Hands off our helicopter! - Circulation 7,500 - The Mercury Bay Informer
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80
Issue 878 - 31 December 2019 Phone 07 866 2090 (07) 867 15 Circulation 7,500
Telephone the Coromandel
pport
Proud to su Helicopter Trust
Rescue
Hands off our helicopter!
By Gillian O’Neill
A call to action has been issued to communities
the length and breadth of the Coromandel to
once more rally against the withdrawal of the
lifesaving rescue helicopter from its base on
the Peninsula.
News that the National Ambulance Sector
Office (NASO), which coordinates air
ambulance services across the country, ordered
that no helicopter could be located at the rescue
helicopter base in Whitianga this summer,
for the first time in a decade, has been met with
dismay and outrage.
The decision has rendered the million
dollar state-of-the-art facility funded by the
people of the Peninsula redundant and defied
a commitment NASO made in late 2018 that
there would be no reduction in air ambulance
services to the region. Now, the Coromandel
Rescue Helicopter Trust (CRHT) is vowing
to fight back and a petition has been launched
demanding the reinstatement of the arrangement
where a helicopter was based in Whitianga
for at least the summer months and during
holiday weekends.
“This is the minimum that the people of the
Coromandel should accept. I can assure our
residents and visitors that the gloves are off.
So much work, time and money has been
invested by literally thousands of people to
establish and maintain this base so we could MP for Coromandel, Scott Simpson (right), became the first person last Sunday to sign a petition calling on the government to
have this critical lifesaving service here in our reinstate the arrangement where a rescue helicopter was based in Whitianga for at least the summer months and during holiday weekends.
community. The trust will be doing everything Brian Bowering, chairman of the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust, is looking on.
possible to fight this decision,” said CRHT
chairman, Brian Bowering. he said. plan and fund road and air ambulance services availability. A Ministry of Health spokesperson,
A poster campaign, funded by The Mercury Urging the public to support the petition effort across New Zealand. A new tender process in despite having been specifically asked by
Bay Informer and jointly promoted by The he said, “I hope people will join me in sending a 2018 resulted in a major restructuring of how The Informer to do so, failed to provide any
Informer and Coromandel’s More FM, message to the Jacinda Ardern-led government rescue helicopter services across the country information regarding the future of the rescue
will get underway this week urging people to that we’d rather have a helicopter than a hug.” operate. When the CRHT was established in helicopter base in Whitianga.
sign the petition which MP for Coromandel, The loss of the helicopter from Whitianga 2012, approximately three years after a rescue Businesses, community groups and individuals
Scott Simpson, will take to the government. made national headlines in recent days featuring helicopter was first based in Whitianga for interested to have hard copies of the petition
Mr Simpson became the first person to sign in news reports on both TVNZ and Three where the busy summer season, it was in partnership available for members of the public to sign
the petition last Sunday (29 December) and Mr Bowering and Mr Simpson voiced the with the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, or to assist with the collection of signatures,
undertook to personally deliver posters to frustration of the Coromandel public. who conducted the vast majority of rescue must please email info@theinformer.co.nz or
businesses and community groups around “The rescue helicopter base in Whitianga missions to the Peninsula. andygeorge@mediaworks.co.nz. Copies are
the Peninsula. belongs to the people of the Coromandel, According to the Ministry of Health, already available at the Informer’s office in
“It defies belief that this is the second time in we made it happen. It’s there waiting, ready to the Coromandel no longer comes under the Whitianga and the More FM studio in Thames.
little more than 18 months that we are having go, but we have other people making decisions coverage area of any one air ambulance service The petition will also in the next few weeks be
to rally for this vitally important service. We’ve about its future with no consultation and no provider. While Hamilton-based Central Air available to sign online through the New Zealand
been let down and we’ve been betrayed, but I adequate explanation for those decisions,” Ambulance Rescue Limited is now described Parliament website. The Informer and More FM will
know how passionate the people of Coromandel Mr Bowering told The Informer. as the region’s “primary provider,” helicopters publicise the link once available.
are about this issue and we will rise up again NASO is a joint office of the Ministry of could come from any one of three locations - The petition will remain live until the end of
against this despicable and unjust decision,” Health and ACC and was established in 2008 to Hamilton, Tauranga or Auckland - depending on April 2020.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Community Christmas Dinner a
“brilliant success”
“It was a brilliant success,” says Mercury Bay Community Christmas Dinner coordinator clean up afterwards.
Maureen Kerr of the free lunch served to 180 guests in the Whitianga Town Hall on Christmas Maureen says many people and organisations came on board with many “random acts of
Day. The tables had been set for 160, but latecomers were also served as they arrived and there kindness,” which made all the work worthwhile. “On Christmas Eve we received 200 miniature
was plenty of food for everyone. Christmas stockings holding chocolates,” she says. “Made by local fabric artists, these were
Large Christmas trees outside the hall announced that all - Mercury Bay residents and visitors - a complete surprise. Whitianga Continuing Care residents made table decorations and Sunday
were welcome and once inside they found the hall transformed by a magical Christmas display school children made crackers.
created by Whitanga residents, Madeleine and John Saunders. “We are immensely grateful to all the businesses and individuals who helped to make the day
Local entertainers got the party going and chefs Richard (Chocky) Shelford-Woodcock and such a success - and we’ll see you all next year!”
Hendry Tainsh served up a meal fit for a king. In the photo on the left are guests enjoying the lunch. In the photo on the right are some of the
The day was financed by generous donations from the local business community and caring members of the “serving team.” From the left around the table - Chantelle Healy, Trevor and
individuals, with a view to creating a party atmosphere for all who wished to come. A team of Raewyn Hildreth, Nicola Hewlett, and Simon and Lisa Hopfengartner.
around 65 big-hearted volunteers worked over four days to prepare for the big event and to
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Tuesday, 31 December to Wednesday, 8 January - Venus continues to be unmistakable in the western twilight sky as the “evening star” and
appears higher and higher after sunset as it moves further away from the Sun from our point of view. Jupiter is very low in the eastern pre-dawn sky.
The International Space Station (ISS) is back for us to enjoy in the evening sky. Travelling at 8km a second, it goes around the world in only an hour and a
half with its cargo of six astronauts. Wednesday, 1 January - We have two chances to see the ISS, with the first at 9:31pm low in the SW, moving towards
the west and disappearing at 9:36pm. The second starts at 11:07pm in the SW, tracking overhead to disappear into the Earth’s shadow at 11:09pm.
Thursday, 2 January - The ISS makes a bright pass starting at 11:18pm in the SW, moving high overhead to disappear into the Earth’s shadow at
11:22pm. Friday, 3 January - Another two passes of the ISS, with the first starting at 9:29pm in the SW and ending in the NE at 9:35pm. The second Astronomy Tours and B&B
starts at 11:07pm in the west and it then disappears at 11:08pm. Saturday, 4 January - Another bright ISS pass starting at 10:18pm in the SW and Phone (07) 866 5343
ending at 10:21pm. Sunday, 5 January - A very bright ISS pass starting at 9:29pm in the SW and ending at 9:35pm. Tuesday, 7 January - The ISS
passes overhead at 9:29pm and moves low in the NW sky to disappear at 9:34pm. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019
Funding boost for Hot
Water Beach lifeguards
The Hot Water Beach Lifeguard Service has received a welcome boost from the Mercury
Bay Business Association (MBBA) on Tuesday last week with the donation of funds to purchase
a new piece of vital equipment.
The association contributed the $4,901 cost of a new trauma kit, which includes a defibrillator,
oxygen and first response supplies. MBBA chairman, Milan Lukic, said it was important for the
business community to recognise and support the work of groups like the lifeguards.
“As businesses we all share the benefits of a busy Coromandel tourist season, but it is
these guys who are out there, many of them as volunteers, ensuring our visitors and our
local communities are kept safe at wonderful holiday destinations like Hot Water Beach,
Cathedral Cove and Hahei,” he said.
Gary Hinds from the Hot Water Beach Lifeguard Service said the donation was deeply appreciated
as the increasing number of visitors to the Mercury Bay area meant constant pressure on
resources. To cope with this demand, the club has also launched a major new fundraising
initiative, the 500 Club. The aim is to have 50 businesses come on board as sponsors, donating
$500 each, to raise $25,000. The money will be invested in new equipment or replace some
existing gear that is reaching the end of its life.
Businesses or individuals interested in being part of the 500 Club can contact
hwblifeguards@gmail.com. The Informer has already signed up for the club and will also assist
by publishing a list of all those who support the effort. Supporter names will also be publicly
displayed on a sponsors board at the lifeguards’ premises at Hot Water Beach.
Pictured is Gary Hinds (left) accepting the donation towards a new trauma kit from Milan Lukic
on Tuesday.
858 - 31
Issue 878 14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
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Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019
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The coolest place to be this summer…
Brad Novak exhibition at Bread & Butter Gallery
Brad Novak (pictured - aka New Blood Pop) explores “identity” for his first solo show of 2020 which
opens at Whitianga’s Bread & Butter Gallery on Tuesday, 7 January.
The urban artist whose work sits sharply at the nexus between fine art and street art is known
for his one of a kind, hand-collaged and stencil-spray-painted works involving the layering of
popular imagery.
Through uncanny juxtaposition, Brad in this exhibition, “Hybrid 1.0,” wants to convey the complexity of
our identities. Are we just one “thing?” A mum, a dad, an accountant, a businesswoman? Why do we put
other people and ourselves in such little boxes?
This series rose out of the artist’s attempt to be more than just defined by his first chosen career. As a
young practising medical doctor in the early 2000s, he was completely unaware of his artistic drive and
the satisfaction he would gain from creating. It was a visit to the Tate Modern in London that changed
Brad’s life.
“I thought art had to be realism. I thought if you can’t paint a photograph, it's not real art. Two hours in
the Tate Modern Art Gallery and my life changed. It was like a lightning strike, it unlocked something in
me. I suddenly realised that art can be an idea and not just a pretty picture,” says Brad.
Now an internationally renowned pop culture artist, through his New Blood Pop series, Brad was the first
artist in New Zealand's history to exhibit in the same show as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Mr Brainwash
and Banksy in Toronto, Canada. He regularly exhibits in the USA, the UK and New Zealand.
“Hybrid 1.0” runs at Bread & Butter until 15 January. There will be an opportunity to meet the artist
himself at the gallery on Saturday, 11 January, from 12:00 to 2:00pm.
858 - 31
Issue 878 14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Linda Gould retires after 36 years in teaching A contribution by Whitianga resident, Dorothy Preece Teacher, Linda Gould, has retired after a 36- different principals and seen the school expand. year career, including 26 years of service to the “The job has changed so much since I first primary school at Mercury Bay Area School. started,” Linda says. “First it was team teaching Born and raised on the family dairy farm, and open-plan classrooms, then the classroom Linda (nee Menzies) went to Coroglen School walls went back up and now we are back to and then away to boarding school in Auckland 25 children in a class and a modern learning at age 12. “Every time I came back over the hill, environment. I would crane my neck to get the first glimpse “There was much more freedom, especially of the Bay,” she recalls. “I couldn’t wait to in planning outdoor activities and school trips. get back.” Now it’s all about risk assessment management After training college, Linda’s teaching and I regret that we have lost that spontaneity. career began in 1973 with a year in Walton, I certainly won’t miss the paperwork. Young near Matamata. “I learned a lot of stuff they teachers these days find the going tough. don’t teach you in college,” she says. She then I always tell them to concentrate on the children, looked for a job in Nelson, “because it was a enjoy them. ” very popular place among teachers.” Linda was originally inspired into teaching Nine years at various schools around Nelson by her Coroglen School teacher, Mr Jurkovich. followed, during which Linda met her future “One of my students cleverly got this information husband, Al Gould. The couple were married in out of me and used it in a very moving speech Whitianga in 1978. at the MBAS junior prize-giving in December. “Al was a ship’s engineer on the Wellington- I was very proud of her,” she says. Picton ferries,” says Linda. “His shifts were Linda followed her father’s footsteps in erratic, such that we hardly saw each other. becoming a Justice of the Peace and over the He was ready for a career change, so eventually years she has been able to assist many local we decided to move back home.” families. In terms of the future, she intends to The couple bought a small dairy farm at ease into retirement with some relief teaching Whenuakite which was a big lifestyle change around the wider Mercury Bay area and she will for Al, but Linda was used to it, and with the continue with her JP work. in-laws on hand as mentors, they settled into She also plans to find time to go fishing and the farming routine. Their children, Kimberly do some reading. “Encouraging children to and Joe, were born before Linda returned read has been a real joy for me,” Linda says. to teaching first as a relief teacher between “The other day a local lad who I taught years Tairua, Whenuakite and Mercury Bay. In 1993, ago, told me he still remembers me reading she accepted a permanent position at MBAS, ‘Charlotte’s Web’ to the class and how he loved where over the years she has worked under three it. Now I plan to catch up on my own reading.” Retiring teacher, Linda Gould, hopes to spend more time reading and fishing. Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019
Busy start to 2020 as schools
stage annual fundraisers
It’s a busy week for three Coromandel schools as they prepare to host their big annual fundraisers
with teams of parent volunteers set to sell raffles, man stalls, sizzle sausages and paint faces all
in an effort to boost the coffers for the year ahead.
For locals and visitors wanting to show their support while also enjoying a great day out,
Coromandel Town is the first stop with the Keltic Fair taking place on Thursday, 2 January.
With over 300 stalls, plus all-day entertainment and a variety of food, the event is expected to
attract thousands of visitors to the Coromandel Area School grounds. Entry is $2 per person over
five, with the gate proceeds benefitting the school. Celebrating its 30th year, the event will no
doubt live up to its billing as New Zealand’s largest one day fair.
Tairua and Whenuakite schools share the date of Saturday, 4 January, for their events. The Cooks
Beach Summer Gala gets underway at the Cooks Beach Reserve at 9:00am with the “world
famous on the Peninsula” Daisy Dung Drop raffle featuring among the many attractions. Local
calf, Michaela, the Champion of Champions at Whenuakite School’s 2019 Pet Day, will be led into
12x12m square, set out in a grid. When Daisy drops her first “do,” the measuring tape will come
out and the owner of the raffle ticket that correlates with the grid spot where the most/all of the
dung is dropped will be $1,000 richer, courtesy of sponsor, Richardson Real Estate Cooks Beach.
Jar throw, winning wheel games, quickfire raffles, fresh produce, face painting, a food tent, music
and more than 100 market stalls combine for this hugely popular event that raises substantial
funds for Whenuakite School each year. The gala will run until 2:00pm. Entry to the event is free.
The Informer is a main sponsor of the gala.
Meanwhile down the road in Tairua, gates to the annual Tairua School Food & Wine Festival will
open at 9:00am where once again a huge crowd is expected to turn out to relax and enjoy a
fantastic musical line-up in the stunning harbourside setting.
Popular local band, Fuller and the Empties, will be on stage playing a variety of covers, including
favourite classics as well as new rock and reggae. Also entertaining will be folk/country music
singer, Kerryn Fields, one-man band, Sonic Delusion, and Thames based guitarist and vocalist,
Dylan Wade. Before all that, watch out for performances featuring current and former students,
including singing, dancing and kapa haka.
The family-focused event will feature a kids’ area with lots of fun activities, while the line-up of
food and beverage providers will leave no-one hungry or thirsty throughout the day. The main
festival sponsor is Paradise Coast First National Real Estate. Businesses supporting the music acts
are Manaia Restaurant and Bar, Flock Kitchen and Bar, Gull Tairua and The Thames on Kirkwood.
The gate sponsor is Coastal Bins, who will ensure the site is tidy during and at the end of the day,
while The Hits is the promotional sponsor.
Entry to the festival is $20 for adults (over 18 with ID) and includes a souvenir cup designed by
nine-year-old Tairua School student, Lincoln Harris. Under 18s are free and over 65s with a Gold
Card are $10.
Issue 878
858 - 31
14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019
Coromandel game developer putting te ao
Māori on global stage
The full version of this article was first published in Interface Magazine and is reproduced with permission
Whetu Paitai has always been good at building. resource for Minecraft: Education Edition? waka hourua at the beach to the pā with its may remind New Zealanders of the long-lost
In fact, he might still be a builder in Australia if it “It blew our minds,” said Whetu. “I knew wharenui (large meeting house) decorated with Pink Terraces, destroyed by a volcanic eruption
wasn’t for a broken leg. Thanks to life’s strange Minecraft, but it wasn’t until we explored ka-whaiwhai (painted panels) and tukutuku more than 100 years ago.
twists, he’s back home on the Coromandel, but Minecraft: Education Edition, tweaked it, (woven lattice). Pātaka, rua (food storage areas) “Whetu is so passionate about education and
instead of putting up houses, he’s reconstructing played with it and saw all the additional things it and a hāngī pit for cooking can also be found. helping all kids, not just his own, understand
the world of his tāpuna (ancestors). could do that we realised all the potential. This Whetu’s younger daughter requested her our indigenous culture and that really shines
Whetu is the founder of Piki Studios, a game will open up so much more space for Māori and favourite bird, a pīwaiwaka, to be included, through when you speak to him. He’s a natural
design company he runs while home-schooling all Kiwis to learn and play in the Māori world.” you can interact with a native kunekune pig teacher,” said Anne Taylor, Education Lead
his children in Coromandel Town. The leap Minecraft: Education Edition brings the and even an extinct moa, complete with sound for Microsoft New Zealand. “The creativity
from builder to educational games developer world of Minecraft to classrooms around the recreated by the experts at the Museum of New and attention to detail with which Whetu has
may seem like a big one, but Whetu remembers world, offering hundreds of free lessons as well Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Children can approached this project just blew us away.
being drawn to technology from an early age. as a global educator community. Whetu is the learn words in te reo from the guides or via in- What he has created goes way beyond what we
“When I was a kid, I enjoyed computers, but the first to create a brand-new world immersed in game exercises. could ever have expected.”
geeky stereotype didn’t fit with the Kiwi view of te ao Māori. Characters based on his children In future versions, intrepid voyagers will The most difficult part of the project was
being a boy. I grew up in Harataunga (Kennedy and their friends guide young players as they be able to visit the taniwha in the harbour and the timeframe, just five short weeks. Luckily,
Bay), surrounded by bush. Computers went on walk through Ngā-Motu, from the impressive collect kaimoana near some pink terraces that Whetu was supported by other Māori working
the back-burner.” in the tech space, making it a truly collaborative
When he returned to New Zealand, Whetu process. His own children acted as in-house
was seduced afresh by digital technology, quality assurance, keeping dad on top of
so he retrained. Armed with new digital skills, his game.
he found himself helping out with the admin at Soon Ngā-Motu will reach an audience beyond
his children’s Māori-language preschool and a New Zealand, as Piki Studios is now an official
lightbulb went on. “If I could be involved that member of the Minecraft Partner Programme,
much in my kids’ education, how much more enabling it to add to the resources available in
involved could I be?” he said. the global Minecraft Marketplace. For now,
Whetu realised that by marrying his passion the game will be available free to classrooms
for IT with education, he could help other in New Zealand, as part of Microsoft’s Schools
children learn the Māori language and culture Agreement.
too by creating fun new resources. And so, “Ngā-Motu is a truly amazing resource for
his game building began. He started creating Kiwi students and teachers, and we know
an online game, Mahimaina (Minecraft in te they’re going to absolutely love exploring and
reo Māori), to help children learn the language. building on this world,” said Anne. “It’s not
“There’s great value in little things,” he says. just Whetu’s children. We showed it to some of
“For a child, seeing their culture represented our global colleagues and the excitement in the
on major global platforms is incredibly room was just palpable.”
empowering.” The innovation and potential impact of
And it was this value that was exactly what Ngā-Motu was also recognised at the 2019
one of the world’s largest tech companies was The team from Piki Studios receiving the trophy for the education sector at the 2019 Māori Language Awards held in December
looking for. Last year, Microsoft came knocking. Māori Language Awards. From the left - Anne Taylor, Christina Goodall, Whetu Paitai, were Piki Studios received the trophy for the
Would Whetu like to create a uniquely Aotearoa David Paitai, Hemi Kelly, Mahinarangi Melbourne and Rana Kapene-Paitai. education sector.
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Issue 878
858 - 31
14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
The year that was - farewell 2019
It has been a year of progress, reflection, celebration and loss in and around Mercury Bay.
As 2019 draws to a close, we look back at some of the news that made the headlines over the
past 12 months.
A ferryman’s tale Mike Walker, pastor of the Whitianga Baptist
After 16 years and nine months of transporting Church, shared a brief message in which he
passengers, bicycles, prams, fresh produce, questioned how anyone can believe that they
takeaways and a myriad of other things across are superior to any other human being because
the Whitianga River, well-known and much- of their faith. He said that the people of Mercury
loved Whitianga Ferry driver, Eric Mair, retired Bay, and New Zealand as a whole, were united
on Monday 11 February. in their love for their Muslim brothers and
Whitianga Community Menz Shed sisters, and the people of Christchurch.
formally opened Prestigious trophy awarded to Cooks
On Thursday, 14 February, Thames- Beachcare Group
Coromandel District Council mayor, Sandra The Cooks Beachcare Group was awarded with
Goudie, formally opened the new Whitianga the Dune Restoration Trust’s prestigious trophy
Community Menz Shed. The shed is situated on for the “Best Coastal Restoration Project of the
South Highway in the Moewai Park industrial Year” at the trust’s annual conference that was
area. The opening was attended by more held in Warkworth at the end of March.
than 40 people, among them Keith Dixon, Was it the right decision?
the MENZSHED New Zealand coordinator for On Tuesday 2 April, Thames-Coromandel
the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. District Council decided by a vote of six
The stories Whitianga’s new murals tell councillors to three against signing the
The first six murals reflecting the Tuia - Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change
Encounters 250 themes of “Navigation” and Declaration. The decision was met with dismay
“First Encounters” were completed throughout by several people. Eric Mair, Whitianga Ferry driver for almost 17 years, retired on Monday, 11 February this year.
the Whitianga CBD during the Tuia 250 Street Wishing you clear skies and tailwinds, Memorandum of Understanding for new Medical Coromandel District Council earmarked
Art Festival in early March. Talented artists Jim Evans Facility signed $250,000 of “seed funding” towards a business
were invited to participate in the festival, The Mercury Bay community suffered a major On Wednesday, 24 July, the Mercury Bay case for, and planning and consenting of
which was organised by the Mercury Bay Art loss when Whitianga resident and aviation Medical Facility Trust and the owners of the the facility.
Escape. Further murals were added throughout legend, Jim Evans, died in an aeroplane Mercury Bay Medical Centre (the “White Scallop Festival back with a vengeance
the year, including a series by students from accident in the mountains above Coromandel House”) in Albert Street, Whitianga signed The Whitianga Scallop Festival dawned with
local schools. Town on Friday, 14 June. Jim took off from a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly a brilliantly bright and sunny day on Saturday,
We’re all Kiwis Whitianga Airport in his Van’s RV12 aeroplane, investigate the feasibility of developing a new 19 September, matched by the great mood of the
More than 200 people gathered at Soldiers bound for Ardmore Airport south of Auckland. multi-service medical facility in Whitianga. festivalgoers who lined up in the newly updated
Memorial Park in Whitianga on Saturday, Bad weather forced him to turn around. His plane Whitianga Waterways made land available for Taylor’s Mistake to check in and grab their wine
16 March to show their support for the was reported missing late on Friday afternoon. the development of a medical facility in 2016. glasses for a day of fun. With a break in 2018
Muslim community of New Zealand after the A Land Search and Rescue team reached the At approximately the same time, the Mercury due to the Whitianga town upgrade, the festival
horrific mosque shootings in Christchurch. wreckage of Jim’s plane the following day. Bay Community Board and Thames- returned with a vengeance. The new layout,
(Continued on page 13)
Advertisement sponsored by
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019Loads of holiday fun at your
local library
Whatever the weather decides to do over the school holidays, the Thames-Coromandel District
Libraries will be buzzing with cool activities to keep the young ones entertained.
With Whitianga and Tairua already packed with holidaymakers, the advice is to register early as
places will be limited for most activities. This year the programme is varied with some sessions
targeted at all primary school students aged five to 12, while a few have been reserved for
younger children only.
Art-tastic Creations for Everyone, Taniwha Storytime and Mask Making for two to six year olds,
and making sock puppets are among the fun and creative tasks that the libraries team has
in store over the coming weeks. Activities will be happening for three weeks from Tuesday,
7 January in each of the libraries - Mercury Bay, Tairua and Thames - on Tuesdays, Wednesday
and Thursdays at 10:30am.
A Teddy Bears’ Picnic will cater especially for the littlies aged two to five who can bring their
favourite soft toy and join in on some picnic fun with bubbles. Wiggle-bot Madness is suitable
for all primary aged kids and will including building robots to race. Some friendly family
competition is anticipated when each library takes a turn at the Lego Block Building Challenge
where the whole family is encouraged to work as a team to earn ultimate bragging rights.
Dinosaur Storytime and Fossil Digging, and STEAM activities are also on the agenda, while
Thursday, 16 January will see the Great Summer Scavenger Hunt prize-giving taking place at
all three libraries. If you haven’t yet collected your book, pop into your nearest library and get
busy taking photos, visiting historic places and completing tasks.
For full details of times and activities, visit the events diary at www.tcdc.govt.nz or contact your
local library to book a spot.
Issue 878
858 - 31
14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Community to have say on
new medical facility
Since the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Mercury Bay Medical Facility
Trust and the Mercury Bay Medical Centre in July, the parties have been working together to
identify what needs to be done to establish a new health and wellness facility in Whitianga.
The trustees of the trust and the partners of the medical centre have held workshops to
develop a vision for the model of care and design of the facility. The central theme to this is the
enhancement of the wellbeing and health of the Mercury Bay community and visitors through
affordable, cooperative and comprehensive services.
Chair of the trust, Murray McLean said, “The trustees of the Mercury Bay Medical Facility
Trust and the Mercury Bay Medical Centre partners are excited about taking the next steps.
These will identify the mix of services and providers that will drive the design of the new health
and wellness facility.”
The medical centre partners say their cooperation with the trust is, “A unique opportunity to
establish a facility with a range of services that will support the local community for decades
to come. There is a real desire to make this much more than just about medical services.
This is a time to focus on wellness and the wider requirements for good health and wellbeing
of the whole community.”
The trustees of the trust say they would also like to work with Ngāti Hei and make the new
facility a collaborative venture across the whole community. When an initial model of care is
completed, there will be opportunities for the community to have their say on what services
they want and how those services are delivered. This is expected to be in the early part of
next year.
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019The year that was - farewell 2019
(Continued from page 10)
using a combination of Taylor’s Mistake and Mercury Bay sends experienced duo back to and supporters at Mercury Twin Cinemas adversity. “Make no mistake, Pat’s passing is
the Northern Reclamation area was a winner, new-look district council in Whitianga on Sunday, 13 October. significant. A totara has fallen, there’s a gap in
allowing a more relaxed and spread-out feel for It was business as usual in terms of the Mercury The screening was followed by drinks and the forest,” he said.
the attendees who had ample room to kick off Bay Ward’s representation at the Thames- nibbles at The Lost Spring, and the cutting of a Local ladies are national golf champions
their shoes and put a rug down for an afternoon Coromandel District Council table with both birthday cake. On Sunday, 17 November, it was announced
in the sun, feasting on an extensive variety of sitting councillors, Murray McLean and Tony Past honoured and future embraced that a Mercury Bay Golf & Country Club
food and listening to great music. Fox, retaining their seats for a fourth consecutive at Te Pōwhiri 18-hole ladies golf team took out the 2019
Bronze for basketball girls at nationals term in the local body elections. In the Mercury An estimated 2,000 strong crowd gathered in Women’s National Club Teams’ Championship.
The members of the Mercury Bay Area School Bay Community Board election, sitting glorious sunshine at Wharekaho on Friday, The announcement was made at the Hauraki
Senior Girls basketball team celebrated an chair, Rekha Giri-Percival, received a strong 18 October, for a historic coming together of Golf Course in Mangatarata, after which the
outstanding end to their season after taking endorsement, newcomer, Hahei-based Jeremy the people of Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury team members - Robyn Anderson, Chris Watson,
out third place in the Schick A National Lomas, finished second, with incumbents Deli Bay that was 250 years in the making. Through Barbara Bradley and Joan Roseman - were each
Championships held in Palmerston North in Connell and Bill McLean also returning. the sharing of words, music, gifts and food, presented with a medal and the “Women’s
October. The team came away with the bronze Kauri 2000 celebrates 20th anniversary Te Pōwhiri, which commemorated the first National Club Teams’ Championship” Trophy.
medal after just one loss throughout the whole Kauri 2000 celebrated their 20th anniversary positive encounters between Ngāti Hei and Major funding boost for new
tournament. In September, the girls were with a screening of the documentary, “Mauri the crew of HM Bark Endeavour, was carried Whitianga skatepark
undefeated at the North Island Championships. o te Kauri,” to an invited group of friends out in magnificent surroundings beneath The reality of a new state-of-the-art skatepark
the Wharetaewa Pa at the southern end of in Whitianga was a massive step closer with
Wharekaho Beach. In what both Joe Davis of the project securing $118,455 from the Lottery
Ngāti Hei and Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson, Community Facilities Grant programme
described as “a significant and important day,” in late November. Chris Devenoges of the
the focus was firmly on a shared future paved by Mercury Bay Skatepark Trust said their whole
important lessons of the past. The event was the team was excited by the funding boost, which
centrepiece of Mercury Bay’s week-long Tuia meant their fundraising efforts were closing in
250 commemorations. on the $150,000 target which the community
A totara has fallen committed to raising. In October, the first
On Tuesday 22 October, the Mercury Bay draft designs for the new skatepark at Taylor’s
community woke to the sad news that Senior Mistake were released.
Constable Pat Doak, known to everyone as Volunteers help turn the tide for
“Policeman Pat,” had passed away. He was 62 Coromandel kiwi
years old. Pat moved to Whitianga in 2006 to On Friday, 13 December, a chick from
take up a road policing role. He was married the Kuaotunu Peninsula became the 100th
to Sandra, who passed away several years ago. Coromandel kiwi to be released on predator
Pat’s funeral at the Mercury Bay Game Fishing free Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf in a
Club was arguably one of the biggest Whitianga project aimed at growing the local population
had ever seen and a true celebration of Pat’s of our national bird. Representatives from
life. Greg Nicholls, a former Police colleague, five kiwi conservation groups from across
Senior Constable Pat Doak, known to everyone as “Policeman Pat, recalled how Pat, whom almost everyone knew the Coromandel Peninsula celebrated the
sadly passed away on Tuesday, 22 October. as a gentle giant, was fearless in the face of momentous occasion.
Thumbs
Up
To the Mercury
Bay Lionesses
for painting the
Learning Support
Room at Mercury Bay Area
School and upgrading the
students’ kitchen. And to
Guthrie Bowron Whitianga
for providing the paint for
the project.
Issue 878
858 - 31
14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Colville’s Back Room Gallery launches its
third summer season
This article was originally published by Creative Coromandel and is reproduced with permission
The rich and diverse talents of artists based in the northern Coromandel are
once again being showcased in the heart of Colville with the Back Room
Gallery recently launching its 2019/2020 season.
The original idea for the pop-up gallery was spurred by Wayne Todd and
a group of local artists who wanted to establish a platform to sell their work
in Colville during the busy holiday period. Wayne has since relocated further
south, however his contribution and legacy is truly appreciated by the gallery
members. Through collaboration and cooperation, the artists have not only
succeeded in their goal, but have created a hub where they can engage with
and support each other. By working together they have developed a real
destination for tourists and art lovers to immerse themselves in authentic
Coromandel art.
Work by up to 12 artists will feature in the gallery throughout the season.
The space itself, beside the iconic Colville General Store, has also had a bit
of a make-over, courtesy of Colville identity and nationally recognised artist,
Steve Carson. The variety of pieces on display is a reflection of the incredible
range of talented artists in the area. Back again this year is Hannah White with
her contemporary and unique silver handcrafted jewellery, Rebekah Pearson
whose signature style art appears all over the Peninsula, Nici Greulich,
who can weave the un-weavable, and John Eaglen, sculptor extraordinaire.
Now in its third year, the non-profit, volunteer-run gallery opened its
doors on 13 December with a special celebration attended by many of the
contributing artists. Throughout the summer, the gallery will be open from
10:00am to 4:00pm daily and the season will run right through until Easter.
The Back Room Gallery Facebook page will have regular updates in relation
to hours or special events. With the artists frequently staffing the gallery,
visitors also get the opportunity to learn more about the art on display and
even on occasions see some of the artists at work.
The full list of this season’s contributing artists is Libby McColl - painting,
Steve Carson - painting/sculpture/drawing, Hannah White - jewellery,
Ella Osnat - photography, Denise Jones - fibre arts, Sam Ireland - pottery,
Rebekah Pearson - ceramics/painting, John Eaglen - sculpture/painting,
Manu Bolger - wood sculpture, Nici Greulich - weaving, Briar Van Dort -
weaving and Greg Taylor - woodwork. Colville artist, Steve Carson, pictured at the launch of Back Room Gallery’s 2019/2020 season.
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Email info@theinformer.co.nz or phone (07) 866 2090.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019Road closures ahead of
Frankies Street Meet
The Whitianga American Muscle, Street & Custom Club is asking Whitianga residents and
visitors to take note of the street closure times for their upcoming second birthday celebrations.
The club will once again hold the “Frankies Street Meet” car show in Albert Street on Sunday,
5 January, when more than 100 vehicles are expected to be on display.
With the road closed to traffic between Monk Street and Lee Street from 8:00am until 2:00pm,
organisers say it is important that, if people have parked in the vicinity early in the morning or
overnight, they have removed their cars before 7:45am or they risk having them blocked in until
after the event.
The term muscle car refers loosely to high performance versions of mass-produced American
motor vehicles of the 1960s and 70s, powered mainly by V8 engines sitting under large bonnets.
However, the local club caters for all makes and models of unique vehicles and this year the
display is expected to also include motorbikes, and classic car and caravan combos.
Several categories will be judged on the day, including best sedan, best convertible, best coupe,
best truck, best less-than-four-wheels and best dressed. There will also be a People’s Choice
award. Voting forms will be available at Frankies Sports Bar & Grill, who support the event along
with main sponsor, Farmer Auto Village Tauranga, and several other Whitianga businesses.
The prize-giving will take place outside Frankies at 1:00pm.
Frankies will serve $10 breakfasts, and live music and rock ‘n roll dancing will add to the
atmosphere. All registered vehicles pay a $20 entry fee with the proceeds going to a local
charity or community group. The event is free for the public to enjoy.
Issue 878
858 - 31
14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Wishes for the New Year
With yet another year gone, we’ve spoken to several
locals, involved in many aspects of life in Mercury
Bay, about their thoughts on 2019 and their wishes for
the New Year. Here’s what they had to share.
Roly Chaney - Chief Fire Officer of the Whitianga
Volunteer Fire Brigade
I would like to say Happy New year to all the locals
out there and also all the people here on their holidays,
welcome to our slice of paradise. As you might be
aware, the population of Whitianga increases tenfold
at this time of year, putting more pressure on all
the emergency services here in Whitianga and the
surrounding areas.
My message is simple, “please think before you
act.” Use your common sense, if you have any doubt
about what you are about to do, then maybe you
should not be doing it.
Remember there is a total fire ban in place at
this time of year, so this means no fires at all,
this includes lighting fires on the beach, burning off Clockwise from the top left - Roly Chaney, Rekha Giri-Percival with two of her children, Rohan and Reuben,
any rubbish and especially lighting of any fireworks or Paul and Fleur Clayton, and Sheeree and Brent Prisk, and Mary Kedzlie.
Chinese lanterns.
I am looking forward to a quiet year ahead for the
35 volunteers at the Whitianga Fire Station. We are all
looking forward to hosting the Gold Fields Waterway
competition day in February and the Auckland
Provincial Fire Brigades Association AGM in June.
Enjoy the festive season and say safe out there.
Mary Kedzlie - Acting Principal of Te Rerenga School
I am very proud of the achievements of Te Rerenga
School during 2019 and is looking forward to the 2020
school year. In May, the school had a very successful
review by the Education Review Office and finished
the 2019 school year with the highest roll it has ever
had at 95 students.
It is likely that we will be starting the 2020 year
with over 100 students.
Times are changing in our community with many
families moving to the area for lifestyle and work.
I believe these families are moving here confidently
due to the knowledge that their children will be
receiving high quality education.
Te Rerenga School has a very good reputation
with all the positive values of a rural school.
Our students are lucky to be able to attend a school
where they are able to be natural and just be “country”
or “beach” kids. Learning and playing, exploring and
discovering, creating and doing. It is these values that
I think that are appealing to families moving into the
local area.
We have a beautiful learning environment with
expansive playing fields, a native grove, orchard,
school gardens and chickens. But right on our door
step we have the sea and the bush which play a big
part in our learning inquiry.
It is my wish that this year and in subsequent
years we continue to fully utilise these amazing
outdoor classrooms incorporating our 2020 focus
on wellbeing and mindfulness. The opportunities for
such rich learning experiences are endless.
Rekha Giri-Percival - Chair of the Mercury Bay
Community Board and owner of Percival Construction
It’s the time of the year where I find myself reflecting
on the year finishing and looking to the year ahead.
It has me thinking what will this next decade,
the 2020s, be remembered in history for. My wish
for our community is that we continue to be a strong,
connected community. Looking out for each other
and working together.
From my whanau to yours, I wish everyone a happy
new year. Be safe, be kind.
Paul and Fleur Clayton, and Brent and Sheeree Prisk -
owners of Frankies Sports Bar & Grill
2019 has been both exciting and interesting for
Frankies along with the rest of Whitianga. It has seen
the first full year of having the benefits of the Albert
Street upgrade and there have been many social
issues and changes along the way, the latest being the
potential loss of our rescue helicopter service.
As we look forward to 2020, the Frankies team wish
all in Whitianga, locals and visitors alike, a happy and
prosperous year ahead.
For us, our plans are to continue to support the local
business community and social entities as we did in
2019 along with our priority of delivering the best we
can in our business endeavours. All this with a little
(Continued on page 20)
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019Issue 878
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14December
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2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019
Issue 878
858 - 31
14December
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19Wishes for the New Year (Continued from page 16) bit of fun along the way! Growth can be a little daunting in our small fishing village, but at the same the benefits it brings are great for our community. Wishing everyone a fun and enjoyable 2020. Dorothy Preece - St Andrew’s Community Church parish councillor Many positive things have happened around Whitianga recently - the town centre and Esplanade upgrade, that lovely walk along to Brophy’s Beach - there is a really positive vibe everywhere. People are relocating from the cities and bringing their ideas and expertise, starting businesses, joining clubs and churches, vigorously volunteering and really making a difference. As we go into 2020, my wish/prayer for our community is that we might now be able to help alleviate problems caused by “the tyranny of distance” when it comes to upgrading under-resourced services Clockwise from the top left - Dorothy Preece, John Wright, Jonathan Kline and a group of like WINZ, hospitals and mental health. Mercury Bay youth sailors looking seaward, Kevin Pringle and Jeremy Lomas. Happy New Year everyone! John Wright - Principal of Mercury Bay Area School Nga mihi nui tatou/greetings all. So in thinking about what the year ahead may bring for us all, I am taken back 20 years in the first instance - to the turn of the century, the new millennium, the “unknownness” of the K2 bug, our fear that it threatened “everything” and the commencement of the first decade of the new century - and we survived it all! We have now completed our second decade and are about to launch into the third for this century - how rapidly and significantly all things around us have shifted. All of our young people at our kura have been born this century. They are all millennium children and like us all, they will be navigating forward in this century into uncharted territories. What I see that we are all facing, is a dynamic, rapidly shifting and developing, unknown future. So, it is not so much “what we know” and “what we teach our young people,” but also and more enduring “who we/they are,” the life skills we all need to develop to navigate the world ahead of us. These attitudes - dispositions - are and will be critical to take us through this third decade of the century. This is the engaging, exciting space for us all for 2020. Jonathan Kline - Mercury Bay Boating Club youth sailing coach It is my hope that our children will always remember to look seaward. There they will find adventure, solace, and hope. Kevin Pringle - Trustee of the Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust With the progress that has been made with the proposed Mercury Bay Medical Facility over the last few months, as outlined in the article on page 12 in this issue of The Informer, we are now able to begin to finalise the model of care which will inform the design of the new health facility. The building will, of course, need to be designed to meet the health needs of our growing community for the foreseeable future. It is my hope that we can provide a site where most of the services that will be required will be available in one building. I am looking forward to a year of progress. Jeremy Lomas - Mercury Bay Community Board member and owner of the Whitianga Ferry On behalf of the whole Whitianga Ferry team and in my new role on the Mercury Bay Community Board, I wish everyone in the wider Coromandel area a happy and safe 2020. For most people, 2019 has gone by in a flash and hopefully people are now enjoying a well-earned break with family and friends in the paradise that we are privileged to live in. Whitianga as a town feels vibrant, it is clear that people are proud to live here. New businesses are popping up with young owners, which is great to see. It’s also great to see lots of people out enjoying our beautiful walks, our stunning beaches and the fantastic new playground on The Esplanade. For me Tuia 250 was the highlight of 2019. Ngati Hei and the Mercury 250 Anniversary Trust did an outstanding job putting together such an amazing event. Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 878 - 31 December 2019
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