Plans taking shape for new resource recovery centre in Whitianga
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Issue 945 - 13 April 2021 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000
Plans taking shape for new resource
recovery centre in Whitianga
By Gillian O’Neill
A dedicated centre to encourage the recycling
and reuse of as much of Mercury Bay’s waste
as possible is now a step closer with approval
given for a specially created community trust
to establish and run the facility.
The Mercury Bay Community Board has
recommended that Thames-Coromandel
District Council enters into a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Mercury
Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust
(MBRRC) enabling them to apply for
government funding to build the facility in
conjunction with the new Whitianga Waste
Transfer Station.
Among the group’s trustees are Manus
Pretorius, general manager of the highly
successful Seagull Centre in Thames,
which will provide the model for the Mercury
Bay facility at Moewai Road. As well as
traditional recycling such as glass, cardboard
and green waste, the aim is to retrieve
household goods and furniture, steel, building
materials and e-waste.
“A number of meetings have been held
between the MBRRC and TCDC staff,”
said Len Salt, one of the other trustees.
“These have been very productive and we are
excited about the potential for this venture.
Manus has extensive experience in logistics
and waste management, both in New Zealand
and overseas. He has been working closely Some of the recovered items available at the Seagull Centre in Thames. Establishment of a similar recycling facility in Whitianga
with Andrew Scobie (TCDC project manager) is one step closer after the Mercury Bay Community Board recommended last week that Thames-Coromandel District Council enters into a
on the design of the new transfer station. Memorandum of Understanding with the Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust.
The key is traffic flow and maximising the Seagull Centre in Thames, which had been waste management. the establishment costs as well as some of the
opportunities to intercept high value material operating for 16 years, now employed 14 Mr Salt said there was huge interest from initial operational expenses.
before it ends up in the tip.” people and was self-sustaining. The plans for many local community groups who wanted Mercury Bay Community Board members
Mr Salt said by studying the previous trial Whitianga also include a retail shop which is to be involved and they would all be able said the idea for a waste recovery centre
and error involved at other similar operations, to be staffed by local people and volunteers. to have a role and contribute to the success had been a crucial part of the plans for the
Whitianga would be able to learn from the The trust says its goal will be to develop of the facility. Under the Memorandum of Whitianga Waste Transfer Station from
experience of others and get the processes the centre as a “first stop” option for local Understanding, TCDC would agree to lease the outset. “It is wonderful to see that it
running smoothly from the beginning. residents and businesses entering the waste the land for the recovery centre to the trust, is all coming together,” said chair, Rekha
Both Mr Salt and Mr Pretorius outlined their transfer station, giving them the opportunity and provide and maintain the surrounding Giri-Percival, who thanked the trust for
proposals to the Mercury Bay Community to reduce the amount of material they dump infrastructure as part of the overall waste their efforts.
Board on Wednesday last week. Mr Pretorius for landfill. Staff will identify a wide range of transfer station development, including After suffering a series of delays,
highlighted the importance of generating goods and materials which can be repaired, roading and stormwater. the completion date for the waste transfer
a high degree of public engagement and resold, repurposed or renewed to give them Once the MOU is in place, the trust station is now December 2022, although it
sense of community ownership as vital to a second life and the facility will also be can apply to the government’s Waste may be possible that some elements of the
the success of the project. He revealed the used to educate the public on aspects of Minimisation Fund for up to 90 percent of recovery centre could open earlier.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Construction about to start on new fuel
dock at Whitianga Marina
Whitianga Marina users are being urged to expect some disruption to normal
service over the next few months as construction gets underway on an extensive
upgrade of the fuel dock.
A new 70,000l fuel tank is set to almost double the volume of diesel available
at the marina, while 95 octane petrol will also become available for the first
time. The investment is aimed at meeting the growing needs of the boating
community now and into the future.
Marina manager, Dave Munday, said there will be some short-term
inconvenience for users of the facility, however, the upgrade once complete will
be a fantastic asset. The most important message for boat owners, he said, was
that fuel will not be available at the Marina while construction takes place and
those intending to spend a lot of time out on the water over winter needed to
plan ahead. “From around 1 May, they will not be able to fill up at the marina
and that will be the case for at least a couple of months, so I would suggest to
people that they fill up now,” he said.
Through the support of Thames-Coromandel District Council, boats will be
able to dock at the Whitianga Wharf between 9:00am and 11:00am everyday
in order to take on fuel. “They will need to order that from the fuel provider
themselves,” Dave said. “It will not be done through us. One option is Acme
Fuel which works with us here at the marina quite a bit. They can be reached at
(027) 297 4299. It’s important that we remember that this is a courtesy that has
been extended to us, so it is important that we don’t interfere with access for the
ferry or the commercial boats operating from the wharf.”
The North End carpark close to where the construction will take place would
also be closed off from 23 April and there will be no access to the public toilets.
This is to allow the new tank to be safely placed in the ground along with the
completion of some concrete channelling. The walkway through the marina will
mostly remain open with potentially an occasional closure in the event access is
blocked by machinery on the site.
Once complete, up to four 20m boats will be able to refuel at the same time
along with two smaller power boats. This triples the current capacity which will
be especially welcome during the busy summer period, according to Dave.
The development team are also working with Ngāti Hei to install a unique
art piece at the outermost point of the narrow strip of land beside which the
fuel dock will be located. “It’s great to be finally getting the project started,”
Dave said. “We’ve been planning this for quite some time. We had hoped to
get it completed last year but of course it had to be delayed due to COVID-19.
Once it’s all done and up and running, it’s going to be fantastic for our users and Whitianga Marina manager, Dave Munday, at the first delivery of steel that will be
sets us up really well for the future.” used in the construction of the new fuel dock at the marina.
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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021
Hahei prepares for first
ANZAC Day commemoration
After the people of Hahei eagerly responded to the 2020 call to “Stand at Dawn,” the idea
for a local ANZAC Day commemoration, particularly for those who cannot travel to other
services, was born.
The result of many months of planning will be realised this ANZAC Day, 25 April, when
the community holds its first ever official commemoration service. The event will take
place at 10:30am at the Memorial Garden at the Kotare Reserve and the main organiser,
Gilbert Bannan, hopes it will provide the opportunity for everyone in Hahei, including those
visiting for the long weekend, to come together to mark the occasion. “It all started from
lockdown last year when so many people came out and stood in their driveways and we had
a couple of people playing the bagpipes,” he says. “The suggestions started to come that we
should do something here.”
With agreement from the Mercury Bay RSA, a programme was put together and Gilbert says
there has been terrific support from the local community. “The Volunteer Fire Brigade will be
involved as will St John,” he says.
“We will also be having students from Whenuakite School participate and I would like to
thank all those who have agreed to be part of it. We still have some details to finalise, but I
think it will be a very special service in a very lovely setting.”
A plaque has also been commissioned acknowledging all those who have served their
country and this will be installed on the Memorial Wall in the garden ahead of ANZAC Day.
“People will also be able to place their wreaths at the wall if they wish to do so,” Gilbert says.
The service has been timed for later in the morning so those who still wish to travel to the
Dawn Service in Whitianga will be able to do so. Linda Fraser of the Mercury Bay RSA says it
is wonderful seeing the Hahei community taking this initiative and congratulates Gilbert and
those who have put so much work in to make it happen.
Meanwhile, Thames-Coromandel District Council has welcomed the return of the Poppies in
the Park project which runs between now and ANZAC Day, and invites people of any age to
create their own poppies and put them on display in and around their local library. “COVID-19
was no match for the ANZAC spirit last year when our communities commemorated ANZAC
Day - Rā Maumahara ki nga hoia o Aotearoa me Ahitereiria - in lockdown,” the TCDC libraries
team says. “Our Poppies in the Park event became Poppies in Your Yard, as people took time
together to craft and create poppies to display outside their houses and share virtually with
us on Facebook.
“This year, in Alert Level 1, we’ll be able to commemorate ANZAC Day with a poppy display,
as we had intended last year. At the Mercury Bay Library, anyone is welcome to make poppies
and put them in Soldiers Memorial Park. They can be all sizes and made of any materials.
For some ideas check out the Thames-Coromandel District Libraries’ Facebook page.”
699 - 13
Issue 945 27 April
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021
Issue 945 - 13 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Submissions on Matarangi
The Small-time Investor
By Whitianga resident, Max Ross open space handed to TCDC
Review after three quarters
My returns have improved and hopefully the been paid $9.02 in dividends since I started,
tech stocks are out of their slump. I am now a return of 0.24 percent via dividends.
three quarters of the way through my year of Time in the market beats timing the market.
small-time investing. This is an investment idea that I believe in.
This is my 39th article. The first was an With this series I am investing $100 every
introduction in which I didn’t invest. Since week, so I am not looking at timing the ups
then, I have invested $100 a week 38 times, and downs. In the past I have wanted to invest
meaning I have saved and invested $3,800. in a company, but felt the price at that time
My returns have spiked at $603 on 25 January was too high, only to watch the price continue
and dropped to -$62 on 8 March. I’m currently to rise and I have tried to sell in the dips and
up 7.7 percent, which is $298.78. regretted it later as the price bounced back.
I have invested into 28 different After this year of articles is done, I intend
opportunities. I have invested in one US- to hold my small-time investments for five
based Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) and two to 10 years, allowing for time in the market.
New Zealand-based ETFs. I have invested in
I will provide six monthly updates on the
15 US-based companies, eight New Zealand-
portfolio during that time so that you can see
based companies and one New Zealand- Matarangi Ratepayers Association chairman, Mark Bedford, was thrilled to hand just under
how things are going over the long-term. 500 submissions on the draft Thames-Coromandel District Plan 2021-2031 to Allan Tiplady,
based real estate trust. Ten of my picks are
This week I am investing $100 into Thames-Coromandel District Council’s Area Manager North, on Thursday last week.
down and 18 are up.
my best performer, which is Mainfreight,
Because my Sharesies balance is over According to Mark, the submissions all support one of two options in the draft Long Term Plan
$3,000, I am now paying $3 a month for the up 43.6 percent. that will see preservation of the open space in Matarangi (including the Matarangi Golf Course)
use of the service. I have just changed that to Please remember that what I write in this for future generations. Both options will see the rates of Matarangi property owners increase
a $30 a year subscription, which will be due column is just my personal opinion. Some of by more than $120 per year. “With submissions being made online as well, I expect more than
in April. So far, I have paid $15 in Sharesies my investments are currently losing money. 600 submissions will be in favour of one of the options,” Mark said.
subscriptions. Additionally, due to my small I am sharing my thoughts and strategies A third option, for TCDC to “do nothing,” was also included in the draft Long Term Plan. According
investments, each time I buy I am paying along with my results so that you can see to council, this is their preferred option. “I acknowledge that their may be a small number of
roughly $0.50 in transaction fees, which is how easy it is to invest, even a small amount, submissions in support of the ‘do nothing’ option,” Mark said.
$19 so far. and maybe learn from my mistakes. Discussions between TCDC and the Matarangi community about the golf course and the other
I have been putting my referral link in each Be careful with your money. open space in the village have been ongoing for several years.
article. So far 12 people have signed up and I If you want to invest in shares or funds “Council now must re-engage with the Matarangi Community surely to address the ongoing
have earned $60. Thank you to those people through the Sharesies online platform, use issues of protecting our open space,” Mark said. “With this overwhelming support, we plead
and I hope you are enjoying your investing. this link, https://sharesies.nz/r/KHQQWP. with the TCDC councillors to reject outright their preferred option of ‘do nothing.’”
While I am not a dividend investor, I have We will each get $5 to invest. Pictured is Mark (left) and Allan Tiplady on Thursday.
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021
Loans proposed to help make homes more sustainable A programme which would provide win-win for local economies as well.” homeowners with low interest loans for If the programme goes ahead, a ratepayer sustainability improvements such as will voluntarily opt into the scheme and obtain installing water tanks and solar power to their a quote from a list of approved local suppliers. properties, is one of the initiatives Waikato Council then places a voluntary targeted rate Regional Council is asking for ratepayer (VTR) on the property, with the loan repaid feedback on as part of its draft Long Term over 10 years. In this way, rating impacts will Plan consultation process. be specific to those properties participating The scheme, which could also include in the scheme. For other ratepayers, there is clean heating, insulation, double-glazing, no cost. ventilation and septic tank upgrades, Ratepayers who wish to apply would need was mooted by Thames-Coromandel’s WRC to demonstrate a good credit rating and rates representative, Denis Tegg, who says he is payment history before acceptance. A VTR delighted to see it included in the draft plan. would also need to be paid off in full before a “Although our Regional Council had not potential sale of the property could proceed. done anything like this before, I could see Through its Long Term Plan, WRC is that it ticked a lot of boxes that squared with aiming to raise rates revenue from the our strategic priorities,” he says. “When I current total of $102 million to $148 million approached fellow councillors in July 2020 by 2030, the impact of which will vary to outline the proposal, there was immediate considerably depending on where in the enthusiasm for it.” region you live and the value of your property. As well as offering potential solutions to As an example, the consultation document a range of climate driven issues, Mr Tegg indicates that a $500,000 property in the says the programme was designed so that Thames-Coromandel District would see a only those who wanted to take advantage rates rise in the coming year from $306.80 to of it would pay the costs. “Many homes are $311.28. According to council, a significant still not warm and dry, clean heat options portion of the increased costs, $25.7 million, reduce air pollution, recent severe droughts relates to the planning, policy development in the eastern Coromandel showed the and monitoring required as part of the need for water tanks, upgrading septic government’s Essential Freshwater package. tanks improves water quality, and more Submissions on WRC’s Long Term efficient heating and solar power systems Plan, Regional Pest Management Plan and help reduce climate emissions,” he says. Regional Coastal Plan are now open and can “The programme will also bring millions of be made until 30 April 2021. More details dollars into communities with more jobs for at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/ local suppliers and new jobs created, so it’s a yourvoicematters/ Issue 945 - 13 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Community Board eyes up land at Mercury
Bay Bowling Club for social housing
Unused land within the Mercury Bay Bowling they could be involved in finding a solution. no objection to any of it, including the need for development and suggested these could be
Club site is being eyed up as a potential site for Alison Henry from the MBCF was also critical public consultation. revisited. Any development would require the
the provision of social housing in Whitianga, of the report. “I am very disappointed at what’s Looking at the four options - 92 Cook Drive Bowling Club to surrender their lease on the
which advocates say is urgently required. in the report which instead of informing the (currently leased to the Mercury Bay Bowling currently unused section of land at the site.
Both the Mercury Bay Community Fund board how it can help, lists all the roadblocks,” Club), School Road Reserve, White Street The Community Board resolved to support
(MBCF) and the Mercury Bay Enabling she said. Reserve and Robinson Road Estuary Reserve - the aspirations of the MBEGLT and MBCF and
Good Lives Trust (MBEGLT) have separately The report examined four different sites and the Community Board agreed that Cook Drive instructed staff to carry out further investigations
approached the Mercury Bay Community noted that resource consent would be required should be prioritised for further investigation as of Cook Drive as the preferred option and any
Board requesting to lease portions of unused in all cases which “would not be a straight it was already occupied, with Mrs Giri-Percival other suitable locations.
land to construct pensioner housing units and forward process.” However, Mrs Henry said recalling that talks had taken place previously Mercury Bay Bowling Club president,
an assisted living facility to cater for the needs the MBCF fully understood the process and had with the Bowling Club about such a potential Judy Russell, said she had received no
of the local community. “A need has been communication from the Mercury Bay
identified for housing of some of our residents Community Board or TCDC since Wednesday’s
with disabilities so they don’t have to leave their decision. While she said the club had no
hometown as their living situation changes, objection in principle to the concept of social
ie parents getting older or ill, and the residents housing on the site, there was uncertainty about
themselves growing older and wanting and the logistics of how it could be achieved and how
needing more independence,” Stephen Whiting it would function. “For example, we understand
of the MBEGLT told the board back in that in order for that location to be rezoned as
April 2019. residential, the site would need to be raised by
Meanwhile the MBCF, which operates nine around 900mm, that’s just something we have
existing pensioner units, has 36 people on its been told informally, but we will need to wait
waiting list for accommodation. until we hear from council to fully understand
However, there was obvious frustration at what would be involved,” she said.
last Wednesday’s Community Board meeting Mrs Henry said, in discussions with the
over the contents of a report from Thames- MBCF, the Bowling Club had expressed
Coromandel District Council on the issue which concerns about the noise coming from the
maintained that “provision of social housing is club impacting on pensioners residing in close
typically a central government responsibility” proximity. The MBCF had therefore identified
and said council’s Community and Facilities an unused section of the School Road Reserve as
team did not support reserves being used for an alternative and submitted to the recent review
purposes other than what they are classified for. of the Mercury Bay Reserve Management Plan
The report suggested the resolution that the on that basis. The hearings for that review have
Board “supports the aspirations… in principle, yet to be held.
however, considers that retention of reserve However, the report before the Community
land in Mercury Bay is the greater public good.” Board last week said council’s Infrastructure
Board chair, Rekha Giri-Percival, said the group was evaluating the School Road Reserve
report was not line with some of the as a potential site to mitigate stormwater issues
conversations that had been had around the in the area and suggested it would be premature
boardroom table about this issue in which the Unused land within the Mercury Bay Bowling Club site is being considered as a to consider this site for social housing at
members had signalled a clear desire to see if potential location for the provision of social housing in Whitianga. this stage.
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021
Issue 945
699 - 13
27 April
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Generators proposed to
shore up power supply
The use of modern diesel-fuelled generators to boost electricity supply on the Coromandel
Peninsula at times of peak demand is being considered by network provider, Powerco.
The company says it has been exploring options to address the rising risk of power outages
during holidays and long weekends, and is now asking for the public’s input.
“The area has an increased chance of losing power during times of peak demand, when an influx
of people puts strain on the electricity network,” Powerco outlines in a statement. “The likelihood
of outages increases as more people choose to live in and visit the region.”
The company says, over the years, customers have asked for “a reliable network, with minimal
environmental impact, at the lowest cost” and that these priorities were kept in mind when
considering how to meet the challenges facing the Coromandel.
One potential approach being put forward is the installation of three modern diesel generators,
one each in Whitianga, Matarangi and Coromandel Town. “This provides a back-up supply to kick
in when power demand in the region is high,” Powerco says. “[We] estimate the generators would
be used for the equivalent of eight days a year total across the three sites. This option is faster to
build than traditional poles and wires, has minimal environmental impact through limited running
time and reduces the cost to Coromandel customers compared to alternative options which is
passed on through their power bill.”
Ryno Verster, Powerco’s General Manager of Asset Strategy and Investment, says,
“The Coromandel is a beautiful part of our network, but there are significant challenges posed by
potential line routes and the terrain, which often translates into significant costs or delays when
building poles and wires.”
As well as asking for customer feedback on the plan, the company has also put the call out to
industry for registrations of interest for proposed solutions to provide additional supply during
peak demand periods that meet the low cost, reliability and environmental criteria. “Any options
presented will be assessed as part of the final decision-making process,” the company says.
“Interest needs to be registered by 23 April 2021.”
Powerco advises it also wants to know whether the people of the Coromandel agree with the
approach being taken. “We’re here to bring power to our customers now and into the future,” says
Stuart Dickson, the company’s General Manager Customer Group. “Checking that we understand
their priorities and that our proposed solution for the Coromandel aligns with these and meets
their needs is crucial. We’re committed to working closely with our customers and other key
stakeholders in the region to raise awareness and get their input.”
Members of the public can get more information and make comment at www.yourenergyfuture.
co.nz. Powerco says it will work through customer feedback and available options over the
coming months and a decision on a solution will be reached by the middle of the year.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021Scott’s Thoughts
By Scott Simpson, National Party MP for Coromandel
After months of delays, the trans-Tasman many more businesses closing up shop.
bubble is finally going ahead. The government This increase comes at the worst time and
has been dragging its feet on this for far follows on from the previously announced
too long. Australia, and the wider Pacific, increases to sick leave, domestic leave and a
poses the same low-level of risk as they new national holiday.
did at the end of last year. It remains to be When even the advisors at the Ministry
seen whether it is too little, too late for the of Business, Innovation and Employment
tourism sector. Regions like ours have been recommended a lower increase and that it be
traditional tourist hotspots and I’m sure deferred until October, it’s easy to see that
we will be again. Here on the Coromandel, this most recent increase is a risk to the very
we would have really benefited if the bubble people it is supposed to be helping.
had been established over summer. The reality for many of the people
Still, I’m happy that many families will finally employed on the minimum wage is that their
be able to be reunited and I hope that people hourly rate will go up but the number of
stuck overseas have an easier time accessing hours they work will decrease as businesses
the spaces that will be freed up in managed adjust their operating models to meet the
isolation. increased costs.
Naturally there will be understandable Finally, a recent remembrance service
concern from some, but I for one support the at the Shortland Cemetery in Thames for
opening of the bubble and think that at this Private Robert Ngapo was incredibly moving.
time the benefits outweigh the risks. Ngapo was one of only a very small number
The government has announced their long Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson, with Her Majesty Queen Pa Tepaeru Teariki Upokotini Marie of Cook Islanders to serve in France during
awaited fix to the housing crisis, but it has Ariki of the Cook Islands and the Cook Islands Consul-General to New Zealand, the First World War. He died in October 1921,
left much to be desired. It’s great that there’s Keutekarakia Mataroa, at a recent remembrance service for Private Robert Ngapo in Thames. nearly 100 years ago. It was very special to
a fund for infrastructure, because supply assured time and again that there would be no it is to find and I fear the new rules will make have Her Majesty Queen Pa Tepaeru Teariki
constraints are the biggest problem fuelling new taxes and no capital gains tax. Harsher things even worse. Upokotini Marie Ariki and the Cook Islands
out of control house prices. Sadly, as I see it, restrictions on selling houses, combined with Property owners are not the only ones Consul-General, Keutekarakia Mataroa,
this seems like a half step, as the funding is the removal of interest deductions on rentals, struggling. Businesses around the country present for the occasion.
insufficient to meet the demands of councils will only make the existing rental crisis even are under huge pressure to keep their doors As we get closer to ANZAC Day,
across the country. worse. If property is treated as a business, open and it’s only going to get harder with this service was a sombre reminder of the
Moreover, the extension of the Bright Line then landlords will have no choice but to the minimum wage rising to $20 per hour. all-encompassing impact of war. Young men
Test to 10 years is a capital gains tax in all but pass their increased expenses on to tenants. We all want to see sustained wage growth, and women upended their lives to serve in
name. People have a right to be angry about Anyone looking for rental accommodation but a hike to the minimum wage at this conflicts in faraway lands, with so many
this broken promise, as New Zealanders were around the Coromandel knows how difficult time will mean fewer hours, fewer jobs and paying the ultimate sacrifice. Lest we forget.
Issue 945 - 13 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Civil Defence Controller
says loss of tsunami sirens
will not put public at risk
The Thames-Coromandel District’s Civil to Waikato Regional Council by tsunami
Defence Controller, Garry Towler, is this scientists in 2011. “It’s likely sirens and
week out speaking to eastern seaboard emergency alerts would not be working as
communities to help build understanding power would be out,” the document, which
and allay fears over the decision to no has also been distributed via TCDC’s media
longer use sirens as a tsunami alert tool on channels, states. “From the first earthquake to
the Coromandel. a tsunami arriving is between 45 minutes and
Mr Towler said it has always been Thames- one hour, depending on where people are in
Coromandel District Council’s intention our district.”
to share more information with the public The document also reveals that it can take
ahead of the decommissioning of the sirens, between 40 and 75 minutes for a regional
however the series of earthquakes on 5 March evacuation order to be issued which is when
have understandably raised anxiety levels in a siren would be activated, supporting the
vulnerable communities before that process conclusion that people on the Coromandel
has been completed. “I recognise there has would need to act well before any siren alert,
been some uncertainty since then while we assuming it was even working.
have been getting our information together, Mr Towler’s assertion was that “we are all
but we really want to share with people our Civil Defence.” “I cannot emphasise how
how we have reached this point and show important that is,” he said. “Taking personal
them the evidence that will hopefully help responsibility for having a plan and knowing
them understand the realities of the risk we how to react and respond are the most
are facing on the Coromandel and what our important things anyone can do to prepare for
response to that risk needs to look like going a major tsunami.”
forward,” he said. However, Mr Towler also said it was
The network of 27 sirens will be maintained important to recognise that the move away
and remain operational until September when from sirens was an adjustment for many in
they will be progressively disconnected. the community. “I understand that this is
In the meantime, further work will be done to unsettling and for some people quite painful,”
communicate to residents what is happening he said. “Some of our older people have
and why, including a further series of public grown up with the sirens, it’s all they have
meetings in Thames, Coromandel Town and ever known and having to adjust to and put
Colville in May. their trust in a new way of doing things is not
Mr Towler spoke on Monday this week in easy. But as the Civil Defence controller for
Whitianga and on Tuesday in Tairua, Pauanui the Thames-Coromandel District, I would
and Whangamata where residents were faced not support this decision if I had any concern
with some confronting information on the whatsoever that what we are doing would
limitations of sirens and potentially other compromise my ability to keep our people
alerting methods. He outlined how sirens safe, because that’s my job.”
reach at most 44 percent of Coromandel At this week’s meetings, residents are also
residents and as such are the least effective being provided with up-to-date information
alert system available. However, he said their on broadband access and cellphone coverage
low value is not just due to the number of across the Peninsula to indicate the reach of
people who may hear them, but also when alerts such as the National Emergency Mobile
they would hear them and the fact they may Alert (EMA) and the Red Cross Hazards
not even function in the event of a serious and GeoNet apps. This has significantly
earthquake. “An undersea earthquake of improved over recent years and TCDC is
magnitude nine plus along (some) segments also highlighting the work of the Rural
of the Tonga Kermadec Trench is the biggest Connectivity Group (RCG) which is using
tsunami threat to our district,” he said. funding from government and industry to
“If a magnitude nine plus quake did occur, build a 4G mobile network in areas with poor
it’s highly likely everyone on the Coromandel broadband coverage and areas with no mobile
would feel the effects, it would be severe. coverage. However, Mr Towler said the main
That’s the signal to get to higher ground - message remains, “If it’s strong or long,
don’t wait for a tsunami siren, emergency get gone.”
management alert or radio message.” Full details about the transition away
TCDC says Mr Towler’s advice is based on from tsunami sirens is available on the
findings contained in a document provided TCDC website.
The Thames Coromandel District’s Civil Defence Controller, Garry Towler.
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021Issue 945
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27 April
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Coromandel property prices
hit $1 million average
House prices in the Thames-Coromandel District have surpassed a record average sales figure that
few would have predicted only a few years ago.
According to the latest QV House Price Index, the average house price in the district is now $1,006,031,
which is 19.6 percent higher than the same time last year and almost twice as much as it was back
in 2015 when the average home value was just $523,707.
Quotable Value (QV) property consultant, Jarrod Hedley, said Thames-Coromandel had just become
the first district in the Waikato to surpass the $1 million mark. “A strong amount of growth in property
values has occurred on the Coromandel Peninsula during the past 12 months, not just as a result of
record low-interest rates and a lack of supply, which are obviously key drivers of activity right now,
but also as a direct result of COVID-19 and our closed international borders,” he said.
“With international travel being almost entirely off the cards until only recently and the fast-growing
trend of remote working continuing to gather pace, having your own place on the Coromandel is
becoming even more attractive.
“With the ever-posing threat of lockdowns at the forefront of their decision making, buyers are
looking for property that they can move into as soon as possible and some may even consider paying
a premium rather than potentially missing out. This is another vindicating factor in value growth.”
Unlike much of the rest of New Zealand, where upward pressure on prices has typically been greatest
at the lower end of the market, it’s at the upper end of the market where the Thames-Coromandel
District’s prices have increased the most. In the 12 months since March 2020, the average price of a
home in the upper quartile of the Coromandel Peninsula’s market has increased by 22.3 percent or
$322,663 in real dollar terms, while the average price of a home in the lower quartile of the market
has increased by a comparatively modest 12.8 percent or $65,321.
“This strong growth has been driven by good demand at the upper end of the market, especially
beachfront and properties that have sea views, where supply is not as high as other sectors of
the market,” said Mr Hedley. “Although the property market does continue to be busy at both ends
of the spectrum, it will be interesting to note in coming months whether the government’s recent
announcements have their intended effect of slowing some of this strong price growth, and also if
and when the world can open up again.”
Pictured is Whitianga as seen from the lookout platform on the Maramaratotara Walking Track on
Monday afternoon last week.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021Issue 945
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2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021
Issue 945
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27 April
July 2016
2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17What’s On In the next few weeks
Regular Activities Whitianga Tramping Group
Op-Shops Meets every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information.
• Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Dog Walking Group
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Meets every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog.
• The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Whitianga Menz Shed
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm. Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon. At the Moewai Park end of South Highway, past the diesel
• St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday truck stop. All welcome.
10:00am - 2:00pm. Scottish Country Dancing
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop - Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from Meets every Tuesday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in the Supper Room of the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Phone Anthea
10:00am - 2:00pm. on 866 4516 or (021) 158 1522 for more information.
Justice of the Peace Whitianga Art Group
Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Meets every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 23 School Road, Whitianga. Visitors are invited to join us for
Bookings not necessary. Phone 866 4476 for more information. a day of painting. Start-up materials supplied. Phone Jenny on (027) 210 0160 for more information.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club Mercury Bay Pickleball Club
Meets Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie Meets Every Tuesday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm and every Sunday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School
etc. Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information. gym, South Highway, Whitianga, $5 per session. Paddles and balls supplied. Tuition available.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Mercury Bay Tennis Club
Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Club night every Thursday at 6:30pm at Lyon Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Phone Joan on 866 3801 or (027) 275 1372 for more information. Mercury Bay Table Tennis
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated Meets every Tuesday from 9:00am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Phone Anne on
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their (07) 869 5162 or (027) 565 5575 for more information.
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on Mercury Bay Badminton
(027) 486 0150 for more information or to join. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome.
Whitianga Playcentre Phone (07) 866 5476 for more information.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Whitianga. For children 0 - 6 years, Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
free entry. Visitors welcome. Meets every Thursday at 6:45pm at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Come along and join in or phone Alan on
AA Driver Licensing 866 4024 or Cheryl on 0274 527887 for more information.
The second Friday of every month at St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga.
Scrapbags Quilting Group
Meets every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. Specific Activities/Events
phone Shelley on 866 0236 for more information. Thames Valley Senior Rugby - Saturday, 17 April
Mercury Bay Creative Fibre Mercury Bay A v Thames A in Thames. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am - 2:00pm. in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Mercury Bay B v Waihi Athletic B in Whitianga. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
Whitianga. Phone Wendy Russell on 866 3225 for more information. Coromandel Town B v Thames B in Thames. Kick-off at 12:25pm.
Matarangi Craft Group District Libraries’ Holiday Programme at the Mercury Bay and Tairua Libraries
Meets fortnightly at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley on 866 0788 for more information. Tuesday, 20 April - Seed Bombs.
Mercury Bay Quilters Thursday, 22 April - Bird Feeders.
Meets the first and third Mondays, and second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Whitianga Tuesday, 27 April - Bug Motels
Social Services, Cook Drive. Members range in age from 14 to in their 90s. New members welcome to join and share their Thursday, 29 April - Art from Recycled Materials.
quilting knowledge, and help make charity quilts for the neonatal unit at Auckland Hospital and the children admitted to All sessions to run from 10:30am - 11:30am. Bookings essential.
Starship Hospital. Phone Margaret on (07) 866 0411 for more information. Whitianga Marathon
Mercury Bay Community Choir Saturday, 22 May. Four course options - 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 5km. Entries now open.
This “all-comers” choir rehearses every Monday from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Mercury Bay Area school Music Room. See whitiangamarathon.co.nz for more information.
New rehearsals start on 8 February. New singers always welcome. Phone (022) 643 7462 for more information.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021Ultrafast broadband set to arrive early in Tairua Tairua is about jump aboard the Coromandel’s ultrafast broadband bandwagon with work on rolling out the fibre infrastructure set to start in the town and in neighbouring Pauanui in May. The construction is commencing well ahead of the original estimated start date of 2022 and the first properties are expected to be able to connect from September this year with more gaining access over the following months as the build progresses. Residents of both communities have been invited to attend public information meetings next week where more information will be shared about what to expect and when, as well as how they can upgrade to ultrafast broadband when it becomes available. “Subject to COVID-19 alert levels remaining at Level 1, on Tuesday, 20 April the Chorus team will be on hand at The Hub, Pauanui Visitor Information Centre from 11:30am until 1:30pm and the Tairua Community Hall from 3:00pm to 5:45pm to answer residents’ questions about getting connected to fibre or how to make the most of fibre in their home or business,” says Andrew Carroll, Chorus General Manager of Customer and Network Operations. “In most cases getting connected is free.” “Fibre provides the broadband equivalent of an autobahn right to the door of homes and businesses, and it will future-proof Tairua and Pauanui for the exponential growth in data usage that we expect to see continue.” Tairua and Pauanui are among the last Thames-Coromandel District communities to receive fibre. The roll-out began in Thames and was followed by Coromandel Town, with Whitianga and other east coast areas of the Coromandel Peninsula added last year. Chorus has been actively working to build better understanding within communities about the benefits of fibre after a lower than expected sign-up rate in some areas. In February, just 23 percent of Matarangi households had connected, 33 per cent in Coromandel Town and 25 per cent in Hahei. Thames, where the service had been available for longer, fared better with a take-up rate of 51 percent. Issue 945 - 13 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19
Travelling the South Island while COVID-19 is still raging around the world By Suzanne Hansen My husband, Mark, and I made a pact three build a bar and café with live music for campers years ago, before COVID-19, that we would and local farmers to enjoy. It was wonderful. travel the length and breadth of our own country After a beautiful ferry ride and a night in for a few years. We are the proud investors in a fairly sedate Picton, we made our way to a beautiful campervan and since we made the Kaikoura, which we missed out on during our pact we had spent many long weekends away, last trip. as well as a six-week stint in the South Island The trip to Kaikoura took our breath in 2019 and four weeks in Northland before away. The incredible work and progress that and after last year’s coronavirus lockdowns. had been made rebuilding the obliterated As a philosophy, we tended to stay away roads and railroads after the 7.8 magnitude from tourist meccas like Queenstown in earthquake in 2016 was astounding. favour of lesser-known Kiwi gems, mainly The alliance known as North Canterbury due to the sheer number of overseas tourists. Transport Infrastructure Recovery had not The tourist numbers pre-COVID-19 were only repaired and strengthened 60km of road surreal in some instances. and rail, they had also made it safer and more In late February this year, we made a decision beautiful with artworks and landscaping. to go back to the South Island and focus on the Of course, Kaikoura is still reeling from top half. We wanted to take the opportunity many months of inaccessibility, followed by with all the kids back in school and the still- the coronavirus pandemic but in talking to closed borders to do a bit more of a deep dive. small businesses in town, there was a sense We also wanted to continue doing our share to of hopefulness and gratitude for the many “spread the love” around New Zealand and help domestic visitors that were there. keep businesses ticking over. We set off and the Making our way west from Kaikoura, Mark and Suzanne Hansen at the Abel Tasman National Park. first thing that struck us on the Kopu-Hikuai we stopped in Reefton, which is known as “the Road, was the steady stream of campervans town of light” because it turned on electric New Zealand Labour Party. A key landmark is We then went up the West Coast to Punakaiki and caravans going both ways over the hill. street lighting before any other town in the the “Formerly the Black Ball Hilton,” a more to stay and see the Pancake Rocks on a sunny Most of these vehicles were occupied by what southern hemisphere in 1888. Reefton was a than 100-year-old character hotel which once day. It was stunning and calm enough to we call the “grey nomads,” although not all. delightful place, but we could only stay one had a branding conflict with the international see a pod of hector dolphins rounding up a It seemed a few folk had the same ideas about night as accommodation was fully booked the Hilton Corporation. We had a “cold one” school of fish. The campground at Punakaiki timing as we did. It was good to see. next night. with the publican who, when we asked about again was full and active with all ages of Stopping at the Blue Lake in Rotorua and We moved on to the West Coast via Black her business, said that with COVID-19 her domestic visitors. continuing on to the Mangaweka Gorge, Ball, which was an important centre in turnover had expanded at least 30 percent with We next went near the top of the West Coast the campgrounds were bustling. At the the fight for New Zealand workers’ rights, a steady parade of grey nomads and domestic to a place called Little Wanganui, where campground in Mangaweka, the owners even borne of appalling coal mining conditions. tourists getting off the beaten track. She said it we plugged into a powered site at the pub. took the lockdown opportunity to renovate and The town is credited as the birthplace of the was incredible. The pub, established in 1958, has a beautiful Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 945 - 13 April 2021
Travelling the South Island interior of art deco and old movies playing tour to the Farewell Spit lighthouse, which is in the toilets. The business is now owned by something every Kiwi ought to see. The 35km a family from Canterbury who had only been spit, a World Heritage Site, is astoundingly in business there since early 2020. They spent beautiful. It was an unforgettable day trip with their lockdown downtime sprucing the place the 60-year-old tour company saying “business up and said that business had been very good was good.” with a lot of domestic visitors. After a bit of touring around Tasman, Over the Buller Gorge and straight through to we attended the Havelock Mussel Festival. Kaiteriteri, we stayed right on the beachfront of It was a brilliant day with more than 4,000 one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches. attendees from all over New Zealand. Kaiteriteri is a popular Tasman destination One crowd we met even motored three boats for South Islanders and is also a gateway to across the Cook Strait from Wellington to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park. attend. The mussels and bluff oysters were The town was full of shuttles and cruises into yum and all four the bands were dance-worthy. the park, as well as kayak hire businesses and Havelock pulled this off with a population of great restaurants. It is a real gem. roughly 600. Over the Tākaka Hill (which is really a There were some key anecdotal observations mountain) into the stunning Golden Bay, we made during our four-week trip. In spite of we visited Te Waikoropūpū (or Pu Pu) Springs the widespread press about the destitution of originating from the Karst Uplands of the our entire tourism industry, it became apparent Tākaka Valley. to us that many of the pain points were among The Karst Uplands are a complex network of the tourism experiences which catered to interconnected tunnels, seepages and gravels premium overseas travellers. According to forming the Arthur Marble Aquifer, producing many conversations we had with the hospitality some of the purest water in the world. Visibility businesses we visited, most were buoyant. in the water had been measured by NIWA at The grey nomads had a big part to play in this, 63m. Visibility of distilled water is measured but other domestic tourists were also out and theoretically at 83m. The water is considered about, and experiencing the best New Zealand sacred and no human contact is permitted. had to offer. It was mystical. The businesses who seemed to be From Tākaka we headed north to one of our thriving were those who could react to the favourite stops, Collingwood. As further proof new demographics of domestic tourism. of the power of the grey nomads and domestic In every change there is an opportunity and tourism, the small town and campground those businesses who could pivot to those were swimming in leisure vehicles. We took a opportunities seemed to be going strong. Issue 945 - 13 April 2021 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21
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