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Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000
Married 70 years and thriving in a
smaller community
Whitianga residents, Colin and Jean Carr, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Wednesday last week. In the photo on the left are the couple during their wedding day on
6 January 1951. The photo on the right shows them arriving at The Lost Spring in Whitianga on Wednesday where they enjoyed lunch with their family and closest friends.
Read the story on page 3.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Paddle & Picnic a lot of fun
Nick Reader, organiser of the Paddle & Picnic event held at the Whitianga Waterways beach from the Waterways owners as they went past their properties.
opposite the Mobil service station on Saturday last week, is pleased with how the afternoon “The race was entertainment in its own right. Everyone was happy watching the competitors
went. “We’ve had a great turnout and the mini-Olympics in particular was very popular,” arrive back at the beach while enjoying a picnic and live music from local entertainer,
he says. “Overall everyone really enjoyed themselves.” Doc Jeffries.”
Sack, three legged, and egg and spoon races were all on offer for children aged five to 12 and The event was hosted by the Mercury Bay Community Events Support Trust, Whitianga
their parents. “Classic Kiwi fun which is always a hit,” says Nick. Waterways and More FM. “The Events Support Trust is focused on providing Mercury Bay
The mini-Olympics was followed by a stand-up paddleboard and kayak race for adults residents and visitors alike with opportunities to get out and about, have fun and enjoy each
and children aged 12 and up. Younger children were allowed to participate, but had to be other’s company,” says Nick. “Watch this space for more to come.”
accompanied by a parent. “Competitors raced around Endeavour Island,” says Nick. “It was a Pictured in the photo on the left is Ben Kent, a holidaymaker from Auckland who won the
2km course and they’ve had the option of doing the course once or twice. The feedback is that stand-up paddleboard race. In the photo on the right is young Whitianga local, Nixon Johnston,
it was a great experience, the competitors especially enjoyed the encouragement they received giving his best in one of the egg and spoon races.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 13 January to Wednesday, 20 January - Brilliant Venus is a lovely sight early in the mornings just before sunrise this week while
elusive Mercury can just be seen in the evenings immediately after sunset very low in the west. It will now move rapidly higher over the next few weeks
and become a bit easier to see. Mars is still unmistakable high overhead in the early evenings… it is the reddish “star” in the sky followed by the red
giant star Betelgeuse in Orion a bit further to the east. No International Space Station passes this week, but lots of other satellites can be seen passing
overhead in the early evenings.
Thursday, 14 January - A minute crescent Moon lies just above and to the left of faint Mercury very low in the west just after sunset.
Friday, 15 January - The crescent Moon now lies above and to the right of faint Mercury just after sunset in the west. Astronomy Tours and B&B
Saturday, 16 January - Brilliant Venus is very low in the east just before sunrise. Phone (07) 866 5343
Tuesday, 19 January - Reddish Mars lies to the right of a crescent Moon in the evening.
Wednesday, 20 January - A first quarter Moon lies directly to the left of reddish Mars in the evening. www.stargazersbb.com
Tides data sponsored by
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides
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 932 - 12 January 2021
Married 70 years and thriving
in a smaller community
By Suzanne Hansen
Colin and Jean Carr, residents of the retirement The family lived in Dargaville for seven years
village at Whitianga Continuing Care, have on and made very good friends, some with whom
Wednesday last week celebrated a massive they still keep in contact to this day .
milestone of 70 years marriage with family From Dargaville, Colin, Jean and their
and close friends, including their original children - in addition to Malcolm and Heather
flower girl, Jackie Barrington, at a lunch at there are also Linda and Tricia - moved to
The Lost Spring in Whitianga. Their son, Beachlands where Colin took up a new career
Malcolm, says that The Lost Spring went all in insurance, a career that he maintained for
out with signs and personalised service for the 20 years until he retired. Malcolm has also
couple to ensure they have a lovely day. carved out a career in the insurance industry
Jean is 91 years of age and Colin is nearly and works from an office in Whitianga.
96. They have moved three months ago from Colin and Jean have nine grandchildren and
Auckland to Whitianga to be near Malcolm 15 great-grandchildren.
and his sister, Heather Berryman, and their Married when they were 25 and 21 years of
families, who all live in Mercury Bay. As a age respectively, Colin and Jean demonstrate
matter of fact, with their move to Whitianga, longevity, patience and tenacity, which
the Carr family now has four generations of Malcolm puts down to their healthy lifestyle.
males in the area. Malcolm says that they were “meat and three
Colin and Jean married on 6 January 1951. veg people” who never smoked or drank.
They met on Waiheke Island where Colin Their main pastime activities were working
was posted to the New Zealand Post Office in for their church and connecting with family
Oneroa and Jean worked in the hardware store. and friends. They were always busy with
Jean’s parents, Clo and Don Croll, managed community fundraising and helping people.
a sheep farm in Matiatia and lived in the Jean has always loved the water. The family
farmhouse which was just behind the current used to own a bach at Baddeleys Beach,
main ferry terminal and car park. north of Auckland, which they often visited.
The couple met through Jean’s older brother, Colin also played tennis until well into his 80s
Don, who used to sail with Colin and by all and Jean was a keen seamstress and painted
accounts it was love at first sight. They were china. Malcolm calls the Carr family life
later married in that same farmhouse with simple, healthy and pleasant.
around 100 guests and a bounty of cakes and Malcolm says that Colin and Jean’s move to
food prepared by Jean, her family and friends. Whitianga has given the couple a new lease
The couple moved from Waiheke to on life. Jean is close to the water again and
Pukekohe, and then to Greenlane and they are back in a smaller community in which
Manuwera, where they bought their first IGA they are thriving. They are making friends
grocery store. When an opportunity came up and developing new interests. Colin is back
to run a bigger grocery store in Dargaville, driving at 95.
they made the move with their children and On their big day, the couple were blown
operated Carr’s IGA for several years before away when their new neighbour, Harold
taking an even bigger step into a brand-new Abrahamson, popped in with a bouquet of red
supermarket called Super Value, which is roses for their anniversary to say “congrats.”
now Countdown. He made their day even more special.
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Whitianga house destroyed in fire An unfortunate incident played out late on Saturday last week when the Whitianga Volunteer Our members did a fantastic job in putting the fire out. It was impossible to save the house, Fire Brigade were called out to a house on fire in Nicholas Avenue. “We’ve received the call at but we managed to keep the fire away from the neighbouring properties. That’s always a 5:17pm and were alerted to the fact that there may have been people in the house,” says Deputy challenge when dealing with a large fire in a suburban area. Once again our training paid off.” Chief Fire Officer Derek Collier. “Fortunately, when we arrived at the scene there was no-one Fire and Emergency New Zealand undertook a site investigation last Sunday to determine the inside, but the house was engulfed in flames.” cause of the fire. Their report will be released in due course. When the fire was detected, neighbours phoned 111 and helped the mother and child who were Pictured in the photo on the left are some of the members of the Whitianga Volunteer Fire inside to evacuate safely. Brigade making sure the fire didn’t flare up after it was brought under control. In the photo on “We’ve had both our fire appliances and our Operational Support van on the scene,” says Derek. the right are Whitianga Fire Chief Roly Chaney (left) and DCFO Derek Collier taking a break from “Fourteen of our firefighters and several of our Operational Support team responded to the call. the action. Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021
Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Two very successful school
fundraisers last week
Whenuakite School and Mercury Bay Area School hosted two very successful fundraisers anxious about how and if we would run the carnival,” he says. “There were so many things
last week. to consider - and the intrepid crew resolved we would continue, pending any major issues -
On Monday, 4 January, thousands of locals and visitors enjoyed the atmosphere, food on offer and the day was superb.
and entertainment at Whenuakite School’s Cooks Beach Summer Gala. “It was an absolutely “The stall holders were delighted we were ‘back on the circuit, the FunCo Carnival Company
brilliant day,” says Eamonn Kelly, principal of the school. “Thank you to our wonderful parents, were in full swing all day, the entertainment stage at the ‘village green’ ran all day with superb
community, children and staff who organised the gala and took time off to work all day selflessly performers, overhead cloud kept the temperature reasonably comfortable for much of the day,
to raise money for the benefit of our students.” the craft market stalls were busy all day, along with the food providers. It was a day that we
The highlight of the gala, as is the case every year, was the Daisy Dung Drop Raffle where a had been hoping for.”
lucky ticketholder won $1,000 sponsored by Richardsons Real Estate. Pictured on the left are Mercury Bay locals, Tina and Katie Bartlett, enjoying the Cooks Beach
John Wright, the principal of MBAS, says the Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival on Thursday, Summer Gala. In the photo on the right is the Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival from the air.
7 January was, “In short - a fantastic day.” “It is fair to say that during 2020 we were somewhat
4
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021
Warm and dry in
Whitianga
By Stephan Bosman
According to NIWA, Whitianga recorded on of Auckland.
Wednesday last week the warmest day since During the past three months,
their records began in 1962 when the mercury the Coromandel entered “dry” conditions
topped 31.8°C. The Metservice station at the initially in early November, but experienced
Whitianga Airfield recorded a high on the more normal conditions after some good
same day of 30.0°C. According to the records rainfall not long afterwards. In the latter part
of Metservice, the temperature the day before of December last year, “dry” conditions were
(5 January) was 24.6°C and the day after entered into again and soon progressed to
(7 January) it was 26.9°C. There was no “very dry” conditions. Without some decent
other day the past month where Whitianga rain, the whole of the Peninsula will soon
experienced a temperature higher than 30.0°C. experience the “extremely dry” conditions the
Historically, the average highest temperature residents of and visitors to the top half of the
in Whitianga for December is 25.4°C and Coromandel already have to contend with.
27.6°C for January. That is below the 27.4°C Metservice is predicting some light showers
recorded on the warmest day in December for Whitianga towards the middle of this week
2019 and the high of 29.9°C recorded in and also the middle of next week.
January 2020. Thames-Coromandel District Council water
The lowest temperature recorded in restrictions were on Monday this week at
Whitianga the past month was 6.9°C on Level 4 for most of the Coromandel, including
28 December. The historical average lowest the whole of Mercury Bay, Coromandel Town
temperature in Whitianga for December is and Tairua. The use of sprinklers is banned
7.2°C and 8.0°C for January. under Level 4 restrictions. Only hand-held
From 10 December 2020 to last Sunday hoses are allowed on alternate days - if your
(10 January), Whitianga has received total address is an even number, you can use a hose
rainfall of 77mm. Historically the town on even numbered days and vice versa for odd
receives an average rainfall of 120.9mm in numbered houses.
December and 112.9mm in January. Total According to TCDC, water for Whitianga
rainfall of 53.2mm was received in December is at the moment extracted from the
2019 and only 5.8mm in January 2020. Whangamaroro River (the town’s sole water
According to the NIWA Drought Index, supply) within the resource consent limit
the top part of the Coromandel Peninsula, from administered by Waikato Regional Council.
Mercury Bay northwards, is experiencing Council is warning, however, that Level 5
“extremely dry” conditions at the moment. restrictions (a total watering ban) may be
The lower part of the Peninsula is experiencing imposed if the demand for water is such that
“very dry” conditions, similar to most the resource consent is being breached.
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Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Ring finder, Mark Earle, to the rescue
By Suzanne Hansen
Whitianga resident, Mark Earle, saved the day more difficult. with two young brothers finding the ring later a detecting club in Auckland, he did a lot of
for young couple, Sam and Aimee Cowley, The Whitianga job was for a ring that in the grass next to the creek. Their mother museum work and made several memorable
when Aimee posted on the Cooks Beach was possibly lost in the Taputauatea Stream had seen the Facebook post and the man finds with the club. Among the finds were
Community Facebook page on Thursday last (Mother Brown’s Creek) while a man was was reunited with his ring. He rewarded the Bishop John Patteson’s silver pocket knife,
week that Sam had lost his titanium wedding tossing his kids in the deep part. The man boys generously. now in the Auckland Museum, a printing
band while they were making one of their thought that’s where his ring came off and Mark originally became involved in metal press, now in the Te Awamutu Museum,
frequent visits to Cook Beach. Sam is a keen Mark spent quite a bit of time neck deep in detecting because of his interest in history, and Mark himself finding a set of manacles
ocean swimmer and lost the ring while in the the water with his detector, without success. coin collecting and preserving historic items, off a shipwreck south of Dargaville, now in
water three days earlier. Since then, he had The story does have a happy ending though, a passion which endures. While belonging to the Dargaville Maritime Museum.
spent every day looking for the ring at low These days Mark and Sue clean up the local
tide. “The ring meant everything to us as we Mercury Bay beaches as often as they can,
are both quite sentimental people and had we picking up everything they find or see, from
needed to replace it, it wouldn’t have been the bottle tops and tear tabs to fish hooks and
same or have held the same emotional value broken glass. If they pick up enough coins for
to us,” says Aimee. an ice cream on the way home, it’s a treat.
In total, there were four posts on local Mark suggests the best thing to do if you
community Facebook pages last week lose an item of value on the beach is to take
looking for lost rings or jewellery. Three of a photo of the location with some landmarks
these were in Cooks Beach, the other was and, if possible, use the GPS function of
in Whitianga. your phone’s map app to pin your location.
Enter Mark and his wife, Sue, who are keen You can then contact Mark or New Zealand
operators of Mark’s metal detector. Mark had Ring Finder on Facebook.
been looking for treasures for 37 years and When Mark found Sam’s ring, Sam and
is part of a large nationwide group called Aimee offered him a reward, but Mark asked
New Zealand Ring Finder who assist with the them to rather buy wool for Sue to crochet
recovery of jewellery and other lost items. blankets for their chosen charity, 4theKids.
He frequently keeps an eye out on Facebook The charity applies a community-based
for lost items and when he sees a local post, approach to providing comfort and assistance
he’s always keen to jump in and help. to the victims of child abuse. Sue has made
One of last week’s posts was by someone hundreds of blankets for them.
wanting to borrow a metal detector. Aimee Sam and Aimee were happy to make the
posted in the same thread that if that person donation. “We were beyond impressed with
found a titanium ring in their search, it may Mark’s skills and his generosity to help us,”
belong to her husband. says Aimee. “We are also beyond grateful to
The person asking to borrow the detector him for finding Sam’s ring. With my husband
was lent one by someone else and they being such a lover of the ocean and the ring
found their ring, using Mark to provide having spent three days in there until Mark’s
technical advice on how to undertake the rescue, it had almost added more significance
search. Mark conducted the two other Cooks Whitianga resident, Mark Earle (left), and Sam Cowley after Mark had found Sam’s to his ring. We are very happy people!”
Beach searches himself. Sam and Aimee’s lost wedding band. Sam were on holiday in Cooks Beach with his wife, Mark says the hug he received from Sam
search was successful, but the other was Aimee, when he lost his ring. will stay with him for a very long time.
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Tuesday afternoons and is distributed
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula. What’s that Number?
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ONLINE POLL FOR JANUARY 2020
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Should there a total ban on backyard
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in the night sky, and the Whitianga and Follow us on Twitter.
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021
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July 20162021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Car Talk By Jack Biddle
A question for Jack? Just email us or drop us a note.
Lost or damaged keys - a great way to ruin your day or spoil your holiday
If your vehicle has a birthdate of around the mid-1990s,
chances are it is fitted with an engine immobiliser.
It’s an anti-theft system which stops a vehicle from
being hot-wired, the engine started and the vehicle
driven away once a break-in has occurred.
There are a couple of important ingredients to the
immobiliser system - the ignition key itself (or an
electronic fob used when the vehicle has a start/stop
button) and the vehicle’s on-board electronic control
unit (ECU). Both components are specifically linked
to each other by way of a unique electronic code and
when matched, allow the engine to start.
For owners, it’s a system which provides great peace
of mind, but it can also cause a lot of grief and become
a very expensive experience if the immobiliser key or
fob is lost or damaged. For obvious security reasons,
an owner cannot just simply go and purchase another
key/fob over the counter and expect to automatically
unlock or start their vehicle. There is a re-learning
process that needs to be undertaken which requires
specific electronic equipment that matches the new
key/fob with the ECU.
While systems have changed over the years and
is now a little less complicated for those with the
authority and knowledge to supply a new key/fob and
carry out the relearning task, it’s still far from a five-
minute task or cheap job for owners to experience.
And because technology keeps on changing,
the chances of finding a repair shop or mobile locksmith
with the tools and knowledge away from the big cities
to recode every new ignition key or fob to a specific
ECU, are very slim indeed and diminishing rapidly.
After talking to some of the local garages around
Whitianga, it seems their best advice to owners is very
simple and blunt - to reduce the stress and potential
high costs involved, don’t lose or damage your keys.
Wayne Smith from Thames Mobile Locksmiths,
the man many vehicle repair shops on the Coromandel
turn to for help when keys are lost has a similar
message. “Owners don’t realise what they are holding
in their hands until it’s gone when it comes to
transponder type ignition keys or fobs,” he says. “They
are like gold bars and are often taken for granted. While
I can help out some owners and garages, the pace at
which the industry moves and with no real commonality
between manufacturers, means businesses like mine
simply struggle to keep up both in knowledge and
ongoing costs.”
So, if you don’t want to wave your car goodbye as
it leaves town on the back of a tow truck bound for a
franchise dealer some distance away, it’s best to have
a spare programmed key tucked away somewhere to
help dig yourself out of a hole if required. Even if it’s
sitting in a drawer at home and needs to be delivered
to wherever you may be, at least you will know the
inconvenience will be minor compared to the potential
alternative options.
Which begs the question, do you know where your
spare keys are, or more importantly, do you have one
that actually starts the engine?
It’s not uncommon, for example, for used vehicles to
be sold with only one ignition key supplied which in
the excitement of purchase can be totally overlooked
or an assumption made that it’s only a key and a spare
can be quickly sourced at minimal cost.
It’s also not unheard of for a spare key to be
provided that unlocks the doors and fits the ignition
barrel only and is not programmed (and is not able to
be programmed) to allow the engine to start.
So, if you’re looking to purchase second-hand,
then it’s always wise to check and make sure all
available ignition keys actually do fire the engine.
The simple old ignition key has changed a lot over
the years and while it makes a vehicle a lot less likely
to be stolen, it needs to be handled with extra care and
makes having a spare tucked away far more important.
It’s not the thing to throw on the loose sand while
you are enjoying a family picnic or leaving in your
pocket if you intend taking a quick dip to cool off
over summer.
Now might be a good time to go check if your spare
is in the place you think it is and make sure it does
start the car.
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July 20162021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13More than 100 riders in “Whitianga Scooter Jam” Thames-Coromandel District Council mayor, Sandra Goudie, formally opened the new Whitianga was one of the factors they had to take into account when choosing the winners. skatepark on Saturday morning last week. The skatepark became available for the public to use Pictured in the photo on the left is the ribbon being cut by young Whitianga resident, Zeke Calder, before Christmas last year and is proving hugely popular. during the formal opening. Looking on are, from the left, Mercury Bay Sketpark Trust trustees The formal opening was followed by the “Whitianga Scooter Jam.” More than 100 riders Chris Devenoges and Caleb Jennings, Councillor Tony Fox, Mayor Sandra Goudie, Mercury Bay competed in the event across four age groups - Under 8, 8 to 12, 12 to 14 and 14 and over. Community Board Chair Rekha Giri-Percival and Skatepark Trust trustee Benson Lockhart. The rider who produced the best trick in the three older age groups went home with a new In the photo on the right is Whitianga resident, Connor de Gier, on his way to a new scooter in scooter supplied by event sponsor, EthicDTC. Lots of spot prizes were given away too. the 12 to 14 age group. The tricks were judged by highly skilled scooter riders working with EthicDTC. Crowd reaction Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021
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July 20162021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15School holidays colouring fun
Thanks to Mercury Twin Cinemas in Whitianga
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021New More FM announcer a keen surfer with some Red Bull stories to tell On Monday this week, Coromandel’s More really enjoyed doing and getting a tap on FM welcomed announcer, Mike Plant, the shoulder from Red Bull was a major to their team. Mike is joining Michelle Johns highlight. I was part of many awesome events on the Mediaworks station’s weekdays all across Southeast Asia. I have some pretty Breakfast Show. With former Breakfast cool stories to tell.” host, Andy George, having relocated to Back in New Zealand in 2019, Christchurch, this is the first change in Mike joined Mediaworks and was based in the station’s line-up of Coromandel-based their Rodney studios where he primarily filled announcers in four-and-a-half years. in for Auckland-based More FM announcers Mike grew up in Auckland, but spent most who were on holiday or unable to work for of his school holidays on the Coromandel. personal reasons. He’s a keen angler and surfer and has many “My wife and her family also have a friends in Mercury Bay, from Whangapoua to long association with the Coromandel and Cooks Beach. “I’m pretty fond of Whitianga,” when Andy’s position became available, he says. “When the Corogold festival was it really was a no-brainer to take the plunge,” still going, I’ve spent many a New Year in says Mike. “We’ll initially be based at my the town.” family’s bach in Whangamata, although Mike entered the radio industry in my wife will spend about half her time in 2004 and has worked in a variety of roles Auckland, continuing to work for the media across New Zealand, including four years company she became a part of when we as a Breakfast announcer in Northland. returned from Vietnam. In 2015, his wife accepted a role with the “Personally, I hope to become a well- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s known More FM ambassador along the east campus in Ho Chi Minh City. After arriving coast of the Peninsula. My wife and I have in Vietnam, Mike went job hunting and it a strong charitable focus, the SPCA and didn’t take him long to secure a position as Hospice being two of our favourites, but will a consultant for some of the government- do whatever we can to help local charities as owned radio stations. In between, he was in well. Whenever someone has need for an MC high demand as a Master of Ceremonies and or DJ, they just need to let me know. DJ at Red Bull events. “I look forward to meet as many of the “In conjunction with my radio work, locals as possible and plan to become a I’ve always been DJ’ing around New familiar sight carrying my surfboard into the Zealand,” says Mike. “It’s something I water at Hot Water Beach.” Mike Plant joined Coromandel’s More FM as a Breakfast announcer on Monday this week. Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17
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July 20162021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23Successful Info Day for Rings Beach
Wetland Group
The Rings Beach Wetland Group was thrilled with completed entries eligible to win prizes
to take part in this holiday season’s Matarangi from Luke’s Kitchen and Stargazers
Summer Festival for the first time, holding Astronomy Tours.
an Info Day on Tuesday last week at the With well over a hundred visitors passing
Bluff Road entrance to the Matarangi Bluff through, the Rings Beach Wetland Group
Scenic Reserve. team was delighted with the success of the
The aim of the Info Day was to give Mercury Info Day. “We would especially like to thank
Bay residents and visitors the opportunity to Richardsons Real Estate for providing the
learn more about the conservation work the gazebo, and Luke’s Kitchen and Stargazers
group does in the reserve and to encourage for providing the quiz prizes,” says Carrie.
them to walk one or more of the tracks. “Thanks also go to the members of our
“The Rings Beach Wetland Group has always group who donated their time and effort in
been conscious of the need to gets its message numerous ways to make the day a success,
out to the wider world,” says Carrie Parker, and to Coastal Signs who gave us a great deal
chairperson of the group. “The Informer along on our new T-shirts. Most of all, however,
with other local media has always been very
we would like to thank all of those people
supportive. However our participation in the
who made the effort to come and see us and
Matarangi Summer Festival, along with our
especially those who carried on to actually
new Facebook page, has made us realise that
walk the tracks.
we haven’t previously provided a mechanism
“The arduous work involved in maintaining
that enabled our friends and supporters to
reach out to us directly.” the tracks and trapping predators can seem
Secretary, Dave Fitzgerald, concurs. thankless at times. But seeing so many
“By holding the Info Day, we were able to people appreciating what has been created,
have conversations with some of the many makes our effort all worthwhile. Our team of
Rings Beach Wetland Group volunteer, Alastair Brickell, engaging the younger generation with volunteers will have an extra spring in their
people who use the tracks on a regular basis,
information about traps and predators at the group’s Info Day on Tuesday last week. step from now on and we definitely look
even if it is only when they are visiting
Matarangi during holiday periods,” he says. “We were also delighted to receive several Info Day visitors were able to view exhibits forward to participating in the Matarangi
“We gained some valuable insights, such offers of volunteer assistance along with of the most common predators, kindly Summer Festival again next year.”
as the need for better signage and that not some generous financial donations. These provided by the Department of Conservation, For more information about the Rings
everyone knows that there are three options donations are greatly appreciated and will and to see some of the traps that are used Beach Wetland Group visit their website,
to walk. assist with the costs of our ongoing predator to target these predators. A short quiz was www.ringsbeachwetlandgroup.org.nz or their
control and track development efforts.” handed out to those walking the tracks, Facebook page.
Page 24 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021The Small-time Investor
By Whitianga resident, Max Ross
Shopify
For the rest of this month, my investing It’s all about spreading the risk. If one
theme is online buying and I will be looking company plummets in value, hopefully
at American companies in particular. others will be going up. If I had put all of
This week I am purchasing NZD100 of my money into Tesla, I would have made a
Shopify. With the current exchange rate, I am much better return. However, if I had put it
buying USD72 of the company. all into Plexure, I would be horribly behind.
Shopify helps small businesses get online. If one company goes bust and becomes worth
For a small monthly fee, you can get an online nothing, then the most I will be down is the
shop, sell your items and collect payments via NZD100 I’ve invested in that company.
credit card. During the COVID-19 pandemic, It’s also a good idea to invest in companies
many businesses had to get online quickly that do different things. In 2020, the tech and
and Shopify capitalised on this demand. online companies did really well. The banks
Shopify is also used by larger businesses and bricks and mortar shops didn’t do so
and what I really like about them is that well. By spreading your investments across
they have great retention. This means once a business areas, you spread the risk. I don’t do
customer signs up with Shopify, they tend to this very well. I know about technology and
stay with the company. tend to invest more heavily into technology
Shopify is well known for looking after their stocks. It’s a balancing act between investing
employees. During the move to working from in what you know and spreading your risk.
home, they gave each employee US$1,000 Currently my investments are up $340.17
to set up their home offices. Apparently overall, a 13.4 percent return. Not bad for
employees like working for them. This comes six months of investing. Fingers crossed I
from strong leadership and the CEO is well- continue to do well in 2021.
respected and well-known. Please remember that what I write in this
Shopify shares more than doubled in value column is all my personal opinion. Some
in 2020. The risk is that they have grown too of my investments will lose money. I am
big too fast. I believe there is lots of growth sharing my thoughts and strategies so you
left in moving businesses online and they will can learn from my mistakes. Be careful with
continue to produce great returns. your money.
In last week’s column, I went through each If you wish to join me and buy shares
of the shares I have invested in so far and let through the online platform, Sharesies,
you know how I am doing. Some of my shares you can use this link, https://sharesies.nz/r/
went down and some went up. Having a wide KHQQWP, and you and I will each get $5
range of stocks is called diversification. into our Sharesies accounts.
Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 25Page 26 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021
Issue 932
699 - 12
27 January
July 20162021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 27What’s On In the next week
Mercury Bay Community Swimming Pool (Located at the Mercury Bay Area School grounds)
• Open from 10:00am - 5:00pm Monday to Saturday (weather permitting) during the summer
school holidays.
• Open from 1:00pm - 5:00pm every Sunday (weather permitting) during the summer school
holidays.
• Open from 6:00am - 8:00am for early morning lane swimming every Monday, Wednesday and
Friday (weather permitting) during the summer school holidays.
Entry $4 adults, $3 senior citizens/students/children, $2 pre-schoolers. Concession cards available.
Whitianga Art Group Summer Exhibition
Until Monday, 1 February at the Art Centre and Gallery, Whitianga. Open every day from
10:00am - 4:00pm. Free entry.
Christmas Art Exhibition
Until Friday, 15 January at Hauraki House Gallery, Kapanga Road, Coromandel Town from
10:00am - 4:00pm every day. More than 40 artists exhibiting. Several of the artists have donated
an artwork to be sold via Trade Me (search for “Coromandel Christmas Exhibition 2020/2021”) as a
fundraiser for the Colville Project’s Wellbeing and Education Centre.
Whitianga Art, Craft & Farmer’s Market
Saturday, 16 January from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Locally made handcrafts - including soap, wooden toys, bird feeders, woollen goods and garden
ornaments - as well as paintings, produce, baking, preserves and plants.
Peninsula Poker Run
Saturday, 16 January. Open to motorcycles and classic cars. Register at the Mercury Bay Club,
Cook Drive, Whitianga between 9:30am and 10:30am. Cost $30, including poker hand. All funds raised
to go to the St John Whitianga Ambulance Station. For more information, phone Vic on (07) 866 4080,
Rob on (027) 254 7885 or Justine on (027) 600 7703.
Dennis Marsh & Brendan Dugan
Saturday, 16 January at 7:30pm at the Mercury Bay Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Tickets $20 each,
available from the club.
Coroglen Farmer’s Market
Sunday, 17 January from 9:30am to 1:00pm at the Coroglen Hall, Sate Highway 25, Coroglen.
Locally grown fruit and vegetables, homemade jams and chutneys, home-baked bread, art and craft
and much more.
Mercury Bay Cricket Summer Camp
Wednesday 20 and Thursday, 21 January from 10:00am to 1:30pm at the Mercury Bay Multisport Park,
Moewai Park Road, Whitianga. For Year 2 - Year 6 school students. Coaching to be provided by NZC
qualified coaches. To enroll you children, please email Northern District Cricket at ramesh@ndca.co.nz.
Page 28 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021Last week’s Whitianga-based Number of residential
rescue helicopter missions properties for sale down by half
For the month of January, while an Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) helicopter is based
in Whitianga, we are reporting in every issue of The Informer on the number of missions flown
by the Whitianga-based helicopter during the previous week.
The ARHT is at the moment operating three rescue helicopters. Their two AW169 helicopters
are operating from Ardmore Airport, south of Auckland, while their BK117 helicopter is based in
Whitianga. At night time the ARHT is allowed to operate only one helicopter, based at Ardmore.
During the first week of the BK117’s arrival in Whitianga (Monday, 28 December to Sunday,
3 January), the helicopter has flown 13 missions. Last week, from Monday, 4 January to
Sunday, 10 January, the helicopter has flown six missions. Among last week’s missions was
the evacuation of a male patient in his 20s who fell off a cliff at Cathedral Cove. He was flown
to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.
Pictured is the Whitianga-based BK117 returning to base after one of last week’s missions.
According to property website, realestate.co.nz, housing stock available for sale on the Coromandel
Peninsula dropped by 50.3 percent last month compared to December 2019. Nationwide the number of
properties on the market decreased by 29.1 percent.
During the course of last month, 103 properties were listed for sale on the Coromandel. That’s a decrease of
16.3 percent over the same period in 2019. Across New Zealand, the number of property listings increased
by 19.2 percent. Of the 19 regions monitored by realestate.co.nz, 11 regions saw more properties listed
than in December 2019.
If no new listings were to come onto the market, realestate.co.nz expects all residential properties for sale
on the Peninsula as at 31 December 2020 will sell within 14 weeks. Nationwide the Inventory of Listings
(the time it would take for all existing stock to clear) stood at an average of eight weeks. The Long Term
Average for the time it was expected to take for all properties on the Coromandel to sell was 121 weeks.
The Long Term Average is based on 13 years of seasonally adjusted data. According to realestate.co.nz,
the significant discrepancy between the Inventory of Listings and the Long Term Average is an indication
that the Coromandel residential property market is a strong sellers’ market at the moment.
The average asking price for all housing stock on the market on the Peninsula as at the end of last month
was $881,908. That’s a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to November 2020. In terms of average asking
price, the Coromandel remains the third most expensive region in New Zealand, only behind Central Otago/
Lakes on $1,147,518 and Auckland on $1,027,687. The most affordable region last month was the West
Coast of the South Island with an average asking price of $333,748.
“[Across New Zealand], we’re still seeing a lot of competition in the market and I expect this will continue
to drive strong prices in the first quarter of 2021, encouraged by low mortgage rates and a lack of
international travel,” says realestate.co.nz spokesperson, Vanessa Taylor.
Pictured is Cooks Beach basking in some of last week’s sunshine.
Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 29Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle 932
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.
ACROSS DOWN
1. Sputter 1. Toppling
5. Availed oneself of
7. More enjoyable 2. African striped animal
8. Ewe’s offspring 3. Adversary
9. Baby bears 4. Surgeon’s knife
10. Soil-enriching mixture 5. Spiny creatures, sea ...
11. Notoriety
13. Object of worship 6. Involve (in dispute)
14. Huge star cluster 12. Blend
18. In conclusion 15. Frightened
21. Aura
22. Breathe noisily 16. Puts oil on
24. Hidden 17. Not as old
25. Sinister sign 19. Fire powder
26. Became mature 20. Surrendered
27. Levels
28. Says further 22. Arm/hand joint
29. Poured 23. Eradicate
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Brian Lawn
“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week)
“Tūwhitia te hopo!” - Banish your fears!
Saying of the week supplied by Te Puna Reo o Whitianga - a playgroup with a focus on Māori tikanga and te reo Māori.
The group would like to thank the community for all their support during last year.
They are taking a break and will start back when the school starts back with their first session on 15 February 2021 at 9:00am at the MBAS old dental room.
Page 30 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021Watery graves for two Mercury
Bay residents
Watery graves awaited many Mercury Bay residents and visitors. Here are the stories of skiff floated past the stern. The ship’s mate with the assistance of a young man named
Alexander McKenzie and John Mains, two of the victims, as told by Informer contributor, immediately jumped into his own boat and Robert White, Constable Kelly secured
Meghan Hawkes. desperately tried to reach Alexander, but there John by handcuffing him to a chain on the
Alexander McKenzie - January 1875 7:00pm on a fine January evening he made was a strong tide running out and Alexander vessel’s deck.
It was time for a change for Alexander his way along the river in a small skiff towards was unable to swim. He sank before help When off the Hole in the Wall, about nine
McKenzie. At the beginning of 1875 he had the schooner, Kate McGregor, to arrange could reach him. miles from Mercury Bay, John said he was
sold out of the Mercury Bay Hotel where his passage. The accident happened just opposite the pleased to be going to Auckland, but asked to
he had been the lessee and now he was on Suddenly those on board the schooner Mercury Bay Sawmill Company’s wharf and go below and change his wet clothes for some
his way to Napier and a new life. Around heard Alexander’s cries for help as the empty several men - directed by William Meikle, dry ones. After doing so, he was secured
the manager, and Captain Pierce of the Kate again and Constable Kelly turned to move
McGregor - tried to find Alexander until far some bags which were in the way.
into the night without success. An equally Suddenly the captain of the schooner cried
unsuccessful attempt was made the next day. out, “Man overboard!” The prisoner was gone
It seemed that Alexander, in getting and a boot could just be seen as it disappeared
alongside the schooner, had fallen between under the water.
his boat and the ship. He was thought to have The schooner was promptly thrown into
had £600 from the sale of the hotel and other the wind and a boat lowered. The constable
valuables on him. and two seamen jumped into it and rowed
Alexander was universally respected for over the spot for nearly an hour and a half.
his unfailing courteousness and kindness. No trace of John could be found and the boat
Quite a melancholy was cast over Mercury had to return after an unsuccessful search.
Bay which would not lift until his fate was The schooner then cruised the scene
known, but it never really was. several times, but the wind was freshening
John Mains - November 1881 and it was thought advisable to bear away
John Mains was clearly unwell in November on her voyage to Auckland. Inspection
1881. He was at the Mercury Bay Sawmill showed that the handcuffs were defective and
insisting that certain people were pursuing had given way when John made a sudden,
him to take his life. determined wrench.
Constable Kelly was called, but as soon as Little was known of John Mains except that
John caught sight of the policeman he ran into was a native of Konigsberg, Germany and at
the sea, where he was captured and arrested. some stage had been to America. He was a
Constable Kelly took advantage of the recent arrival in Mercury Bay and had been
The Hole in the Wall (Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19050615-4-1). schooner, Gem, sailing for Auckland and rather eccentric in his actions.
Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 31Fishing Report
Sudoku By Alan Proctor of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club
Sponsored by Mercury Bay Marine - Tel (07) 867 1280
The recent snapper fishing has been fairly is excellent this early in the season. Not only
typical for this time of year with a real lack of are there a few big fish in our area, we’ve also
Sudoku Puzzle 932 consistency. There are some good snapper being had a tremendous spell of weather, which has
caught, including a few fish between 15lb and given everyone who wanted to a chance to get
20lb, which is nothing to scoff at, but there are out wide for a troll. The fish being caught are
also a number of people not catching much at reasonably well spread out within our area,
Name: _________________________________________________________________ all. Most of the fish are being caught on the but the best grids at this stage are The Harbour
change of light or within an hour or two of that, House Café, Mercury Bay Marine, Whitianga
Tel no: _________________________________________________________________ although there have been some exceptions. Electrical, Havard Logging, EWP Technical
Soft baits, jigs and even longlines seem to be Solutions and Walker Electrotec.
Win two Trumpet ice creams. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to getting the best results. There have been plenty For the previous two seasons, our club didn’t
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or of snapper caught in The Puddle and up towards have any junior members tag and release a
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 3:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim Cuvier and I’ve also heard that there are a lot marlin and the sponsor of the Pinnacle Marine
their prize from Buffalo Beach Four Square directly before the Wednesday of the week following of snapper just east of Great Barrier Island for Junior Tagging Club has generously agreed to
the issue in which they were announced the winner. anyone wanting to head up that way. jackpot the cash prizes of $500 per season to
Further out things have been a lot more $1,500 for this year. The good news is that we
Sudoku Puzzle Instructions
positive and we’ve had a lot of fish caught already have three junior members who have
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes during our Suzuki Marine NZ Top Ten Tuna tagged a marlin and they will each be in the
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. Tournament. Fish caught while this tournament draw to win this fantastic prize along with any
was running included yellowfin tuna, bigeye other juniors who manage to achieve this feat in
tuna, striped marlin, blue marlin and shortbill our local waters.
spearfish. In the last week or so we’ve either Tight lines,
weighed or tagged more than 20 marlin, which Alan
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER RESULTS
Wednesday, 6 January Barry Roach. The highest break of 24 was achieved by
Best of three frames. A big field of 15 players. both Ken Gibson and Paul Bean.
We welcomed back Chricton Irvine of the Tauranga Citizens Saturday, 9 December
Club 55 Plus Snooker Group. Four players - Brian Codyre, Best of three frames. Twelve players. Willie Jones,
Bob Haase, Peter Challis and Peter Schultz - achieved two Bob Haase and Peter Schultz proceeded to the finals with
straight wins and proceeded to the finals. In the first semi- two straight wins each. Willie won the bye draw, sending
final, Bob took the win over Brian and in the second semi- Peter and Bob into the semi-final. This was a great frame
final, Peter Schultz was too good for Peter Challis. in which veteran, Peter, had to fight very hard for the win.
The final between Bob and Peter Schultz was a real beauty, In the final, Willie was on good form, but Peter was on
but veteran Peter ultimately prevailed and took home the better form and took home the meat pack. Willie Jones
meat pack. Bob Haase (runner-up) finished the day on (runner-up) achieved three wins. Two wins for Bob Haase,
three wins and those with two wins were Brian Codyre, Forrest Littlejohn, Ian Baumgren and Paul Bean. No high
Peter Challis, Jason Smith, Paul Bean, Chricton Irvine and break was recorded.
Last week’s solution
9 8 3 4 1 2 6 5 7
2 6 4 7 9 5 1 3 8
5 7 1 3 6 8 4 2 9
1 9 7 8 5 6 3 4 2
4 2 5 1 3 7 8 9 6
8 3 6 9 2 4 7 1 5
3 4 8 2 7 9 5 6 1
6 1 9 5 8 3 2 7 4
7 5 2 6 4 1 9 8 3
Last week’s winner - Ian Johnson
Page 32 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021Kiwi v Stoat - “a right time, right place” moment By Jack Biddle This year’s camping Christmas holiday at they are extremely strong. The presence of Vin Waitaia Bay, south of Kuaotunu, will be one and his family managed to scare the stoat off long remembered by 13-year-old Vin Young and provided protection for the kiwi. This also from Auckland’s North Shore. gave them time to call in extra help from Nick The Waitaia area was once extensively Gillingham, a fellow Project Kiwi trustee, logged and mined, but is now home to a who was thankfully also holidaying at regenerating coastal forest which includes an Waitaia Bay. easy 2km walking track. While there are a “The young kiwi was assessed by Nick number of reminders of the past, including old and found to be in remarkably good health mining tunnels, the area now forms part of the considering its bush rumble with the stoat. wider operational area of Project Kiwi, the first It was later ‘re-released’ in a safer part of our community-based trust in New Zealand aimed operational area to sleep off its lucky escape. at protecting kiwi in their natural habitat. The kiwi would have only been two to three The trust was established in 2003. Its mission months old and approximately 800g in weight.” is to see the kiwi population on the Kuaotunu Project Kiwi’s predominant focus is Peninsula thrive. ensuring there is a place for the Coromandel Vin got far more than he could have ever brown kiwi in the future of New Zealand. wish for when he came across what is best That is achieved through the sharing of described as a remarkable “right time, right knowledge and skills, predator trapping on the place” moment on Thursday last week - Kuaotunu Peninsula and helping kiwi chicks a young kiwi fighting off a take-no-prisoners to hatch. While the attrition rate is still high, stoat. the trust’s efforts have seen over 200 juvenile Rebecca Alexander, a Project Kiwi trustee, kiwi released on the Peninsula while its pest says stoats are the biggest predators of kiwi and predator trapping efforts enable more than chicks, so for Vin to see the battle right in front 30 percent of wild-hatched chicks to survive of his eyes was quite unbelievable. “Vin first through to adulthood. spotted a commotion coming out of the edge Rebecca says around 700 kiwi live on the of native bush not far from where his family Kuaotunu Peninsula, which is approximately were camping and very quickly realised it 30 percent of the total Coromandel brown was a kiwi tussling with a stoat,” she says. kiwi population. “Vin’s story has a very happy “The feisty kiwi looked to have had the stoat ending and is an experience both he and our in a secure foot grip, which is a kiwi’s main young kiwi will no doubt remember for many Project Kiwi trustee, Nick Gillingham, holding the young kiwi that successfully defence method as while they have little legs, years to come,” she says. fought off a stoat on Thursday last week. Issue 932 - 12 January 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 33
Brain Teaser - Anagram
© Lovatts Puzzles
Brain Teaser Puzzles 932
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Tel no: _________________________________________________________________
Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Café in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk Street, 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 Espy Cafe directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which
they were announced the winner.
Themed Anagram Instructions -
Unscramble the letters of the phrases to make five words relating to the theme, each starting with
the given letter. The letters in the shaded squares will spell out another word relating to the theme.
This is the mystery keyword.
Answers
1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
5. _____________________________________
Mystery keyword ________________________
Last week’s solution - Binary Puzzle
Last week’s winner - Thom Dodd
Page 34 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 932 - 12 January 2021You can also read
