629 25 March 2015 Week 4.indd

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 629 - 25 March 2015
Phone 07 866 2090
PORTING
P
U
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S
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LOC
LOCALS
Giant pumpkin time
in Kuaotunu
Circulation 6,000
A fascinating
Captain Cook
Society meeting see page 10.
By Len Salt
The annual Pumpkin and Harvest Festival
in Kuaotunu originally started as an end
of summer gathering at the Rudolf Steiner
Kindergarten in the village, where children
would bring produce from home and the
fruits of the harvest would be shared with
friends, neighbours and with people in the
community who were in need.
The festival has grown over the years
into the major event it is today on the
community calendar, with music and food
and an all important pumpkin weigh-in.
This year’s festival will take place this
Saturday 28 March in Cemetery Road,
just south of the village.
Pumpkin festivals are very popular in
other parts of the world, particularly North
America, and are becoming increasingly
popular in New Zealand. Many festivals
have their own websites and many
companies supplying the seeds to grow
the right kind of giant pumpkin are happy
to dish out tips and advice on how to get
the best results.
Ursula Gaebler has been head
teacher at the Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner
Kindergarten for the last 10 years.
She has been instrumental in growing the
popularity of the festival and says they
expect to see around 150-200 people
this year.
“The Pumpkin and Harvest Festival
is very much a family and community
event,” Ursula says. “Preparations start a
long time in advance and for the pumpkin
competition we put together packets of
three seeds, which anyone wanting to
enter can buy for $5.00. The seeds would
typically be planted in October and the
pumpkins would be ready to be picked at
Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten’s Lucas Taylor with his family’s entry
in this year’s Pumpkin and Harvest Festival.
the end of March.
pumpkin tipping the scales at just over
“It’s great to see the kindergarten kids 1,054 kilograms was weighed in 2014.
taking an interest in the growing of their If you look back in history, the heaviest
families’ pumpkins over the summer.”
pumpkin weighed in 2009 was “only”
According to Wikipedia, a giant 782kg. In a few short years the size has
grown by 35 per cent.
The Kuaotunu festival has followed
a similar pattern, with the 2006 heaviest
pumpkin weighing 74kg and last year’s
winner weighing almost double that
at 146kg.
Ursula says the size of the pumpkins
entered for each year’s festival depends
on the weather to some degree. A giant
pumpkin drinks a lot of water, but also
seems to respond favourably if a little bit
of extra work has gone into tending them.
Based on the math, we could be seeing
200-300kg pumpkins at the festival before
too long. A little way off the world record,
but still, try lifting a 146kg pumpkin into
the back of a station wagon.
“The biggest pumpkin at the festival
receives a hand-carved trophy,” Ursula
says. “We also have prizes for the
pumpkin with the funniest shape,
the smallest pumpkin and the most
crooked pumpkin. A local farmer lends
us a paddock for the day and donates
a couple of sheep for a spit roast.
There are pony rides, a gumboot throwing
competition, a pumpkin pie competition
and a big tent with games and activities
for the smaller children.
“It’s all about coming together as a
community and having fun. 25 per cent
of the profits from the festival go to the
kindergarten, so the day is a significant
contributor to the resources available for
our tamariki.”
The festival starts at 2:00pm and runs
through until around 8:00pm. There will
also be an op-shop and stallholders selling
fresh produce and locally made arts
and crafts.
Covering Whangapoua to Pauanui, including Whitianga, Hot Water Beach and Tairua - www.theinformer.co.nz
Helping out in Vanuatu
Derek Corbett (pictured), who owns of The Stunned Mullet in Whitianga with his wife Nora, is in Vanuatu to help
with the aftermath of the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Pam.
Derek is a senior paramedic with many years’ experience working for St John. He’s no stranger to large scale
emergency situations, including weeks of assistance after the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. He left last
Sunday and will be away for two weeks.
We spoke to Derek and Nora before he left.
“We’ve been to Vanuatu for holiday several times before,” Nora said. “We were just shocked when we saw
on television what cyclone Pam did to those wonderful people. I just turned to Derek and said we’ve got to do
something.”
Derek agreed. So, he got on the phone the following day. First he spoke to the head of the Vanuatu Ambulance
Service, who said relief paramedics are urgently needed as his staff members were stretched to the brim.
Then Derek spoke to Promed (NZ) Limited, an on-site and events medical service he contracts to from time to
time. They were happy to supply him with 23kg of basic medical supplies, things like bandages and dressings,
at cost. The last call was to Air New Zealand to book a seat to Vanuatu and back.
“My experience is that paramedics simply don’t want to go home when there are people around them suffering,”
Derek told us. “They just want to keep on helping out. But the reality is they need to go check on their own
families and get some decent sleep. And that is easier done when they know there is someone who can stand in
while they take some time out.”
Derek and Nora planned to fund the entire trip, including the medical supplies, out of their own pocket. But word
got out and it wasn’t long before several Mercury Bay businesses offered to help with the cost of the medical
supplies. “It once again just showed what an amazing community we live in,” Nora said.
The Vanuatu Ambulance Service told Derek they would look for him for a place to stay, but, just in case they
were unsuccessful, Derek took a small two-man tent with him. “That’s no big deal,” Nora said. “Vanuatu is warm.
He’ll be just fine.”
Two of the local business people who decided to support Derek with the cost of the medical supplies are Brett
Howes from Mercury Bay Optometrists and Amy Hyde from Accounting by Design. They also have a story to tell.
One of their friends have family in Vanuatu. The friend decided to send a container load of supplies to Vanuatu.
Amy approached Mercury Bay Area School on Thursday last week to see if some of the school families would
like to donate clothing and blankets to go in the container. “The amazing thing is on Monday morning, only three
days after I’ve approached the school, a truck load of things school families have donated turned up,” Amy said.
“Our community has to be one of the most generous in the whole of New Zealand. Brett and I are just stunned.”
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of
contributions are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only
be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s name and
surname, telephone number and residential address.
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner
or publisher.
Owner - Mercury Bay Media Limited
Publisher - Petra Roodt
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributing Editors - Len Salt, Alison Smith, Meghan Hawkes and Jack Biddle
Deliveries - 14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510
Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Tel - (07) 866 2090 Fax - (07) 866 2092
Editorial - email [email protected], tel (07) 866 2090
Advertising - email [email protected], tel (07) 866 2094
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print) ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
© 2015 Mercury Bay Media Limited
Please contact us if you live in the wider Mercury Bay area and would like to
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ONLINE POLL FOR MARCH 2015
Local councils must put policy in place
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Council allow the sale of “legal highs” anywhere
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Page 2
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High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 25
11:58
5:33
Thu 26
0:26
6:26
12:50
6:50
Tide data sponsored by
5:59
Fri 27
1:19
7:20
1:42
7:43
Sat 28
2:13
8:16
2:35
8:38
Sun 29
3:08
9:12
3:30
9:35
Mon 30
4:04
10:09
4:25
10:32
Tue 31
4:57
11:04
5:20
11:26
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
What’s that Number?
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police)........................................................................... 111
Police (Whitianga) .............................................................................................. 866 4000
Police (Tairua) .................................................................................................... 864 8888
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers .................. ....... ............. 0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control .......................................................................................868 0200
Poison Centre ..............................................................................................0800 764 766
Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ...................................................................... 869 5500
Civil Defence ..................................................................................................... 868 0200
Medical Centre (Mercury Bay) ........................................................................... 866 5911
Doctors Surgery (Mercury Bay) ......................................................................... 866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua) ....................................................................................... 864 8737
Harbour Master (Whitianga) ........................................................................ 027 493 1379
Harbour Master (Tairua) ............................................................................... 027 476 2651
Coastguard Radio Operators ............................................................................ 866 2883
Social Services Whitianga ..................................................................................866 4476
The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
Waka ama off to
great start
OPEN HOME EASTER SATURDAY 1:00PM
The first of what it is hoped will be regular visits to Mercury Bay by a waka ama took
place in ideal conditions at Brophy’s Beach last Sunday. Clear sunny skies, a high
tide and flat calm conditions made for a perfect introduction to this growing sport,
which has the attraction of being accessible to just about anybody who wants to
get involved.
The waka ama was brought to Brophy’s beach from Paeroa by waka ama expert Larn
Wilkinson and his kai hoe, or waka ama crew member, Payton Walters-Singh.
On Sunday anybody who wanted to try going out in the waka ama was welcome to
do so and through the course of the morning and late into the afternoon there was a
steady stream of people trying it out for the first time.
Mother and daughter team Rangi and Leonie Kingi looked a bit anxious as they kitted
up with lifejackets and took hold of their paddles. Twenty minutes later they were
back on shore with huge smiles on their faces and a great experience to take home
and tell their whanau about.
In the waka ama in the photo are, from front to back - Shante Wickliffe,
Steffen Lindner (face obscured), Leonie Kingi, Rangi Kingi (face obscured),
John Henson and Payton Walters-Singh.
SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS
Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front
teeth. Smiling, talking and eating would all be affected.
Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken
teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the
upper teeth and are a great way to protect both the hard and the soft tissues.
When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is essential and
should be part of your standard sports equipment from an early age. In fact,
studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth
if they’re not wearing a mouthguard. While collision and contact sports, such
as boxing and rugby, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, you can experience
a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as netball and soccer.
There are three types of mouthguards Stock - These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear.
Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make
breathing and talking difficult.
Boil and bite - These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting
goods stores and pharmacies and may offer a better fit than stock mouth
protectors. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed
to adapt to the shape of your mouth.
Custom-fitted - These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are
more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized,
they offer the best fit and are less likely to fall out as others may while
playing sport. These can be customized with your team colours, sparkles and
other designs.
The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth
by your dentist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-fitted mouthguard,
you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from
the pharmacy. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your
lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouthguard for these teeth as well.
Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about selecting a mouthguard that will
provide the best protection for you.
12/1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga (opposite the Whitianga Hotel)
Practices nationwide | Ph: 07 869 5500 | lumino.co.nz
Page 3
Board Talk
with the Mercury Bay Area School Board of Trustees
I have always trusted dogs, horses and
small children. A few leading questions
to my five-year-old son garnered the
following…
“At our school we build aeroplanes
and go-karts and mini motorbikes.
We grow veges and flowers in the
gardens. We paint, draw, dance, sing and
build things out of wood. We play rugby
and league, swim, run, netball (for girls),
triathlons, basketball, cross-country.
“We can come to school on the bus or
walk, ride a bike, scooter or skateboard,
go on the ferry and come in a car.
We go to concerts and shows. We have
a dental nurse. We have smiley teachers
and some teachers that forget to smile.
We have playground duty teachers.
“We have big kids and little kids and
all the kids in between. We have happy
kids and quiet kids and some noisy kids.
We can learn the guitar, drums, ukulele,
clarinet, keyboard and some other
blowing instruments too.
“We go on long walks in case there is a
tsunami. We have beach days. My sister
learns Maori and farming and other
stuff. We learn to print and read and we
learn about the world and animals and
the moon.
“Mr Wright’s door is always open for
us if we need him.”
So there you have it - Mercury Bay
Area School just got graded by one of its
Year 2 clients!
Diversity, many levels of teaching,
many levels of learning and many walks
of life are the tapestry upon which our
school is built.
How about if we ask the graduating
class of 1950, 1980 or even 2000 for
their opinion - I wonder how different it
would be?
I think for any of us that have been
around the area a while, we have to take
our hats off to what has been and is being
accomplished in terms of giving our kids
a fantastic schooling experience right
here in Mercury Bay.
Sandi Lowe
Member of the MBAS
Board of Trustees
Aviation open day at Whitianga Airport
The Mercury Bay Student Aviation Trust (a joint venture between Mercury Bay
Area School and the Mercury Bay Aero Club) hosted a very successful open
day at Whitianga Airport last Saturday.
MBAS students are at the moment busy building a second VANS RV12 aircraft
for a private owner. The first aircraft the school built, registered ZK-MBA,
was last year purchased by the Mercury Bay Aero Club. The plane is available
to anyone who would like to learn to fly. Students participating in the second
plane build can learn to fly at a discounted rate.
“The purpose of the open day was to introduce as many people as possible
to flying,” says Karlos Bosson, MBAS teacher in charge of the second
plane build.
Bruce Turner of the Mercury Bay Aero Club says the aero club (in ZK-MBA) and
aero club members (in their private aircraft) donated more than 20 hours of
free flying during the course of the open day and more than 40 MBAS students,
their parents and other interested people took to the skies.
A number of students participating in the second plane build indicated an
interest in learning to fly.
Pictured is MBAS Year 13 student Sol Glen (right) during the open day in
ZK-MBA with senior Whitianga-based flight instructor Charles Russell. Sol is
part of the second plane build and is interested in pursuing a career in aviation.
STEAK NIGHT
SIRLOIN, Egg ‘n’
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SCOTCH, Tavern made
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Best night of
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Saturday and Sunday
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TOP MOVIES
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The epic conclusion to the Hobbit trilogy. Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves - having
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Page 4
Put your feet up and let
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Live Band
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Blame Brad 9pm Drink Specials
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Opening Hours:
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Tai Chi 9am
• Sushi
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One main, rice & naan.
Minimum 2-person party.
Ali’s Restaurant MEMBERS DRAW Meat/Seafood
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Play Bar Trivia
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Whitianga
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Open 7days for dinner
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Page 5
Adventure of a lifetime awaits
Mercury Bay students
For most New Zealanders Mount Everest is
burned into our memories, along with the
names of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa
Tenzing. Most of us will never go there,
but for a group of students at Mercury Bay
Area School the trip of a lifetime happens
on 5 April when they leave on a journey
to Nepal and the most famous mountain
region in the world.
Rose
Selby,
Treena
Bellamy,
Christian Fletcher, Ruby Meek and Eliza
Shelvey will join 10 students from different
parts of the country, as well as another five
students from Australia, on the trip.
Youth to Everest is a philanthropic
programme which is fully accredited to
the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.
Gary Hinds is part of the programme’s
leadership team and works closely with the
founder John Gully, who has been taking
groups of students to the mountains of
Nepal since 1988.
Also going on the trip is local
businessman Richard Vetter. For Richard
the trip fits in with his and his wife
Diane’s personal goals of supporting
activities focused on the young people of
Mercury Bay.
For the students involved, the journey
from idea to reality has taken many months
of planning and intense fundraising to
get the $7,500 needed to pay for their
Part of the Mercury Bay team going to Everest in April. From left to right - Eliza Shelvey, Ruby Meek,
Gary Hinds, Treena Bellamy, Rose Selby and Richard Vetter
trip. Raffles, sausage sizzles, cleaning
windscreens and putting the squeeze on
family and relatives have all been part of
the mix in raising the money to get there.
The students have also been working
on their fitness by walking, cycling and
swimming. Eliza and Ruby did the Castle
Rock walk last weekend as part of their
build-up.
The team have a full schedule travelling
from New Zealand to Singapore and
then on to Kathmandu. After two days
exploring the 1,000 year old city, they fly
to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary
at Lukla. At an altitude of 2,840 metres and
with a landing strip that has an uphill slope
and is often shrouded in fog, the airport is
regarded as one of the most challenging in
the world and only highly trained pilots
familiar with the area are permitted to
fly there.
Chelsea Johnson, a former MBAS
student, will go along as the team nurse to
oversee any medical issues, including the
possibility of altitude sickness.
For Eliza the final leg of the trip where
the students spend a day working in an
orphanage is something she is eager to
experience. Before they leave, both Eliza
and Ruby plan to go shopping for toys as
gifts for the children in the orphanage.
The highest point in terms of altitude on
the trip will be at Ama Dablam Base Camp,
close to Pangboche and approximately
4,000 metres high. There the students will
be hosted by 80 year old Lama Gashe and
will stay the night as guests of his daughter
in Pangboche.
The team will return home on 20 April.
It remains to be seen what the highlights
of this odyssey will be for the individual
students, but one thing is certain, they will
not be the same young people when they
return after such a rich and eye opening
experience.
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Page 6
Top Hip Hop academy
coming to Mercury Bay
Creative Mercury Bay has signed one of the
country’s top Hip Hop dance academies,
Federation Dance from the Waikato, for a
series of workshops and a Hip Hop dance
expo in Whitianga during the second week
of the school holidays.
The workshops are aimed at a wide
range of ages and abilities, from 5
to 75 year olds, and the recent huge
success of the Waiheke Island Hip
Hop-eration Crew (22 retirees aged
68 -95 and the subject of an award-winning
documentary film) might just prove to be
an inspiration for Mercury Bay locals.
The workshops will take place from
Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April at the
Mercury Bay Area School performing arts
facility and is seen as an example of the
school/community co-operation that was a
large part of the vision that MBAS principal
John Wright had when the performing arts
centre was conceived.
The visit by Federation Dance will
be split into three main sections dance workshops, mentoring sessions and
the expo.
The workshops for dancers are split into
beginner, intermediate and advanced, over
all three days of the workshop programme.
The Monday and Tuesday will see
two one hour sessions of mentoring for
dance tutors.
Both the dance and the mentoring
events have been keenly anticipated by
local students and teachers and Creative
Mercury Bay has strong advance bookings
already for the events.
The dance expo will be held on the
Wednesday at 5:30pm in the MBAS hall
and will include dancers and tutors from
Mercury Bay.
The fees for the three main sections of
the Federation Dance visit have been held
to a reasonable level through the support
of Pub Charity and a number of local
businesses. The dance expo entry fee is
$5.00, dance workshops $30 and tutor
mentoring $50.
Jan Wright, chairperson of Creative
Mercury Bay, is thrilled by the support
they are receiving from the local
community. “Ambuj Uppal, owner
of Admiralty Lodge in Whitianga,
had offered his support to Creative Mercury
Bay some time ago by offering to provide
accommodation for visiting performing
artists. We have four choreographers
coming from Hamilton for three days as
part of this programme and they will be
staying at Admiralty Lodge free of charge.
That level of support from our local
business people is priceless and it makes
a big difference in getting these events to
happen.”
A unique feature of the workshops
is the fact that they will be open
to anyone interested in dance and
how the sequences are put together.
This means parents, families and the public
in general will have the opportunity to be
a part of the event even if they are not on
the dance floor.
Renaming Taylor’s
Mistake
In response to our “Win a Milkshake Competition” - where readers are invited to propose an
alternative name for Taylor’s Mistake Reserve in Whitianga (pictured) in order to win an Espy
Café award-winning milkshake - we’ve received the following letter from Jillian Warwick
(nee Smith), a long-time Whitianga resident.
Mrs Warwick was at pains to point out to us that she isn’t necessarily interested in winning
a milkshake.
Dear Editor - Mr William (Bill) Taylor
Mr William (Bill) Taylor owned the Whitianga ferry run (around 1958). He was an English gentleman
and unmarried.
He bought the Taylor’s Mistake land so he could establish a camping ground and started to build.
The then Council demanded that he demolish his buildings as they did not want a camping ground
on the land (the rules for building were different in the 1950s).
Mr Taylor got upset and decided not to pay his rates. The land had no services.
A couple of years later Mr Taylor was found drowned in the Waitemata Harbour after a property deal
in Auckland did not go according to plan.
To my knowledge the then Council had never tried to establish if Mr Taylor had family in England
to pick up the rates arrears or to obtain their permission to sell the land to recover the arrears.
Consequently the then Council took ownership of the property.
I would like to see the land called “Bill Taylor Reserve” (in memory of Mr Taylor).
Jillian Warwick
Whitianga
PS - I was born and grew up in Whitianga. I also used to tether graze my horse on
Mr Taylor’s property.
We have passed Mrs Warwick’s letter on to Thames Coromandel District Council for
comment. They replied that they may not have any information on the matter and referred
us to a number of heritage experts. We are investigating.
Our competition to win an Espy milkshake closes on Friday 27 March.
Page 7
Tairua Troubadours doing things
differently this year
In Tairua there is one social event that
never fails to sell out quickly.
The Tairua Troubadours have been
drawing enthralled audiences to their
dynamic and hilariously entertaining
shows for years, raising thousands
of dollars to great local causes in the
process. Where else can you see the
postman, the school office lady and the
council staffer singing their hearts out
in characters that break all previously
held stereotypes?
This year audiences will need to
be in quick to secure their place at
a table of eight at the Tairua Hall,
as the Troubadours have come up with
something a little different.
The Troubadours are doing two
shows this year, the first one - with four
performances - during the weekend of
16-18 April. The show is completely
different from the Troubadours’ usual
seven night performances in August.
Scriptwriter and director Jennie
Turner
says
the April
show,
“The Committee,” will be fabulous
for those who enjoy show tunes. It is
based around a Troubadour committee
meeting where they are trying to decide
on the theme for their next show.
Page 8
As suggestions are put forward,
singers will perform some of the
more popular Broadway musical hits,
finally revealing the August show theme.
“The reason for the extra show is
because the cast numbers have become
too many for one show,” says Jennie.
“Last year ‘An Amazing Race’ was at
capacity, not only on the stage, but also
behind the scenes, however the show
raised $11,500 which was put directly
back into the community, making the
effort worthwhile.”
She says it’s difficult to showcase
the extent of all the wonderful talent
in Tairua, with so many great actors
and singers.
What is also a real key to the success
of the Troubadours - and which Jennie
does not say herself - is the witty and
very clever scriptwriting that is full
of surprises and local innuendo that
people love.
“By splitting the cast into two groups
it means we can see and hear more of
what people come to enjoy,” adds Jennie.
“I’m so pleased to reveal newcomers,
who bring yet another dimension to
the group.”
She says while in other years the
Jenny Tawa (left) and Carol Harker in a scene from last year’s
“Amazing Race” show of the Tairua Troubadours.
theme for the night was embraced by the Troubadours do encourage you to
the audience who won prizes for the dress for ‘a night out on the town.’”
As always the audience are able to
best dressed, this April the audience is
bring
along their own refreshments
being asked to just dress up for a great
to the April show and tickets are still
night out.
$20. These will be on sale at the Tairua
“We’re keeping it simple this time, Information Centre from 26 March.
there will be no raffles with this
And be warned - tickets will go fast as
show and no best dressed, however, there are only four shows!
New Ray White
auction room
When Thames Coromandel District Council put out the call for a commercial tenant to occupy
the old Whitianga Fire Station in Monk Street, Steve Morrison - the owner of Ray White Real
Estate in Whitianga and Whangamata - was happy to answer.
Ray White Whitianga, which covers the entire Mercury Bay area, operates under a unique
business model. They don’t have an office. Their agents all work from home. “We don’t wait for
work to come to us,” says Steve. “And that isn’t about to change.
“We’re going to use the fire station as an auction room. We used to have our auctions at the
Mercury Bay Community boardroom behind the TCDC offices. That was never an ideal option.
The fire station will also give us a more visible presence in Whitianga. And we won’t be able
to resist the urge to display some of the properties we have for sale on those big see-through
roller doors.
“Another thing we’re quite excited about is that we can make the fire station available for
community events. Workshops, exhibitions, displays. There are a lot of options.”
Carey Smith, Ray White New Zealand CEO, recently said that Ray White Whitianga and
Whangamata combined are deemed to be one of the best regional offices in New Zealand in
the Ray White Group.
Pictured are some of the Ray White Whitianga agents in front of their auction room. From left
to right - Catherine Williams, Heather Benson, Peter Strong, Louise Bradley and Tara Corley.
Need a decent pillow? Large selection in store.
Page 9
Captain Cook Society meeting in
Cooks Beach
By Stephan Bosman
A few months ago I received an invitation
to attend the New Zealand regional
meeting of the Captain Cook Society that
was held last Saturday in Cook’s Beach.
The Captain Cook Society is an
international organisation with about 400
members. Membership is open to anyone
interested in the explorer James Cook.
It was a privilege to attend the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Brian Wyeth,
co-ordinator of the New Zealand chapter
of the society, said it was the third New
Zealand regional meeting. The first
was held in 2011. The New Zealand
chapter then had 12 members and eight
people attended the meeting. In 2013,
the second meeting was attended by 20
people. The New Zealand chapter then
had 24 members. The New Zealand
chapter now has in excess of 70 members
with 25 living in the Mercury Bay area.
The Cooks Beach meeting was attended
by 72 people, including a representative
from the Captain Cook Society in
Australia and a Danish member of the
British chapter of the society. The New
Zealand attendees came from as far south
as Christchurch and as far north as Cable
Bay (north of Kaitaia).
Brian’s remarks were followed by a
brief address by Riemer Brouwer from
Melbourne, conveying the Australian
chapter of the society’s best wishes for
the meeting.
Next to take the microphone was
Graeme Lay, acclaimed author of
a fictional account of the life of
James Cook.
Graeme took us on a journey through his
childhood in Taranaki, his love for the sea
and adventure, his awareness of Captain
Cook from an early age, his development
of an understanding of the Pacific Islands
while a teacher in Auckland, his visits
to the islands and how he was struck by
how strong the memory of Cook is in
the islands.
He also spoke about his struggles as
an author to get published, his attempt
to write a factual account of Cook’s
relationship with the people of the islands,
his unhappiness with his effort and how
he decided to pen Cook’s life and voyages
in a trilogy of fiction.
“My experience is that fiction is far
more difficult to write than fact,” Graeme
said. “There are traps to avoid in every
single paragraph. It’s like the difference
between a photograph and a painting.”
In May 2013 the first novel of Graeme’s
trilogy, “The Secret Life of James Cook,”
Attending the meeting of the Captain Cook Society in Cooks Beach last Saturday. From left to right - Paul Kelly (chairman of the
Mercury Bay Community Board), Riemer Brouwer (representing the Australian chapter of the Captain Cook Society),
Dame Anne Salmond (guest speaker), Brian Pilkington (as the explorer James Cook), Graeme Lay (guest speaker), John Steele
(Mercury Bay-based organiser of the meeting), Peter Andersen (Danish member of the Captain Cook Society) and
Brian Wyeth (co-ordinator of the New Zealand chapter of the Captain Cook Society).
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Page 10
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Captain Cook
Society meeting
was published. It shot to number one on
the best sellers list after only a month.
That led to publication of the second
novel, “James Cook’s New World,”
a year later.
“The third novel in the trilogy, which I
haven’t called ‘James Cook’s Countdown,’
will be published in the next few months,”
Graeme said under much laughter.
“In fact, last night I’ve had an email from
my publisher saying that the proofreading
is complete and the manuscript will now
be prepared for print. I’ve decided to call
the book ‘James Cook’s Lost World.’
It’s fitting that I received my publisher’s
email while at Cooks Beach.”
Graeme said the third novel was by far
the most difficult to write. It deals with
an older Cook, in mental and physical
decline, and also his death at the hands of
the inhabitants of Hawaii.
Graeme’s address was followed by an
inspirational talk by Dame Anne Salmond
on the encounters between Captain Cook
and the people of New Zealand during
Cook’s visit to our shores in 1769.
Dame Anne is a famed scholar of Maori
life and cross-cultural encounters in New
Zealand. She grew up in Gisborne and
was New Zealander of the Year in 2013.
She spoke about the way some of the
archaeological findings around New
Zealand are giving an insight in the
way the earliest Polynesian arrivals
in New Zealand explored and lived,
their understanding of time as a spiral in and out from the present to their
ancestors and back - and their
understanding of the interconnection
of all aspects of life with all aspects
of nature. She said Maori philosophy
works well with contemporary science.
The internet, as a relational cosmos, is a
good example of that.
Dame Anne also talked about the
members of Ngati Hei Cook had dealings
with when his ship, the Endeavour,
arrived in Mercury Bay to observe the
passing of Mercury in November 1769 a welcoming, but somewhat impoverished
people. “Impoverished because of the
raids they had to endure from other Maori
tribes,” Dame Anne said.
She elaborated on the friendly nature of
the interaction between Cook and Ngati
Hei and the impact a simple gift of seed
potatoes had on the production of food in
New Zealand.
“There was some ‘misadventure’ in
Captain Cook’s dealings with the Maori
people, especially when he first set foot
on New Zealand soil in Gisborne,”
Dame Anne said. “That wasn’t necessarily
because of any hostility. Simply what
happened was that people from different
worlds came together for the first time.
“The question now is this, ‘How do we
get to a point where we can heal history?
How can we voyage into the future
together?’”
After Dame Anne spoke, Paul Kelly,
chairman of the Mercury Bay Community
Board, briefly shared where things are at
with regard to Mercury Bay celebrating
the 250th anniversary of Cook’s arrival in
New Zealand in 2019. It’s early days still,
Paul said, but the people of Mercury Bay
can look forward to many exciting things
happening. And we can look forward
to a possible Whitianga town upgrade
celebrating not only Cook, but also the
Polynesian explorer Kupe, including,
perhaps, a similarly themed town square
at Taylor’s Mistake and some public art.
During the meeting’s tea break I
grabbed the opportunity to quickly talk
to Peter Andersen, the Danish member of
the British chapter of the Captain Cook
Society. Peter is a philatelist and became
interested in James Cook when he started
collecting stamps about him. He’s been to
Mercury Bay before and simply couldn’t
stay away when he heard the New
Zealand regional meeting was to be held
in Cooks Beach. He plans to return for the
celebrations in 2019.
Leaving the meeting I felt buoyed. We
are living in a very interesting time - a time
where history most definitely will help
to shape the future. Somehow I couldn’t
help to wonder what Mercury Bay would
be like when Peter returns in 2019.
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Page 11
Alan Hopping on
Mercury Bay tourism
It’s now a year since The Lost Spring
has opened its shop/information centre
in Albert Street, Whitianga.
When the shop opened, Alan Hopping
- owner of The Lost Spring - said it
wasn’t only to be a means of promoting
the famous Pacifica-themed thermal
pools, day spa and café only a kilometre
up the road in Cook Drive to visitors
to Whitianga, it was also a means of
promoting other Mercury Bay attractions
and businesses.
“Information and time is the most
important commodity for tourists when
they arrive in Whitianga,” Alan said at
the time. “The central and northern parts
of the Coromandel have so much to
offer, not just Cathedral Cove and Hot
Water Beach. But we need to tell our
tourists.”
And it seems as if the shop is doing
exactly that. “The shop is very useful in
directing people to The Lost Spring,”
Alan recently told The Informer.
“But about 70 per cent of people popping
in are looking for information on things
to do and places to go. It’s our pleasure
to help them. We get a lot of support
from the local business community and
it’s great to be able to return the favour.”
The Lost Spring itself is also settling
into a rhythm, six years after the
business’s doors opened. “Our spa is
now a core component of what we have
to offer,” Alan said. “It compliments the
pools really well.
“Our next phase is the extension of the
spa, in the form of a traditional treetop
bure or bures. A place where individuals
and couples can spend a whole day
relaxing and being pampered.
“We’ll also be building a ‘sand stage’
and hangi facility close by the café
and our outdoor entertainment area.
That will be a great venue for things like
kapa haka and ukulele performances.
“Tourism is Mercury Bay’s major
industry. My motivation for building The
Lost Spring was to excite the imagination
of people. We now see tourists staying
longer, playing more, enjoying more and
coming back to do it all over again.
“At the end of the day The Lost Spring
is just one of a number of excellent local
businesses making a trip to Mercury
Bay for our tourists a memorable
occasion. I’m proud to be part of our
business community.”
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Page 12
Arts strategy has strong local support
Tuesday last week more than 65 people
came together in Thames at the invitation
of Thames Coromandel District Council
to discuss an arts strategy for the Thames
Coromandel District.
A strong contingent from Mercury Bay
attended the meeting, including Stuart
Christie and Marion Manson from the
Mercury Bay Art Escape, artists Michael
Smither and Gian McGregor, Jan Wright
from Creative Mercury Bay and Mike
Wilkinson, Head of Drama at Mercury
Bay Area School.
The central theme of the meeting was,
“What can an arts policy do for a creative
community?” TCDC has formal strategies
in place for economic development,
youth, disabilities and ageing, but at this
stage there is nothing for the arts.
TCDC Councillor Diane Connors,
who organised the meeting on request
from TCDC mayor Glenn Leach,
has been a long time supporter of the arts
in the Thames Coromandel District. “I was
acutely aware that a number of approaches
by individuals and arts groups to Council
to do things that would promote the arts
on the Coromandel were hitting road
blocks, not because of an unwillingness to
help on the part of Council staff, but due
to a lack of a policy framework,” she says.
“The message from central government
in recent years has been very clear -
stick to core business and if you are going
to get involved in the ‘social space,’
make sure that you do it with community
backing. The community itself has also
been very clear in the past. Be careful how
you spend our money and make sure you
keep us informed and involved.”
According to Diane, the will exists
within TCDC to support proposals for artbased projects, but prioritising action on
any proposal is very difficult in terms of
Council time and resources.
“Some examples where an arts policy
might be useful include an individual or
group approaching the Council with an
idea for a sculpture park, or a piece of
public artwork, or perhaps murals on the
Some of the Mercury Bay contingent who attended the Thames Coromandel District Council arts strategy meeting in Thames
on Tuesday last week. From left to right - Marion Manson and Stuart Christie (both from the Mercury Bay Art Escape),
Hilary Falconer (from Creative Mercury Bay), Alison Henry (from the Mercury Bay Art Escape), Jan Wright (from Creative
Mercury Bay), Mike Wilkinson (Head of Drama at Mercury Bay Area School) and Len Salt (from Creative Mercury Bay).
walls of buildings or structures owned by
Council,” she explains. “The principles of
an arts policy can even be incorporated
when a new playground is built or a park
is developed.”
There was little doubt among the group
from Mercury Bay who attended the
meeting that TCDC has to adopt a strategy
that will proactively support and promote
the arts on the Coromandel.
Stuart Christie says that you only have
to look at the numbers to see the impact
that just one arts event has on the economy
of Mercury Bay. “For the 2015 Mercury
Bay Art Escape Open Studio Tour which
has just finished, many of our artists
reported sales of between $5,000-$8,000
within the first couple of days. Add to that
commissions for works to be completed
in the future, accommodation bookings,
visits to restaurants, cafes and tours and
you begin to see the positive effect that
the event has on the whole community,
not just the artists themselves.”
So what happens next? TCDC needs to
have agreement from the public that the
Thames Coromandel District needs an
arts policy. Once that has been achieved,
a proposed policy has to be written.
That proposal will ultimately be submitted
for a vote by Council.
The whole process is likely to take 18
months, but once adopted it will give
TCDC, arts and other organisations
and individuals a framework to work
within whenever any form of assistance,
support or cooperation from TCDC is
required to promote the arts in the Thames
Coromandel District.
Page 13
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - An accommodation provider’s view of the proposed holiday rental levy
Thames Coromandel District Council, in its rush to appease the Motel Association
of New Zealand (MANZ), has proposed a $200 levy on beach houses that are rented
out and B&B’s that have three rooms or less, with larger B&Bs proposed to be turned
into commercial entities with all the resulting cost increase this will entail.
Interesting that the CEO from MANZ was in our area meeting with our Council
only two weeks ago and was chortling in his weekly newsletter Friday before last
about the proposed levies being initiated.
While Council has stated that the extra funds will go towards economic development,
does the Coromandel region really need this funding to be spent this way?
What are the attractions that bring overseas tourists to this area and create revenue
for not only accommodation providers, but all other businesses and artisans?
Yes, in the main it is the natural beauty, vistas, beaches and attractions like Cathedral
Cove, Hot Water Beach and New Chums Beach to name a few.
Many events held on the Coromandel Peninsula which are funded by our Council’s
Economic Development Fund, are designed to attract New Zealanders and locals,
not overseas visitors. Consequently they provide far less revenue for B&Bs and local
businesses. Some events funded are also questionable, like the grant to the Leadfoot
Festival and Illume, the Coromandel Town Winter Festival of Light.
If these levies are put in place, I believe the money would be better used to upgrade
infrastructure which is no longer coping with the visitor numbers we experience on
the Coromandel during peak times.
Currently there is a shortage of accommodation of all types in our region and
imposing a levy on smaller operators and a commercial rating on the larger ones
will simply mean operators will cease business or reduce in size, aggravating this
problem. Council states they are trying to be fair and make a level playing field,
but if this is the case, shouldn’t all the artisans in the region also be levied as they
operate from home and rely on tourists for the bulk of their income? Then there
are the tradesmen, hairdressers, upholsterers and so on who benefit financially in an
indirect way from tourists. I feel if all those who operate from residential properties
and earn income from tourism were levied, most of those renting out accommodation
would be happy with the new levy proposal.
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Regarding the larger B&B operators, who, it is proposed, will be paying commercial
rates with all the extra charges involved, there is a huge difference between them and
a motel. Motels are open all year round and cater for a more regular clientele such as
traveling salesmen and domestic and Australian travelers. B&Bs are usually existing
homes in residential areas which would otherwise house residents and families all
year if not run as a B&B. B&Bs are not commercial entities in highly visible main
street locations and in the main rely on overseas tourists with only a very small
percentage of domestic guests, so the argument that is raised by moteliers that B&Bs
steal their guests is false.
Because tourists mainly visit our region in the summer B&B clientele is seasonal
and dries up in the winter months. Some people prefer to stay in B&Bs because they
want to meet locals, have time to discuss their interests with their hosts and eat the
type of food their hosts provide. If the number of B&Bs diminishes, these guests
won’t start staying in motels, they will simply avoid the region. Several of the larger
B&Bs have already contacted me advising they will simply close rooms reducing to
a size that will not make them liable for the commercial charge.
Similarly it can be argued that those who rent holiday homes are generally families
with a number of children who would find motels expensive and would prefer to cater
for their families with meals rather than going to restaurants. These home owners,
who in the main only wish to make enough from renting out their properties to cover
their annual rates bills and other overheads, will in some cases withdraw from having
their properties available for rent, again aggravating the shortage of accommodation.
To summarise, I feel that our Council should forget turning the handful of larger
B&Bs into commercial rated properties and if they do wish to propose the annual $200
levy on smaller B&Bs, they should look at levying all those who operate businesses
from residential properties as this would make the levy more fair and equitable.
I would also question the funds being used for economic development, advancing the
argument that the provision of necessary infrastructure would probably be far better
received by those subject to the levy.
Trevor Knight
B&B Operator - Hot Water Beach
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Page 14
New team at
Peninsula Tyres
Like many other people, John and Karyn Van Den Heuvel, the new owners of Peninsula Tyres in
Monk Street, Whitianga, used to holiday in Mercury Bay. In their case it was usually every
second weekend for more than 15 years before they took the plunge and moved to the
area permanently.
John and Karyn used to live in Matamata. John has an engineering background and Karyn
worked in customer service with a nationwide organisation for more than 18 years. Their sonin-law, James Reichardt, and their daughter Jennifer moved to Whitianga last year when James
joined Peninsula Tyres.
John and Karyn started talking to Wayne and Pam Turner, the previous owners of Peninsula
Tyres. One thing lead to another and before long an agreement was negotiated and signed.
On 2 February this year they took the business over from Wayne and Pam. “The business is a
good fit,” says John. “My engineering experience comes in handy and Karyn is invaluable in the
office. It of course also helps having James on the floor.”
John and Karyn are very community focused. John has been a member of the Whitianga
Coastguard for some time now and Karyn has recently joined their incident room. And when
there’s a good cause to support, they’re happy to talk. Already Whitianga St John and the
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club’s open and trailer boat tournaments have benefitted from their
generosity.
“It’s simple,” says Karyn. “We’re living the dream and loving the lifestyle. We’re keen to do our
bit to make sure everyone enjoys the area as much as we do.”
Pictured are James (on the right), Karyn and John.
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Page 15
What’s On the next few weeks
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Op-Shops and JP
Social Services Op Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill
Street (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm. Also JP at Social Services,
every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon. Phone (07) 866 4476 for more information.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Thursday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Op-Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Phone 869 5416. Every first Saturday of the month a special promotion.
Free Community Meals
At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Albert Street, Whitianga. Phone St Andrews on 867 1102 or email
[email protected] for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation
(to cover cost of room rent). We promote a slow, steady weight loss based on eating well, nourishing foods and
moving more - towards maintaining our our ideal weight and optimal health. New members always welcome.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc.
Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Contact Pam Phillips (president) 866 5908 for more information.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meet every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information. Mountain biking meet every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every Saturday at 7:30am
at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on
866 4215 for more information or to join.
Whitianga Probus Club
Meet on the fourth Monday of every month at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Friendly club
for seniors. Visitors welcome. Phone Arnold or Vivienne Leigh on (07) 869 5995 for more information.
Mercury Bay Table Tennis
Every Tuesday 9:30am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Pat or Neville on 867 1447 for
more information.
Mercury Bay Badminton
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 11:00am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Diane on 027 246 1915 for
more information.
Bridge Clubs
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club meets every Wednesday. Hahei Bridge Club meets every Tuesday. Phone Anne
Knowles on 866 5686 for more information.
Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
Thursday evenings at 6:45pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. New members and visitors welcome. Just come along or
phone Doreen on (07) 866 5237 or Alan on (07) 866 4024 for more information.
St John Cadets
Meet every Monday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at the St John Ambulance Station, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Beth
on (07) 869 5294 or (021) 241 9757 for more information.
Whitianga Camera Club
Meet the first Monday of every month at 7:00pm at Campbells Steak ‘n Ale, Campbell Street, Whitianga. Phone Kay
and Paul Evison on 866 2262 or Lia Priemus on 866 2437 for more information. All welcome.
Whitianga Social Services Youth Space
Corner of Bryce Street and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Wednesday - Fridays after school. Special activities every
second Friday evening. Phone 866 4472 for more information.
Coroglen Farmers Market
Every Sunday from 9:30am - 1:00pm at the Coroglen Hall, SH25, Coroglen.
Whitianga Art Group
Meet every Thursday and Friday at the Art Centre in School Road, Whitianga. New members welcome.
Phone Heather on 866 4474 or Maryanne on 866 4099 for more information.
Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten Pumpkin and Harvest Festival
Saturday 28 March from 2:00pm - 8:00pm at Cemetery Road Kuaotunu. Biggest pumpkin competition, pumpkin pie
competition, gumboot throwing competition and more. Phone 866 094 for more information.
Tairua Firemen’s Market
Friday 3 April from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Tairua Fire Station, Main Road, Tairua.
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Kids’ Easter Fishing Tournament
Saturday 4 April at Whitianga Wharf. Phone 866 4121 for more information.
Fun Zone Massive Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday 5 April at 10:00am at Fun Zone, Kaimarama Road, Whitianga. Gold coin entry. For the benefit of St John
Ambulance Service.
Whitianga Bike Park Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday 5 April from 2:00pm - 5:00pm at the Whitianga Bike Park, Moewai Road, Whitianga.
Entry - $2 per person. A Whitianga Lions fundraiser.
Cooks Beach Easter Market
Sunday 5 April 10:00am - 1:00pm at the Cooks Beach Hall, Cooks Beach. Plants, cakes, produce, books, crafts,
pottery, perfume, pickles, breads and more.
Weekly Church Services
Mercury Bay Co-operating Parish
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, 9:30am every Sunday worship service and kids friendly Bible sessions
with Rev Mary Petersen, Albert St, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas St, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am Sundays, cnr Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Weekend Mass Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8.30am, Monday - Friday 9:00am (except Tuesday no Mass,
Wednesday 12:00 noon). Tairua Sunday 10:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, tel 866 2189.
Whitianga Baptist Church
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel 866 4027.
C3 Whitianga
10:30am every Sunday, children’s programme, 23 Coghill St, Whitianga,
email [email protected].
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall.
Children’s programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
Mobility equipment available available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 16
A nova in Sagittarius
By Alastair Brickell - owner of Stargazers Astronomy Tours outside Kuaotunu
Stargazers around the globe have been
avidly watching a double treat in our
early morning sky.
The first is the development of a new
exploding star in the sky discovered by
Australian amateur astronomer John
Seach on 10 March. The exploding star
is visible in our early morning sky not
far from the planet Saturn. This rare
event, called a “nova,” can be seen in the
constellation of Sagittarius, also known
as the “teapot.”
The illustration with this article,
which was actually made for
stargazers in the northern hemisphere,
shows where the nova is located in
Sagittarius. Observers in New Zealand
should rotate the map counter clockwise
90 degrees so that the teapot appears to
be standing on its handle.
The nova is visible rising low in the
south-eastern sky at about 1:00am and
by 3:00am it will be almost directly
overhead. The nova will be the brightest
star inside the teapot and might continue
be visible to the naked eye for a few days,
but will be easily visible in binoculars as
it continues to slowly fade.
This is the brightest nova in Sagittarius
for over 100 years so is not to be missed.
Novae are caused when two stars
are in close orbit around each other.
One is a giant swollen star that
has become so huge that its outer
atmosphere is no longer bound by
it’s gravity and gets sucked up by the
other star, an exploding white dwarf.
This continues to swell and eventually
gets so big and hot that a thermonuclear
explosion occurs and it brightens by
a factor of over a million and throws
off its outer atmosphere at about 2,800
km per second! This particular nova
is hot enough to be forming iron in its
outer layers.
It is this explosion that we see as a new
star and as the atmosphere continues
to expand and cool the nova will
gradually fade.
The other development is that Saturn
is at the moment clearly visible as
the brightest “star” in the claws at the
end of the constellation of Scorpius,
the scorpion. It appears as a slightly
yellowish new “star” at the end of the three
or four stars we normally see in the claws.
Planets move slowly through the
constellations of the zodiac along
a line called the ecliptic and can be
distinguished from normal stars as they
do not appear to twinkle like stars unless
they are very low on the horizon.
Keen observers might like to mark
the position of Saturn from week to
week on the chart as it will gradually
move through Scorpius over the next
few months.
The Greek word “planet” means
wanderer as the planets were noticed
wandering through other stars in the
sky by the ancients. Saturn is currently
rising in the southeast at about 10:00pm,
well before Sagittarius. It is a great sight
with its rings in powerful binoculars or
especially in a telescope and up to five
of its 65 moons can also be seen orbiting
around the planet in a large telescope.
An illustration that will help stargazers to locate the nova in Sagittarius and also
the planet Saturn as it’s making it’s way through the constellation Scorpius.
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Page 17
3
1 95
4
6 2 87
Sudoku
Fishing Report with Alan Proctor
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Puzzle 629
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
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. Deliver or mail your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer,
14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga, to reach us by 6:00pm
Monday each week. The weekly prize is one free Current Release from
Civic Video, Whitianga. The winner must please claim his/her prize from
Civic Video directly.
We are moving well and truly into one of
the best fishing periods of the year.
Out wide we still have gamefish
around with blue and striped marlin,
yellow fin tuna and mahimahi all being
caught this week. Earlier reports that
the marlin were a little closer to shore in
100 - 200m of water are still holding
true, although most marlin caught during
the weekend just gone were very wide,
which bucked the trend somewhat.
Still nice water up past the Hook to
Great Barrier and beyond and also out
behind the Aldermans, which is fishing
well from the Pins right out to the Knoll.
Inshore fishing is really going off,
although as we know, there are no
guarantees with fishing. There are still
many small snapper around and if you
are being harassed by these youngsters,
odds are you can move somewhere else
and have a good shot at some decent fish.
There are also some good numbers
of trevally and kahawai coming in,
with many of these going 2 or 3kg,
which is big enough for a good tussle.
Lots of good reports received this
week from fishers sticking close to the
coastline from Devils Point right around
to Kuaotunu and the southern and
western edges of Great Merc. Korapuki
is also fishing well and several vessels
have had success on the north-western
shoreline of the Bay from Davis Point
up to Round Island and the Whau Whau.
The successful completion of two more
tournaments last weekend has the club
nearing the conclusion of this year’s
tournament calendar with just the Junior
Tournament (11 and 12 April) and a
couple of winter fishing competitions
to go.
The ladies were pleased to get some
excellent fishing days in for their
tournament, which saw three marlin
caught (two of which were tagged and
released) and the Alto tournament had
nearly 140 visiting anglers in town,
who bought the majority of their supplies
locally and raised amongst themselves
around $3,200 to be donated to the
Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust.
We are heading into the last week
of the recreational scallop season,
although cyclone Pam probably enjoyed
the largest harvest of the season,
with these shellfish littered along parts
of Opito and Matarangi like confetti
when the large swells last week
wrestled them from their resting spots.
There’s bound to be quite a few that
survived the onslaught in the lee of Great
Mercury Island. The season finishes on
31 March, so you’ll need to get in fairly
quickly for your
last fresh feed of
the season.
Tight lines,
Alan
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Page 18
Breakfast at Mercury Bay Garden Centre
When Steve Wadsworth and Julie
Bartlam took over Mercury Bay Garden
Centre and Landscape Supplies on South
Highway, Whitianga a few months ago,
it was a new experience for them in more
than one regard.
It was the first time the two of them
were going to work together, it was the
first time they were going to live in a
smaller town and it was the first time
they were going to try and make an
existing, long-established business even
better than it was the day they settled
their purchase.
“I used to own an excavation and
earthmoving business in Hamilton for
many years and Julie was involved in
home based child care,” says Steve.
“I sold the business three years ago,
but stayed on managing it for the new
owner. Both Julie and I felt it was time
for a change and started looking at new
opportunities.
“We agreed on one thing and that was
that we wanted to be close to the sea.
We spotted that Mercury Bay Garden
Centre was on the market. We came to
have a look and decided to sign on the
dotted line.
“I have holidayed in Whitianga
previously, but Julie had never been here
before. It’s fair to say it didn’t take long
for both of us to fall in love with the
town and the whole Mercury Bay area.”
“Yes” adds Julie. “The people here are
very welcoming. The business keeps us
busy at the moment, but we already have
opportunities to become involved in and
support community events. It feels as if
we have been here a long time.”
Steve is mainly responsible for looking
after the landscape supplies stocked
by the business, including the loading
of customer orders and the handling of
deliveries around Whitianga and further
out, while Julie looks after the plants
and garden supplies the business sells,
including a new range of weed killers,
herbicides, fungicides, fertilizer and
growing media that all gardeners and
landscapers may be interested in.
“We work really well together,”
says Steve. “Julie and I both enjoy doing
what we’re doing and I think customers
can sense that they are at a ‘happy
place’ when they come to buy or order
something from us.”
On Wednesday 1 April Steve and
Julie will play host to a Daltons
sponsored breakfast at the garden centre.
Daltons is a well-known growing media
and landscape supplies wholesaler.
Guest speakers will be Graham Saltiel,
senior sales representative for Daltons,
and Nicola Rochester, the regional
sales manager for global soil nutrition
The Fire Alarm with SSO Derek Collier
Sponsored by Safety + Apparel Tel 0800 726 726
March, like the rest of this year so far,
has been very quiet for the Whitianga
Volunteer Fire brigade as far as fire
calls go, with only five to date.
We have responded to two Motor
Vehicle Accidents and three calls to
assist Ambulance.
Often
when
the
Whitianga
Ambulance is out of town on a call,
we respond to give assistance until
another ambulance can get to the scene
to take over.
As mentioned last month, we
have had our Water Ways Team in
Greymouth at the National Water
Ways Competitions. They did us proud
under very wet conditions, the four
person team coming 10th overall and
the two person team coming 11th. Well
done guys!
The six brigade members that are
Steve Wadsworth and Julie Bartlam
company Everiss. Nicola will talk about
the range of new turf and landscape
products now available in New Zealand.
“The breakfast starts at 7.00am,”
Steve says. “Hopefully everyone who
attends will not only get a chance to
build a breakfast burger to their liking,
but will also learn a new thing or two.
Like all industries, gardening and
landscaping are constantly changing.
All are welcome”
If you are interested to attend the
breakfast, please RSVP no later
than Friday 27 March to Graham on
telephone 0800 808 150 or email
[email protected] or let
Steve or Julie know on telephone
07 866 2412. or simply pop into Mercury
Bay Garden Centre.
doing the Sky Tower Challenge on
23 May are in full training. This is
a great effort on their part with a lot
of work going in to achieve this and
it's for a great cause, fundraising for
the Leukaemia Foundation. You can
support these guys by going onto
their Facebook page “Whitianga Fire
Fighter Sky Tower Challenge” and
see what they are up to. You may even
want to make a donation.
Don't forget if you have a car you
don't need, our Crash Rescue Team
would love to hear from you or ring
me at Whitianga Sports on telephone
866 5295.
Remember if you can't be good, at
least be careful.
Senior Station Officer
Derek Collier
5 Monk Street, Whitianga
Office Ph: 07 8671087
Email: [email protected]
David: 027 4994833
Tracey: 027 4907988
See us for all your land development,
planning and resource consent requirements.
www.plannersplus.co.nz
Gordon Lewis: Your friendly computer professional
07 869 5451
Page 19
Police Report
with Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 16 March to Monday 23 March 2015
GENERAL
On the 18th 19 beehives were reported
stolen from the Whangapoua causeway
area and this is a continuation of
beehive thefts reported in the Tairua
area recently.
I would suggest that stealing beehives
would take specialist equipment and a
vehicle/trailer to transport them, so if
you see a different vehicle than usual
at the sight of beehives, please note the
registration and let us know.
Anyone
with
information
concerning these thefts is requested to
contact Police so that we can stop this
offending.
Also
a
call
to
"0800
CRIMESTOPPERS" concerning any
criminal offending can anonymously
help to make your community a better
place to live in.
ARRESTS
18th - 1 x 22yr old local man for
Breaching Bail Conditions.
OCCURRENCES
One domestic incident attended this
week.
On the 17th a separated couple were
arguing about custody issues at a
Pipi Dune address and they were given
direct advice.
On the 16th an incident of Wilful
Damage at a residential address on the
309 Road was reported, while on the
17th a holiday home in Whitby Avenue
was burgled. It appears the property
was searched, but nothing was stolen.
Then on the 19th another holiday
home on Whitby Avenue was burgled,
the offender using a rock to smash
the back door window and then the
offender appears to have slept at the
address.
On the 21st a car was broken into
at Ferry Landing and an iPod and
headphones were stolen.
TRAFFIC
No drunk drivers apprehended this
week.
Unfortunately we have had a number
of poor driving incidents reported this
week where drivers have not been
paying full attention to the road.
A moment’s lapse in concentration
can result in a serious crash,
so please concentrate on your driving
and stay off cell phones or any other
distractions.
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Page 20
MB Boating Club
Steinlager Series Race 8
Junior Surf
Lifesaving
By Matt Algie - skipper of Blue Print
Results of the Hot Water Beach Championships held on Sunday 22 March
Overall Winners - Girl Preschool 1st Equal - Marlie Candelaria and Skye Condon, Girl 5 Seren Green, Boy 5 - Noah Candelaria, Girl 6 - Millie Gold, Boy 6 - Patrick Butcher, Girl 7 Rita Robinson, Boy 7 - Quinn McCleery, Girl 8 - Macy Costello, Boy 8 -Mark Johnston, Girl 9
1st Equal - Freya Kardas and Stella-Rose Bahr, Girl 10 - Tiana Tiro, Boy 10 - Dylan Fitzsimons,
Girl 11 - Jasmine McCleery, Boy 11 - Ben Wharton, Girl 12 - Emma Hinds-Senior, Boy 12 Taine Mason, Girl 13 Holly McCleery, Boy 13 - Zeke Tiro, Girl 14 - Chelsea Macfarlane, Boy
14 - Jay Piper-Healion, Boy 18 - Dane Whiting.
Best All-Rounder - Preschool Leo Ramage, 5 - Seren Green, 6 - Patrick Butcher, 7 - Cerys
Green, 8 -Macy Costello, 9 - Freya Kardas, 10 - Tiana Tiro, 11 - Jasmine McCleery, 13 - Jack
Wharton, 18 - Dane Whiting.
Most Improved - 5 - Taingarunui Hinds, 6 - Joseph May, 7 - Brynn Ramage, 8 - Paris Mason,
9 - Stella-Rose Bahr, 10 - Ewen Hick, 11 - Keegan Wright, 12 - Ethan Bahr, 13 - Conor
Fitzsimons.
Team Spirit – Preschool - Marlie Candelaria, 5 - Tessa McGovern, 6 - Sarah-Kate Lusby, 7 Anna Smith, 8 - Ella Scott, 9 - Milly Lamason, 10 - Sean Smith, 11 - Ava Lamason, 12 Kenjia Campbell, 13 -Zeke Tiro, 14 - Jay Piper-Healion.
Pictured is four-year-old Maya Rolton giving her everything during the championships.
Only the courageous sailors of the
Mercury Bay Boating Club would dare
venture out to sea after a massive cyclone
named Pam was still lurking along
the coast.
Nine yachts braved the elements last
Wednesday evening to ride on the back of
Pam's carnage.
When Sandy Wilton fired her starter’s
cannon in the tower, the noise of screaming
sheets and winches and the barking of
instructions from the skippers reverberated
across the Bay.
H2GO (Paul Dimmock) made the
most of the conditions, followed closely
by Solvieg (Al Joslin) and Blue Print
(Matt Algie).
With wind speeds maxing out at eight
knots, Shadz (Bruce Haynes), Longshot
(John Jackman), Contrast (John Wright),
Loose (Belinda Wallace), Harmony
(Arnie Leigh) and LGB (Len Salt) were all
snapping at the heels of the front runners.
The fleet adapted well to Pam's abated
sea state and careened out of the Bay en
route to Doctors Buoy. Everyone popped
spinnakers, except Blue Print who tied her
spinnaker in a knot on the forestay. Luckily
she was able to deploy her reserve.
Under the conditions a few hairy
spinnaker takedowns ensued at Doctors
Buoy as the yachts prepared to harden up
for a tight reach to Simpsons Buoy.
As the bulk of the fleet rounded
Simpsons Buoy, H2GO had stretched her
legs. In fact, she was so far ahead she had
crossed the line and was already back in
the marina being loaded on the trailer.
Meanwhile Solvieg and Shadz had a fair
old ding-dong battle with Solvieg crossing
the line just in front of Shadz.
The fading and oscillating breeze
presented a whole new ball game for
the skippers still heading to the finish
line. Loose and Blue Print got into a
tacking dual, until BluePrint completely
muffed the tack allowing Loose to gain a
temporary advatage..
Longshot had quietly sailed her own
race keeping her noe clean to finish forth
over the line. Well done Longshot.
With the line in sight, Blue Print was
home and hosed until Contrast crossed
her bow, dumped on top of Blue Print and
squeezed her out, allowing Contrast to win
by seven seconds. Unhappy Blue Print.
Arnie Leigh on Harmony having just
returned from a yacht delivery trip to
Tasmania, found the going a bit tough and
retired as did LGB (Len Salt).
As they finished - H2GO, Solvieg,
Shadz, Longshot, Contrast, Blue Print and
Loose. Harmony and LGB retired.
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Page 21
US Style Crossword
© The New York Times
ACROSS
Puzzle US 629
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
Go in the draw to win a weekend for two in Queenstown next winter (transport to
Auckland Airport, flights, accommodation and $500 spending money included).
Deliver or mail (or scan and email) your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk
St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga, to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each
week. The winner will be notified by phone. No correspondence will be entered
into once the winner has been notified. Conditions apply.
UPSIDES
BY JEREMY NEWTON / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
Page 22
Delicious Affordable Indian Food
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
(Westpac Arcade)
Ph 07 866 2666 Open
Lunch 11 - 2
Dinner 5 onwards
1 Seat at a hoedown
6 Brouhaha
10 ____ it up
13 Cliff Huxtable or Ward Cleaver
18 Like some muscles and baby food
19 Parks staying put
20 One for war?
21 Like the veal in osso buco
22 They can knock out lightweights
24 Sleep (with)
26 Pope during the rule of Emperor Constantine
IV
27 Ghetto blaster?
28 Virgil epic
29 Slapped on, as paint
30 Jazz band instrument
31 Quality that’s a bit unsettling
34 Whitesmith’s medium
35 Watched some online videos
36 Like sweat and some moccasins
38 With 91-Across, super-antsy … or like 24
Across answers in this puzzle?
40 Mole hunter
41 Retired runway model
42 “Right you ____!”
44 Open to debate
45 2007 film featuring Raphael, Leonardo,
Donatello and Michelangelo
46 Country singer Tucker
49 Slow
50 Final Four org.
52 “I must remember this for later …”
55 Ring
57 Dinner that was prepared hours ago, say
61 Opposite of totally
63 Drill (into)
64 Prove useful
65 Nice thing about purchases in Delaware and
Oregon
66 Plays a ukulele
67 Moose or mouse
69 One getting hammered
70 Part of two state names
72 Authority over sheriffs in England
73 Down Under marsupial
75 Grp. that meets in Albany
77 Perv, e.g.
78 It’s not so bad
79 Flimsy
80 Secretly adds to emails
81 “Tearin’ Up My Heart” group
83 Feats of Keats
85 Sitcom alien
86 Something e-cigarettes lack
87 Seem
90 Coffee container
91 See 38-Across
94 Two notes from a tuba
97 Cupful before sleep, maybe
98 Bungler
99 Popular dessert in Georgia
101 It’s at one end of a rainbow
103 Model add-ons
104 Spiff up
106 Boston skyscraper, with “the”
107 Driver’s license, but not a credit card, e.g.
109 Chart for weighing options
111 Food processor?
113 Strips bare
114 Madeira Mrs.
115 “You must ____” (order to an earthling)
116 Brave
117 Stopping point
118 Water source
119 Richard of “Shall We Dance?”
120 Old-fashioned fraternity activity
DOWN
1 Targets of some cryosurgery
2 Facilities overseen by the C.D.C.
3 Adds
4 Playroom block
5 Swirled
6 Turkey Day follower: Abbr.
7 Hi-fi sound?
8 With suspicion
9 Lavender or lilac
10 Lights up
11 Flu symptom
12 Wasn’t joking
13 Tromped (on)
14 Morrison who sang “Brown Eyed Girl”
15 Subside
16 ____ rifle
17 It’s a first
21 Entity
23 Rag on
25 Pull (in)
32 Aussie “Mornin’!”
33 Nina who sang “I Put a Spell on You”
35 Kind of joke
37 When brunch might be served
39 “Whew!”
43 Pure bliss
45 Pinch
47 “It’s sad but true …”
48 Eagles or Ravens
49 Capitol insiders
50 Bellini opera
51 Without a hitch
52 “Grand” mountain
53 Source of eggs
54 Some risqué communiqués
56 Many pages are written in it
57 Campus dining area
58 Captain America portrayer Chris
59 “Duck Dynasty” network
60 Source of bile
62 Steamed
63 Luxuriate
67 Apple Store display
68 There might be one on a car
71 Capital that’s the seat of Lewis and Clark
County
73 Amuse
74 Music-licensing grp.
76 “God’s Son” rapper
77 Lot of junk
80 Show of respect
82 Cutting class?
83 Sketch
84 Get all decked out
85 Selfish, as an attitude
86 Credit (to)
88 Travel as a group, in a way
89 Liberals
91 Saturday morning fare, informally
92 “That’s close enough!”
93 Peke or Pom
95 Many Manets
96 Get together
97 Encountered
100 More epic
102 Book before bedtime, maybe
104 One seeking money for a meter?
105 Vial liquids
108 Martin’s wife on the 1990s sitcom
“Martin”
110 “What’ll ____?”
112 Closely monitor
House Combo
1/2 Curry and 1/2 Rice & Naan $9.95*
Chicken or Vegetarian
Available anytime *(Lamb, Beef and Prawn Extra)
B-ROW PROJECTS
P 020 404 31990
E [email protected]
• Decks • Fences • Repairs
• Property maintenance
• Sleep out conversions • Minor alterations
Quick response time
Free quoting
All work considered
MP FOR COROMANDEEL
Puzzle UK 629
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
Call Bram 020 404 31990
Scott Simpson
UK Style Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles
Win a $6 Big Wednesday ticket. Deliver or mail (or scan and email) your entry
to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426,
Whitianga, to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner
must please claim his/her prize from the New World check out
manager directly before the Wednesday the week following the issue in
which he/she was announced the winner.
614 Pollen St.Thames
07 868 3529
www.scottsimpson.co.nz
A large part of my job is helping
people. For an appointment please
contact my office.
email:[email protected]
Authorised by Scott Simpson, 614 Pollen St,Thames
and funded by the Parliamentary Service
T HE O DD J OB M AN
GARY VINCENT
ACROSS
No job too small.
[email protected]
07 866 0059
021 1466 074
Whitianga Tractors
DOWN
1. Praised highly
5. Hawaiian dance
7. Parsley or mint
8. Party mime game
9. Thawed
12. Punctuation marks
15. Burnt with steam
19. Pearl-bearer
21. Segments
22. Equal
23. Hand (out)
24. Anticipation
1. Dig up (corpse)
2. Circle (planet)
3. Comprehensible
4. Lethal
5. Fireside
6. Gangways
10. Volcanic flow
11. Looked over
12. Possessed
13. Small horse
14. Opposite of west
15. Formed
16. Detest
17. Arm joints
18. Copper/tin alloy
19. Fertile desert spot
20. Soft leather
& EQUIPMENT CENTRE
Sales
Repairs
Maintenance
TRACTORS & SMALL ENGINES
Dave and Karen
Phone 07 867 1046 a/hrs 0275 832 343
Email [email protected]
Dakota Drive Whitianga
Your local Husqvarna dealer
Last week’s winner - Cindy McLachlan
Page 23
Sport Results (our thanks to the coaches, managers and administrators who provide us with the results)
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies’ Golf Area Stableford RD 2 - Wednesday 18
March
Results Division 1 (0-24) - Debbie Davidson 35,
Debbie Holmes 35, Mary Ross 34, Judith Claque 34.
Results Division Two (25+) - Chris Fox Del Langdon 37,
Lindsey Rogers 36, Maria Duxfield 35.
Nearest the Pin on #4 (sponsored by Mainly
Casual) - Wendy Allbright, Nearest the Pin on #18
(sponsored by Sheree Henderson) - Raewyn Hill,
Raffle (coffee voucher donated Coghill Café) Jandy Morton, Twos - Ann Blair.
Men’s Golf - Wednesday 18 March
In keeping with St Patrick's Day , the competition was
Irish Stableford, where the value of the points increase
in the later holes.
A runaway winner on 94 points was Roger Booth,
who shot a net 63 !
Alan Henderson scored a fine 89 for second place,
clearly ahead of Ron Watson on 81, followed by David
Fussell (80), Gary Morton (79), Kelvin O'Leary and Bob
Haase on 77.
Six twos were scored - Graham Eccles (2) , John
Lister, Alan Henderson, Rick Swain, and Osman Emer.
Surprisingly , nobody claimed the closest to the pin
on #18. Long drives were claimed by Roger Booth and
Kevan Miles.
Once again, the net albatross pot was not scored,
it will be awarded this week at the annual Canada Cup
Tournament.
Men’s Golf - Saturday 21 March
A good sized field contested the first round of four
rounds to find the winners of the Handicap Match Play.
A Stableford Scramble was run in conjunction
and the winner was course convenor Ray Burgess,
who scored 44 points. Next was Jeffrey Dixon on 43,
followed by Jack Skinner and Ken Meads on 41. On 40
points were Osman Emer and Geoffrey Lowe, followed
by Alan Henderson, Murray Bennett, Gordon Davidson
and Carl Mitchell with 39.
Twos were scored by Gordon Davidson, John Lister,
Geoffrey Lowe, Carl Mitchell, David Watson and Steve
Tull, who had two twos. Nearest the Pin Seniors (0-18)
- Steve Tull, Juniors (19-36) - Not Struck, Longest Drive
Seniors - Ken Meads, Juniors - Paul Lupton.
PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
9-Hole Competition - Thursday 19 March
21 points - Jim Brown, John North, Wayne Morrison,
20 points - Bo Arwidson, 19 points - Bill Cummings,
18 points - John Napier.
Round 2 Hahei Store 36-Hole Par Competition Saturday 21 March
After a remarkable +9 last week, Jock Peacock added
another +7 to total +16 and easily win the competition.
Jeff Bright had an overall +7 to finish second. John
Hughes finished third with an overall +6
Individual scores for the Saturday round as follows -
Jock Peacock +7, Jeff Bright +5, Jim Brown +4.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies Golf - Tuesday 17 March
The 18-hole competition was LGU and Spoons, a net
round and also putting.
Results - Bev Wickham 65, Josey Feasey 68, Marilyn
McCabe 73, Robyn Hayward 74, c/b Marine Horan 74,
Tina Larsen 75, Robyn Hunter 76, Heather Gale 77.
The putting winner was Julie Dey 27.
The 9-hole players had a hidden hole competition.
Results Division 1 - 1 Jill Shandley, 2 Pamela Campbell,
3 Jenny Chalmers.
Results Division 2 - 1 Janet Taylor, 2 Audrey Scrivener,
3 Mike Trott.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Club Night - Thursday 19 March
Winners - Rae Jensen, Alma Kitchen, Wayne Fisher.
Runners-Up - Alan Henderson, Nirie Reddy, Brian Lawn.
Good Sports - Ross Olsen, Cheryl Henderson,
Chris Lawn.
COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Wednesday 18 March
Four teams of two and four teams of three held two
separate competitions.
Congratulations to the winners.
Twos - Selwyn Warren and Coral Strong.
Threes - Trevor Knight, Jan Prendergast and Peter
Tinkler.
TAIRUA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
“Bring a Friend” Night - Monday 16 March
There were four mats in play and four visitors Bev Wickham, Barry Sayers, Jonathan Henderson and
John McConnell. All expressed their enjoyment of the
evening and they hope to play on a regular basis.
At the close of evening’s play the results were Chocolate Fish - Jan Spinlay, Ray Thompson,
Bev Wickham and Judy Barclay.
Runners-Up (with 9 points) - Bev Mancer,
Shirley Pederson and Peter Carverhill.
Winners (with 10 points) - Bruce Crawford,
Jan Lawrence and Albie Marr.
Raffles won by - Barry Spinlay, Ray Bruce,
Frank Gosling, Bev Wickham, Brian Payne,
Geoff Lawrence and Albie Marr.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Paku Pairs - Tuesday 17 March
North/South - 1 Robyn Hogg and Annette Cox 63.49,
2 Philip Shewell and Dave Dylla 61.11, 3 Bev Dickie and
Alison Tichbon 49.21.
East/West - 1 Annette Cummings and Alva Gibson
58.63, 2 Doreen Harris and Lynne Mitchell 55.95,
3 Jean Myles and Chris Ellett 53.87.
MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB
Handicap Pairs Week 3 - Wednesday 18 March
North/South - 1 Annette Gray and David Dylla
59.52, 2 Ernie Pitchfork and Anne Knowles 52.29,
3 Martin Lewis and Val Lewis 51.55.
East/West - 1 Giorgio Allemano and Gerry Church
59.05, 2 Maritza Kocsis and Annette Cummings 51.34,
3 Philip Shewell and Doreen Harris 50.79.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 18 March
Best of three frames.
Winner - Peter Challis with 3 wins.
Two wins to Wayne Bellingham (runner-up) and
Ken Gibson.
Highest break - Barry Roach 22.
MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB
Business House - Tuesday 17 March
MBAS def Pen Vet Services 9-6 8-7 4-3, NYM def
Coastal Sanctuary 9-3 9-7, The Cut Hut def Whitianga
Hotel 9-7 7-9 4-3.
MBAS Secondary School Boys Singles and Doubles
- Friday 20 March
Singles Final - Kiu Oshima def Stormi Jones 6-2.
Doubles Final - Kaito Nanri and Stormi Jones def Kiu
Oshima and Takashi Sato 6-4.
THAMES VALLEY TRIATHLON HELD AT COOKS BEACH
Secondary School - Wednesday 18 March
Jay Piper-Healion and Zeke Tiro from MBAS came
first and second in the Junior Boys Individual triathlon.
In the Junior Boys Team triathlon Dane Matthews,
Jarren Fuller-Kaye and Christian Fletcher from MBAS
came third. Samantha Johnson from MBAS came
second in the Intermediate Girls Individual triathlon.
Primary School - Wednesday 18 March
Freya Kardas, Chelsea Lomas and Stella-Rose Bahr
from Whenuakite came first in the Year 5 and 6 Girls
Team triathlon. They were followed in second place by
Aimee Burton, Bronte Murray and Jazlyn Sloane from
MBAS. Ella Harsant from Whenuakite won the Year 7
and 8 Girls Individual triathlon, with Tiana Tiro from
MBAS in second place. Luke Johnston from MBAS
came second in the 7 and 8 Boys Individual triathlon.
TRUST
WAIKATO
HOT
WATER
BEACH
LIFEGUARD SERVICE
Eastern Region Rookie Cadet Competition Held at
Waihi Beach - Saturday 21 March
The day involved a surf swim, board rescue relay,
tube rescue, patrol scenario, individual first aid
scenarios, theory test and a resuscitation/CPR scenario.
Hot Water Beach were placed fifth, narrowly missing
out on fourth place by 0.4 of a mark.
The team did incredibly well and to add to it,
13-year-old Holly McCleery topped the 49 candidates
with a 100 per cent pass in her resuscitation/CPR
scenario - the only candidate to achieve this mark and
got herself placed third in the individual completion that
was run simultaneously.
Junior Surf Club Championships - Sunday 22 March
See the results on page 21.
MERCURY BAY RUGBY CLUB
Thames Valley 7’s Competition Held in Thames Sunday 22 March
The Mercury Bay Under 15 Girls team won all their
games and also won the Under 15 Girls Cup.
The Mercury Bay Under 15 Girls Rugby team celebrating winning the Thames
Valley Sevens Rugby Competiton held in Thames last Sunday.
Farmers
“cultivation time”
under sowing
dicing, power harrowing
roll seed roll
{cultivated ground}
Call now for a no
obligation price
or booking
027 511 8178 / 07 866 5745
Carpet
Cleaning
Charlie Lodge
& Restoration
Residential Commercial Industrial
Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Marine Carpet & Upholstery
Upholstery Cleaning - Stain Removal - Rug Cleaning
Vinyl Floor Restoration - Spot Dyeing - Odour Control
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
Page 24
Ladies Blue shows
billfish still out there
Classifieds & Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICES
The 11 boats and 27 anglers participating in the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club’s
Ladies Blue Tournament had a real contest on their hands last Saturday and Sunday.
And it was clear billfish season isn’t over yet, not by a long shot.
Aloise Wigg on the vessel Regal landed a 91.2kg striped Marlin and Carla Mogford and
Rebecca Murray, fishing from the vessel Kawailani, tagged and released two marlin.
Pictured are Carla and Rebecca with their partners and the trophies they won in the
tournament - for most fish tagged and released and for winning overall on points.
From left to right - Warren George, Carla, Rebecca and Martin Holmes.
SITUATIONS VACANT
MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park is seeking an organised, motivated and
energetic person to be responsible for the management and maintenance of
assets and grounds. The successful applicant will report to the Park Manager
and be part of the team at our fast growing, award winning holiday park.
CV and covering letter by 7 April 2015 to
[email protected].
WANTED
2 PAINTERS
• Based in Whitianga
• Qualified painters preferred
• Minimum 3 years painting experience
• Residential and commercial painting/decorating
• References essential
• Full driver’s license required
• Immediate start
They should have a “can do” attitude,
a good work ethic and be willing to work in a team.
Three month trial period offered.
If this sounds like you, ring us on
07 867 1545 or 0275 485 120.
NO TIMEWASTERS PLEASE.
PAPER RUNS AVAILABLE
THE INFORMER
HAS PAPER RUNS
AVAILABLE
We pay really well.
Please phone (07) 866 2090 or
email [email protected]
if you’re interested.
WORK WANTED
FARRIER
2nd Hand Covers
HorseTransport
Saddlery
Cover Repairs
Ron Cooke
866 5984
027 498 4447
THE BESS HANDZ EMBROIDERED MONOGRAMS
Alterations, repairs, zip and hem service. Ph: 866 5277
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
Page 25
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Full range available.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
WHITIANGA
Stockists of • General Hardware
• Lighting
• Closet Maid Shelving & Hooks
• Bosch Power Tools
• Morrison Lawnmowers by Masport
• Nilfisk & Karcher Water Blasters
• All garden fertilisers, sprays,
potting mix and plants
“ENTER IN OUR EASTER TREAT DRAW”
OPEN 7 DAYS
Blacksmith Lane WHITIANGA
PHONE 866 4347
[email protected]
FOR SALE
Dry ti-tree $120 per load
delivered.
Phone 866 3026
CROSSROAD ENCOUNTER
FELLOWSHIP
Chairs for sale.
27 light grey - $27 each.
48 Dark Grey - $12 each.
To view phone
Morry Mounsey 866 5044 or
Warwick McLean 867 1377.
BOATS WANTED
WE NEED
YOUR BOAT NOW!!!
Quality late model trailer boats
needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at Wh itianga Marine
Centre today on 867 1182
or come in to 233 South Highway,
Whitianga.
COURIER SERVICE
FOUND
EARRING, copper, cut out insert,
easy to identify by owner.
Ph: 866 2690 or 021 0853 9155
FIREWOOD
TOY LIBRARY
Tea Tree, Mac,
Pohutukawa, Etc.
For full list & prices go to
www.trickytrees.co.nz or
phone Chris on
021 240 9909.
POLES, Do you need S.E.D
H5 poles for retaining or house
foundations? Timber and poles all
lengths available.
Oriental trellis made to order.
MB Timber & Fencing Supplies
225 South Highway
Ph: (07) 866 2457
U-SHAPED BENCHTOP, mottle
grey, as new, 3m wide, returns
1.50, includes electric hobb and
rangehood, $100.00. Ph: Richard on
866 5532
CHURCH SERVICES
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
WHITIANGA
TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Tuesday 4pm - 6:30pm
and Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
Closed Easter Friday.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
WANTED TO BUY
FAN BAKE OVEN, reasonable condition. Ph: 07 866 5482
TO LET
BOAT JETTY, Stage One of Waterways, Whitianga, water but no power,
$85 p/w. Ph: 021 823 532
12x12m² SHED, Coroglen, 3 phase power, $80 p/w. Ph: 027 667 5478
STORAGE SHEDS available, various sizes, reasonable rates. Dry and
secure. Ph: 07 866 5147
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters.
Ph: 0800 944 660
HELP, HELP, HELP
Permanent rentals urgently required NOW
Tenants: Rental list changing constantly,
Holiday rentals available. Call into office at
7 The Esplanade, by the wharf or phone
Robyn Turner 866 0098 or 027 550 0120
[email protected]
Licensed under the REAA2008
ALL WELCOME
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
Call Krissie Brand
CATTERIES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
Bella Cattery
5 Golf Road
Whitianga
Hours 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm
Inspections Welcome
Phone 07 866 5631
FOR HIRE
Licensed Property Manager with 13 years local experience
Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 Understanding the Coromandel Since 1960
We welcome you to a series of
Christian services being held at Whitianga Town Hall
Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30pm
Speakers - Debbie Chamberlain
& Lucia Williams.
Any Enquiries
Phone 021 026 86421.
HEALTH SERVICES
Long term & holiday. Free rental appraisals.
Landlords & Tenants, for all your rental requirements.
WANTED !
Quality homes
for quality tenants.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
SUBARU LEGACY GRANDWAGON, 1996, ODO 335k, eng reg serviced,
Bluetooth radio/CD/MP3, central lock with alarm, towbar, new batt, 2 new
tyres, $2,300 ono. Ph: 027 485 2036
NATUROPATH
MEDICAL HERBALIST
Registered
ILLNESS can benefit from
support of plants and nutrition.
Leanne Halliwell
0274 588 626 or
07 866 5899
GARAGE SALES
Page 26
07 866 5824 or 027 273 4420
11 Nissan Navara D/Cab 91kms $31,500 03 Nissan Pulsar H/B, 5spd, White $4,900
08 Mitsubishi Fuso 4 berth M/Home $84,900
02 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5 spd, 141km $5,900
SAT 28 MARCH, 5 Acacia Court,
05 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5spd, White $6,900 00 Nissan S/Cab ute, canopy, towbar $7,900
Whitianga, starts 8:00am (not
03 Toyota Hilux D/Cab 3.0D flat deck $10,900 98 Toyota Camry GL sedan, 5spd, $2,900
before).
SAT 28 MARCH, 25 South Highway,
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga
Whitianga, 8:00-10:00am, lots of
www.coastalautos.co.nz
handyman and household stuff.
Australian visitors at
offshore powerboats
17 offshore powerboats participated last Saturday in the fourth round of the NZ Offshore
Powerboat Association’s 2015 championship season in Whitianga. A great number of locals
and visitors watched the two races that made up the round from Buffalo Beach Reserve.
Among the spectators were 12 Australian offshore powerboat racers and supporters who
attended the event on invitation from Wayne Valder and Chris Hanley, the driver and co-driver
of the Pro-Floors superboat. According to Con Saloumadis, one of the Australian contingent,
Mercury Bay and Buffalo Beach is a venue unlike anything they have in Australia. He was also
impressed with the atmosphere at Buffalo Beach Reserve and the social interaction between
the drivers and teams during and after the races.
Two classes of boats participated in the two races. In the first race the FMI Racing superboat
won the 100 Mile Class and the Total Home Developments classic boat the 60 Mile Class.
FMI Racing was again on top in the 100 Mile Class in the second race and in the 60 Mile Class
the Gull Force 10 classic boat was first across the line.
Pictured is Wayne Valder with some of the Australian visitors who attended the Whitianga round.
From left to right - Rick Hutchings, Taelah Saloumidis, Con Saloumidis, Wayne, Brendon Frier,
Kerry Horan and Chris Frier.
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
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 deal to with a harmless but totally effective wash. And
remember a pre-paint wash will extend the life of your paint job and
make painting easier.
Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
Page 27
0800 CAR DUMP
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
cash
paid
Pickup
Peninsula
wide
0800 227 3867
Second Hand Tyres, Mags, Lights, Radio’s
& parts FOR SALE
Make Short Work
of it!
A local looking after locals
for more than 20 years!
 Building Repairs and Maintenance
 All Painting  Airless applications
 Waterblasting - paths, driveways & fences
 Window Cleaning  Pre-paint clean
 Drain unblocking  Total house wash
with enviro friendly detergent
 Insect spraying
 Roof Clean / Treatment Best by reputation
- guaranteed
 Commercial  Residential
Phone Russell Short: 07 866 2097 or 027 360 2937
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
get organised for life
CUSTOM DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED WARDROBE SOLUTIONS
WARDROBES
LAUNDRY & LINEN
ACCESSORIES
GARAGE STORAGE
Ph 07 578 2313 027 524 4460
www.wardrobeworld.co.nz
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Boat Repairs
Timber & fibreglass Repairs
Trailer Boat Repairs
Cleaning & Polishing
Hot Water Washing
Propspeed application
Specialist Marine Coating
and Antifouling
General Boatbuilding
Stockists for
Jabsco Impellers and pumps
Rule Pumps
Altex & International paint
DLM & Martyr Anodes
Meguiars & NanoShield products
SALT FREE & Tallon Products
Marine hardware & chandlery
McMurdo PLB’s & EPIRBS
Kiwiprop
Mitch Pascoe 0274 852 046 Phyll Foster 0274 852 036
A/H: 07 866 5866 Fax: 09 353 1994
Dundas St. Whitianga or Whitianga Marina Hardstand
[email protected] / www.pascoeboatrepairs.co.nz

629 25 March 2015 Week 4.indd

Transcription

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