Deserving champions! Issue 916 - 22 September 2020 - The Mercury Bay ...
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Issue 916 - 22 September 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000
Deserving champions!
By Stephan Bosman
The Mercury Bay Area School Under 15 rugby team after their Thames Valley final on Saturday last week. The team is sharing the cup with Waihi College.
They were coached by Mike Campbell and Craig Swindlehurst, and managed by Donna Markowski and Kelly Austin.
Despite the fact that the Mercury Bay Under we were trailing 7 - 19 at halftime. However, Union rules, no extra time is played when Whitianga ingenuity, however, with Coast
15 rugby team drew their Thames Valley final, we picked up our game in the second a secondary school final is drawn and the 2 Coast Building Services creating a small
26 all, against Waihi College on Saturday half and utilised our backline a lot better. trophy is shared, with both teams entitled to grandstand on the back of one of their trucks
last week, they are competition champions, Our backline’s efforts were instrumental in call themselves champions. “Our boys are just outside the fence.
both on paper and in the hearts and minds of our success throughout the season. deserving champions,” says Donna. “They As MBAS finished ahead of Waihi College
their supporters. “With the score even, the last few minutes on the points table, they will be playing
gave everything they had throughout the
The game was played as part of the Thames were nail-biting. Despite our determination, the King Country Rugby Union Under 15
season, and their parents and supporters are
Valley Rugby Union secondary school finals we just couldn’t get any extra points. To be champions in a “Champion of Champions”
day in Waihi. honest, it was a little bit disheartening when very proud of what they’ve achieved.” clash in Taupo on Sunday, 27 September.
“We went into the final top of the table, the final whistle went as we were looking The game was played under COVID-19 For MBAS, Riley Jackman, Kevin Zhu,
but were a bit flat in the first half,” says strong and just a few extra minutes could restrictions with strict spectator control Tyrese Melde and Jamie Stevenson scored
Donna Markowski one of the team managers. have given us the win.” inside the grounds where the finals day was tries on Saturday. Colville Green converted
“With Waihi getting the better of us, According to the Thames Valley Rugby held. That didn’t stop the display of some three of the tries.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Uncertainty still dampening the mood
of local business sector
By Gillian O’Neill
Uncertainty continues to dominate the Business Consulting believes the recent said they expected to increase full-time businesses have moved into developing the
mood of the Thames-Coromandel District Auckland lockdown was a huge setback employees by up to five people. digital paradigm and more online offerings of
business sector with low confidence levels for tourism businesses on the Coromandel Sixty-five percent of Coromandel their products and services.
particularly evident among tourism and Peninsula. “There is uncertainty out there, businesses said they had not changed their “Confidence is going to be key over the
hospitality operators. businessowners are trying to be positive and staff numbers to date as a result of COVID-19, next few months and we are here to help
A total of 69 businesses from the pivot for a domestic market, but are also with a quarter revealing a reduction of businesses stay optimistic, particularly in
Coromandel took part in a business sentiment aware that not all international tourism dollars between one and five employees. the tourism, primary industries and service
survey carried out by Waikato economic will convert to domestic tourism dollars,” “I’m proud of how tenacious our businesses sectors. Winter is always our quiet season
development agency, Te Waka, during the she says. and our people are as they continue to for visitors and we anticipate domestic
month of August - the highest number of “Other factors that are feeding into the overcome the challenges life throws at tourism activity, which makes up a significant
all districts within the Waikato region apart uncertainty are the election and what will them,” Mrs Goudie said. “We are optimistic, share of our market, to pick up heading
from Hamilton City. change as a result, what will happen with the adaptable and resilient. You can see how many into summer.”
Based on the local responses, on a scale of wage subsidy and COVID-19 redundancy
one to 10, where one was not very confident support ending, and what is going to happen at
and ten was very confident, overall business the border. For example, will there be easing
confidence within the district was sitting for people on work visas, for international
at 6.1, a full point below the average for students, etc.”
the region. Thames-Coromandel District Council
Pessimism is being fuelled particularly by mayor, Sandra Goudie, acknowledged that
tourism and hospitality, where almost half the Thames-Coromandel District economy
of the respondents overall expect conditions was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic,
within the sector to deteriorate over the next as tourism activity plunged. “Tourism is
six months, with only 18 percent saying they one of our biggest earners and our business
believe things will improve. community took a severe hit when COVID-19
Unsurprisingly, 80 percent of all slammed the door to international tourists
Coromandel-based respondents reported shut,” she said.
a drop in sales between March and May However, Mrs Goudie pointed to some
when compared to last year. Forty percent of the more positive survey findings as
were down by half, with a further 30 percent evidence of the resilience of local businesses.
losing between 21 and 49 percent. Looking These included just 14 percent of businesses
ahead, 65 percent of businesses are also forecasting a sales slump in excess of 50
expecting weaker sales for July to December percent for the second half of the year
when compared with 2019, with more than compared to last year and the 65 percent of
40 percent expecting a drop of 21 percent local businesses who expected no change The Whitianga CBD on Monday this week. According to a recent Te Waka survey,
or more. to full-time staff numbers over the next six business confidence in the Thames-Coromandel District was on average
Christine Petrie of Shifting Focus months. In fact, 20 per cent of the businesses below the confidence of businesses across the Waikato region.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 23 September to Wednesday, 30 September - Mercury is still moving away from the Sun, so we might be able to spot it just after
sunset before the Sun drags it too far below the horizon for us to see. Next month, it will start moving closer to the Sun again and will eventually lie on the
other side of it and we will only be able to see Mercury in the morning before the Sun rises. At that time, we will have two morning “stars” for a while…
Venus and Mercury! Jupiter, Saturn and Mars continue to put on a lovely show late in the evening with distinctly reddish Mars being almost as bright
as Jupiter towards the end of the month, although much lower on the eastern horizon. It has already doubled in brightness this month as it approaches
the Earth. Even a quite small telescope might be able to show some surface markings and a tiny ice cap. Wednesday, 23 September - Mercury has
now moved to be just above the fainter star, Spica, low in the western evening twilight sky. Thursday, 24 September - The Moon lies below both Astronomy Tours and B&B
Jupiter and fainter Saturn in the western evening sky immediately to the right of the constellation Sagittarius, which looks like an upside down teapot. Phone (07) 866 5343
Friday, 25 September - The Moon is now right next to bright Jupiter high overhead, with fainter Saturn above them both. Saturday, 26 September - The
Moon has now moved to be above Saturn with bright Jupiter further below the ringed planet. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
School holidays to get
better with Kiwi Fun Run
Whitianga is already an iconic holiday destination for many Kiwi families and the next school
holidays just got even better with the creation of the “Kiwi Fun Run or Walk.”
This exciting trail run and walking event will take place on Saturday, 3 October at Wharekaho.
This is a once per year opportunity not to be missed.
Starting and finishing at the well-known Simpsons Beach campground, the event will take
participants on a fairly steep journey up to the iconic kiwi symbol (pictured) 2.5km away.
The views and steep uphill will quite literally “take your breath away.” For those with more
steam in the tank, a further 1km climb will take them right up to the repeater tower at the very
top of the hill overlooking Mercury Bay. Then it is simply a matter of returning back to the start
line along the same course.
Nick Reader from the Mercury Bay Events Trust says, “After the success of the Night Strider
night fun run we did in the July School Holidays, I think that that the Kiwi Fun Run will provide
another exciting fitness challenge for locals and visitors alike.”
Registration starts at 10:00am with the race kicking off at 11:00am. A complimentary sausage
sizzle is on offer with cold drinks or coffee available to purchase.
Runners and walkers are welcome and a moderate fitness level is required. Parents may carry
small children in front or backpacks, but prams are not allowed.
699 - 22
Issue 916 27 September
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Wedding industry unites to share ideas on
attracting more support for local vendors
Local business involved in the wedding Coromandel Weddings, Anchor + Antler,
industry are seeking to work together and Itchybones Videography, Made by Paige and
promote each other and the Coromandel florist Anoushka all partnered with Richard
Peninsula as a prime, easily accessible and Helen to put on the event, which attracted
destination for hosting celebrations. a large number of industry representatives.
On Thursday evening last week, Richard hopes the get-together has created
Richard and Helen Oram of Peninsula Party a platform for further collaboration and
Hire hosted a social and networking event believes there is still enormous untapped
at their Mill Creek Road property (south of potential within the wedding and events
Whitianga) where they hope to develop a industry on the Peninsula.
wedding venue. “The wedding market is huge on
Richard said they were inspired to bring the Coromandel and the economic
the sector together to cross-promote the benefits stretch far into our community,”
various services that are available locally Richard said. “Thousands of visitors, both
and to encourage more people coming to
national and international, come here to
the Coromandel to get married to use local
celebrate weddings with family and friends,
operators. “Our prime objective was to
and always leave with great memories. They
gather together local vendors to encourage
become ambassadors for our region sharing
networking, collaboration and support,
given the current COVID-19 environment, their experiences with others.
but also with the aim of growing the local “This is something all our accommodation,
share of the Coromandel wedding market into retail and tourism attractions benefit from.
the future,” he said. I personally believe some strategic marketing
“We realised that there are many industry initiatives focused on the wedding market
players - photographers, florists, stylists, would prove very beneficial.”
caterers, makeup and hair, marquee and hire, Richard and Helen were also delighted with
venues, celebrants, etc - who help create the the response from those who attended the
overall wedding occasion and we rarely get event in relation to their venue. “We set up
to meet each other. It was a lively and fun a wedding marquee, lots of creative outdoor
evening which we think reflects the general lighting and so on in order to get some
attitude of all who work in this sector.” feedback about how the site could work for
The event also provided an opportunity us,” Richard said. “We got some great input Richard and Helen Oram of Peninsula Party Hire with their daughter Terri,
to showcase some of the local talent and and encouragement, so that was another real and her partner, Jarred Fielden, on Thursday evening last week.
for new vendors to introduce themselves. positive for us.” Jarred is the Peninsula Party Hire general manager.
Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
7 Issue 916 - 22 September 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
MBAS students eye up careers in beauty
industry after Gateway course
Opening up a window on potential future to take trainees and apprentices was a big
careers is the main focus of the Gateway part of it. “For the beauty therapy course,
programme at Mercury Bay Area School for example, The Lost Spring in particular
and, thanks to the support of the Whitianga is really supportive,” she said. “While the
business community, more students are girls can’t work on clients, they do get time
getting the opportunity to learn from local with the therapists who explain the various
experts and gain hands-on experience. treatments and techniques, and they often get
A whole new element was added to the to try them out for themselves.”
programme this year with the involvement One of the highlights of the make-up
of beauty expert, Jodie Elizabeth Russell of application course was a recent photoshoot
Rouge Beauty. “We already had a beauty involving professional model, Lochie Rose,
therapy course, but we had a group of girls this and photographer, Vaughan Grigsby.
year who were really interested in the make- “The inspiration behind the photoshoot was
up artistry side of things, so I was thinking being able to take a chance on yourself and
about how we might be able to include your work, being confident and letting your
those skills in what we were offering,” said creativity flow free, limitless and daring,”
Marie Relph who took over as the Gateway said Jodie Elizabeth. “It was about teaching
coordinator at the school this year. the students to be brave and take chances with
After being approached by Marie, your own creative style and sharing it with
Jodie Elizabeth was delighted to come the world.”
on board as a make-up application tutor The make-up application course has caught
and a series of 10 classes was designed. Melanie Robbins (left) and Jordan Brear, two of the Mercury Bay Area School the attention of future students and Marie
Year 12 student, Charlie Stewart, who was not students who had the opportunity to study make-up application this year said it will now be embedded full-time into
originally part of Gateway, was also invited as part of the school’s Gateway programme. the overall beauty therapy course. “We can
to join after Marie spotted his interest in Marie said, despite the course being they did was anatomy and physiology from see from this year how it has really provided
the subject. interrupted by the COVID-19 restrictions, a beauty therapy perspective, and they also a great stepping stone for the students to
Charlie said he had no qualms about the students had been highly engaged, produced a project on the history of beauty go on to a career in this area,” she said.
being the only boy in the group and wished with several going on to attend professional therapy, including the various techniques and “They will have already gained some
he had joined the Gateway class earlier on. training in the beauty industry next year, how it has changed and developed over the qualifications which may even give them a
“It’s something I really enjoy and I would including one at Elite School of Beauty & years,” Marie said. head start in their future studies.
like to go on and train in this area,” he said. Spa in Hamilton. Around 56 students take part in the MBAS “This is exactly what we want from
“I recently did the make-up for a local play, The students also had an opportunity to Gateway programme each year and Marie Gateway, so I am excited to see this course
which was great. I think I did an okay job.” obtain NCEA credits. “One of the papers said the support from local businesses willing grow and develop further next year.”
4
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
Twentieth “Support Local/ Buy Local” winner drawn Congratulations to Hamish Lim, the twentieth and penultimate winner in The Informer’s “Support Local/ Buy Local” campaign. Hamish’s entry was drawn on Monday this week by Chrissie Reilly (pictured) of Pacific Coast Marine & Diesel in Whitianga During the campaign, which is coming to an end next week, we’ve given away $100 every week to someone who supported a local Mercury Bay business. The prize had to be spent with an Informer advertiser. Hamish’s winning purchase was made at Longshore Marine in Whitianga. The campaign started in the second week of May. Early next month, all entries received during the course of the campaign will go into a second draw. Three finalists will proceed to a final draw, which will take place on 20 November at a dinner where well-known psychologist, author and TV presenter, Nigel Latta, is the guest speaker. The winner of the final draw will receive $1,000 to spend with one or more of our advertisers. Every now again, the weekly winner also received an additional prize, provided by a generous local business. Next week’s winner, the final weekly winner of the campaign, will receive $100 from us as well as a $50 voucher from Health 2000 in Whitianga. To enter into the campaign is easy. Simply email us proof - in the form of invoices or receipts - of your local purchases, or drop your invoices or receipts into the blue bin on the front porch of our office in Whitianga or in the many “Support Local/Buy Local” counter boxes around Mercury Bay. Please write your name, surname and phone number on all your entries. The philosophy behind the campaign is simple - the more you buy local, the better chance you have of winning. Local businesses need our support more than ever. Make sure to check out our “Support Local/Buy Local” video on YouTube, featuring a well-known local family (search for “Informer Support Local/Buy Local”). Remember, shopping local shows that you care. Issue 916 - 22 September 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
The untimely death of Police Report
Cornelius O’Shea
By Meghan Hawkes
By Sergeant Andrew Morrison of the Whitianga Police
Monday, 14 September to Monday, 21 September 2020
The wooden, carved headstone in the Mercury men speculated that perhaps the man had lost General this week.
Bay Cemetery at Ferry Landing recorded that his balance and fallen overboard when the A substantial amount of money was lost on On the 18th a couple argued about their
Cornelius O’Shea died in 1881. His passing boat jibed. the 18th by an elderly resident on Buffalo relationship at a Ngaio Drive, Matarangi
was a dramatic event for the local community William Meikle, manager of the Lower Mill, Beach Road and later found by a couple out address and were separated to calm down
captured in various accounts by witnesses arrived accompanied by two boat crews to drag for a walk. after two windows had been smashed.
who endeavoured to save the Irishman after a for the body. They intended to stay out all night The honest couple immediately handed the On the 14th we received a report of abusive
regular trip along the river took a tragic turn. searching if required. money into the Police and the money was text messages forwarded to a Centennial
A cry startled Mrs Hughes of Gumtown as But as the Lower Mill crews arrived at the subsequently returned to the owner, who had Drive address and enquiries are continuing in
she sat by her fireplace. On getting up to look, spot, Nicholas Carthy, saw an arm and cried for withdrawn the money to pay his bills. relation to the telephone number identified.
she saw a man in the middle of the river not assistance. Cornelius had been found near the This is an excellent example of the honesty A farmer on SH25 let the effects of financial
far away from a boat. Mrs Hughes’s brother-in- place he last went down. of people in our community and this couple pressures get on top of him on the 18th and
law saw him at the same time. They ran for the Cornelius O’Shea was an Irishman, greatly should feel proud of their actions. threatened co-workers. He subsequently took
river, then Mrs Hughes sent her brother-in-law respected as a sober, honest and industrious We attended another couple of neighbour a bit of time out to calm down and put things
back to the house for oars and rowlocks. While young man. He was a business partner disputes this week and again I would ask in perspective.
he was away, the man went under the water of George Loram and they worked at the that people consider their neighbours. Rubbish was dumped on a Centennial
and came up again. The wind was blowing Gumtown store together. Cashing in on a Being reasonable when it comes to noise Drive property on the 18th, while on the
strongly, but she still heard him call out twice. recent influx of timber workers, Cornelius and would prevent most issues. 19th two car tyres were slashed at a Nicholas
Watching helplessly, Mrs Hughes then sent George had built the two storied Waiwawa Arrests Avenue address and enquiries are continuing
her brother-in-law along the river to the Upper Hotel at Gumtown. As well as bar facilities, No arrests this week. in relation to a named suspect.
Mill to summon help from the mill hands. it had a billiards room and near the top of A 17-year-old boy has been referred to Traffic
It was a busy Friday morning in November the stairs a stuffed albatross in a glass case. Youth Aid in relation to threatening behaviour A 16-year-old girl was spoken to concerning
when George Partington, mill engineer, was The enterprising young man also owned 115 towards another boy on South Highway on poor driving in Matarangi on the 20th and
alerted to the unfolding drama. He called to acres at Mercury Bay. the 15th. appropriate infringement notices were served
the mill hands at the same time as spotting The boat and all it contained was returned to Occurrences after she had also been spoken to while in
someone struggling in the water. George Loram. An inquest was held in the hotel One Family Harm incident attended Whitianga earlier in the day.
With increasing horror, Mrs Hughes saw Cornelius had built with an eye to the future he
the man go down again. He had paddles in would never have. When he left Gumtown that
his hands and she thought he also had hold morning to transact some business he was in
of a sail rope. George Partington meanwhile perfect health. It was established he was not
jumped into a boat directly alongside the wharf subject to fits.
and John Steward leapt in straight after him. The verdict was reached that “Cornelius
In about five minutes they had rowed to the O’Shea, now lying dead at the Waiwawa
spot where the man was last seen, but there was Hotel, came to his death by accidentally
no sign of anyone in the water. Two or three falling overboard.”
other boats arrived and one man, Nichollson, Cornelius was buried beneath a wooden
dived twice but found nothing. hand-carved headstone. He was from the
The mill hands desperately searched for neighbourhood of Millstreet, County Cork,
three quarters of an hour before taking charge Ireland. His death notice asked that “Cork
of the boat and its contents, and returning to papers please copy” so that the tragic news
the mill. The boat had not capsized and the would reach his home and family.
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
Issue 916
699 - 22
27 September
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
The Small-time Investor
By Whitianga resident, Max Ross
Apple
This week I want to invest into an American When you want to buy American shares,
company. Sharesies have recently added the the market is probably closed. Your orders
ability for us to do this. I want to buy some will sit and wait for the market to open.
shares in Apple. I’m buying into Apple because it’s a large
I search for Apple in the app and click American company with some fantastic
“Buy.” I’m presented with some information products and lots of spare cash. The cash
on exchanging money. US shares sell in reserves Apple has are staggering and this
USD, which is a different currency than NZD. should help them survive a recession. I like
To buy things in USD, I have to exchange Apple products and while it’s a large and
some of my money and I pay a small established company, I feel it still has a
percentage to exchange this money. competitive advantage and room to continue
I click on “Add US Shares” and enter my to grow and expand.
password. I then have to enter some details People are using their Apple devices to
to complete a US tax form, which is a purchase things in the app store or the music
requirement for investing into the US share store. They may even be upgrading their
market. There is a tax treaty between America devices as they move to working at home
and New Zealand. Provided you don’t invest more and more.
more than NZD50,000 overseas, you don’t The risks are that if economic conditions
have to do anything else. If your investments worsen and people can’t afford to upgrade
cross over this level, then you will have to do their phones, then sales will fall. Also, as a
some research. These are extra steps that you large well-established company, maybe it’s
perform the first time you invest in US shares. slow to adapt and move, and a younger more
The next time there will be much less clicking dynamic company will take over some of its
and reading involved. market share.
When you invest in shares in another I’m hoping that Apple can take advantage
currency, you have an extra risk and of the current worldwide conditions and
opportunity in that the currency value will continue to grow. At the time of writing,
fluctuate. When investing in US shares, my NZD100 bought me 0.5759 Apple shares
the value of the share itself can go up or at a share price of USD114.41.
down and the value of the USD can also go Please remember that this is all my
up or down. It’s possible for the share price personal opinion. Some of my investments
to go down and yet have the value of your will lose money. I’m sharing my thoughts and
investment go up. strategies so you can learn from my mistakes.
The American share market is open at Be careful with your money and only invest
different times to the New Zealand market. what you can afford to lose.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020Students lead campaign to kick litter
in the butt
By Gillian O’Neill
A campaign to discourage people leaving and Thames-Coromandel District Council to about what we could do to reduce pollution, information campaign. “After some quick
cigarette butts on beaches is being driven back their efforts to reduce the problem of particularly plastic pollution, in our oceans,” research, we found out that cigarette butts are
by two Tairua school students after a clean- littering in the marine environment. Sage said. “We came up with the idea of some the biggest plastic pollution in the world,”
up and litter audit discovered it was a major The girls recently wrote to council to signage at our beaches so people, especially Sage said. “Most people would not realise
cause of pollution at their local beach. promote their ideas to generate more visitors, will understand the damage litter that they are made from plastic, although they
The two passionate environmentalists, awareness among visitors to the Coromandel’s causes, especially when it ends up in look like they would be made from cotton and
Faiza Nisha and Sage Dunn, have been beaches about the importance of disposing of our oceans.” paper. They are also toxic to microbes, insects
inspiring their Tairua classmates and school, their rubbish properly. “We were thinking The girls met with Tanya Patrick, TCDC’s and fish. For us it’s not so much about people
coastal restoration coordinator, who talked to smoking on the beach, it’s about the littering
them about boosting community involvement of their butts.”
and also considered their signage ideas. “I am The students would like this key message
keen to work with Tairua School and the plan to be featured in the signage and have gone
is to have regular beach clean-ups,” Tanya back to council with their latest results.
said. “I have offered to help them with a sign The top five offenders in the litter audit
and some publicity, however I asked them to were cigarette butts (186), broken pieces of
get the momentum going.” plastic (161), plastic food wrappers (67),
That momentum kicked off on Tuesday glass bottles and broken glass (56) and
last week when - with the support of teacher, polystyrene (30).
Michele Cameron, and some dedicated The girls said they are committed to
parents - the girls organised for their whole proving that this is an issue that the people
class to tackle some pretty wet and windy of Tairua care about. “If we can show council
weather conditions for a thorough litter sweep that this is something that is important to
of the entire length of Tairua’s Ocean Beach, our community, then we will get our sign
including the accessways and carparks. made and installed,” Faiza said. “That would
Having collected over 640 individual pieces be amazing.”
of rubbish, the students took their haul back Sage said everyone in the school is
to school where Faiza and Sage conducted already supporting them and they think the
an audit to see what the main culprits were. community will too. “We are now planning
Discovering that cigarette butts were a major another clean-up early in Term 4 involving
Year 7 students at Tairua School, Faiza Nisha (left) and Sage Dunn, conducting an audit of issue, they were motivated do to further the whole school and hopefully an event
the litter their class collected on Ocean Beach last Tuesday. The girls were wearing masks due research and are now suggesting that this that the whole community can participate in
to the smell of the 186 cigarette butts that formed part of the haul. source be a particular target of the ongoing during the holidays,” she said.
Issue 916 - 22 September 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11What do when the OCR Letters to the Editor
goes negative See page 8 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
By Miles Flower of Mercury Bay Financial Services Dear Editor - The Sheriff Block in Whitianga
I refer to the article in The Informer of 8 September about the Sherriff Block in Whitianga.
With the Official Cash Rate expected to go Another consideration - while there are many The Mercury Bay Speedway Club has been continuously in discussions with Thames-
negative, may people will consider trusting ways to invest with emphasis on a particular Coromandel District Council and the Mercury Bay Community Board for more than six years
a fund manager with their money as an market, country, industry or philosophy - to move our track to the Sheriff Block. The ideas of jet sprint, motocross and go kart tracks
alternative to leaving their money in the bank. is that a body of thought has been focusing have also been raised. We were lobbying well before anyone was even looking at utilising the
Fund managers principally follow active on the emergence of socially responsible block, to have an area for all to enjoy.
or passive investment styles. The best way investment. This is understood internationally At their meeting of 3 November 2015, the Community Board resolved to approve in principle
to explain this is with an example. Let’s say to involve considering and giving effect to a proposal from the Mercury Bay Speedway Club to allow the development of a speedway
you have an amount of money to invest in the environmental, social and governance factors track on part of the Sheriff Block. We were simply waiting for the proposal to be signed off so
NZX50, the 50 largest listed companies on in investment management. we could proceed, which we believed would be happening in 2016.
the New Zealand stock exchange. If you were Socially responsible investing (SRI) is the And here we are, still waiting to be given the green light.
to invest actively through a managed fund, broad term for an investment approach which Rob Davis
or investing personally, you or the fund seeks to consider investments in companies Mercury Bay Speedway Club President
manager would base your share selection on delivering both a financial return and a social
a number of predetermined factors or criteria benefit. Editor’s Note - We have passed Rob Davis’s letter on to Thames-Coromandel District Council
(known as black box investing), which The most common approach is for SRI for comment. They replied that the Mercury Bay Speedway Club is one of the user groups they
identifies maybe the best 10 shares to invest in funds to utilise a “negative screening” process are in contact with regarding future use of the Sheriff Block.
according to the criteria. as in most KiwiSaver funds by government Dear Editor - An alternative to rubbing elbows
If though you were to invest through a mandate. This specifically seeks to exclude First you sneeze into your elbow, then you rub it against another person’s elbow.
fund manager following a passive investment certain companies or industries assessed as This new form of greeting seems both ungainly and unhealthy, and would be better replaced
style, your money would be distributed by having a negative impact on society, including with a bow, which expresses respect (thanks, greetings, etc) without requiring physical contact.
purchasing shares in all the 50 companies. industries associated with armaments and Done with a smile, it can be quite dignified.
How much would be invested in each tobacco. Some SRI funds also include a focus I think it could catch on and would be a lot better than catching the coronavirus.
company would be determined by the size of on shareholder advocacy, whereby the fund David Lynch
the company and the percentage of the share manager takes a proactive role in ensuring Whitianga
market it represents, so the biggest company a company acts responsibly on a range of
would get the biggest investment and the environmental, social or governance issues.
smallest the least. As the active involvement In addition, SRI funds can also consider
is relatively low for these managers, other criteria such as the level of community
their charges are lower than that of an investment, whereby companies are
active manager. assessed on what financial and other support
There is much debate in the investment they provide to different segments of
world on which style performs the best, with the community.
well thought-out arguments supporting both Fund managers seeking to put together SRI
camps. But it is worth noting the managers of portfolios may assess companies on some,
the multi-billion New Zealand Superannuation or all, of these criteria and then rank them.
Fund (the “Cullen Fund”) hold 40 percent of Once the SRI screening process identifies
the investment in actively managed funds and which companies to avoid, investments are
60 percent in passive funds, so there could be able to be selected from the remaining socially
case for a combination of investment styles. responsible universe. Part of the area of land in Whitianga known as the Sheriff Block.
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020A welcome dose of laughter
served up by Troubadours
Well-behaved audiences laughed, cheered and sung along from the confines of their socially distanced
“islands” for the first four performances of the Tairua Troubadours’ latest production, “Save the Date.”
With those attending all signing in and carefully maintaining the required distance between groups,
the show was able to get underway last week under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 conditions. And the audience
was certainly better behaved than some of the on-stage characters who fall from one calamity to the next
as they navigate the final days in the run up to the wedding of the year.
“It has just been a relief to see the show get underway,” says writer/director, Jennie Turner.
“The performances was originally scheduled for June, so the cast have had their scripts for a really
long time. To be able to finally get in front of an audience and hear people laughing out loud and really
enjoying themselves is awesome. I think this year more than ever Tairua and the surrounding areas have
needed that.”
Save the Date features the typical collection of everyday faces from the Tairua community that the
Troubadours each year transform into actors, singers, dancers and comedians - for a couple of weeks
at least.
“Each year the feedback is the same… people are just so amazed at the talent that we have here in our
little town,” says Jennie. “This cast includes people from 12 to 70 plus, and what they manage to achieve
is pretty incredible and it’s such a fun thing to be a part of.”
After a couple of days’ break, the show resumes this Wednesday evening, 23 September, and runs until
Saturday (26 September).
Pictured, from left to right, during the eventful hen party scene in Save the Date are bridesmaids Anita van
Doorn, Nadine Hamon and Gillian O’Neill, and bride-to-be, Jenny Tawa.
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27 September
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Critically acclaimed singer/ songwriter to visit Whitianga Honey-voiced/singer songwriter, Ebony for us to do,” says Kenzie Sampson of Lamb, is coming to Whitianga’s Monkey THINK Coromandel Gig Guide. “We really House Theatre on Saturday, 10 October. hope to work together again to bring more She will be accompanied by her Eb & events like this to the region. We see a real Sparrow band member, Gram Antler. value in working together, and sharing our Having earned an enviable reputation perspectives and skills across organisations, among her contemporaries, critics and music to see the arts continue to flourish on fans alike, and traveling to Whitianga all the our Peninsula.” way from Wellington, this is a performance THINK Coromandel Gig Guide would like not to be missed. to ask performing arts lovers to purchase their Delivering contemporary alt-country to a tickets early - not only for Ebony Lamb’s whole new level, Ebony has released three performance, but all other performances on critically acclaimed studio albums with the Coromandel - as a way of supporting Eb & Sparrow, and has been working on a venues and organisers. “The Coromandel much-anticipated debut solo record, some of way has historically been to leave things to which she will be performing in Whitianga. the last minute and rock up on the night,” Her increasingly diverse sound sits says Kenzie. “However, it’s becoming more somewhere between Nina Simone and Gillian and more evident with the current pandemic Welch, with a glimmering of Catpower. situation just how much we need to support Nick Bollinger of Radio New Zealand said, our event holders and musicians in order to “Ebony Lamb is blessed with more than just a keep the events coming to our region. There’s poetic name. She has the voice of woodsmoke sadly a misconception that smaller events like and honey, and it’s the commanding feature [Ebony Lamb and Gram Antler] are profit- of [her] self-titled debut album.” making ventures, but the truth is that these Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter, Ebony Lamb, Opening for Ebony and Gram will be events are brought [to our area]… simply will be performing in Whitianga on Saturday, 10 October. Whangamata musician, Morgan Keating- for the love of arts and culture, and often at a small local events, we hope to build larger stop you from buying tickets early or going Marr. A cash bar and snacks will be available. monetary risk to the organisers. audiences to enable the security needed for to events.” The event is a collaboration between “Without local event organisers and more touring bands to come to us. Our area Ebony Lamb & Gram Antler Tickets are THINK Coromandel Gig Guide and Creative committed venues, we would be travelling could become a staple stop for the touring available for sale at Mercury Bay Pharmacy, Mercury Bay. “Creative Mercury Bay has up to Auckland for our live music fixes. New Zealand bands this summer. The events and online at www.undertheradar.co.nz. been a joy to collaborate with, without their By generating greater awareness within the world has refunds down pat and social Doors open at 7:00pm and the music starts at help this event wouldn’t have been viable community regarding the need to support distancing rules clear, so don’t let lockdowns 7:30pm. All ages are welcome. Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
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July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Three Show Me Shorts Coromandel spent over $10.6
screenings on the Coromandel million on pokies in 2019
The popular Show Me Shorts short film festival returns to the Coromandel in October and November Over $10.6 million was collected from pokie deputy mayor, Murray McLean, warned fellow
with screenings taking place in Colville and Thames. machines across the Thames-Coromandel elected members at last Tuesday’s council
This year the event takes a hybrid format to overcome potential restrictions at venues and ensure District last year, with just $2.6 million of that meeting, where it was agreed to put a revised
that all those who want to participate have an opportunity to do so. coming back into the community. draft Gambling Policy with a further tightening
Colville Hall will host two screenings - “Let’s Get Physical” on Friday, 30 October and “The Sampler” While the operators of gambling machines of controls out for public consultation.
on Friday, 6 November. are required to give 40 percent of their proceeds Mr McLean said he personally knew of two
Let’s Get Physical is an 85-minute series of shorts focused on capturing the energy of music, dance and back to projects and organisations focused on individuals who had lost everything and had
sporting prowess. “The stories are populated with reluctant boxers, overly competitive tennis players, health and wellbeing, this can be distributed their lives destroyed by gambling. “I’ve seen
a much-loved dance teacher, several fabulous drag queens and some super-ripped Ukrainians anywhere in New Zealand. The Coromandel precisely what this does to people and, as a GP
pumping iron,” the programme promises. secured just 11.5 percent of the profits produced told me, it is not an easily identifiable disease,
The Sampler, which runs for 89 minutes, features a more diverse mixed bag of vibrant short films from from the Peninsula in 2019 through the it doesn’t have very obvious symptoms like
New Zealand and around the world. For newcomers to the festival, this collection provides a great way grant application schemes run by the various other forms of addiction and it can be hidden
to sample what Show Me Shorts is all about. The films feature a stroll through the streets of Naples, co- gambling trusts. Of this, around 44 percent went for years,” he told The Informer.
median Will Ferrell as a psychologist, paragliders in Nepal, a living statue, a couple of young hustlers, to sports, 38 percent to community services and There are currently 248 pokie machines
a rugby-mad little girl and a boy who loves to dance. 18 percent to community groups. located at 20 venues in the Thames-Coromandel
The Sampler will also run at Embassy Cinemas, Thames, on 27 October. A report on the social impact of gambling District, including 60 in Mercury Bay, all but
The competitive, Academy Award-registered festival has been running since 2006 and will present prepared by Thames-Coromandel District six of which are in Whitianga. This represents
over 100 screenings across New Zealand. Details of screening times, prices and bookings are avail- Council showed that, while a sinking-lid policy a drop of 25.7 percent since council’s 2008
able at showmeshorts.co.nz along with more information about individual films and online sessions. is actively reducing the number of gaming Gambling Venue Policy was introduced and
Pictured is a scene is from “My Father the Mover,” one of the short films which is part of the Let’s machines and venues, the amount of money a total reduction of 28.7 percent since the
Get Physical screening coming to the Colville Hall on 30 October. being spent on pokies continues to rise - up $1.8 introduction of the Gambling Act 2003.
million on 2014. However, that is still below the The proposed changes to the Gambling
2008 high of $11 million. Policy would extend the sinking-lid strategy,
The Thames-Coromandel District’s ratio of which means no new or replacement consents
machines to adults at 10 to one is more than for pokie machines can be granted, and include
double the national average and the highest the district’s nine TAB venues in the policy.
of the 10 similar councils investigated in TCDC currently only allows a venue to
the report. relocate if the move is due to circumstances
“Residents of the Thames-Coromandel beyond the venue operator’s control. It is
District spend significantly more than the proposed to continue this policy, but the changes
average New Zealander on Class 4 gambling, also stipulate that a venue cannot be relocated
despite having a lower average income, which to a more socially-deprived community than its
can cause adverse economic and social outcomes existing location.
if left unmanaged,” the report concluded. Public consultation on the draft policy is open
An estimated $415 per adult on average is now and will run until 19 October. Questions
spent by Coromandel residents on gaming and submissions can be emailed to TCDC at
machines per annum. This compares with a consultation@tcdc.govt.nz or via council’s
New Zealand average of $257. website. TCDC will also be writing directly to
“Do not take this problem lightly,” TCDC affected stakeholders.
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020Issue 916
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July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17New health centre to open in Whitianga A new nurse practitioner-led health centre will position, which will help create sustainability of in 2016. “I love the challenge and diversity doctors, so fresh thinking in workforce planning open in Whitianga on Monday, 28 September. service at the Whitianga health centre. that working with rural communities offers and new employment models are needed.” Potential clients will be able to visit the Te Ashleigh grew up in rural Canterbury, and enjoy being part of this community also,” Nurse practitioner Esme Moloney lives in Korowai Hauora o Hauraki Whānau Health but has called Whitianga - where she lives she says. Whangamatā with her partner and two small Centre in Coghill Street to enrol or gather more with her husband and young family - home for Ashleigh says nurse practitioners are the children. Esme has worked in primary and information every day this week from 10:00am the past 11 years. She realised early on in her frontline of the health system in some isolated secondary healthcare settings for over a decade to 12 noon and from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. nursing career that she wanted an advanced communities, helping to improve access to and more recently has extended this practice Alongside a nurse practitioner and nurse nursing role in rural primary health care and has primary healthcare and address persistent health in the appearance medicine field. “Working services, the clinic also offers free under focused on that goal ever since she graduated inequalities. “We have a crucial role to play in across a wide range of differing social and 25 sexual health services, early pregnancy from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of helping New Zealand meet the challenges facing cultural groups has given me a firm foundation care, cervical smears and appointments for Technology. Ashleigh completed her Master’s its health system, such as providing a sustainable in understanding health and wellness,” she says. Under 18s. Degree in Nursing (First Class Honours) in solution to ongoing workforce shortages,” Originally from Auckland, Esme began her Nurse practitioners are registered nurses 2014 before registering as a nurse practitioner she says. “New Zealand doesn’t have enough nursing career in the post-anaesthetic care unit at who are authorised to practise in an expanded North Shore Hospital, before making the move nursing role in clinical settings. They combine to Whangamatā where she joined the general their advanced nursing knowledge and skills practice branch of Te Korowai in 2011. “It was with diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic in this setting that I found my true appreciation knowledge, providing care for people with both for advanced nursing practices,” Esme says. common and complex conditions. “It became increasingly evident that the current Nurse practitioners practise both model of primary care services was insufficient independently and together with other healthcare and becoming unsustainable to address professionals to promote health, prevent disease, patients’ needs. and diagnose, assess and manage people’s “This highlighted the value and the absolute health needs, including services that may have need for the nurse practitioner paradigm traditionally been performed by other health of practice.” professionals, such as prescribing medicines Esme completed her Master’s Degree and ordering diagnostic tests and X-rays. in Nursing, which saw her gain extensive Many nurse practitioners work in primary clinical skills and a deep understanding of the care where, like general practitioners, they may complexity of primary health care and then, after be the lead health care provider for clients and completing her Nurse practitioner training in their families/whānau. 2016, she was endorsed by the Nursing Council Nurse practitioners Ashleigh Battaerd and in 2017. Since then she has been working in Te Esme Moloney will work from Te Korowai’s Korowai’s busy clinic in Thames. health centre in Whitianga. Esme has a special interest in skin Ashleigh previously worked out of Te conditions, and also enjoys managing long-term Korowai’s Coromandel Town clinic and conditions and reviewing medication regimes. prior to qualifying as a nurse practitioner, “I’m looking forward to returning to work in she worked at the Whitianga Doctors Surgery as a fresh location at the new Whitianga health a practice nurse for seven years. Ashleigh brings Whitianga resident, Ashleigh Battaerd, is one of two nurse practitioners who will work from centre after having my second baby during both passion and a wealth of experience to the the Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki Whānau Health Centre in Whitianga. Level 4 lockdown,” she says. Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
Issue 916 - 22 September 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19
What’s On The next few weeks Regular Events Scrapbags Quilting Group Op-Shops Meets every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street phone Shelley on 866 0236 for more information. (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Whitianga Art Group The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Meets every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 23 School Road, Whitianga. Visitors are invited to join us for Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm. a day of painting. Start-up materials supplied. Phone Jenny on (027) 210 0160 for more information. St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday AA Driver Licensing 10:00am - 2:00pm. The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Justice of the Peace Whitianga Tramping Group Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Meets every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information. Bookings not necessary. Phone 866 4476 for more information. Mercury Bay Table Tennis Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Meets every Tuesday from 9:30am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on 10:00am - 2:00pm. 869 5162 for more information. Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Mercury Bay Badminton Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. etc. Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information. Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Mercury Bay Pickleball Club Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Meets Every Tuesday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm and every Sunday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available. SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated Tour de Friends Biking Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their A 23km ride social ride around the flat areas of Whitianga. Meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9:00am computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on opposite Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Followed by coffee. Phone Lance Cook on (021) 048 8475 or John Gregory on 866 4215 for more information or to join. (027) 278 0002 for more information. Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga Cooks Beach Garden Circle Meets every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in Room 10 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Meets the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on 866 3264 or Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals and eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely. Anne on 866 0268 for more information. Check out our Facebook page or phone 869 5648 for more information. Exercises for the Elderly and Those with Arthritis Serenity Al-Anon Group Every Tuesday from 10:00am - 11:00am at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. $2 entry. Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by Phone Viv on (028) 403 6741 for more information. someone else’s drinking. Dog Walking Group Meets every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog. Specific Events Phone Jenny on (021) 186 5797 for more information. Grey Power Mercury Bay Coffee Morning ICONZ for Girls Thursday, 24 September at 10:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall Supper Room, Monk Street. A guest speaker and Every Tuesday from 4:00pm - 5:30pm at “The Dwelling,”Coghill Street, Whitianga. For girls 8 - 13 years old. Phone Robyn on raffle. Phone Merle on 867 1737 for more information. (020) 409 39674 for more information. Coro 200 Illume Festival Whitianga Playcentre Friday 25 and Saturday, 26 September in Coromandel Town. See www.illumefest.co.nz for the programme. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon and every Friday from 12:00 noon - 2:45pm at 1D White Street, Mercury Bay Area School Drive In Movie Whitianga. For children 0 - 6 years, free entry. Visitors welcome. Saturday, 26 September at 7:00pm at the MBAS field. “Pirates of the Caribbean” will be screened. Tickets $5 per Matarangi Craft Group person, available from the school office. Food will be available. A Year 13 Business Studies class initiative. Meets fortnightly at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley on 866 0788 for more information. Bounty of the Sea Festival Cooks Beachcare Group Sunday, 27 September at the Mercury Bay Club garden Bar. A variety of seafood and other dishes (all $5), Make new friends, learn about conservation and make a difference. We meet Thursdays for hands-on weeding and craft stalls, car boot sale, raffle and live music. Bar facilities available. Gates open 11:00am. Gold coin entry. planting, 9:00am - 11:00am. Register on our website, www.cooksbeachcare.org.nz or phone Adele on (021) 201 6625. Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 916 - 22 September 2020
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