A lovely blast into the past - Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 - The Mercury Bay Informer
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Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 7,750
A lovely blast into the past
A contribution by Whitianga resident, Dorothy Preece
Early last week, I received an email from a
name I didn’t recognise. The subject line was
“Endurance.” Unable to resist my curiosity,
I opened the email. The message read,
“Are you the same Dorothy Preece, wife of
sailing skipper Derek Preece of the yacht
Hibiscus 111?”
My reply, “The same. Where did we meet?”
The answer, “My name is John Pritchett.
You rescued me from shipwreck in the
Solomons in 1984.”
In July 1984, Hibiscus 111 was approaching
Graciosa Bay in the Solomon Islands to check
in with Immigration. On board with me were
my husband, Derek (now deceased), and
our daughter Lesley, aged 11, and crewman
Graham. We had sailed up from Vanuatu,
through the remote Banks Islands chain,
and after a couple of weeks at sea our stores
were running low. The government office
at Graciosa Bay is just a remote outpost,
and we knew there would be no stores
available there.
As we approached, we saw a yacht that
appeared to be “dressed” with flags in the
rigging. Closer, we saw that those “flags”
were remnants of sails. We came up to the
aptly-named Endurance and saw the wrecked
bowsprit hanging over the side and rigging
trailing in the water. Two men were on deck.
“Can we give you a tow?” we asked.
One young man looked shell-shocked and
said nothing. The other, older man used
language not suitable to print, which roughly
translated to, “No thanks, please leave.”
Photo on the left - Derek (now deceased) and Dorothy Preece. Photo on the right - John Pritchett.
At the government office we reported the
yacht drifting outside the bay. Later that several other young Americans had answered point it could not be used. Then the skipper, buns, but flour is getting low.” “Lesley is
day, the officer asked if we could take a an advertisement for crew. “Sail from navigating by sextant, declared, “We’re lost.” 12 today.” “Made scones with the last of
couple of people from the stranded boat into Vanuatu to Fiji, share expenses, no experience Stores ran out. The inexperienced crew the sultanas.” “Used the last of the steak,
Honiara. We explained our lack of provisions, necessary,” the advertisement said. were forced to get over the side in the open made portions for four stretch to seven.”
but agreed to take two people. On arrival in Vila, Vanuatu, they had to club ocean with spear guns to catch fish. Finally As they began to relax, and take in their
The next morning, three men arrived together to pay debts and release Endurance they hit a storm and the bulwarks and new environment, the three began to admire
in a government boat. The third pleaded from the government compound. The skipper rigging let go. All they could do was to drift, Hibiscus 111 and the competency of her
desperately to be taken aboard. “I’ll give was broke. There was no food on board and at the mercy of the wind and currents, skipper, especially when they realised Derek
you my ring and gold necklace,” he said. the crew had to buy that too. So much for and eventually they washed up near Graciosa had built the yacht.
“Strap me to the mast. I won’t eat anything.” “share expenses.” Things went from bad to Bay in the Solomons. Their destination was In his email exchanges with me during
His name was John Pritchett. worse. The skipper proved to have a violent supposed to be Suva, Fiji. By this time the the course of last week, John Pritchett has
We made makeshift berths for the men. temper and there were many problems with skipper had lost it completely and the crew reiterated his thankfulness, to have been “…
The three said almost nothing for a couple of the ship’s gear. were frightened for their lives. taken aboard a well-found yacht with such
days as we sailed towards Honiara. Then they The water on board was bad, the fridge From then on, the ship’s log on Hibiscus 111 a happy crew.” For me, this has all been a
began to tell us a terrifying story. They and didn’t work and the engine leaked oil to the centred around food. “[Dorothy] is making lovely blast into the past.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Blessing marks the start of work on historic
carving project at Mercury Bay Area School
By Gillian O’Neill
A significant step in a long journey to help as the cultural and spiritual significance of October 2019. story so you know what is happening and
reconnect Mercury Bay Area School with having our indigenous history represented in Tuesday’s karakia saw Ngāti Hei kaumātua, you can be part of it.” He said the overriding
Whitianga’s history took place on Tuesday our whare, we will be documenting the entire Joe Davis, bless the building and the project message being conveyed during the blessing
last week with the blessing of a special new process so it can be used as an authentic and while Year 9 student, Tayejhan George- delivered in re reo was one of unity and
creative space. learning resource for our school now and into Waterhouse, also delivered a prayer officially people coming together as one.
Three ordinary looking shipping containers the future.” welcoming the carver and his family into James Webster said he was excited to finally
have now become home to an extraordinary The project has been funded by the the school. be able to begin creating this piece of work
legacy project that has already been several Department of Internal affairs as part of “This day has been a long time in the to help inform and educate. “It will certainly
years in the making and is likely to take the Tuia 250 commemorations which making,” Matua Joe told the students. stand out,” he promised. “And I hope that
several more to complete. Noting that the were officially marked in Mercury Bay in “You are all here today to see the start of this people will ask questions and that you guys
school’s original wharenui - or central meeting will be able to share the stories of Ngāti Hei
place - spoke little of the stories of Mercury and the people who lived on this land. I want
Bay/Te Whanganui-o-Hei or its people, this to be a place where you feel free to come
the Board of Trustees, staff and students, and learn. You are welcome to come and see
along with Ngāti Hei, undertook to change what we are working on, to talk about what
that in a way that would be both educational we are doing and to ask questions.”
and culturally significant while having a In the final part of the blessing, each student,
visual presence. along with teachers and visitors, were invited
Master carver, James Webster, has been to come forward and touch the building to
commissioned to design and create a number give life to the project and keep it safe.
of carvings which will eventually become part The carvings James will create have been
of the whare, depicting the school’s identity inspired by a pātere - a chant that describes
within the landscape of Te Whanganui-o- a journey or an event - which he co-created
Hei and inspiring future learners and visitors at MBAS 11 years ago as part of an artistic
to learn more about the people, iwi culture programme he was involved in.
and history of our local area. Not only that, “That pātere speaks about the flight of the
but James will carry out his unique work tītī (mutton bird) which we could see out over
in the new specially created home on the Ohinau Island, one of the islands off our coast
school grounds where students, teachers and here, diving into our waters and then flying
visitors will be able to observe and engage in over all our prominent land formations,”
the process. James said. “That’s what formed the narrative
“Particularly since Tuia 250 last year, for the carvings.”
our school has been on a very important James said working onsite at the school
learning journey to discover more about our and having the involvement of the children
past and who we are,” said MBAS principal, is a new challenge. “We are always learning,
John Wright. “We are so excited that this Ngāti Hei kaumātua, Joe Davis (left), leading the students at Mercury Bay Area School as they and involving and engaging the community
project is finally getting underway. As well take part in the blessing of the new workshop for master carver, James Webster (right). is an important part of this project,” he said.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 12 August to Wednesday, 19 August - Elon Musk’s SpaceX has had a very busy week last week with the successful recovery
of two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). A huge first for any non-governmental institution worldwide. Then on Friday, it launched
another 57 Starlink satellites on one rocket, bringing the total to 595 in orbit. These might be visible in the early evening sky as a “string of pearls” slowly
moving across the sky. Musk is finally trying to make them less visible… black paint didn’t seem to work on one, so the latest batch has a sunshield each
to stop solar reflections. Time will tell if this idea works.
Friday, 14 August - The crescent Moon lies just below the red giant star, Aldebaran, and above and to the left of Venus in the early morning.
Saturday, 15 August - The early morning sky has the Moon sitting just above and to the left of brilliant Venus. Astronomy Tours and B&B
Sunday, 16 August - The Moon now lies just below Venus in the morning sky. Phone (07) 866 5343
Tuesday, 18 August - The ISS will be visible tonight from 7:14pm in the NW as it moves towards Jupiter before disappearing into the Earth’s shadow.
Wednesday, 19 August - The ISS will again be visible from 6:26pm in the NNW as it moves low towards the east just above the horizon. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020
Police community consultation
meeting in Whitianga
By Stephan Bosman
Acting Inspector Rupert Friend, Senior Sergeant Peter van de Wetering and Senior Sergeant Christina
Shaw of the Waikato East Police District hosted a meeting focusing on policing in the local community in
the Whitianga Town Hall on Friday evening last week. The meeting was attended by approximately 100
Mercury Bay residents.
Inspector Friend initially provided an overview of the functions of the New Zealand Police and their vision
of making New Zealand the safest country on earth. “The goal isn’t that far-fetched,” he said. “At the
moment we’re in second place, only Norway is ahead of us.”
He also emphasised the Police’s reliance on partnerships with local communities to prevent crime.
“We need people to be our eyes and ears,” he said. “And where a crime has been committed, we need
the community to come forward and provide us with evidence that will enable us to bring charges.
Without evidence, our hands are tied.”
The meeting quickly moved on to crime in Whitianga and, as can be expected, the highest number
of incidents requiring Police attendance occurs during January and December each year. “That’s
simply because of the number of people in the area over the summer holidays,” Inspector Friend said.
An overhead projector slide showed that the Police were called to a third more incidents in December last
year than in June last year.
A slide with the breakdown of incidents the Police were called to between June 2017 and January 2020
indicated that unlawful entry, burglaries and theft made up 80 percent of incidents. Acts intended to cause
injury represented 17 percent of the total, with other serious crimes (including sexual assault) making up
the remaining three percent.
A telling slide showed a Whitianga street map with squares at areas where burglaries and vehicle crimes
were committed the past six months. “What this image really says is that Whitianga is one of the safest
towns in the East Waikato District,” Inspector Friend said. “Most other towns you can’t even work out
which town is displayed on the slide as there are squares everywhere.”
A slide indicating Police call-outs to family harm (domestic violence) incidents between January 2018 and
June this year indicated that the number of incidents is on the rise. Inspector Friend said that’s it’s not
dissimilar to what’s happening across New Zealand, in all probability because victims are more inclined
to report incidents than before. In the case of Whitianga, the growth in population may also have a role
to play.
On a question form the audience, Inspector Friend confirmed that there are approximately 20 members
of the Police stationed on the Coromandel north of Thames, with the biggest number of officers based in
Whitianga. “There may be times when only one officer is on duty in Whitianga,” Inspector Friend said. “That
doesn’t mean they’re all alone, however. Back-up, locally and from other towns, are always available.”
When the issue of drug activity came up, Inspector Friend said there’s no indication that Whitianga is worse
affected than other areas of New Zealand. He reiterated that if people are concerned about something
they witnessed or were made aware of, they please must contact the Police and provide evidence
where possible.
The recent gang activity in Whitianga was also raised. Inspector Friend said that people must understand
the Police’s hands are tied when gang members wear patches. “They are in their legal right to do so,”
he said. “We can only act when they resort to acts of intimidation, violence and other crime. After some
of the gang members who moved to Whitianga were involved in incidents that gave us cause to arrest
them, the entire gang was gone within a week or so. Our experience is that gangs, and drug dealers also,
don’t last in small towns if they know the community is watching them.”
699 - 11
Issue 910 27 August
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Photographers focus on negative space for July challenge The topic challenge for July for the members of the Whitianga Photographic Club was with her coloured pencil (pictured on the left). “Negative Space.” The open challenge for July was hotly contested with many stunning images in contention for Negative space is the area surrounding the main subject in a photograph which is left the honours. In the end, Lia Priemus won the vote with her “Blade Runner” image (on the right). unoccupied. Put simply, it is the space around the object itself that helps define the positive The club also held a Monochrome workshop during July with acclaimed photographer, space or the main focus of the shot. When used creatively together, negative and positive space Scott Fowler. Building on this, Monochrome provides the theme of the club’s topic challenge for communicate the composition of a photograph. The winner of the challenge was Anne Thurgood August and Scott will be judging the entries. Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020
11 Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Whitianga Scallop & Seafood
Week is coming!
While the Whitianga Scallop Festival takes a COVID-19 enforced break in 2020, lovers of the
delicious delicacy will still be able to get their fill as eateries across Mercury Bay come together
to celebrate the scallop in all its glory.
The “Whitianga Scallop & Seafood Week” will run from 12 to 20 September with around 10
local restaurants, cafés and takeaways already cooking up some wonderful menu ideas to
showcase not just our famous scallops, but all the beautiful kai moana that the Coromandel is
renowned for.
Organiser, Terry Bibby (pictured) of Esplanade Apartments, says Whitianga is the scallop capital
of New Zealand and the Whitianga Scallop & Seafood Week will ensure the great momentum
that has been built up by the organisers of the Scallop Festival continues. A similar event took
place two years ago when the festival did not take place due to construction work on the
Whitianga town centre upgrade.
Participating businesses, so far, include Espy Café, Harbour House Café, Saby's Kitchen,
Grace O'Malleys Irish Inn, Stoked, Sangam Indian Cuisine, Mercury Bay Estate, Buffalo Beach
Takeaways, Snapper Jacks and Whitianga Takeaways & Fresh Fish.
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020
Drone pilot training a focus for
local aviation expert
By Suzanne Hansen
Whitianga businessman and Coastguard Steve then moved into flight operations and a wealth manager for Kiwibank, was asked to Force pilot, Michael Read, and New Zealand
stalwart, Steve Kingsbury, has over 45 years management working out of Wellington and relocate from Wellington to the Coromandel, pilot, Beven Lewell, Steve says their goal
of aviation experience. Christchurch in roles ranging from smaller the couple took the opportunity to move in is to use their collective range of aviation
Flying since 1975, Steve earned his airlines to Air New Zealand and Ansett New search of warmer weather and Steve made experiences to proactively increase the level of
private pilot’s license at the age of 17 and his Zealand, and later Qantas New Zealand. the decision to focus full-time on growing safety and compliance of the rapidly growing
commercial pilot’s license at 19. His initial In 1998, he began what was initially a “side Flight Test NZ. Now running for 21 years, drone market through helping pilots gain the
gigs as a commercial pilot were in charter business” called Flight Test NZ, an aviation the business has four main areas of operations, CAA-approved Remotely Piloted Aircraft
flying and aerial photography out of Rotorua, training organisation with a focus on Civil including training drone pilots for the last System (RPAS) certification.
moving to commuter flying out of Whakatane Aviation Authority (CAA) testing and seven years. Steve estimates that there are roughly 80,000
until 1983 when an eyesight condition certification of pilots. Steve says he saw the emerging drone drones in New Zealand, and there is nothing
medically ruled him out of flying. In 2011, when Steve’s wife, Wendy, industry as a market which was light in rules currently stopping a person in the country from
compared to other countries, and in need of buying a drone and flying it commercially.
some direction and structure. He thought that Steve says drone pilots need an understanding
Flight Test NZ was well-placed to fill that gap of airspace rules because they are sharing that
in the market. The company first launched in- space with between 5,000 and 6,000 other
class courses aimed at both commercial and aircraft, all of which must operate within strict
hobbyist users of drones, educating them on the training and certification regulations.
same principles, rules and regulations which Although a drone pilot can see other aircraft,
are followed by the New Zealand aviation a manned aircraft pilot normally cannot see a
industry for the safe sharing of airspace. drone. A small, lightweight drone still has
Steve found many drone pilots were hard components and can easily go through
unaware of the rules. There was strong interest the windscreen of a smaller aircraft or cause
in the courses, mostly from commercial drone havoc for larger airliners. While there has not
pilots working in areas such as construction, yet been a serious accident with an aircraft in
surveying, aerial photography, policing and New Zealand, according to Steve the risk of
coastal management. this increases as more and more drones take
Over the years, as applications for drones to the air.
multiplied, Steve saw the need for flexibility Steve says for Mercury Bay drone pilots,
in order to capture hobbyist pilots and those suitable training is incredibly relevant. If they
in smaller towns. So emerged the online have not completed a CAA approved course,
e-learning site, “Drone Trust,” which enables they legally cannot fly their drone within four
those taking the courses to self-train in their kilometers of any airport or heliport unless
A group of drone pilots taking part in a training course run by Whitianga resident, own time and at a lower cost. shielded. This prohibits flying a drone over
Steve Kingsbury’s company, Flight Test NZ. Partnering with former Royal Australian Air most of Whitianga.
Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Creative Coromandel welcomes new patrons
Renowned Otama artist, Michael Smither, with Michael, screen printing and painting.”
and his partner, G’ian McGregor, have been She is currently working on an art series
welcomed as the new patrons of the He Mana entitled “Longitudes,” featuring tall stacked
Toi Moehau Trust/Creative Coromandel. blocks of colour and plans to exhibit at
Both Michael and G’ian are firmly Hauraki House in Coromandel Town towards
entrenched in their artistic practices and the end of the year.
have worked hard in the last 20 years to link Michael has just completed a co-exhibition
the two sides of the Coromandel Peninsula at Miranda Farm Gallery with sculptor,
together using the arts. They also advocate Warren Viscoe, called “Two Masters.”
for the environment describing themselves as He says the bizarre period of time spent in
“proud greenies” and kaitiaki (guardians) of the COVID-19 lockdown was a challenge
the natural environment. for him. “There was a lot of fear around,
Jan Wright, chair of the He Mana Toi you could feel it in the air,” he says.
Moehau Trust, says the organisation is “Normally I would manage to bypass it, but
thrilled to have Michael and G’ian on board. I found it really difficult, this sense of fear.
“Not only is Michael one of the most So I just worked, got the paints out every day
accomplished artists in Aotearoa, but he and and worked.”
G’ian live and breathe the arts,” she says. Michael and G’ian are enthusiastic about
“They have always been and continue to be
their new roles as Creative Coromandel
staunch advocates of the arts, and their positive
patrons, citing the need for more artist-driven
influence on emerging and established artists
events and initiatives. “We are interested in
is astounding. We are absolutely honoured to
encouraging an approach to the arts on the
have them as our patrons.”
Residing in Otama Beach since 1995, Coromandel Peninsula that is driven by the
Michael and G’ian have built a “beautiful artists,” says G’ian. “It takes a lot of courage
nest of creativity” in the picturesque spot. to present your idea, it takes guts.”
For Michael, beaches have always been an Michael and G’ian will host a visit to
attractive place to set up home. He spent their studio in the near future for mentors
considerable time at coastal locations in and mentees from Creative Coromandel’s
his home region of Taranaki, doing beach artist mentoring programme, “pARTner
restoration work and finding inspiration for Up,” which aims to connect creatives with
his artworks. experienced artist mentors to offer support
G’ian is currently singing in the Mercury and knowledge.
Bay Community Choir and has been involved “My idea of art is probably quite different
in creative expression her whole life. “I’ve from most people’s really,” says Michael.
had broad participation in the arts, I don’t “I believe in art being something that lifts
think there’s any aspect of the arts I haven’t you, inspires you, that you live with and enjoy
taken part in,” she says. “My main instrument for the rest of your life, not something that is
is my voice and I’m a photographer. I’ve also temporary.” His advice to new and emerging Michael Smither and G’ian McGregor, the new patrons of the
done dance, filmmaking and, since living artists is, “Don’t give up. Keep working.” He Mana Toi Moehau Trust/Creative Coromandel.
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020
Issue 910
699 - 11
27 August
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Students hoping to taste success with
honey business
By Gillian O’Neill
An ambitious group of Mercury Bay Area which means we didn’t need to have a large
School students are hoping a sweet idea amount of money up front.” She says being
will have them tasting success to the tune across the finances was a demanding and
of $10,000. busy job, but she felt was learning a lot from
For their Year 12 Business Studies the process.
assessment, the group will source and sell Collectively, the students agree the biggest
locally made Coromandel honey and are lesson they learned was how much is involved
confident their concept will impress not only in running a business. “We’ve been working
potential customers, but also their teacher when on this for around 12 weeks, we have three
he comes to handing out their grades. Not only Business Studies classes each week and all
that, but their product will be supplied through our time is spent on planning what we need
the school’s beekeeping course which started to do next,” says Megha Ranna, who looks
a few years ago and any money raised will be after marketing.
invested in expanding the programme so more The beekeeping course is an optional
students can take part. programme that is offered at MBAS. As such
“Our goal is to sell 2,000 jars of honey,” there are additional costs involved. “The idea
says one of the mini-company’s two CEO’s, is that this money will be used to cover those
Ibuki Nishida. “If we do that, we will raise costs for future students who are interested
$10,000 in profit. We are confident we in this course so more people will have the
can achieve it.” opportunity to take part,” says Ibuki.
The team have had to develop a full business The Business Study students say they want
plan, which includes a clever strategy to engage to make sure everyone in the community
the schools’ students and staff as unofficial sales who would like to purchase the honey can
agents. “We have created a competition that The group of Mercury Bay Area School Business Studies students involved in a do so, whether or not they know someone at
will run for two weeks with prizes for whoever project to raise money for the school’s beekeeping course. the school.
Back - CEOs Louisa Murie (left) and Ibuki Nishida. Front, from the left - Jane Choi
sells the most jars,” says Louisa Murie, “People can order by emailing
(operations manager), Megha Rana (marketing manager) and Fenella Skelton (finance manager).
the other CEO. “There will be individual prizes honeybiz@mbas.ac.nz,” says Louisa. “We
and class prizes, which we hope will provide their honey.” Finance manager, Fenella Skelton, says being will also have some extra jars at the stall so,
everyone with good motivation. The students The honey will sell for $12 per 500g jar able pay only for what they sell was a crucial even if people haven’t ordered, they can stop by
will have order forms that they can email to with two available for $20 and three for $27. element of the group’s plan. “So while we are and purchase some.” The honey sales will run
us letting us know how many jars they would “This is local Coromandel honey, produced hoping to sell 2,000 jars, we don’t have to pay for two weeks from 17 August to 4 September
like. We will then have a stall out the front by local kids for the local community - for those all at once. The beekeeping students with the stall open from 3:15pm to 3:45pm on
of the school on Mondays, Wednesdays and that’s essentially our tagline, we think people will give us the honey in advance and we will Mondays and Fridays, and 2:15pm to 2:45pm
Fridays where people can collect and pay for will really like that idea,” says Ibuki. only need to pay for it once we have sold it, on Wednesdays.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020Fourteenth “Support Local/
Buy Local” winner drawn
Congratulations to Valace Martin, the 14th winner in The Informer’s “Support Local/Buy Local” campaign.
Valace’s entry was drawn on Friday last week by Mark Milmine (pictured) of Coromandel Life:Style Centre
in Whitianga.
During the campaign, which will continue until the end of next month, we’re giving away $100 every
week to someone who supported a local Mercury Bay business. The prize has to be spent with an
Informer advertiser.
Valace’s winning purchase was made at Fagans Furniture, Beds & Homewares in Whitianga.
The campaign started in the second week of May. In the first week of October, all entries received during
the 22 weeks of the campaign will go into a second draw, where the winner will win $1,000 to spend with
one or more of our advertisers.
Every now again, the weekly winner also receives an additional prize, provided by a generous local busines.
Next week’s winner will receive, in addition to $100 from us, a $100 voucher from You Travel Whitianga.
To enter is easy. Simply email us proof - in the form of invoices or receipts - of your local purchases,
or drop your invoices or receipts into the blue bin on the front porch of our office in Whitianga or in the
many “Support Local/Buy Local” counter boxes around Mercury Bay.
Please write your name, surname and phone number on all your entries.
The philosophy behind the campaign is simple - the more you buy local, the better chance you have
of winning.
Local businesses need our support more than ever. Make sure to check out our “Support Local/Buy Local”
video on YouTube, featuring a well-known local family (search for “Informer Support Local/Buy Local”).
Remember, when you buy local, you show that you love where you live.
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Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11The Small-time Investor New classroom ready to
go at Whenuakite School
By Whitianga resident, Max Ross
My third investment - Smartpay
So far, after two weeks, my investment in Another area that I think is going to do well
Fisher and Paykel Healthcare went down 0.25 into the future is payments. I think the world
percent and my investment in Mainfreight is moving away from cash. I think Eftpos is
went up 9.64 percent. I am currently ahead here to stay and I think a smaller company
4.75 percent. I like it when my shares go up may be more agile and able to adapt to the
and it’s hard when they go down. However, needs of its customers.
my strategy is to hold these shares long term. Currently Smartpay is not making a profit.
It’s what happens year to year and not week This is concerning. However, I believe that
to week that is really important. In this case, it could be because the company is growing
the large rise in Mainfreight was due to an rapidly. It means costs go up and profits
earnings report that was their best ever. disappear. The question is this, will the
This week I am going to invest $105 into investments the company is making now turn
a New Zealand company called Smartpay into future profits?
Holdings. This is going to be the riskiest The risks are that the company is small
investment I have made so far. Last November, and its share price is jumping all over the
the company’s shares were trading at $0.20 place. It has tripled its share price recently.
a share and have surged to $0.67 a share. If people move into more online shopping,
The share price has been really volatile, then there will be less demand for the services Work has been completed and children of Room One at Whenuakite School are all set to move into
big ups and downs. So this is much more risky it provides. If we go back into lockdown, their new classroom within the next two weeks.
than the more established companies I have then there will be less use of Eftpos machines. The project has seen the original classroom relocated to a new position beside the school’s two
invested in so far. The company also have This could all have a negative impact on the other junior rooms, creating a dedicated hub for the school’s primary learners. The room has been
a much smaller market cap at $140 million. share price. completely transformed, and includes a kitchen as well as a covered deck area which can be used
My $100 buys me 1.4 millionth of the For this week, I am going to take a gamble for outside activities, including wet play.
company. I bought 148.19 shares at $0.70 and hope that with the high risk comes high “We’re very excited to finally have it finished,” says school principal, Eamonn Kelly (pictured in the
a share. returns. It will be an exciting one to watch. new classroom). “All we are waiting on now is the furniture, which has been arriving in dribs and
Smartpay is the largest independently Please remember that this is all my personal drabs. Then Mrs Collins will take a few days to get it all set up and ready to go.”
owned and operated Eftpos provider in opinion. Some of my investments will The location where the building had previously stood has been grassed and there are future plans to
New Zealand. They make the mobile Eftpos lose money. I am sharing my thoughts and develop a garden/play area for the junior students.
payment devices that you may use at market strategies so you can learn from my mistakes. “We also have another additional space to the side of the new classroom which we hope to turn into
days or food carts. They also make Eftpos Be careful with your money. an orchard where the students can grow their own fruit,” says Eamonn. “We will also put in a few
payment devices for shops and rent them If you want to invest in shares with Sharesies planter boxes for plants and veggies, and that area will in itself become another new learning space
out short term. use this link, for a limited time you will get $15 for the children.”
Last week I spoke about my belief that into your account to get started and I will get The new classroom will become home to Whenuakite’s 16 youngest students along with teacher,
online shopping will be a growth area. $5 - https://sharesies.nz/r/KHQQWP. Jan Collins. A date has yet to be set for the official blessing.
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020Issue 910
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27 August
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020
Letters to the Editor
See the bottom of this page for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The proposed Whauwhau spat farm the Firth of Thames, the amount of mussel farm Dear Editor - Rising sea levels Resource Management Act has recommended a
The Hauraki Gulf Forum’s report on “The state debris washed up on its coastline is staggering Right on cue, Alastair Brickell questions in his special new law to deal with managed retreat
of the Hauraki Gulf” (which includes Mercury according to local residents (see Sarah Oxford Letter to the Editor in The Informer of 28 July from the coast and adaptation to climate change.
Bay) shows a mixed bag of success and failure from Te Puru’s Letter to the Editor in The the peer reviewed scientific conclusion of the Thames-Coromandel District Council has also
in our stewardship of the marine environment. Informer of 14 July). This is contrary to the world’s climate scientists that the rate of sea- just approved a Thames spatial plan study to
In the last 20 years, successes include the view of Ohinau Aquaculture shareholder, level rise is accelerating. find elevated land for new housing development
increase in mammalian pest free islands like Peter Bull, who in his evidence statement for The US Federal government climate website, because of the need to retreat from land at risk
Great Mercury Island, and a reduction in whale the proposed mussel spat farm at Whauwhau climate.gov/news-features/understanding- from sea level rise and climate change.
deaths attributed to ship collision. said that there has been a considerable decline climate/climate-change-global-sea-level, states, Denis Tegg
However, the failures, partly caused by the in aquaculture-related debris on the west “The rate of sea level rise is accelerating: Thames
conundrum of trying to balance economic coast of the Coromandel Peninsula and that it has more than doubled from 1.4mm per year
throughout most of the 20th century to 3.6mm Dear Editor - Rising coastal sea levels
development with environmental protection, “…most [plastic] micro-fibres entering the
have been mounting. Drastic action has had to ocean come from the washing of synthetic per year from 2006 - 2015.” I want to congratulate Gloria Humphries on her
be taken to preserve fish stocks like snapper, clothing, not mussel farm ropes.” Even in the Mr Brickell does not know better than NASA, Letter to the Editor in The Informer of 4 August,
tarakihi and crayfish, while 22 percent of our Firth of Thames? Really? There must be a lot of the International Panel on Climate Change, in essence saying it’s hard for people to believe
seabirds, like the fairy tern, are threatened with clean people on the Thames Coast. the Royal Society of New Zealand, the New the science of rising sea levels if they don’t see
extinction, up from four percent in 2000. Reading Ngāti Hei spokesman, Joe Davis’s Zealand government’s guidance to local it happening.
Water quality is also being seriously evidence concerning the spat farm venture, authorities on coastal hazards and the latest To prove Gloria’s point, I provide the photo
compromised, especially in the Firth of Thames one can understand the iwi’s desire to ensure winners of the Prime Minister’s science prize. below of The Esplanade in Whitianga during
where agriculture and marine farming have been a prosperous economic, cultural and social Numerous central banks, including our own the 1987 storm Gloria referred to in her letter.
increasing nitrogen levels in the sea, making it future through participation in the aquaculture Reserve Bank, the insurance and banking Compare the photo to the same area today and
more acidic and detrimentally affecting marine industry. But in view of research evidence industries, and scores of investment funds with there can, in my view, only be one conclusion.
life. Furthermore, six new marine pests have which promises a bright future for land-based trillions of dollars of funds invested accept Is storm damage happening? Yes. Are coastal
arrived during this time, some of which are in spat facilities, and in order to avoid possible the science and have warned of the risks of sea levels rising? No.
the Firth, but not here in Mercury Bay. detrimental effects to the marine environment, accelerating rising seas due to climate change. Peter Grant
Most of us love the green-lipped mussels I would respectfully ask whether it would Just this week the panel reviewing the Whitianga
produced by the mussel farms and not many of be economically possible for the Ohinau
us would want the industry to cease, especially Aquaculture shareholders, in collaboration and
when we consider its contribution to annual consultation with Ngāti Hei, to establish a land-
GDP. However, we must ask ourselves whether based venture, perhaps on a corner of the Ngāti
the balance between economic gain and Hei farm at Wharekaho.
environmental protection is being maintained. This may provide even more employment
During the last 20 years marine reserve areas and prove even more economically viable.
have increased by a mere 0.05 percent whereas By the time the facility is consented and
areas devoted to aquaculture have increased built, the patents for the technology may well
hugely, with many more applications being be available.
processed. While aquaculture is proving to be It could also remove the uncertainties created
a valuable economic resource for our country, by the vagaries of a restless ocean which is
the detrimental environmental effects need becoming more volatile as global warming
to be considered when granting new permits, increases the frequency of cyclones and large
especially when public places are used for swell events.
private gain. Ross Liggins
In addition to the increasing acidification of Wharekaho The photo referred to in Peter Grant’s letter.
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Issue 910
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27 August
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15What’s On The next few weeks Op-Shops Mercury Bay Creative Fibre Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am - 2:00pm. in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Whitianga. Phone Wendy Russell on 866 3225 for more information. The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Matarangi Craft Group Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm. Meets fortnightly at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley on 866 0788 for more information. St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday Whitianga Art Group 10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 23 School Road, Whitianga. Visitors are invited to join us for Justice of the Peace a day of painting. Start-up materials supplied. Phone Jenny on (027) 210 0160 for more information. Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. AA Driver Licensing Bookings not necessary. Phone 866 4476 for more information. The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Cooks Beach Garden Circle 10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on 866 3264 or Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Anne on 866 0268 for more information. Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie Whitianga Tramping Group etc. Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. Meets every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information. Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Mercury Bay Table Tennis Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Meets every Tuesday from 9:30am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. 869 5162 for more information. SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated Mercury Bay Badminton Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information. 866 4215 for more information or to join. Mercury Bay Pickleball Club Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga Meets Every Sunday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per Meets every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in Room 10 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available. Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals and eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely. Check out our Facebook page or phone 869 5648 for more information. Matarangi Dune Planting Serenity Al-Anon Group Friday, 14 August from 9:00am - 11:00am. Email tanya.patrick@tcdc.govt.nz for more information. Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by Buffalo Beach, Whitianga Dune Planting someone else’s drinking. Saturday, 15 August from 8:30am - 11:00am. Email tanya.patrick@tcdc.govt.nz for more information. Dog Walking Group Mercury Bay Area School First XV Rugby - Saturday, 15 August Meets every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog. Home game against Hauraki Plains College 2 (but played in Coromandel Town). Kick-off at 11:30am. Phone Jenny on (021) 186 5797 for more information. Mercury Bay Senior A Rugby - Saturday, 15 August ICONZ for Girls Home semi-final against Whangamata at Lyon Park, Albert Street, Whitianga. Kick off at 2:00pm. Every Tuesday from 4:00pm - 5:30pm at C3 Church, Whitianga. For girls 8 - 13 years old. Phone Robyn on Oral History Seminar (020) 409 39674 for more information. Saturday, 15 August at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Presented by Mercury Bay Historical Society Whitianga Playcentre treasurer, Tony Pilmer, and Neil Curgenven of the New Zealand History Federation. Email historicalsociety. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon and every Friday from 12:00 noon - 2:45pm at 1D White Street, whitianga@gmail.com for more information and to register your interest. Whitianga. For children 0 - 6 years, free entry. Visitors welcome. Whiti Village Markets Cooks Beachcare Group Sunday, 16 August from 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Whitianga Waterways, opposite Mobil Service Station. Make new friends, learn about conservation and make a difference. We meet Thursdays for hands-on weeding and Online Supermarket Shopping Demonstration planting, 9:00am - 11:00am. Register on our website, www.cooksbeachcare.org.nz or phone Adele on (021) 201 6625. Wednesday, 19 August from 12:00 noon - 2:00pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. A koha to help Scrapbags Quilting Group cover costs would be appreciated. Phone Chrissy on (07) 866 4476 to book your spot. A Whitianga Social Services, Meets every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. SeniorNet Whitianga and New World Whitianga initiative. phone Shelley on 866 0236 for more information. Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020
Community Awards to honour more volunteers Thames-Coromandel District Council will expand its biennial Community Awards with up to 10 people set to be honoured this year instead of three. At a full council meeting last week, Mayor Sandra Goudie proposed that, rather than appoint a district panel to select three winners from the whole of the Thames-Coromandel District, each Community Board would instead choose up to two recipients from within their areas. She argued that the district was highly dependent on the huge number of volunteers and the work they did, and selecting three was not a sufficient acknowledgement of the effort that was being put in by so many. The change was unanimously supported by the council members and nominations are set to open this week and run until mid-September. The winners are expected to receive their awards at a special ceremony in Thames in early December. To be eligible, nominees must be resident in the district at the time of the service for which they are being put forward and the service must be related to activity within the Thames-Coromandel District, or activity directly benefiting the district. Awards will not be made to people who have already received an alternative honour or have been paid for their services. An award can recognise outstanding long-term service to a community or a community group. Nomination forms will be available on the TCDC website and at council offices. Pictured is Mercury Bay resident and Kuaotunu Search and Rescue chairman, Steve Hart, a TCDC Community Award recipient in 2014. Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17
Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle 910
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Tel no: _________________________________________________________________
Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
their prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which they were announced the winner.
ACROSS DOWN
1. Supplied funds for 1. Violin
5. Dam 2. Soundtrack CD
7. Smear 3. Arrives
4. Desk compartment
8. Rissole 5. Unstable
9. Acidity paper 6. Reigning
12. Calling (of 10. Burial chamber
donkey) 11. Forearm bone
15. Underground 12. Commuter vehicle
railway systems 13. Affirm
19. Perspires 14. Novel thought
15. Rode on wave
21. Intermittently
16. Dire
22. Small food lift, 17. Gives way
...waiter 18. Map pressure line
23. Aromatic herb 19. Wilier
24. Cannier 20. Bequeath
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Jan Whyte
“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week)
“Nā wai hoki tātau i a koe!” - Look what you’ve got us into!
Saying of the week supplied by Te Puna Reo o Whitianga - a playgroup with a focus on Māori tikanga and te reo Māori.
The group members meet every Monday and Tuesday at 9:00am at the old dental clinic at Mercury Bay Area School. All those with pēpi or young tamariki are welcome to join.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020Home brew entries getting Home semi-final for Senior A
better and better rugby team
The Mercury Bay Senior A rugby team is one step closer to the winning the McClinchy Cup this season
after a very impressive 84 - 0 win against Thames at Lyon Park in Whitianga on Saturday last week.
The victory means the team will be hosting Whangamata in a home semi-final this coming Saturday
(15 August)
“Running onto the field last Saturday in the last round of games before the playoffs, we were sitting in
third place on the leaderboard,” says Senior A coach, Dwayne Mansell. “Hauraki North was in second spot
with the same number of competition points as us, but had a sizable points differential lead.
“Our win against Thames meant that Hauraki North had to lose to Paeroa, or win by less than 42 points,
in order for us to move up second and secure a home semi-final. As it turned out, Paeroa was the better
team on the day. That afforded Whangamata, who was sitting in the fourth spot, the opportunity to move
up to third.
“Hauraki North ended up finishing fourth and will play the Cobras from Te Aroha, the top team on points,
in the other semi-final.”
The Bay scored 14 tries on Saturday, seven of which were converted. “We’ve had a good win against
Thames earlier in the season, but took nothing for granted on Saturday,” says Dwayne. “Our players left
everything on the field. We’re delighted to have a home semi-final. Everyone in the team is going to go all
out to make sure we get to the final.”
The semi-final will also be played at Lyon Park. Kick-off is at 2:00pm. Dwayne and the team are hoping a
large crowd will turn out to support them.
A total of 42 entries were judged at the Mercury Bay Home Brew Club’s competition on Saturday, 1 August. Pictured is Mercury Bay Senior A lock, Harley Hanning, scoring one of the team’s tries on Saturday.
It was the club’s only competition of the year. Photo by Marie Relph.
“The entries were split evenly,” says club president, Neil Reynolds. “Fourteen light beer, 14 dark beer,
and 14 wine, liqueur and spirits entries. The competition was very well attended. Many people came to
have a look-see.
“Two things stood out for me during the competition. The first is the great age spread we have among
home brewers in the Mercury Bay area. Young and old, it’s a craft everyone can enjoy. The second is the
quality of the entries. They are just getting better and better. John McQuillan, former president of our club
and of the judges, said the dark beer that finished first was one of the best beers that he had tasted in his
entire life. That’s quite a compliment.”
In addition to John, the other judges at the competition were Rob Spencer, Stu MacFarlane and Brent Prisk.
The light beer category was won by Roland Baumgart, with Sam Astwood in second place. Cameron
Thomas brewed the (exceptionally good) winning dark beer. Brian Sexton finished second. Lawrence
Johnson’s entry was the best in the spirits category and Chris Batey won the wine/liqueur category.
The competition was sponsored by Countdown, Hot Water Brewing Co, Mint, HAMR Home Building
Contractors, PC Electrical, Smitty’s, Mainly Casual, The Glass House Emporium, PlaceMakers, Mercury Bay
Pharmacy, Bay Carving, Drainage Systems, The Mercury Bay Informer, Whiti City Cabs and the Mercury
Bay Bowling Club.
Pictured is club president, Neil Reynolds (right), with Cameron Thomas, winner of the dark beer category.
Issue 910 - 11 August 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19Sudoku
Sudoku Puzzle 910
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Tel no: _________________________________________________________________
Win two Trumpet ice creams. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
their prize from Buffalo Beach Four Square directly before the Wednesday of the week following
the issue in which they were announced the winner.
Sudoku Puzzle Instructions
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once.
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Peter H Wood
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 910 - 11 August 2020You can also read
