Brand-new rescue helicopter's visit to Whitianga - The Mercury Bay Informer
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Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 Phone 07 866 2090 (07) 867 15 Circulation 7,200
Telephone the Coromandel
ppo rt
Proud to su Helicopter Trust
Rescue
Brand-new rescue helicopter’s
visit to Whitianga
By Stephan Bosman
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust pilots Rob Arrowsmith (on the left) and Rob Anderson (second from the left) flew the trust’s brand-new AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter to Crosby Field,
the rescue helicopter base in Whitianga, on Friday afternoon last week. Welcoming the new helicopter at the base were Walter Russell (on the right),
founding chairman of the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust, and Leith Jackson (next to Walter), the Crosby Field manager.
The first of the two brand-new twin-engine Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust (CRHT), Huge public backlash caused the government The new helicopter was flown to Whitianga on
rescue helicopters of the Auckland Rescue and Leith Jackson, the Crosby Field manager, late last year to abandon their intention to close Friday by ARHT pilots Rob Arrowsmith and
Helicopter Trust (ARHT) was formally were also present during the helicopter’s visit the base. Rob Anderson.
introduced last week to the New Zealand media. to Whitianga. The ARHT’s new AgustaWestland AW169 “There’s a lot about the cockpit of the AW169
The Informer was able to take a closer look at Crosby Field is owned by the CRHT. helicopters were manufactured in Italy, and will to like,” says Rob Arrowsmith. “It’s well
the helicopter (registered ZK-HLH) at Crosby The base was developed with enormous over time replace the two BK117 helicopters the thought-out and the ‘man-machine interface’
Field, the rescue helicopter base in Whitianga, support from the residents and ratepayers of the trust is currently operating. The trust’s second is very user-friendly. What’s really exciting,
on Friday afternoon last week. Coromandel Peninsula. The ARHT is operating AW169 helicopter is expected to arrive in New however, is the improved way the helicopter
Walter Russell, the founding chairman of the an air ambulance service from the base. Zealand later this month. will enable us to look after the patients in
(Continued on page 3)
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Public assistance required Summer Concert Tour to
for new Buffalo display return to Whitianga in 2020
The Mercury Bay Museum is calling on the general public for financial assistance to create a display
dedicated to HMS Buffalo. The Buffalo ran aground just off Buffalo Beach in Whitianga in 1840. A buoy
marks the physical location of the wreck.
“Several images of the Buffalo and items that were salvaged from the ship are on display in the main
display area of the museum, together with images, maps and other items relating to Captain Cook,” Following another successful Whitianga Summer Concert on Sunday 27 January, Greenstone
says Rebecca Cox, manager of the Mercury Bay Museum. “We will soon start to work on an explorers Entertainment is pleased to confirm that they will be returning to the Coromandel and the Whitianga
display - focusing on Kupe, Cook and the science of their times - in our main display area and plan to Waterways Arena as part of their 2020 Summer Concert Tour.
create a Buffalo display in what’s at the moment our bach display adjacent to our main display area. Since 2015, The Whitianga Waterways Arena has played host to the final of three shows in the annual
“We have several Buffalo items in storage that will fit perfectly into a dedicated display about the ship. Summer Concert Tour, with nearly 60,000 concert goers having attended across the past five years a
A dedicated display will also enable us to showcase recent footage of the wreck and stories about the ship relaxed, chilled out afternoon of music - popular with holidaymakers and locals alike.
that haven’t received much attention to date.” “We have a great relationship with Greenstone Entertainment and are proud to provide them with
It will cost approximately $3,500 for Rebecca and a team of Mercury Bay Museum volunteers to create a purpose-built concert site that can cater for up to 15,000 people,” says Peter Abrahamson,
a dedicated Buffalo display. Most of the cost will go into appropriate lighting. “A very generous local Whitianga Waterways manager. “Plenty of parking is available and there are generous seating areas
business has sponsored last week $1,000 towards the display,” says Rebecca. “We won’t be able to obtain available for concertgoers.”
the rest of the money through grants and hope the residents and ratepayers of Mercury Bay will be able Amanda Calvert, Greenstone Entertainment CEO, says the Coromandel fits perfectly with their
to help us out. The names of all donors/sponsors will be recorded on a plaque that will become part of philosophy of delivering world class international music acts to idyllic holiday locations across
the display. the country. “The Whitianga Waterways Arena is an ideal venue for our Summer Concert Tour,”
“HMS Buffalo is a significant part of the history of Mercury Bay and is continuously attracting international she says. “We’re excited to be returning to the venue in 2020 to help celebrate the 10th anniversary
attention. A documentary involving the ship is underway in Canada and the hull of the wreck was recently of Greenstone Entertainment.”
the subject of a PhD thesis in South Australia.” The 2020 Summer Concert Tour will also return to the additional favourite summer holiday locations
Everyone interested in contributing financially towards the display can email Rebecca at of Taupo and Queenstown.
manager@mercurybaymuseum.co.nz. Pictured is Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp) on stage during the Whitianga Summer Concert
Pictured is Rebecca with a clock that was made from wood and copper salvaged from the Buffalo wreck on 27 January.
in 1936.
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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019
Rescue helicopter’s visit
to Whitianga
(Continued from page 1)
our care. as well as some of the other ARHT pilots,
“There’s a lot more space at the back, trained to fly the AW169 in Italy. “It’s quite
which means we can comfortably carry an involved process to get type-rated on the
more than one intensive care paramedic or helicopter,” says Rob Anderson. “In addition
medical doctor, and procedures that are at the to hands-on flying, a lot of study is required.
moment performed at the scene of an incident, Our pilots who haven’t travelled to Italy are now
either next to the road or in the back of an training on the new helicopter in Auckland.”
ambulance, can now be performed in the The ARHT expects to introduce the new
helicopter en-route to hospital. helicopter into service by April this year.
“The new helicopter will really enable us to “We’ll initially use the helicopter in daylight
bring the hospital to the patient. visual flight rules [VFR] operations,” says Rob
“In addition, the helicopter has a longer range Arrowsmith. “In due course we’ll progress to
than the BK117 and cruises at 135 knots instead night-time VFR flying and after that to IFR
of 120 knots. A unique built-in anti-vibration operations. It’s a ‘crawl, walk, run’ exercise.
mechanism will also ensure a smoother ride for We hope to have both new helicopters in full
the patient. service by the end of the year. We’ll continue
“Another feature is a piece of very clever to use the BK117s while we bring the new
engineering which allows an auxiliary power helicopters online.”
unit to be run without the rotor blades turning. Crosby Field will undergo certain
That means the AW169 can remain fully lit modifications to accommodate the AW169.
inside after we’ve arrived at an incident and “The doors of the hangar on the base will be
before we take off again. The BK 117 goes widened and a fixed 20,000l fuel tank will be
completely dark on the inside once we’ve installed,” says Leith Jackson.
landed and switched off the engines. Walter Russell is suitably impressed with the
“The rotor blades of the new helicopter aren’t new AW169. “Years ago, when we established
much longer than the blades of the BK117, the CRHT, our aim was to provide the people
which means we can continue to fly relatively of the Coromandel Peninsula with the best
close to a cliff face if required. Both of our rescue helicopter service available,” he says.
AW169s will be equipped with winches.” “When the government announced their plan
The AW169 also has better instrument last year to restructure air ambulance services
flight rules [IFR] capabilities than the BK117. across New Zealand, which included the
“The CRHT and the people of the Coromandel closure of Crosby Field, they said they wanted
have done a fantastic job in ensuring GPS to provide better patient care to all the people
approaches are available to us at most of the of New Zealand. They should be very pleased
major centres on the Peninsula,” says Rob that they’ve backtracked on their decision to
Anderson. “The AW169 will enable us to close our base in Whitianga. The ARHT’s new
make use of the approaches more efficiently. AW169 helicopters are absolutely world-class.
In reality, the helicopter’s IFR capabilities are In my book they will provide all of us on the
ahead of what New Zealand aviation legislation Coromandel with not just ‘better patient care,’
currently allows for.” but some of the best patient care available
Both Rob Arrowsmith and Rob Anderson, anywhere in the world.”
699 - 627February
Issue 831 July 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
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Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach couple building dream home together By Meg Tatton-Brown Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach resident, Cathie Cathie was brought up with two brothers on Denton, and her partner, Daniel Jacobs, a farm and loves the outdoors, especially have been working hard in the summer heat motorbike riding. She has never been afraid over the last few months to build their dream to get dirty and work hard. “I can credit that home in the Wharekaho subdivision between to my mum and dad who have brought us up Whitianga and Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach. that way,” says Cathie. “They taught us to work Originally from Coromandel Town where hard to get what you want, and I’m so grateful both Cathie and Daniel grew up, they met for that.” nearly 16 years ago before deciding to relocate For the couple, building is a full-time job. to Mount Maunganui, where Daniel completed Their kids are dropped off at day care each his building apprenticeship and Cathie worked weekday morning and Cathie and Daniel in the pharmaceutical industry. are out on site from 9:00am until 4:00pm, They lived in Mount Maunganui for about when Cathie picks up their boys. She does 14 years and built two of their own homes - all their office administration work too. all while juggling full-time jobs and raising two Often she and Daniel are up late at night young sons. They then moved to Cambridge for going over house plans and preparing for the a year to build Cathie’s sister-in-law’s home following day. “We really enjoy the whole together. design process of building and then seeing the Both Cathie and Daniel knew they wanted to end product makes it all worth it,” says Cathie. move back to the Coromandel Peninsula to be “We’re putting a lot of thought into every home closer to family and friends and so their boys we build, and we’re pretty fussy with things.” could experience the benefits of a lifestyle that A typical day for Cathie involves measuring comes with living in a smaller community. and cutting, and just about anything Daniel So, in the second half of last year, the couple needs help with. This could be fixing bottom relocated their family and building business to plates down, standing trusses, framing and Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach and in November gibbing. “The great thing about building is that they began building their dream home. every day is different,” says Cathie. They aim to be finished by this coming winter. Building is not always easy and some days Alongside this, Cathie and Daniel are also can be quite hard when things are just not going building a second home, which they will sell right. “It can sometimes be a bit difficult to once completed. juggle everything, but somehow we make it Cathy has never had any formal training work,” says Cathie. “I think that Daniel and in the building industry. Daniel has taught I make a great team and we work really well her everything she knows and she continues together. He has the patience of a saint, I can Cathie Denton on the site in the Wharekaho subdivision where she and her partner, to learn throughout the building process. tell you that.” Daniel Jacobs, are building their dream home. Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019
Improv comedy show in Tairua a success Auckland improv comedy group, “Casual First Date,” entertained an eager audience in the Tairua Community Hall on Saturday evening 26 January with a performance that raised funds for surf lifesaving equipment at the beach at Sailor’s Grave. A total of $775 was raised through ticket sales and the equipment has since been installed. The amount raised exceeded the target and the extra money will be used for other lifesaving equipment in the Tairua area. Encouraged by the response to its first provincial show, the group is considering taking their distinct style of comedy to Whitianga and other locations in the wider Mercury Bay area. Group member, Melanie Bass, says the cast were overwhelmed by the support from the Tairua community. “We were delighted to entertain the people of Tairua and to see the warm response to our show,” she says. Pictured are some of the members of “Casual First Date” during their visit to Tairua. From left to right - Helen Jarvis, Kathryn Jarvis, Melanie Bass, Gareth Blackler, Esther Louise and Erik van de Wijdeven. Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Letters to the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The Whitianga Summer Concert I for one believed, with there being no possibility of a bylaw excluding the public from parking in
I went to the Whitianga Summer Concert on Sunday 27 January, my first. Superb! Location, Hahei, that there would no longer be a need for an expansion of the Hahei Village Entry carpark.
organisation, entertainment, safety. I couldn’t fault it. Congratulations to Greenstone Entertainment, This was a logical conclusion. There’s simply no need for more formal parking for the very short
the promotors, and their staff - they were terrific. time there is demand for parking in excess of current capacity.
I’m looking forward to Greenstone’s 10th anniversary next year. I’ll be there. This exceptional summer provided a perfect opportunity to assess just how bad the parking
Shaun Fay problem is in Hahei. I had, among others, submitted to TCDC that the problematic parking period
Whangamata was some six to eight weeks between Christmas Day and Waitangi Day. This proved incorrect.
Dear Editor - Spray-painting by a 1080 protester The problem exists for only two weeks, Boxing Day until about 6 January. On any day after this,
Would you mind to publish my response to the anti-1080 protestor who has recently spray- following people’s return to work, there were always excess parking spaces in the Village Entry
painted a message on a fence along the Bluff Road section of the Rings Beach Wetland short carpark and plenty in Hahei Village itself. Many very close to the water.
circular walk? On the Saturday of Anniversary Weekend at 3:00pm, with perfect weather and perfect
Dear 1080 Protester, beach-going conditions, I counted about 50 vacant spaces in the Village Entry carpark and any
The Rings Beach Wetland Project volunteers have noted the obscene anti-1080 message number in the village itself. At the same time this last weekend, another fine, calm Saturday,
painted onto a roadside fence in Bluff Road in Matarangi. the Village Entry carpark was about half full at best. There’s simply no demand for extra car parks
Thank you for expressing your sentiments so succinctly, but we would like to draw in Hahei at this point in time.
your attention to the fact that we trap manually, have never used any poisons and probably I was informed by a TCDC official they were “future proofing.” It was “future proofing” that
never will. brought us the white elephant of the Mercury Bay Multisport Park in Whitianga and the attendant
This requires some effort from productive volunteers, who prefer to be active in pest management large debt. And the totally failed logic of the composting of sewage waste which has left a nasty
and are not so ignorant as to express their feelings in such destructive practises as defacing legacy, a rusting pile of scrap metal and again a large debt.
public property. As an aside, it’s proposed to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new toilet in Hahei
Perhaps you and your kind could employ positive reinforcement of your messages by Village, for a net increase of one pan. The proposal is to demolish the existing toilet block,
volunteering to assist with trapping, or better still, start a conservation group and prove that which only needs a spruce up, and to site the new dunny right smack in the entrance to the Hahei
you care about nature and the survival of our native birds. Community Centre. It’s beyond belief!
Ian Patrick These two proposals are an unnecessary waste of funds and I feel that civil disobedience might
Secretary of the Rings Beach Wetland Project become necessary to prevent TCDC perpetuating these sorts of absurdities. There seems to be no
way to affect the decision-making process until matters reach a farcical level.
Dear Editor - The first 40 years of the Mercury Bay Aero Club The rejection of the parking bylaw was a socially corrosive and expensive, time-consuming
A fantastic article by Jack Biddle in The Informer of 23 January on the history of the Mercury Bay process for all involved and as ratepayers or taxpayers, we get the privilege of paying for it all.
Aero Club. I would love to read another article with more of the history from where it leaves off. If decisions are to be made for our betterment, the necessary consultation must be wider, longer,
May I ask that Jack writes a follow up to the current day? more representative and responsive before violence breaks out.
Rob Davis Personally speaking, why can’t we just have the footpath between the beach carpark and Pa
Whitianga Road in Hahei? This has been requested for years and is actually very necessary. And what we
Dear Editor - Infrastructure in Hahei really, really want is a sewage system, like any civilised village sited on sand, by the water’s edge
When the folk of Hahei roundly defeated the idiocy of the proposed Thames-Coromandel District in the 21st century.
Council Parking Bylaw change (to turn Hahei into a pedestrian village) before Christmas, we all Alastair Sims
thought, “Well that’s that!” Unfortunately, not so. Hahei
Happy Valentine’s Day - 14 February
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019
Happy Valentine’s
Win $100 in our
Valentine’s Day
competition
In celebration of Valentine’s Day this year, we are giving away a
$100 voucher to spend with any one of our advertisers in this issue of
The Informer.
To go into the draw to win, just tell us the name of your favourite
Coromandel beach to enjoy in the company of your loved one.
Your entry has to be in writing and can be emailed or hand-delivered
to us. You can also enter by commenting on the competition posts on
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If you email or hand-deliver your entry to us, please let us have your
phone number as well.
Entries close at midnight this coming Sunday (10 February), so make
sure you don’t delay in getting your entry to us.
The winner will be notified by phone or through social media on
Monday 11 February. The winner’s name will be published in The
Informer of Wednesday 13 February. We will also publish the names of
our readers’ favourite romantic beaches in our issue of 13 February.
We are running this competition to provide some fun to our readers
and also as a small token of our appreciation for the support we
receive from our advertisers.
Happy Valentine’s
Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Researching Airbnb and Fairbnb
By Suzanne Hansen
The focus of Whitianga local, Stella Pennell’s with local authorities how to make the tourism subjectivity.” The feedback people see on attract the kind of visitors who would enhance
research for her PhD in sociology widened as accommodation process fairer, more sustainable online platforms is set up by algorithms, and protect our lifestyle?
a result of her recent three-month visiting post- and rewarding for the whole community,” which are actually human marketing inventions Stella says that three months away from
graduate fellowship at Wageningen University says Stella. and are fallible. “An example is Airbnb starting home was a life-changing experience,
in the Netherlands. Bringing this into local context, for a town like to think that I was Dutch because of my three- where she had a lot of time to contemplate what
Stella was during her stay in the Netherlands Whitianga, which swells from approximately month stay in the Netherlands,” says Stella. really matters to her.
surrounded by like-minded academics, 5,000 permanent residents to more than 20,000 “I started to receive vacation offers to Rarotonga “The concept of ‘our place’ is completely
including her sponsor, Wageningen’s Chair people in the high season, who is paying for in Dutch. I have been to Rarotonga before, but I intertwined with our identity and our
of Sociology of Development and Change, the infrastructure required to accommodate am not fluent in Dutch. relationships with others,” she says. “While
Dr Bram Büscher. Dr Büscher is one of a few all the visitors and what is the true impact of “This is a ripe example of how Airbnb is we are chasing being hospitable, we also need
people in the world working in Stella’s specific their visits? How do families find long-term disconnected to the reality of their customers.” to reflect on what intrinsic values we have,
area of interest, “platform capitalism.” accommodation in an opportunistic tourist Platforms like Airbnb, because they are why we live in New Zealand or on the
The term platform capitalism describes market? How do we protect the lifestyle and global and there is need for a common language, Coromandel and identify the unique parts of the
global platforms such as Airbnb - an online values that we actually want? tend to “dumb down” our unique values to experience we want to protect.”
marketplace where people rent out their As a result of her fellowship at Wageningen the lowest common denominator. How, in this Stella is aiming to submit her thesis in August
properties or spare rooms to guests, bypassing University, Stella is now also focusing some scenario, are we to appropriately market our this year. She has also nearly finished a journal
many of the commercial parameters and taxes of her research on the concept of “digital intrinsic Kiwi or Coromandel uniqueness and article that will be published in the near future.
that have to be met by fulltime accommodation
providers.
Stella set out writing her PhD on the effect
of such platforms on regional tourism hubs
like the Coromandel Peninsula. Her time
“knocking ideas around” with her international
colleagues at Wageningen and her networking
at various conferences while in the Netherlands,
caused her to form the opinion that, in the
context of tourism, “Too much of a good thing
might not be a good thing.”
With the explosion of platforms like Airbnb,
tourism markets like New Zealand may need to
learn from other markets and decide, “What sort
of tourism do we want?”
Stella mentions tourist destinations like
Barcelona where the city currently has more
visitors than residents, due to the spiralling
costs of accommodation brought on by
property owners capitalising on homestay
accommodation. The city is now chasing
“de-growth” and “de-tourism” by setting up
new bylaws which even out the playing field.
“There are also new grassroots platforms
like FairBnB, which have emerged in response Whitianga local, Stella Pennell, has recently returned from a three-month visiting
to the impact of Airbnb and decides together post-graduate fellowship at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
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Week of Wednesday 6 February to Tuesday 12 February - The International Space Station (ISS) makes an appearance in the evening
sky again this week. Orbiting 400km above the Earth it looks just like a bright slowly moving star silently carrying its cargo of three
astronauts around the globe every 90 minutes.
Sunday 10 February - Slightly reddish Mars lies just below and to the right of the crescent Moon in the evening northwestern sky.
Monday 11 February - The crescent Moon now lies above and to the right of slightly reddish Mars in the early evening. Astronomy Tours and B&B
Tuesday 12 February - The ISS is very briefly visible tonight very low in the northwest from 7:55pm - 7:57pm and it will appear to quickly Phone (07) 866 5343
vanish as it disappears into the Earth’s shadow. It will be well over 1,000km away from us due to its low angle in our evening sky. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11
Whitianga resident’s
feathered friend
While working outside one day last month, Sam McLean, a resident of Moewai Park Road in
Whitianga, was surprised to find a myna bird landing on his head.
Over the last few weeks, the bird has been appearing every so often to land on Sam’s shoulder.
It stays for a while before flying off. Sam has no idea where it goes to. He wonders whether
it has been tamed by someone else and thinks maybe it was encouraged by his regular bird
feeding in his garden.
Myna birds are highly intelligent, with some species possessing the ability to mimic human
speech. In other countries, they are often kept as pets and can be tamed easily when young.
Sam hasn’t seen the bird for a few days now, but is hoping it will make a return. “It was a nice
surprise when it first arrived,” says Sam. “I thought it must have made a mistake landing on my
head, but it seems to have become a regular visitor now.”
Pictured is Sam with his new feathered friend.
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019Large turnout at retirement Coromandel real estate
villages seminar update
Property website realestate.co.nz released their statistics for January 2019 at the end of
last week. The inventory of listings for the Coromandel (the period of time it will take to
sell all residential properties on the market without any new stock being listed for sale)
indicates that the Peninsula remains a sellers market.
The Coromandel’s inventory of listings stood at 37 weeks at the end of last month.
That remains significantly below realestate.co.nz’s long term average for the Peninsula of
137 weeks. The inventory of listings for New Zealand as a whole stood at 19 weeks.
Interestingly, the Auckland residential housing market has turned into a buyers market
with an inventory of listings of 26 weeks and a long term average of 23 weeks.
The average asking price for a residential property on the Coromandel increased in January
2019 to $724,596. That is an increase of 2.1 per cent over December 2018. Nationwide the
average asking price increased by 3.3 per cent.
Only Auckland ($960,482) and the Central Otago/Lakes region ($939,482) recorded last
month a higher average asking price than the Coromandel Peninsula.
New Zealand wide, the average residential property asking price was last month 695,116.
Troy Churton, the National Manager - Retirement Villages of the Commission for Financial Capability Compared to December 2018, that is a rise of 3.3 per cent.
(CFFC), is pleased with the turnout of more than 60 people at his public education seminar on retirement
villages in Whitianga on Wednesday last week. “The interest was so overwhelming that we probably will Vanessa Taylor, a spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says that when they started
hold a second seminar in Whitianga in the not too distant future,” says Troy. collecting data 12 years ago (in January 2007), the average national property asking price
The CFFC is an independent, government-funded organisation focused on helping people to get ahead was $410,666.
financially. They work to ensure the retirees of today and tomorrow are equipped with the knowledge, The number of residential properties for sale on the Coromandel Peninsula was at the end
skills and confidence to make good financial decisions at every stage of their lives. of last month 15.3 per cent below the number of properties for sale at the end of January
Troy discussed on Wednesday the pros and cons of retirement village living. “As I’m independent, meaning 2018. Nationwide the number of properties for sale at the end of January 2019 was 2.3 per
I have nothing to sell, I can objectively talk to people about things as they are,” says Troy. cent below the number of properties for sale a year earlier.
In his presentation, Troy placed a lot of emphasis on retirees choosing the lifestyle they want. In addition
to purchasing a “licence to occupy” in a retirement village, he referred to other choices available to them, Only 122 properties have come onto the market on the Peninsula in January 2019. That is
including staying in their home, obtaining a reverse mortgage, downsizing, taking on a flatmate/s and a decrease of 25.2 per cent on the number of properties listed for sale in January 2018.
moving in with family. Across New Zealand, listings increased last month by 0.5 per cent compared to January
Inevitably Troy spent a significant amount of time on the cost of a licence to occupy a unit in a last year.
retirement village. Despite the fall in the total number of residential properties for sale in the country,
Afterwards, several of the attendees thanked Troy for the way he presented the seminar. “For the first realestate.co.nz has continued to see potential purchasers showing significant interest
time I understand exactly what to consider before making the decision to move into a retirement village,” in the New Zealand property market. “The Kiwi passion for property is alive and kicking,”
one of the attendees remarked. says Vanessa.
Pictured is Troy during the seminar on Wednesday.
Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13A knight in Kennedy Bay
By Suzanne Hansen
Well-known Kennedy Bay local, to her. George delivered the gift, he and Dolly
Rob McLeod, was named a Knight fell in love, married and had five children -
Companion of the New Zealand Order of Rob being the youngest.
Merit in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List All of Rob’s siblings were schooled in
for his contributions to Māori and business. Gisborne, with the exception of his brother,
I recently spoke to him about the honour John, who was sent to Kennedy Bay to be
and his many achievements. raised and primary-schooled at the request of
Sir Rob says his success in life derives Dolly's aunt Kate.
from the opportunities provided by two Towards the end of high school,
strong-willed and nurturing families. Sir Rob was leaning towards acceptance of
One family he married into through his wife, an apprenticeship as an electrician, but was
Joanne, resulting in three talented sons. directed by his mother to go to university
The other he was born into. This has been like his other siblings had before him.
enhanced by the role models he has met along Rob describes his mother as a, “Strong-
life’s pathway. willed Ngāti Porou woman with red hair,
Sir Rob counts himself incredibly lucky for well-known for not taking no as an answer.”
these encounters. He accepted his New Year’s He went off to university and his parents
honour with mixed emotions of delight, pride retired and moved to Kennedy Bay to
and humility for the opportunities given to live in 1976. They took over the family
him by his family and other people. homestead, which continues to be the heart
Although born, raised and schooled in of the McLeod whānau. Each of Rob’s three
the East Coast region of New Zealand, surviving siblings now either live or own
primarily on the outskirts of Gisborne, property in Kennedy Bay and visit frequently.
Sir Rob and his family are deeply connected His parents are both buried at the homestead.
to Kennedy Bay through his mother, Rob ended up with a conjoint degree in
Helen Margaret Ngapo, known locally as law and commerce, which he started at
Dolly. Her family connection to Kennedy Otago University and completed at Auckland
Bay dates back to the 19th century. University. With this mix of disciplines,
Raised in Harataunga by her maiden he decided a career in taxation would be the
aunt Kate, Dolly met Rob’s father, George best match.
McLeod, in Gisborne after he returned from He has been a specialist tax practitioner for
the 28th Maori Batallion in World War II. more than 30 years. In his career, Sir Rob has
Dolly was working as a nurse and George held a number of senior leadership roles in
was asked by his good army friend, Tuhaka New Zealand, Australian and Māori business
Ngapo (Sir Rob's “Uncle Dodge”), who was organisations, including chairing the New Kennedy Bay local, Rob McLeod, was named a Knight Companion of the
Dolly's whāngai brother, to deliver a gift Zealand Business Round Table for eight years New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List.
Mobility equipment available for locals and visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs.
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019Sir Rob McLeod (the longest standing chairman) and chairing He has been a Commissioner of the Treaty of the 2001 government tax review. Waitangi Fisheries Commission and chaired He served as chief executive and managing Aotearoa Fisheries Limited. partner of Ernst & Young New Zealand, He has held directorships of Tainui before being appointed to the same role Group Holdings, Telecom NZ, ANZ, for EY Australasia, based in Sydney, Sky City, Gulliver Travel and Sealord. for approximately five years. During this He is currently deputy chairman of Sanford, time, he pushed an active agenda for gender chairman of Quayside Holdings and the equity and championed indigenous initiatives, E Tipu E Rea Trust, and a director of the Port including EY filing its first reconciliation of Tauranga. action plan in Australia. When I asked this truly inspirational man He was also instrumental in actively what his aspirations were for Kennedy Bay, transitioning EY’s domestic focus on the Coromandel and New Zealand as a Australia and New Zealand to one of Asia whole, Sir Rob gave a passionate response Pacific integration. based on the principles adopted by the Ngāti He is a retired member of the Business Porou leader, Sir Āpirana Ngata (who is Council of Australia where he served on memorialised on our $50 note). the council’s Taskforces on Indigenous In his whakatauki e tipu e rea, the Engagement and Economic Policy and following message to the then emerging Competitiveness. generation of rangitahi was given, Sir Rob, with his Ngāti Porou whakapapa, “Oh grow, little shoot(s), for the days of your has been a champion for small business and years. Embrace the tools of the Pākehā for the entrepreneurship and was a key driver of nourishment of your body. Wear your culture Māori economic development. He served and custom as a crown on your head and give on the 2004 Hui Taumata Taskforce to your soul to God, the author of all things.” increase Māori participation, leadership and Sir Rob regards the “tools of the Pākehā” governance in the workforce. as a metaphor for education, training and He was also a member of the Māori jobs focused on material wellbeing. He says Economic Development Taskforce in 2010 Ta Āpirana depicted God as representing and was on the establishment team for Te Puni moral and ethical values, accompanied by Kokiri (the Ministry of Māori Development). the need to keep cultural identity as a filter Other governance roles held by Sir Rob for one’s worldview. Ta Āpirana emphasised include serving on an Independent Ministerial but differentiated material from cultural Advisory Panel for the Defence Review, the wellbeing. National Infrastructure Advisory Board and the Sir Rob is a truly accomplished individual Ministerial Taskforce on Tertiary Education. who has certainly led a fulfilling life. Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019
Issue 831
699 - 627February
July 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17Eran “The Bubble Man” is Exciting year ahead for
coming to town community choir
The Mercury Bay community will be treated to an unforgettable experience on Wednesday 13
February in the Whitianga Town Hall, when talented bubbleologist, Eran “The Bubble Man”
(pictured), also known as the Highland Joker, will be taking to the stage.
Originally from Britain, but having grown up on the Mediterranean coast, Eran was formerly a On Monday 18 February, starting at 6:00pm, the Mercury Bay Community Choir’s opening
soldier and an actor. He’s now based in New Zealand and the UK. His performance in Whitianga practice for 2019 will take place in the Mercury Bay Area School music room.
is part of a whirlwind 18-centre North Island tour of “The Bubble Show.”
The Mercury Bay Community Choir is a social, non-auditioning community organisation for
In addition to New Zealand and the UK, Eran has previously toured in Europe and the USA. those who love to sing with others and make good friends along the way. Choir practices
Eran’s unique blend of magic, storytelling and bubble art is always a huge hit in New Zealand. will take place every Monday evening at 6:00pm in the MBAS music room, working towards
He has won numerous awards, including the Audience Choice Award at the Nelson Fringe a performance in the Whitianga Town Hall on 19 May.
Festival in 2018 and Face TV’s Best Family Act Award in 2016. In mid-June, the choir will begin work on a Tuia - 250 Encounters performance piece
Eran has captured some big names with his bubble antics, including putting Prime Minister composed specifically for them by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal. Dr Royal is a passionate
Jacinda Ardern inside a giant bubble and teaching some of his tricks to the Blues rugby team advocate for “indigenous creativity,” which he pursues through composing and performing
as part of a mental health awareness campaign. He’s a current Guinness World Record holder music, and researching and teaching iwi history and traditions and indigenous knowledge.
for putting the greatest number of people inside giant soap bubbles in 30 seconds. He also has Dr Royal was commissioned by Creative Mercury Bay to develop a bespoke composition of
a pending World Record for enclosing his wife inside an enormous bubble for 63 seconds. harmonies and lyrics, both in English and Te Reo, for the Mercury Bay Community Choir to
You’ll be able to see ginormous bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, bouncy bubbles, perform. The choir will be joined in the performance by dancers from En Point Dance Studio
smoke bubbles, square bubbles and even fire bubbles in “The Bubble Show” in Whitianga. and a kapa haka group.
The show will start at 4:00pm and will last an hour. The show is suitable for all ages. The choir is keen to attract all singers in the Mercury Bay community at all musical levels
Tickets are available from www.eventfinda.co.nz at a cost of $17 for adults and $10 for children. for their exciting programme in 2019. If you would like to know more, please phone choir
If you would like to stay after the show for a 25-minute hands-on bubble workshop, then you director, Kate, on (027) 270 9058 or choir president, Edie, on (027) 272 5733.
can book a workshop ticket for $10 in addition to your show ticket.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019Issue 831
699 - 627February
July 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019
Issue 831
699 - 627February
July 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21The Fire Siren By DCFO Derek Collier
Sponsored by Safety + Apparel - tel 0800 726 726
The new year has started reasonably quietly interaction with the public at the Mercury
for the Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade, Bay Seaside Carnival.
with only nine calls for assistance during Please avoid setting off any fireworks.
January. We’ve had three calls to private fire It’s very dry out there.
alarm activations, all of which have been We’re currently looking for new members,
false alarms. We responded to a bonfire on so if you’re interested or know someone who
the beach, as well as three separate incidents would like to give back to their community
and be part of a great organisation,
of a roof, fence and deck on fire. We’ve also
come and have a talk - just drop in and see
assisted St John Ambulance twice. me at Whitianga Sports in
Even if call-outs are quiet, our brigade Albert Street.
members are always busy. We’ve once again Remember, if you can't be
had a very successful Emergency Services good, at least be careful.
Market on Sunday 30 December and also Deputy Chief Fire Officer
a great response to our display and our Derek Collier
H O U S E WA S H I N G
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lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a clean, Drew can
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Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019Paul’s Green Fingers
By Paul Green of Aeroview Garden Centre - Tel (07) 868 7960
With the current dry weather, plants in the into the container until the mix is fully hydrated.
garden will be suffering from a lack of water The other option is to use a soil-wetting agent
and from heat stress. Anyone who took the which will speed up the moisture absorption
time to mulch around their plants, especially into the potting medium.
those that are shallow-rooted such as citrus, Green shield bugs, or stink beetles as they are
rhododendrons and azaleas, will see the commonly called, will be showing up in larger
plants are not showing signs of wilt and numbers now. The best way to control them is to
burnt leaf tips. catch one or two early in the morning - they start
Any fruit and other trees and shrubs that to move faster once they warm up - and squash
have been planted in the past three years will them, wearing gloves of course, and drop them
be vulnerable to drying out. It takes at least under the infested plants.
three years before a new tree or shrub has The live beetles will smell the stink the dead
made sufficient root growth to withstand ones give off and fall to the ground playing
dry spells. dead. If you lay a sheet under the plants, it will
The first signs a plant is in trouble include the be easy to spot the live ones and despatch them
younger growth wilting and the older growth appropriately.
discolouring (becoming red and yellow with If you look under the leaves on host plants,
the leaves hanging down), the plant shedding
the stink beetle eggs are easily identifiable.
leaves in an attempt to reduce transpiration
They look like small barrels laid in rows.
and in the case of deciduous trees, all the If you see a brown marmorated stink bug, catch it or take a picture and notify the They can be easily squashed.
leaves falling with the plant waiting until the Ministry for Primary Industries of its location. It’s a pest that has the ability Also keep an eye out for the brown
following spring to come back into leaf.
to decimate the New Zealand fresh produce industry. marmorated stink bug. It’s a pest that has the
Often the plant will be severely weakened
through not having built up sufficient reserves ability to decimate the New Zealand fresh
dry conditions. In extreme cases try spraying the plants with
to get through the winter. Potted plants are especially vulnerable to Vaporgard. The polymers in the spray will produce industry. The bugs eat everything and
To avoid these problems, deep watering twice drying out. Wind, sun and small amounts of reduce transpiration from the leaves for four to if they spread through New Zealand, they could
a week will see your plants though to the next growing medium around the roots call for six weeks. Vaporgard can also be successfully cause very serious damage to our economy.
rains and liquid feed over the foliage will keep extra vigilance around watering. If the potting used on trees, including fruit trees and shrubs. Originating from Asia, they do not have any
the plants healthy and ward off any attacks from medium allows a top up, try mixing pre-wet rain The product is non-toxic and may save the crop. natural predators and can’t be controlled by
bugs or fungal diseases. crystals into a small amount of potting mix and The potting mix in containers can become insecticides. If you see one, catch it or take a
Water early in the morning to allow time for fill the pot to just below the brim, taking care hydrophobic, meaning the mix will not picture and notify the Ministry for primary
the leaves to dry during the day. Wet leaves not to overdo the crystals. Another method is to easily absorb water once it is dried out. Industries of its location.
overnight mean the plants are susceptible to sit the pot in a deep saucer and fill it with water This is partly because the peat and/or coco The bugs are coming into the country in
attacks from fungal spores. each time the pot is watered. As the mix dries fibre when dry is very hard to wet again. vehicles, machinery, etc from Japan, Asia and
Citrus trees will appreciate a deep watering. out, water is capillaried up into the mix. If the container is small, it can be submerged in the USA. It’s another interloper that we don’t
This will ensure they don’t drop too much Plants that are root-bound in the pot can be a bucket of water until air bubbles stop rising need in New Zealand.
fruit. Spraying the leaves top and bottom will moved to a shady area to avoid the heat of the to the surface when the mix is fully saturated From the team at Aeroview Garden Centre,
reduce the red spiders that thrive in these warm, day and reduce transpiration from the leaves. again. For large containers, slowly trickle a hose enjoy your February gardening.
Issue 831 - 6 February 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23What’s On The next few weeks
REGULAR EVENTS
Op-Shops
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm.
The Church Op-Shop - at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday
10:00am - 2:00pm.
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop
Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss (the old WW)
Meet every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. A support group
for women striving to be the “best versions of themselves” they can be. “Weighing in” at meetings is optional, but all
are motivated towards being more active and encourage each other to eat well. Phone 869 5648 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on
866 4215 for more information or to join.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club)
Meet the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga.
Phone 866 5027 for more information.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc. Afternoon tea,
55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information.
Matarangi Craft Group
Meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley
on 866 0788 for more information.
Whenuakite Area Playgroup
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 12:30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Ages birth - six years. Visitors welcome. Tea and
coffee are provided.
Social Road Cycling
A 20km ride. Meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9:00am opposite Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Followed by
coffee. Phone Tony on (021) 023 38323 for more information.
Mountain Biking
Meets every Sunday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 if you are
interested in riding.
Whitianga Playcentre
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Witianga. For children 0 - 6 years,
free entry. Visitors welcome.
Mercury Bay Quilters
Meet the first and third Monday and the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Whitianga
Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. New members welcome. Phone Delys on (07) 866 0265 for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Choir
Meet Mondays at 6:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School music room, 20 South Highway, Whitianga. First meeting for
2019 on Monday 18 February. All welcome. To find out more, phone Kate on (027) 270 9058 or Edie on (027) 272 5733.
Whitianga Tramping Group
Meet every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information.
Mercury Bay Woolcraft Group
Meets every first and third Wednesday of the month in the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk Street, from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Phone Wendy Russell on (07) 866 3225 or Michelle McLuckie on (021) 104 1205 for more information.
Serenity Al-Anon Group
Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone (07) 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by
someone else’s drinking.
Cooks Beach Garden Circle
Meet the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on (07) 866 3264
or Anne on (07) 67 1618 for more information.
Whitianga Art Group
Meet every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am - 4:00pm at the Art Centre and Gallery at the end of School Road,
Whitianga. Visitors welcome. Phone Phone Merle on (021) 024 19368 or Beverley on (07) 866 2345 for more information.
Dog Walking Group
Meet every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog.
SPECIFIC EVENTS
Kuaotunu 20/20 Cricket Game
Friday 8 February at 5:30pm at the Kuaotunu Domain, Kuaotunu-Wharekaho Road, Kuaotunu. Cost $10 per
player, all gear provided. A fundraiser for the new Kuaotunu halfpipe. Spectators welcome, a BBQ afterwards.
Phone Doug on (021) 130 8745 or Paul on (027) 574 3721 for more information.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 9 February from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Coastal Collective Market
Saturday 9 February from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at the Cooks Beach shops, Captain Cook Road, Cooks Beach.
Coroglen Farmer’s Market
Sunday 10 February from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Coroglen Hall, State Highway 25, Coroglen.
The Bubble Show
Wednesday 13 February at 5:00pm in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Whitianga. Join the Highland Joker,
one of the top bubble artists in the world, as he tours New Zealand with his award-winning performance.
Tickets $17 adults and $10 children, available from www.eventfinda.co.nz.
Regular Church Services
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church
Albert Street, Whitianga. Worship service and kids-friendly Bible session at 9:30am every Sunday.
St Peter the Fisherman Anglican Church
Dundas Street, Whitianga. Service at 9:30am every Sunday.
Crossroads Whitianga
Corner of Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Service at 10:00am every Sunday.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Campbell Street, Whitianga. Weekend Mass every Saturday at 5:30pm and every Sunday 8:30am.
Whitianga Baptist Church
112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel 393 0000. Service and children’s programme at 10:00am every Sunday.
C3 Whitianga
23 Coghill Street, Whitianga, email info@c3whitianga.org.nz. Service and children’s programme at 10:00am
every Sunday.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church or Mormons)
Meet at the Whitianga Social Services building, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga at 10:00am every Sunday. All welcome.
Phone (021) 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
Page 24 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 831 - 6 February 2019You can also read
