Accommodation business in ruins after flash flood - Mercury Bay Informer
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Issue 901 - 10 June 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 7,500
Accommodation business in
ruins after flash flood
By Gillian O’Neill
Photo left - Fiona Murphy assessing the damage to the living room of one of her and her husband’s guest cottages after their property outside
Coroglen suffered the devastation of a flash flood on Saturday night, 30 May. Photo right - the same living room before the flood.
A Coroglen family is coming to terms with And although more than 10 years of hard work Pinnacle Pilates Studio in Whitianga, is still I was waist deep,”
a terrifying ordeal that saw flood waters building up their holiday accommodation trying to come to terms with just how fast The nightmare unfolded in total darkness,
completely destroy two holiday cottages on business now lie in a sodden mud-soaked the situation unfolded. “It all happened so with power out and only torches to navigate.
their rural property, forcing the evacuation of mess, owners Fiona and Justin Murphy say quickly,” she says. “We do get flooding here As Fiona made her way towards the cottages,
eight tourists, including three children. there is nothing to be done other than deal and you can usually see it slowly rising. she passed husband Justin leading the second
The devastating event occurred on Saturday with it and they are just relieved and grateful This was totally different. It started at 10:30pm, group, including three children aged eight
night, 30 May (Queen’s Birthday Weekend) that no-one was hurt. “I think we were a bit in it just started rising so quickly. Justin and I to 12, up the hill. “I went inside to find the
when, within the space of just 15 minutes, shock for the first day,” says Fiona. “Then on went straight down to tell the guests that they laptop and there was water everywhere,
a tsunami of water from the nearby Kapowai Sunday I woke up in the middle of the night needed to come up to the house. I had the the bed was floating,” she says. “When I
River surged through their lifestyle property, and it just hit me, if it had happened at 2:00am group from the first cottage and we had just started heading back up, it had reached chest
Dragonfly Farm, smashing glass and furniture in the morning when people were asleep in walked up the driveway when the man said he height. I was holding the laptop in a plastic bag
and leaving the cottages in utter ruin. bed, someone could actually have drowned had left his laptop and wanted to go back for above my head, that was when I felt scared,
The waterlines on the walls inside show because they may not have been able to find it. I said I would go because it was completely you could feel the force of the water pushing
the flood reached a height of 1.75m - their way out. That was a sobering thought.” dark and at least I knew the driveway and against you.”
four centimetres above the head of an Speaking to The Informer while surveying where I was going. By the time I got to the With all the guests safe in the Murphy’s main
average person. the carnage, the mum of two, who also runs bottom of the hill (at most a 20m distance), house, which is at the top of the driveway on
(Continued on page 2)
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Accommodation business Pat Doak memorial
in ruins after flash flood bench dedicated
(Continued from page 1)
higher ground, the couple’s thoughts turned to An insurance assessor has visited to survey
their animals. “I had seen the pigs on my way the damage, although Fiona believes their
back up, they were trying to swim through insurance won’t cover the full cost of a rebuild.
it,” says Fiona. “Our daughter, Hannah, “They will have to come down,” she says of the
was amazing. She organised the visitors, cottages. “We hope that we will get enough of
got them towels and hot drinks, while I a cash pay-out to maybe build one new cottage
headed back out. Then I heard a man’s voice up on higher ground. We won’t rebuild down
behind me and I thought it was Justin, but it here now. We’ve had some minor flooding in
was actually one of the guests. He just said, the past, nothing too bad, but after this I just
‘What do we need to do now,’ and he helped couldn’t ever have anything down here again.”
me shove the pigs along and we managed to The holiday rentals had operated at around
get them into the haybarn for the night.” 95 to 100 per cent capacity during summer and
Sadly one of the four pigs had to be between 50 to 60 per cent in winter, bringing
euthanised. “She was older and pretty in a third of the family’s income. “We invested
traumatised,” says Fiona. “She wouldn’t eat a lot, it wasn’t just a side-line, it was proper
anything for a couple of days, so we had to business,” says Fiona.
let her go.” “We had just refunded around $5,000 in
The cattle who were in a paddock at the front cancelled bookings due to Covid-19 and
of the property were also carried away by the
we were actually really pleased at how well
waters. However, all but one were found safe
bookings had picked up again. Now I have had
and well, including a five-month-old calf who
to cancel another $2,000 worth of bookings, In addition to Pat Doak’s family, members of the police, Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade and
miraculously was located at another property
but what can you do?” Whitianga Lions, as well as elected members of Thames-Coromandel District Council, attended
4km away.
“We just didn’t know it was coming,” With a couple of spare rooms and some on Saturday morning last week the dedication of a memorial bench in Pat’s name.
says Fiona. “We had heard all the warnings airbeds, the Murphys managed to accommodate
all their guests on Saturday night. “They Pat served Whitianga as a policeman from 2005 to October 2019, when he unexpectedly passed
for Sunday and Monday of Queen’s Birthday away. He was much-loved. His funeral was one of the biggest Whitianga has ever seen.
Weekend, but this just came out of the blue were great actually, one group in particular,
they were typical Kiwis, they just rolled with The memorial bench was a Whitianga Lions initiative. The bench was built by TCDC and paid
and it didn’t stop. It’s like it just hovered over
it and helped out wherever they could and they for by the Lions.
the area.”
The couple think there may have been a were on the road pretty early the next day, The bench was installed at the small reserve between the Taputapuatea and Tarapatiki bridges
blockage further up the river which eventually no doubt keen to get home,” says Fiona. on Buffalo Beach Road. It was one of Pat’s favourite spots in Whitianga.
gave way causing the powerful surge to hit at “We went down and salvaged what we The dedication was led by Joe Davis, kaumatua of Ngāti Hei. When Joe opened the floor for
such pace. “We’ve been here for 14 years and could. One of the suitcases did survive with contributions, Pat’s daughter, Kathryn O’Shaughnessy, said although Pat’s death was a great
we have never experienced anything like this, all their stuff and some of the kids’ toys, loss, it caused all the people of Whitianga to become her family.
people who have been here a lot longer have which was pretty great. We just couldn’t
The plaque on the bench reads as follows, “In memory of Policeman Pat Doak. Served the
said the same, it was just insane,” says Fiona. believe it when we went in the next morning,
Whitianga community from 2005 to 2019.”
Evidence of the onslaught is everywhere on it was so shocking, especially when you saw
the property - a neighbour’s boat sits upturned how high the water had risen, but we are okay Unfortunately, the bench was damaged in an accident on Monday this week when a vehicle
beside the entrance, where Fiona also retrieved and that’s the most important thing. When reversed into it. Work to have it repaired started immediately.
a piece of Justin’s trailer. “We don’t actually you think about it now, it could have been so Pictured are all the members of Pat’s family who attended the dedication with Whitianga Lions
know where the rest of it is,” she says. much worse.” president, Ernie Pitchfork (on the right).
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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020
Assaults in Whitianga
sparked by gang rivalry
The police have confirmed that gang rivalry a report at around 10:00am of a disturbance
was behind a series of violent incidents at a residential property in central Whitianga.
in Whitianga late last week, including the “On Saturday, a car load of young men
assault of two police officers. parked opposite the vest wearer’s home
Three people were due to be charged in and a physical confrontation occurred,”
Hamilton District Court on Monday this Sergeant Morrison said. “The car then left
week in relation to the attack on the police, the scene and when the police arrived,
with two members of the public credited for their attempts to calm the situation were met
preventing further injury to the officers. with verbal abuse.
Whitianga police sergeant, Andrew “A vehicle associated with the altercation
Morrison, described the escalation of events was stopped in Monk Street and the
after a man who had been living in the town occupants assaulted the two constables.
for some months wore his gang vest while out Thankfully, two local men came to police
with a couple of friends on Friday morning. assistance and the offenders were arrested.
“Another local man associated with a rival We were then assisted by colleagues from
gang, and wearing colours to indicate this, Thames, Whangamata and Waihi, with
crossed paths with these men and there was both sides of the altercations given some
a physical confrontation in Albert Street,” direct advice.”
he said. “Numerous punches were thrown, Arising from the assault on the officers,
with one punch connecting before the a 26-year-old local woman was to be charged
second man’s partner pulled him away from with assaulting police, breach of bail and
the altercation.” obstructing police. An 18-year-old local
The incident was reported to the police at woman was to be charged with assaulting
around 11:30am. police, resisting police and obstructing
“On return from Whenuakite, the on-duty police, while a 22-year-old local man was
constable spoke to both sides of the altercation facing charges including assaulting police
and advised an investigation would be and escaping custody.
completed,” Sergeant Morrison said. “A short Sergeant Morrison said the events of both
while later the man in his vest and a friend days were still being investigated and further
crossed paths again with the rival at Brophy’s arrests were anticipated. “This behaviour
Beach and another altercation occurred during could be described as childish, idiotic and
which a woman was threatened and chased, laughable, but you only have to look at
and a man was driven into and knocked to incidents that have occurred in other parts
the ground.” of New Zealand in the past week that have
The police are still investigating this resulted in young men losing their lives to
incident and no charges had been laid as appreciate the seriousness of this kind of
of Monday. behaviour,” he said. “People wanting to
However, the trouble continued on threaten or intimidate others in our community
Saturday morning when the police received can expect to explain their actions in court.”
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July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
New museum exhibit to celebrate our natural history A new exhibit celebrating the rich natural The Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) need to go looking for more information, Family at Wharekaho, who generously donate history of the Coromandel is being developed Marine Reserve will also provide inspiration it is ready to go. It will also support DOC the museum some of the proceeds from their at Mercury Bay Museum. for the exhibit and highlight the role that in reaching more schools. They don’t have motor camp each year. Manager, Rebecca Cox, is working reserves and other conservation efforts play a visitor centre in Mercury Bay, so this will Rebecca says the aim is to have the exhibit alongside Emily McKeague from the in protecting our natural environment. be a dedicated space for students to be able open by early October. “In the meantime, Department of Conservation and Tom Trnski As well as contributing both funding and to come and specifically learn about their if people do have any interesting items that from Auckland Museum to tell the stories of support, DOC and Auckland Museum will natural environment.” they think could be suitable for inclusion, the flora and fauna that make up our natural also assist with designing and developing Funding has also come from a Trust Waikato let us know, we would love to take a look,” world, with a specific focus on species that an education programme around the grant and a donation from the Simpson she says. are native to Mercury Bay. exhibit which will be especially aimed at “We have already cleared out two school groups. rooms to make way for the new display,” Mercury Bay Museum delivered a similar says Rebecca. “While we will showcase many and highly popular programme in 2019 based of our well-known taonga, like our kauri and around the Tuia 250 commemoration. The kiwi for example, we are also very excited focus was on the “Twelve Days” exhibit, about being able to help people learn more which chronicles significant moments from about some of our lesser-known gems that the visit of Cook and his botanists, Banks and aren’t always in the spotlight. Some of these Solander, to the Bay in 1769. are also getting to the point of needing help in “For this project we will be touching terms of conservation.” Examples include the on some of the work done by Banks and bittern along with tusked weta, which can be Solander back then in documenting our native found at the Mercury Islands. species,” says Rebecca. “Through Auckland Rebecca, Emily and Tom met on site on Museum’s BioBlitz programme last year, Thursday last week to start planning the we have been doing comparisons between design of the exhibit and identify suitable what we are seeing now in terms of items from the museum’s existing collection. biodiversity and what Cook and his crew “One thing we have that everyone was very found 250 years ago. That will be another excited about is what is commonly known really interesting part of the exhibit.” as the wood rose, which is New Zealand’s The education programme will be linked only indigenous fully parasitic plant and is to the school curriculum so that it can be apparently pollinated by the short-tailed bat,” easily used by teachers as a readily accessible says Rebecca. “We have quite a big piece of it, resource. “It will be all here for them,” Tom Trnski, head of natural sciences at Auckland Museum, Rebecca Cox (centre), so that’s certainly one of the more interesting says Rebecca. “The idea is that we have a Mercury Bay Museum manager, and Emily McKeague, DOC Coromandel community ranger, items we will be able to include.” complete programme so the teachers don’t are jointly working on a new natural history exhibit for Mercury Bay Museum. Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020
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Issue 901 - 10 June 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Fifth “Support Local/
Buy Local” winner drawn
Congratulations to Di Baker, the fifth winner in The Informer’s “Support Local/Buy Local” campaign.
Di’s entry was drawn on Friday last week by Abby Lawrence (pictured) of Richardsons Real Estate
Whitianga.
During the campaign, which will continue until the end of September, we’re giving away $100 every week
(to spend with an Informer advertiser) to someone who supported a local Mercury Bay business.
Di’s winning purchase was made at Tango’s Shoes in Whitianga.
Some local businesses and individuals are contributing additional prizes to the campaign. Di won an
additional $100, generously sponsored by Abby, to spend locally.
In early October, all entries received during the 22 weeks of the campaign will go into a second draw,
where the winner will receive $1,000 to spend with one or more of our advertisers.
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. Please remember that shopping local results in a
vibrant community that benefits everyone.
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020
Tasty theme for May’s Photographic Club challenge It was a tasty challenge last month for the Whitianga Photographic Club members who turned The Open Challenge for May, which allows members to submit any photo of their choice, to food for their inspiration. The food theme proved both interesting and testing, and was was hotly contested with a very close result. Eventually Anita Ruggle-Lussy's beautiful water won by Anne Thurgood with her image of lemon and honey suitably entitled “Sweet & Sour” droplet image (pictured on the right) was selected as Photo of the Month. (pictured on the left). Issue 901 - 10 June 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
New Te Korowai offices in Catherine’s Column
Whitianga blessed By Catherine Delahunty - Coromandel Peninsula resident
and former Green Party MP
Standing up for Hauraki/Coromandel
By the time you read this column, myself and The post-Covid-19 recession/depression means
Augusta Macassey Pickard, the Coromandel the government is supporting jobs, but not
Watchdog coordinator from Whitianga, necessarily modern sustainable jobs. Mining is
will have returned from Wellington where a 19th century dinosaur industry which deserves
our lawyers are representing us in the High no help, whereas biotech for the reuse of gold,
Court against two government ministers and silver, copper and other metals from e-waste is
OceanaGold regarding a new toxic mine waste the future. However, talking with the people
dump in Waihi. We are not doing this for fun trying to develop this new non-toxic mining
and even with lawyers representing us for in Aotearoa, they tell me it requires some
minimum fees, it’s an expensive business for government help to collect the e-waste properly
a community group. We have been fundraising and it needs to be a priority issue.
all year, not assisted by Covid-19 pressures on In the meantime, our community has to
our communities. fundraise and take the government to court
However, the local groups who oppose mining because the current cabinet sabotaged a
from Karanagahake to Kuaotunu, the Thames perfectly good decision not to allow this land at
Coast and Coromandel Town have been very Waihi to be a toxic waste dump.
generous and supportive as have individuals. After 40 years of fighting mining,
More than 20 people attended the blessing of the new offices of Te Korowai o Hauora o Hauraki in Coghill We had to take a stand on the plan for a new our organisation deserves a break, but we will
Street, Whitianga on Tuesday morning last week. The blessing was led by Joe Davis, kaumātua of Ngāti toxic dump at Waihi because it affects more than not be getting one. The price of gold is now
Hei, who was supported by kaumatua Pine Harrison of Ngāti Porou. just Waihi town. dangerously high due to global economic
After the formal karakia was completed, all present were invited to share breakfast together and get to Oceana want to buy 168ha of farmland instability and Covid-19, and we know that
know the new offices better. because their existing huge toxic waste dams means Hauraki/ Coromandel will be under more
Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki is a kauapapa Māori, not-for-profit incorporated society. The organisation are nearly full and they want to expand into the pressure from the multinational miners.
covers the entire Hauraki rohe, supporting more than 10,000 people. The motto of the organistion is, conservation land at Wharekirauponga behind There is a window of opportunity to partner
“Mō tatou o Hauraki - For all people of Hauraki.” Whangamata, where they have been drilling in with the government and prioritise jobs that
Te Korowai was established 26 years ago and has been operating from Whitianga since 2000. remote areas inhabited by one of the rarest frog care for people and the environment, not just
The organisation also has offices/health centres in Coromandel Town, Thames, Paeroa and Te Aroha. species in the world. They also want to mine for able-bodied men with shovels or diggers.
“In Whitianga we provide community-based nursing services, in-home care and mental health support,” coastal areas on the eastern Coromandel and Some of the most important and sustainable
says Riana Manuel, Te Korowai CEO. “We also promote health and wellbeing through a variety of expand around Waihi with several new projects. work is looking after the environment and that
educational initiatives. We will now work toward being able to offer GP and nurse practitioner services in They say they need the new waste dump to is what we are doing, not for money, but for
Whitianga and this new whare has been designed to do this. make all this possible. the principle that Hauraki/Coromandel is too
“We operate under a holistic model of care and employ just over 250 staff throughout Hauraki. Oceana produce enormous volumes of waste precious to mine.
contaminated with toxic heavy metals for small I am grateful that I can do this work without
“We needed to move to larger premises in Whitianga as the local community is growing and we want to amounts of gold. We have large quantities of risking my life as the brave activists in parts
be able to help everyone who may need our services.”
gold above the ground already and we need to of Central and South America do. I’m grateful
Among the features of the new offices are a main reception area, consultation rooms and a training room. reuse it, we need to extract it from e-waste and to live in a place where most of the mountains
Pictured are those who attended the blessing on Tuesday. extract from banks. don’t have holes in their hearts.
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020
Issue 901
699 - 10
27 June
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020
Emotional farewell as Moko Artspace
closes after 18 years
By Gillian O’Neill
Eighteen years ago, Simon Buchanan and The idea for Moko was really inspired by the Over the years Moko has grown, serving a and we received hundreds of messages in that
Sonya Corlett made a decision to open an art opportunities offered by the gallery’s location loyal customer base and showcasing the work first day. In five days, we sent 567 replies.
gallery with no idea of the journey that lay on Hot Water Beach’s main drag. “We just of over 100 Kiwi artists. “The connections The emails continued to pour in for the next
ahead. This week they will close that same loved the site,” Simon says. “We were living we have made have been so important to few days and they are still coming.”
gallery - Moko Artspace in Hot Water Beach in Cooks Beach at the time and we wanted to us,” Sonya. says “We really want to try and As well as processing and packing online
- once again without too many plans for the start an art space, mostly for Sonya’s work.” continue those relationships.” orders, along with running the retail side of the
future, their solitary goal, for now, to spend Sonya is a mixed media sculptor, although The past few weeks have been frantic with gallery, Sonya has been replying to as many
more time together. art has been forced to take a backseat in favour what can only be described as an outpouring people as possible. “They weren’t all simple
The couple, both artists in their own right, of running the business in recent years. of love and support, coupled with an intense messages of support - so many of them were
have been overwhelmed with messages of Moving to the Coromandel, Simon left demand for art as regulars flock to make their stories and memories people had of coming to
support since they announced they would behind a background in radio and advertising final purchases. the gallery,” she says.
be shutting their doors for good this Friday, and never really looked back. “I started raising “It’s just been unbelievable,” Simon “Not only that, people have been buying
12 June. It’s bittersweet and there has been plants and then I learned how to make pots, says. “We made the announcement on our art, some because they intended to later in the
little time to fully process the decision, and I kind of surprised myself,” he says. Facebook page and through our database, year and so they are coming now before we
but they are confident it is the right one. close, and others because they just wanted to
“Lots of people have asked us those show their support. It feels as though people
questions, one lady even said she was going to wanted to take care of us and our artists and
start a petition to prevent us closing, but when make sure we are okay. It makes you feel
you go back to the reasons why we made the very emotional.”
decision, it’s the same - it’s about health and With tears flowing, Sonya jokes that it’s
wellbeing and having more time to spend exhaustion. But it is more than that. “We will
together,” Sonya says. grieve the place,” she says. “But for now, there
Simon says the growth of the seven-day- is still lots to do - customers to serve, parcels
a-week operation, with an online presence to send, paperwork and of course boxing up
to also manage, has meant long days and all the remaining pieces, and returning them to
sometimes nights - 14 to 16 hours was not the artists who created them.
unusual. There’s not nearly enough time for After a Queen’s Birthday Weekend that felt
surfing and visiting the beach they adore, like mid-summer, with customers queuing in
just metres from their doorstep. The Covid-19 the driveway in pouring rain, the couple might
outbreak has contributed to the timing of their well have been feeling a few last-minute
decision to retire. nerves, but Simon and Sonya say they just feel
“We had thought about it on occasion, really fortunate.
but recently forced ourselves to reflect and “In a business where I guess you are
consider what was right for us,” Simon says, not continually getting reviews or written
who admits he is still not fully sure of how feedback, maybe we weren’t really fully aware
he is feeling. “I will miss the gallery, mostly of how people felt about the gallery,” Sonya
because of the people. I am a people person, says. “We certainly know now. We would like
so I think that’s going to be the hardest part The owners of Moko Artspace in Hot Water Beach, Simon Buchanan and Sonya Corlett, to thank everyone for their support, you’ll all
for me.” are retiring after 18 years in business. be missed.”
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Issue 901
699 - 10
27 June
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Cautious optimism after strong Queen’s
Birthday Weekend
Weather woes aside, local accommodation for-money packages to entice visitors.
providers have reported a boost from a “Despite the weather forecast, we had a
strong Queen’s Birthday Weekend and very busy Queen’s Birthday Weekend,”
there is cautious optimism for the winter she said. “Our roofed accommodation was
months ahead. fully booked over the three days. We only
While there are no guarantees that these had very few cancellations on the Saturday,
early seeds will blossom into a fruitful season, which was great. People also seemed to be
early indications are that Kiwis - who make in good spirits and simply happy to get away
up 80 per cent of the Coromandel’s tourists from the cities.”
- are determined to travel and explore their “Our guests even dug for hot pools in the
own backyard, with international travel off rain and loved it. Kids were riding go-karts
the table for now. and played on the jumping pillow. Due to the
Stuart Bruce, manager of Sovereign Pier poor weather, unfortunately we didn’t see
apartments in the Whitianga Waterways, many guests camping, but overall we are very
said they were fully booked for the long happy, with the numbers almost matching last
weekend with a 50/50 mix of returning guests year’s Queens Birthday weekend.”
and first-time visitors. “What is pleasing is we
Destination Coromandel manager,
are already 50 per cent full for next weekend
Hadley Dryden, said some of the Several Chiefs rugby players stayed last weekend at Sovereign Pier apartments in the Whitianga
and have good enquiry levels through to
August,” he told The Informer on Tuesday Coromandel’s accommodation providers Waterways for a fishing break, before the start of this year’s shortened Super Rugby season.
last week. “Sovereign Pier turned over more were reporting bookings for summer starting Back, from the left - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Stuart Bruce (Sovereign Pier manager), Luke Jacobson
to occur, including from Australia. “And for and Aidan Ross. Front - Atunaisa Moli.
in the last two weeks of May since going to
Alert Level 2 than for the entire month last those that are open and actively promoting available. “It’s possible that people have come “Our digital analytics have been positive,
year. Some of this is the effect of Queen’s their businesses, they have received bookings out and purchased things they’ve missed with traffic to www.thecoromandel.com
Birthday being at the end of May rather than coming out of the lockdown,” he said. out on while in lockdown,” Hadley said. steadily increasing since New Zealand moved
in June, but the weekends around Queen’s The marketing organisation is currently “With this is mind, there’s every chance that out of Alert Level 3. It’s now higher than it
Birthday are also well up on the same time running a winter campaign focused on spend may taper off again as the economic was this time last year, showing a desire to
last year.” wellness and relaxation, but has already impact of the lockdown takes effect. We have travel to the Peninsula. We’re well positioned
Closure of the New Zealand border had not identified the upcoming summer season as its not yet engaged paid advertising for this to capitalise on this demand, it’s important for
impacted on the business which at the same main priority. reason, understanding that there’s a long road businesses that remain open to keep working
time in 2019 hosted no international visitors. While electronic card transaction data ahead. Already the volume of destination their marketing channels so potential visitors
Vivianne Bongard of Hot Water Beach from Marketview shows weekly overall marketing is increasing. We’ve been fortunate are awareof what they have to offer.
Top 10 Holiday Park was also pleased with spending has returned to the same level as to pick up some editorial coverage and will Local tourism-related businesses can
the long weekend and said they have been the equivalent time in 2019, the percentage start appealing to the drive market in the currently make use of free advertising and
working hard to create attractive value- relating to tourism spend was not yet coming weeks. promotion via www.thecoromandel.com.
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020Issue 901
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27 June
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13“Save the Date” for Tairua Former surgeon Shaves
Troubadours’ next production for a Cure
They say the show must go on and it certainly will for Tairua Troubadours this year who will stage
their latest production “Save the Date” at the Tairua Community Hall in September.
The cast have had scripts in hand since March, when the arrival of Covid-19 forced the postponement
of the show, which was originally planned for June. Whether the extra time means they will remember
their lines any better remains to be seen, but enthusiasm was high with the first singing rehearsal
taking place last weekend.
Once again, the crew of talented townsfolk will bring to life an original script by writer/director,
Jennie Turner, with the now familiar mix of laugh-out-loud humour, quirky characters and bang-on-
queue musical interludes the audience has come to expect.
Those who secure a ticket will join in the trials and tribulations in the days leading up to the nuptials
of Benjamin and Loraleigh - family drama, questionable encounters and of course a stag night/
hen party that progresses from the ridiculous to the outrageous. And not forgetting the sing-along
soundtrack provided by the on-stage Wedding Singers!
Less than two weeks after the show was announced, there has already been a flood of enquiries
from Whitianga, Thames, Pauanui and, of course, Tairua. “I think all our shows are pretty fun,
but this one definitely has a real feel-good factor, which I think is something everyone is looking for
at the moment,” says Jennie. “It feels like so long ago since I wrote this one. I can’t wait now to give
it over to the cast and let them work their magic.”
With musical direction from Gordon Winter and Sabeena Tsan, and Lisa Radford once again taking
on the choreography, the show will open on 18 September with six evening and one matinee
Retired paediatric surgeon and Whitianga resident, Kevin Pringle, has lost his locks to raise money for
performances. To enquire about tickets ($25 each), email tairuatroubadours@gmail.com. All funds
Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.
raised from the production go back to the community. This year’s recipients have yet to be decided.
Kevin decided to “Shave for a Cure” after losing both his parents and three brothers to cancer. “I am the
Most of the cast from last year’s Tairua Troubadours production, “The Toscars” (pictured), youngest of five boys in our family,” he says. “My one surviving brother is living with cancer and I have
have returned for “Save the Date.” had several low-grade skin cancers removed over the years.
“My oldest brother, Peter, died of colon cancer in 1983. My father died in 1991 of prostate cancer. My mother
died in 2005 of a colon cancer that was genetically different from Peter’s, which had huge implications
for the rest of the family in that it meant that there was no significant increase of the risk of colon cancer.
My younger brother, Alan, died in 2008 of a carcinoma of the lung - the result of a lifelong cigarette
habit - and Dennis, the third of my brothers, died in March this year.
“When I was in medical school in the late 1960s, I developed the hope that, by the time I was old and grey
and looking at retirement, cancer would be to my generation what tuberculosis was to my professors at
the time. I did have the caveat that it would probably be replaced by something else at least as bad or
worse. I was wrong an all counts. Contrary to my belief that TB would be relegated to medical history,
drug-resistant TB is making a comeback.
“There have, however, been huge advances made in the treatment of the various types of cancer, especially
in the childhood cancers, most of which now have a long-term survival of over 80 per cent. Although I
have given up on my dream that cancer will be conquered in my lifetime, I remain hopeful that at least the
outcomes for adult cancers will approach those for children’s cancers within my lifetime.”
Kevin was given a Number 1 cut by Carol Dominikovich of The Cut Hut in Whitianga on Tuesday last week.
The cut was sponsored to support the fundraising effort. Kevin is halfway towards his target of raising
$2,000. Donations can be made at shaveforacure.everydayhero.com/nz/kevin-s-page.
Pictured is Carol busy cutting Kevin’s hair.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020Issue 901
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27 June
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15From the Tapu-Coroglen to lockdown - making memories in Whitianga By Stephan Bosman The past nine months is a time Dutch citizens, The family’s adventures started not long widespread flooding on the other, for the first to work at the Mercury Bay Area School stall Paul Zwart and Tanja Groot, and their four after they got off the aeroplane in Auckland. time in our lives we were completely cut off at the festival. The stall sold out of food about children - Sam (18), Marit (16), Ramon (14) “The GPS of our fully-loaded rental car took from the outside world,” says Tanja. 2:30pm, which gave us about two hours to and Mees (10) - will never forget. us along the shortest way to Whitianga, across Fortunately, that was followed with a much wander around and enjoy the music. We’ve had Tanja joined Mercury Bay Medical Centre in the Tapu-Coroglen Road,” laughs Tanja. more enjoyable experience at the Whitianga a great time. The festival was so much different Whitianga as a locum GP in September last year. “Little did we know that was the first of quite a Scallop Festival on 21 September. “By the time from what we were used to in the Netherlands, Her contract is expiring the end of this month. few adventures awaiting us.” we arrived in Whitianga, all the Scallop Festival much less commercial.” “This was our fifth time in New Zealand,” says The next experience was less than two tickets were already sold out,” says Paul. On 19 October, Paul and Tanja attended Paul. “Tanja and I visited the South Island in weeks away with the floods of 9 September “But as both Sam and Marit took hospitality the Tuia 250 pōwhiri at Wharekaho. “That 1999, during the winter. In the summer of 2003, last year. “A slip on one side of Whitianga and as a subject at school, Tanja and I were invited was something unique for us,” says Tanja. we travelled through the North Island with our eldest son and even visited Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. In 2009/2010, Tanja was a locum for a year in Otautau not far from Invercargill. All our kids were born by then and I was a house dad. We have a deep love for New Zealand and in late 2014/early 2015, we spent six weeks in the South Island. “With the end of Sam’s school career approaching, we started talking last year about doing something different for a longer period of time. We were all keen to come back to New Zealand. Tanja is one of four GPs owning a medical practice about half an hour from the Amsterdam city centre. There was an opportunity for her to take a sabbatical and we started looking at available locum opportunities. Whitianga seemed like an attractive option. “We were impressed by the fact that our kids could all go to the same school, the beauty of the area and what looked like a vibrant CBD with a variety of restaurants, cafés and shops, and even movie theatres. And I was happy to become a house dad again.” The Zwart/Groot family at Buffalo Beach in Whitianga. From the left - Ramon, Tanja, Paul, Mees (in front of Paul), Marit and Sam. Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020
Making memories in Whitianga “We really felt like we were part of a significant was described as an “intelligent lockdown.” time in history.” Obviously things changed during lockdown,” A few months later, on 26 January this year, says Paul. “We pretty much ended up talking Paul worked in one of the beer tents at the more to people in the Netherlands online than Whitianga Summer Concert as a Mercury Bay to anyone in New Zealand.” Skatepark Trust volunteer. “It was a great way Tanja was working right through lockdown to help the community and to hear Billy Idol and admits that she didn’t enjoy treating perform,” he says. “I opened so many beer cans, patients over the phone. “Although it was my fingers were sore for days afterwards. Like absolutely necessary, I don’t think it’s a good the Scallop Festival, it was different from the way of practicing medicine,” she says. Netherlands. I’ve never seen so many people With lockdown over, Paul and Tanja, enjoying themselves so much in such heat.” and their children are enjoying life being close During the summer season, Sam worked at to normal again. They have also started to think Cooked Restaurant in Ferry Landing and Marit about returning to the Netherlands. “Tanja has at The Vessel in Cooks Beach. “They’ve had to be back at her practice in early August,” the time of their lives,” says Tanja. “They both says Paul. “It’s tone of her colleagues’ turn to worked long hours and made good money. have a gap year. Fortunately, more airlines are The minimum wage in New Zealand is much starting to fly to New Zealand and we were better than what it is in the Netherlands. able to secure tickets leaving Auckland for Their English has also improved hugely. Amsterdam, via Kuala Lumpur, on 25 July. It’s almost impossible now to think that “Tanja will be finishing up at Mercury Bay English isn’t their first language.” Medical Centre early next month, which leaves While Tanja had to work during most us with three weeks or so to explore a bit more. of summer, Paul took Ramon and Mees to We’ve never been to Gisborne and the East Ruakaka, where a friend introduced them to Cape, so we’ll probably be heading that way. kontiki fishing, and to Raglan for a few days “Looking back over our time in Whitianga, of surfing. “Ramon has turned into quite an the lockdown most certainly prevented us from accomplished surfer,” says Paul. going more places and doing more things. Tanja has also managed to get away with But we have no regrets. Although the road to some friends from the Netherlands who came Whitianga is windy, the destination is unlike to visit. “Walking the Tongaririo Crossing was anywhere else in the world - a beautiful town, quite special,” she says. wonderful beaches, lovely people. A place New Zealand locked down in late March, where we made memories that will be with a week after the Netherlands went into what us forever.” Winter fun for all in Whitianga this July An action-packed programme of events is set to entertain Whitianga locals and visitors over the July school holidays. The Mercury Bay Events Support Trust (MBEST) and the Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA) are both involved in the line-up which features something for all ages, whether they want to get busy and active, or relax and unwind. Sponsors from the local business community are supporting the programme. The excitement starts on Sunday, 5 July with a mid-winter swim and treasure hunt on Buffalo Beach. “This is a free event where participants will dig for over $1,000 worth of treasure on the main beach. The ‘treasure’ will be in the form of gold rocks buried in the sand to be exchanged for fantastic prizes like snorkelling packs, lunch vouchers, movie passes, mini-golf rounds and much, much more. Then the brave will jump into the ocean for a crisp mid-winter swim. The best dressed will win some more great prizes,” says Nick Reader, who is organising some of the events with the MBEST. A second key event is the “Night Strider” fun run and walk on Saturday, 11 July. “Based at the Mercury Bay Golf Club, participants will navigate a 3km or 5km course in the stunning park- like setting of the golf course and on the fun single track at the Whitianga Bike Park. The event ends up at the clubrooms where meals, braziers and music will round out a super fun night out,” says Nick. Linda Bird from the MBEST says they are delighted to be able to bring these new events to the Mercury Bay calendar in a time when we all need to get together for some fun and excitement. Full details are available at www.whitianga.co.nz/event/nightrun and www.whitianga.co.nz/ event/midwinterswim. MBBA chair, Milan Lukic, says the organisation is excited to be working with and pooling resources with the MBEST and working alongside Nick. The MBBA is planning a Whitianga Street Festival/Night Market on Friday, 10 July, to celebrate the town reopening after lockdown and provide an opportunity for everyone to support local businesses. “It’s a feel-good community event to not only draw out locals, but all the bach owners and encourage them to spend some of those domestic dollars possibly meant for overseas travel,” says Milan. Live music from talented local musician, Vegas Brown, and others will fill the air from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Retailers are being encouraged to stay open late and a range of stall holders and mobile vendors will add to the atmosphere. For mid-week fun, the Mercury Bay Golf Course will partner with the MBBA to hold a kids’ Closest to the Pin competition on Tuesday, 14 July and Thursday, 16 July, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm - $5 for five balls, with almost $1,000 in prizes and vouchers up for grabs. Every entry will get a free kiddie cone ice cream voucher courtesy of Espy Café. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 15 July, the MBBA will host, with support of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, a kids’ mid-winter fishing competition from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm. The Informer is the major sponsor of the event. Prizes to the value of $1,000, which include awards for best dressed, will be up for grabs. The theme is “sea creatures.” Issue 901 - 10 June 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17
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ACROSS DOWN
1. Rascal 1. Second movie showings
7. Decriminalise 2. Unfasten
8. Water grasses 3. Huge
10. Infrequent 4. Simple
12. Thinking only of 5. Roadside indicators
6. Flyer’s fatigue (3,3)
others
9. Resell (tickets) for profit
14. Chinese city, ... Kong
11. Open spaces in forest
16. Did breaststroke
13. Tree blood
17. Ran flat-out 15. Fibbers
20. Adjacent 16. Solely
householders 18. Supply & ...
23. South American dance 19. Actor, ... Norris
24. Birthrights 21. Yonder, ... there
25. Lazed 22. Beach surface
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Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 901 - 10 June 2020Flood damage at Bike Park, but volunteers
keep going
By Jack Biddle
The recent wild weather that lashed the Park to the next level,” says Jon.
Coromandel was reported as being a one-in- Using much of his own landscaping
15-year storm. equipment and machinery, Andrew has in a
While locals aren’t overly surprised short period of time breathed new life into the
anymore when roads are closed due to heavy park. “Whitianga is renowned for its fishing
rain combined with high tides, this recent and boating in general, but there are also a lot
deluge was particular severe. Floods and of vehicles that head into town with bike racks
slips blocked several roads on the eastern side attached to tow bars rather than boat trailers,”
of the Peninsula, which impacted on many he says. “Those visitors that have experienced
holiday makers heading home after Queen’s the Bike Park so far have all been keen to
Birthday Weekend. return, which is certainly encouraging”.
While it’s sad to hear of such experiences Along with improving existing tracks and
for visitors to the region, they were not faced general signage, Andrew has created some new
with clearing up the mess created by the storm. trails for the more experienced riders. All up
It’s bad enough for affected home, business there are now 13 tracks covering around 15km
and farm owners, but spare a thought for in total length.
those local volunteers who work tirelessly As far as the recent flood damage goes,
away at projects over long periods only to both Jon and Andrew have a positive view.
see a large part of their work literally washed “The Bike Park is always going to suffer
away overnight. and be affected by heavy rain and storms,
Such was the case at the Whitianga Bike but Mother Nature has a way of reminding us
Park in Moewai Road. The park has suffered to think smarter,” says Jon. “We now work on
storm damage in the past, but each time there limiting future damage and making changes to
has always been a group of willing volunteers lessen the impact of heavy rain and slips so the
Whitianga Bike Park volunteers, Jon Maud (left), Noel Hewlett (centre - Bike Park president) remedial work will not be so intense and soul
who turn up and get on with the rebuild.
and Andrew Dunning, at the entrance to the park’s mountain bike trails.
The recent heavy downfall and the resulting destroying as in the past.
damage inflicted was no exception. ago. “We love Whitianga, the people are so people on periodic detention. It became a “But in a massive storm you can only think
Development of the park has been a work friendly and community-minded,” says Jon. great magnet, however. The more involved I the worst and hope for the best. Either way,
in progress since January 2002 and over “It’s life lived as it should be in our opinion. became, the more I realised what the Bike Park we just get on with the clean-up. In addition,
the years, the leadership baton for future But I’m no mountain biker and originally only had to offer to the community.” we are very grateful for the donations that
planning and development has been handed became interested in the Bike Park because Andrew Dunning is working with Jon. come in to support our efforts both from the
on to others willing to continue the good work. of the opportunity to carry on my interest Originally from Nelson, Andrew moved to public and local businesses all year round.
In recent times, the lead has been taken by in community garden projects, and also the Whitianga last year. He’s a keen and active Without their support, it would be a lot harder
Jon Maud. He and his wife, Sherryn, moved work I have done over many years with the mountain biker, and trail builder. “Andrew has to rebuild when necessary or improve the
to Whitianga from Auckland around four years Department of Corrections and working with the vision, energy and skills to take the Bike park overall.”
Issue 901 - 10 June 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19You can also read
