Saving lives one blood donation at a time - The Mercury Bay Informer
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80
Issue 870 - 6 November 2019 Phone 07 866 2090 (07) 867 15 Circulation 7,200
Telephone the Coromandel
pport
Proud to su Helicopter Trust
Rescue
Saving lives one blood donation
at a time
By Gillian O’Neill
Tom Riddle donated blood for the first time
when he worked as a porter at Waikato
Hospital at the age of 19.
Now, 57 years later, the 76-year-old has
been acknowledged for clocking up 100
donations. And the Cooks Beach resident
says it would have been more had it not been
for the absence of a blood donor clinic when
he returned to the Coromandel to live in 1969.
“I was born in Thames, but I was away
for a few years for work,” Tom told The
Informer on Thursday last week, after the
New Zealand Blood Service presented him
in Whitianga with a certificate and a special
artwork as a thank you for his commitment.
“I was working in the hospital and heard they
were looking for people to donate blood and I
thought, ‘I could do that,’ and I’ve been doing
it pretty much ever since.”
When Tom and wife, Jan, settled in
Coroglen 50 years ago, Tom would have
liked to continue donating blood, but the
option wasn’t available initially. “There
just wasn’t anywhere to do it,” Tom says.
“Then a campaign was started. I know well-
known local body politician, Joan Gaskell,
was heavily involved, she was absolutely
determined to make it happen, and eventually
managed to get a donor clinic to come to Cooks Beach resident, Tom Riddle, was on Thursday last week presented with a certificate and a special artwork to
Whitianga, I think it was every six months. acknowledge the 100 blood donations he has made to the New Zealand Blood Service.
So I would travel up from Coroglen and then Reluctantly, due to the eligibility rules of if you start out young and get into the habit, Returning home to Cooks Beach to find a spot
later Cooks Beach to donate.” the New Zealand Blood Service, Tom gave it just becomes something that you do.” on the wall for his certificate, Tom says his
Tom says he was motivated to donate his final blood donation last week, but is The New Zealand Blood Service has now work as a donor is not quite done yet. “I really
regularly for so long because of the vital now urging more donors to come forward. made it easier for people to donate blood want to put it out there how important this is,”
importance of blood in helping so many “I would have continued if I could, but you’re with an easy to use online booking system. he says. “I might not be able to give blood
people. Approximately, 3,000 donations are only allowed to donate up until your 76th In addition, those who cannot commit to myself anymore, but I will be encouraging
needed every week in hospitals across New birthday,” he says. “They took one more from donating right now can add their details others to do so whenever I can.”
Zealand and currently just four per cent of me to allow me to get to 100. But I would to a database through the Reserve Bench Thankfully enjoying good health, Tom has
people roll up their sleeves to assist. love to see more people going along. We used Campaign so they can be contacted in the never needed to receive blood, but says he
“When you think that one donation can to have maybe 120 people turn up. Now quite event of an emergency or blood shortages. is always mindful of the future. “That’s the
save the lives of up to three people, it’s such a lot of the regular donors are getting older, More information about donor eligibility, thing about it, none of us knows what lies
a simple way to help our fellow mankind,” although it’s great to see the students coming how to donate or join the reserve bench is ahead, we might be the ones needing help one
Tom says. “It doesn’t take much time and you along from Mercury Bay Area School. I think available at www.nz.blood.co.nz. A blood day, so if we can do something for others now
even get a cup of tea and a biscuit or two for we should be encouraging more young people donor clinic is held at the Whitianga Town then why not, it’s just a good thing for us to
your trouble.” to give blood because, as is the case with me, Hall every three months. do,” he says.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Bellyful set to launch in Whitianga
By Stephan Bosman
A branch of the charity, Bellyful, is set to branch directly if they’re struggling or they delivered 22,659 meals to 3,838 families challenges that a newborn brings into your
launch in Whitianga. can be referred to the branch by well child around the country. life, something like a cooked meal and
It all started six weeks ago when Cooks (Plunket) nurses, midwifes, community social Television personality, Pippa Wetzell, someone to talk to can make a world of
Beach resident and young mum, Fran Jack, workers, and family and friends. “Three is the Bellyful ambassador and says the first difference. Getting off to a good start in the
was concerned about a fellow young mum nights’ meals will normally be delivered to a few months with a new baby are magical, first few months of your baby’s life makes
going through a hard time. “I sent an email family,” says Emily. “A ‘top up’ a few weeks but also exhausting, bewildering and at times a huge difference to the wellbeing of a
to a group of friends asking what we all could later is also possible. The purpose of Bellyful quite lonely. “I was incredibly fortunate when whole family.”
do to help, maybe cook the family dinner,” really is to provide some support when a I had my three children,” she says. “I had a Bellyful volunteers fundraise locally to
says Fran. “One of my friends, Emily Pavey, young family needs it the most.” lot of support from family and friends who cover the cost of the meal ingredients and
responded and told me about Bellyful. Bellyful was founded in Franklin (south live nearby. I had meals cooked, shopping packaging. The charity doesn’t receive
Emily and I caught up for coffee and agreed of Auckland) in 2009. Whitianga will be the done and washing folded for me. Despite all government funding. As branches work from
that there are many young families in Mercury charity’s 24th branch. The Bellyful aim is to of that, I still found it hard. I often wondered Bellyful recipes with specific ingredients,
Bay in need of support, especially where they have dinner within reach of every young New how people without that help managed. only certain food donations can be accepted.
have no family close by. Zealand family needing a helping hand. Then I heard about Bellyful - it’s simple “We would like to be up and running as
“Bellyful cooks and delivers meals to In 2018, Bellyful volunteers cooked and and yet when you’re struggling with the soon as possible,” says Emily. “We need
families with newborn babies or young to raise approximately $3,000 to purchase
children struggling with illness, or where things like freezers and we would like to hear
the mums are struggling with things like from people across Mercury who can help
depression. We contacted the charity to with a small donation.
explore the possibility of setting up Whitianga “We also need volunteers, people who are
branch and things are now well underway.” happy to sacrifice a bit of time once a month
Emily, who’s the mum of an 18-month- or so, to help us fundraise, participate in a
old daughter, says dinner time is especially cookathon and deliver the meals.
hard for young families. “A knock on the “A local business in Whitianga has already
door with a few nights’ frozen meals for agreed to donate $500 to us for our first
the entire family is sometimes just what’s cookathon, a gesture we’re very thankful for.
needed to make life that little bit easier for a “Our first fundraising activity will take
family going through a tough time,” she says. place on Sunday afternoon, 1 December at
“For most of my adult life, I’ve been working Grace O’Malley’s in Whitianga where locals
for charitable organisations and have will have the opportunity to take a photo with
known about Bellyful for quite some time. Santa. A digital copy of each photo costs $10,
Fran’s email and her concern for her friend with the option to purchase Polaroids too.
was just what I needed to try and make a We’re also working on another opportunity
meaningful contribution to our community for photos with Santa a week later after the
here in Mercury Bay.” Whitianga Santa Parade.
Bellyful meals are cooked every few “Fran and I genuinely hope that we’ll get a
months by a team of volunteers in a lot of support from the community.”
“cookathon.” The meals are then packaged, If you’re interested to join Fran and Emily
frozen and distributed to deserving and become a Bellyful Whitianga branch
families. All the meals are cooked in a volunteer, make a financial donation or help
commercial kitchen. Fran Jack (left) and Emily Pavey, the founders of the Bellyful Whitianga branch. in any other way, please email Emily at
Families can contact their local Bellyful Fran is holding her five-month-old daughter, Marie. emily.pavey@Bellyful.org.nz.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 6 November to Wednesday, 13 November - A most unusual and important event will be the Transit of Mercury early
in the morning of Tuesday, 12 November. This is the event that Lieutenant Cook observed while in Mercury Bay in 1769 and his observations
allowed him to precisely locate the position of New Zealand on the globe for the first time. A telescope with a special solar filter will be needed
to see the transit, but interested stargazers will be able to use one of the many set up at the Banks Street Reserve in Cooks Beach. We will
have only an hour or so to see the last stages of the transit as the Sun rises, but this rare event is not to be missed. Wednesday, 6 November -
The International Space Station (ISS) will make a very bright pass overhead starting at 8:58pm in the southwest and ending at 9:03pm in the Astronomy Tours and B&B
northeast when it goes into the Earth’s shadow. Thursday, 7 November - The ISS will be visible very low in the western sky starting at 9:47pm
Phone (07) 866 5343
and ending at 9:49pm as it disappears into the Earth’s shadow. Friday, 8 November - The last visible pass of the ISS in the evening for a couple
of weeks starts at 8:58pm in the west and ends at 9:03pm. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019
Last day of MBAS aeroplane
build programme for 2019
The Mercury Bay Area School aeroplane build programme concluded for 2019 on Wednesday
last week. The school students and staff, and community mentors involved in the programme,
as well as the students’ parents, got together for a barbecue and reflected on a difficult year.
The programme sadly lost two community mentors, Jim Evans and Peter Austin, during the
course of the year and delays in the shipment of equipment from the US have also put the
programme behind schedule.
“It’s unfortunate that the aeroplane we’re working on now, our fourth Van’s RV12, isn’t yet
finished, but we’re not far off,” MBAS teacher, George Fletcher, told everyone who attended the
barbecue. “The equipment we’ve been waiting for will be in Whitianga soon and when we come
back next year, it may only take six weeks or so to get the plane into the air.”
The students involved in the programme are all sitting NCEA exams from this week. Three of
the eight students won’t be returning to the programme next year. Jed Greig and Emmanuel
Johnston are in Year 13 and will be finishing school this year, while Year 12 student,
Cara Bosman, will be spending next year in the Netherlands as an exchange student.
The three students who are leaving the programme were each presented with a toolbox they
built when they joined the programme in January 2018. “If you compare the quality of the rivets
on the toolboxes to the rivets on the aeroplane we’re building, you can see the students have
come a long way,” George said.
The new aeroplane will be registered MBB and will be owned by the Mercury Bay Aero Club as
a training and hire-and-fly aircraft. The first aeroplane MBAS students built, flew in 2013 for the
first time and was registered MBA.
Pictured are Jed (on the left), Emmanuel and Cara holding their toolboxes. With them
in the photo are the two MBAS staff members involved in the aeroplane build programme,
Patrick Pfister (between Jed and Emmanuel) and George Fletcher.
858 - 614November
Issue 870 August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
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Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019
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858 - 614November
Issue 870 August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Whitianga couple’s love of motorhoming
inspires new book
If taking to the open road in your own caravan offer,” said Don.
or motorhome is up there on your bucket list, This is the third book Don and Marilyn have
then you can literally take a leaf out of Whitianga produced together. They wrote it having just
couple, Don and Marilyn Jessen’s latest book. spent a summer exploring the lower North
The husband and wife team have combined Island and East Cape.
their extensive writing and photography In the book’s introduction, the couple wrote,
expertise with their love for and knowledge “Our current RV of choice is a fully restored
of motorcamping to produce a charming and and self-contained 1958 14-foot Liteweight
informative new resource, “RV There Yet - Kiwi Caravan. Over the years we have owned
A Guide to Owning and Using a Recreational many RVs, including 11 caravans, a 6m Toyota
Vehicle in New Zealand.” Coaster bus and an 11m Isuzu bus, both of
From choosing and setting up your which we converted from bus to motorhome.
recreational vehicle (RV), to living life on the “Among our RV experiences is nine months
open road, according to Don and Marilyn the living in a caravan while our house was being
book is designed to walk readers through all built, braving the cold of a Waikato winter,
stages of the decision-making process, starting and acquiring many hilarious memories,
with identifying their RV dreams and then including dead possums curled up around
tackling the practical realities of RV ownership. the hot water tank, a mice invasion of plague
“We wanted to show people that it can be proportions and frozen water tanks.”
done, it can be done responsibly and it doesn’t Don has years of experience in the caravan
Whitianga residents, Don and Marilyn Jessen, alongside their vintage
have to cost the earth,” said Marilyn. industry, working with his father, Tek Jessen,
caravan with a copy of their new book “RV There Yet - A guide to Owning and Using a
Using their own experiences and those of the founder of Liteweight Caravans Limited.
many friends and acquaintances they have
Recreational Vehicle in New Zealand.” Ultimately, the husband and wife team really
encountered on their travels, the couple maintenance, our aim is to assist people to Don said. just want to help people getting into motorhome
highlight the pros and cons of various vehicles become informed, confident and responsible New Zealanders use their RVs for holidays, ownership and have a positive experience,
while sharing some personal stories about their motorcampers.” to live in permanently, to put up extra guests or and maybe even inspire those who are
owners. “It’s sort of like open homes, except it’s An explosion in the number of RV owners as temporary accommodation when working contemplating the idea, but don’t know where
open motorhomes where the owners invite the and users in the past decade, along with the lack away from home. Their owners come from to start.
reader into their caravan or motorhome and give of an over-arching resource to assist people who all walks of life, with many in their 50s, 60s The book includes tips on planning your
them a guided tour,” Marilyn said. are starting out, inspired the Jessens to write and 70s opting for a life of adventure on the perfect trip, including how to find the perfect
“We also did a tremendous amount of research the book. open road. spot, staying in touch when on the road, freedom
and married that with our own knowledge that “You can travel the length and breadth “We give you a tiny glimpse of some camping and tapping into local events.
we have picked up over the years. There’s so of New Zealand, stop at Department of outstanding RVs and the wonderful people “RV There Yet - A Guide to Owning and
much information that people need to know Conservation camps, freedom camping sites who inhabit them. We step inside their rigs Using a Recreational Vehicle in New Zealand”
just in terms of legislation alone. Whether and New Zealand Motor Caravan Association and talk to them about their road to becoming is published by Bateman Books and is available
it’s building, purchasing, self-containment, parks or motorcamps, and you cannot help RV owners and how they enjoy this wonderful around the Coromandel Peninsula, including at
powering up, legal responsibilities, safety or but notice the RVs parked up everywhere,” lifestyle exploring all that New Zealand has to Paper Plus and Mosaic Gallery in Whitianga.
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019
Impressive Tuia Art
Exhibition at MBAS
The inspirational impact of Tuia 250
was evident in glorious colour at
Mercury Bay Area School’s Tuia Art
Exhibition on Wednesday last week,
which featured the brilliant creative
efforts of the primary students.
From a giant Endeavour to an
ocean-going waka, handshakes,
waves, native flora and fauna and so
much more, the artworks captured
the themes of navigation and
coming together that defined the
recent Tuia commemoration events
in Mercury Bay. Through paintings,
mosaics, sculptures, photographs,
felt, weaving, poetry and story-
writing, the students portrayed
the many tales of Tuia they have
explored during what has been
almost a year of learning about this
defining time in both Mercury Bay
and New Zealand history.
During the exhibition, students who
were busy checking out each other’s
artworks recalled and shared their
recollections about what they had
learned about Cook, Tupaia and
the other early navigators, while
describing the techniques they
had used to produce some of their
pieces.
Most of the artworks were available
for purchase through a silent
auction system.
Pictured are Year 4 students Melah
Conder and Adison Murray in front
of “Endeavour,” one of the largest
pieces in the exhibition.
Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Changing of the guard at MBAS Lifers
and Leaders assembly
The annual Mercury Bay Area School Lifers and Leaders assembly was held on Tuesday last Caleb Tane and Olivia Clague.
week, honouring the 19 students who have spent their entire school career at the school, In the photo on the right are the senior student leaders for 2020. Back, from the left - Juliette Lidgard
as well those stepping into senior student leadership roles in 2020. (head girl), Sam McDonald (deputy head boy/sports leader), Anna Stevenson (deputy head girl/
The “lifers” were all presented with a kauri seedling by the MBAS 2019 new entrants, sports leader), Isabel Lunn (communications/media leader), Alice Robinson (communications/
who will be Year 13s in 2032. The new leaders all received a hug or a handshake form their media leader), Amelia Lockhart (academic/arts/vocational leader), Hannah Murphy
2019 counterparts. (hauora/wellbeing leader), Summer Power (hauora/wellbeing leader) and Anna Cunningham
In the photo on the left are the lifers who attended the assembly with their kauri seedlings. (academic/arts/vocational leader). Front, from the left - Floyd Ross (head boy), Bianca Harsant-
Back, from the left - Jaide Luff, Rhiannan Johnson, Francesca Dowling, Gabriel Asquith, Sowter (Board of Trustees student representative/overall student/school wellbeing leader),
Petra Fisher, Ronin Flynn, Angelo Power, Kaya Farrell, Tane Jones, Jemma Laker and Isabella Patrick Ear (international/cultural leader), Elisse Williams (international/cultural leader) and
Elder. Front, from the left - Luke Caddy, Grace Tule, Jed Greig, Troy Bernhard, Maria Booker, Molly Hunt (academic/arts/vocational leader).
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019
Choir getting ready for WHITIANGA PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
“Spring into Summer” concert Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Recently seen and heard on The Tuia Stage, the Mercury Bay Community Choir is getting Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
ready to welcome the summer season, with their “Spring into Summer” concert on Sunday, and Associates
17 November at the Whitianga Town Hall.
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy
The concert will kick off at 2:00pm and will include the song “Welcome to Our World,” arranged
by local musician and songwriter, Yvette Audain. Yvette’s arrangement intertwines Te Reo Maori
and English lyrics and was commissioned specifically for the choir’s Tuia Stage performance, Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
where it was a big hit. Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
The concert will feature a variety other music, including a segment by the choir’s small ensemble. Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
In addition, Whitianga Music Club members, Svenja and Gra eme Thomber, will perform two of
their own original songs, also composed for Tuia 250. Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
The afternoon of beautiful music will be followed by the choir’s “famous in Whiti” afternoon tea. excellence in physical health care
Raffle tickets will also be sold.
Concert tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 18 and can be purchased at Mercury Dr Adam’s and Hemmes’s Surgery - Ph (07) 868 9579
Bay Pharmacy or at the door on the day.
Pictured are members of the choir practising for the concert.
Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019
Museum Musings The event that inspired
By Rebecca Cox - Mercury Bay Museum Manager
Te Mahutatanga o Takero - Mercury Rising
the name Mercury Bay
By Gillian O’Neill
What a fantastic start to our busy summer in a Box will be outside the Mercury Bay A transit of Mercury will happen just 14 times throughout the entire 21st century, but it’s the
season. Te Pōwhiri and the Tuia 250 events were Museum. Come chat with the Otago Museum’s transit of 1769 that links the Coromandel and in particular Mercury Bay with this significant
well supported by all and we loved having a lot science communicators and do some hands- celestial event.
of visitors through the Mercury Bay Museum - on experiments. Just as it did 250 years ago - when the explorer James Cook and HMB Endeavour astronomer,
it was a buzz! Portable Planetarium - Saturday 9 to Monday, Charles Green, famously observed and documented the phenomenon in Cooks Beach -
Our next big event is Te Mahutatanga o 11 November from 10:00am to 5:00pm every on Tuesday next week (12 November), the innermost planet of our solar system will make its
Takero/Mercury Rising. This kicks off on day at the Whitianga Town Hall. way across the face of the Sun, taking around five and half hours to complete its journey.
Saturday this week with the Otago Museum’s Stargazing Party - From Monday, 11 November In New Zealand, only the final part of the transit will be visible at dawn when, clear skies
Lab in a Box and planetarium. As the sun rises at 10:00pm to Tuesday, 12 November at permitting, stargazers will see the tiny black dot that is Mercury against the background of the
over New Zealand on Tuesday, 12 November, 6:00am at the Banks Street Reserve, Cooks rising sun.
a rare transit of Mercury across the sun will be in Beach. Join us for a chance to see your A telescope will be required, and the best opportunity to get a good view of this unique event
progress. Two-hundred-and-fifty years and only favourite stars, constellations, planets and other is to join the Mahutatanga o Takero/Mercury Rising transit viewing at the Banks Street Reserve
a few days earlier, astronomer Charles Green astronomical beauties. in Cooks Beach where solar telescopes will be available.
and Lieutenant James Cook observed a similar Transit Viewing - Tuesday, 12 November from
The 2019 transit will be almost 250 years to the day since Cook and Green set their sights
transit from Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury Bay. 6:00am to 7:00am at the Banks Street Reserve,
Join us across New Zealand to celebrate the Cooks Beach.
on a spot in the vicinity of what is now the Purangi Reserve in Cooks Beach. According to
transit together this year. As the sun comes up on 12 November, we will records from The Treasury in Thames, Cook and Green went ashore at 8:00am on 9 November
Here is a list of what to expect during Te be able to witness the end of Mercury’s transit 1769 to observe that year’s transit of Mercury. Naturalist, Joseph Banks, who didn’t participate
Mahutatanga o Takero/Mercury Rising. across the sun. We will have solar telescopes in the observation, recorded this as being one of the few fine days “with not the smallest
Mercury Rising Roadshow guest speakers - and experts to help you get a good view of cloud intervening...”
Saturday, 9 November at the Whitianga Town the transit and take pictures to show friends Cook and Green had a total of four telescopes and two clocks as well as an astronomical
Hall. Free entry. Tickets available from www. and family. quadrant. The observation of the transit helped Cook determine the exact position of his
eventbrite.co.nz. The expert speakers include Look out for more information on our observation point with regard to latitude.
Dr Nick Rattenbury, Professor Karen Pollard Facebook page, the Te Mahutatanga o A sculpture of a sextant has been installed on a memorial plinth located close to the
and Associate Professor Emma Bunce. Doors Takero/Mercury Rising Facebook page and observation spot, while a buoy now marks the point where the HMB Endeavour was moored
open at 6:00pm, the talks starts at 6:30pm. www.mercuryrisingproject.com. during Cook and the Endeavour’s 12 day visit to Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury Bay.
Lab in a Box Roadshow - Saturday 9 to See you all soon, The 1769 observation left a lasting and far-reaching legacy, with Cook choosing to name Te
Monday, 11 November from 10:00am to Becs Cox Whanganui o Hei, the Great Bay of Hei, as Mercury Bay.
5:00pm every day. The Otago Museum’s Lab Manager Mercury Bay Museum The recent Tuia 250 commemoration activities shone the spotlight on the achievements
and legacy of all the great navigators from our Maori, Pacific and European cultures.
Early transit of Mercury observations were significant as it was the first accurate way to
determine the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
After next week, the next transit of Mercury won’t occur again until 13 November 2032.
Amazingly, in another 250 years’ time, once again almost to the day, on 10 November, 2269,
there will be another Mercury transit, coinciding with what will be the 500th anniversary of the
arrival of HMB Endeavour in Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury Bay.
For full details of the Mercury Rising programme of events, see Rebecca Cox’s Museum
Musings column on this page and the advertisements on the opposite page, or visit
www.mercuryrisingproject.com.
Rebecca Cox, manager of the Mercury Bay Museum, with Dr Ian Griffin, Mercury Rising is a collaboration between the Otago Museum, the Mercury Bay Museum
director of the Otago Mueum. and the Mercury 250th Anniversary Trust.
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed throughout the
Coromandel Peninsula. What’s that Number?
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours .....................................................111
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ONLINE POLL FOR October 2019
the New Zealand Media Council, PO Box 10 879, Wellington 6143 or
www.presscouncil.org.nz. Should The Whitianga Hotel’s application for a new
See page 2 for what’s happening Like us on Facebook. tavern licence have been refused?
in the night sky and the Whitianga and
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Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Letters to the Editor
See page 11 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - Refusal of The Whitianga Hotel’s overnight going to “…reduce the good order of
application for a Tavern Licence the locality…”
I read in The Informer of 23 October that an And as for the drunk driver saying he/she
application by The Whitianga Hotel owners had been drinking at the hotel raises another
for a tavern licence has been declined by question - is the DLC saying in effect that it is
the Thames-Coromandel District Licensing part of the responsibility of the hotel to see that
Committee (DLC). every patron who has a drink or two does not
The function of the DLC as a judicial body is drive? Surely this is the drinker’s prerogative
to weigh the evidence from both the applicant and not the obligation of the hotel. Yet the
(the hotel) and from the objectors (in this DLC in accepting this evidence seems to be
case the Police and the Thames-Coromandel saying otherwise.
Licensing Inspector - and no other objectors) The hotel decision by the DLC was released
and to come to a fair and reasonable decision. on 30 September. On 16 September, the DLC
The decision the DLC came to was to decline heard the application for yet another bottle
the application because “…on balance… the store in Whitianga with many objectors,
good order of the locality of the hotel would be including 16 members of the public. Despite the
reduced by more than a minor extent.” objections, the DLC in their wisdom granted
Using the words “on balance” in their the application, making it the ninth off licence The Whitianga Hotel will not be able to sell alcohol after Saturday, 30 November.
decision, the DLC obviously took account premises in Whitianga.
So, the same DLC declines the application members Murray Clearwater, Brent Holmes and spat upon, and traffic officers are particularly
of Police evidence of drunk persons on the
by the hotel for a tavern licence because of a Peter French. loathed. Being subjected to this sort of treatment
premises one night, a fight opposite the hotel on
couple of drunk patrons and a scrap across the quite likely make some police officers “harder,”
another night and drunk drivers saying they had Dear Editor - A tribute to Pat Doak and more suspicious and cynical. Certainly
been drinking at the hotel. road against years and years of solid operation, I did not attend the funeral of “Policeman Pat,”
and yet grants a new off licence that is hardly over the years there have been a few bad apples
Let’s take a reality check here. How many but through The Informer I would like to pay among their ranks, but name me a trade or a
taverns in New Zealand have never had drunk needed with the number of off licences already tribute to him.
in Whitianga. profession where this has never happened.
patrons, have never seen a fight outside their In my childhood, many years ago, I was told Pat Doak, through his unfailing kindness,
premises and have never had a drunk driver Perhaps the DLC needs to take a step the policeman was my friend, someone who was
back and consider the realities of how these helpfulness, empathy and good humour, touched
claim they had been drinking at that tavern? there to help and protect me. It was impressed the lives of many and earned the respect,
If this is the criteria for granting or renewing two bizzare decisions will be affecting the on me that if ever I was lost or felt threatened,
Whitianga community. affection and regard of the whole community.
a tavern licence, then there should be no grants I should look for a policeman. He will be sorely missed. Perhaps it is time
or renewals of such licences anywhere in Peter Mackenzie As police officers in those days “walked for the wider public to re-think their attitudes
New Zealand. Whitianga the beat,” they were usually more visible than towards the men in blue. Because we do not live
And let’s take a look at the period of years The Editor’s Note - It was last week confirmed that now and not hard to find. Generally speaking, in an ideal world, we really need them.
Whitianga Hotel has served alcohol and held a The Whitianga Hotel will, at least for the time law-abiding citizens tended to respect them and Farewell Pat, I am sorry you did not get to
liquor licence. The hotel recently celebrated being, not be able to sell alcohol after Saturday, liked to see them about. enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
its 150th anniversary. The hotel is part of the 30 November. The Thames-Coromandel Times seem to have changed. Police now, Patricia Briant
colour and history of Whitianga and is not District Licencing Committee comprises of too often, are reviled, abused, attacked and Whitianga
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13“The South Afreakins” to Coromandel Outdoor Learning
entertain in Whitianga Centre welcomes first visitors
“The South Afreakins,” playing at the Coghill Theatre in Whitianga on Monday, 25 November,
is a solo show about leaving everything you’ve ever known and starting over again.
Gordon and Helene are in their 60s and living in South Africa. Their son had been shot years
earlier and their continued grief and feeling of being unsafe impacts their lives in a negative
way. Helene insists on moving and bravely they immigrate to “Otemoetai” in rural New Zealand.
Once settled in New Zealand, Helene thrives, but Gordon is not happy and yearns for home.
Throughout the show, the audience get to know an ordinary yet hardly agreeable pair.
Through their marital banter, Helene’s bright and optimistic nature, and witty disposition
entertains as it goes head to head with Gordon, the dull, but loyal and caring husband.
The South Afreakins is a dark comedy which highlights the highs and lows of a South African
couple emigrating to New Zealand and coming to terms with a very different life. The show
has been well received by audiences all over and promises to impress with a commanding
performance by Robyn Paterson (pictured) who has also written the play.
Robyn is a South African born actress who has been a professional playwright and actress
for more than 14 years in theatre, film and television in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. One of the first students to visit the newly branded Coromandel Outdoor Learning Centre has been
Her credits include playing the lead in the London immersive theatre show, “The Generation enjoying her experiences in Mercury Bay and is keen to recommend the centre’s programme to other
of Z,” and Channel 4’s “Anzac Girls,” which premiered in 2015. She has been writing theatre international visitors.
since 2010. Her first one-woman show, “Introducing Anna,” had a sell-out season at Auckland’s Elisa Korkeakoski from Finland (pictured at the Taputapuatea Spit in Whitianga) has spent the past month
Basement Theatre. Her second play in 2011, “Mooi River,” finished third in the Playwrights B4 working with Kim Lawry, who has been providing environmental educational opportunities to students for
25 competition in New Zealand. many years as part of Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre. Following the closure of the language school
Tickets for the 25 November performance of The South Afreakins are available from Mercury earlier this year, Kim decided to develop a programme that allows overseas visitors to learn about and
Bay Pharmacy in Albert Street, Whitianga. Adult tickets cost $25 and students tickets (under 19 contribute to New Zealand’s environmental protection efforts.
years of age) cost $10. “It’s been amazing. I’ve been identifying various birds and trees, learning so much about nature in New
Zealand and feeling like I have made a contribution to the community also,” Elisa told The Informer.
Activities Elisa participated in included dune planting at the Taputapuatea Spit, kauri maintenance work at
Comers Road south of Whitianga, pest trapping at the Waitaia and tending to seedlings at the native plant
nursery Kim started in 2012. Over the past seven years, Kim and the Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre
team have, through the nursery, donated more than 10,000 plants to conservation efforts in Mercury Bay.
Elisa has also taken advantage of the additional homestay option offered by the learning centre and says,
while English tuition is not a part of the programme, her English has improved as a result. “You learn in a
more natural way, I think. You’re needing to listen to and speak English all the time and asking what new
words mean. I feel I have definitely improved and I’m slowly getting more confident,” she said.
Elisa heard about the newly launched initiative when she emailed Kim. “My sister was a student at
Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre. She told me about the language school and about Whitianga and
really recommended it to me. When I contacted Kim, he told me about the new programme and it sounded
great. I think if you’re open-minded and like giving things a go, you will really enjoy this programme,”
Elisa said.
Elisa will spend another few weeks in Mercury Bay before moving on to explore more of New Zealand,
but says she will definitely be sharing her experiences working with Kim with friends and family back
home. “I feel very lucky, I’m so glad that I had this opportunity. It has been a very special part of my New
Zealand adventure,” she said.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Top accolades for Guthrie
Bowron Whitianga
It was a double celebration for the team of Guthrie Bowron Whitianga, taking out two top
accolades in the company’s national awards for 2019.
The store claimed the title Guthrie Bowron Supreme Store of the Year as well as Flooring
Store of the Year, and was also named a finalist in the Window Fashions (Drapery) category.
The awards were announced at the company’s awards evening held in Auckland on Wednesday
last week.
“The Supreme Store of the Year award is in recognition of fantastic leadership, culture and
achievements the team of GB Whitianga consistently deliver. This team sets a benchmark for
any business in their service delivery and engagement in their local community. They will no
doubt feature in next year’s awards as well,” said Alan Heatlie, a director of GBHC (2014),
the Guthrie Bowron franchisor.
There are 44 Guthrie Bowron stores across New Zealand.
Pictured are (from the left) Jody Costello (the GB Whitianga assistant-manager),
Alan Heatlie, Julian and Rachael Lee (the GB Whitianga owners) and Ed Connolly (the CEO of
GBHC (2014) Limited) at the awards evening.
Mobility equipment available for locals and visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs.
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019What’s On The next few weeks
Op-Shops Mercury Bay Badminton
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Meets every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Whitianga. All welcome.
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Mercury Bay Table Tennis
The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Meets every Tuesday from 9:30am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Whitianga. All welcome. Phone
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm. Anne Williamson on (027) 565 5575 for more information.
St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday Social Road Cycling
10:00am - 2:00pm. A 20km ride. Meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9:00am opposite Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Followed by
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop coffee. Phone Tony on (021) 023 38323 for more information.
Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Serenity Al-Anon Group
Justice of the Peace Meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone (07) 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by
Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive someone else’s drinking.
Whitianga. Phone Warren Young on (07) 869 5354 or (022) 635 4958, or Whitianga Social Services on (07) 866 4476 for Alcoholics Anonymous
more information. Meets every Thursday at 6:30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Anglican Church, Dundas Street, Whitianga.
Matarangi Craft Group Cooks Beachcare Group
Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley Make new friends, learn about conservation and make a difference. We meet Thursdays for hands-on weeding and
on 866 0788 for more information. planting, 9:00am - 11:00am. Register on our website, www.cooksbeachcare.org.nz or phone Adele on (021) 201 6625.
Whenuakite Area Playgroup Whitianga Tramping Group
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 12:30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Ages birth - six years. Visitors welcome. Tea and Meet every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information.
coffee are provided.
Whitianga Playcentre Whitianga Skatepark Community Workshops
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Witianga. For children 0 - 6 years, Thursday, 7 November at the Mercury Bay Community Boardroom, 10 Monk Street, Whitianga. Workshop 1
free entry. Visitors welcome. from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Workshop 2 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Purpose of the workshops - to discuss the concept
Mercury Bay Quilters Group Whitianga Skatepark design presented by Convic consultants.
Meets on the first and the third Monday and the second and the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00am - 4:00pm Te Mahutatanga o Takero/Mercury Rising
at Whitianga Social Services, Cook Drive, Whitianga. New members are always welcome. For more information phone Saturday 9 to Tuesday, 12 November. Read about the programme on pages 10 and 11 of this issue of The Informer.
Delys on (07) 866 0265. Mercury Bay Lionesses Garden Ramble
Scrapbags Quilting Group Saturday 9 and Sunday, 10 November. Eighteen gardens. Opening times - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sunday
Meets every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. 10:00am - 2:00pm. Tickets $25 each, available from Mosaic Gallery, Albert Street, Whitianga.
phone Shelley on (07) 866 0236 for more information. Waka Ama Cathedral Cove Challenge
Mercury Bay Woolcraft Group Saturday 9 and Sunday, 10 November. All races start and finish at Buffalo Beach, Whitianga. Racing on Saturday
Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am - 2:00pm. in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, starts at 10:30am. Racing on Sunday starts at 9:30am.
Whitianga. Phone Wendy Russell on (07) 866 3225 for more information. Des Townson Memorial Regatta
Dog Walking Group Saturday, 9 November at the Whitianga Waterways (off Vanita Drive). Electron model yachts will be sailed.
Meets every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog. From 9:00am - 4:00pm.
Phone Jenny on (021) 186 5797 for more information. New World Wine Tasting
Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga Tuesday 12 November from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, The Esplanade, Whitianga.
Meets every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in Room 10 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Try some of New World’s top 50 wines. Tickets $25 each, available from the New World Whitianga checkout
Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals and eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely. operators. A fundraiser for the Mercury Bay Lionesses general fund.
Check out our Facebook page or phone (07) 869 5648 for more information. Whitianga Santa Parade
Whitianga Art Group and Gallery Saturday, 7 December. Cost $10 per float. Entry forms available from The Informer’s offices at 14 Monk Street,
Open for painting Wednesdays 6:30pm - 9:30pm, and Thursdays and Fridays 10:00am - 4:00pm. Visitors welcome, Whitianga or at www.theinformer.co.nz.
School Road, Whitianga.
Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle 870
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Tel no: ________________________________________________________________
Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
their prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which they were announced the winner.
ACROSS DOWN
1. Supply & ... 1. Little tunes
5. Angry crowds
7. Unhitch 2. Die down
8. Brass instrument 3. Loses shine
9. Iconic whale, ... Dick 4. Desperate, in dire ...
10. Hit the road Timber & Cork Floor
5. Relic Installation
11. Drives forward
13. Fingertip cover 6. Childish & silly
Polyurethane
14. Leafy side dishes 12. Young chap coating & colouring
18. Slow-moving mammals 15. Arithmetic mean
21. Tax
22. Portable 16. Anyone Call
24. Car stopping device 17. Relieve itch chris mcKibbin
M: 021 046 7169
25. Tropical tuber 19. Zodiac sign
26. Burial chamber 20. Fizzy powder
27. Risky www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz
28. Seductive 22. Actress, ... Streep
29. Spend (3,3) 23. Fragmented
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Anita Jenkins
“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week)
“Waiho tēnā!” - Leave that alone!
Saying of the week supplied by Te Puna Reo o Whitianga - a playgroup with a focus on Māori tikanga and te reo Māori.
The group members meet every Monday and Tuesday at 9:00am at the old dental clinic at Mercury Bay Area School. All those with pēpi or young tamariki are welcome to join.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019Observation platform at Stella
Evered Memorial Park now open The Fire Siren
Sponsored by Safety + Apparel - tel 0800 726 726
October has been a quiet month for the If you are going to burn anything outside,
Whitianga Volunteer Fire brigade with only please go online, to “Check it’s all right
eight calls for assistance. We were called to before you light.” This will tell you if a permit
one motor vehicle accident, one private fire is required and what conditions you need to
alarm activation, three calls to assist the adhere to if you do light a fire.
ambulance and one scrub fire, and we backed The last month was very sad for us all with
up the Coromandel Town Volunteer Fire the passing of Pat Doak, a great man that will
Brigade twice. be dearly miss by all of the Mercury Bay area,
The scrub fire turned into quite a significant especially the local fire brigades. We all had a
fire, where at one stage we had 33 firefighters great connection with Pat.
working at the scene. This is a reminder Remember to be careful out there and
going into summer that a fire can spread very stay safe.
fast and with a bit of wind, can quickly get Deputy Chief Fire Officer
out of control. Derek Collier
The latest addition to a growing list of impressive landmarks around the Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury Bay
area is now open to the public.
The towering eight metre observation platform (pictured) above the Purangi Estuary at the Stella Evered
Memorial Park is part of the Purangi Heritage Project. Complemented by a traditional Māori pa, the work
was headed by Perpetual Guardian, the Stella Evered Memorial Park trustee, in consultation with Ngāti
Hei’s Joe Davis and George Gray.
Landscaping and project manager, John Gaukrodger, says both the pa and platform, with its magnificent
views across the Bay to Wharekaho, Shakespeare Cliff and the Transit of Mercury memorial site in Cooks
Beach, will be a popular destination for visitors and way-point for walkers once the proposed Te Ara o Hei
Walk from Whitianga to Hahei is completed.
The historic site itself, where Lieutenant James Cook raised his flag in November 1769, is next to the
Wairere Tāhukea stream where the Endeavour crew obtained their fresh water. The platform was designed
specifically to cater for classrooms of school children and tour groups wanting to learn more about the
history of New Zealand.
A network of pathways and short bush walks at the park, with their colourful bird life and native plants,
link other attractions such as a giant pohutukawa tree, thought to be well over 500 years old, and the
World War I Somme Memorial Forest. Access to the Stella Evered Memorial Park is via Lees Road west
of Hahei.
H O U S E WA S H I N G
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The Expert with the time tested and guaranteed method of removing mould,
lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a clean, Drew can
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Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
Issue 870
858 - 614November
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19Sudoku
Sudoku Puzzle 870
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Tel no: _________________________________________________________________
Win two Trumpet ice creams. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
their prize from Buffalo Beach Four Square directly before the Wednesday of the week following
the issue in which they were announced the winner.
Sudoku Puzzle Instructions
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once.
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Isabel Lloyd
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 870 - 6 November 2019You can also read
