Visiting students relish the delights of the Coromandel
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Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000
Visiting students relish the delights
of the Coromandel
By Gillian O’Neill
The student group from Māngere College who spent a week visiting the Coromandel with the support and assistance of the local community.
Twenty-nine students and six staff from The activities for the week included the Tours, flax weaving, a boat trip with Sea Paul said the feedback from the young people
Māngere College, Auckland have extended students planning, buying and cooking Cave Adventure and korero from Joe Davis, who participated in the trip was superb with
their sincere thanks to the communities of their own food on a budget, hiking through a Ngāti Hei kaumātua, about the historic quotes like, “I got to see a lot of things I have
the Coromandel Peninsula who hosted them gold mines, swimming, visiting Cathedral encounter between Māori and Europeans in never seen before in real life,” “I had so much
recently for a week of adventure, hospitality Cove and Hot Water Beach, a tour of the 1769,” said Paul. fun learning history,” and “It taught me how
and unique learning experiences. Martha Mine at Waihi and talks on local Shelley Balsom, the owner of Waka Tours, to work as a team, it also gave me the chance
Thanks to the combined efforts of several environmental issues, including mining and said the students were an awesome group to to experience what most of our ancestors
local businesses and community organisations, kauri dieback. “At Hot Water Beach the host. “They were so interested in everything, went through to get to their destination.”
the group was able to experience the very best students learnt about water safety from surf they asked questions about all sorts of While Paul said the students would be
of what the Coromandel has to offer while sharing their experience with the tamariki
lifesaver, Taimania, and appreciated Carter, things,” she said. “They absolutely loved the
learning about the history and the people at Bader Intermediate School and Māngere
of the area, and all at a minimal cost to the
Joe and Holly, also from the Hot Water Beach waka ama and they worked so well together Central School to inspire the next generation
students, only one of whom had visited the Surf Lifesaving Club being on patrol to help as a team. It was a real pleasure having them. to visit the Coromandel, Shelley described
Peninsula previously. ensure they were kept safe,” said Paul. “We know for a Decile 1 school, getting how their attitude throughout the visit was a
“Māngere College would like to acknowledge Through Whitianga-based business, Waka this sort of a trip together and funding it is wonderful reminder of all that the Peninsula
the contribution of the local community and Tours, the students also had the opportunity a big ask, so we were very happy to help out has to offer. “I think we sometimes take it
a grant from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local to connect with mana whenua and understand where we could and make sure the students for granted because it’s right here at our
Board which meant that the students only had more about the first encounters with European really had a great experience.” backdoor, but when you see the enthusiasm
to give a $20 contribution towards transport settlers in Mercury Bay. “A highlight for the The week was rounded off with a softball the kids had for everything, it really was a
and accommodation for the trip,” said Paul week was forming a connection with Ngāti game against students from Mercury Bay great reminder of how lucky we are to live in
Campbell, school guidance councillor. Hei which included waka ama with Waka Area School. this amazing place,” she said.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Busy fundraising time for the
Whitianga Lions
The members of the Lions Club of Whitianga have been very busy with two fundraising campaigns substantial amount of money,” says Ian Robbie, Whitianga Lions president. “We’re very pleased with
over the past few months. how the raffle went.”
Firstly, in conjunction with the Coromandel Town Lions, they have collected 49kg of “old money” for The first raffle prize, New World vouchers to the value of $1,000, was won by Whitianga resident,
the Heads Up for Kids programme of Lions Clubs New Zealand. Chris Kelly. “That was a great surprise and very welcome just before Christmas,” she says.
Launched in July 2010, Heads Up for Kids asks New Zealanders to dig out and donate old decimal But that’s not the end of it. Keep an eye out for the Whitianga Lions over the next few weeks as
and pre-decimal New Zealand currency, and all foreign money. The obsolete cash is then redeemed they will be selling raffle tickets for the Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival. Two great kayak packages
for New Zealand dollars and used to fund education programmes for young New Zealanders that will donated by Dive Zone Whitianga are up for grabs.
enable them to establish their goals in life and live their dream. In the photo on the left is Lions zone chairman, Gordon Barnaby (left), and Ian Robbie with the “old
In the second instance, the Whitianga Lions have been selling tickets for their annual raffle to raise money” collected for the Heads Up for Kids programme. In the photo on the right is Ian with Chris
money for the Whitianga Bike Park and top up their club reserves from which they support other Kelly (centre) and Manisha Matthews, organiser of the Whitianga Lions’ annual raffle.
community projects. “We’ve had great support from local businesses with raffle prizes and raised a
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday, 16 December to Wednesday, 23 December - Monday, 21 December is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year,
but also the day when Jupiter and Saturn have their “Great Conjunction.” They will be the closest together in the sky that they have been since 1623
when Galileo was watching. However for us in the southern hemisphere they will be quite hard to spot as they will be very low on the southwestern
horizon at sunset, so the sky will still be quite bright. Jupiter will be the brighter of the two with Saturn just to the right and quite a bit fainter as it is
twice as far away from us. Both should be clearly visible with binoculars or a small telescope just after the sun has disappeared below the horizon.
Wednesday, 16 December - Jupiter and Saturn lie above and to the right of an extremely thin crescent Moon in the western evening twilight. A bright
International Space Station (ISS) pass tonight in the NW from 9:30pm. Thursday, 17 December - The Moon is now just to the left of Jupiter and Saturn Astronomy Tours and B&B
very low in the west. Friday, 18 December - The Moon is now above and to the right of the very close pair of Jupiter and Saturn low in the west. Phone (07) 866 5343
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Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
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4 Dakota Drive
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Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
The PM’s plans to holiday on
the Coromandel
The Coromandel has been branded as the place themselves without too much interference.
“Where Kiwis Holiday” this summer and it “No doubt locals will be keen to demonstrate a
seems even the Prime Minister agrees. bit of Coro manaakitanga (hospitality), but also
While her precise itinerary has not been understand that Kiwis come here to reconnect
revealed, Jacinda Ardern confirmed to national and need space to do so, and there’s no shortage
media last week that her summer plans include of that in our big backyard,” he says.
visits to the Coromandel. When asked about The Thames-Coromandel District has seen a
how she would be spending her time off surge in domestic visits this year to the extent
after what has been an extraordinary year, that overall tourism spending for the year to
she revealed her main goal was to do nothing September 2020 was down just 3.5 percent
except enjoy time with her family. on the previous 12 months. This compared to
Where precisely holidaymakers might be a drop of 16.5 per cent for the whole of New
able to bump into the Prime Minister over a Zealand. An Infometrics quarterly economic
morning latte has not been confirmed, although report credits this strong performance from the
her partner, Clarke Gayford, is known to be tourism sector for the Coromandel bouncing
a fan of the fishing off the east coast of the back from the impact of the lockdown to record
Peninsula. Back in October he commented, an overall 1.9 percent drop in GDP compared
“I could live in Tairua,” after an episode of to the national figure of minus 3.3 percent.
his television series, “Fish of the Day,” in
While welcoming the figures,
which the the Aldermen Islands were featured.
Thames-Coromandel District Council mayor,
He described The Cathedral, the area’s
Sandra Goudie, says connecting those who
renowned dive spot, as “possibly this year’s
had lost work during the year with new
best of the best.”
opportunities was now an important focus.
Destination Coromandel, who has used
the tagline “Where Kiwis Holiday” for their “There’s definitely some optimism for our
first ever summer campaign, says, wherever district, but we’re hearing from our tourism
Ms Ardern and her family end up staying, and hospitality sector that, while they’re
the Peninsula offers everything they need for preparing for a busy summer season, they’re
some rest and recuperation after the challenges still struggling to hire good staff,” she says.
of 2020. “It doesn’t matter who you are “And this is while our unemployment rate for
or where you’re from, the Coromandel is this quarter has increased.
somewhere you can totally switch off and get “We know that some workers are still
back to the simple things in life,” says general employed but working fewer hours, whereas
manager, Hadley Dryden. “We hope the Prime others are out of a job, but not looking for a
Minister gets a good chance to escape the new role yet. That’s why we’re working with
everyday and enjoy the homegrown food, other agencies and organisations to connect
art and good for your soul therapy that we’re those who are currently unemployed into
well known for.” other work, particularly in the tourism and
Mr Dryden says people on the Coromandel hospitality sector.”
are quite laid back about having well-known As of September, the district’s unemployment
faces appearing in their towns and communities rate was 3.2 per cent, up from 2.6 per cent a
from time to time and tend to let them enjoy year earlier.
699 - 15
Issue 928 27 December
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Twenty-nine years of serious Last year of the
potato growing fun
“Christmas House”
After 23 years providing enjoyment to the children and adults of Mercury Bay, this year
will be the last of the well-known and loved “Christmas House” run by Gordon and the late
Diana Barnaby.
Over time, Gordon and Diana would have raised more than $30,000 from donations made to the
Christmas House “wishing well.” The donations were initially passed on to the Make A Wish
Foundation and more recently to the Mercury Bay Day Camp.
The Lioness Club of Mercury Bay are joining forces with Gordon this year - together with a
number of regular helpers - to provide one last special display of the beauty and joy of Christmas.
The Christmas House at 66 State Highway 25, Wharekaho opened last Sunday and can be visited
every evening between 7:00pm and 10:00pm until Christmas Eve. Santa is present to meet with
children of all ages between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
Pictured is the outside of the Christmas House on Sunday evening.
The spuds in the 2020 version of Whitianga’s longest running potato growing competition was on Saturday
last week dug up and weighed in.
The competition was started 29 years ago between four good friends - Paul Simpson, John McQuillan,
Sno Hamilton and Jim Bradley. Jim moved to Australia in 1998 and Sno unfortunately passed away in
2014. Allan Miles took Jim’s place and Calum McGillivray joined the competition in 2015.
According to a complicated set of handwritten rules, each of the contestants has to enter three potato
plants in the competition. The crop from two of the plants, to be nominated by each contestant before
every year’s dig-up starts, are then counted and weighed and points are awarded for the most potatoes,
heaviest weight overall and heaviest individual spud. The spuds of the third potato plant only come into
play when there is a draw and a “weigh-off” is required.
As it turned out on Saturday, Allan and Paul, who are both residing on South Highway, were on the same
amount of points after Round 1, a situation not encountered many times before. In the weigh-off, the crop
of Alan’s third plant was more impressive than Paul’s crop and Allan was declared the winner.
For Hamilton Crescent neighbours, Callum and John, it wasn’t the best of afternoons. The results led
to an impromptu investigation into the difference in height above sea level between South Highway
and Hamilton Crescent, and John talking about a “gourmet potato” approach this year. There was also
speculation about scientifically altered soil at the two South Highway contestants’ properties.
As the newest contestant, Calum never had voting rights when it came to things like rule changes, and
planting and dig-up dates. A silver lining in a disappointing day for him was when it was announced that
he would be receiving voting rights going forward. “We needed to wait and see if Calum was going to win
this year,” Allan, who made the formal announcement, said. “There was consensus among John, Paul and
myself that he would have been too much to handle if we gave him voting rights on top of winning.”
Pictured are the four competitors after the weigh-in on Saturday. From the left - John McQuillan,
Paul Simpson, Allan Miles and Calum McGillivray.
Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Campervans to be banned from
Whitianga waterfront
Campervans will be banned from the Buffalo at the TCDC service centres. Speaking at last camping visitors find the right places to stay Smart Environmental, TCDC’s solid waste and
Beach waterfront in Whitianga under proposed week’s council meeting, mayor Sandra Goudie and provide them with information on where parks and reserves contractor.
changes to the Thames-Coromandel District’s noted that the number of freedom campers to find public toilets and rubbish and recycling “Our ambassadors are all local and live
freedom camping rules. was significantly down at the moment due to disposal facilities. in the community,” says TCDC’s Bylaws
The revised Freedom Camping Bylaw has just the border closures and urged people to make The six people will work part-time for 10 and Compliance Team Leader, Ken Ward.
been released for public consultation, however, their submissions based on the normal level of weeks with their pay and costs covered as part of “They don’t have the same delegations as
any amendments will not come into effect until activity in their areas, rather than the current a $656,566 grant from the Ministry of Business, our bylaws officers, which means they are
March next year. The decision to make Buffalo situation. Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which is only providing public education and advice.
Beach Road a prohibited area was prompted Meanwhile, TCDC’s Responsible Camping also paying for extra cleaning at public toilets. If people are breaking certain bylaws, it’s our
by what Thames-Coromandel District Council Ambassadors have started their roles They will be using an app to record numbers bylaws team that take action and issue fines if
describes as “significant access and health and encouraging holidaymakers in campervans to of users at designated freedom camping necessary. All our team are totally committed to
safety issues.” stay within the rules as they enjoy their stay sites in real-time, so they can guide visitors assisting people to have an enjoyable time on
“There is sufficient evidence suggesting an on the Coromandel this summer. Council said to locations that may have space remaining. the Peninsula. That includes sharing the Tiaki
issue with access for others to the beach and the the six ambassadors would be helping freedom Five of their vehicles have been sponsored by Promise of caring for New Zealand.”
boardwalk footpath, also, due to the nature of the
parking area, it has become a health and safety
issue, with campervans protruding and tying
pergola and washing lines across the boardwalk
area,” a report presented to the elected members
at last Tuesday’s council meeting stated.
To attempt to resolve the issue of
overcrowding, it is proposed that the current
designated freedom camping area in the Lee
Street carpark in Whitianga be increased to
include all parks at the eastern end of the car
park, approximately doubling the number of
allocated spaces.
Additional spaces are also planned for Paku
Drive, opposite the Tairua Surf Life Saving
Club, and on Woollams Avenue in Coromandel
Town. While these are the main changes
proposed by council, members of the public can
make submissions in relation to any location
around the district. Submissions can be made
online until 2 February at www.tcdc.govt.nz/ TCDC’s Responsible Camping Ambassadors (from the left) Liz Thomas, Heather Campbell, Brent Hallam and Phil Andrew, along with Bylaws
freedomcampingreview or via a form available Compliance Team Leader, Ken Ward. Absent from the photo are Responsible Camping Ambassadors Joke Streukens and Debbie Coyle.
4
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
Rescue Helicopter Update
It is welcome news that the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) will be basing a chopper and crew
in Whitianga during January next year. We appreciate Simon Tomkins, chairman of the ARHT, and Craig
Gibbons, chief executive officer, joining us for a dinner with local community leaders and businessowners
in the Whitianga Town Hall on 20 November where psychologist, Nigel Latta, was the guest speaker.
When Simon had the opportunity to say a few words to everyone who attended the dinner, he emphasised
how much the ARHT value their relationship with us and that they are in full support of our efforts to bring
a rescue helicopter back to the Coromandel on a more permanent basis.
The Health Select Committee of Parliament has been reconstituted after the general election and the
submission on the rescue helicopter petition presented to the House of Representatives in July this
year has been received by the committee. Our founding chairman, Walter Russell, and Stephan Bosman,
owner of The Informer and author of the submission, will travel to Wellington next year to discuss the
submission with the Select Committee in person.
In the meantime, our counter collection boxes available in shops right around the Coromandel Peninsula
are doing very well. Thank you to everyone for their support.
The ARHT will have a tent at the Whitianga Summer Concert on 31 January next year. People will
be able to support them with donations and purchase merchandise at the tent. They are
looking for volunteers to staff the tent during the concert. If you would like to enjoy some excellent
music while helping your community, please give Walter Russell a call on (07) 866 5032 or email him at
walterrussell@slingshot.co.nz.
From all of us at the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust, may you have a wonderful Christmas with your
families and may 2021 be a much better year for us all than this year. Please stay safe during summer.
Merv George
Chairman Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust
4
Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Decades of volunteer efforts honoured in
Community Service Awards
Countless hours of dedicated service given by the community of Hahei and its surrounds,”
volunteers across our community over many his time and generosity in mentoring others
decades were celebrated and acknowledged was noted in his nomination. He was also
with the announcement of the Thames- credited for playing an instrumental role in
Coromandel District Council Community getting a park and ride system established in
Service Awards. Hahei in order to reduce traffic congestion
A total of 12 community leaders selected and parking issues during the peak summer
by their local Community Boards were period, improving the experience for both
recognised at a ceremony led by TCDC visitors and residents alike.
mayor, Sandra Goudie, on Tuesday last week. In Coromandel Town Jean Ashby was
“You all give so freely to your community recognised for her work with the Coromandel
without asking for anything in return, so for Independent Living Trust for the past 20 years
me these awards are so special, celebrating and in particular the huge number of hours
some very special people who volunteer, help- she spent ensuring people had access to basic
out and contribute without strings attached essentials during the COVID-19 lockdown
for the benefit of the wider community,” this year. Also honoured was Claire Laureen
Mrs Goudie said at the ceremony. Stewart for her services as an Anglican
Those honoured from the Mercury Bay Minister, still ministering to the community
Ward were Harold Abrahamson and John whenever asked, despite officially retiring
North. Harold’s nomination described how several years ago.
he moved to Whitianga in 1967 and listed With a lengthy list of roles from Land
the many organisations he was involved with, Search and Rescue and Kauri 2000 to the
including the Mercury Bay Tennis Club, Tairua Walk Society and Tairua Beachcare,
the Mercury Bay Squash Club, the local Trevor Ladd was recognised for services to
ratepayers’ association, the school committee Tairua-Pauanui for over 20 years. Mike King
and Thames-Coromandel District Council. was the second award winner for the Tairua-
As part of the school committee, he Pauanui Ward, also clocking up two decades
was involved in the negotiations for the of volunteering, including as a member of the
establishment of Mercury Bay Area School. Tairua Fire Brigade and the Tairua Golf and
Collectively his contributions to the Mercury Country Club.
Bay community span 30 years. The TCDC Community Service Awards
John North was recognised for his work are presented every two years in order to
with the Hahei Community Library for the give some well-deserved recognition to the
past 10 years, currently holding the role unsung heroes of the various Coromandel
of chairman. He has also been an active communities. Previously two awards were
advocate for the community through the presented for the whole district, however, this
Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association year councillors agreed to honour a larger
for 15 years, becoming chairman in 2006. group of people with each Community Board
Described as a “tireless lobbyist to council, having the opportunity to select more than John North (right) from Hahei being presented with this TCDC Community Service Award
the Department of Conservation and others for one recipient from their area. by Mercury Bay councillor Tony Fox on Tuesday last week.
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
Letters to the Editor
See the opposite page for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - Water meters on the Coromandel Whitianga has a local resident population of
Every property owner on the Coromandel around 5,000 and this balloons to around 25,000
Peninsula should work together and refuse the to 30,000 over the peak holiday periods, a large
installation of water meters. Why? Because they portion of which are holiday homes. Care must
are simply not the answer to water problems. be taken in how the cost of water is charged to
Take the Auckland model for example, make sure the locals do not get disadvantaged.
they have had water meters for 50 years. The quantity of water drawn in towns like
Has it solved their problems? No. We all know Whitianga fluctuates dramatically through
the problem is storage capacity. the year. If property owners are expected
I understand that Thames-Coromandel District to contribute for all the water supply and
Council has been given by the government in infrastructure cost suitable for 25,000
excess of $2 million to install water meters on people purely on a metered basis, then that
the Peninsula. This money should rather be used is inequitable.
to employ the machinery necessary to increase I am not a statistician or mathematician,
our storage. Next time it rains, take a drive up but it seems to me that every property should be
Wade Road and see the millions of litres of charged, as part of the general rates, a uniform
water just pouring into the sea. Meters are just amount (similar to the rating assessment
another added cost to ratepayers and tenants. method) for the entire cost of the infrastructure
We will still have water shortages until our supplying and treating water and all
storage capacity is increased. future upgrades.
Gwynn Howells For the ongoing running and maintenance
Whitianga of the infrastructure, a usage rate should be
Dear Editor - Water supply and cost struck using the entire annual water usage
Last summer showed that our water supply is (say, 6,000,000m³) and then if the ongoing
not adequate for several reasons. In Whitianga direct running costs were, say, $600,000,
it is exacerbated by having only one supply, a charge of 10 cents for every cubic metre
the draw from the Whangamaroro River, used would be fair and equitable. It would
which has a resource consent limitation. mean that holiday homes would pay a fair
Thames-Coromandel District Council is of share of the infrastructure cost and whenever
course very conscious of this and in looking they were occupied, those in residence would
to the future, have raised the issue of metering pay for what they use. Motel owners, caravan
residential properties, commercial properties and motorhome parks, and camping grounds -
already being metered. all being commercial - would carry a suitable
In communities where the population is burden during the high season, but a low cost
heavily influenced by visitors or non-resident during the off season (which could match their
owners (Whitianga is a classic example), cashflows) and locals would only pay a fair
a recovery of the cost of metering is going to fall proportion of the water costs.
heavily on the locals who live there full time. I can see how this could be a cashflow hurdle
We have seen in places like Russell the for TCDC, but so be it, that is why we have
population move from full-time residents councils.
to holiday homes, resulting in the shops, Peter Bould
businesses and schools facing decline. Whitianga
Issue 928
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27 December
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Custom skin health solutions now available at Unichem Stephensons Pharmacy Determined to bring the best of the best to their Whitianga customers, the team at Unichem Stephensons Pharmacy is excited to welcome the world’s number one brand in the field of professional skin care and health to their Albert Street store. Dermalogica is renowned for their ethical approach, not just in terms of how they create their products, but also in the service they provide to people looking for genuine solutions to their skincare. “There is a real focus on the individual and what is right for them,” says Jeff Park, manager at Unichem Stephensons Pharmacy. “It is not just about selling a product, but rather what is going to work best for a particular person in terms of their skin health.” Jeff says the decision to bring Dermalogica to the Coromandel was driven by a desire to ensure both locals and visitors had access to a similar quality of products as those in the major cities. “It is very unusual to see a brand this large moving outside of the major centres, we are delighted they have agreed to partner with us,” he says. “I think customers will really benefit from being able to access not just the product, but also the expertise that sits alongside it, right here on their own doorstep.” Tia Simpson is the brand’s new in-store counter manager and is available to answer questions, provide advice and carry out a full skin health assessment for customers. “It’s quite a scientific approach, they use a skin mapping process to identify the particular features of your skin because people’s needs can vary greatly depending on a whole range of factors,” says Jeff. “From there they can recommend a tailor-made solution that is specific to you. That could be to remedy a specific issue or to just generally improve the overall health of your skin.” A strong emphasis on the environment and sustainability is another reason Jeff says he is pleased to work with Dermalogica and he believes customers too will be impressed with their approach. “They are certified cruelty-free, they take great care about what they put into all their products and even the packaging they use is certified as sustainable,” he says. Dermalogica was founded in 1986 by a skin therapist with a vision to provide custom skin care solutions that endure. Their formulas are free of artificial colours and fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, alcohol, parabens and microplastics. “There has already been a lot of interest and Tia has really been enjoying meeting and getting to know people from Whitianga and the wider Mercury Bay,” says Jeff. “She has so much knowledge to offer, I really encourage people to come in and have a chat with her and see Stephensons Unichem Pharmacy manager, Jeff Park, with Tia Simpson, how she may be able to help.” the pharmacy’s new in-store Dermalogica counter manager. Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
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July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
Issue 928
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July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13The Small-time Investor
By Whitianga resident, Max Ross
Amazon
The American share market is going crazy This is in the form of web hosting services.
at the moment. Some more great gains for If your website is getting attacked by hackers
Tesla last week. It’s not in the S&P 500 yet, using a distributed denial of services attack,
but when they do get added, it will be you would turn to Amazon to protect you and
interesting to see what happens. provide the infrastructure for your website to
Currently my investments are up $193.62 survive the attack.
which is 8.64 percent. My American shares After disrupting bookshops, Amazon
are Apple up 7.72 percent, NVIDIA up 3.28 went on to disrupt all shops and then web
percent, Microsoft down 1.15 percent and hosting. Now they are looking at entering
Tesla up a huge 46.32 percent. My New and disrupting the pharmacy market with
Zealand shares are steady with EBOS, Infratil, Amazon Pharmacy as they make a play for the
Kathmandu, Mainfreight and Smartpay doing $4 billion healthcare market. If they manage
well and Vital Healthcare, Fisher and Paykel to disrupt and then dominate this industry
Healthcare, Spark, NZ Dividend Fund, like it has the others it has entered into, then
Pushpay and Plexure all down. Amazon shares should grow significantly.
This month my theme is big American For this reason I’m spending this week’s
companies. I’m looking for large, well-known $100 on Amazon shares. I bought 0.022539
companies with lots of resources to ride out shares at USD3134.25 a share.
any downturn. One of the biggest is Amazon. As with all investments there are risks.
They have benefitted from the move to online Amazon may overextend themselves and
shopping and have dominated this industry in not be able to deliver their pharmacy goals.
America. They have had 10 years of growth There may also be a large drop in sharemarket
in three months during the first three months prices. A future successful vaccine and an
of COVID-19. Lots of people bought online end to the COVID-19 crisis could also cause
for the first time and many of these will now the company’s share price to fall. A small
be avid online shoppers. Amazon not only successful business could challenge and
provides the website for online shopping, disrupt them.
they also have huge warehouses and futuristic Please remember that what I write in
packing systems run by robots. It’s well worth this column is just my personal opinion.
to google “Amazon Robots” if you want to Some of my investments will lose money.
see the future in action. They have fulfilment I am sharing my thoughts and strategies along
centres that are 120,000m². with my results so that you can see how easy
Amazon is not just an online retailer, it is to invest online, even a small amount,
they also deliver hugely successful cloud and maybe learn from my mistakes.
computing services to other businesses. Be careful with your money.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020Golden Girls sharing the love
Scott’s Thoughts of Christmas
By Scott Simpson, National Party MP for Coromandel
Over the past couple of weeks, Whitianga’s Golden Girls have been sharing the love of Christmas
This has been a tough year for everybody. around the wider Mercury Bay area. On Friday, 4 December they sang Christmas carols for the
I really feel for those who have lost their residents of Whitianga Continuing Care. On Monday last week they were at St Andrew’s Community
jobs, those who have not been able to farewell Church entertaining the members of the Mercury Cancer Support Trust at their Christmas lunch
their loved ones who have passed away and and on Wednesday last week they took their Christmas music programme to the residents of Tairua
young people who have had their dreams Residential Care.
of the traditional Kiwi OE put on hold. Rest home residents in Whitianga and Tairua received gift bags of assorted sweets and a heartfelt
Small businesses and tourist operators “Merry Christmas” message.
have been hit particularly hard. Moreover, The Golden Girls’ Christmas programme ranged this year from the fun-filled “Christmas in Killarney”
the government’s decision to double sick to the uplifting “O Holy Night.” Musical director, Audrey Neville, said, “It’s always a joy and a great
leave loads more costs onto businesses. They privilege to share our music with everyone. We have great fun among ourselves and it definitely
argue that COVID-19 has forced this change, keeps us young.”
but if that was the case, why is it permanent? Pictured is Golden Girl, Carol Pringle, with Tairua Residential Care day resident, Cecilia Gilmour,
With more than 200,000 New Zealanders out of on Wednesday.
work, we should be encouraging businesses to
take on more staff right now, not the opposite.
Still, when we look out at the rest of the Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson.
world, we have been incredibly fortunate. New return, it is hopefully the first step toward the
Zealanders have once again shown that when reinstatement of our previous service which
faced with adversity, we come together and we had come to rely on. The nearly 50,000
adapt to whatever the circumstances. signature petition that I presented to Parliament
Ours is a nation blessed with an ideal remains before the Health Select Committee.
geographic location. We are surrounded by I will continue to fight for the restoration of
the largest moat in the world, which makes it the helicopter service for the full peak summer
easier for us than for many nations to close and period and on long weekends.
protect our borders. One last note - the holiday period here can be
Hopefully a busy summer period with hectic with locals and visitors alike enjoying
families reuniting and visitors coming to fabulous summer festivities. I think we’ll have
explore our region will provide a welcome even more visitors here this summer. With this
boost to morale and to local businesses. in mind, please remember to continue scanning
To those who are making their annual trip to into the places you go, this way each of us is
the Coromandel or are visiting for the first doing our bit to keep things relatively normal.
time, I have no doubt that your holiday here Be safe out on the roads. Take your time.
will leave a lasting positive impression. Enjoy being on Coromandel time!
Everyone in our region will be welcoming I wish you and your family happy holidays
the news that an emergency rescue helicopter in our special part of the country and all the
and crew will be based back at Whitianga very best for Christmas and what I hope will be
during January 2021. While it is only a limited a better New Year in 2021.
Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15New tourist attraction full circle for the Mercury Star Considering ways to use their second ferry boat more often, Jeremy and Louise Lomas, the owners of the Whitianga Ferry, came up with the idea to offer cruises up the Whitianga River and around the Whitianga Waterways canals as a new tourist attraction in Mercury Bay. “We prefer to use our newer boat as much as possible on our service between the Whitianga and Ferry Landing wharves,” says Jeremy. “It’s more suited for our passengers and drivers as it is roll-on roll-off for bikes and push chairs. The Mercury Star, our second and older boat, was up to six years ago the main ferry boat in Whitianga but is really just a back-up for us and doesn’t get used much now. But it will be great for this tour as it offers great visibility and is an iconic boat in the area. “By embarking on this new tourist venture, we’ll get to use the Mercury Star a bit more and hopefully show those who join us for the cruises a perspective on Whitianga they wouldn’t see from land. The houses at the Waterways most certainly look different from the water than what they look from the street.” The tour will include commentary about the history of Whitianga, the Ferry Landing Wharf, Back Bay and the Whitianga Waterways, as well as local wildlife and prominent natural features along the way. The area is rich with history, which many people don’t know about. “A few weeks ago, we took the Mercury Bay Library volunteers on a tour up the river and they absolutely loved it,” says Jeremy. “The entire cruise takes place in sheltered water, so it’s suitable for everyone. For the Mercury Star, things are also coming full circle as she was initially designed and built as a ferry as well as a cruise boat for the Whitianga River.” Bookings for the cruises can be made online at whitiangawaterwayscruises. co.nz. The first cruise will take place on Friday, 18 December. “Initially we’re planning to do only one tour a day, around high tide,” says Louise. “Over time, we’ll definitely be offering more cruises if the demand is there. “We’re expecting each cruise to last approximately one hour and 20 minutes, and we’ll take a maximum of 30 people on board. There will be ample room for everyone and no one will have an obstructed view of the surrounding landscape. We hope the tour will offer those who join us with an experience they won’t be able to get anywhere else.” Jeremy plans to personally skipper the Mercury Star for as many cruises as he possibly can. As a former America’s Cup sailor for Team New Zealand, that will be an added bonus for those who are on board when he’s at the helm - not everyday you get shown around by a renowned New Zealand sportsman. A spot on the cruises cost $35 per adult, $15 per child and $80 per family (two adults and two children). Jeremy and Louise Lomas, the owners of the Whitianga Ferry, at their second and older boat, the Mercury Star. Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020
Issue 928
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27 December
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19A great send off from
What’s On The next few weeks Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours
As they have been doing for the past eight years, the team at Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours took all the
Next year’s Whitianga Scallop Festival Whenuakite School Year 8 students on one of their signature tours on Friday last week. The students
date announced were accompanied by principal, Eamonn Kelly, and deputy principal, Michael Ewing.
The Mercury Bay Events Trust has announced that the 2021 “It was a great day,” says Mike Grogan, owner of the business. “The weather was perfect and
Whitianga Scallop Festival will be held on Saturday, 18 September. everyone really enjoyed the experience, including hot chocolate and cookies on the beach at
The festival will once again include all of the great seafood, Cathedral Cove. For us it’s a great way to send the children off on their next adventure after finishing
live music and entertainment that has made the event one of their Whenuakite School careers.
New Zealand’s best loved food and wine festivals. “It’s also an opportunity for the children to appreciate one of New Zealand’s most amazing tourist
Both organisers and regular festivalgoers were understanding, attractions, right in their own backyard. What we’re seeing now is that some of the children
albeit disappointed, of the fact that it was not possible to have who went on the tour six or seven years ago is coming back to work for us. We’re pretty stoked
a festival this year given the risks posed by the COVID-19 about that.”
pandemic. Pictured are the students on the water on Friday.
The Whitianga Scallop Festival delivers a jam-packed day
centred around music, food, wine and entertainment, as well as
an opportunity for community groups such as Mercury Bay Area
School, the Mercury Bay Scouts and the Mercury Bay Lions Club
to raise generous funds for their organisations.
To be held at the Northern Reclamation and Taylor’s Mistake,
tickets go on sale in April 2021. “We have no doubt the event
will continue to be a sell-out and are thrilled to have it back on
the calendar,” says Nick Reader of the Mercury Bay Events Trust.
Whitianga Christmas House
66 State Highway 25, Wharekaho. Open until Christmas Eve from 7:00pm until 10:00pm every evening. Santa in
residence every evening between 7:30pm - 9:30pm.
Whiti Village Markets
Friday, 18 December from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Buffalo Beach Reserve, Buffalo Beach Road, Whitianga.
Whitianga Art, Craft & Farmer’s Market
Saturday, 19 December from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Coastal Collective Market
Saturday, 19 December from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at 17 Captain Cook Road, Cooks Beach Village.
Informal Opening of the New Whitianga Skatepark
Tuesday, 22 December at approximately 4:00pm at Tayor’s Mistake, Whitianga. A sausage sizzle and live music
will be available.
Mercury Bay Community Christmas Lunch
Christmas Day at Crossroads Church, corner of Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Doors open at
11:00am with lunch (all the Christmas favourites) to be served at 12:00 noon. A free lunch (a gift from the
community to the community), but please book beforehand by emailing maureenkerr62@gmail.com.
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020Lessons learned by everyone
in extraordinary school year
By Gillian O’Neill
As the bells sound for the final time in 2020, Principal of Te Rerenga School, Mary Kedzlie,
the principals of two Mercury Bay schools have acknowledged the resilience within the school
been reflecting on a year of both unprecedented and wider community. “Of course we also
challenge and unexpected triumph. had the passing of our much loved former
With students and staff heading into six principal, Anna Yates, so it has been a tough
weeks of summer holidays, Mercury Bay Area year,” she said.
School principal, John Wright, said this time of “We’ve been through a lot, but the way
recuperation and rest will be more important people have come together and supported each
than ever. “We have all faced that element of other has been wonderful.
insecurity and uncertainty this year, no matter “By coincidence, we had started a schoolwide
how old you are that takes a toll,” he said. focus on mindfulness back in February,
“So, for our students, staff, Board of Trustees before COVID-19 was even a thing and I think
and really our whole community, this will that really stood to us, we were able to continue
definitely be an important time to relax to practice that over lockdown and throughout
and recharge.” the year and we saw real benefits from that.
Despite all the disruption created by The other thing of course was kindness.
COVID-19, Mr Wright said he remained
Jacinda told us to ‘be kind’ and that was always
grateful for the unique learning opportunities
one of Anna’s sayings, sprinkle kindness
the extraordinary year had presented and was
around like confetti, so encouraging and seeing
full of admiration for how people had adapted
the students taking opportunities to be kind
and coped. “I don’t think anybody could have
prepared us for that moment when all the was fantastic.”
planning in terms of our learning for the year Despite the challenges, Ms Kedzlie said
would just have to stop,” he said. the students had excelled in their learning
“It was as if we hit the pause button and we and should be commended for their efforts.
certainly lost momentum. But what was such “Just looking through some of the end of year
a surprise was how quickly we were able to reports, the disruption doesn’t seem to have
get over that and just keep going. Once we had any impact and we can celebrate some
accepted the situation we were facing, we were really good learning,” she said.
able to move forward with such tenacity and While taking lots of positives from the year,
positivity, it was really remarkable.” Ms Kedzlie acknowledged 2020 had been
MBAS’s strong focus on wellbeing had taxing and tiring for staff. “That first term was
been especially important in supporting really 22 weeks long,” she said. “The holidays
both students and staff. “It was something weren’t a holiday for our teachers because they
we always overtly promoted as a school, were preparing for online learning. They have
but we really saw the value of that this year,” all done amazingly well, but I know everyone
Mr Wright said. is definitely ready for a rest.”
Issue 928 - 15 December 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21Heroic effort by firefighters quashes
bush fire within metres of homes
By Gillian O’Neill
Witnesses to the large bush fire at Pumpkin Hill
north of Tairua on Saturday last week say the blaze
was within just a few metres of several properties
and have praised the actions of firefighters for
saving people’s homes.
Fourteen crews from across the Coromandel
and beyond attended the fire which broke out
just after 2:00pm with two helicopters also called
in to assist from the air. Crews from Tairua and
Cooks Beach were among those first on the scene
where high winds caused the incident, which was
originally confined to a 4m x 4m area, to rapidly
escalate.
“We had gone out to go look for a wilding
Firefighter Lance Williams and Senior Firefighter Brian Hart from the Tairua Volunteer Fire Brigade defending one
pine for a Christmas tree and when we arrived of the Pumpkin Hill homes from Saturday’s bushfire. Photo by Gail New.
home, our local police officer from Tairua was on
site and he told us we couldn’t get to our house
because they had closed the road,” said Donna
Harvey who lives at the end of Sailor’s Grave
Road which runs adjacent to Pumpkin Hill.
“We don’t believe the fire would have reached
our house, but I think they were concerned we
could be cut off and that was why they evacuated
people living along the road.”
Donna and her husband, Ben, spent the evening
at Flock restaurant in Tairua with several other
residents while they anxiously awaited news.
At the same time, absentee owners took to
social media seeking updates from locals on the
evolving situation.
“It was pretty nerve-racking,” Donna said.
“We weren’t too concerned about our place,
but there were others there with us who lived a
lot closer. We knew firefighters were dampening
down around their homes to try and protect them,
but no-one could be sure what was going to
happen. It was definitely very scary.”
As well as paying tribute to the efforts of the
emergency services, Donna said she was quite
overcome by the generosity and care from people
in the community. “Many of them were friends
and people I know, but we’ve only been living
here for six years and the number of people who
got in touch to check we were okay or to offer us
a place to stay was amazing,” she said.
The tension eventually gave way to relief after
residents were told they could return to their
homes at around 9:00pm and the fire had been
brought under control.
“It was a huge relief just knowing that
everyone’s home was okay,” Donna said.
“You could still see the smoke rising from the
hot spots there on Sunday morning. When you
look at it and see how close it was to some of
the houses, it’s quite incredible. For one of our
neighbours, it must have been only about 2m
from their property. I would say there were at
least four houses that would have been in serious
jeopardy. On one house you can see how the
gutters melted from the heat. Everyone has been
talking and supporting each other and we just feel
so grateful to all those firefighters who came from
all over to help.”
A fire crew from Onemana remained onsite
into the night to continue to monitor the scene.
The incident meant the Tairua Volunteer Fire
Brigade had some extra guests on Saturday
evening at what had been planned as their end
of year Christmas party, with many visiting
firefighters provided with a meal after a tough
and exhausting day.
This was the second scrub fire in under a
week attended by both the Tairua and Cooks
Beach brigades, however, the crews managed
to extinguish the earlier blaze before it spread
to adjacent bush. It has prompted pleas to the
public to be extra vigilant during what are already
extremely hot and dry conditions. The cause of
Saturday’s fire has yet to be confirmed.
Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020Issue 928
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27 December
July 2016 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 23Tairua Water Taxi and
Tours to Santa’s rescue
With no one-horse open sleighs available, or indeed the usual ferry, it was new business, Tairua
Water Taxi and Tours, that came to Santa’s rescue on Saturday last week ensuring the man in red’s
traditional trip across the harbour to greet children at the Pauanui Wharf could still take place.
Hayden Smith and Katy Lingard, who have been operating Cathedral Cove Water Taxi from Hahei for
the past four years, responded to the emergency call from the Tairua Information Centre earlier in the
week after it emerged the Tairua Ferry would not be available for Santa’s transportation. Although
their new venture, Tairua Water Taxi and Tours, was not scheduled to start until 19 December,
the couple who live in Hot Water Beach decided to come to the aid of the community.
“A huge thanks goes out to Hayden and Katy for bringing a boat over to take Santa to Pauanui,”
said Eve Roper, Information Centre manager. “Also a big thank you to Sean Butler from Te Puia Surf
Company for taking the day off to drive the boat.”
With Santa back in Tairua after his visit to Pauanui, it was then the job of the Tairua Volunteer Fire
Brigade to ensure he made it safely from the wharf to the Pepe Reserve where he was greeted by a
huge contingent of children who had enjoyed games, market stalls and other activities throughout
the morning. Eve said the community had not only swelled the park, but also swelled the hearts of the
many fundraising groups through support and donations. “Thank you to everyone who volunteered
their Saturday to help, you are all legends,” she said.
Hayden and Katy made the decision to embark on their new service, which they will run in addition to
Cathedral Cove Water Taxi, after a successful pilot weekend during the Tairua Boat Show in August
when they offered a water taxi service between the Tairua Marina and Pauanui. After a hugely
positive response, they invested in a new weatherproof boat, capable of carrying 10 passengers and
will operate Tairua Water Taxi and Tours
on demand over the summer period.
The service will run between Royal
Billy Wharf in Pauanui, the Tairua Wharf
and the Pauanui Waterways and will
focus on supporting local businesses
by helping more residents and visitors
access cafés and restaurants with
a personal pick-up and drop-off
service. More information and contact
details are available on the business’s
Facebook page.
Pictured is Santa at Tairua’s Pepe
Reserve on Saturday with helpers,
from the left, Annabelle Fang, Zoe
Winter and Kaia van Doorn.
Page 24 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 928 - 15 December 2020You can also read
