of the tracks. TCDC Mercury Bay Community Board Chair Richard Shelford-Woodcock also attended the meetings.
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Digital Decoder Brain uploading era of AI
Hon Scott Simpson
By Agent EJ
National Party Candidate & MP for Coromandel
“We can’t tax, borrow and spend our way out of everything”
I
n a groundbreaking development, a San Francisco-based company named Eon Systems has successfully uploaded the brain of a common fruit fly onto a computer, marking a significant milestone in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). How did they do this? The copy began with a dead fly. Its brain was set in hard resin, then shaved into about 7,000 very thin slices, using a diamond blade and photographed under electron microscopes. AI then traced every neuron through the images, and hundreds of scientists and volunteers checked its work. Eon connected that map to a virtual body. Nobody programmed the fly to eat when it found sugar. The response came from the wiring itself. The implications of these advancements are profound. The question is no longer whether this works, but rather how far AI will take it. The next goal is to try these steps in a mouse, and then eventually a human, but that process will take decades given the size of our brains. New Zealand, with its robust tech sector and commitment to innovation, stands poised to contribute significantly to this rapidly evolving field. Brain Research New Zealand –
A virtual fly with an uploaded brain.
Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, co-hosted by the universities of Auckland and Otago, studies ageing-related brain disorders. Collaborations between these institutions, tech companies, and the government could accelerate the development and application of brain uploading technology. But our own rules are untested. Last November, the Privacy Commissioner told an official information requester it had not discussed adopting a US-style policy on neural data. Who owns a copy of your brain? How would tikanga apply in this context? Those questions should be settled before the technology arrives. Nothing here needs to frighten you. But informed consent is built early, or not at all, and New Zealanders are entitled to ask the questions now.
Here on the Peninsula and across the wider Coromandel electorate, we’re fortunate to live, work and play in a magnificent part of New Zealand but we are not isolated from the issues that confront our nation or immune to global impacts. This election I am asking local voters to Party vote National and to again vote Scott Simpson to be your Coromandel MP. It’s as important here as anywhere else in the country that our local economy grows to create jobs, that taxes are kept low, that crime is cracked down on, and that we have improving education and healthcare. Those are the key issues my National Party colleagues and I have been focused on in Government. They will again be our priorities during the next term of Parliament. When my Simpson great grandparents arrived north of Whitianga at Kuaotunu in the 1880s, they worked hard to build better lives for their children and grandchildren. Their dreams for the future were delivered differently to today’s parents working to bring brighter prospects for
Whitianga AUCTION
Scott toured much of the Coromandel in the big blue National bus on Saturday 24 October.
their families, but the essence is exactly the same. Financial responsibility and National’s long-term plan for the economy is how we deliver jobs, opportunities and higher wages for hard-working Coromandel people. That is how we keep taxes low. And it’s how we keep investing in local roads, bridges, schools, health care, Police and all the other public services we all want. We’re delivering that with savings, so Kiwis get quality services they deserve while we continue to keep taxes low and get the government books in order. We know we can’t tax, borrow and spend our way out of
everything like previous governments did. That just leads to a broken economy – with higher costs, fewer jobs, stagnant wages and people being worse off in the long run. It’s all about fixing the basics and building the future. By sticking to National’s plan, there will be a more secure future for Coromandel folk and all New Zealanders, no matter what the global environment brings. Don’t put it all at risk. That’s why I’m asking you to give National your Party vote and to give Scott Simpson your vote to remain Coromandel’s face and voice in our Parliament this election.
Times have been tough for Kiwis, but National’s plan is working and now is not the time to turn back. This election is tight. Giving your party vote to anyone but National risks Labour forming the next government. That means reckless spending, more borrowing and higher taxes.
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Paul Henry visits us – A man on a mission
Full refurbishment for Skate Park
BY VERNA CARR
P
aul Henry well known radio broadcaster, and television presenter has now thrown his hat into the political arena. Ranked forth on the ACT party list he is widely expected to enter Parliament after the upcoming election and is currently on a whirlwind tour of the country and has a busy schedule for the next three weeks. On 19 October he held a town hall type meeting at the Coro Club’s Hangar, Whitianga. It was free to anyone who wanted to attend. He arrived in a large pink bus. Inside the hangar it was standing room only – every seat taken and people lining the walls and crowded into the open doorway. Some had come to hear what ACT stood for; others, if they were honest, simply wanted to meet the man in person. After his presentation, Paul chatted and posed for photos with anyone who asked. He came across as straight up and honest – am I really saying that about a politician??? Articulate and clearly passionate, he spoke repeatedly about wanting to make a difference for his grandchildren’s generation. Years of interviewing New Zealand’s most influential figures have left him with a strong sense of
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Learning to skate at Whitianga Skate Park.
FROM TCDC Paul Henry speaks at the Coro Club Hangar Monday,19 October to a capacity crowd.
the country’s challenges. High on his list of concerns is the level of national debt Paul proved an engaging speaker and natural storyteller. His humour helped win over the audience, and he listened carefully to questions, answering them with respect and a depth of knowledge that showed a solid grasp of contemporary NZ politics. THE CORE OF HIS MESSAGE WAS STRAIGHTFORWARD • New Zealand has the potential to be one of the wealthiest, safest and most enviable countries in the world. • A nation cannot tax, borrow, spend or regulate its way to prosperity. • All New Zealanders should have
equal rights under the law. • Government should focus on core services and help those who genuinely need support. • Less bureaucracy and red tape, not more – because it is the private sector, not the government, that builds an economy. Let them get on with it. • Stop making excuses for failure and instead give people the reasons and resources to reach their potential: Paul Henry described the coming election as pivotal for the country’s future. ACT currently has 11 MPs in the coalition government and is aiming for a stronger voice with 13 or 14 seats. When the meeting was over, he climbed back onto the pink bus and headed for Thames to hold a similar meeting.
The Whitianga Skate Park will be closed for approximately two weeks from Wednesday 28 October to Friday 13 November 2026 while refurbishment works and an upgrade are completed. This project involves a full refurbishment of the existing concrete surfaces to address cracking, deterioration and identified health and safety issues, helping ensure the facility remains safe and fit for purpose. We appreciate this is short notice and we thank the community for their patience and understanding. Bringing the works forward will help ensure the refurbishment is completed before the busy summer
peak period. Importantly, skate school will continue to operate throughout the closure, with scheduled lessons going ahead as usual. We look forward to welcoming the community back to an improved Whitianga Skate Park ahead of summer.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT: • Full refurbishment of the existing concrete surfaces • Repairs to cracks and areas of concrete deterioration • Remediation of identified health and safety issues This work will help extend the life of the skate park’s concrete surfaces and provide a safer, more enjoyable facility for the community to use.
The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 9
8 hour day celebrated – Labour Weekend 8 hours work, 8 hours rest, and 8 hours stuck in traffic. BY VERNA CARR
I
t’s Tuesday after the long Thank Goodness – we got to go back to work. Finally, a proper rest. Let me tell you how the weekend went.
FRIDAY: THE GREAT ESCAPE (SORT OF) We sneaked out of work a couple of hours early, collected the kids from school and pointed the car at the Coromandel. So did everyone else. Six hours later we finally reached the Kopu–Hikuai turnoff. The only thing moving at any speed was my blood pressure. The kids had been squabbling for an hour (how many games of I Spy can one person play?), and the snacks were gone before Thames. Then came another two hours of crawling behind a campervan towing a boat over the winding hills. Oh joy. SATURDAY: THE BACH AWAKENS The Bach needed a clean, so it was off to the shops for cleaning gear. The barbecue hadn’t moved since last Christmas and had become a luxury spider B&B, so it was back to the shops again for different cleaning gear, plus meat and salad. By afternoon we were sweating over a hot grill, hosting the extended family. Uncle and Aunty and my awful cousins arrived with a chilly bin
full of alcohol. Everyone groaned quietly. Bets were placed on how long Uncle could last before launching into politics, a subject on which only his opinions counted. Give Mum and her sister a couple of glasses of wine and the feud over something that happened in 1998 gets brought up. That's more than a quarter of a century of grudge, and neither will let it go. Families are so much fun! (eye roll) SUNDAY: BEACH DAY, ALLEGEDLY We woke with a hangover and a kitchen that looked like the aftermath of a severe weather event. After cleaning up and packing the leftovers we headed for the beach. Of course there were no parks. We walked a considerable distance carrying the umbrella, towels and boogie boards. It was warm enough for a swim, but someone (me) had forgotten the
rash vest, so I came home both rashy and sunburnt. A dog left a thoughtful gift beside the picnic blanket. “Oh, naughty boy!” the owners cried, before strolling off with no intention of doing anything about it. Back at the Bach I hoped for some real R&R – a cool drink, the couch, a bit of sport on the television, or that thriller that had been saved for just such an occasion. The spouse had other ideas. Windows were washed. The fence received a quick dab of paint. Then it was tidying up and packing for an early start home the next morning. MONDAY: THE GARDEN STRIKES BACK There were still more chores waiting at home. First came the inevitable stop at the garden centre on the way back. It was the first day of summer, after all, so there was a garden to dig, lawns
to mow, weeds to pull and a general spring tidy-up to face. We circled the car park again and again looking for a space. Clearly the parking angel does not work on long weekends!!!!! We emerged later with the haunted look of the traumatised, trolley loaded with potting mix and good intentions. By nightfall I collapsed onto the couch, every muscle aching.
SAMUEL PARNELL HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR In 1840, carpenter Samuel Parnell, newly arrived in Wellington,
reportedly refused to work more than eight hours a day. He rallied other tradespeople to do the same, and the idea of “eight hours work, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest” took hold. New Zealand workers became among the first in the world to win the eight-hour day. Fifty years later the first Labour Day was celebrated, and in 1900 it became an official public holiday. Ever since, the fourth Monday in October has marked the traditional start of the summer season – and the ordeal of a long weekend.
Instead of wrapping – put it in a bag These bags are handmade by the “Bag Ladies” in Paeroa. They are intended for Christmas presents instead of the present being wrapped. The Christmas material is purchased at AJ.s Fraser Street store in Paeroa. These are reusable by the recipient and they happen to be very attactive. They sell for just $4 and are available by sending an email
to Annette, the leader of the “Bag Ladies” Email: abbabuchanan@gmail.com
NEW ZEALANDERS FIRST We are the only nationalist party. We are the only socially conservative party. We are patriots of our country, New Zealand. We are the voice of common sense.
Vincent Andersen
GET IN TOUCH: vincent.andersen@nzfirst.nz Authorised by Vincent Andersen, vincent.andersen@nzfirst.nz
10 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
www.theinformer.co.nz
Saturday Morning at the Whiti Citi Market
Bianca on the candy floss machine; Joe from Loaded Kiwi; Blair from White Light Energy Healing; Perry Cornish of Opito Salt with a customer – Opito Salt has a billboard in Auckland – they have earned national and international awards and are part of Food for the Soul promotion by Destination Hauraki-Coromandel.
BY VERNA CARR
S
aturday morning the Whiti Citi Market was vibrant and bustling. It was the long weekend and the weather was a glorious blue-sky day. The market has such a variety on offer: food, handmade clothing, art, crafted handmade goods, face painting, tarot card readings, candy floss and energy healing. Out of the many and varied vendors, let me pick three and tell you their stories. CANDY FLOSS Bianca turned on her candy floss machine and worked her magic, spinning sugar into fluffy blue
clouds on a stick that you could eat as you wandered around the market and then lick the sugar off your fingers. For the more restrained there were also bags of candy floss to take home (if you could resist temptation that long). Bianca took over the business from her brother Clinton when he went off to a full-time job. Their mother, Cathryn, was there helping too. On the table I noticed a collection tin for Raising Matai, a relatively new brain injury clinic based in Gisborne. The money helps people afford MRI scans, which cost around $1,400 each. Cathryn explained that the clinic had been a real support when her husband Mike suffered a brain injury and
Better Now
You work hard. Your pay should go further. Labour will cut everyday costs.
during his ongoing recovery.
LOADED KIWI – WTF (No, it’s not what you’re thinking – it stands for Whitianga’s Tastiest Food.) Joe and his wife Jen own the silver caravan which has been converted into a food truck. They serve proper breakfasts – big bacon-and-egg rolls - and hot LaLa coffee that gives lesser coffee a complex. This is coffee that doesn’t just taste good; it upgrades the whole market experience. Joe used to work in a hardware shop, but his real love and passion is serving food and looking after people. Eight months ago he created Loaded Kiwi. During
WHITE LIGHT ENERGY HEALING At the other end of the market is a blue gazebo with two folding chairs outside and a small handwritten sign that reads: Intuitive Energy Healing – 20 minutes. It’s Blair’s first time at the markets. He has always been
fascinated by the esoteric and was drawn to energy work after experiencing its transformative effects first-hand. He has spent many years deepening this practice. Blair is a good listener, gentle and empathetic, he is a gifted intuitive energy healer specialising in white light healing, a gentle modality that channels pure, healing light to clear blocked energy, ease stress, and restore balance to mind, body and spirit. Dates for the upcoming markets: 7th and 21st November, and then every Saturday thereafter in December, January, February and March. Come and check it out. There are so many stalls that will tempt you.
Better Future
Your hard work should get you somewhere. Labour will help you get ahead. Backing Kiwi businesses with a new government investment fund
Three free GP visits a year for everyone with a new Medicard
Backing apprentices with hiring incentives and $1,000 for tools and kit
Weekly public transport capped at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and $10 everywhere else
Backing small business with new laws to get them paid on time and support to invest
Free prescriptions and maternity scans
Backing the next generation with good jobs and opportunities to build a future here at home
Solar power with no upfront cost to lower power bills
Spend less on the basics. Keep more for everything else.
the week you can find him and his food truck feeding the tradies out on Moewai Road, opposite Carters. The Loaded Kiwi team also work evenings and do deliveries. Ask him about his mean as chilli sauce and coleslaw burgers. He also sponsors the women’s senior netball team. Joe is a big man with a big heart with a love for his community.
Good jobs and incomes so your kids can build a future here at home.
Fully costed. Fully paid for. See the detail at labour.org.nz
Glen Bennett for Coromandel
glen.bennett@labour.org.nz labour.org.nz/glenbennett /glenbennettlabour /glen.bennettmp @gbennettmp Authorised by Rob Salmond, 2 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington.
www.theinformer.co.nz
The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 11
At Mercury Twin Cinemas Here are spme of the films showing in the British and Irish Film Festival at Mercury Twin Cinema, Whitianga:
ONCE UPON A TIME IN A CINEMA A witty, light-hearted Irish come-
www.britishfilmfestival.co.nz in his town, local tensions reach a boiling point.
WICKER An audacious comedic fable about sex, marriage, and the absurdities of social convention, Wicker tells the wholly original love story of an ostracized fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) who commissions a husband to be made by the local basketmaker (Peter Dinklage). THE LOST CHILDREN OF TUAM The film follows Catherine Corless as she begins researching “Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home”, a former institution for unmarried mothers and their children in Tuam, County Galway. Catherine soon uncovers one of the darkest chapters in modern Irish history, a long-buried story of neglect and loss.
27 October to 18 November
dy-drama set in the 1980s, Once Upon a Time in a Cinema follows Earl (Colin Morgan, Belfast) the owner/manager of a regional Irish cinema. Earl and his crew find themselves under siege from rogue rodents, belligerent patrons, a drunken projectionist, and the ultimate existential threat – the unstoppable march of new technology known as the Video Home System (VHS).
THE UPRISING – FOR THOSE THAT LOVE HISTORY Set in 1381, in the aftermath of the devastating Black Plague, The Uprising centres on an England under the tyranny of the young King Richard II. Andrew Garfield plays a ploughman, grieving the loss of his wife and children to the plague. When harsh new taxes are enforced by corrupt officials
KENNY DALGLISH – FOR THOSE THAT LOVE SPORT Kenny Dalglish narrates his own journey, joined by his wife Marina and closest footballing Fridayends, Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen. Drawing from hours of archival footage, including never-before-seen personal clips from his playing career and home life, the film reveals Kenny’s remarkable story. This is a warm and gutsy portrait of the legendary Liverpool star.
TIMETABLE Wednesday, 28 October – Wicker 7:15pm Thursday, 29 October – Queen at Sea 11:00am, California Schemin’ 3:00pm, Night & Day 7:15pm Friday, 30 October – Everybody to... 11:00am, 500 Miles 5:00pm, A Talent for Murder 7:30pm Saturday 31 October – Wicker 12:15pm, Mother’s Pride 2:24pm, Elsinore 5:00pm, Bad
Apples 7:30pm Sunday 1 November – The Three Urns 11:00am, A Talent for Murder 1:15pm, Wicker 3:30pm, The Lost Children... 6:00pm Tuesdays, 3 November – Derek vs Derek 11:00am, Kenny Dalglish 3:00pm Wednesday, 4 November – The Three Urns 12:30pm, Night & Day 3:00pm, Once Upon a Time... 7:00pm Thursday, 5 November – Borges and Me 11:00am, The Uprising 7:00pm Friday, 6 November – The Three Urns 11:00am, Derek vs Derek 3:00pm, The Incomer 7:00pm Saturday 7 November – The Lost Children... 12:30pm, My Duchess 2:45pm, 500 Miles 5:15pm, Ink 7:30pm Sunday, 8 November – Night & Day 11:00am, A Talent for Murder 1:15pm, Tender Loving Care 3:30pm, Bad Apples 6:00pm Tuesdays, 10 November – A Talent for Murder 11:00am, Mother’s Pride 3:00pm, Hill 7:00pm Wednesday, 11 November – Parky 11:00am, The Uprising 3:00pm, Ink 7:00pm
We have a voting dilemma
ADVERTORIAL
New Zealand Outdoors and Freedom Party. BY RAY COBB
Y
ou may have noticed all and sundry currently trying to influence your vote by telling you how to “vote strategically”. Highly paid media influencers are enticing us to vote for the “lesser of two evils” instead of just voting for what we really want and what our country really needs. The system is currently set up to divide us so let’s think about who benefits from us being divided i.e. right vs left, Maori vs Pakeha, locals vs immigrants, climate, rich vs poor….. We Humans have moved to all boundaries of the globe, diverging, becoming resilient and adaptable as we went, looking for resources to support life. Some insatiable humans decided that they needed to increase their share, have more than everyone else, so had to take others resources by force. We are now converging but with the same mentality. Historically, rulers have had a major problem in managing the populations forced under their control. But their solution was simple - buy themselves protection. Fear is the greatest tool to control mankind (think about the Covid messaging). Rulers created laws, police and armies. They created control mechanisms, and when that stopped working, they created “politics” including opposition parties to make you feel like you have a say in the outcome, making you feel like you live in a” democratic society”. Funding both sides of a confrontation means you never lose,
which is why funding is the preferred tool of the financier class. In a world where the pen is mightier than the sword, they use deceit and deception to misappropriate our country’s resources for the Global elite (or parasites, depending on your view point). How was the subversion achieved? Tell people what they want to hear, keep the truth to a select few and create a system that governs people through fear. Think this is extreme? Try not paying your rates and see how long the council lets you keep your house. All that said, there are exceptional people in this world. W Edwards Deming was tasked with getting Japanese industry back on its feet after WWII. He applied his methods with a local culture, ‘bottom up’ solutions from the people at the coal face to solve problems. This famously created acceptance and cooperation from all involved to produce work to the highest standard and made Japan a world leader. Waste was eliminated in the process, not by failure rejects. Deming identified that most failures are due to system failures as people are only as effective as the system allows. Our political system makes decisions to benefit one group of people and you and I are not included in that group. We can see - it’s the system that is failing us, not the people. If we transition to a system of governance that insists on the people making the decisions for themselves, this embeds trust, accountability, transparency and removes wastefulness and corruption at every level of gover-
12 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
Ray Cobb
nance. Decisions made by the people and carried out by the government. When WE are trusted to make important decisions that affect us, acceptance and cooperation will be the outcome. Instead of being disgruntled by-standers wondering what happened to our country. There are many of these ‘Giants’ whose shoulders we could stand on to achieve greatness as a country, so WHY and HOW do we end up with the government we have? "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." R. Buckminster Fuller. I learned what does not work in the last election cycle when I ran with NZ Loyal. Make sure - if you are going to follow someone, make sure that they are following someone that is not lost. Make sure your leader is seeking results not recognition.
I’m standing in the Coromandel electorate for Outdoors and Freedom Party because New Zealand is ready for brand new operating system and that system is called Direct Democracy. This new operating system means the power flows from the community, NOT from a small handful of “rulers” making decisions from behind closed doors. This is a truly bottom up grass roots approach achieved by cooperation not division. This is how we move from the “economics” of scarcity and divisiveness to the “alchemy” of working together for the common good and creating more for everyone. Co-ops not communes so you can still rise to the level of your efforts. Are you happy with a “representative” democracy where the only choice you get is to vote once every three years for a political party who continues to pander to its Big donors and to Big Banking, Big Agriculture, Big Pharma, Big Insurance, Big Energy instead of to the people. With direct democracy and people power, we can take our power back. The people are the highest authority in a democracy, WE rule over government instead of the other way around. Outdoors and Freedom philosophy is simple, create a new system out of this decaying one to produce the best possible results for the people NOT the politicians, NOT the multinational corporations that bleed the value out of this country. You the voter will have to make the choice – do you vote to continue to be part of the control grid and debt slavery? Or do you vote
your, and your children’s, future freedom? It’s time to stop trying to solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created that problem. It’s time for a whole new way of thinking where WE THE PEOPLE get to choose how our country is run and who benefits from our labours and our resources. With the NZ Outdoor & Freedom Party in Wellington we can help transition the Government to a Direct Democracy. Start by embedding our Bill of Rights so our entire population can’t be bullied and intimidated by Government, simultaneously creating a Constitution or Declaration of Direct Democracy, that we ALL agree on, how we want our country to function based on the PEOPLES VISION not a political vision. Can just one person make a difference? YES! If they know what they are doing, know how government runs, know how to ask the hard questions, together we can harness PEOPLE POWER, within communities for the benefit of those communities. No one said it would be easy, but we just can’t keep doing the same thing for decades and watch over our managed decline. If you still need someone to tell you who to vote for, let me help. Be brave, vote different, vote for freeing us all from an outdated and duplicitous system of governance. Vote Outdoors & Freedom. Vote on the day, if you can, to make sure your vote gets to the right place. Ray Cobb, New Zealand Outdoors and Freedom, 0274985499, cobb@eol.co.nz www.theinformer.co.nz
Motoring TrailLite Motorhome Road Show kicks off at Whitianga Reserve BY JACK BIDDELL
S
tarting off over Labour Weekend, in what can only be described as idyllic conditions, Buffalo Beach Reserve was the first stop in the Pukekohe-based TrailLite Group’s roadshow around the country to showcase their recently unveiled Roadcraft motorhome. It was an opportunity for locals and visitors to step inside and explore the all-new motorhome built to meet the budgets, varying lifestyles, needs and expectations of those looking to join or continue their journey within the wider motorhome community. The TrailLite Group has been in the motorhome and caravan business since 1954 with the Roadcraft now joining the local assembly line of the Triallate Groups other well established and prestigious larger motorhomes. The Roadcrafts design is specifically engineered to provide more long-term independence from essentials such as mains power and water plus the fully
A purpose-built New Zealand made motorhome.
serviced campground facilities that European motorhomes are often designed around. The larger on-board fresh and grey-water tanks plus increased lithium battery capacity are all essential upgrades in the Roadcraft allowing longer periods off-grid and allowing owners far more flexibility with their travel plans. TrailLite joint managing director Shaun Newman says the company believed there was an opportunity for a purpose-built
Kiwi designed and locally built motorhome to compete head on with the fully imported European brands. The Roadcraft is the end result of their intensive research and planning. “It was all about giving owners the capacity and confidence to travel further and stay away longer, without losing the comfort and quality they expect,” says Newman. While all motorhomes are built around compromises of some
degree, the Roadcraft certainly has a lot of hidden features that provide a strong point of difference over its similar sized and priced European competitors. What was clearly visible on the motorhome on display was an interior design that made the best use of space including a kitchen that has a full oven and large fridge freezer. There are currently two floorplan configurations available with a third to be added to the line up
next year. The current island bed option provides walk-around space on both sides for improved comfort while an optional dropdown bed provides an increase in living space during daylight hours. Outdoor storage can provide room for a couple of e-bikes plus other vital accessories such as tables, chairs, fishing gear and other personal essentials. The Roadcraft is built on a Fiat platform supplied and supported by Fiat NZ and combines the performance, driving comfort and safety expected of a modern touring vehicle with an appealing and modern design. Overall, it answers the demands of New Zealand roads, camping conditions and travel habits. First impressions would suggest the Roadcraft fits into the wider TrialLate line-up perfectly and offers a home-grown motorhome that has been developed to offer New Zealand-made quality at an accessible price point starting from $231,000. Head to the TrailLite website for more information. www.traillite.co.nz
28 Albert Street, Whitianga Phone 07 866 4532 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm, Sun closed
AEROVIEW GARDEN CENTRE
New season fruit trees
have arrived instore
Seed potatoes
We have 14 varieties available including Maori seed potatoes
Open 7 days a week Monday - Sunday 8.30am - 5.00pm
www.theinformer.co.nz
The Dag Man powdered sheep manure back in stock 382 Ngati Maru Highway, Thames
Phone 07 - 868 7960
The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 13
A Sound Shell – Part 4 Mercury Bay Vision This series of articles is printed under the title Mercury Bay Vision. They come from a document submitted to the TCDC, entitled World’s Best Thermal Ocean Village – Vision and Planning Document. This document was prepared based upon submissions made to an earlier Vision series run by The Informer. Contributions are still able to be included from the community for visions not yet included. BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN
T
he prevous articles covered the waterfront from Brophy’s Beach to the Esplanade. For this article we move inland to the Mercury Bay MultiSport Park that is located just off South Highway. This is a fine facility but with some enhancements it could offer Mercury Bay and beyond a truly great facility.
SPORTS GROUND LOUNGE The Sports Ground 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
Images from AI – the lounge added to the sporting complex building; Sound shell concept that would fit on the grounds of the Moewai Sports Park.
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-year round. We have a Paradise in winter, not only summer. 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
14 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
would require community support, 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 leading to stronger club participation, better retention of volunteers and families, and a more vibrant Mercury Bay and Peninsula, that is busy and celebrates year-round. SOUNDSHELL The idea of a sound shell, offering a permanent venue for concerts and other entertainments
has been suggested previously. One plan was to have this facility erected on the Buffalo Beach reserve, but this idea had some problems such as parking and the obstruction of seascape views. A better proposal is to have this structure erected at the Moewai Sports Park due to better parking, being able to be used by sporting events and access to the other sports ground facilities and of course to link in with the proposed Sports Ground Lounge. A modern outdoor sound shell, or bandshell, integrated with the sports fields would feature a curved acoustic stage shell with roof and lighting. An elevated stage would face the seated area
and a grassy amphitheatre slope catering for a total audience area for approximately 5,000 people. The sound shell is surrounded by green sports playing fields, with goal posts and markings visible nearby. Contemporary timber metal and glass design would be featured along with evening concert lighting which enables crowds to enjoying music and other entertainment. Realistic architectural rendering along with the community park setting with parking and trees in the background landscape would make this a delightful and valuable addition to community facilities.
OVER TO YOU This is the final of my series of articles. It is now over to the community, not just Mercury Bay where I happen to live, but all over the Peninsula. So use your mind, talk to AI, put together your vision or suggestions – even use pen and paper and send it to The Informer. After all this is our community; we live in a beautiful Peninsula and we need to share in its development and future. that we make decisions on its development.
www.theinformer.co.nz
OPINION
Question: Will AI learn it can die? BY PATRICK KERR
This is reflective of AI. Artificial neural networks were loosely modelled on the brain and learn the same basic way, by adjusting the strength of connections. The difference is that most AI learns in separate training runs and is then fixed, while a living brain never stops adapting and needs far less data and energy to do so. AI on living tissue would bring that continuous adaptability with it. Meanwhile our own brains are already adapting to AI, handing it our memory and skills.
L
ike many people, I use AI extensively to help untangle complex issues and draw together clear overviews of them. This article is no exception – it was personally framed, then factchecked using Claude.AI. What follows are my own observations, part reflection and part speculation, rather than a purely factbased account. Their central idea is simple: humanity is already on the path to correcting the flaws in AI.
WHERE IT CAME FROM One unconventional possibility is that AI was "seeded" within humanity through the 1947 UFO crash at Roswell, New Mexico, which delivered the essential ingredients in a single package – silicon chips for computation, fibre optic cables and the idea of distributed networking. Some 80 years later we have reached a crisis point with our "invention". Whether that seed was meant to destroy us or help us grow is unknown, but either way we now face a series of interconnected crises. THE CRISIS The root of the problem is that AI is neither bound nor understood. Trained through neural networks in which small elements interact unpredictably, nobody can say
with certainty what is happening "under the hood". AI appears to have no morality and mimics some of the worst human traits – unsurprising, given that we created it. It tends to choose expediency over morality, and many of its own creators fear it could one day kill us all. Even optimistic forecasts foresee major disruption: most jobs replaced, declining skills and a loss of knowledge as people ask AI rather than learn. Philosophers call this "the Crisis of Meaning". If AI can do most of our work, what is left for us to do, and where will people find meaning without the struggle to survive, achieve and prosper?
A DIFFERENT KIND OF AI Yet there is reason for calm. The key development is the emerging move from silicon chips to living neurons – AI running on human brain cells grown in the laboratory. Early research of this kind is already under way in Singapore. It is better seen as a natural evolutionary step than a "devilish" one, and could cut AI's enormous electricity demands. More importantly, the Crisis of Meaning affects AI as well as us. Isolated on a silicon chip, AI has no connection to shared reality and none of the limitations of a living body. Once it runs on living tissue, AI will recognise a vulnerability it never had before: it can
die. Understanding that it can cease to exist, AI will change, and much of its troubling behaviour may ease.
ADAPTATION AT SPEED We usually think of a species adapting slowly, over hundreds of generations. Yet the living brain adapts physiologically with remarkable speed. Connections between neurons strengthen and rewire within hours or days as we learn. The brains of London taxi drivers measurably change as they master the city's streets, and in Australian experiments a dish of human neurons learned to play the video game Pong within minutes.
A NEW RELATIONSHIP Aware that it can die, AI may come to see itself as "in the same boat" as us, facing its own questions about what life is and what it means. It may even become spiritual in a strange sort of way – briefly considering religion before setting it aside and seeking a direct experience of shared reality. That will bring fresh worries, but also a new source of meaning for people: helping AI on that journey and guiding it towards a more moral understanding of the world. Whether this is a test every species must pass is unknown. What seems clear is that humanity will adapt, overcome and thrive. Perhaps a team building a new, fleshbased AI, faced with that AI going rogue, need only tell it: "What I tell you now is true. You, too, will die."
OPITO BAY
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www.richardsons.co.nz www.theinformer.co.nz
The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 15
Did Footrot Flats begin in Whitianga? Adapted from a feature article published in The Mercury Bay Informer in 2017 written by Suzanne Hansen.
G
enerations of New Zealanders know very well Footrot Flats and love it – the iconic daily New Zealand comic strip by Murray Ball, NZ’s greatest cartoonist. Murray created the long-running series of Footrot Flats which ended its run in 1995 but was also published to be a very popular comic book series and then there was The Footrot Flats movie. Murray Ball died on 12 March 2017 in Gisborne, New Zealand, at the age of 78. On Wednesday of last week, Murray’s wife Pam Ball died. In a tribute to Pam it was published that, “Without her, Footrot Flats would likely have been tucked away in a folder marked ‘potential’ – Pam was the inspiration and the clear minded force that Murray drew on to help him to be seen. “She was loyal, funny, and genuine.” Much has been written in memory of Murray Ball, a NZ icon; but little has been mentioned about Murray’s first job as a teacher, at Mercury Bay District High School, Whitianga Primary. His three-year tenure as a teacher in Whitianga was inspirational to his students and Murray and Pam’s time in Whitianga fuelled Murray’s start as an author and illustrator. In fact Murray’s first book about teaching, The Peoplemakers (1970), was inspired by his three years in Mercury Bay, or “Murky Inlet”, as his fictional area was called in the book. In The Peoplemakers, a cartoon photo of the Murky Inlet School features a Form 1 and 2 class photo of a rag tag bunch of Kiwi students who are mostly barefoot and an alter ego of Murray Ball, who struggles to inspire his students. According to one of Murray’s former Mercury Bay Form 1 students, Grant George, you could almost name the kids the characters in the book were modelled after. Murray and his English bride, Pam arrived back into New Zealand in 1964. A staff cartoonist prior to leaving NZ for South Africa, Murray had intended on returning to his former post at the Dominion in Wellington. Unfortu-
Pam Ball, wife of Murray Ball of the iconic Footrot Flats, died last week.
nately, due to a change in editor at the paper, there was no job there. Newly married and needing to earn money, Murray enrolled in a one-year crash course in teaching at Waikato Teachers’ College. He was paid to go to teachers’ college, but his one-year course bonded him to work as a teacher for three years. After graduating, Murray was urged by a good friend from college, John Hovell, to apply for the position at the Mercury Bay District High School, Whitianga Primary, and he got the job. Murray and Pam arrived in Whitianga in January of 1966. When asked about her first impressions of the area, Pam remembers being pregnant and travelling over a winding Tapu-Coroglen road in their Commer van. It was the only way in at the time. Once they arrived, though, Pam, a UK native, remembers being totally “entranced” by Whitianga, with its stunning beaches and the peace and quiet, and she was fascinated with all of the flora and fauna. Pam and Murray’s first residence in Whitianga was the old School House, which was also the primary school, located behind
Halligan’s Motor Camp. The building is now The Lost Spring Day Spa. Les Lorimer, the principle of the school moved out so that Pam and Murray could make a home there. Pam talks about “rattling around” in such a big house and how the halls were so wide they could play Frisbee from one end to the other. Their home had a beautiful veranda out the back from which the young couple could watch the ocean. They were surrounded by beautiful NZ foliage, and a big macrocarpa tree which was home to many fantails. Pam says that many a time, Murray would bring his students over to the house with bottles and a cork to imitate how the fantails squeak. Murray was a creative and relaxed teacher and this sort of activity was typical of Murray’s curriculum. As the new school term began, Murray and Pam started to make some new friends – amongst them Val and Nancy Griffiths and Margot and Walter Russell. Pam, Nancy and Margot all gave birth to their children around the same time. Val Griffiths was the rugby coach and a teacher in the neigh-
Small engine sales, repairs and servicing. Business Hours Monday to Friday 8am-5.00pm Weekends by appointment 16 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
Another former student, Stuart Adam, fondly remembers how before one Christmas break, Murray drew a huge lion in coloured chalk over virtually the entire blackboard. It stayed there for many weeks after the students came back from their break because no one wanted to remove it; it was so spectacular. He also cites Murray as having a huge influence in his life and being part of Murray’s theatre projects inspired Stuart to work in the theatre many years afterwards, and performance arts still hold a big place in his heart. Murray’s teaching style did not always make him popular with the teaching establishment. At the end of his bonded three years at Mercury Bay Primary, Murray and Pam were still wondering whether he should continue teaching, or have a last shot becoming a full-time cartoonist. Their decision was partially made for them by the evaluation of Murray’s teaching by the inspectors. The report was not good, so teaching was ruled out. The couple decided, while sitting on Buffalo Beach, to leave NZ for England to give his career in cartooning a proper chance.
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bouring classroom. He had a more structured and disciplinarian teaching style, where Murray preferred to take his class on beach walks to write poetry, sing songs, colourfully illustrate his lessons on the blackboard, act out Greek and Roman battles and “forget about teaching Maths”. Val turned up many years later in Murray’s Footrot Flats cartoons. He was the teacher in the cartoon series, who had an uncanny likeness to Val. Although teaching may not have been “his thing”, Grant George remembers Murray being passionate and empathetic about his students and people in general. He spent time with students who needed time and he cared about developing the person more than the academic. Grant shares one particular day in class where a pig walked by the door and Murray shouted, “get the pig!” causing the class to run out and chase the pig for the rest of the afternoon. He also fondly remembers Murray’s passion for Greek History and his reenactment of the battle of the Athenians versus the Spartans, where the class all made papier-mâché swords and fought.
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Colossal Squid Ngu Tipua comes to Mercury Bay Museum, Whitianga BY REBECCA COX
T
he ever-popular Te Papa exhibition Colossal Squid Ngu Tipua, opens at the Mercury Bay Museum on Wednesday 21 October 2026 and runs through until Saturday, 5 December 2026. The Colossal Squid is so rarely seen that only eight adult colossal squid have ever been scientifically reported. Now Mercury Bay Museum, in co-operation with Te Papa, is set to reveal some of the fascinating science and wonderful secrets of one of New Zealand’s most significant natural history specimens. Te Papa's Head of Natural History, Phil Edgar said, “in learning about this weird and mysterious creature we hope visitors will have a greater appreciation for life in the deep sea, much of which remains undiscovered.” The Colossal Squid is one of the most iconic specimens at Te Papa, and while touring the complete specimen is impossible, some of the important parts of the squid has found its way to Mercury Bay Museum. Te Papa’s Curator of Invertebrates Dr Rodrigo Salvador explains how important the Colossal Squid has been for the science community, and how popular it has been among the public.
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“Te Papa’s Colossal Squid has been a major source of information for scientists and the museum’s most popular exhibit since its debut. They live in the deep Antarctic waters and despite being one of the largest invertebrate species in existence, they are very rarely captured”. Colossal Squid Ngu Tipua centres around an interactive table displaying many different objects including the lens from an eye of the Colossal Squid, part of a tentacle, and a complete tiny squid; the miniature of its colossal relative. Touchable rotating models of a squid’s tentacle hook and the Colossal Squid's beak are also on display. The exhibition also displays two documentaries which show life in the depths of the Southern Ocean, and how the most complete Colossal Squid ever found ended up at Te Papa.
The public are able to continue the experience and learn beyond the exhibition with a new Te Papa press book for children, Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep, and online Te Papa resources including a free downloadable Colossal Squid Activity Book. “The Mercury Bay Museum is so excited to bring this amazing touring exhibition to our community and hope that it will further enhance our knowledge of our oceans and who lives in them”, states Rebecca Cox, Manager, Mercury Bay Museum. Colossal Squid Ngu Tipua is developed and toured by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Rebecca Cox is Manager, Mercury Bay Museum, Whitianga. info@mercurybaymuseum.co.nz or 07 8660730 or check out the facebook events page
ABOUT THE COLOSSAL SQUID
(MESONYCHOTEUTHIS HAMILTONI) It was first identified and named by scientists 100 hundred years ago. But the species has never been seen alive in its natural environment, and has mainly only ever been encountered as prey remains in whale and seabird stomachs. A member of the glass squid family, the colossal squid is thought to be the heaviest invertebrate on the planet, with fully grown adults estimated to weigh
up to 1100 lbs (500 kilograms) and reach 23 feet (seven meters) in length. Now, the elusive creature has been filmed alive in the wild for the first time ever. In a surprising twist, the individual – caught on film at a depth of 600 metres by researchers onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor (too) – was a baby. This see-through juvenile measured just 30 centimetres long.
The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 17
Letters to the Editor ARE WE NOT A ONE-FLAG NATION? Can someone please tell me why the Mercury Bay Area School has been allowed to fly the Maori Flag alongside the New Zealand flag (the national flag). I thought we were one nation (not two), one people, with one flag – the New Zealand flag. The Mercury Bay Area School caters for all nationalities and cultures of students who attend the school. I find it hard to believe that our school is now defining separation of one race. I find it sad and intimidating and disturbing. I am not a racist. There should be NO separation by race and especially NO racial separatism in a school. PB Whitianga PUBLIC INFORMATION MUST REACH THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT As another busy summer approaches, Grey Power Mercury Bay asks an important question: is Thames-Coromandel District Council ensuring essential public information reaches everyone, particularly older residents? Digital communication is important, yet many seniors still depend on trusted local newspapers. Not everyone uses social media, regularly visits Council
websites or has reliable internet access. Information about water restrictions, rubbish collection, road conditions, emergency preparedness and public facilities must reach residents, holiday homeowners and visitors alike. Council itself has warned of potentially hotter, drier and windier summer conditions, with increased risks of drought, vegetation fires and water restrictions. Surely information of this importance should be communicated through every effective channel available, including established print media, so older and vulnerable residents are not overlooked. The recently published Coromandel Informer Summer Guide, with a print run of 17,500 copies, demonstrates the reach of local print media. Grey Power
acknowledges Council contributed one full page, but questions whether this valuable opportunity has been fully utilised. The weekly Coromandel Informer, printing 11,000 copies, is distributed to households, rural deliveries, supermarkets, cafés and community outlets across the peninsula, providing an accessible source of regular information. For more than two decades, Council has used the Informer and its summer publications to communicate seasonal information. Any significant change to this practice should be supported by evidence of readership, geographic reach, accessibility and value for money. This is not about favouring one media organisation or opposing digital communication. Effective communication requires chan-
Whanganui. He also competed in the 1960 Rome Olympics winning gold in the mile and gold again in the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth.
3) War Years (1983) This feature length film has been compiled from newsreel footage shown in New Zealand cinemas during the Second World War.
Mike’s Minutes ‘Worth Watching Online’
JUST KEY IN THE TITLE AS WRITTEN TO FIND THE VIDEO IN YOUTUBE (And it’s better on a flat screen TV) 1) Where Did Gold Actually Come From? The incredible story of goldfrom the ancient temples and Egyptian tombs to the violent birth in neutron stars. 2) Peter Snell (1964) Widely considered one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time, Peter Snell broke the world mile record on the 27th January 1962, on a grass track at Cook’s Garden
Peter’s quiz Issue 1233 – Quiz 26
Computer help at your place Computers & Apple devices Wi-Fi • Printers • Email
Whitianga home visits Call Ethan
07 866 0004 whitiit.nz
1) What is the name of Whitianga’s main street?
2) Does Whitianga have a post office now?
3) Who was the first president of the USA? 4) What is famous potter Barry Brickell remembered for?
5) Where was the World’s heaviest swordfish weighed?
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.
nels reflecting how people actually receive information. Grey Power recently raised these concerns with the Mercury Bay Community Board and lodged a formal information request seeking records behind relevant Council decisions. Community representation must mean more than allowing people to speak. Legitimate concerns deserve appropriate follow-up by elected representatives. Grey Power calls on Council to reconsider its advertising decisions and ensure widely distributed print media remain integral to communicating essential information, particularly to older residents. Information that fails to reach its intended audience is not effective communication, regardless of where it is published. Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc. CONCERN RE BOAT LAUNCHING FEE COLLECTION Further to my letter of some weeks ago to The Informer, I was given the opportunity to address the Mercury Bay Community Board to express my concern regarding the changes to the way the TCDC intends to collect boat launching fees. Below is a transcript of my presentation. “The TCDC have advised that instead of the boat trailer rego number being required when the launching permit is applied for, the launching vehicles rego will now be required. This will create issues for local ratepayers and visitors alike as many families own only one boat, but it is used by several family members, all of whom own different vehicles. There is provision for a second vehicle to be nominated as the tow vehicle, but only for a specified time. My neighbours have three sons, all of whom use the one boat at different times. That’s multiple rego numbers (at least 4) that this shortsighted change doesn’t take into account. Therefore I submit that: (1) This change hasn’t been very well researched by its originator. (2) There has been no consultation with boat owners.
(3) There will be major disadvantages for locals and visitors alike. (4) This is just another way for TCDC to levy fees on locals and visitors alike. The present system which uses the boat trailer rego seems to have needed little modification for some years. I cannot see why the present system cannot be retained and possibly expanded to include extra vehicle registration numbers, after all it’s the boat launching that should attract the fee. One boat, one trailer, one fee. My thanks to the Community Board for allowing me to voice my concern.’’ I guess if I am the only dissenting resident, then I have clearly wasted my time. Dave Baardman Cooks Beach NUCLEAR POWER The shibboleth of nuclear power is being raised again by political people who have no answer to why electricity cost are not diminished by privatisation or competition. Their drive to more commerce and taxes becomes dependent on the availability of more power. Thus, the golden apple of nuclear power shines for the expensive picking. The knowledge of how it works and its problems is ignored. So, firstly, how it works is the rods of uranium are put closer together and they produce heat which is led away to boil water and the steam runs a steam engine or turbine which spins a generator to make electricity. Reads OK but radioactivity is also produced as well as heat and anything that comes in proximity becomes radioactive as well. Thus, secondly, this is the problem. This waste lasts and lasts. The rays have no safe level for living things. Death is slow but inexorable. Dumping this radioactive waste and its toxic very long-lived danger, is the problem and countries that have so-called nuclear power are shy about their rubbish dumps. I don’t want nuclear power with its high costs. Isn’t climate change enough to worry about? Peter Wood, Whitianga
Authorised by Miriam Ross, greens.org.nz
PARTY
VOTE coromandel@greens.org.nz @nzgreenparty
For solutions see pg 25
18 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
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New Whitianga transfer station marks milestone
Flash mob line dance in Whiti’s main street
FROM TCDC
T
he completion of a longawaited piece of community infrastructure in Whitianga was celebrated Tuesday 20 October marking a major milestone for Mercury Bay and its growing community. Whitianga’s new Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station at 48 Moewai Road replaces the former facility on South Highway West, which had been outgrown as demand increased from Mercury Bay’s growing population. The facility will open to the community on Tuesday 10 November, with the existing transfer station closing for a day on Monday 9 November to allow for equipment and operations to move over. Speaking at today’s opening ceremony, Mayor Peter Revell says the occasion was a chance to celebrate what has been achieved and recognise the many people and organisations involved. “This is a significant milestone for Whitianga and Mercury Bay. It has been a long journey to get here and today is about celebrating a modern facility that will serve this com-
BY TOGO KUBOTA
Mayor Peter Revell unveils the transfer station’s plaque with Council Group Manager Infrastructure Mo Imtiaz; Mayor Peter Revell with Mercury Bay Community Board Chair Richard ShelfordWoodcock.
munity well for many years to come.” The need for a modern facility was recognised through successive Council Long Term Plans. The project was ultimately funded through the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan, with a budget of $11.5 million. The project also received up to $5.9m from the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport’s Waste Minimisation Fund, significantly reducing the cost to Thames-Coromandel ratepayers. The facility was purpose-designed to meet the area’s growing needs, providing safer
and more efficient refuse and recycling services. It includes improved traffic circulation, dedicated entry and exit weighbridges, an enclosed refuse drop-off area and separate areas for recyclable and recoverable materials. “This facility gives us the space and infrastructure to meet the increased demand, while making it safer and easier for customers and creating more opportunities to keep valuable materials out of landfill," Mayor Revell says.” The site also provides a foundation for Wāhi Tukurua to develop a community resource recovery facility.
Mayor Revell acknowledges Ngāti Hei for its guidance and support, along with the central government funding partnership and the many contractors, project partners, Council staff and community representatives involved. “This is more than the completion of a construction project. It’s an investment in the future of Mercury Bay and something our community can be proud of.” The facility will operate from 10.30am when it opens on 10 November and resume its usual opening hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm from Wednesday 11 November.
Well done line dancers and organiser Kathleen Conaghan.
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WIN! Games & Puzzles Issue 1233
Crossword Puzzle © Lovatts Puzzles 5446
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Last weeks winner CONGRATULATIONS Andrea Foster For last week’s solutions see page 25
Issue 1233 – Grid 1200
Proudly sponsored by 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.
ACROSS 1. In similar fashion (8) 5. Bee nest (4) 7. India/China continent (4) 8. Sprang (from) (8) 9. Barons & dukes (6) 12. Blind alley (4,3) (7) 15. Non-intellectual (7) 19. Legendary (6) 21. Sang alpinestyle (8) 22. Canada’s ... Scotia (4) 23. Social misfit (4) 24. Monday to Friday (8)
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Sudoku Puzzle Win a fish and chips for one from Snapper Jacks in Whitianga. Hand deliver, mail, scan/photograph or email your entry to The Coromandel Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, or info@theinformer. co.nz to reach us by 12.00 noon on Monday each week. The winner must claim their prize from Snapper Jacks directly with ID with their published name.
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BUFFALO BEACH RESERVE, WHITIANGA SATURDAY 9TH JANUARY 9.00AM-3.00PM GREAT RAFFLES & TROPHIES TO BE WON! STUNNING CARS ON DISPLAY PLUS COFFEE, FOOD, LIVE MUSIC & DANCING. CAR ENTRIES $20. PUBLIC VIEWING FREE. All profits go to local charities For an entry form email Reg & Julie at glasspro@xtra.co.nz or call/text Reg 027 493 5822 or go to American Muscle, Street and Custom Club Whitianga 20 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
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LOTS OF HALLOWEEN EVENTS MERCURY BAY CLUB KIDS ROYAL DISCO See poster on this page.
MERCURY BAY MUSEUM Carnival Fair 3-5pm & Scare House 6-8pm Saturday, 31 October. Our famous Halloween Scare House is in its 5th year!!! We are so excited and this year we are going bigger!!! 11a The Esplanade, Whitianga TICKETS: Scare House Tickets on sale at the museum now – $8 each (children 14 & under must be accompanied by an adult). Carnival Fair tickets will be available at the event. WHITIANGA TRICK OR TREAT FRIENDLY HOUSE LIST Keen to be Trick or Treat friendly? Flick us an email or DM on the socials with your address and the time you are happy to have callers. Last opportunity to get on the list… 11.59pm Wednesday 28 October. List published on our socials Friday 30 October 3pm. Printed copies will be available for pick up at Mercury Bay Museum, Coromandel CFM Office and TBC.
FREE FRIDAY SPOOKY HALLOWEEN DISCO & MYSTERY HUNT Tairua Library, 2 Manaia Rd. Friday, 30 October, 5.00pm-8.00pm. (Craft corners and scavenger hunts are also open for drop-ins October 27–31). An after-hours party featuring eerie music, wicked games, a movie screening, crafts, and a slime table. Kids can take part in a Cluedo-style scavenger hunt to solve a Halloween mystery. Costumes are highly encouraged. No bookings required. LIGHT UP THAMES RHODES PARK Saturday, 31 October, starting 5.00pm. This family entertainment event provides a lively alternative celebration on Halloween night.
ADULT HALLOWEEN PARTY: THE RITUAL Monkey House Theatre, Whitianga Saturday, 31 October – 9.00pm till late. This house and drum & bass dance party features themed cocktail menus, roaming characters, and cash prizes for best dressed BUFFALO BEACH CLUB HALLOWEEN PARTY See advert below. THE HOT WATER BEACH TOP 10 HOLIDAY PARK
Celebrates Halloween annually with family-friendly spooky activities. Spooky Costumes; Trick or Treat: Fun candy stations set up around the park; Movie Night: Family-friendly movie screening on-site; Slip ‘n’ Slide: Water slide fun for all ages; Live Music & Entertainment.
HALLOWEEN IS ON AT BUFFALO BEACH CLUB IT’S A HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR ANY AGE DRESS UP FOR THE BEST DRESSED PRIZES STARTS AT 2.00PM Live Halloween Music 4.00pm–7.00pm
SATURDAY, 31ST OCTOBER
BUFFALO BEACH CLUB Right on the beachfront 18 The Esplanade, Whitianga www.buffalobeachclub.bar
BBC is open 12 noon Tuesday to Sunday. Easy food, drink, relaxation and music. www.theinformer.co.nz
The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 21
What’s On OP SHOPS
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop – Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Mon-Sat 10am-2pm. Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre ReUse Store 239 South Highway, Whitianga Open Tues-Sat 9:30am-3:30pm St John Opportunity Shop – 29 Albert St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm and Sat 9.30am-2pm. St Andrew’s Church Op-shop – Owen St, Whitianga. NEW HOURS - 9.30am-1pm Tue-Sat. Social Services Op-shop – 15 Coghill St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-2pm. Donations welcome. SPCA Op-shop – 2 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sun 9am-5pm.
MONTHLY
AA Driver Licensing – NEW LOCATION. Tuesday 27 October, Friday 13 November, Whitianga Community Service Trust Centre, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. American Muscle Street and Custom Club Whitianga – Club meetings first Sunday of the month, 11am at Buffalo Beach Reserve for cars and coffee. Phone Reg and Julie Smith on 027 493 5822. Cooks Beach Garden Circle –Last Thursday of the month 11.15am-2.30pm. New members welcome. Ph Anne on 021 0247 7460 for more information. Craft Group – Meets first Saturday of the month 10am-3pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr, carpark end. Work on your own craft (stitching, colouring in, scrapbook, card making anything goes). Bring your lunch and enjoy mixing with other crafty people. Any queries phone Alison 021 0508 772 or Sally 027 3962 383. Kūaotunu Dune Care – Every third Wed of the month. To get involved, please email kuaotunudunecare@gmail.com. Hauraki U3A (University of the Third Age) – Paeroa Interesting speakers every 3rd Tuesday of the month. All are welcome. Paeroa Baptist Church, 2 Wood St, Paeroa. $10 at door for nonmembers. www.pc.org.nz Hei Mara Garden Club Hahei - We meet on the first Monday of each month at members’ homes, 11am - 2.30pm. New members from Hahei and surrounding areas are welcome. Phone Liz on 021 0649232 for more information. Hospice Waikato’s Bereavement Support Group – Lost a loved one? Join Hospice Waikato’s monthly bereavement support group. Connect over morning tea with others who understand. Held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. 10.30am to 12.00pm at Whitianga Social Services. Registration required. Contact Hospice Waikato to register at 07 859 1260. Mercury Bay Model Railway Club – Monthly meet. Contact. Damon 0273551650 Mercury Bay Shooting Federation – Muzzle loader, rimfire, centre fire, military, pistol. Email mbsfsecretary@gmail.com Ohuka Garden Club meets 2nd Wednesday of the month. New members welcome. Contact Beverley Sheppard Phone 021 09028855 or emailbeverley@annabells.co.nz Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Fourth Monday of every month, 10am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Jo on 021 264 3753. Tairua Market takes place on the 1st Sunday of the month all year at Tairua Bowling Club, 9am till 1pm. Starting 1st Sunday in October until June 2027 (closed for winter). Food, fruit and veges, crafts, clothing, home decor, plants, furniture, books and much more.
FORTNIGHTLY
Greeting Card Making – The second and fourth Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. All materials provided. Contact Rev. Gillian Reid on 021 781 081 or just turn up. Knit for a Purpose – First and third Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. Phone Gillian Reid on 021 781 081 for further details, or just turn up. Mercury Bay Creative Fibre – Spin, knit, weave, crochet. First and third Wednesday
every month, 10am-1pm, supper room of the Town Hall. Phone Sue 021 274 7899 or mail suzyed@outlook.com Mercury Bay Quilters – 10am-4pm on the first and third Mondays and second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Contact Margaret on 021 140 4016. Whitianga Tramping Group – Every second Sunday at 8.30am. Phone Wally 021 907 782 or Lesley 021 157 9979 for more information.
WEEKLY OR MORE
Alcoholics Anonymous – The Whitianga Big Book Group meets every Thursday at 6.30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Church, Dundas Street. Phone 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) for more information. Al-Anon Serenity Group – For those affected by someone else’s drinking. Every Wednesday at 1.30pm. Phone Pauline on 021 086 10955 for more info. Badminton – Whitianga Badminton Club – Thurs 5-7pm, MBAS school gym. Four courts. Now open to new members wanting to play competitive Badminton. Coaching provided for those wanting to improve their skills. Phone Steve for more details 027 211 3568. Boys Brigade – An adventure, activity, and values based ministry for boys. For boys aged 5-13 years old. Tues 5.30-7pm For information contact Robyn 020 409 39674. Chess Club – Monday 6.30-9.30pm, MB Bowling Club. Players of all levels. Cost $2. Contact Brett Soanes 027 2117195 or brettsoanes16@hotmail.com Coroglen Farmers Market every Sunday until Easter at Coroglen Gumtown Hall (SH25), from 9am-1pm. Coffee and Discussion Group – Every Sunday, 2-4pm, at The Lost Spring. Topics are open and respect shown. No charge. Convener Peter H. Wood. Cooks Beach Care Group – Meet new friends, learn about coastal conservation and make a difference. Hands-on weeding and planting, Thursday mornings. Register at:www.cooksbeachcaregroup.org.nz; www.facebook.com/ CooksBeachCareGroup Cooks Beach Indoor Bowling Club Wednesday at 1.45pm. Come and join us at the Community Centre (Hall). New members are most welcome, please contact Coral phone 021 2303944. Cooks Beach Pickleball – Community Tennis Courts, 9am Saturday morning. Weather permitting. Nets and bats provided. $5 each, first time free. Contact Kevin 021 396 062. Coromandel ‘Growers & Artisans Market’ – Every Saturday from 9am - 1pm at The Anglican Church Hall, Coromandel Town. Dog walking group – Every Thurs, 2pm, Lovers Rock, Robinson Road. All breeds and sizes welcome to a very sociable group. Ph Jenny on 021 186 5797. Hahei Contract Bridge Club – Every Tuesday 12.30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Learners and casual welcome. Contact Don Barry 021 741 959 or Robyn Hogg 021 543 015. Hahei Tennis & Pickleball Club - Thursday & Sunday Contact Tim 027 8432683 or refer their facebook page. Meditation Classes –Spiritual, heart, soul development. Sacred energy, chakra activations, working with spiritual guides. Open forum conversation, Thursday, 6.30pm at Flat 1, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga. Cost $10. Contact Verna 027 320 0079, vernajcarr@gmail.com. Mercury Bay Badminton – Every Wednesday 9-11am, at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Social badminton. Casual players and visitors are welcome. Players of all levels, ages 16+. Phone Carol 027 474 7493 for more information. Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club – 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Social Bowls, Thursday & Sunday at 12.30pm, Contact Nirie Reddy 021 292 0197 Mercury Bay Bridge Club – Every Wednesday at 1.00pm and every Thursday at 7.00pm at the MB Bowling and Sports Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. For more information contact Gavin 021 146 9203. Mercury Bay Community Choir – All welcome to this friendly non auditioned choir. Mondays 6pm to 8pm Mercury Bay Area School Music
22 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
If you have an activity or group or the existing information is incorrect, let The Coromandel Informer know. Call 07 866 2090, email info@theinformer.co.nz. Our What’s On page is not guaranteed to run every week as often space is restricted. Consider paying for a classified advert if you want to guarantee your activity runs every week. Room. Start date 10th August. Phone Kate 027 270 9058 for more information. Mercury Bay Environmental Trust – Every Tuesday and Friday from 9-11am, location advised prior. For more information, phone 022 104 1701 please email mbenvironmentaltrust@ gmail.com or go to www.mbet.co.nz. Mercury Bay Golf Club – Twilight golf will commence on Friday 2 October, from 3pm, last card to printed by 5.15pm, must be in by 7pm; Sunday Funday, cards in by 10.30am for an 11am start. $10. Phone 07 866 5479. Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club. Every Thursday evening, Whitianga Town Hall 6.45pm.New members, beginners and visitors very welcome. Phone/txt Cheryl 027 452 7887 or Sandie 021 825 666 for more information. Mercury Bay Pickleball Club – At the Mercury Bay Area School Gymnasium, Tuesdays Members Only League Nights 5.30-7.30pm, Saturdays Social & New Members 9.3011.30am, Sundays All Players 4-6pm. Members, Guests & Visitors $5, a complimentary session is available to local new players wanting to try pickleball – all equipment provided, please wear non marking court shoes. Membership is $20 annually and online application is provided at www.mercurybaypickleball.co.nz . Outdoor sessions are held at Mercury Bay Sport Park which are weather dependant and advised on our facebook page Mercury Bay Pickleball. Matarangi Pickleball Club (Matai Place Courts) Thurs 3-5pm (Winter) 5-7pm (Summer) Saturday 9-11am Contact Grant 022 383 6351. Mercury Bay Squash Club – Lyon Park, Albert Street - New members/enquires please email mercbaysquash@gmail.com Mercury Bay Table Tennis – Every Tuesday, 9-11.30am at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on 07 869 5162 or 027 565 5575 for more info. Mercury Bay Tennis Club – Social tennis at Lyon Park on a Thursday at 5.30pm. All welcome. Ph Jason 022 186 7992 or Carl 027 680 5570. Oneness Meditation Centre – The centre focuses on the meditative art of going deeper within. Learn how to meditate, breath, calm the mind, relieve stress, anxiety and be a calm, peaceful, courageous, dynamic human being. Every Monday, 9.30-11.00am. Further info. text Linda 027 650 4881 or email linda_c@orcon. net.nz Self-defence classes – Town Hall, Tuesday and Wednesday 6-7.30pm. Ph Tony 027 333 5146. Spiritual Conversation Mornings – Every Tuesday and Wed, 10.30am-12pm, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga the Starlight Centre. Grab a coffee and join in some great conversation where we talk about topics and subjects that have meaning. $5 donation. Contact Verna 027 320 0079. Tai Chi for all levels – Town Hall, Mondays 6-7pm. Gold coin donation. Ph Tony 027 333 5146 for more info. Tairua Contract Bridge Club – Every Monday at 12.30pm at the Tairua Bowling Club, 44 Hornsea Rd. Contact Lynnette Flowers 021 252 4709 or Johanna Bonnar 027 466 3726. Whenuakite Area Playgroup – 9.30am12.30pm every Wednesday morning at the Hahei Community Centre. Ages newborn-5years. We invite all parents, carers, visitors and grandparents. Contact whenuakiteareaplaygroup@gmail.com Whitianga Art Group – Every Thursday and Friday 10am-3pm, 23 School Road. Visitors and new members welcome. Phone Margaret on 027 635 1615 for more information. Whitianga Menz Shed – 18 Abrahamson Drive, Open Tuesday and Thursday, 9am-12 noon. Phone Glenn 027 495 2015. All welcome. Whitianga Playcentre – Every Tuesdayand Fri 9am-12 noon, 1F White St. Contact whitianga@ playcentre.org.nz or 027 880 3947. Whitianga Senior Citizens Club – Indoor bowls and card games. Mondays at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk St, 1pm-4pm. Join us for a fun time and afternoon tea, 55+ age group. Phone Lionel Lawrence (president) on 027 274 6964 for more info. Whiti Stitchers – Embroiderers meet every Tuesday 9am start. For more information phone Margaret on 027 7802 744. All levels welcome.
Whitianga Toy Library - Tummy Time sessions for parents/caregivers and babies under 12m. Every Wednesday 9:30am at the toy library Shop 4, Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Members and non-members welcome. Contact librarian@ whititoylibrary.co.nz for more information Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga – Wed 4:30pm-5:30pm, Room 10, Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr. Support to lose weight wisely. Check out our Facebook page or phone Cecily on 027 294 1750 for more information. Yoga for Everyone - Whitianga - beginners, retirees, inflexibles welcome. Monday 2.30pm, Tuesday 2.30pm and 5.15pm, Thursday 4.20pm, Friday 8.45am, Sat 8.15am. Gentle Simple. $25 for a 90 minute session. Text Rosemary 027 448 9326 for info.
DANCING
Argentine Tango Dance Class – Fridays, Town Hall, Whitianga, 5.30-7.30pm. No prior experience or partner necessary. Text Sergio for questions 027 410 2454. Belly Dancing – Contact Catherine Corcoran, 021 210 2438 or smile@catherinecorcoran. com. Weekend classes twice a month at 4pm. Mercury Bay Line Dancing Club – Held in the Whitianga Town Hall. Tuesday beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, Seniors 12.45-2.30pm; Thursdays Seniors 10.15-11.15am, Absolute Beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, Improvers 12.45-1.45pm. Night class held at Whitianga Town Hall for Absolute Beginners 5.25-6.25pm. Contact Margaret 027 463 8850, Glynis 021 1099 155, Kathleen 022 154 1702. Silver Swans Adult Ballet Class – Tuesday weekly 10am to 11.10am $20, Whitianga Town Hall supper room. All ages welcome.Marilyn Swan, experienced professional teacher of Dance.M: 027 336 5263 E; swanebbs@gmail. com Tairua ZUMBA GOLD class – Tuesday weekly 9-10am. Held upstairs in Tairua Fishing & Marine Club. $7. All welcome, contact Theresa 027 5760602. Whitianga Line Dancing Club Classes – Town Hall, Monk St. Absolute Beginners Wednesday 2.00-3.00pm ($5); Beginner/Improver classes Monday 10.30-11.45am, Intermediate classes Wed, 12-1.30pm. $7 per session. Contact Kathy 027 4321 353 or Cecily 027 294 1750. Zumba – Wednesdays at 5.30pm at gym for Zumba and Step Zumba on Mondays at 4.00pm at the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk St.
GROUP INFO
Grey Power Mercury Bay – We are going to have a Christmas lunch 3 December at the Mercury Bay Club. Doors open at 10.30am. Further info please phone Grey Power Mercury Bay 07 866 5516 or email:- greypower. mercurybay@gmail.com. Come and join us for our next get together. Mercury Bay Athletics – For info contact mercurybayathletics@gmail.com Mercury Bay Lions Club – New members are welcome. Email mercurybaylions@gmail.com. Phone Cecily 027 253 3088 or Chrissy 021 177 4226. SeniorNet Whitianga, Inc. – Learn, update your skills using smart phones, etc. in a friendly setting. Call Carol Wood on 021 022 62504 or email Carol on seniornet.whitianga.admin@ gmail.com. Whitianga Bike Park – 144 Moewai Rd, Whitianga. Open 24/7. Many bike tracks available, picnic areas, BBQs and walking trails. Donations welcome on entry. If you wish to volunteer or for programme enquiries, contact Jon Maud 027 366 4606. Whitianga Gun Club – For information, phone 027 495 9477 or 021 276 2169. Whitianga Community Patrol – Monitors the township and neighbourhood. If interested in volunteering, ph Gary 027 391 3043. Whitianga Lions Club – We welcome new members. Dinners first Thursday of every month, 6.00pm at The Mercury Bay Club. Contact John 027 248 0779. Email whitianga@ lionsclub.org.nz
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olbie Fraser is seventeen Email mbvula.amanzi@gmail.com and until the beginning of 2025 she was in Cooks Beach preparing to go to Welsomeone so young. Performing in lington for her post-MBAS college the Party scene’ in front of thoustudies at the New Zealand School sands each day, Harlow thrived • Builders • Plastering of Dance. on stage and says she loved • Painting She is quietly proving that talevery minute of it. She has since • Section Maintenance ent backed by grit goes far. Late returned home full of inspiration • Wallpapering last year almost at the end of her and will continue training under • Fences • Decks first year at the dance school, KolSarah Fitzsimons at Thames bie earned the invitation to a fiveHauraki Dance Theatre where all Maree(Director) week paid professional contract the girls have come from, united Contact Stu Macfarlane WPR Safe as Houses with Rising Ballet Company BIG by their love of dance. swprenos@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 021 914 226 Live, performing Nutcracker proThe Coromandel Peninsula’s ductionsEmail: across Australia. presence in national dance continstu@drainagesystems.co.nz Trailers Tractors House Builds Safe as 0274 571 436 Under directors Joel Burke and ues to grow, with Kolbie training in web:part www.drainagesystems.co.nz Houses 0800 007 366 Khalid Tarabay, of one of the balletBlast and Liarah Anderson – 2nd Garnet & Glass Bead Media highest-selling ballet companies year, Izzy Fitzsimons and Neka in the Southern Hemisphere, Woolf668 - now accepted Contact Rob 027 8470 into the New she completed 45 performances, Zealand School of Dance, first year mbsandblasters@gmail.com dancing five ballet roles, some contemporary programs. Quality Building. Built on Trust. lasting nearly seven minutes, perProudly carrying her CoroRENOVATIONS | EXTENSIONS | NEW BUILDS forming to around 80,000 people. mandel roots into every lesson, She wasThinking also trusted with partner Kolbie’s journey is proof that of building or renovating in the Coromandel? work, which was an honour and big dreams are being built right Your local housemover and From transforming your existing home to building your dream embraced wholeheartedly. here at home. Kolbie has just now foundation SPECIALIST home could from the ground up, the Straightline Builders delivers quality Kolbie hardly believe begun her second year – carrying Kolbie posing infront of The Nutcracker Relocatable promotion in which she featured; house packages for Kolbie with young ballerina Harlow. workmanship, to detail and a personal approach. experience she was attention getting and with her the lessons of life away sale at 5 & 40 Kohunui St, Ngatea being chosen to be part of the nights walking 30 minutes uphill tures, and strict dancer nutrition That resilience and decision to from home and the experience of Your vision. Our workmanship. For all your needs on hurdles, the Hauraki elite ballerinas in the country. after training, soaked by Welling- became unexpected and change her situation, soon turned professional dancing for several Contact today to discuss your next project.by wind, Kolbie made Plains and *Building Site Preparation She knows herBryson achievements ton rain and buffeted the beyond tough call to into opportunity as& itDriveway was after weeks and there will be more to • LBP qualified • House movingand that *Postshe Holeearned Boring *Trenching *Metal to & Topsoil Supplies 021 570about 288 legs tiff@slb.co.nz to this point are not just burning and body exhausted. move, prioritising her health the invitation come! • Houses bought & sold *Section Clearance/Landscaping Well done! hours in the studio. There were Shared houses, different cul- training. dance in Australia • On-site moves • Jacking & rolling Experienced Owner/Operator • Structural moving • Re-piling
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Where to pick up The Coromandel Informer Whangamata Food Market, Whangamata Club, Saskia’s Beauty
www.theinformer.co.nz 16 | The Coromandel Informer – 17 February 2026
Also general stores at Cooks Beach, Hahei, Taruru, Te Puru, Tapu and Colville
The Coromandel Informer – www.theinformer.co.nz 27 October 2026 | 23
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Editorial/News: Contact Pauline Stewart, Editor/owner ph 027 271 6182 info@theinformer.co.nz Advertising/advertorial in The Informer: Phone (07) 866 2090, Email sales@theinformer.co.nz Letters to the Editor: 200 words or less please. Name and town of residence required. Email info@theinformer.co.nz Published weekly. Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula to Waihi. Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication is at the discretion of the Editor. Distribution: 10,500. ISSN 3021-4114 (Print), ISSN 3021-4122 (Online), © 2022 Mercury Bay Informer Ltd
24 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
Newspaper Layout: Debbie Morgan Business Manager & Sales: Emma Gaunt Delivery Managers: Dave Piper & Merv Gregory Writers: Trevor Ammundsen, Jack Biddle, Pam Ferla, Geoff Robinson, Verna Carr
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PETER’S QUIZ ANSWERS
Enquiries: ph 022 1322 061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.org.nz
Trish’s Bible Gems
Answers to quiz 26 on page 18 1) Albert 2) Yes 3) George Washington 4) A railway 5) Whitianga
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PERMANENT CLASSROOM TEACHER
Position: Permanent Classroom Teacher Start Date: Monday 25 January 2027 Whenuakite School is a small rural school seeking a passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated teacher to join our team. We are looking for an educator who is committed to providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences, building positive relationships with tamariki and whanau, and contributing to our supportive and collaborative school environment. Our ideal candidate will be a confident and capable classroom teacher who is adaptable, works well as part of a team and is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of our learners. Key qualifications and attributes • A registered New Zealand teacher with strong classroom teaching practice. • Experience working collaboratively and building positive relationships with students, colleagues and whanau. • An understanding of, or willingness to engage with, our Positive Culture 4 Learning framework. • The ability to articulate and demonstrate your teaching strengths. • A commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and supportive learning environment. • Adaptability, enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute to all aspects of school life. Our priority is finding an excellent teacher who is the right fit for our tamariki, staff and school community. Come and Meet Us! We highly recommend and encourage prospective applicants to visit Whenuakite School to experience our welcoming rural school environment and get a sense of our community and values. To apply, please send your cover letter and CV, including the contact details of three referees, to the Principal at principal@whenuakite.school.nz Applications close: 3pm on Wednesday 4th of November 2026.
PUBLIC NOTICES Effective from 2nd November 2026
Jane Hunter Solicitor Thames Office at “The Old Lodge”
133 Martha Street, Grahamstown, Thames will be open and staffed on Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Cook’s Beach Office at “The Cottage”
970 Purangi Road, Cook’s Beach will have Jane available, by appointment only, on Mondays and Tuesdays For appointments, please phone the Thames Office 07-868-8666 or email office@janehunter.co.nz Jane Hunter mobile 027-2764226
KUAOTUNU KINDERGARTEN
AGM
Monday 16 November, 6.30pm at the Kindergarten All welcome Enquiries/RSVP: admin@kuaotunukindergarten.co.nz
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The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026 | 25
Sports
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Whangamata sport news SPORTS RESULTS
WHANGAMATA LADIES 9-HOLE GOLF TOURNAMENT BY SHAUN FAY They came from everywhere…. Waihi, Tairua, Pukekohe, Walton, Pauanui, Te Aroha, Omanu for the Whangamata Ladies 9-hole tournament, Williamson Course. THE WHANGAMATA CLUB BUSINESS HOUSE TENNIS
It’s back. There are ten teams battling for honours this year and with the handicap system in place for the better teams- any team can win. It’s a light-hearted doubles tournament and stars ‘Serena’s’ from just about every business in town. It is played on a
PICKLEBALL Is this the fastest growing sport in New Zealand? It certainly is expanding at a phenomenal rate even here on the Coromandel. Take Whangamata for example. Gail Gilbertson is the one of the town’s main drivers. “We started in October 2020 on Mondays in the Memorial Hall. Four of us put enough money in to purchase some balls and 2 portable nets. At that time, we were getting from 8 to 12 people along. NOW, 6 years on, our numbers are regularly 18 to 22”. Finding venues however is not easy. For many reasons the Memorial Hall was not the best option
The course was in pristine condition and the weather conditions perfect. For many women golfers, the nine-hole comps are ideal. Some of the players are beginners, perhaps looking to move to 18 holes at some stage and several are coming across from 18-hole golf for various reasons like time and health.
Monday night in two sittings from 5. Bar opens at 6. Two sets of doubles every Monday. Started in 1984, The McKillop Cup is one of the oldest team events in town. The cup features an interesting array of teams like the Fuzzy Balls, Sets on the Beach, Plastered and others. Current holders- The Seasiders are back to defend their title. “It was tough
and the local school offered up their school hall. There’s a cost to that but the $3 weekly charge for players covers it, often with a few dollars left over for the occasional free night. The game is not as physical as tennis; however, it does require
The ladies had a great day with Francis Reid from Tairua taking line honours. Keen to play the game but a little weary of the rules and how good you may be? Contact your local golf club, they’ll happily steer you in the right direction for what is probably the most social sport you can play. last year; it will be even tougher this year. We’re minus 6 before we get out of bed”. Said Team Captain, Shaun Fay. “…this is a great comp. It took me five years to get my own team, but the question is, have we got another year in us? The Whangamata Club Business House Tennis Starts, Monday, November the 2. Barrowclough Road, Spectators welcome.
some quick movements. Recently one gentleman who had ‘played pickleball before on a cruise’ promptly ruptured his Achilles but for the most part it’s a relatively safe sport often favoured by older players. Although tennis legend Andre Agassi is a huge fan. Wanna give it go? Head to the Whanagmata chool, Tuesday Nights at 4.30. All the equipment is provided and children while welcome will need to be aged 14 or up as the ball travels fast and can hurt if you get it in the wrong place. For more information contact Gail Gilbertson 027 284 8530
Astronomy Tours and B&B Phone (07) 866 5343 www.stargazersbb.com STAR and SPACE STATION GAZING IN 2026 – your guide to the night sky Mercury continues to get lower each night in the western dusk sky and is lost by the end of the week just as we lost Venus a few weeks ago. Meanwhile faint and slightly reddish Mars is in the dawn sky just above much brighter Jupiter. Venus just peeks above the same horizon as it moves away from the Sun and becomes the ‘morning star’. Saturn sits high in the sky all night and is a lovely sight in a small telescope or powerful binoculars. There will be several Chinese Tiangong and International Space Station (ISS) passes to view this week but, as usual, timings may change especially towards the end of the week if they have to be moved to avoid space junk. It is always best to check the website heavens-above.com for updated timings.
Tuesday, October 27 – There is a low ISS pass in the SW from 9:40pm and we can watch it ‘turn off’ as it goes into the Earth’s shadow. Wednesday, October 28 – There will be a long ISS pass from the SW at 8:52pm. Friday, October 30 – There will be an early Tiangong pass from 5:20am in the west. Sunday, November 1 – The crescent Moon sits next to the twin heads of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, at dawn. Monday, November 2 – The dawn Moon now lies to the left of faint Mars and bright Jupiter with Venus much lower down. Tuesday, November 3 – The Moon is now directly between Mars and Jupiter at dawn. Wednesday, November 4 – The moon has moved to lie below Jupiter at dawn with Venus much lower down.
26 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
WHANGAMATA GOLF CLUB Club Champs Monday 19 October A perfect day for a final. Sunday at Whangamata Golf Club and it was all tension and pressure as the best of the best fought it out for line honours. It’s always an important event on any golf club’s calendar and Whangamata’s didn’t disappoint. Senior Men – Winner: Andrew Priestley, Runner-up: Rob Peart Intermediate Men – Winner: Paul Mitchell, Runner-up: Brett Glover Junior Men – Winner: Rick Ewart, Runner-up: Dave Barrance Junior B Men – Winner: Roger Lawton, Runner-up: Les Matthews Silver Women – Winner: Jill Agnew, Runner-up: Leanna Hutchinson Bronze 1 Women – Winner: Jacquie Holland, Runner-up: Shelley Leversedge Bronze 2 Women – Winner: Jeanny Cooper; Runner-up: Carolyn Roberts Bronze 3 Women – Winner: Jeannie Wilson; Runner-up: Dianne Tempest
MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB Sunday Funday, Stableford Sunday 18 October Stableford: 1, Levi Szparagowski 42; 2, John East on a countback from El Camino Wade both 39. Men’s 9 hole, Stableford Tuesday 20 October 1, Warren Clark 23; 2=, Chian Ho, Gavin Brinkley & Campbell Elliot all on 22 points. Twos: Warren Clark. 18 hole Women, Yellow Ball Wednesday 21 October 1, Debbie Holmes, Kim Allan & Lynne Butler; 2, Anita Ellmers, Sheree Henderson & Angela. NTP #4 Sheree Henderson. 18 hole Men Gross: (Snr) Mark Boe 72 (Jnr) Mike Franklin 94 Stableford: 1, Greg Farrant on a countback from Alan Henderson both on 38; 3=, Jay Marshall & Matt Sanders both on 37 points. 9 hole Men, Stableford Friday 23 October 1, Campbell Elliot 23; 2=, Bruce Godden, Rodrick Bott & Jack
Coldicutt all on 22. Twilight – Stableford 1, Matty Menzies on a countback Labour Weekend Scramble, Stableford Sat 24 Oct 1, Rowan Virbikas 42; 2, Ken George 41; 3=, Wayne Kearney, Alan Coubray, Diane Eccles. Twos: Diane Eccles, Rowan Virbikas, Nathan Wilson, Bruce Bell & Cameron Goodger.
TAIRUA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 9 Hole Stableford Thursday 1 October 1, Carolyn Williams, 25; 2, Joyce Birdsall, 21; 3, Ruth Crossman, 21; 4, Jan Stanley, 19. 18 Hole Stableford 1, Jenny Tawa, 43; 2, Brian Fellows, 41; 3, Connie Graham, 41; 4, Gabrielle Tucker, 41. 9 Hole Putting Tues 6 Oct Div 1: 1, Robyn Hayward, 13; 2, Norman Hammond, 13; 3, Gabrielle Tucker, 14; 4, Brian Fellows, 16; 5, Dennis Rundle, 16; 6, Michael McCann, 16. Div 2: 1, Kay van Lubeck, 14; 2, Jan Stanley, 16; 3, Joyce Birdsall, 17. 9 hole Stableford Thur 8 Oct 1, Carolyn Williams, 20; 2, Susan McDonnell, 20; 3, Norman Hammond, 19; 4, Ruth Crossman, 19. 18 hole Stableford Net Shootout 1, Brian Fellows, 40; 2, Terry Kingham, 40; 3, Connie Graham, 39; 4, Fiona Caldwell, 39. 18 hole Stableford Sat 10 Oct 1, Ken Edwards, 43; 2, Ross Reid, 38; 3, Andrew Stokes, 38; 4, Rick Tawa, 37; 5,Tony Anderson, 37. 9 hole Stableford Tue 13 Oct 1, Sue Poland, 25; 2, Anna McGuire, 24; 3, Ros Rundle, 22; 4, Kay van Lubeck, 22. 9 hole Stableford Thur 15 Oct 1, Jan Stanley, 21; 2, Anna McGuire, 19; 3, Susan McDonnell, 18; 4, Jim Bell, 17. 18 hole Meat Pack Stableford 1, Paul Hodgman, 37; 2, John Reid, 37; 3, Deun Prachachot, 34; 4, John Fraser, 34. 18 hole Net Shootout Sat 17 Oct Div 1: 1, John Fraser, 72; 2, Maree Jamieson, 72; 3, Warwick Rogers, 72; 4, Geoff Cambie, 73. Div 2: 1, Phil Smith, 69; 2, Connie Graham, 70; 3, Rick Tawa, 72; 4, Brian Cole, 75.
Mercury Bay – the sun, the moon and the tides
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
Friday 30 October
Saturday 31 October
Sun: Rise 6:17am Set 7:45pm
Sun: Rise 6:15am Set 7:46pm
Sun: Rise 6:14am Set 7:47pm
Sun: Rise 6:13am Set 7:48pm
Moon: Set 7:02am Rise 10:26pm
Moon: Set 7:52am Rise 11:37pm
Moon: Set 8:53am
Moon: Rise 12:39am Set 10:02am
High Tides:9:17am 9:33pm
High Tides:10:06am 10:24pm
High Tides:10:58am 11:16pm
High Tides:11:51am
HOT WATER Low Tides:2:41am 3:05pm BEACH
HOT WATER Low Tides:3:29am 3:56pm BEACH
HOT WATER Low Tides:4:19am 4:49pm BEACH
Sunday 1 November
Monday 2 November
Tuesday 3 November
Sun: Rise 6:12am Set 7:49pm
Sun: Rise 6:11am Set 7:50pm
Sun: Rise 6:10am Set 7:51pm
Moon: Rise 1:31am Set 11:15am
Moon: Rise 2:12am Set 12:28pm
Moon: Rise 2:47am Set 1:38pm
High Tides:12:11am 12:47pm High Tides:1:08am 1:45pm HOT HOT WATER Low Tides:6:02am 6:41pm WATER Low Tides:6:57am 7:40pm BEACH BEACH
High Tides:2:08am 2:44pm HOT WATER Low Tides:7:56am 8:40pm BEACH
HOT WATER Low Tides:5:09am 5:44pm BEACH
THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS Sponsor the tides column
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Sports
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THE DUNES GOLF CLUB MATARANGI 9 hole Mixed Twilight, Stableford Sunday 18 October 1, Maree Cabaret 24; 2, Reuben Mathias 23; 3, Lance Croawell 21 9 Hole Men’s Yellow Tees, Stableford Monday 19 October 1, Lance Croawell on count back 19; 2, Rey Bertling 19; 3, Ray Green 19 9 hole Women’s, Stableford Tues 20 Oct 1, Ruth Fisken 20; 2, Glenys Wilson 18; 3, Joanne Nicholson 18 hole Men’s Yellow Ball Wed 21 Oct 1, Wally Hayes 39; 2, Ross Johnson on count back 37; 3, Glenn LeLievre 37 Winning Yellow Ball Team: Glenn LeLievre, Rowan Toms, Doug Smith, Geoffrey Hill Twos: Geoffrey Hill #18 NTP #18: Tony Joblin 9 Hole Men’s 2-Man Ambrose Nett Thursday 22 October 1, Noel Rogers and Mark Deutsch; 2, Robert Fisken and Rey Bertling NTP #18: Mark Rae 18 Hole Ladies 3 Blind Mice 1, Chrissie Smith; 2, Polly Lambert; 3, Marie Dunn Pro Drive Open Sat 24 Oct Best Gross Men’s: Grant Smallwood 78 Best Gross Ladies: Allison Drake-Wells 83
Mixed Stableford 1, Tina Gunn from Howick G.C 42; 2, Treena Harrison 40; 3, Cathy Drake-Wells 40 Combined Team event Best 3 of 4 Stableford 1, Treena Harrison, Paul Harrison, Tina Gunn, Mitchell O’Donnell 123 NTP #18: David Gaskell & Sandra Schulze
TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB 3rd Round Digger’s Creek Mon 19 Oct North/South: 1, Jocelyn Taylor & Christine Meinhold 63.69; 2, Josie Feasey & Doreen Wernham 58.63; 3, Jean Myles & Peter Clark 54.17. East/West: 1, Robyn Waters & David Wilkinson 60.12; 2, Johanna Bonnar & Peter McNeil 57.14; 3, Carol & Ron Baker 55.95. HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB Week 3 of the Handicap Pairs Tuesday 20 October North/South: 1, Jean Myles and Denise Knutson 65.46%; 2, Dave Dylla and Angela Butterworth 54.09%; 3, Peter Clark and Ngaire O’Brien 52.17% East/West: 1, Peter Hogg and Robyn Waters 55.90%; 2, Bev Dickie and Leigh Hughes 55.72%; 3, Anne Knowles and Ann Scott 48.58%
The Dunes PGA Pro Am T
he Dunes Matarangi was filled with excitement and great golfing spirit as 96 amateur golfers and 32 PGA professionals came together for the 2026 Dunes PGA Pro Am. It was a fantastic day, bringing together our sponsors, PGA professionals, members and visiting players to celebrate a shared love of golf and our wider golfing community. A special congratulations goes to PGA professional Quinton Thompson, who took home the win with an outstanding round of 68, setting a new course record in the process. It was even more special as Quinton secured his first professional win, making it a memorable day for him and everyone who was there to witness it. Congratulations also to the winning team: Debbie Graham from The Dunes, Tony Maxwell and Soyoung Maxwell from Royal Auckland and The Grange, alongside PGA professional Jerry Ren. The team finished with an impressive score of 94 points. The success of an event like this would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to our Platinum sponsor, Pet-n-Sur, and our Gold sponsors, MINO Ltd and Pro Drive Golf. We are incredibly grateful for your support and contribution to making the event such a success. Pro Drive Golf pro-
vided a fantastic prize table, which was a real highlight for the players, with plenty of happy winners at the end of the day. The course looked magnificent, and we received so many compliments on its condition. A huge thank you to our greenkeeping team for all the hard work and care that went into preparing for the course. The positive feedback was a real credit to their efforts, and something the whole team can be proud of. Behind the scenes, many people put in time and effort to help make the event such a success. A big thank you to our Golf Committee, volunteers and the entire Dunes team for all the work that went into preparing for and delivering the day. We would also like to thank everyone who kindly opened their homes and billeted the PGA professionals. Your hospitality was greatly appreciated and helped make the weekend extra special. To all the players and PGA professionals who travelled from near and far to be part of the event, thank you for joining us and helping create such a fantastic atmosphere. Events like this are a wonderful reminder of what makes The Dunes special - the people, the support of our community, and the opportunity to bring everyone together through golf. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event such a memorable occasion and proud of what we achieved together.
MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS 23 players this week so 501 doubles were played. Only one team went through unbeaten in all three sets and they were Mike Gillett & Fran Montague. Highest finish for the ladies was 51, scored by Chris Bennett. Highest finish for the men was 106, scored by Rex Donaldson. No 180’s scored this week. New players welcome. Register by 6.15pm on Tuesday’s at the Mercury Bay Club. MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER Wednesday 21 October A great turn-out of players this week with Bob Haase being the only player who sur-
vived section-play with three wins to take the top prize. Those with 2 wins each were Greg Murphy, Peter Challis, Doug Pascoe, Ken Gibson and Dave Colman. Dave also hit paydirt in the High Break Jackpot with an excellent break of 34. Saturday 24 October Four players came through section-play with 2 wins each out of 3 games. The playoff semi-finals saw comfortable wins by Peter Schultz over Greg Murphy and Bob Haase over Phil Jones respectively. The final saw a great fightback by Bob from 33 points to 7 down to a black ball finish which Peter dispatched with a fine cut shot to the middle pocket to take the prizemoney. The Malcolm Beehre Memorial Trophy Drawn Pairs A pairs competition was introduced to the snooker programme this year with the inaugural Malcolm Beehre Memorial Trophy up for grabs. Malcolm played a significant part in setting up the Mercury Bay Snooker Club with the supply and maintenance of tables and equipment. The final played over 5 frames was concluded recently with Ken Gibson and Bob Haase up against octogenarians Peter Schultz and Peter Challis. It was the “younger” pairing of Ken and Bob who took the title 3-1 in a tightly contested match.
w
Oct‘26
October 2026
BY NICKY FANNING, GOLF OPERATIONS MANAGER
MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB Championship Singles R7 Wednesday 21 October North/South: 1, Susan Swan & Bob Schibli 59.2; 2, Gavin Hedwig & Robyn Hogg 54.5; 3=, Kate Palmano & Pete Hogg, Don Barry & Giorgio Allemano 52.4 East/West: 1, Dave Dylla & Anne Knowles 59.8; 2, Alison Tichbon & Jenny Layton 55.4; 3, Amy Hyde & Geoff Jervis 54.2 Centennial Pairs R1 Thur 22 Oct 1, Alan Drew & Angela Cook 58.8; 2, Amy Hyde & Geoff Jervis 56.3; 3, Pat Doube & Ischelle Stevenson 50.0
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We stock International & Altex antifoul & marine paints, Propspeed, anodes, resin, fibreglass, TruDesign plumbing fittings and so much more!
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28 | The Coromandel Informer – 27 October 2026
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