Not everyone happy with government's "Revitalising the Gulf" plan
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Issue 956 - 29 June 2021 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000
Not everyone happy with government’s
“Revitalising the Gulf” plan
By Stephan Bosman and Lachie Harvey
This aerial photo was taken overhead Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve on Saturday last week.
Under the “Revitalising the Gulf - Government Action on the Sea Change Plan” document that was released early last week, the marine reserve will be extended by an additional 14km².
A plan to better protect the Hauraki Gulf Whitianga over Queen’s Birthday Weekend seaboard of the Peninsula. Two large areas to to marine reserves, but will allow for
(an area covering 1.2 million hectares from addressing the state of the ocean surrounding the north and south of the Alderman Islands customary take. In addition to trawl fishing,
north of Auckland to Waihi Beach, including the Coromandel. and the waters surrounding Slipper Island sand extraction and mining will be prohibited
the Waitemata Harbour, the Firth of Thames, According to the document, the will be classified as “High protection Areas”, in Seafloor Protection Areas.
Great Barrier Island and the east coast of the government’s plan has two primary and Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve According to the government, the most
Coromandel Peninsula) may finally be on the goals - to provide effective kaitiakitanga at Cathedral Cove will be extended by an notable benefits of the document will be
horizon. Central government released early (guardianship) of the Hauraki Gulf, along additional 14km². an increase in the shellfish population,
last week a document setting out their goals with healthy functioning ecosystems. In addition, two areas just north of Waitete allowing some biodiverse areas to recover,
for restoring the health of the Gulf, taking The plan includes limiting trawl fishing - Bay on the west coast of the Coromandel and increased participation of mana
into account the recommendations from the bottom trawling and Danish seining (taking in Tukituki Bay and Happy Jack whenua and stakeholders in local fisheries
Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari Hauraki specifically - to selected “corridors”, banning Island) and at Cape Colville at the top of management decisions.
Gulf Marine Spatial Plan that was published recreational scallop dredging and freezing the the Peninsula will also be designated as
Not everyone is happy with the
in 2017. commercial scallop dredging footprint. High Protection Areas. A larger area at Cape
Release of the document, titled Eighteen specifically identified areas Colville, surrounding the High Protection government’s plan. Cooks Beach resident,
“Revitalsing the Gulf - Government Action scattered throughout the Gulf are also set to Area, will be classified as a “Seafloor Alison Henry, a member of the Sea Change
on the Sea Change Plan”, came not long become subject to more stringent regulations. Protection Area”. working group, is disappointed that trawling
after a well-attended public meeting in Four of these areas are along the eastern High Protection Areas will be similar (Continued on page 3)
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Not too upset about not winning a TV
“bigger than the house”
By Tony Stickley
Whitianga artist, John Henson, isn’t too upset could earn a living by painting. “I had reached demanded for a work of art, when he could not do too well, as the product became more
that he did not draw first prize in an America’s that mid-life crisis situation where I was tired knock it out “for free”. expensive than the industry was prepared
Cup painting competition run by The New of advertising. I was just getting too old for it,” John’s wife, Megan, chipped in, “We had to pay.
Zealand Herald and Panasonic. he said. been married 25 years before he did any Several examples of his handiwork can be
His entry, featuring superstars Blair Despite losing interest in the advertising paintings for our own home.” seen in the Mercury Bay Museum, including
Tuke and Peter Burling on New Zealand’s industry, John employed methods straight from In addition to landscapes, John has also an animated model where visitors can see a
AC75 lightning fast foiling monohull on the the ad man’s handbook to promote his painting dabbled in pet paintings and abstracts, simulated process for making butter by simply
Waitemata Harbour with downtown Auckland career in Wellington. and has done artwork for SeniorNet pressing a button.
in the background, was published as one of five “At one stage I did a lot of paintings of Whitianga and for the Lioness Club of John is also a keen model aircraft enthusiast
finalists in a full page promotion in The Herald houses as an income on the side. I had got Mercury Bay. and a member of the Mercury Bay Aero Club’s
back in March. sick of advertising and it was just a stop-gap However, his talents are not restricted to modeler section.
“I was one of five finalists who had their measure. art but also extend to electronics and electro- At one stage he had a ham radio licence and
painting published in The Herald and we then “Basically, I would get together a list of mechanical devices. dabbled in electronics to build a radio control
went into a draw to win a 65-inch Panasonic heritage houses - what were referred to as arts When he decided he had had enough of system for his models.
TV and a signed Emirates Team New and craft houses - and then I would go to the advertising, he turned his mind to the animated “They would have been very expensive to
Zealand jersey. properties, knock on the door and ask if they display industry, though he admits he did buy off the shelf at the time,” he said.
“There was no actual winner of the painting minded me taking some photographs of their
competition as such, just whoever of the five home as I was thinking of painting it and after
won the draw and that was not me,” said John, I finished, would they like to see it.
who nevertheless was rewarded with a gift of “They would always say ‘yes, yes, yes’,”
a set of sound cancelling ear pods, courtesy of said John.
Panasonic. Later, when the painting was complete,
He joked that he didn’t really want the TV he would put it in a temporary frame and take
anyway, “as it is bigger than the house”. it back to the homeowner.
Originally from Birmingham in England, “I would take the painting to show them and
John (78) started working as a technician at would say they could buy it if they liked and
the age of 16 in the photographic department usually they did want to buy it, as they were
of what was the biggest advertising agency very proud of their homes.
in New Zealand at the time, J. Ilott Limited. “It was a bit of a con-job. In a sense I was
But he was much more interested in the creative really an ad man - I had presented them with
side of the business. an offer they could not refuse.”
“Because I had always been a ‘good drawer’, He does not belong to any artistic
I became a commercial artist and progressed organisations and regards painting as work
from there to visualiser and finally art director,” rather than a passion.
said John, who is also counts photography “Some people enjoy it very much and
among his many accomplishments. are consumed by it, but I am not like that,”
When he was about 50, John decided that he said John, who has painted most of the pictures
had enough of advertising and as a stop-gap hanging on the walls of his house because he Whitianga’s John Henson with the America’s Cup painting he entered in a
measure decided to turn his hand to seeing if he was not prepared to pay the colossal sums competition run by The New Zealand Herald in March.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 30 June to Wednesday, 7 July - The Pleaides/Matariki star cluster will be visible before dawn in the east for early risers. It will make
a nice sight in binoculars with brilliant Jupiter and fainter Saturn high above. Saturn rises at about 8:30pm followed by bright Jupiter about an hour later.
Brilliant Venus, and fainter and more reddish Mars will lie close together and very low in the NW sky after sunset.
Wednesday, 30 June - The Moon sits below bright Jupiter with fainter Saturn above in the late evening sky. Thursday, 1 July - Saturn rises at about 8:30pm,
with much brighter Jupiter following about 9:30pm and the Moon joining the party around midnight. Matariki (the Pleaides) will lie far below them just before
sunrise. Saturday, 3 July - There will be a very low and short International Space Station (ISS) pass from 6:22pm in the south before it quickly passes into
the Earth’s shadow. Monday, 5 July - The Moon lies just above the Pleiades (Matariki) in the predawn sky while Mercury is at its highest in the NE dusk sky. Astronomy Tours and B&B
Tuesday, 6 July - The Moon has now moved to be just above and to the right of Matariki at sunrise, with Orion further to the right and Mercury much lower Phone (07) 866 5343
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in Taurus on the right with Mercury lower down.
www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021
Government’s “Revitalising
the Gulf” plan
(Continued from page 1)
will be allowed in designated corridors. which used to house scallop beds.”
“There is no indication of where these Likewise, politicians Scott Simpson and
[corridors] are to go, who will use them, Denis Tegg are of the view that the document
how they will be controlled and how they will doesn’t go far enough. “I had hoped the
be monitored,” she says. “This inclusion is a government’s response to the Sea Change
nonsense and undermines the credibility of plan would have been more ambitious for
the plan’s good intentions.” the health of the Gulf and our region’s
Whitianga’s Dirk Sieling, another member marine environment,” says Mr Simpson,
of the Sea Change working group, shares Mrs the Coromandel Electorate MP. “It’s obvious
Henry disappointment that trawl fishing will to everyone that the need for change is urgent
be allowed. “…there was an opportunity to and so far the response has been anything
promote the [Hauraki Gulf] as a high value but. The creation of marine reserves is always
commercial fishery by only allowing artisan contentious, but I’m a big supporter and will
fishing methods such as long lining that do everything I can to see [the] proposals
produce high quality fish, while allowing for advanced as quickly as possible.”
the safe return to the sea of fish that is not Mr Tegg, the Thames-Coromandel
wanted for being the wrong size or the wrong representative on Waikato Regional Council,
species,” he says. would like to see much greater protection
of the seafloor, with bottom-impact fishing
Those who were involved in organising
methods like dredging and trawling
the Queen’s Birthday Weekend meeting in
removed from the entire Hauraki Gulf.
Whitianga are also critical of the document.
“The extension of the marine reserve at
“While expansion of some marine reserves
Cathedral Cove and new protected areas
such as our local reserve at Hahei will be around the Aldermen Islands and Slipper
welcomed, the overall effort is pathetic and Island are welcomed, [but] the omission of
is unlikely to cause the systemic regeneration the Mercury Island group is disappointing,”
of the Gulf that we so desperately need,” he says.
says Whitianga resident, Thomas Everth. According to LegaSea, a non-profit
“Further, it is hard to fathom that commercial organisation advocating for the abundance
bottom dredging and trawling are permitted and health of New Zealand’s marine life,
to continue, and the modest restrictions that the plan fails to deliver any more than vague
the plan provides look like token actions.” promises and more restraints on “recreational
Sharyn Morcom of Cooks Beach feels fishers seeking to provide for their family’s
the document was influenced by economics wellbeing from fishing”. “The Hauraki
and, what she calls, “popular sway”. Gulf belongs to all of us, we must be part
“I’m disappointed trawling is not being of the solution, so let’s start by banning all
banned all together,” she says. “And they destructive fishing techniques and urgently
are freezing the commercial scallop footprint addressing the overharvesting of depleted
rather than closing or reducing it, despite the fish species,” the organisation says in
fact we have seen a huge depletion in areas a statement.
699 - 29
Issue 956 27 June
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Whitianga earmarked for a dedicated COVID-19 vaccination centre By Stephan Bosman Plans are in motion for Whitianga to have a “We are committed to make it as easy as possible dedicated COVID-19 vaccination centre by the for everyone to get vaccinated.” time vaccinations for the general population Once the campaign to vaccinate the general opens at the end of July. If successful, it will population kicks off, you will receive an be one of two centres on the Coromandel invitation from the Ministry of Health to book Peninsula, with the other in Thames. your vaccination online or through a national “We’re looking for suitable premises in call centre. Whitianga,” says Kathleen Makiri of Te Vaccinations will take place in age bands. Korowai Hauora O Hauraki. From 28 July, those 60 and older will be able Te Korowai staff, in conjunction with Waikato to book an appointment and from 11 August District Health Board, have been vaccinating bookings will open for those 55 and older. people against COVID-19 since 15 April, It’s expected that people 45 and older will be mostly at Thames Hospital. “We’ve had several able to book an appointment from mid to late days where people were vaccinated at our clinic August, and that those 35 and older will be able in Whitianga as well,” says Kathleen. to book a month later. Everyone older than 16 Up to recently, frontline health workers, and older should be able to make a booking aged residential care residents, and members from October. of the Māori and Pacific communities 65 and You will be allowed to book both your first older were eligible to receive the vaccine. Some of those involved in the COVID-19 vaccination day in Whitianga on Thursday last week. and second doses of the vaccine at the same Invitations to be vaccinated were coordinated From the left - Jannah Johnston (Mercury Bay Medical Centre), Alison Kendall (Te Korowai), Anne time. The second dose should be administered by Waikato DHB. Nicol (Mercury Bay Medical Centre), Jennie Hema (Waikato District Health Board), Rebecca Adlam three to six weeks after the first. In Whitianga, Mercury Bay Medical Centre (Waikato District Health Board), Vanessa Mills (Mercury Bay Medical Centre), Tracy Arrol (Mercury Everyone will be able to register online for (MBMC), was responsible for vaccinating the Bay Medical Centre), Janine Thompson (Te Korowai), Tania Herewini (Hauraki Primary Health an invitation to be vaccinated from 28 July. residents of Whitianga Continuing Care. Organisation), Sophie Bennett (Mercury Bay Medical Centre) and Rhianna Thompson (Te Korowai). Registration will ensure the Ministry of Health On Thursday last week, Te Korowai and says Lorraine Macallister of MBMC. “The fact that we got through the day on has your correct contact details and when MBMC joined forces to vaccinate Mercury “The logistics involved in the vaccination Thursday without any hiccups is giving bookings for your age group opens, you will get Bay residents who are at risk of getting very programme have many components, it’s not a us confidence that the centre will operate an invitation to book. sick from COVID-19. They were assisted by straightforward process. We needed 12 people, efficiently,” says Lorraine. Kathleen asks that no one turns up to be staff from Hauraki Primary Health Organisation from nurses to administration staff, to ensure In addition to the vaccination centres in vaccinated without a booking. “We understand and Waikato DHB. The invitations were everything ran the way it was supposed to.” Whitianga and Thames, Te Korowai will have many people want to be vaccinated as soon as coordinated by MBMC in accordance with Other local healthcare providers (including a mobile vaccination clinic visiting other possible, but turning up without an appointment Waikato DHB guidelines. “We’ve made pharmacies) will be invited to join forces with Hauraki (Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki means staff have to deal with your enquiry our premises at 58 Albert Street available Te Korowai and MBMC when a vaccination Plains) communities on a three-weekly basis. and slows the process down to get everyone for the day and vaccinated 157 people,” centre is being established in Whitianga. “No one needs to worry,” says Kathleen. vaccinated on time,” she says. Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021
Issue 956 - 29 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
The record-breaking ocean diver who
calls Whitianga home
By Suzanne Hansen
Sumptuous vegemite sandwiches and freshly Indian, Arctic and Southern Oceans. Although
baked ANZAC biscuits helped provide the this was Rob’s first time at full ocean depth,
sustenance for Whitianga’s Rob McCallum he has been integrally involved with Limiting
and Australian, Tim Macdonald, during their Factor as the team’s operational leader for
record breaking “ANZAC Dive” to the bottom every expedition.
of Challenger Deep, the deepest known place Challenger Deep, 340km southwest of
on earth. Guam, is the deepest part of the world’s oceans.
The mission at the southern end of the Pacific The Mariana Trench is 2,550km in length and
Ocean’s Mariana Trench took place in late April 69km in width. Challenger Deep is 2.1km
and set a depth record for both Australia and deeper than Mount Everest is high. Visibility
New Zealand. It is the custom of the Austrian is pitch black and the pressure is immense,
chef on board their support vessel to make a up to 16,500 pounds per square inch with the
special lunch to cater to the national cuisine 90mm titanium pressure hull of Limiting factor
of each of the members of an expedition, subjected to over 100,000 tons of pressure.
so they can eat local at full ocean depth. It took four hours to complete the journey.
Although the pair’s lunch was covered
Rob, co-founder of EYOS Expeditions,
widely by the national New Zealand media,
is a professional expedition leader who has
their actual task was to run acoustical location
planned, managed and led expeditions for a
testing to help work out how to measure
distance and location at full ocean depth so that variety of clients to the most remote parts of
they can later locate scientific observational the planet. His particular passion is running
equipment left down in the trench. complex logistical operations in ultra-remote
The pair reached their Australia-New and often hostile environments. He has become
Zealand depth record of 10,928 metres in the an expert in deep water submersible operations,
deep submergence vehicle, Limiting Factor, leading multiple expeditions to the Titanic and
which was designed - and commercially the Bismarck wrecks and designing the finally
certified by international maritime authority, successful search for Air France 447. He also
DNV-GL - for extensive, repeated dives to that helped coordinate James Cameron’s record
depth, the first and only vehicle ever to do so. setting dive into the Mariana Trench in 2012 in
Limiting Factor was commissioned by his Deepsea Challenger.
Texas businessman, Victor Vescovo, for his Referring to Whitianga as his “home base,”
epic global 2019 mission called Five Deeps Rob and his parents, Ada and Tam (Thomas),
Expedition, which saw a manned submersible and sister, Alison, made the move from Rob McCallum with wife, Kathy, and 11-year-old son, Kai, at Wharekaho during
reach the deepest points in the Atlantic, Pacific, Papua New Guinea to Te Aroha in the 1980s. their last visit to Whitianga just prior to lockdown last year.
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021
Record-breaking
ocean diver
Tam had managed a large educational facility honed a passion for executing complex
in PNG, as well as running a crocodile farm, logistics to make projects happen in some
while Ada taught technical English for the of the most remote parts of New Zealand.
financial and aviation sectors. After arriving in Much of this isolated work meant that he and
Te Aroha, they built a supermarket. his team were airlifted or boated into extremely
Rob attended secondary school at Te Aroha remote areas, needing to survive on what they
College and went on to study at Lincoln could carry on their backs or by designing
University in Canterbury, during which time complicated logistics for replenishing supplies.
Ada and Tam relocated to Whitianga where In those days there was no GPS,
they operated the Buffalo Beach Four Square. so navigation skills had to be spot on. Rob used
Ada became deeply involved in the local all these same skills when he moved into a role
community and in 2010 was awarded a Queen’s as a United Nations technical advisor in the
Service Medal for services to the community. South Pacific and Melanesia, and later leading
She spent many years advocating for better technical expeditions in Papua New Guinea,
policies and services for senior citizens, Vanuatu and French Polynesia as a divemaster.
EYOS was born when Rob and fellow co-
was an active member of Grey Power and was
founder, Tim Soper, saw a gap in the market
a staunch voice in local politics.
for private and technical expeditions. They first
Ada and Alison still call Whitianga home
started to take on such missions as a hobby and
and Rob gets back to Whitianga two or three
went on to found EYOS 14 years ago. Over the
times a year. years since, the company has run over 1,250
Rob earned his bachelor’s degree in Parks expeditions, all with a level of deep complexity
and Recreation Management at Lincoln and requiring and sheer innovation. As Rob
University and his Master of Science in says, “If it does not break the laws of physics,
Conservation Management from the University it’s doable.”
of Wales (Aberystwyth). After university Although living currently in Massachusetts,
and a nine-month stint trekking through USA, Rob does see a time when he and his
South America and the Himalaya mountains, family will return to New Zealand. With the
he started with the Department of Conservation benefit of wide global travel, Rob sees the
on the bottom rung cleaning toilets and value of the Coromandel and Whitianga as
building tracks. By the time he left, he was at a community with a special essence. He is
the top of the organisation’s operational arm as hoping that, with proper planning for the
a conservator. future, the area can keep this essence for the
It was during his time at DOC that Rob next generation.
4
Issue 956 - 29 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Climate change the focus of Great support for the
Whitianga author’s latest book
Renowned Whitianga author, Des Hunt’s
latest book has just been published, but this
of fossil fuels.”
It’s examples like that which help make
people of Fiji
Great support from the people of Mercury Bay has resulted
one is a bit different. Instead of the usual the book engaging and hopefully useful
in a significant amount of financial assistance recently
thrills of his eco-fiction, Des has written a for teachers, parents and younger readers.
being transferred to Fiji to help with food for the people of
non-fiction book to teach children about Well-known book reviewer, Bob Docherty, the Sigatoka area, and Nakalova and Nanoka villages. “With
climate change. in a review of Inside Bubble Earth: Climate COVID-19 rampant in the country, the residents of Fiji are
“The intention was to write about climate Change, said that by being well illustrated, not having it easy,” says Ian Diprose, who is coordinating
change in a way that would give younger simply explained and using the details of the fundraising campaign with his wife, Raewyn.
readers hope we could avoid the dystopian science, Des, “Clearly explains the science Part of the campaign is a fruit and vegetable honesty box
futures so often portrayed in films and behind the causes of climate change, global system outside Ian and Raewyn’s home in Marlin Street,
novels,” says Des about his new book, warming and what can be done to avoid the Whitianga, with the produce being donated by generous
“Inside Bubble Earth: Climate Change”. major crisis that will affect all life on Earth.” members of the community.
“As a science teacher, I have always taught It’s probably not surprising that Des, The plan is to send more financial support in the next three
that a good scientific understanding of a who has written more than 20 books and has weeks. “We are very grateful to everyone who helps make
problem is required before any meaningful won several major children’s writing awards this happen,” says Ian.
solution can be found. in New Zealand, is straight into another Pictured is the church in Nakalova distributing food parcels
“There are billions of words written on book. “I’m looking at a companion book to families in the village.
climate change, ranging from top research that might become ‘Inside Bubble Earth:
articles in prestigious journals through to Recycling’,” says Des. “I want to relate the
rants on conspiracy websites. My problem recycling of man-made goods to the natural
was trying to put the science in a way recycling processes that have allowed
that younger readers could understand. life to develop for a billion years without
Most climate change articles use huge exhausting resources.
numbers that even adults find difficult, “Inside Bubble Earth: Climate Change
for youngsters they become meaningless. investigates the key relationships between
“I needed to find a way to express fossil plants and animals, a second book would
fuel consumption in a way that showed show the role that fungi and bacteria play in
we were degrading the planet faster than the cycles that ensure life continues on this
ever before. Eventually I related fossil-fuel planet. If we use similar processes to recycle
burning to the rate at which photosynthesis and reuse the materials we create, then this
could make the fuel. This is what I came up will only increase the good that can come
with - all of the carbon dioxide produced out of a climate change reboot.”
by photosynthesis during the nine years my Inside Bubble Earth: Climate Change is
readers have been alive is poured back into available online from publisher, OneTree
the atmosphere in just two minutes’ burning House, or at your favourite bookstore.
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021
Issue 956
699 - 29
27 June
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Calling local artists - applications open for
pARTner Up artist mentoring programme
A contribution by Creative Coromandel
In 2020, He Mana Toi Moehau Trust/Creative documentary that captured the learnings
Coromandel created and successfully of each artist and their next steps. The full
coordinated the first artist mentoring Flourish documentary is available to view on
programme for the Coromandel Peninsula the Creative Coromandel YouTube channel.
and Hauraki rohe, called “pARTner Up.” “This is the core purpose of pARTner Up,”
pARTner Up connects creatives in mentor- says Jan. “It’s for local artists who are
mentee relationships that propel artists to serious about advancing their practice so they
build confidence, thrive and flourish with can really flourish in their artform and are
their art at the centre of their success. supported in setting and achieving long-term
Applications are now open for local artists career goals.”
who are interested in participating in pARTner Creative Coromandel have put together an
Up as a mentee for the 2021/2022 programme. exceptional team of established local artists
The cost to participate as a mentee in pARTner to be mentors. Each mentor will share their
Up is $500 (payment options available, T&Cs experiences and wisdom for success in the
apply). This is a significant opportunity for art world and encourage their mentee to
in-depth professional development with an
grow and develop. The selected mentors will
experienced artist mentor over a six-month
engage in a special training wānanga at the
period, commencing at the beginning of
end of July in preparation for the programme.
August 2021 until the beginning of April 2022
(with a break over December and January). pARTner Up is a non-profit initiative
Artists may be working in any medium or and Creative Coromandel gratefully
genre of visual, literary or performing arts, acknowledges funding support from Lottery
must be over the age of 18 and be a resident Community, local philanthropic supporters
of the Coromandel Peninsula or Hauraki and local arts groups, who together have
rohe. pARTner Up is tailored to artists who made the majority of pARTner Up 2021/2022
are ready and willing to develop their practice pARTner Up connects creatives - last year’s group of mentees participating possible.
and step out of their habitual comfort zone. in a professional development workshop in Whitianga. For the full criteria and to
Interested applicants should be committed to download an application form, visit
their art practice, have a level of competence their key initiatives designed to support the phases of growth and development” says Jan creativecoromandel.co.nz. Applications close
in their field and be serious about growing local arts sector. “It’s of utmost importance to Wright, chair of He Mana Toi Moehau Trust/ Sunday, 18 July at 5:00pm.
personally and professionally. us that local artists are encouraged to engage Creative Coromandel. For enquiries regarding pARTner Up, email
Creative Coromandel is the central arts in their artistic practice with confidence and Last year’s pilot programme was extremely info.creativecoromandel@gmail.com.
network for the Coromandel Peninsula and creativity, and that they are well supported successful, epitomised by a group exhibition Stay connected with Creative Coromandel
the Hauraki rohe, and pARTner Up is one of by their mentor and their peers through these called “Flourish” in March 2021 and a short on Facebook and Instagram.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021Issue 956
699 - 29
27 June
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11A thank you lunch as part
of New Zealand Volunteer Week
By Tony Stickley
Whitianga Social Services hosted a lunch for
its volunteers on Tuesday last week to thank
them for their invaluable contribution in
helping provide services for the community.
“Without them we would not be able to do
half the things we do,” manager, Sheryll
FitzPatrick, said. “Their contribution is
absolutely amazing.”
Whitianga Social Services has about 60
regular volunteers and around 45 of them
attended the lunch at the Coro Club Café at
the Whitianga Airfield as part of New Zealand
Volunteer Week.
“New Zealand Volunteer Week is to
acknowledge the huge contribution that
volunteers make to our Gross Domestic
Product nationally and everything we do
locally,” Sheryll said. “People don’t realise
how big the not-for-profit sector is, what it
covers and how many people are employed in
the sector, or how many staff and volunteers
Whitianga Social Services hosted a lunch for its volunteers on Tuesday last week as part of New Zealand Volunteer Week.
there are at Whitianga Social Services.”
Some of the statistics Sheryll quoted are to and from hospital, clocking up a total of substantial revenue stream to finance services much they are valued, which reflected the
truly impressive. Nationally, volunteers put 56,340km in the process. such as their successful driver licensing nature of the people of Mercury Bay.
in 159 million hours of time per annum, Sheryll said that while Whitianga Social programme, a woman’s wellbeing programme “It is an amazing community for supporting
valued at around $4 billion, according to Services was funded for specific purposes starting next month and a korowai weaving others in the community,” Sheryll said.
2018 statistics. by a range of organisations, including programme, teaching people how to make “When I first came here, I was absolutely
Locally, Social Services volunteers staff the the government and philanthropic trusts, traditional cloaks. astonished by the generosity of the people.
charity’s two op-shops, ferry people to Thames the donations of money and food it receives Social Services also run the OSCAR after- The donations and contributions and
and Waikato Hospitals for appointments from the public, and from local businesses school programme, which has been receiving volunteer time we receive is truly amazing.”
and surgery, and do the heavy lifting when and faith-based organisations were essential help from Whitianga MenzShed members, While the community benefited greatly
picking up and delivering donated furniture, to the charity’s work. showing the children how to use hammers from the selflessness of the volunteers, it also
not to mention the members of the Board of “We deliver over 20 services into the and nails. “I think the MenzShed members gives them the opportunity to use their skills
Trustees who give their time freely as well. community and these contributions allow us enjoy it as much as the children do and it is and expertise. “Volunteering gives them an
The total number of hours put in over the to make decisions as to how that money is great that we work with other community opportunity to use their skills and experience
past 11 months was a “staggering” 6,512 spent,” Sheryll said. groups as well,” Sheryll said. to continue contributing to their community,
hours, Sheryll said. Of those hours, 1,188 She said that a “large number” of volunteers She said that the volunteers were proud of which is as important to them as it is to us,”
were recorded by drivers taking patients worked in the op-shops which provide a their work and she believes they know how Sheryll said.
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Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021Letters to the Editor
See page 12 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - Is climate change a new community’s eyes under the pretext of helping
mandatory religion? the climate.
Good to see that Alastair Brickell responded Elisabeth Resl
last week to Denis Tegg’s Letter to the Editor Kuaotunu
in The Informer of 15 June containing an Dear Editor - Should we laugh or should we cry?
alarming misrepresentation of Alastair’s Thames-Coromandel District Council have sold
Letter to the Editor a week earlier, which quite some land in South Highway, Whitianga for
correctly stated that the court action pursued $1.1m and rather than reduce their demands for
by the Hauraki Coromandel Climate Action a ridiculous increase in rates, they have bought
Group is resulting in a despicable waste of another property at 14 Monk Street, Whitianga
ratepayers’ money. (where The Informer offices are located).
Signing declarations is meaningless and the They claim because the two are for similar
“greatest ever threat to human civilization” sums, there is no impact on rates. That is
(according to Mr Tegg) is a lopsided, quasi- not true.
religious focus on populist catchwords, There was no budget for this capital
an intolerant attitude and a gagging of free expenditure. It appears council believe owning
speech in the absence of lifecycle-based, a large land-holding in Monk Street is a
comprehensive, real-world steps towards a necessary investment. That predicates that
greater respect for the environment we all Whitianga is going to grow rather significantly,
depend on. doesn’t it? TCDC’s Long Term Plan didn’t
I am sensing a disturbing zealotism that refer to developing their land in Monk Street.
silences those who are not prepared to “convert” They claim we are not going to grow much
to this new religiosity without asking some during the next 30 years. We can at the very least
hard questions. assume they don’t think it will occur within the
In the Coromandel context, I am still unclear next 10 years. In the meantime, they haven’t
whether the potential prospect of huge diesel planned to spend any significant money on
generators recharging those wonderfully “clean infrastructure in Whitianga during that period
and climate friendly”-subsidised EV cars that either, because they can’t afford to.
will be flocking to our beautiful beaches makes The reality is council would have been
me smirk or cry. financially significantly better off if they
The “new religion” will only benefit a few didn’t buy the Monk Street land. Even better,
(eg electricity companies) - as usual the big they could sell off the Arlington House property,
corporates - while much more useful steps like also in Monk Street, for another million dollars
old-fashioned maintenance and repair of assets or more. Just as importantly, we would not have
and generally less wasteful governance are to suffer and increase in rates by over seven
being neglected. percent this year.
Anthony Hope-Cross’s Letter to the Editor Richard Rowley
in The Informer of 22 June on Waikato Whitianga
Regional Council’s solar panel greenwashing at Editor’s Note - We have passed Richard
ratepayers’ expense provides us with a brilliant Rowley’s letter on to Thames-Coromandel
example of how councils (and the government) District Council for comment. We will publish
are constantly pulling the wool over the their reply as soon as it comes to hand.
Issue 956
699 - 29
27 June
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Kauri 2000 thrilled with planting
skills of MBAS students Board Talk
By the Mercury Bay Area School Board of Trustees
The weather played ball earlier this month to
allow around 175 Year 7 and 8 students from
Mercury Bay Area School to head into steep The week before last, our community was at MBAS. Well done to all who were involved,
bush near Matarangi to plant over 400 kauri, treated to a magical spectacle by the Mercury and our amazing community for their ongoing
manuka and tanekaha trees. Bay Area School arts, drama, dance, music support and sponsorship to bring it all together.
The bluff area off Matarangi Drive has been and performing arts technology students. Without you, gems like this production
recently cleared of pines and the contribution More than 70 of our very talented high school can’t happen.
that the students have made in helping to students along with a handful of staff and a On another very positive note, and as a
regenerate the native forest will be evident for whole load of community sponsorship joined result of our continued school roll growth over
years to come. together to create “For Today - The 100% Kiwi the past years, we officially opened a further
High School Musical.” It was the first school five new classrooms in the primary school on
The Kauri 2000 Trust, which enables the planting
production in five years. And it was so worth Monday, 17 May.
each year through donations from supporters
the wait. Our roll continues to grow and challenge our
worldwide, can attest to the positive attitude
The very catchy and well-known Kiwi music learning spaces and capacity. Future planning
of the students. “They jumped in with suitable
footwear for the rough terrain and even came was all performed live by school musicians is a very important part of our role on the
up with names for many of the trees they and supported by a great technical team who Board of Trustees and gathering data on future
planted within their groups,” says Alison Henry, provided all the lighting, sound, back stage enrolments continues to be a challenge for us
chair of the trust. “We have a long-standing support and set changes. in our rapidly growing community.
relationship with the school and as always we Then there was the cast. I was honestly If you have young ones who aren’t currently
were thrilled with the planting skills displayed overwhelmed by the talent. It takes a huge attending any of the early learning centres in
by the students. Also, the support from parents amount of courage to get up on stage and our area, but are planning to enrol them at
and teachers involved in this year’s planting speak to an audience, but to get up and sing, MBAS or if you know of families planning
was truly appreciated. And with the recent rains act and dance with the skill, quirky wit and to move to the area with school age children,
in the area, this is the very best start these trees ability these super talented teens displayed, we would encourage you to get in touch with
can have.” was beyond impressive. the school office as early as possible to help our
The production was perfectly cast and very senior leadership team plan and prepare.
Pictured are some of the students while the
funny. A great night out for all those who Sarah Moses
planting was underway.
managed to get along and watch it. We are Mercury Bay Area School Board of Trustees
super proud of the talent our young people have Parent Representative
Mercury Bay Area School as seen from the air.
The new primary school classrooms are at the top in the middle.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021Issue 956 - 29 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15
The Small-time Investor
By Whitianga resident, Max Ross
Average return and Tesla
The markets are back on track and I’m Considering that all of my investments have
almost at my previous highs. I’m not up not been invested for a full year, I am on track
more as a percentage, but I’m up more for an average annual return of 10 percent.
in dollars than I’ve been before this year. This week, as usual, I am “dollar cost
As my total invested increases, the dollars averaging” $25 into my exchange traded
that a percentage represents grows. Currently ethical funds. The remaining $75 I am
I’m up 8.02 percent, which is $409.40. investing into my favourite stock, Tesla.
My top performer is still EBOS, up 48.9 I have recently been learning about the
percent, followed closely by Nvidia, up 39.9 giga press Tesla is using to die-cast each rear
percent. My worst performer is Plexure, underbody section of their Model Y car at
down -53.75 percent, followed by Sunrun, once. This new process that is not used by any
down -37.1 percent. Twenty-eight of my other car manufacturer at this scale, removes
picks are up and 11 are down. Last week’s the need to manufacture and assemble 70
pick, Spotify, is up 1.5 percent which is a other pieces.
great start. I like everything I have been reading
This 8.02 percent is not per annum.
about this new development. The new parts
Some of my investments have been invested
are made faster, cheaper and are lighter
for almost a full year, however half of them
and stronger than the alternative. The only
have been invested for less than six months.
difficulty is purchasing and installing the
Last week’s money has only been invested
for a week. largest press in the world.
Over time, the average return you can Please remember that what I write in this
expect from shares is about 10 percent per column is all my personal opinion. Some
annum. The average return for the American of my investments are losing money. I am
share market is 10 percent for the last century. sharing my thoughts and strategies along with
The returns vary wildly from year to year. my results so that you can see how easy it is
For New Zealand, the results are very similar. to invest, even a small amount and maybe
The best yearly returns were in 1983 where learn from my mistakes. Be careful with
investors enjoyed 120 percent. The worst your money.
year was 1987 with -42 percent. Over the last If you wish to join in and buy shares through
114 years, the New Zealand share market has online platform, Sharesies, you can use
had positive returns for 91 years. On average, this link - https://sharesies.nz/r/KHQQWP.
the New Zealand stock market has also You and I will each get $5 into our Sharesies
returned 10 percent per annum. accounts.
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021New and bigger premises for Styled Spaces Styled Spaces has moved. The booming I am building up this business, which is Whitianga business left little choice for doing really well,” said Kim, who moved owner, Kim Kockott, but to move to to Whitianga five years ago with her bigger premises and meet the surge in now-retired Virgin Australia pilot demand for her creative cabinetry. husband, Tony. Three weeks ago, Styled Spaces shifted “It is partly due to Whitianga expanding, out of their Monk Street showroom they but also because people have said how had outgrown into bright new premises much they love my work. We offer opposite the Mercury Bay Library in really good designs and top-end choices Blacksmith Lane. for a lot less than you would pay at a With most of the fit-out complete and bigger company,” just the signage remaining to be done, Kim said the new premises means she Kim is confident she will be able to is able to produce more and is looking for respond more easily to the increasingly more staff as well. sophisticated tastes of Whitianga She admitted that it is exciting homeowners. “I started Styled Spaces transforming her clients’ vision for their two years ago because I knew there was home into a reality and the state-of-the- an opportunity for affordable, stylish art computer software she uses means that kitchens,” she said. she can show them what their ideas will Since Styled Spaces opened, Kim has look like in 3D on a large screen. “People just got busier and busier doing top- are able to see exactly what their vision end kitchens, laundries, pantries and will look like, so we are able to work bathrooms for new builds and renovations together to come up with a design that around the Coromandel. they are really happy with,” said Kim. “Moving to Blacksmith Lane means “They will know to the last detail what much bigger premises, giving us much the concept will look like in reality. I love more room so that we can showcase Kim Kockott, the owner of Styled Spaces, inside the business’s new showroom in Whitianga. the fact that because people’s personalities better what we design and manufacture,” are different, every job is different and it said Kim, a qualified draughtsperson and you and taking the guess work out of what’s Styled Spaces. Her eye for detail and gives me the most satisfaction when people kitchen designer. available. The move has also provided us the design combined with her precision as say I’ve created exactly what they were after. “We now have the largest showroom in fantastic opportunity of becoming a Blum a draughtsperson has seen her kitchen “If you are thinking of building your dream Whitianga where you are welcome to come authorised dealer.” concepts featured in the NZ Kitchen and home or renovating, and are looking for ideas and browse our products. We bring the most Kim has combined her design flair Bathroom Quarterly magazine. for your kitchen, laundry, pantry or bathroom, up to date mod cons, styles and colours to with sound business acumen by running “I am very proud of what I have done as please pop in for a visit.” Issue 956 - 29 June 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17
Peninsula Past - 1891 The Fire Siren
Sponsored by Safety + Apparel - tel 0800 726 726
Every now and again, Informer contributor, Meghan Hawkes, reads through the newspapers It has been a very busy month for the be someone burning their rubbish. We once
that circulated in Mercury Bay and on the Coromandel Peninsula in earlier years. Here are Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade. provided medical assistance until St John
several interesting nuggets of history she uncovered from 1891. Our Road Crash Rescue team competed in Ambulance and the rescue helicopter were
the North Island challenge and took out first able to take over.
An unhappy correspondent reported to the place, a fantastic achievement. We have also But most concerning is that we attended
Observer newspaper that it was very mean of
responded to 16 calls for assistance. three kitchen fires. Luckily in all three cases
the Mercury Bay footballers to come away from
We responded to three motor vehicle the fires were found before they became too
their dinner without thanking the young ladies
for their kindness. They also went down to
accidents, two house fires and one call to big, but in two of the situations it was very
Ryan’s Hotel to get the wine for their dinner, investigate a possible hazardous substance close to becoming very serious.
instead of obtaining it where they were dining. incident that turned out to be paint fumes. Please remember, “Keep looking when
The roads to the Kuaotunu goldfield were We have also been called to two power you're cooking.” Things can catch fire quickly
thankfully merciful noted a visiting clergyman. poles on fire and two private fire alarm and fire spreads fast.
The climate he found perfectly Italian and the activations. We removed a tree blocking the Be careful and stay safe,
scenery of earth, sky and ocean was of the first road during strong winds and investigated Deputy Chief Fire Officer
Mediterranean order. Tents and whares dotted smoke causing concern that turned out to Derek Collier
the hills and the township stood on the plains.
An immediate appointment of a teacher was
needed at Kuaotunu though. With a school at
hand, men living a homeless life among the The Kuaotunu main street circa 1900.
hills would be induced to bring their wives and Auckland Libraries Heritage
children to the place. An untidy abode with Collections 7-A9152.
rough cooking was the lot of single men or men of the mill was a new school building.
separated from their families, although there Land lying between the school and the creek
were a few snug, tidy little tents and whares was extensively cultivated with maize and oats,
in the most picturesque and poetic situations and there were also great numbers of sheep at
presided over by pleasant ladies. the place. Where the ground rose to the south
A run to Mercury Bay on the steamer were the mines, where a new discovery of gold
reminded the clergyman of the lovely sheltered had seen fresh parties of miners arrive to peg
bays at the head of Scottish lochs and up the out ground.
river to Gumtown, with its glimpses of lofty There was a story that gold had been
kauri woods and hills, revealed how vast and discovered at Cabbage Bay 20 years previously,
varied was the beauty of this new world. when three men were out pig shooting.
Cabbage Bay (now known as Colville) One stooped to drink from a small stream and
also came under the scrutiny of a visitor who while doing so saw something glittering in the
observed that between Coromandel Harbour water. This he discovered to be gold and he and
and Cabbage Bay were several small islands, his mates at once pegged out some ground and
inhabited by great numbers of seabirds and set to work. They got good quantities of gold
rabbits. From some of these islets guano was and then left the spot for civilisation, leaving
taken in large quantities. their anvil and stamper planted in a huge rata
A number of buildings had been constructed, tree. Recently, it was said, that very stamper and
conspicuous among them the Cashmore anvil had been discovered indeed buried in an
Brothers sawmill. About 100 yards south old rata tree.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021Issue 956
699 - 29
27 June
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19What’s On In the next few weeks
Regular Activities Mercury Bay Pickleball Club
Op-shops Meets every Sunday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per
• Social Services Op-shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available.
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Mercury Bay Tennis Club
• The Church Op-shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Club night every Thursday at 6:30pm at Lyon Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm. Mercury Bay Table Tennis
• St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday Meets every Tuesday from 9:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on
10:00am - 2:00pm. (07) 869 5162 or (027) 565 5575 for more information.
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Mercury Bay Badminton
10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information.
Meets Mondays at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie AA Driver Licensing
etc. Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Mercury Bay Community Choir
Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. This “all-comers” choir rehearses every Monday from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Mercury Bay Area School Music Room.
Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. New singers always welcome. Phone (022) 643 7462 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Winter Tuna Tournament
(027) 486 0150 for more information or to join. Thursday, 1 July - Tuesday, 31 August. Entry fee $250 per boat. Great prizes on offer. See mbgfc.co.nz for
Chinwag Café more information.
Every Friday from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. A place for over 50s to meet other Seniors Morning Tea
people, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and have a chinwag. Thursday, 1 July from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at the Whitianga Town Hall Supper Room, Monk Street. Enjoy a cup of
Mercury Rockers tea and conversations about health services and support available in the community. Free entry. Hosted by Mercury
Rock ‘n Roll every Monday at 7:00pm at the Mercory Bay Bowling Club, Cook drive, Whitianga. All welcome, lessons Bay Medical Centre.
available. Phone Chris on (021) 504 246 for more information. Thames Valley First XV Rugby - Saturday, 3 July
Whitianga Art Group Semi-final - Mercury Bay Area School v Hauraki Plains College in Ngatea. Kick-off at 11:15am.
Meets every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 23 School Road, Whitianga. Visitors are invited to join us for Thames Valley Senior Rugby - Saturday, 3 July
a day of painting. Start-up materials supplied. Phone Jenny on (027) 210 0160 for more information. Quarter-final - Mercury Bay Senior B v Waihou Senior B in Whitianga. Kick-off at 12:25pm.
Alcoholics Anonymous Quarter-final - Coromandel Town Senior B v Paeroa Senior B in Coromandel Town. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
Whitianga Big Book Group meets every Thursday at 6:30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Church, Dundas Street. Quarter-final - Mercury Bay Senior A Marlins v Waihi Senior A in Whitianga. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
Phone 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) for more information. Op-shop Glam Fashion Parade
Serenity Al-Anon Group Sunday, 4 July at 4:00pm at the clubrooms of the Mercury Bay Golf Club, Golf Road, Whitianga. A showcase of the
Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by best of Whitianga’s op-shop fashions. Tickets $10 per person, available form the golf club shop. A fundraiser to
someone else’s drinking. upgrade the facilities at the club.
Whitianga Menz Shed SeniorNet Whitianga Enrolment Day
Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon. At the Moewai Park end of South Highway, past the diesel Tuesday, 6 July from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at the Whitianga Social Services building, 2 Cook Drive. Discover what
truck stop. All welcome. SeniorNet can do for you. For more information, phone Lorna on (027) 486 0150.
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club Arts on Tour New Zealand’s “Aperture - The Life and Work of Ans Westra”
Meet every Wednesday at 1:00pm and every Thursday at 7:00pm at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Saturday, 10 July at 7:00pm at the Coghill Theatre, Coghill Street, Whitianga. A one-womean play by actor/
Phone Gavin on (07) 866 2343 or (021) 146 9203 for more information. director Martine Baarvinger about the life of a photographer who successfully captured an important part of
Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club Aotearoa’s history. Tickets - adults $25, 18 and under $10, available from Mercury Bay Pharmacy and online at
Meets every Thursday at 6:45pm at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Come along and join in or phone Alan on eventbrite.co.nz. A Creative Mercury Bay initiative.
866 4024 or Cheryl on 0274 527887 for more information.
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 956 - 29 June 2021You can also read
