672 20 January 2016 Week 1.indd

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
Phone 07 866 2090
PORTING
P
U
S
S
L
A
LOC
LOCALS
Bumps in the night
The adventures of ten Mercury Bay youngsters at the Cubs Summer Camp outside Waihi last week
Circulation 6,500
Outstanding performance
by Mercury Bay
archers at national
championships see Sport Results
on page 28.
By Deli Connell
Some very tired and tousled Mercury Bay
youngsters arrived home on Thursday last
week from their great adventure at the Cubs
Summer Camp at Waitawheta… located
in a small farming community outside the
Southern Coromandel town of Waihi, with
beautiful rolling hills, rivers and waterfalls.
Cubs are members of Scouts New Zealand
who are in school years four to six.
Whitianga Cubs leader (Akela) Garth
Scott says 184 Cubs from Rotorua through
to Whangaparaoa attended the camp, 10 of
those from Mercury Bay.
Arriving on the Sunday before last,
the Cubs’ first task was to set up camp and
make an entrance way to the camp with the
theme “Indiana Jones.” The entrance made by
the Whitianga Cubs won best camp entry.
Camp activities were organised into
three categories - home-based, water-based
and off-base.
Home-based activities included first aid
and crafts. The Cubs learned important skills
such as how to bandage a sprained ankle,
how to make a sling out of a cub scarf and
how to make a stretcher out of branches and
a blanket.
Off-base, the Burma trail was both popular
and challenging, with the trail winding its
way through slim tunnels, up ladders and
along ropes while wearing a blindfold, an
exercise which really tested the kids’ courage.
Other activities involved a confidence course
and a flying fox and the use of a compass.
The water-based days saw the campers
searching the river for fish and water
snails with an aqua scope and kayaking.
Some children had never been in kayaks
before and were very nervous, but the adult
leaders managed to get them all in and
paddling around happily.
Phil Keoghan from “The Amazing Race”
could pick up some ideas for the next series
Cubs leader Garth Scott with Amy Bosman (in the centre) and Zoe Simmonds,
two of the Whitianga Cubs who attended Summer Camp last week.
from these guys… challenges requiring speed
and logic and the ability to deduce the answers
to tricky questions saw the Cubs making and
defending cardboard box forts (nothing like a
good battle with a slingshot and tennis balls),
trekking around the rim of the Martha mine in
Waihi and rowing to an island in the middle
of a lake to solve yet another clue.
A talk from the local fire brigade culminated
with the hot and dusty campers being squirted
with the fire hoses... and a lot of shrieking to
boot. Do camp leaders get issued with ear
muffs I wonder?
Another highlight was he train journey
to Waikino… the gorgeous views were
supplemented with the kids seeing how many
“toots” they could get from passing cars.
The final tally? 165! Not bad going all.
Amy Bosman, aged 10, was one of
the happy but exhausted participants.
Her tiredness was, perhaps, contributed to by
some very strange “bumps in the night.”
“One night we woke up and heard rustlings
outside our tent,” says Amy, who shared
the tent with fellow Whitianga Cub Zoe
Simmonds and four other girls. “We could
see shapes in the light outside as well and
we were a bit freaked out!” Needless to say
there wasn’t much sleep for the group of girls
under attack or for poor Garth.
In the morning there was evidence of
scratching. Something had been trying to
get into their tent! Was it indeed a possum or
perhaps the famed Moehau Monster foraying
a bit further south of his usual stomping
ground? Aside from this scary occurrence,
Amy and her friends loved the activities on
offer and it sounds like all hands will be up
for the next camp too.
“What a jam-packed week full off adventure
skills and lots of fun,” says Garth “A great
time was had by all and the kids got to do
things they had never done before. There was
a huge sense of achievement for them when
they had completed their tasks.”
Sounds awesome… they really should have
Cub camps for grown-ups too! Where do I
sign up?
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
“It possesses me,” says Bowie’s “brother”
By Alison Smith
The death of music legend David Bowie last
week has brought an outpouring of tributes
from the world’s most influential musicians,
lamenting the loss of a man they called a genius
and a “game changer.” Closer to home, few
would be more touched than James Malcolm,
the Tairua musician who starred in a movie
with the icon and to whom Bowie once wrote
the words, “Proud to have you as a brother.”
James, 45, co-starred with Bowie in the
1983 movie Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence,
which was filmed in Rarotonga and New
Zealand and cast Bowie as a New Zealand
soldier in a WW2 Prisoner of War camp.
James, then aged just 12, played the role of his
younger brother.
In the movie, Bowie is tormented with guilt
over the neglect of his younger brother and
there are haunting scenes of Bowie and the
angelic looking young actor James as he sings
to the legendary musician.
“I’ve read about Bowie’s personal life and
his own brother was sick and I think maybe
that’s why he took a shine to me,” says James,
who has been inundated by media calls
since news broke of the rock star’s death.
“That scene was the last scene for Bowie
and he left after shooting that part of the
movie and I remember thinking at the time,
‘My goodness, I’m singing to David Bowie.’”
Bowie made time for the young James whilst
on set and mentored him with his many lines.
“During the filming I had a certain allocated
time with Bowie in his caravan and didn’t
want to bother him too much because I was
totally in awe of the guy,” James recalls. “I was
actually pretty grown up when I was young.”
Bowie would later tell interviewers
that he thought his performance in Merry
Christmas Mr Lawrence was the most credible
performance he'd done in a film up to that
point in his career. His scenes alongside
James have won critical acclaim from Bowie
fans, who said the scenes with James held the
movie together.
The bond that was formed between the
two during the film continued, with Bowie
inviting James the following year to join him
on stage during the Serious Moonlight Tour,
which was the biggest concert per population in
the world. It was a pivotal moment in James’s
life and one that inspired him to continue on in
the music industry as a singer/songwriter.
In later years James released a CD Bleed for
a Reason and he has performed around New
Zealand, solo and with bands. His time on
stage with Bowie provided him with the most
amazing memories of his life. “Bowie asked
me to go on stage with him and introduced
me as his New Zealand brother and we both
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
Contributors - Len Salt, Gillian O’Neill, Meghan Hawkes, Deli Connell,
Cheyenne Walmsley and Jack Biddle
Ofﬁce - 14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510
Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Tel - (07) 866 2090, Fax - (07) 866 2092
Editorial - email info@theinformer.co.nz, tel (07) 866 2090
Advertising - email sales@theinformer.co.nz, tel (07) 866 2094
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print)
ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
© 2016 Mercury Bay Media Limited
Please contact us if you live in the wider Mercury Bay area and would like to have a
copy of The Mercury Bay Informer delivered to your lettterbox.
ONLINE POLL FOR JANUARY 2016
Are fuel prices in Whitianga too high compared
to the rest of New Zealand?
Have your say - at www.theinformer.co.nz.
Want to view a PDF copy of every week’s Informer online?
Just visit www.theinformer.co.nz.
Page 2
Like us on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter.
James Malcolm, the Tairua musician who appeared alongside
David Bowie in the movie Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, during his performance
at a friend’s birthday party last Saturday.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 20
4:19
10:16
4:40
10:48
Thur 21
5:20
11:18
5:39
11:47
Fri 22
6:20
6:38
12:17
Sat 23
7:15
0:44
7:34
1:14
Sun 24
8:07
1:38
8:26
2:07
Mon 25
8:56
2:28
9:15
2:57
Tue 26
9:42
3:14
10:00
3:43
Tide data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
What’s that Number?
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours ................................ 111
Police (Whitianga) ....................................................................866 4000
Police (Tairua) ...........................................................................864 8888
Police (Coromandel) .................................................................866 1190
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers ............... 0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control ................................... ..........................868 0200
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
Coastguard Radio Operators ....................................................866 2883
Social Services Whitianga .................. ......................................866 4476
The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
Bowie’s “brother”
threw doves as a sign of peace. That feeling
of looking out at 80,000 people at Western
Springs was euphoric. It’s amazing how many
people still pull me up when I’m walking down
the street and say, ‘Hey, you are that guy that
was on stage with Bowie in 1983?’ It’s weird.”
James kept in touch with Bowie via the rock
star’s personal assistant and in 2004 he had the
chance to catch up again with his music idol
during Bowie’s visit to Auckland for the 2004
Reality Tour. James was by then aged 34 and
he met Bowie in the hotel’s private conference
room. “We had a yarn, I told him I was a father
and I gave him my CD and I said that I was
hoping to get something back from the CD.”
Unfortunately the big break never came and
James had also decided by then that acting
was not a career he felt completely suited
to. “There are a lot of egos among actors,”
though he never says never to returning to
the profession.
Bowie’s death has been a time for
reminiscing and grieving the man that was
influential not just in James’s own life, but to
the world of music, fashion, art and culture.
But what of the Bowie that James knew?
“He was just an all-round nice guy, always
willing to have a yarn about singing,
the character he was playing and the role and
story around it. The week before he died, I had
been thinking about him a lot, the whole thing
has been a major part of my life and the guy is
like a music god.
“It was the type of music that he did that
really distinguished him. No one has ever
come close to him, he has always gone with
the eras, but done his own take on things
instead of going with dance music. He has
been true to himself. After the Beatles we had
the Seattle music scene and there hasn’t really
been anything since. David Bowie influenced
people like Elton John and Madonna in a huge
way and he influenced the fashion with a lot
of bands.
“He’s written a lot of poetry as well and he’s
been an artist. His lyrics are a masterpiece.
My favourite is Heroes. It’s just an epic song.”
James began singing lessons after his
mother heard him singing in an operatic voice.
She took him to a singing teacher and said,
“Listen to this.”
“The teacher said, ‘No, that’s not how a sixyear-old is supposed to sing, try it like this,’
and I became a soprano,” says James.
From there James joined choirs and soon
became the top boy soprano in New Zealand for
five years, getting paid to sing. Opportunities
opened up in the theatre and he played roles
at His Majesty’s Theatre and lead roles at the
Mercury Theatre, which was Auckland’s most
prestigious. It was these experiences that led
him to the part with Bowie.
For the last year James has spent a lot of time
travelling and surfing and recently became a
grandfather. Music has taken a back seat for
a while, but the death of Bowie last week has
ignited the passion again.
Last Saturday James picked up the guitar to
perform at a musician friend’s 40th birthday
party on a private farm. There were several
Bowie songs in the set. “For the last year
I lost the passion for it, but this has given
me the boost I needed to get back into it.
I’m absolutely wrecked after a gig when I’m
playing solo. It possesses me, even if it’s
somebody else’s song, I take on the emotion
and meaning in it.”
James is available for gigs and can be
contacted on jamesmal@xtra.co.nz or you
can find his CD for sale at the Tairua
Information Centre.
Page 3
Valentines Day
Amazing Set Menu
Bookings open soon
Fridays
Happy Hour
from 4pm to 6pm,
with selection of
French wines for
$5 a glass and
amazing nibbles
Dine In FREE
on your Birthday
One main, rice & naan.
Minimum 2-person party.
Open 7 Days
From 5pm
Dine In • Takeaway • Delivery
13 / 1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga
LUNCH
12 noon - 2pm
Dinner
5:30 - 8:30pm
SNOOKER 1:30pm
POOL 7:15pm
Tai Chi 9am
Enjoy some time with
friends & family.
Join us for some
burgers on the deck &
watch the world
fly by…
Mon - Fri
12 noon - late
THIRSTY
THURSDAY
HAPPY HOUR & TRIVA
4 - 6pm
Lunch
12 noon - 2pm
DINNER
5.30 - 8.30pm
Members Draw
Raffles 5:30pm
Meat/Seafood
LUNCH 12 noon - 2pm
Dinner 5:30 - 8:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
Closed
Late night
Friday
Tues & Wed
8pm
from the 20th
Sat & Sun
8am - late
Lunch 12 noon - 2:30pm
Dinner from 5:30pm
7 Days
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat
10am - 6pm
Fresh
Pacific
Oysters
Saturday Morning
Raffles 11am
Lunch
11am - 1pm
BIKE DOWN
FOR A
COFFEE &
BIKKIE
Saturday
Happy Hour
5-6
• Sushi
• Japanese Cuisine
Dine in or Take away
Beer
tastings &
platters
info@poivresel.co.nz
Wide selection of seafood,
vegetarian & gluten-free.
Children’s menu available.
FREE POOL
TAB • POKIES
DINNER
5:30 - 8:30pm
Book a table
07 866 0053
or
Authentic North
Indian Cuisine
MEMBERS DRAW
Raffles 5:30pm
Meat/Hams
BISTRO
CLOSED
HALF PRICE
KIDS MENU
TAB
FREE POOL
POKIES
Burgers
Salads
Snacks
HARDSHAKES
SPIKED FLOATS
Try our
KAMIKAZE
BURGER
Korean bbq pork
belly & slaw
Sundays
Jazz Brunch
11:30am
Live Music
Constantly changing
tapas menu
Dishes from $8
Open all summer
7 days a week
Page 4
Tuesday to Sunday
Dinner 6pm onwards
Set menu
for
group
bookings
Lunch
12 noon - 2pm
Dinner 5:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
DARTS 7:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
….or our epic
DOUBLE
CRUMBED
ONION
RINGS
• Prime scotch fillet
Woodfired
Pizzas
• Pork cutlets
• Fish of the Day
For bookings call
07 866 0952
New brown rice sushi.
New hot food menu Japanese curry with chicken
katsu, vegetarian dishes.
Extra spicy available.
69 Albert Street,
Whitianga
Ph 07 866 5858
Come check out our new
“Beer -B-Que”
Fresh barbequed food marinated in our famous award winning beers, ales & stouts.
Ph (07) 866 3830 www.hotwaterbrewingco.com
Steak night
Bistro
Scotch Fillet w
open daily fries, salad &
12 noon - 2:30pm
choice of sauce!
5pm - 9pm
Only $18
Serving cold beer
& fresh fish
since 1869
DJ Mighty
9pm
Open 6 days
Breakfast/Lunch
9am - 2pm
Dinner from 6pm
11A Coghill Str, Whitianga
Tel: 07 866 2200
El Español pizza is
back!
Open 7 days
5pm - 10pm
Lunch
Fri / Sat / Sun from 12 noon
Follow us on facebook for
current locations and
specials - Serial Griller NZ
Toasties
BREAKFAST MENU
GLUTEN FREE
OPTIONS
Tavern Made
Mussel Fritters
CHICKEN SALAD
B.L.T
MAXI MIX
COME CHECK
OUT OUR MENU
Happy
Check out our
Birthday
daily food
Mum/Grandma
specials
Dip & Dine
packages
Only $55 per person
DJ LEON
9pm
The home of
summer fun
in Whiti!
19 Amazing KaiZen
(sharing plates) available on the
dinner menu
Bookings advisable
Lamb Burger
Fresh Fish Burger
Chicken Wrap
Live Band
Chill out
in our cruisy
garden bar
Cooks Beach
Middle Reserve,
Bank Street
250g
SCOTCH
Blackboard
specials
With your choice of…
Egg, Onions + Chips
Red Onion Gravy + Mash
Prawns, Scallops + Chips
All come with a salad
Wishing tree
5 - 7pm
Vouchers to be won
T20 Series
Blackcaps v
Pakistan 6:30pm
3rd test
11am - 8:30pm
Crumbed
Camembert w/ Salad
Mini Mix
mini spring rolls
+ mini samosas
TAB
POKIES
Last bookings
8pm Fri & Sat
evenings
Full menu at
www.govino.co.nz
Ph 07 867 1215
for bookings
Closed today
We are
Beefteki
OPEN EVERY NIGHT
FROM 5PM
TAIRUA
next to Tall
5 - 8pm
Steak night
Scotch Fillet w
fries, salad &
choice of sauce!
Only $18
FULLY LICENCED
Greek wine & beer
Out Catering Available
WHITIANGA
Outside
All Things Organic
1 Monk st
KILLER
BURGERS!
4:30 - 8pm
Free live music in the
Garden Bar
Phil & Tilley
1pm
FAMILY
FRIENDLY
Yummy Lunch Menu
FREE
POOL
All Day
WHITIANGA
Outside
All Things Organic
1 Monk Street
5 - 8pm
BREAKFAST?
LUNCH?
DINNER?
Hair of the dog?
Cheeky Banter?
Early Morning Lala Fix?
“PUT YOUR FEET
UP LOVE, WE’LL DO
THE COOKING.”
Phone for your
TAKEAWAY DINNER
07 866 3809
We got it ALL
www.coroglentavern.co.nz
ODI
Happy
Hour
Blackcaps v
Pakistan
LIVE
10:30am
Every weekday
4 - 6:30pm
Open for breakfast
from 9am every day.
Page 5
“Which way to the New World?”
By Len Salt
If you passed by Diane Ponzio in New World
Whitianga and didn’t know who she was,
you might mistake her for just another
shopper. And you’d be right, because
one thing that she loves to do is cook.
What you might not realise is that she is
a highly respected singer-songwriter who
travels the globe, including Mercury Bay,
performing her music and demonstrating the
famous Martin range of guitars.
“I think that’s the main reason I’ve
always got someplace to stay when I visit,”
Diane says with a smile. “I like to cook dinner
for my friends.” Diane has close friends who
live in Mercury Bay and has been a regular
visitor over the years. I’ve met her before,
in a previous life working in the music
industry. She has always impressed me as
someone who is genuine, charming and
generous with her time and when I catch up
with her this time she is in town for just a
few days before heading to California for the
NAMM show.
The National Association of Music
Merchants show is the big US and world trade
event of the year for the musical instrument
business, attended by the trade and artists
from across the globe.
Over the last 30 years Diane has recorded
nine albums of original music and performed
literally thousands of concerts around the
world. “Playing guitar and performing for an
audience is all I ever wanted to do,” she says.
Diane graduated from the famed High
School of Performing Arts and holds a BA
in Mathematics from Brooklyn College.
The angst of advanced calculus led her to
songwriting and inspired her friends to buy
her a Martin guitar, which began her lifetime
love affair with the instrument. She began to
perform in clubs coast to coast - East River to
Hudson River.
In 1985, having honed her skills as a performer,
guitarist, singer and songwriter, she wrote a letter
to CF Martin IV, which earned her an opportunity
to travel on behalf of the company, playing her
songs and helping to tell the Martin story. It was
the beginning of a long partnership with one of the
oldest musical instrument makers in the world.
The CF Martin Guitar Company still operates
today in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, run by the same
family descendants of the original CF Martin
who founded the company 180 years ago. They
make a range of signature instruments for some
of the top names in the business, including Diane,
who has two signature guitars in the Martin
catalogue. Another artist with a signature
range guitar is Eric Clapton, who played a
vintage Martin on his groundbreaking live
Unplugged album.
Vintage Martin guitars are highly collectible
and can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In 2004 Martin built their millionth guitar.
Entirely hand-crafted it features more than 40
inlaid rubies and diamonds and is worth an
estimated NZD1.5 million.
Diane’s job for Martin Guitars is interspersed
with her own writing, recording and performing.
“I also like to paint, swim, and play some tennis
which keeps my fitness up while I’m on the road,”
she says.
Diane believes that the template of success that
we use to measure ourselves today is askew with money, material success and numbers being
the criteria. It’s something that concerns her
when she does workshops with young people.
“I’m often asked to do school workshops and I
always try to fit them in to the schedule,” she says.
So what advice would Diane give to a young
performer writing their own songs? “It’s a
journey and along the way you will hit some
bumps in the road,” she answers. “I like to quote
[American artist] Georgia O’Keefe, who said
‘I have already settled it for myself, so flattery
and criticism go down the same drain and I am
quite free.’ It’s a quote that resonates strongly
with me. If you do something fully, I believe
your life will be enriched.
“I personally see success as your ability to love
and be loved, not how much money you’ve
made or how many things you have.”
As we wind up the interview, Diane is
thinking about the shopping she needs to do to
create another delicious Italian dinner for her
hosts in Mercury Bay. “Which way to the New
World?” she asks.
Diane Ponzio will be performing at the
Mercury Bay Music Festival in June this year.
International singer-songwriter and regular Mercury Bay visitor Diane Ponzio.
Health Improvement
and Maintenance
Shiatsu Massage
and Jin Shin Jyutsu
Gentle Experienced Therapist
Phone 021 250 1278
or Phone 866 2313
Claudia Pentner 14 Monk Street,
Whitianga
House visits available
Espy Cafe
10 The Esplanade
07 866 0778
the.espy.whiti@gmail.com
Page 6
This year’s
entry
NZ’s Best Milkshake Competition
Please vote at www.bestmilkshake.co.nz
Our winner
last year
Try
me!
Woohoo
my mango’s
got
pashinit!!
Fake ad
competition winner
MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy
Sanoma Munday of Whitianga was the lucky winner of the “Spot the Fake Ad” competition in
The Informer of 6 January. The fake ad was “Imagine Food” on page 6 (the restaurant where
you don’t eat, the restaurant where you think about food…)
With a lot of holidaymakers in town and a $100 Whitianga Hotel bar tab up for grabs,
we expected many people to enter the competition, but the more than 600 entries submitted
via email and Facebook and hand-delivered to our offices, blew us away. Thank you to all
who entered.
Pictured is Dave Simmonds, the owner of Whitianga Hotel, handing Sanoma her prize.
Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care
Mercury Bay Medical Centre - Ph 866 5911
Raspberry & Lychee Facial
85
$
COASTAL SANCTUARY
HAIR, SKIN AND BODY THERAPY
Phone 866 2679 for appointments 14 Victoria Street Whitianga
Page 7
Two of Claire Elliot’s
works published
Two of Otama Beach artist Claire Elliot’s paintings have been included in publications that are
now available to the general public.
Both paintings are of Otama Beach.
The first is a mixed media painting and forms part of a “13 Artists Contemporary New Zealand
Art” wall calendar. The second is an acrylic painting on the cover of the book Stories of the
Southern Sea. The book was written by Lawrence Winkler, a friend of Claire’s and Otama Beach
bach owner.
Lawrence will have an author’s reading of his book at the Mercury Bay Library in Whitianga on
Friday 12 February at 10:30am.
Pictured is Claire at Otama Beach with a copy of Lawrence’s book and her painting that have
been included in the wall calendar.
Page 8
Art Group sales on track
to equal last year
The Whitianga Art Group’s annual Summer Exhibition is shaping up to be another successful event,
with visitor numbers getting close to 70 per day. The exhibition opened on 4 January.
“The number of patrons tends to vary a bit depending on the weather, but we’re very happy with how
it’s going so far,” says Marianne Sikking, president of the group. “Sales of our members’ artworks
have been steady and it looks like they might be on track to equal last year’s numbers.
“Our guest artist this year is Mercury Bay Art Escape member Reina Cottier. Her paintings have been
attracting strong attention since opening night.”
Vice-President of the group Merle Ward says that the fundraising raffle they run in conjunction with
the exhibition is very popular due to the quality of the prize on offer. “Local artist Frans van Hoppe has
generously donated a painting for the raffle.”
Their Summer Exhibition is the Art Group’s big event of the year, with a chance for all the members
to display their best work and offer it for sale to the public. It’s been 36 years since the group was
formed and their regular Thursday and Friday open art days have become an established feature for
local artists.
The exhibition is open each day from 10:00am to 5:00pm in School Road, Whitianga. The last day will
be Monday 1 February.
Pictured are Marianne Sikking (left) and Merle Ward at the Frans van Hoppe painting that can be won
in the group’s raffle.
Page 9
Opito Bay most connected
hotspot during holidays
Opito Bay (pictured) has topped Vodafone’s list of the most connected holiday hotspots in New
Zealand the past Christmas and New Year’s period. Data usage between 22 December and
5 January increased with a massive 1,269 per cent compared to the first part of December.
In Whitianga data usage increased almost four fold from the first week to the last week
of December.
Other Coromandel hotspots included Cooks Beach, Matarangi, Tairua and Pauanui.
Overall, judged on data usage, the Coromandel Peninsula was New Zealand’s most popular
holiday destination.
Ph 07 866 0937
Mob 021 063 8367
•
•
•
•
Page 10
Page 11
Ian Hopper - he will
be greatly missed
Ian Hopper (pictured), one of the founders of Pauanui, passed away last week. He was 86
years old.
Ian and his son Leigh developed Pauanui Waterways, the first canal housing development in
New Zealand. Leigh is in Whitianga known as the driving force behind Whitianga Waterways.
Ian had a direct involvement in Mercury Bay with the development of Hardy Martin Estate in
Cooks Beach. “Ian also kept a distant eye on Whitianga Waterways and was proud to see many
of the design principles he implemented in Pauanui carried over into Whitianga,” says Peter
Abrahamson, the manager of Whitianga Waterways.
“When I was new to my position, Ian drove me around Pauanui in his old Land Cruiser and
showed me many of the design elements used in Pauanui Waterways. It was a development that
was ahead of its time with regard to design and amenity value, much of that down to Ian’s hard
work and foresight. He will be greatly missed.”
Page 12
Issue 672 -20 January 2016
Car Talk With Jack Biddle
A question for Jack? Just email us or drop us a note.
The way of the future for some
There is definitely a greater awareness of
alternative fuelled vehicles in the wider
community now than ever before.
Driven mainly by growing concerns
about the effects on the environment and
tougher global government tail pipe emission
regulations, vehicle manufacturers have been
working hard to come up with both “cleaner”
petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, as well
as finding alternatives that will take motoring
into the future.
Many see fully electric vehicles as one of
the long term options and already there are
both affordable and luxury vehicles fitted
with purely electric motors available on the
market. A “refill” or “top-up” is by way of
either a fast charge station at places such
as large shopping malls in the bigger cities
Gloria Humphries with her Toyota Prius c Hybrid, nicknamed “Ruby.”
or a full overnight recharge courtesy of the
home mains supply. Benefits are zero tail pipe
emissions, low servicing costs and the cheap
cost of recharging the vehicle’s battery pack.
For many potential buyers, however,
range anxiety is a major concern with
fully electric cars. They are great when the
daily commute is fairly short and regular,
but when there is a need to travel far and
wide, those anxiety levels can quickly rise
for potential owners. Currently a mainstream
fully electric vehicle such as the Nissan Leaf
will travel comfortably is around 100km
depending on load and the way it is driven.
Nissan is, however, claiming up to 170km on
a full charge for the latest generation Leaf.
Regardless, owners do need to ensure trips
are within the vehicle’s capabilities before
venturing too far.
The driving experience of an electric
vehicle is a definite highlight and worth the
effort if the opportunity ever presents itself.
The silence and instant power uptake are sure
to impress.
Some manufacturers see the transition over
to alternatives such as fully electric vehicles
is by way of hybrid technology, where a small
fuel efficient petrol engine combines with an
electric motor to provide the best of both
worlds. That is extremely low overall tail
pipe emissions and increased fuel economy.
No range anxiety issues for owners either.
Toyota plan to sell 1.5 million hybrids
annually and 15 million cumulatively by
2020, which is a clear indication that the
world’s largest car maker is placing a lot of
faith in this technology as a stepping stone to
alternative fuels.
Recharging of the electric battery pack on
most mainstream hybrids currently is done
while the vehicle is on the move by way of
what is called regenerative braking and in
conditions such as when travelling downhill
or when decelerating.
At times, such as when driving at low
speeds, the vehicle will travel solely on
its electric motor while on the open road a
combination of both petrol and electric power
are used in harmony to produce the energy to
drive the vehicle.
One of the greatest advocates of the
hybrid technology on the Coromandel
is local identity Gloria Humphries,
who even has the nickname “Ruby” for her
red 5-door hatch Toyota Prius c Hybrid which
has a manufacturer’s claimed combined fuel
consumption of just 3.9l/100km.
“It’s absolutely brilliant, coming up three
years old and has never given me a moment
of bother. It costs around $55 to fill the petrol
tank, while I can drive to Auckland, do my
errands and return home for around $35.
When in Whitianga, Ruby is often on silent
electric mode, which means the total fuel
bill is around the cost of a cup of coffee,”
says Gloria.
There is also an ECO option on the Prius c
which, when activated, automatically adjusts
engine response and air conditioning to
reduce fuel usage even further. Other features
include an ECO Drive monitor, an ECO
savings record plus a past record and trip
summary mode.
While fully electric or hybrids are not for
everyone just yet, be assured they will start
to grow in larger numbers sooner rather than
later, including the greater Coromandel.
If you don’t believe me, just ask Gloria.
Page 13
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The Coromandel Property
Owners Alliance
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
• Roofing
• Water treatments systems
• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
• New Housing
• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
Thank you Dal Minogue for illuminating
the very effective, well-funded lobby group
Coromandel Property Owners Alliance (CPOA)
in The Informer of 6 January 2016 and thank
you CPOA for your response in The Informer
of 13 January.
I am not surprised at the CPOA's strong desire
to remain anonymous. I also would be quite
embarrassed were it known that I was a member
of such a self-serving and secretive so called
“alliance.” I once thought that indeed they were
a group with the public's interests paramount in
protecting the environment.
The CPOA is certainly an excellent example
of a powerful and tight group of landholders and
developers with a great deal of political savvy
who apply considerable skill and intelligence
into protecting their property investments,
subdivisions, privacy from the local community
and the greater public good. They even promote
themselves as community oriented, so garnering
a number of members and supporters who have
not thought to look under their very cleverly
camouflaged surface.
I love the CPOA’s summing up of Thames
Coromandel District Council’s efforts to protect
our rapidly diminishing coastal pohutukawa
and forests with the outrageous “...to remove
the ability to cut manuka for firewood to heat
homes and cook food...”
On almost a daily basis one sees more
paper roads privatized, more beautiful trees
disappearing, less access to coastal land and
beaches, including the iconic New Chums,
much of which happens to be facilitated by this
lobby with their powerful legal team.
So, the great fears of the CPOA include the
protection of “Coastal, Outstanding Natural
Landscape, Significant Natural Areas and
Natural Character.”
I would love to know what the CPOA’s vision
for the future of our Coromandel is. I am sure
a public coastal walkway and a ban on the
cutting of pohutukawa or significant trees are
not included.
John Macassey
Whitianga
Dear Editor - Dal Minogue’s opinion piece
Coromandel political takeover
To me the joy of the Coromandel is its low
population, coupled with the recovering
conservation estate.
Our scenery attracts people escaping from
overpopulated areas who are prepared to
buy land and build palatial holiday homes.
They want a piece of what us locals have. This
puts the Thames Coromandel District Council
Planning Department in a difficult position.
Page 14
Do they allow more and more subdivision until
we have suburbia everywhere and the wealthy
on private lifestyle blocks? Will we lose what
we came here for?
It’s a shame that we have the owners of
pristine coastal land prepared to sell off to
developers whose bottom line is profit, not
landscape protection.
I believe the opinion piece by Dal Minogue,
Coromandel political takeover (The Informer
of 6 January), exposes the greed of some
landowners and we are lucky to have a person
interested enough in local government to put in
the unpaid effort on our behalf.
I also would like to thank the editor of The
Informer for printing Mr Minogue’s opinion
piece and giving the opportunity for rebuttal.
Peter H Wood
Thames Coast
Dear Editor - The Coromandel Property
Owners Alliance
It is important to clear up a misconception
by Chris Vickerman (the president of the
Coromandel Property Owners Alliance) in her
response (in The Informer of 13 January) to my
opinion piece Coromandel political takeover
(in The Informer of 6 January).
Councils do not undertake a Local
Government Act consultation process or develop
a cost benefit analysis for use in one until after a
Project Initiation Document has been approved
and important groundwork completed.
Also, that Sandra Goudie and Chris
Vickerman have secretly worked against
Thames Coromandel District Council on this
issue is made clear in emails between them
dated 18 - 19 August 2015 (which I have
obtained under the Official Information Act),
where Sandra provides a summary of critical
points about the heritage concept for use in
undermining Council - to which Chris replies,
“Can you confirm please that the summary
that you sent me has not been 'aired' in any
other forum? I ask you this to protect you as
the points can be used by us.” Chris then goes
on to say that TCDC Mayor Glenn Leach had
given a commitment to consult and meet with
the CPOA, to which Sandra's replies: “Anyone
can consult with anyone. Yardy yardy ya. It is
whether you... get to participate in a decision is
the key.”
So on Sandra's advice, the CPOA appear not
really interested in consultation - they want
participation in the decision-making process
instead. However, that is something legally
reserved for Councillors, so they can't have it.
But then secret politicking usually recognises
no bounds.
Dal Minogue
Ferry Landing
Page 15
Fire Brigade to benefit from
Poker Run
Tile & Grout restoration work
including cleaning, repair work
Grout clear/colour sealing,
re-colouring silicone work
Shower glass/glass cleaning/treatment
Phone/txt Jack 021 775 118
Rolla-Tilta-Sectional
and custom made doors
Garages
Automatic Openers
Houses
We service all
makes and models
5 Year warranty on all
new doors and openers
More than 50 motorcycle riders and classic car owners from around the North Island met early afternoon
last Saturday at the Whitianga Fire Station on Joan Gaskell Drive for the annual Peninsula Rider Poker Run.
The run was started in 2003 as a means for like-minded people to enjoy the scenery along the “Coromandel
Loop” together and to raise money for a worthy cause at the same time. Founder Dave McGaw passed
away two years ago.
“Participants had to pay a $20 entry fee and we also had a few raffles going,” says this year’s organiser
Shane Butler. “Included in the entry fee was a poker hand, which participants could play at the start of the
run or at any of the stops at Coromandel Town, Tapu and Kopu.
“Lots of local Mercury Bay businesses support the run, some of them from way back when the run started.
We genuinely appreciate their support.”
The Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade will be the recipient of all the funds raised this year. A Whitianga
fire truck led the riders through the Whitianga CBD and along Buffalo Beach Road on Saturday before they
headed off to Coromandel Town.
The run finished at The Coroglen Tavern with prize-giving.
Pictured is participant Rock Brooking (right) from Wellington with Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief
Fire Officer Merv George just before the start of the run.
MERCURY BAY POOLS LTD
Concrete
Swimming Pool Builders
Sleepouts
Your design or ours
Licensed building practitioners
All concrete work
Ph 07 866 5544 or 027 493 2691 71a Cook Drive, Whitianga
www.hoylandcontracting.co.nz
Page 16
• Design and build new pools
• Renovations of existing pools
• Pool covers, auto or manual
• Quality portable spa pools
Contact Peter Thomas
M: 0274 806 288
A/h 07 866 4358
www.mercurybaypools.co.nz
Page 17
No doubt that the MBAS student body
is in good hands in 2016
The four new Mercury Bay Area School
senior student leaders are ready for what 2016
may bring. Head girl Jonika Edgecombe,
head boy Daniel Vickers, deputy head girl
Amelia Tomkins and deputy head boy Cadyn
Bennett have already started kicking around
ideas for how they can make a positive
contribution to the school. Each has taken a
different path to this point.
Daniel is a very accomplished saxophone
player and his focus is music, while Cadyn is
a natural sportsman. Both have been at MBAS
from the start of their school careers.
Jonika’s family came to Mercury
Bay from the small Hawkes Bay town
of Waipawa and Amelia’s family came
originally from the UK. “I first heard of
New Zealand when I was eight years old,”
says Amelia. “I thought it was an imaginary
place.” Both girls came to MBAS when they
were 12 years old and in Year 7.
All four are surprisingly strong in their belief
in the benefits of the area school model. They are
certain that MBAS has provided an exceptional
environment for them all to grow as students,
young adults and leaders of the future and that
sharing their school with younger students from
Year 1 upwards is a critical part of that mix.
Jonika says she’d never heard of an area
school before coming to Mercury Bay. “It was
a real shock to see all these little kids running
around. Applying to a new school as I moved
from primary to intermediate and making new
friends was scary. At MBAS there is continuity
all the way through with the same people,
the same friends.”
Eighteen students applied last year for
the 11 senior leadership positions available,
the biggest group of applicants that MBAS
has ever had. “I had a concept in my mind of
what a leader should be and I never imagined
myself as a being one of those people,”
Amelia says. The senior student leaders from
last year, including head boy Luke Cunningham
and head girl Ainsley Harris, are credited by the
team with playing a significant role in helping
with the decisions to put themselves forward.
“As a group, we want to have a real presence
in the school,” says Jonika. “We’re all friends
and I think we’re all on the same page about
how we can contribute.”
Does modesty and humility play a part
in how a leader should present themselves?
“As a Year 10 student I’d walk the corridors with
my head down, a little bit afraid of the Year 13
students,” answers Daniel. That experience has
made him determined to help bridge the gap.
“I want to help younger students feel included
and involved.”
Daniel says there’s a direct link between
him performing as a musician and his level of
confidence. “Mr Lee [Daniel’s music teacher
Paul Lee] would push me to perform in front
of audiences. It got easier as time went by
and now talking to large groups of people is
something I’m happy to do. However, I’m aware
that there’s a fine line between confidence and
cockiness.”
Jonika says that it’s important to recognise
and acknowledge your own skills and be willing
to make a contribution.
All the members senior student leadership
team will be attending a leaders’ camp in
Akaroa this April. It’s something Cadyn is
excitedly looking forward to. “I’ve never been
outside the North Island and never been on a
plane,” he says.
Looking forward, Daniel plans to explore
the field of robotics engineering next year,
while Cadyn will in all probability pursue a
qualification in sports science. Jonika plans
to study biochemistry at Otago University.
Amelia has had a taste of marketing and
communications through her part time job at
Matarangi General Store and it’s something
she’s keen to pursue at university.
The enthusiasm, abilities and energy of the
four senior student leaders leave no doubt
that the MBAS student body is in good hands
in 2016.
The Mercury Bay Area School senior student leaders for 2016. From left to right Amelia Tomkins, Jonika Edgecombe, Daniel Vickers and Cadyn Bennett.
P: 07 866 5787
F: 07 866 5780
M: 0274 521 298
mjfgeorge@xtra.co.nz
MERV GEORGE Plumbing
& Drainage Ltd
“Do it by George and you’ll be right”
PO Box 74 Whitianga
Page 18
E IN
S IT F R O M 1 6
N
LY
20
SO
NT E DAI ARY
E
G
U
A
O M AN
)
WH RU J 30AM
O
.
H
H
S
–10
CT
D E (9 . 0 0
9
2
F RO
R
E
T
!
WA INING
5
NLY REMA
O
–
S
RRY CTION
U
H
SE
NT
SECURE YOUR LARGE 800M2+ SECTION TODAY – PRICING FROM $195,000!
Stage 1 works complete Christmas 2015 with titles due Q1 2016
GRAND OPENING 29 DEC 2015 FROM 11AM–2PM – ENTRANCE AT 60 CHARLES GREEN DRIVE
Come and check out the new subdivision, playground and showhome!
All sales enquiries are being managed by Richardsons Real Estate, Cooks Beach.
Phillip Dawson
Mob. 027 477 3443
Bus. (07) 866 5826
phild@cooksbeach.richardsons.co.nz
Paulette Tainsh
Mob. 027 241 2001
Bus. (07) 866 5826
paulettet@cooksbeach.richardsons.co.nz
LONGREACH.CO.NZ
Page 19
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
Op-Shops
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.
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 Opportunity Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday,
10:00am - 4:00pm. Phone 869 5416.
Justice of the Peace
Every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Phone 866 4476 for more information.
Free Budget Advice
Confidential and no pressure. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 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.
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.
Social Cycling Group
Meet every Sunday at 9:00am at Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Short 45 minute cycle and coffee. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information.
Waka Ama “Have a Go” days
First and third Sunday of every month and Thursday afternoons. See Facebook.com/whitiangawakaama.
“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 Toy Library
Isabella Street (off Coghill St), Open Wednesday 2:30pm - 4:00pm and Friday 10:00am - 11:30am. New members
welcome.
Whitianga Art Group
Painting days have now stopped for the summer but will resume on Thursday 4 February 2016. The group’s Summer
Exhibition is now on until 1 February, 10:00am - 5:00pm at the Art Centre, School Road, Whitianga.
Social Darts
Every Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Mercury Bay Club. Contact Pauline Curtain at paulinecurtain@msn.com 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.
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 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. Phone Lance Hayson (president) on 866 5817 for more information.
Operation Cover-Up
Meet the last Wednesday of every month at Whitianga Social Services from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. An initiative knitting
clothing for Missions without Borders in the Ukraine and Moldova. Phone Brenda on 866 5814 for more information.
Coroglen Farmers Market
Every Sunday, 9:30am - 1:00pm. Locally produced seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil, jams, chutneys,
home-baking, handmade soap, coffee, hot snacks, art and craft, quality vintage items and much more. Phone Fiona on
866 3315 for more information.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 23 January from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga. Locally produced fruit and vegetables
and art and craft. Phone Anne on 866 5550 or Doreen on 866 5237 for more information.
The Beat Goes On...
Saturday 23 January at the Coromandel Mussel Kitchen, Tiki Road, Coromandel Town. Doors open at 5:00pm.
A performance by the well-known Beatgirls. Tickets $25 each, concession tickets $20 each, available from the
Coromandel Information Centre, the Mussel Kitchen and www.eventfinder.co.nz.
Guided Walk Through Hall’s Arboretum in Thames
Saturday 30 January at 9:00am at the Currie Street entrance of Hall’s Arboretum. To be lead by Graeme Platt and to cover
the botanical work of William Hall and the current value of the arboretum to the Coromandel.
Tsunami Open Days
Talks to experts about tsunami hazards and risks.
Saturday 30 January from 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Matarang Fire Station and Sunday 31 January from
10:00am - 3:00pm at the Whangapoua Fire Station.
Whitianga Summer Concert
Sunday 31 January at the Whitianga Waterways Arena. Gates open at 11:00am. Featuring Melissa Etheridge at 1:00pm,
REO Speedwagon at 3:00pm and Huey Lewis and the News at 5:00pm. Opening act at 11:30am by Paul Foulds and The
Blind Venetians. Tickets $89 plus booking fees at the Whitianga i-Site and the Tairua and Pauanui Information Centres.
Mercury Bay South Ratepayers Association AGM
Sunday 31 January at 5:00pm at the Cooks Beach Community Hall.
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,
Albert Street, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas Street, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am every Sunday, 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 Street, Whitianga,
email info@c3whitianga.org.nz.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Social Services Building,
2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. 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.
Page 20
MB South Ratepayers meeting SeniorNet Update
to address significant issues
With Mavis Hicks
The Mercury Bay South Ratepayers Association Chairman Bob Nicholls says several major issues are
expected to be raised at the Annual General Meeting of the association that is to be held on 31 January
(Anniversary Weekend Sunday).
To the fore of these will be the erosion mitigation measures to be taken for the badly eroded beach areas
of Flaxmill Bay and eastern Cooks Beach.
Mercury Bay Community Board and Thames Coromandel District Council staff members have been invited
to address the meeting.
“Several matters have been raised over the years with TCDC that seem to have slipped between the cracks
at Council level,” says Mr Nicholls. “Among these are the re-establishment of a green waste disposal
facility, the need for a pedestrian bridge at the Flaxmill Stream, traffic calming controls on Purangi Road
and improved safety measures at one-way bridge approaches.”
Mr Nicholls also says the association is concerned about some of the complexities surrounding the
proposed TCDC “Great Walks” extension from the Purangi Estuary to Ferry Landing. “We feel that better
consultative measures with the residents and property owners of our area need to be taken sooner rather
than later.”
The meeting will also be updated on progress with the proposed use of the Supergold Card on the
Whitianga ferry.
Although only financial members will be eligible to vote, the meeting is open to all residents and property
owners of the area, who will be given an opportunity to become members on the day.
The meeting will be held in the Cooks Beach Community Hall and will commence at 5:00pm.
Pictured is the result of a sand push-up that was done in September last year by TCDC to curb beach
erosion at Flaxmill Bay.
The SeniorNet Christmas Social that was “Nana shame.” It seems as if advertisers
held in November last year marked the have now acknowledged that seniors are
end of another learning year.
using the latest devices.
A very interesting and amusing talk
There are further advances in “care
on writing her book The Lights in my robots,” both in the home for people
Life was given by Helen Drew, a local with mobility needs and in rest homes.
author. Afternoon tea was arranged An experiment, co-funded by the
by Gael who has looked after the Korean and New Zealand Governments,
SeniorNet catering for a number of years. resulted in four Gore residents trialling
Gael has now moved from Whitianga and robots (called iRobi) which check blood
we would love to hear from any member pressure, remind about medication and
who would like to take over her position. much more. They have a touch screen,
We only need occasional catering and it which allows ordinary laptop use.
is not a requirement to become a If you search on Google for “care robots
committee member.
Japan,” there are several YouTube videos
SeniorNet classes will be starting again showing the development of robots for
in February. Enrolment for classes and
rest homes. It’s most interesting that this
Membership Registration Day will be on
is being developed in Japan to cope with
Tuesday 9 February. People wishing to
their projected increase in numbers of
join SeniorNet can do so then.
If you want to find out more about older people requiring help.
These advances in the use of technology
SeniorNet and information on classes,
into
every aspect of everyone’s lives is
phone Lorna on 866 4215 (during the day
a
reminder
that we should keep up our
please). In early February there will be
computer
skills.
a newsletter and schedule circulated to
There will be many older people in
current members.
The last year has seen news of more our community with new tech Christmas
and more advances in technology. This is gifts, so join us at SeniorNet. Bring along
a constant reminder that we must move your new techy toys and learn how to use
with the times. One of the latest TV all the features.
Finally, from the SeniorNet committee
advertising slots featured “Nana” showing
her latest phone to her granddaughter a very happy and safe New Year.
We look forward to seeing you all
and the speaker suggesting the girl
should have the latest phone to avoid in 2016.
Page 21
UK Style Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
UK Puzzle 672
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Win a $6 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which he/she was announced the winner.
ACROSS
DOWN
1.
5.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
13.
14.
18.
21.
22.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
12.
15.
16.
17.
19.
20.
Poked
Genghis ...
Lay oneself open to
Window ledge
Inscribe
Sparkle
Madness
Slope
Game park tour
Change title of
Criss-cross structure
Uneven (in quality)
Below
Territory, Puerto ...
Swoop
Turn upside-down
Performs slalom
Tribal seniors
Bumps roughly
Light timber
Drab
Conspirator
Moscow citadel
Praise
Aggressive dog
Ill on plane
Laborious
Chilled cuppa (4,3)
Argentina’s ... Peron
Paris boulevard,
Champs ...
22. Priggish person
23. Kept us going, ... us over
Squeaky Clean
Windows
Summer is here.
Time for a
clean!
We promise
you a superior
job at a
competitive
price.
Phone Nick on
866 4724
021 522 041
Last week’s solution
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
Last week’s winner - Athol Hansen
Mobility equipment available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 22
News from the i-SITE
With Andrea Foster - Whitianga i-SITE team leader
There has been a large amount of visitors Boom Sailing offers three hour cruises in
through the door at the Whitianga i-SITE the mornings and afternoons and a two
for the month of December, up on the hour sunset cruise. This is one of several
previous year.
options to get out on the water this
The weather since Christmas Day has summer. Or what about just sunbathing
been all over the place and it has been on the beach?
quite wet and windy. Visitors have been
The Whitianga Summer Concert
wondering what to do with themselves featuring
Melissa
Etheridge,
in the wet weather and the scenic boat REO Speedwagon and Huey Lewis and
tour operators have cancelled quite a few The News that will be held on Sunday
of their trips. The movies, video shop 31 January is fast approaching. Pop into
and museum have all benefitted from the the i-SITE to purchase your tickets.
wet weather.
The Mercury Bay Game Fishing
When the weather is fine, it’s wonderful Club Ladies Fishing Tournament will
to see so many people out enjoying
take place on Saturday 30 January.
our beaches, activities and events.
Mercury Bay Estate has been hosting
Many people enjoyed the many concerts
live music performances in their
and live performances that were on offer
over the festive season. The popular hot vineyard throughout the summer
spots were Cathedral Cove, Hot Water holidays. The next one is on 23 January
Beach, New Chums Beach and the from 3:00pm to 9:00pm with Soul
Sax Plus performing. Professional
309 Road.
I managed to get a few hours at the photographer Ian Preece’s exhibition
beach a few days ago and visited New Across the Pacific: Coromandel to the
Chums Beach, with its beautiful white Great West is on at Luke’s Gallery in
sand and the sea colour being a deep Kuaotunu until Saturday 23 January.
red from all the pohutukawa flowers. The Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers
The water temperature was really warm Market is on from 8.30am on Saturday
and it was nice to see a lot of overseas 23 January and the Coroglen Farmers is
on every Sunday from 9:30am.
visitors going to this beach.
There is still a lot to do, so enjoy
You may have seen the bright
yellow
catamaran
off
Buffalo
Beach.
the
summer.
Police Report
With Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 11 January to Monday 18 January 2016
GENERAL
Enquiries are continuing this week in relation
to a male Caucasian in his late 30s or early 40s
who has been exposing himself to woman in
Cooks Beach on the 13th, Otama Beach on the
17th and the Kuaotunu area on the 18th.
He is driving a blue people mover van and we
would like to put this man before the Court so
that he gets help to stop his offending against
women.
Anyone with information concerning
this suspect is requested to contact Police
immediately.
ARRESTS
18th - a 20yr old Auckland man for two
outstanding Warrants to Arrest.
OCCURRENCES
Three domestic incidents attended this week.
On the 11th we attended an incident where
a father and son were arguing at a Catherine
Crescent address and sound advice was given,
while on the 14th the same man and his parents
were arguing at the same address and direct
advice was given. Support agencies have now
got involved and the family will hopefully now
work through their issues.
On the 16th we attended an incident at
a Jackman Avenue address where a drunk
couple who had been arguing about the care
of their child were separated to calm down and
parenting advice was given.
On the 16th wilful damage was caused to a
door at a Peebles Lane address, while on the
17th a campervan satellite dish was stolen from
a vehicle parked on Matapaua Bay Road.
TRAFFIC
No drunk drivers apprehended this week.
Last week there were driving complaints
received on the 14th and 15th in relation to
dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
The video footage of one driver’s behaviour
on our roads should hopefully see him before
the Courts to explain why he was passing on
blind corners, without any concern for himself
or other road users.
If you are being followed by an impatient
driver please pull over and let them pass
and if you see anyone driving dangerously,
please let us know.
Willis Electrical
Electrical installations and
maintenance
DOMESTIC | COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL
Paul Willis
Registered Electrician
Phone: 07 866 2413
Mobile: 027 404 8941
E: paul@williselectrical.co.nz
W: www.williselectrical.co.nz
Page 23
3
5
1 49
7
8
6
2
Fishing Report
Sudoku
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Sudoku Puzzle 672
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 or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga
or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The weekly prize is one
free DVD rental from Civic Video, Whitianga. The winner must please claim his/her prize from Civic
Video directly.
With a few days of unsettled weather early
last week, the still conditions on Saturday in
particular had every man and his dog out on
the water, soaking up the environment and in
most cases, chasing fish.
We had all the boat trailer parking facilities
in the vicinity overflowing and there was also
a steady stream of the larger launches leaving
the river mouth. Many of these boats headed
wide in search of marlin or tuna and by
10:00am we were receiving reports of hookups on VHF channel 61. Quite a few marlin
were landed or tagged and released with one
trailer boat, Gotcha, tagging and releasing
three marlin during the day, two of which
were hooked at the same time.
We often end up with a fairly sizeable
crowd at the wharf when weighing marlin
and part of the reason for this is our texting
service which is available to everyone,
whether or not you are a member of our
club. Whilst our members are encouraged to
release 50 per cent of all striped marlin caught
(last year we exceeded 60 per cent tagged and
released), when an angler decides to keep the
fish to eat, we like to see as many locals and
visitors get the opportunity to see one of these
magnificent fish that our township is famous
for the world over.
Come in and see us at the club or phone us
on 866 4121 to have your name and number
added to the free text service and we will send
texts out whenever we are advised that fish
are due to be weighed and have an ETA.
Our fishing grounds are once again living
up to their reputation for holding gamefish
and this is perfect timing with our major
tournaments underway now.
The Troy Wheeler Contracting Ladies
Tournament is to be fished on Saturday 30
January, leaving the following day free so
the ladies can attend the Whitianga Summer
Concert. Target species in this one day
tournament range from snapper and kahawai
through to tuna and marlin and other species
in between. We usually give away more
than $60,000 worth of prizes during the
tournament and the organisers are working
hard to ensure that this year the tournament is
a huge success again.
In recent weeks the fishers that are
targeting snapper and other bottom-dwelling
fish have been finding things a little tougher
than usual. There are a few theories about
this, but you can significantly increase your
chance of success by fishing at dawn or dusk.
Over in The Puddle, the snapper tend to drift
up off the bottom during daylight, so keeping
your baits five to 10m off the sea floor will
also help.
Snapper fishing in the river has slowed
somewhat, possibly due to the amount of
fresh water coming down the river last week.
There are sizeable schools of kahawai that
periodically come right
in close to Simpsons
Beach and some of the
work-ups can last all day.
Tight lines,
Alan
Last week’s winner - Stuart Dean
Mercury Bay Service Station
5 Monk Street Whitianga
Phone : 07 866 5485
Fuel, LPG Refill, Bait, Tackle, Ice, Lubricants, Auto Parts
We also do Diesel delivery to Wharf and Farms
Page 24
MB Boating Club offshore New equestrian academy
for Mercury Bay
racing
Race report by Matt Algie - skipper of Blue Print
Race 3 of the Mercury Bay Boating Club Offshore Series that took place last Sunday saw
seven yachts head out of the Bay and down the coast to Castle Rock and return.
A variable 10 - 12kt breeze oscillating out of every point of the compass tested the mental
strength of all skippers and crews.
Being a longer drag race, there wasn't the cut and thrust of close contact racing usually
experienced when racing around the Bay. Having said that, there was only two minutes
34 seconds between JJ (Mike Phear) and H2GO (Paul Dimmock), 22 seconds between
Kahurangi (Stu Crockart) and Blue Print (Matt Agie) and one minute 40 seconds between
Vanadis (Barrie and Treveene Goldsbury) and Contrast (John Wright).
After three and a half to four hours of very fluky racing, there was some epic battles
between same sized yachts.
As they finished - JJ 1st, H2GO 2nd, Pteradactyl 3rd, Kahurangi 4th, Blue Print 5th,
Vanadis 6th and Contrast 7th.
On handicap - Pteradactyl, JJ, Kahurangi, H2Go, Blue Print, Vanadis and Contrast.
Pictured is Blue Print under full sail in Sunday’s race.
A new equestrian academy has just opened in Mercury Bay, specifically for young people, which will also
offer the opportunity for handicapped children to ride and handle ponies.
Former Olympic equestrian Ron Cooke has been keen to get the project started and with the support
of some volunteers and local businesses, he succeeded in putting a team together to turn the idea into
a reality.
“The Mercury Bay Equestrian Academy will teach show jumping, cross-country jumping and dressage and
will run competitions,” says Ron. “On these special days we will invite the community to come and enjoy
our kids compete against out-of-town riders. Some of these competitions can have many competitors and
the extra people coming to the area will certainly be of benefit to the wider community.
“The academy will be run in a professional manner and the achievements of all riders will reflect the spirit
of their own hard work and belief in themselves.”
Ron brings a lifetime of experience to the new academy. He started working with horses at the age of 14
and has competed at international level. He has been selected twice for the New Zealand Olympic team
and has also been a master farrier for many years.
The academy is at the moment operating from temporary premises on Racecourse Road in Whitianga,
but Ron is on the lookout for three to four acres to set up properly. Anyone who can help must please
phone him on (027) 498 4447.
Pictured is Ron teaching Aimee Harnett, one of the academy’s first students.
Page 25
Everyman Cryptic Crossword
© The Observer
Observer Puzzle 672
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Go in the draw to win a package of Mercury Bay delights (including restaurant, cafe and attraction
vouchers). Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer,
14 Monk Street, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by
6:00pm Monday each week. The winner will be drawn in July 2016 and will be notified by phone.
No correspondence will be entered into once the winner has been notified. Conditions apply.
Across
1 Optional term otherwise relating to
large city (12)
9 Crush good part of orange (5)
10 Attention occupied by work in
New York waterway (4,5)
11 Delicate eastern article, not fake (8)
12 Hearts captured by artist with a
flower (6)
14 Exposes new troubles (5)
16 Maintain faltering debate, finally
lifeless (9)
18 Source of popular fashion followed
by worker? (9)
19 County’s southern dialect, not
northern (5)
20 Cowboy with a cough in a bad way (6)
22 Historic event set down by gospel
writer (8)
25 Repose interrupted by coach in
control (9)
26 Improve condition in mixture of dye (5)
27 Film from Billy Wilder’s collection
with skill seen by people time after
time (3,9)
Down
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
13
15
17
21
23
24
Singer showing heart of defiance in
depth if suffering (5,4)
Jockey relieved to be over hesitation (5)
Regarding hurt, appeal to stop friend
before tying the knot (10)
Go on at the end (4)
Small turtles, poor pair, grabbed by
seabirds (9)
Original verse during Christmas (5)
Doubtful about facility, brother? Get a
mechanic (6,6)
Envious, identifies growing ability (5,7)
Expert rates stamp poorly (4,6)
Cleaner in rush for additional
payment (9)
Disturbance produced by taint Iago
concocted (9)
Out of bed and ready fortrouble (5)
Democrat with drive filled with energy
and hope (5)
Drooping, walk unevenly (4)
WAITAIA NURSERY
Native • Ornamental
Big Trees • Fruit Trees
Citrus • Hedging
Palms • Hire plants
and more
Bagged Products
Bulk mulch
Open
Thurs - Sun 9am - 5pm
other days by phone
appointment
(07) 869 5910
Waitaia Road
Kuaotunu
Page 26
Brain Teaser - Magic Squares
© Lovatts Puzzles
Brain Teaser Puzzle 672
Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Cafe in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from Espy Cafe directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which
he/she was announced the winner.
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Magic Squares instructions - Complete this clever mini crossword by answering the clues. If you
have done so correctly, the words will read the same both across and down the grid. British English
spelling is used.
Last week’s solution - Vaki
Last week’s winner - Ivy Milne
NZ
NZ WIDE REMOVALS
Local & NZ Wide
furniture movers
• 7 Day Service
• Weekly runs to
Auckland
• Free Quotes
• Friendly & Reliable
• Storage Available
Phone Josh
07 866 5589
027
256 6009
www.nzmoveit.co.nz
Timber & Cork Floor
Installation
Polyurethane
coating & colouring
Call
chris mcKibbin
M: 021 046 7169
www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz
Page 27
Sport Results
MERCURY BAY ARCHERY CLUB
New Zealand National Championships held
in Wellington - Saturday 2 January to Friday
8 January
Members of the Mercury Bay Archery Club had a very
successful New Zealand National Championships in
Wellington.
The Field Championships were shot over two days in
wet weather.
Members’ Results - Dennis McLeod - Silver Men's
Longbow, Karen Moffatt-McLeod - Gold Women's
Longbow (and broke her own New Zealand record),
Steve Brown-Douglas - Silver Men's Barebow and Tim
Brown-Douglas - Gold Intermediate Men's Barebow.
The conditions for the Clout Championships were
perfect.
Member’s Results - Dennis McLeod - Gold (and broke
the New Zealand record), Karen Moffatt-McLeod
- Gold (and broke her own New Zealand record),
Steve Brown-Douglas - Silver and Tim BrownDouglas - Gold (and setting a New Zealand record that
is awaiting confirmation).
The Target Championships were shot over two days in
extreme heat and sun.
Dennis McLeod - Silver, Karen Moffatt-McLeod - Gold
(and setting New Zealand records for a 1440 round
and each of the 60m, 50m, 40m and 30m distances),
Steve Brown-Douglas - Silver and Tim Brown-Douglas
- Gold (and New Zealand records for a 1440 round and
each of the 40m, 35m, 30m and 25m distances).
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 13 January
Best of three frames
Peter Challis took home the meat with three straight
wins. Two wins for Barry Roach (runner-up) and
Brian Codyre.
Highest break - Brian Codyre 27.
We welcomed back Kevin from British Columbia in
Canada who spends his summers in lovely Whitianga.
HOT WATER BEACH JUNIOR SURF LIFESAVING
Coromandel Cup Surf Lifesaving 2016 held in
Whangamata - Saturday 16 January
Quinn McCleery - Sprint 1st, Flags 1st, Run-Wade-Run
8th, 1st Placing Overall U9 Boys Age Group.
Mark Johnston - Board Race 3rd, Run-Wade-Run 2nd,
Sprints 3rd, Flags 4th.
Logan Humphris - Run-Wade-Run 10th, Flags 6th.
Dylan Fitzsimons - Sprints 4th, Surf Swim 5th.
Run-Swim-Run 4th, Board Race 7th.
Tiana Tiro - Flags 3rd, Surf Race 10th, Run-Swim-Run
7th, Diamond 6th.
Jasmine McCleery - Sprints 1st, Flags 2nd, Board Race
3rd, Surf Race 7th, Run-Swim-Run 3rd, Diamond 3rd.
Luke Johnston - Sprints 5th, Flags 2nd, Surf Race 7th.
Conor Fitzsimons - Sprints 6th, Surf Race 6th,
Board Race 8th.
Emma Hinds-Senior - Sprints 2nd, Flags 2nd, Surf Race
4th, Run-Swim-Run 4th, Board Race 6th, Diamond 7th.
Holly McCleery - Sprints 3rd, Flags 4th, Surf Race 5th,
Board Race 5th, Diamond 6th.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Business House Twilight Golf - Wednesday
13 January
In near perfect conditions 64 players enjoyed the
sponsored ambrose team competition.
Results Tai Section - 1st Synergy, 2nd Pepe Restaurant,
3rd Paku Vista B&B, 4th Richardsons Tairua, 5th Tairua
Home Hardware.
Rua Section - 1st Tairua Pharmacy, 2nd Aarons Kitchen,
3rd Gull Service Station, 4th Punters Bar & Grill,
5th Tairua Fire Brigade.
Nearest the Pin - R Henderson and M Towers.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Wednesday 13 January
Forty men and women signed up to play a game of
Russian Roulette on a beautiful sunny day. Two person
teams scored points on each hole by multiplying their
stableford results together.
Steve Tull and Ron Watson were the clear winners on
75 points, followed by Bruce Massie and Mike Borren
on 73, Buce Muir and Wayne Malcolm on 70 and Craig
Hill and Doug Bourne on 68.
Nearest the Pin on #14 for Senior Men was Craig Hill.
Hole # 18 proved difficult for the Junior Men and Ladies
as nobody held the green.
The amount in the deuce jackpots doubled as once
again no twos were scored on the designated hole.
A new jackpot for the "perfect round" was initiated and
no one was able to score two points or better on all
18 holes.
Saturday 16 January
A good sized field, sprinkled with visitors, contested a
mixed scramble.
The winners were Carl Mitchell and Rod Stewart,
both with 43 points. Well played guys! Next was Gordon
Kirkham (Te Awamutu) with 41, followed by Rob Baines
with 38, Glen Clark 37 and Jack Skinner 36. Tied on 35
points were John Lister, Ho Chian (Te Aroha), Steve Tull,
Gordon Davidson and Wayne Cosgrave.
The only two was scored by David Watson,
winning seven balls.
The Mercury Bay Archery Club members who did exceptionally well at the
New Zealand National Championships that were held in Wellington from Saturday 2 January
to Friday 8 January. From left to right - Dennis McLeod, Karen Moffatt-McLeod,
Steve Brown-Douglas and Tim Brown-Douglas.
Classifieds and Public Notices
ANIMAL REHOMING
GARAGE SALES
Garage Sale
Wed 20 Jan - Sun 24 Jan, 8:00am
9 Campbell Street, Whitianga
Household stuff
Furniture, tools, saw bench,
bunk bed, beds, bedding,
kitchen stuff & more.
ALL MUST GO!
ROMAN NEEDS A HOME
Roman is a neutered male,
probably about four years old
and very friendly.
He would love to go home with you.
If you’d like Roman to become
a part of your family,
please phone the girls at
Whitianga Vets (07) 866 5314.
SAT 23 JANUARY, 13 Cobham Lane,
Whitianga, 7:30am. Relocation sale,
all sorts.
GARDEN SERVICES
•
•
GARDEN MAKEOVERS
All aspects of tree care or
complete disposal.
Landscaping and more.
Free quotes.
Phone Jeremy Haszard
(07) 866 0118
FOR HIRE
HUGE BOUNCY CASTLE,
$100 on site. FREE BBQ and
playground facilities. Ph: 866 0038,
www.combatzone.co.nz
TREE SERVICE
TREE SERVICE
Any tree work at all.
Free quotes.
Phone Jeremy on (07) 866 0118.
PORTABLE CABINS
SITUATIONS VACANT
DELIVERY SUPERVISOR
WANTED
For Circular Distribution Business in the
Whitianga area. Must have own vehicle,
cell phone and internet access.
Please phone 027 220 5516
or email CV to
courtney.clarke@reachmedia.co.nz.
Merchandiser
We seek an experienced
merchandiser in Whitianga to work
in the Grocery Industry
servicing our client’s products.
Candidates will need to be
dependable and have reliable transport.
This is a permanent part time roll.
Enquiries to andrea@achiever.net.nz.
St John Opportunity Shop
TOY LIBRARY
NOW RECRUITING
Busy charity shop support centre has two positions available customer service and quality control.
These are voluntary roles.
Application packs available in-store at 2 Coghill Street, Whitianga.
Contact Jo on (07) 869 5416 for more information.
Page 28
WHITIANGA TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Wednesday 2:30pm - 4:00pm
and Friday 10:00am - 11:30am.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
PUBLIC NOTICES
WORK WANTED
WHITIANGA ART, CRAFT & FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 23 January
Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga,
8:30am - 1:00pm.
Unique locally created art,
craft & local produce.
Phone Anne 866 5550 or
Doreen 866 5237.
Mercury Bay South Residents & Ratepayers Association
(Incorporated)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
DAVE’S DRAINAGE
Drainlaying
Public & Private
1.8 Ton Digger Hire
30 Years Experience
Free Quotes or Advice
Call Dave
027 727 0348
davesdrainage@xtra.co.nz
Sunday 31 January 2016
At 5.00pm
Cooks Beach Hall
All Members are requested to attend as several matters
which affect the community at large will be disscussed.
Non-members are invited to attend.
A facility will be available for non-members who
wish to join the Association
Barney Bowen
Secretary
HOUSE WASHING
Detergent Soft Wash,
Roof Clean/Treatment, Window Cleaning.
Phone Russell Short on
866 2097 or 0273 602 937.
MIKE’S MOWING
$25 empty sections, fortnightly
or monthly mowing.
Free edge spraying. Free quotes.
Phone Mike or Deb
866 4678 or 027 320 1703.
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
PUBLIC NOTICES
Page 29
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Join our discount club.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
**Quality Greenhouses**
Award Winning NZ Brand
Options in toughened
safety glass,
polycarbonate and shade mesh
See us at Outspace
Cnr Cook Drive and Lee Street,
Whitianga
07 869 5590
FIREWOOD
Pururi, Pine, Gum, etc.
Dry or green,
bagged or loose.
www.trickytrees.co.nz
or Phone Chris
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
CATTERIES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
BOATS WANTED
ACCOMODATION AVAILABLE
WE NEED YOUR
BOAT NOW!!!
Quality late model trailer boats
needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at
Whitianga Marine Centre
today on 867 1182
or come in to
233 South Highway, Whitianga.
SHORT TERM
RENTALS AVAILABLE
Lovely furnished three bedroom home,
newly repainted
and refurbished, $370 p/w.
Both with lovely Bay views.
Enquiries phone 021 616 903.
TO LET
2 BDRM FLAT, close to school, polished floors, wood burner, sleepout, covered
deck, double garage, partly fenced, $300 p/w. Ph: (07) 867 1513
BOAT JETTY, close to entrance of Waterways. Preferably long term.
Ph 027 231 6788
MOORING, close to hardstand, $30 per week. Preferably long term.
Ph: (07) 866 3246.
STORAGE SHEDS available, various sizes, reasonable rates. Dry and secure.
Free furniture trailer available - conditions apply. Ph: 07 866 5147
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & HOMES FOR RENT
“Our expertise in property management will ensure your
investment property is well looked after. You can just sit
back and relax. We also offer a selection of quality
rental homes for tenants.”
We welcome your enquiry at 7 The Esplanade (by the wharf).
CHURCH SERVICES
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
Character furnished one bedroom
double story stand alone unit, $220 p/w,
includes power and internet.
Robyn Turner 866 0098 or 027 550 0120
robyn.turner@bayleys.co.nz
Licensed under the REAA2008
COURIER SERVICE
ALL WELCOME
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
HEALTH AND BEAUTY SERVICES
NATUROPATH
MEDICAL HERBALIST
Registered
Take out the guess work,
trust your health professional
Leanne Halliwell
0274 588 626 or 07 866 5899
ST ANDREWS
BY THE SEA
Presbyterian/Methodist
Community Church
(opposite the
Z Service Station, Whitianga)
Sunday Worship 9:30am
Come, join the
family of God!
www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz
Page 30
VEHICLES FOR SALE
DODGE NITRO 2010 SXT
3.7 auto, metallic black, tow bar, leather & heated
seats, chrome trims and petrol cap, tinted windows,
air horn, alarm, 206,000 km. Carefully looked after,
woman owner. A great looker. $23,000.
Phone 021 024 19131
HAIR SHOP
MONK STREET,
WHITIANGA
Hair Shop wishes to advise
that Lia will be back from her
adventures soon and we are taking
bookings for her now.
She starts back on the 10th of February.
Phone 866 5178.
06 Nissan Pulsar Q, H/B, 1.8, 5spd, t/bar, alloys $6,900 03 Navara S/Cab F/Deck, 2WD, 2.5 D/Turbo $9,900
READINGS
TEA LEAF/CARD
INTUITIVE READINGS
Massage, healing, spiritual.
Phone Catherine Gwendoline
(021) 756 655.
05 Toyota Corolla S/W, 1.8, auto, 43,000km $10,900 02 Toyota Rav 4 Ltd, auto, 2.0, ABS $7,900
04 Toyota Hilux D/C, 2WD, 3.0 D $8,900
98 Mazda Demio, Auto, 5 dr, silver, $2,950
04 Toyota Corolla H/B, 1.8, 5spd, alloys $5,900 96 Toyota Corolla, 5 spd, air con $2,900
04 Navara D/Cab, 2WD, 2.5 D/Turbo $10,900 96 Toyota Sprinter, 5 spd, ex Sig Class $2,750
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga
www.coastalautos.co.nz
19 Campbell Street,
Whitianga www.coastalautos.co.nz
Mercury Bay Speedway fourth race
meeting of season
Peter Candy, president of the Mercury
Speedway Club, can be very proud of the
efforts he along with an enthusiastic team of
club volunteers have made in breathing new
life into the club, which is located alongside
the Mercury Bay Aero Club (access via
Dakota Drive).
“I’m extremely pleased with progress the
club has made to date in regards to both the
speedway track itself and the clean-up of the
general facilities as a whole. It has taken a big
effort to get this far and we still have a way to
go, but things are looking a lot more positive
for the club moving forward,” says Peter.
To date around 80 hours of voluntary
work have gone into improving the club
facilities, which includes adding over 30
loads of terracotta clay to the track surface.
Seven-year-old Lily Monrad was all dressed up and ready to show the crowd what she was
capable of in a Go Kart at last Sunday’s race meeting of the Mercury Bay Speedway Club.
The clay was donated by Sieling Farms,
while Monrad Excavations and Matarangi
Drainage
provided
all
the
heavy
equipment and trucks to move the clay and
form the track.
The introduction of dirt track Go Karts to
the clubs race programme has also helped
raise a new awareness and interest from
locals as well as out of towners looking to go
racing on a limited budget.
Around eight karts were on show during
the club’s fourth race meeting of the season
last Sunday, with the promise of a lot more
to come. The 100cc low-to-the-ground
machines are fast growing in numbers around
the country, with near neighbours Te Aroha
reportedly hosting around 120 drivers and
crew on a regular basis during their regular
club days. If combined meetings could be
held between the two clubs, then the local
Whitianga track could see a big swell in
numbers and general interest. It’s also a very
affordable form of motor racing for families,
with start-up costs ranging from between
$800 and $2,000. There is even a restricted
class for young children.
Local Go Kart racer Tim Pitcher was the
standout performer last Sunday, winning two
races convincingly after recovering from a
DNF in his first outing, which was won in
impressive style by Tauranga based teenager
Ethan Mills.
While the dirt track Go Karts may have
the numbers, it’s hard not to be impressed
when the big V8 super saloons come out to
play on the clay surface, regardless of the
size of the field. They are often referred to
as the race-bred “Monsters of Speedway”
with big V8 engines producing upwards
of 700 horsepower. Two were on show last
Sunday, with Peter Candy taking out the first
race comfortably before suffering mechanical
issues in later outings. That left local Anthony
(Ants) Smith with the track to himself
to showcase his skills and his car’s large
power output in front of an appreciative
group of fans.
Plans are well underway for the Mercury
Bay club to host the Circle Track Racing
Association of New Zealand North Island
Super Saloon National Championships on
Wednesday and Thursday 2 and 3 March.
This is shaping to be a huge event for the
club, with home town advantage hopefully
helping to crown a local champion.
Other classes racing at Sunday’s meeting
included youth Ministocks, which combined
with the sole standard production vehicle
present to help make the racing a little more
interesting. Young local Brendon Burnett
dominated winning all his races comfortably.
Two open wheelers also appeared on the
programme, with local Dave Docherty (Doc)
given the opportunity to get behind the wheel
of the less powerful of the two and going
head-to-head with long time club racer Rose
Sparrow. With the obvious power advantage,
Rose took out comfortable wins. Hopefully it
won’t be long before repairs are completed
and Doc is back behind the wheel of his own
and more familiar standard production car.
All up a successful day’s racing with
lots to look forward to for the club and
spectators alike.
Page 31

672 20 January 2016 Week 1.indd

Transcription

Similar documents

Blackman Plumbing Supply`s new Bay Shore, NY branch is now open!

THE COROMANDEL - Kuaotunu Campground(2008)

the coromandel - Kuaotunu Campground(2008)

Taking it all off up top for Daffodil Day

Fishing Report for April

standard

sheriff`s activity report, page 9 classifieds, page 12

Merrymeeting Bay - Cathance River Education Alliance

Silencer and Non-silencer Raincaps

649 12 August 2015 Week 2.indd

629 25 March 2015 Week 4.indd

Issue 598 - The Mercury Bay Informer

627 11 March 2015 Week 2.indd

631 8 April 2015 Week 2.indd

628 18 March 2015 Week 3.indd

For All Things Discovery Bay

I`m helping to end MS by participating in the 2016 Jayman BUILT MS

639 3 June 2015 Week 1.indd

Issue 602 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Issue 697 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Issue 620 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Issue 614 - The Mercury Bay Informer