Full circle in more than one way - Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 - The Mercury Bay Informer
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Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 7,750
Full circle in more than
one way
By Stephan Bosman
When Janine Thompson joins her daughter,
Tayla, at the new mobile health clinic -
a campervan - of Te Korowai Hauora o
Hauraki later this month, things would have
come full circle in more than one way.
Te Korowai is an iwi-based, not-for-
profit organisation providing primary
healthcare services across the Hauraki rohe
(the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki
Plains). In addition to the mobile clinic,
the organisation has offices in Whitianga,
Thames, Coromandel Town, Paeroa and
Te Aroha, and employs more than 250 people.
Among the services the organisation offers are
GP and nursing services, home assist services
(in-home help, personal care, medication
oversight, shopping assistance, and short
and long-term care after illness, surgery or
accident), palliative care, tamariki ora (well
child services), mental health services, and
disability information and advisory services.
The motto of Te Korowai is “Mō tatou o
Hauraki - For all the people of Hauraki.”
Janine and Tayla are both registered nurses.
For Janine it all started 21 years ago
when she resigned from a position at the
Department of Corrections in the Waikato
to move with her family to Whitianga.
Tayla was six at the time. Mother and daughter nursing team, Janine (left) and Tayla Thompson, at the campervan that
“Not long after our arrival in Whitianga, serves as the new Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki mobile health clinic.
a kaiāwhina (community health worker) At the time I obtained my qualification, both of us.” my head around it,” says Tayla. “I studied at
position became available at Te Korowai, Te Korowai didn’t have any nursing vacancies Tayla finished her school career at Mercury Wintec in Hamilton and one thing I never had
which I successfully applied for,” says and I joined Mercury Bay Medical Centre Bay Area School in 2011, where she was any doubt about was that I wanted to come
Janine. “With my corrections background, - the White House - in Whitianga. I spent deputy head girl. After working at several home, to work among the people of Mercury
I was acutely aware of the support people 11 amazing years at the centre and learned Whitianga businesses for a few years, Bay. I was over the moon when Mercury Bay
and families need when times are tough. a huge amount from the doctors and other figuring out what career she would like Medical Centre offered me a position as a
The position suited me perfectly. nurses. During my time there, Tayla has also to embark on, she decided to follow in her newly qualified nurse. Working with my mum
“Some time into the job, I developed a qualified as a nurse and secured a job at the mother’s footsteps. for three years was an absolute privilege.
genuine desire to learn more and to be able to White House. We worked together for three “Somehow I sort of always knew I would “I remember during one of my first days
do more, and I embarked on a nursing degree. years, which was a wonderful highlight for also become a nurse, I just needed time to get at the White House, one of the other nurses
(Continued on page 3)
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Waterways progress
Thank you to Tony Turner, Whitianga’s sole gyrocopter owner, for this photo of development place immediately to the north of Joan Gaskell Drive, the Whitianga Waterways Arena
progress at the Whitianga Waterways. The photo was taken late last week. (where the Whitianga Summer Concert will be held for the last time next year) and what will
Endeavour Island (New Zealand’s first man-made residential island) can clearly be seen, become a second residential island immediately next to the arena.
as can the Marlin Waters retirement village, the Waterways canal entrance, the work taking
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 22 July to Wednesday, 29 July - First the good news… a comet is coming! Now the bad news… so is the Moon!
Comet Neowise is currently gracing the northern hemisphere skies, but by this weekend it will have travelled below the Sun in its highly inclined orbit and
might just be visible very low down in our skies. However, as it moves away from the Sun, it is getting rapidly fainter and increasingly hard to see in the
dusk sky. On the other hand it will be moving quite rapidly higher up in the sky each night and be visible for a few minutes longer, but each successive
night the ever brightening crescent Moon will be rising later and make the comet harder to see. However, binoculars are your friend and scanning
very low in the NNW sky just after sunset at dusk might allow you to detect for a few minutes the faint fuzz ball that is the comet or perhaps its tail.
Friday, 24 July - Early risers can see the International Space Station passing high above Jupiter and Saturn starting at 6:15am in the west, with reddish Astronomy Tours and B&B
Mars overhead and brilliant Venus on the eastern horizon. Look for the comet extremely low in the NNW dusk sky at 5:45pm. Saturday, 25 July - Comet Phone (07) 866 5343
Neowise should just be visible at dusk extremely low in the NNW sky at 5:45pm directly below the steadily brightening Moon. Monday, 27 July -
The comet might just be still visible very low in the NNW dusk sky for up to half an hour from 5:45pm, but the moon may make it hard to see. 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 907 - 21 July 2020
Full circle in more than
one way
(Continued from page 1)
told me that she started out working with sight among many communities.”
her mother and how much she learned from The new mobile clinic offers general health
her mother during the early years of her assessments, screening services for a variety
career. That was the exact same with me. of conditions (including COVID-19 tests),
There simply is no substitute for experience free flu vaccinations, health information and
and the wisdom experience brings, and being assistance with navigating the New Zealand
your own mother, she could say things to you health system.
in a way no one else could. It’s kind of you “We’re available for everyone,” says Tayla.
don’t have a choice, if mum talks, you just “We’re even happy to take the campervan to
have to listen. people’s homes if there are no other options
“And, of course, my mum is an exceptional available. People don’t need to have an
nurse. She was, and still is, a wonderful existing relationship with Te Korowai to
role model.” make use of what our mobile clinic has to
Tayla joined Te Korowai 12 months ago offer, we’re happy to work with their existing
when a Whitianga-based nursing position GP whenever that’s required.
became available. “We really want no one to worry about their
“Te Korowai is very much focused
health or the health of a loved one because
on making health services available to
they can’t or don’t know how to access the
everyone,” says Tayla. “I developed this deep
health support they need. People can phone
desire to work among the most vulnerable
us on 0508 35 676 if they want us to come
in our communities and can honestly say I
to them or their community, or they can
now have the best of both worlds, and with
our new mobile clinic and the prospect of check out where we plan to visit on the Te
working with my mum again, things are just Korowai Facebook page. No appointments
getting better. It’s like I found the holy grail are necessary. People can just walk up to the
of my profession.” campervan and we’ll be happy to help them.”
The Te Korowai mobile clinic started Janine says she’s looking forward to
visiting communities around the Hauraki rohe becoming part of the Te Korowai team
two weeks ago. “The COVID-19 lockdown again. “Make no mistake, I was very happy
showed to us that some people, especially in at the White House and will miss all the
the remote areas of the Coromandel, have to friends I made massively, but helping Te
conquer major barriers to access basic health Korowai going back to their roots, and in the
services,” says Tayla. “It was almost a no- process going back to my roots as a health
brainer for us to get the campervan up and care professional, all while having another
running. It’s also taking us back to our roots. opportunity to work alongside my daughter is
Te Korowai started out as a mobile service quite special. If you want to talk about things
in the mid-1990s and the campervan the coming full circle, it doesn’t get any better
organisation used at that time was a familiar than this.”
699 - 21
Issue 907 27 July 2020
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Eleventh “Support Local/Buy Local” winner drawn Congratulations to Steph Tiplady, the eleventh winner in The Informer’s “Support Local/Buy Local” campaign. Steph’s entry was drawn on Friday last week by Rachael Lee and Jody Costello of Guthrie Bowron Whitianga. Every week, for a total of 22 weeks, we’re giving away $100 to someone who supported a local Mercury Bay business. The $100 has to be spent with an Informer advertiser. The campaign started in early May and will conclude at the end of September. In early October, all entries received during the course of the campaign will go into a final draw where the winner will receive $1,000 to spend with one or more of our advertisers. Every now again, the weekly winner also receives an additional prize, provided by a generous Mercury Bay business. In addition to $100 from The Informer, Steph has also won a $50 voucher from Whitianga’s Longshore Marine. Other additional prizes that will be up for grabs in the coming weeks include a Mercury Bay Pharmacy gift basket, a $100 Countdown voucher and a $100 You Travel Whitianga voucher. Steph’s winning purchase was made at Stirling Sports 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. You can enter as many times as you like. The philosophy behind the campaign is simple - the more you buy local, the better chance you have of winning. So far, we’ve received more than 3,000 entries. Thank you to all those who have entered for supporting the Mercury Bay business community. Local businesses need our support more than ever. Make sure to check out our “Support Local/Buy Local” video on YouTube, featuring a well-known local family (search for “Informer Support Local/Buy Local”). Remember, when you support a local business, you aren’t just buying a thing or a service, you are buying a piece of heart, part of a soul, a moment of someone’s life. Pictured are Jody (left) and Rachael doing the draw on Friday. Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020
Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Business community backs local charity with over $5,000 in sponsorship By Gillian O’Neill A recently established local charity which aims “Dairy products - butter, cheese and milk - to ensure families with young children always have been sponsored by Coromilk. This saves have the benefit of a hot meal during times us approximately $1,440 a year. Our meat will of stress or upheaval, has been overwhelmed be sponsored by Mercury Bay Marine, saving by the generous support of the Mercury Bay us approximately $2,275 a year, and our pasta business community. sauces will now be sponsored by The French Three sponsors have collectively committed Fig, saving us approximately $1,440 a year. over $5,000 worth of product to help Bellyful We never imagined we’ d see such overwhelming Whitianga extend a helping hand to even generosity, particularly following the more people through the simple gesture of a COVID-19 pandemic, we are just so grateful.” homecooked dinner. Emily says the support from the wider Since first starting to prepare and deliver community and the commitment by the team meals in March, Bellyful has organised three of now 25 volunteers was also key to Bellyful’s cookathons, producing over 300 meals which success. “We launched a two week appeal in are then dropped off to people with young June, seeking donations of pasta and pasta children who, for various reasons, may find sauce. Locals were invited to buy one extra cooking dinner difficult. when they visited the supermarket and drop “It could be because someone is unwell, their donations off at one of five collection there may be a person in the family in hospital points. Our wonderful community donated over or it could be because there is a new baby in 93kg of food. This will save us a small fortune the house,” says co-founder Emily Pavey. when it comes to our cookathons and food She says typically a delivery will contain a three deliveries, so we’d like to thank everyone who night supply of dinners and the service is in no contributed to this initiative.” way linked to people’s income. “It’s available The charity plans to hold a cookathon every for everyone, there is no criteria, it could be as month. The most recent cookathon took place simple as being in bed with the flu.” over the first weekend of July with sponsorship A particular focus is people who may not from the Whitianga Masonic Lodge. A total have family support nearby and therefore no- of 104 meals were prepared and then frozen, one to bring them a hot meal if they are having ready for distribution as requests come in over a bad week for whatever reason. the coming weeks. Emily says the first batch of meals were The first cookathon was sponsored by The sent out within a week. Referrals were coming Informer and the second by the Lioness Club of from neighbours and friends while the local Mercury Bay. midwives were also being proactive about While Emily says they have a good ensuring new mums could receive the meals if supply of chefs, they would love to hear they wished. With all fundraising taking place from volunteers who can help deliver meals through locally organised events, Emily says within the community. All the information on having three major sponsors step up to support Erin Coats, the owner of Fagans Furniture Beds & Homewares in Whitianga with Bellyful Whitianga getting involved, and donating or referring the charity has vastly increased the number of co-founder, Fran Jack’s daughter, Sophie, with some of the pasta and pasta sauce recently donated someone to receive meals is available at families Bellyful can now reach. to the charity. Fagans was one of the collection points where the donations could be dropped off. www.bellyful.org.nz. Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020
Issue 907
699 - 21
27 July 2020
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Free bridge lessons in
Whitianga
Bridge, like the game “500,” is a trick-taking card game played by four people in two competing
partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. A standard 52 card deck is used.
There are essentially two parts to each deal in bridge. Firstly, the players “call” (or “bid”) in an auction
to ascertain, on the basis of the cards held, how many tricks they think can be taken. During the auction,
partners endeavour to exchange information about their hands, eg the strength and distribution of
the suits. In the second part of the deal, the partnership with the highest bid at the end of the auction
(termed the contract) plays the hand. The other pair become defenders whose objective is to ensure that
the contract is not made. Points are awarded on the basis of the number of tricks made or lost.
Millions of people play bridge worldwide at clubs, in tournaments (regional, national and international),
online and with friends at home, making it one of the world's most popular card games. There are over 140
bridge clubs in New Zealand, including seven on the Coromandel Peninsula (Thames, Coromandel Town,
Whitianga, Hahei, Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata).
If you live in the Mercury Bay area, there is an opportunity this winter to learn to play this fascinating
card game. The Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club in Whitianga is offering a series of free weekly lessons
beginning on Thursday, 30 July. Contact Gavin Hedwig (phone 866 2343) if you would like to join the
lessons or would like more details about the game of bridge.
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020
Local Flavour
By Joanna Mannington -
Food and nutrition teacher at Mercury Bay Area School
Eating away from what was our bubble for quite some time - refreshing the culinary horizons
Over the past couple of weeks, we took the bit to explore their own backyard. Sanson café), a packed Te Papa and the busiest have tasted and tried while you were away.
advantage of the school holidays and got out of EFTPOS spending on Waiheke Island and days on Cardrona. Sadly, the West Coast, There is a strong relationship between memory
town. We extended our local support spend to Great Barrier Island surged. Taupo was up 20 Oamaru and Kaikoura were ghost towns. and food, for example the taste, smell and
include other places in New Zealand. per cent on the same period last year and small Those who decided to stay home have been texture of food can trigger memories of earlier
My kids have never been further south than towns like Carterton, Timaru and Hamner hospitably making the most of the surge of food-related experiences in our lives.
Waiouru, so I thought I would take them on Springs experienced more than the number out-of-town visitors. Whitianga had a night I brought home fresh ideas, and new dishes
a roadie to check out a chunk of the South. of visitors they typically would see this time market, live theatre performances, a treasure and regional specialties to share - to create
We stayed in backpackers - which were eerily of the year. hunt and several other competitions to entertain more food memories.
empty of backpackers. In fact, the only guests The South Island ski fields underestimated locals and visitors alike. The local cafés Some of our highlights were family
we met in four different hostels were other their busiest days on record, with Kiwis more were pumping. hospitality in Taupo, Wellington sophistication,
teachers and their children. than replacing the missing 40 per cent of Getting away from what was our bubble for a feeding frenzy on the ferry, fresh cut
We experienced that small towns were Australians who usually enjoy a winter ski quite some time allowed me to observe others sandwiches in Hokitika, self-catering in
flooded with thousands of visitors while the holiday in new Zealand. shopping, snacking, dining and cooking, Wanaka, hangi pie in Christchurch and mum’s
Coromandel was just being flooded. We experienced full Interislander ferries, and examine my own eating habits and choices. cooking in Hamilton.
Clearly, after being stuck in the bubble rut missed buying Viv’s 200,000th cream horn Some of what you remember long after Thank you New Zealand, our holiday
and unable to travel, Kiwis were chomping at (at $5 each that is $1 million for the popular you return from travel are the things you was wonderful!
Some of Joanna Mannington and her children’s food memories during their recent “roadie to check out a chunk of the South.”
Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Captain Festus McBoyle’s incredibly
funny variety show
A contribution by 17-year-old Whitianga resident, Cara Bosman
After sailing for the last 32 years on his ship, The captain also shocked everyone when the music. There were parts where they had to Pier on the Waterways, the Mercury Bay
the Black Blister, Captain Festus McBoyle he revealed that being a pirate is not as shake their feet, elbows and arms. They were Game Fishing Club and Whitianga Water
made a special stop at the Whitianga Town glamourous as it seems. Sometimes after clearly having a lot of fun. Cartage for bringing Captain Festus McBoyle
Hall on Friday last week to put on his being out at sea for days at a time, he and The show was a great way to spend some to Whitianga.
incredibly funny variety show. I was lucky his crew wake up and realise that they have time on a rainy Friday morning. Thank you Who knows, the captain may sail the
enough to be part of the first of the day’s two no food left. A song about making bug to the Mercury Bay Business Association and Black Blister to our shores one day again.
performances. In the audience I saw many stew followed. It involved collecting all the sponsors Espy Café, Kate Cash of Ray White When he does, make sure you don’t miss him
familiar faces, dressed-up pirates and smiles. crazy critters found on their ship and boiling Real Estate Whitianga, En Pointe Dance and his crew performing. From beginning to
It was a show full of energy and many them up. Studio, Van de Ven Builders, The Informer, end, you will enjoy what they have to dish
catchy songs. Magic tricks featured too. The captain Peninsula Concrete Pumping, Sovereign up - bug stew and all.
Captain Festus introduced himself in the asked the audience to close their eyes and
first song and sang with his crew of two about then open them. “Did I disappear?” he asked.
what a pirate’s life is like. He also tried getting a baby parrot to fly out of
In one of the acts that followed, the captain a paper bag, but ended up with an explosion
asked the children in the audience about of feathers instead. The audience figured
the games they like playing. He then taught
out soon enough that the captain is better at
everyone a game of his own called “pirate
telling jokes and being a pirate than he is at
limbo.” Like regular limbo you have a stick
being a magician.
or string that you have to manoeuvre under
And, of course, Captain Festus couldn’t
and aim to get as low as you can. Except in
pirate limbo there are three additional rules - resist involving his treasure chest in the show.
you have to put your finger on your nose, He dug into it and the best he managed to pull
shuffle on your toes and yell, “There out were some fake bones. He attempted to
she blows!” convince the audience that they were magic
In another act, the captain told everyone a bones by making them dance. An auction
story about the importance of brushing your of the bones followed, but none of the kids
teeth. He said that whenever he arrives in a wanted to buy them. The captain tried to hide
new town, he always realises the exact same his embarrassment by telling the children
thing - people are alarmed about the state of their pocket money wasn’t quite enough to
his teeth. He and his crew then sang a song buy his treasures.
called “Gums.” Captain Festus expressed We got to vote on one of the last songs -
in the song how he wished that he could either about a monkey or a dog. The votes
just live off sweets and sugary things like were split so equally that the captain and his
chocolate, ice-cream and cupcakes, but all his crew decided to sing about a cat instead. Captain Festus McBoyle and his crew with some dressed-up pirates on Friday last week -
teeth would fall out and he would only have The final song was a marching song. It got Chloe Jones (back, on the left), Mike Carter (back, third from the left), Sophie Belsham
gums left. all the kids up the front and marching along to (front, on the left), Awa Lofley (front, in the centre) and Mia Jones (front, on the right).
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Issue 907
699 - 21
27 July 2020
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11The Small-time Investor
By Max Ross
Getting prepared for New Zealand shares
Recent advances in financial technology time alternative. Sharesies is the result of a
have made investing in the stock market business incubator and their mission is to bring
more affordable and accessible. The days of share investing to the young. They charge a
$30 stockbroker fees are over and access to monthly or yearly fee depending on the value
overseas markets is easier now than it has of your portfolio. For portfolios of under
ever been before. Many services now offer $3,000 they charge $1.50 a month. With small
the ability to buy parts of a share, allowing for portfolios this can become a hefty percentage,
smaller sums to be invested. but the more money you invest, the cheaper
In this column, I am going to show you it gets.
how easy it is to invest a little bit in the I got a referral from a friend which gave
share market. him $5 in his account and I got $5 in my new
Each week I am intending to invest $100 into Sharesies account, and the first month fee free.
a different company. I will explain some of my If you want to join with my referral, we each
reasoning as to why I choose that company. get $5. The address is https://sharesies.nz/r/
I will show you week by week how these small KHQQWP. You need your driver’s license
investments are going, what the costs are and to join.
what sort of returns they are getting. I funded my Sharesies account with $100 so
You are welcome to join me, set up your own I am ready to buy a share next week. I did this
accounts and invest alongside me. Together we via bank deposit. If you wish to invest along
can learn how to invest, even just a modest with me, then set up a Sharesies account and
amount. The application we will be using fund it.
makes it easy to invest small amounts. Instead You should only invest what you can afford
of $100, you can follow along with $10 or $20 to lose. When I first heard this, I thought I don’t
a week to see how it all works. want to lose any money. Share market investing
I am not an expert. I am not a financial comes with risks. It is possible to lose all your
advisor and I will definitely get things wrong. money. You should only invest money that you
It’s a really crazy time in the world at the are not relying on for other things.
moment and we don’t know what will happen My strategy with these investments is to
next. I don’t know what the share markets in look for long term investments. I am not smart
New Zealand and around the world are going enough, nor do I know enough, to buy and sell
to do. I am prepared to give it a go and explain at the right time. I will be buying and holding
my thinking. I am prepared to share the results my investments for a number of years. I will be
with you. looking for companies that I think will increase
I am going to invest in New Zealand shares in value over the next three to five years.
and in American shares. I will need two Financial Summary after the setup week -
different accounts with two different services • I have invested $100.
to do this. The first few weeks I will be looking • I have had no costs yet.
at New Zealand shares. • I have earned $5 by using a referral link. Max Ross is a well-known Whitianga resident. This column is not financial advice, it is an
For the New Zealand shares I will be using My total investment value is currently $105, opportunity to explore the workings and performance of the share markets in New Zealand and the
Sharesies. I am not aware of a low-cost small up five per cent. USA on a small scale. Remember to only invest what you can afford to lose.
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Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Coro 200 Illume
Festival taking shape
Coromandel Town is stepping up efforts to Reserve. Saturday night’s themed ball will
lure more domestic visitors as preparations take place at the Coromandel Citizens Hall.
take shape for the Coro 200 Illume Festival Tickets are $30 each and can be bought
in September. at the Coromandel Information Centre.
Illume has become a flagship event for There will also be live music at the Samuel
the community and this year features an James Reserve accompanied by the
expanded programme to mark 200 years Richardsons Real Estate fireworks display.
since the arrival of the Royal Navy ship, “We are encouraging local businesses
HMS Coromandel, after which the town to light up their shop facades and window
and the Coromandel Peninsula are named. displays,” Mr Pritchard said. “Get creative,
The event had been planned for this is your chance to show people how
Queen’s Birthday Weekend, but uncertainty amazing our town is. Inspire your menu to
around what COVID-19 restrictions would create a ‘Coro 200 special’ for customers to
be in place at that time forced the taste over the weekend.”
postponement to Friday 25 and Saturday, The Coromandel-Colville Community
26 September, the first weekend of the spring Board approved the week before last a grant
school holidays. of up to $2,000 from its discretionary fund
Coromandel-Colville Community Board to help promote Coromandel Town as a
Chairman, Peter Pritchard, said Illume had destination for domestic tourism. The grant
already successfully put Coromandel Town will help fund a workshop to assist local
on the map as an events destination and businesses developing a campaign around
encouraged local businesses to get involved the story of Coromandel Town and promote
by both participating in and promoting the it nationally. “Covid-19 and New Zealand’s
festival. Highlights include a street parade, closed borders have ramped up competition
themed ball and fireworks display. “We are for the domestic tourism market,”
encouraging local businesses to get behind Mr Pritchard said. “In order to compete
this event and participate in the parade on with areas like Queenstown, Rotorua,
Saturday night,” Mr Pritchard said. “You can Kaikoura and other places, our business
decorate anything from floats, cars, trailers, community must act with some urgency to
push prams or just yourself.” market Coromandel Town to the country
Laurna White, Thames-Coromandel to bring in visitors whose spending will
District Council’s Communications and support our local economy. This workshop
Economic Development Group Manager, will support and enhance the work already
said local community groups and clubs planned by Destination Coromandel in the
would also have the opportunity to coming months.”
fundraise over the weekend, including at the The workshop will be facilitated by
Powerco night markets on both Friday and Tomahawk NZ, an advertising and marketing
Saturday evenings. agency that specialises in travel and tourism.
Friday will also see a DJ performing at Te Waka, the Waikato Regional Economic
the Barry Brickell Memorial Stage while the Development Agency, will contribute half of
Disney Kids Zone will take place at Hauraki the total $6,000 cost with the local business
House. A dedication for HMS Coromandel community also contributing $1,000. A date
will be held at 11:00am on Saturday at has yet to be confirmed, but spaces can be
the Whangarahi Reserve, followed by a booked by contacting Pamela Grealey on
commemorative planting at the Albert Street cbapmg@gmail.com.
Images from previous Illume Festivals in Coromandel Town.
Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13New green jobs top of the list
for Green Party candidate
The Green Party has announced Pamela Grealey (pictured) as their candidate for the Coromandel
Electorate at the general election in September.
Creating green jobs for local people is one of Pamela’s top priorities. Pamela owns a consulting
and mentoring business based in Coromandel Town and, as part of that, works with the Colville
Social Service Collective. She is also a volunteer and relief operator at the Goldmine Recycling
Centre and Refuse Transfer Station in Coromandel Town.
She has been involved in environmental activities in both New Zealand and Britain, and is
currently treasurer of the McGregor Bay Wetland Society.
“We are living through a key moment in history with the challenges presented by COVID-19,
but we have an opportunity to break with the status quo and strive to achieve a better outcome,”
says Pamela. “We have a rare opportunity to change our economic focus and create a system
that supports both our people and our planet.
“The government will be investing significant sums to retain and create new jobs in the coming
decade. For me, creating much-needed employment for local people to oversee our wonderful
natural environment is simply a must. Within the Coromandel Electorate there’s plenty of scope
for creating new green jobs in waste avoidance and waste management.
“We must embrace a circular economy, ensure manufacturers take accountability for
reducing and recycling their packaging, and incentivise the re-engineering of supply chains
to reduce waste and promote reuse and real recycling here in New Zealand, not shipping our
waste overseas.
“I’m excited to represent the Green Party in our electorate to get this message out and to help
make this a reality. We are the party most committed to tackling these issues, and have already
delivered landmark wins for our climate, water, housing and green jobs during our current term
in government.”
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Issue 907
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27 July 2020
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15“Making Matariki Kites” Mercury Bay Art Escape
looking for new artists for 2021
full on
“Making Matariki Kites” at the Mercury Bay Library on Tuesday last week was full on.
The kite making session was part of the Thames-Coromandel District Libraries winter school
holiday programme.
Making and flying kites (manu tukutuku) was a favourite Māori activity during special
celebrations such as Matariki. The kites were most commonly in the shape of a bird (manu).
Everything used to make the kites were collected from beaches, swamps and forests.
Manuka, toetoe, harakeke, raupo and mulberry bark were popular materials. The kites were
often decorated with feathers, shells and carvings.
“A big thank you to Julie Nevin-Burns for her knowledge of weaving and Māori legends about
kites,” says Christine Towgood of the Mercury Bay Library. “Thank you also to all the parents
who stayed to help with this activity.”
Pictured are Charlotte Hollands (left) and Lily Coombridge with their completed kites.
The Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust can now confirm the Open Artists Studios dates for 2021 and is looking
for new member artists.
“It has been a most extraordinary year for all of us,” says Ian Preece, Art Escape chairman. “It’s good to
see how the COVID-19 restrictions have eased. Next year’s Open Artists Studios will be held during the
first two weekends of March, being 6 and 7, and 13 and 14 March. The Gala Opening will again be at Hot
Waves Café in Hot Water Beach on Friday, 5 March.
“We are always on the lookout for new artists who demonstrate a high level of skill, originality of design
and quality of work. Artists must have a genuine connection to Mercury Bay to be able to join. It’s a very
easy process to join. If someone is interested, they can go to our website, www.mercurybay-artescape.
com, or email us at admin@mercurybayartescape.com for more information.
“As well as the Open Artists Studios in March, our artist members enjoy a wide range of other benefits,
including an internet and social media presence, active promotion, and other events and opportunities to
exhibit their work.
“Our marketing reach through social and traditional media, including support of our sponsors The Informer
and Mediaworks, exceeded 200,000 for this year’s Open Artists Studios. At a time when we have sadly
seen the closure of two highly respected regional galleries, it has never been more important for artists to
find new audiences for their work.
“As part of the Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust’s commitment to share art throughout the year, we also
currently have two showcase exhibitions running. One is at Hot Waves Café in Hot Water Beach and the
other is at Kua Kahwe in Kuaotunu. Many thanks to Mary from Hot Waves and Lisa from Kua Kahwe for
their continued support. Please do check out these two great cafés and the great art on display.”
Pictured is Ian (left) with Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust member artist, Peter Matai Johnston, during this
year’s Open Artists Studios Gala Opening at Hot Waves Café.
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Issue 907
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27 July 2020
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17Letters to the Editor
See page 12 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - A medical facility for the people of Mercury Bay We come under the auspices of the Waikato District Health Board and for the facility to qualify
I refer to the front page article in The Informer of 7 July about a Mercury Bay medical facility. as a taxpayer-funded public hospital, we would need their support as well as the support of the
Now that the winding up of the Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust is official and the proposal government of the day. Do we have it?
for a multi-service health facility is in the capable hands of Mercury Bay Medical Centre and Alternatively, I assume the facility could be set up as a private hospital.
Whitianga Waterways, in his letter to The Informer on 14 July, John Thorburn makes some I have nothing against private hospitals which are invariably very well equipped, have access
important points, including that “all-of-community” focus and involvement should allow wide to top medical professionals and better staff to patient ratios than public hospitals. And better
community contribution to and consultation with the developers of such a facility. food! They are, however, very expensive to the patient who has to pay for everything.
The Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust is one of several local voluntary community entities In my case, after a surgical procedure at a private hospital not too long ago, I found that I had
which fill important supporting roles for an ever-increasing number of local residents with to pay for things that I could have provided myself at a fraction of the cost I was charged. I am
healthcare needs and we hope that our input will be valued in ongoing and future planning not complaining because the outcome of my procedure was a good one.
around the proposed and much needed “whole-of-life” medical care to be provided within the Do we want a medical facility similar to a private hospital? Is this the type of facility we are
Whitianga Waterways retirement village. likely to get?
As John Thorburn rightly points out, our community has already contributed significantly to Like some of those whose letters you published in last week’s Informer, I agree that we need
local healthcare needs and, as the recipients of and drivers for such care/facilities, all ongoing a great deal more community discussion about this issue.
community member input is very important. Patricia Briant
David (Duff) Oliver Whitianga
Chairman - Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Dear Editor - A medical facility for the people of Mercury Bay
Dear Editor - A medical facility for the people of Mercury Bay I refer to the front page article in The Informer of 7 July about a medical facility in Whitianga.
I refer to the front page article in The Informer of 7 July about Whitianga Waterways now A few years ago, the proposed medical facility was supposed to be a community project,
progressing the potential development of a medical facility for the people of Mercury Bay. except the community had no say in who was on the trust tasked to move development of the
I have never met Whitianga Waterways developer, Leigh Hopper, but I presume he is an facility forward.
ambitious man who is not afraid to “think big.” I, on the other hand, lived in (and loved) small In January 2017, at a meeting of the Kuaotunu Residents and Ratepayers Association,
towns, like Whitianga was pre-Waterways some ratepayers were uncomfortable with the medical facility process that was being followed
Perhaps this sheltered life has made me timid and inclined to think too small, which may and asked for a business case to be produced that would show whether or not the development
explain my misgivings about Mr Hopper’s grand medical facility scheme. of a facility was feasible. Councillor Tony Fox assured the meeting there would be a business
Land in Whitianga is very expensive, but Mr Hopper has plenty of it. Building and consent case by April 2017. We are still waiting.
costs are also very high. Once these hurdles have been jumped, the (perhaps even greater) cost The $40,000 that has been spent by the trust should be publicly accounted for. A full disclosure
of equipping a medical facility is the next obstacle to overcome. of who received the money, when they received it and exactly what it paid for, is needed.
If the facility is going to include a birthing unit, will it be catering for women wanting In order to avoid any future mistakes and wastage of money, we need to insist on a
a water birth and, in general, will there be an obstetrician on call if things go awry? At the comprehensive business case for any projects entered into by our elected members before
other end of life, will the facility include a secure wing with access to an enclosed garden for substantial funds and time are committed.
dementia sufferers? Bill Muir
The running costs of such a facility would be enormous and how would it be funded? Kuaotunu
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19
What’s On The next few weeks
Op-Shops Mercury Bay Creative Fibre
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am - 2:00pm. in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street,
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Whitianga. Phone Wendy Russell on 866 3225 for more information.
The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Matarangi Craft Group
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm. Meets fortnightly at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley on 866 0788 for more information.
St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday Cooks Beach Garden Circle
10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on 866 3264 or
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Anne on 866 0268 for more information.
10:00am - 2:00pm. ICONZ for Girls
Justice of the Peace Every Tuesday from 4:00pm - 5:30pm at C3 Church, Whitianga. For girls 8 - 13 years old. Phone Robyn on
Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook (020) 409 39674 for more information.
Drive Whitianga. Phone Warren Young on 869 5354 or (022) 635 4958, or Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for Whitianga Tramping Group
more information. Meets every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Mercury Bay Table Tennis
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc. Meets every Tuesday from 9:30am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on
Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. 869 5162 for more information.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Mercury Bay Badminton
Meet the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome.
Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated Mercury Bay Pickleball Club
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their Meets Every Sunday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available.
866 4215 for more information or to join. Social Road Cycling
Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga A 20km ride. Meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9:00am opposite Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Followed by
Meets every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in Room 10 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. coffee. Phone Tony on (021) 023 38323 for more information.
Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals and eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely.
Check out our Facebook page or phone 869 5648 for more information. Mid-winter Christmas Lights Display Challenge
Serenity Al-Anon Group
Until Sunday, 26 July. Dress up your home or place of business with Christmas lights and decorations, and bring
Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by
some mid-winter cheer to the community.
someone else’s drinking.
Dog Walking Group “Let’s Dance” Piano Recital
Meets every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog. Friday, 24 July at 5:00pm at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Albert Street, Whitianga. A performance of
Phone Jenny on (021) 186 5797 for more information. light classics by Diana Morcom and Daniel Jones.
AA Driver Licensing Opito Bay Dune Planting
The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Saturday, 25 July from 8:30am - 11:00am at the Stewart Stream toilets. Email tanya.patrick@tcdc.govt.nz for
Whitianga Playcentre more information.
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 First XV Rugby - Saturday 25 July
Whitianga. For children 0 - 6 years, free entry. Visitors welcome. Away game against Te Aroha College in Paeroa. Kick-off at 12 noon.
Cooks Beachcare Group Mercury Bay Senior Rugby - Saturday, 25 July
Make new friends, learn about conservation and make a difference. We meet Thursdays for hands-on weeding and Senior B - Away game against Hauraki North in Waitakaruru. Kick-off at 12:25pm.
planting, 9:00am - 11:00am. Register on our website, www.cooksbeachcare.org.nz or phone Adele on (021) 201 6625. Senior A - Away game against Waihou in Te Aroha. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
Scrapbags Quilting Group Whiti Village Markets
Meets every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. Sunday, 26 July from 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Whitianga Waterways, opposite Mobil Service Station.
phone Shelley on 866 0236 for more information.
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Work on new Whitianga transfer station to begin next year Assurances have been given that the process of establishing a new transfer station in Whitianga will be progressed without further delay after members of the Mercury Bay Community Board expressed frustration at the length of time the project is taking. Thames-Coromandel District Council’s Operations Group Manager, Bruce Hinson, confirmed that $200,000 of funding is in place to complete investigations and detailed design during the current financial year, with construction to be carried out in council’s 2021/2022 financial year. At a meeting of the Community Board earlier this month, Councillor Murray McClean said he also wanted to ensure that all options were being looked at so the new facility would be offering as many different collection streams as possible. Mr Hinson said several waste management sites in New Zealand have been visited to fully examine all possible options and the intent was to offer as much opportunity for recycling as possible. He said all options were still on the table, including provision for a re-use centre along the lines of the Seagull Centre in Thames, and he believed there was already interest within the community in forming a group to run such an operation. Pictured is the entrance to the existing Whitianga Transfer Station. Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21
Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle 907
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Tel no: _________________________________________________________________
Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
their prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which they were announced the winner.
Thumbs
Up
To the following
local community
organisations and
businesses for
their support of the Mercury Bay
Community Bus -
• St Andrew’s Church Op Shop
• Margaret Simpson Family Trust
• Charlies Workshop
• Mercury Bay Club
• The Informer
• Bridgestone Tyre Centre
• Kupe’s Carwash
ACROSS DOWN
1. Amazon river carnivore 1. Breadwinner
4. Pleasant atmosphere, 2. In any case
good ... 3. Uncle’s wife
7. Journalists’ credits (2-5) 4. Flower jug
8. Older person 5. Making offer
9. Numskulls 6. Shadow-box
12. Conferred holy 10. Echo location device
orders on 11. French farewell
15. Traffic violence (4,4) 13. Demented
17. E African country 14. Tavern wench
18. Potency 16. World’s largest desert
21. Venetian or Neapolitan 18. Egg cell
22. Gnat 19. Hole up
23. Overdue 20. Curved hook
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Bruce Mackintosh
4
Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 907 - 21 July 2020Late charge by MB Bowling Club
Police Report not enough to win Winter Cup
By Sergeant Andrew Morrison of the Whitianga Police
The annual Winter Cup challenge between the Mercury Bay and Coromandel Town Bowling
Monday, 6 July to Monday, 20 July 2020 Clubs was held over two Sundays, 28 June and 19 July (last Sunday), in Whitianga.
Three games of triples were played each Sunday.
General took time out to calm down.
A lot of businessowners are working pretty hard Also on the 11th a separating couple argued at On the first Sunday, the Mercury Bay players started encouragingly with four wins and two
to make a living with the effects of COVID-19 a Cook Drive address and they were referred to losses in their first game. However, they deteriorated in the following two rounds with only three
and it is good to see most people are going out of support agencies. wins from 12 games, leaving Coromandel Town with a commanding lead of 11 games to seven
their way to support local businesses. However, On the 7th a large pohutakawa tree was at the end of the day.
the person who smashed an Albert Street store damaged on The Esplanade, while on the “The Mercury Bay players got a pep talk prior to the commencement of last Sunday’s play
window in the early hours of Sunday the 19th 8th we dealt with credit card fraud involving and managed to secure 11 wins to Coromandel Town’s 10,” says Judy Russell, secretary of
obviously doesn’t care about anyone else and overseas purchases and we advise everyone to the Mercury Bay Bowling Club. “Unfortunately this was insufficient to make up for the poor
we would love to know who this offender is. keep an eye on their bank accounts. showing on the first Sunday, with Coromandel Town taking the Winter Cup with an overall score
If you don’t get on with your neighbour, On the 11th children were discovered of 21-18.
have nothing to do with them and concentrate unlawfully on a Taupata Way, Matarangi “Congratulations to Coromandel Town and we look forward to the Summer Cup, which will be
on things you enjoy. property and the Police were called when they competed for between the two clubs in Coromandel Town during the summer season.”
Arrests were confronted by neighbours. Pictured are the Coromandel Town players who competed in the Winter Cup. In the front is club
No arrests during this time. We dealt with two youth offenders causing president, Jim Dicks, with the trophy.
11th - 1 x 31-year-old local woman was harm by posting digital communications on the
warned for Theft. 12th and they will be referred to Youth Aid.
12th - 1 x 19-year-old local man was On the 13th a car window was smashed with a
warned for Wilful Damage. rock on Cook Drive, while on the 14th a Nissan
Occurrences Tilda car, registration JTY654, was unlawfully
Six Family Harm incidents attended during converted from Campbell Street and is still to
this time. be located.
On the 7th a couple argued about child Enquiries are continuing in relation to a
custody issues at a Moewai Park Road address cyclist being assaulted on Old Coach Road on
and sound advice was given, while also that the 14th and we are also dealing with ongoing
day a couple argued at a Catherine Crescent disorder at a South Highway address on the
address and called the Police when property 14th and 19th.
was damaged. A Subaru car was broken into on Blacksmith
On the 8th a couple argued at an Albert Lane on the 18th with Converse shoes stolen.
Street address and called the Police before the Traffic
incident escalated further. Both were separated One drunk driver apprehended during this time.
and given direct advice. 15th - 1 x Rotorua man recorded a breath
A family member was trespassed from alcohol result of 441/250.
a Moewai Park Road address on the 10th, A car was reported doing skids at the Cooks
while on the 11th a young couple argued about Beach boat ramp on the 11th and enquiries are
childcare issues at a Mill Road address and they continuing with the registered owner.
Issue 907 - 21 July 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23You can also read
