628 18 March 2015 Week 3.indd

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 628 - 18 March 2015
Ph 07 866 2090
PORTING
P
U
S
S
L
A
LOC
LOCALS
The powerboats
are coming
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New Zealand’s
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By Len Salt
Round four of the 2015 New Zealand
Offshore Powerboat Series is returning
to Mercury Bay this Saturday 21 March.
The “Whitianga Ice Supplies Whitianga Offshore 100” will be made
up of two half-hour races, starting at
11:00am and 1:00pm. Wayne Valder,
skipper of the “Pro-Floors” boat,
says that there will be 22 teams
racing on Saturday and if there are
significant swells they will go ahead
and race anyway. “It just won’t be a
comfortable Lazy Boy experience out
there if the waves are up. We’ll make
an assessment on the day and we might
do a storm course, which will be closer
inshore rather than out to Centre Island
and back.”
The NZ Offshore Series is made
up of two championships - the 100
mile championship and the 60 mile
championship. Each championship has
different classes within it, depending on
the type and size of the boat and size of
the engine. The 100 mile boats are high
precision race boats, capable of speeds
of up to 200km an hour on the water.
The 60 mile boats are typically trailer
boats that often double as the family
ski and pleasure boat during non-race
weekends, making this a relatively easy
entry level to the sport.
The classes in the championships
range from big, inboard powered
1,050hp 32-35ft catamarans, also known
as “superboats,” down to the classics mono hulls up to 19ft with a maximum
100hp from a single outboard.
Offshore powerboat racing started in
Wayne Valder in Pro Floors providing some spectacular action in the Mercury Bay round of the
2013 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Series. Photo by Jeremy Ward www.shot360.co.nz.
the 1960s and has become one of NewZealand’s best established water sports.
Watching the fleet of multi and mono
hull, large and small boats thunder across
the water and hearing the distinctive roar
of engines is spine-tingling. It’s been
described as the ultimate “motorsport
on water” by those involved and on past
visits to Mercury Bay the sight of these
huge power boats heading up Albert
Street in Whitianga towards Buffalo
Beach most certainly turned a few heads
and drew a big crowd on race day.
Wayne is a regular visitor to Mercury
Bay. Pro-Floors is participating in the
“superboat” class and is one of the boats
to look out for. Wayne’s teammate is
Chris Hanley, current vice-president of
the New Zealand Offshore Executive
Committee - this is so long as he manages
to stay in one piece in this high octane
super sport.
The other boat to watch out for on
Saturday will be “Fairview,” a 34ft Skater
skippered by Andrew “Flea” Koolen.
The boat is, like Pro Floors, capable of a
top speed of 200km an hour and it’s not
far-fetched to expect a spectacular battle
between these two titans.
Both Saturday’s races will start and
finish opposite Buffalo Beach Reserve
in Whitianga.
Covering Whangapoua to Pauanui, including Whitianga, Hot Water Beach and Tairua - www.theinformer.co.nz
National Dunes Trust conference in Mercury Bay
Last week saw the coming together of
around 90 members and associates of the
National Dunes Trust in Mercury Bay for
their annual conference. The event was
combined with a series of presentations
and field trips around the area. The group
started their visit with a trip to Cooks
Beach and Hot Water Beach on Wednesday
11 March. Otama and Whangapoua
followed on Thursday and everyone ended
up in Whitianga on Friday where a series
of presentations took place in conjunction
with the conference itself.
During the field trip to Otama, the group
were hosted at the home of Michael Smither
and Gian McGregor, both keenly involved
in the debate around restoration of dunes in
the Mercury Bay area. At Whangapoua the
group were greeted by iwi representatives
from Ngati Huarere, with a presentation
from Wanda Brljevich. Local homeowner
Doug Arcus also spoke about management
of erosion at Whangapoua.
The National Dunes Trust is a combined
professional and community body
actively involved in dune restoration, with
roughly two thirds of the group made up
of members of community organisations
and interested individuals from around
New Zealand.
The Mercury Bay gathering included
eminent archaeologist Dr Louise Furey,
curator of archaeology at Auckland
Museum. Doctor Furey has more than
40 years experience in archaeological
research in the Coromandel area.
The group also welcomed Dr Frieda Gesing
from the University of Bremen in Germany
to Mercury Bay.
In addition to a focus on the ecological
and cultural values of dunes, the National
Dunes Trust also aims to promote
improved understanding of coastal erosion
and alternative methods to traditional
engineering solutions. By coming together
and sharing experience and the results from
their work around New Zealand, the suite
of solutions available for dune restoration
and the management of coastal erosion are
gradually extended.
Local scientist, Jim Dahm is an applied
coastal scientist with 30 years’ experience
in the management of coastal erosion and
was responsible for initiating coast care
community-based dune restoration in New
Zealand. Jim is one of the Trustees of the
National Dunes Trust and he says that in
the past there has been a lack of knowledge
about the cycles of beach erosion and
subsequent natural recovery. These can
happen over a sustained period of time,
with sands shifting from one part of a bay
or coastline, particularly during storms and
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and circulated
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
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Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner
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Published by - Mercury Bay Media Limited
Publisher - Petra Roodt
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributing Editors - Len Salt, Alison Smith, Meghan Hawkes and Jack Biddle
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ONLINE POLL FOR MARCH 2015
Local councils must put policy in place
regarding places where “legal highs” can
be sold. Should Thames Coromandel District
Council allow the sale of “legal highs” anywhere
in Mercury Bay or Tairua-Pauanui?
Have your say - at www.theinformer.co.nz.
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Page 2
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high seas, to other parts of the same coast
or beach.
“These days there is greater emphasis
on trying to understand coastal erosion
and living with it where practical, rather
than always trying to control it,” Jim says.
“This has seen planning procedures changing
with a move away from building very close
to beaches and dunes, to give space between
buildings and the beach. These days,
there is greater emphasis on coastal setbacks
and restoring natural buffers, creating the
space and the natural systems required for
humans and beaches to co-exist. Nonetheless,
traditional engineering solutions have
been, and still are in some cases, the
accepted solution. Our objective in
the Trust is to see the majority of New
Zealand dunes restored and sustainably
managed using indigenous plant species
by 2050.”
The
National
Dunes
Trust’s
involvement in restoration programmes
along New Zealand’s coastline is in the
hope that over time, an improved balance
- the people of New Zealand living
more in harmony with our coastlines will be achieved.
Participants in a National Dunes Trust field trip at the home of Michael Smither
and Gian McGregor at Otama Beach on Thursday last week.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 18
5:41
11:41
6:07
Thu 19
6:39
0:10
7:07
12:40
Fri 20
7:35
1:07
8:04
1:37
Sat 21
8:30
2:03
8:58
2:32
Sun 22
9:23
2:56
9:51
3:25
Mon 23
10:15
3:49
10:43
4:17
Tue 24
11:07
4:41
11:34
5:08
Tide data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
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Whitianga
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Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police)........................................................................... 111
Police (Whitianga) .............................................................................................. 866 4000
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Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers .................. ....... ............. 0800 555 111
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The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
Whitianga Sea Scouts
raft race champions
The Whitianga Sea Scouts enjoyed an exceptionally successful Eastern Waikato Zone
Founders Day Camp the end of last month at Camp Gow (a Scout campsite) outside
Matamata.
A bit of a tradition was reborn when all of the Scout groups at the camp competed
for the first time since 2003 in a 5km race down the Waihou River in rafts they had to
build themselves. Up for grabs was an impressive trophy which was last won by the
Te Aroha Scouts.
The Whitianga Scouts entered two teams in the race and 5km downstream their rafts
crossed the finishing line in first and second place respectively. A performance the
whole area can be proud of.
Pictured are the Scouts proudly displaying their trophy. The winning team in the front,
from left to right - Corey Anderson, Jed Greig, Troy Bernhard and Gabriel Asquith
(Liam McDonnell and Jordan Richmond are absent). In the back the team that
came second, from left to right - Ethan Dagger, Maria Booker, Shayla Taylder,
Breyton Edgecombe, Ari Yiannoutsos and Corey Jenson.
Page 3
Vandalism not stopping Garden Group girls
With many of the stories that we write
at the Informer, it’s not until you start
to peel away the layers and get right
underneath that you find the real spirit
and the depth of the people and places
that we are so fortunate to have in our
local area.
This story is about the immaculate
care and energy that a group of primary
school girls at Mercury Bay Area School
have put into building their Garden
Group garden. It’s also a positive story
about pride, teamwork and achievement,
just the kind of thing that we like to
write about.
Last week an act of stupidity by some
people destroyed a lot of what these
girls had spent three years trying to
achieve. We don’t usually write stories
about vandalism. It rarely happens in
Mercury Bay and we are lucky to have
a community rich with people who want
to look after the resources that we have
and to support and care for each other.
So, this story is about the enormous spirit
these girls have shown in picking up the
pieces and wanting to do it all again.
The Garden Group’s garden would do
anybody proud. The students made the
raised beds, using hammers, spades and
all kinds of tools, probably for the first
time in their young lives. They filled
the beds with soil, composted, gathered
seeds and seedlings, planted, watered
and ran out each day to see how their
little plants were doing.
There was a lot of laughing and lessons
in democracy as in-depth discussions
happened and votes were taken about
what to plant and where, where the sun
was coming from, which plants needed
light or shade and room to grow.
650g T-Bone w
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Members of the Mercury Bay Area School Garden Group at part of their
destroyed garden. From left to right - Jade Fisher, Amy Bosman, Phoebe Asquith,
Rita Robinson, Charlotte McDougall, Lilly Lindner, Francie Lidgard,
Caitlin Klouwens and Tinca Samson.
Lessons were learned along the way
about which plants needed more water
than others, which ones were going to
crowd and bully the others to get more
space, which ones needed stakes to hold
them up and how to keep the birds,
caterpillars, slugs and snails away.
A worm farm was established and
leftover bits of fruit and tasty stuff that
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Page 4
worms like were carefully deposited into
the farm. A compost bin got started and
the girls kept the green stuff recycling.
Harvest days were exciting and to be
able to share a lunch at school made
from salad sandwiches grown in your
own gardens with your own friends,
was really something special.
Somewhere along the way the girls
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discovered that the loofahs that we use
in the shower to scrub our backs come
from a plant. So they found out where
to get the seeds and planted them in
the garden. Loofah pods take between
150-200 days to ripen and for the girls
the excitement was growing as their
loofah plants were getting closer each
day to the stage where they could
pick them.
Last week, unfortunately, there was
one left. All the rest had been stolen
or smashed to pieces. The one that
remained had been behind some leaves,
so the attackers must have missed it.
The shade cloth covering the sandpit
of the school’s youngest students had
also been slashed. And a large red
bowl had been taken from the sandpit.
Teacher in charge of the Garden Group,
Lena Pooley, thinks that the bowl was
used by the intruders. “All the ripe
tomatoes were gone, so we wondered if
the bowl was used to gather them up and
carry them away,” she said.
The girls reckon that if the people who
took the crops were hungry, they could
have asked for food, rather than just take
it. And it could have been done without
throwing the pumpkins against the wall.
But the Garden Group girls are pretty
smart and surprisingly tough. They’re a
close team and they stick together, so one
senseless act isn’t going to stop them.
It would be easy to understand if they
said, “What’s the point?” and wanted to
give up. Yes, there were tears and lots of
questions, which were very difficult to
answer. But these kids are not down and
out. They are ready to plant more seeds
and in a few months’ time their garden
will be magnificent once more.
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Having twice survived the Hunger Games, Katniss finds herself in District 13. Under the leadership of President Coin
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Page 5
Pedal for Plunket
The past two weeks saw 120 team members
of The Warehouse, including CEO Simon
Turner, cycling on a relay basis the length
of New Zealand (2,213km) to raise funds
for the Plunket Society. The epic bike trip
kicked off in Cape Reinga on Wednesday
4 March, crossed the Cook Strait on
the Bluebridge Ferry on Thursday 12
March and finished in Bluff on Tuesday
17 March.
In addition to the volunteers taking part
in the relay, The Warehouse team members
in stores and distribution centres around
New Zealand and the company’s support
office in Auckland cycled over 110,000km
on stationary bicycles in support of the
campaign, known as “Pedal for Plunket.”
The total distance cycled by all team
members equals three times around the
world.
Customers could support Plunket by
adding a dollar to their purchases during
the time the campaign was on.
The Warehouse Whitianga team have
done their bit for the campaign with an
impressive effort, involving the whole
crew. “We even had staff members
coming in on their days off,” said store
manager Rachel Reid. “And because
we were having fun and doing our bit,
our customers don’t mind chipping in a bit
to help a good cause.”
The team cycled the equivalent of
220km in 15 minute blocks on a stationary
bicycle set up in the entrance of their store
and colourfully decorated with balloons.
The Plunket Society was formed
on 14 May 1907 by Dr Truby King,
a medical superintendent and lecturer in
mental diseases. Dr King believed that
by providing support services to parents,
the society could ensure that infant children
would eat better and therefore reduce child
mortality rates. He also believed that this
would improve health as the children got
older.
Plunket was formed at a time when
infant mortality rates in New Zealand were
significantly higher than they are today and
the life expectancy of those who survived
into adulthood was only 51 years. Today
we can expect to live an average of 81
years (source - Gapminder).
This astonishing improvement in
survival rates has not been enjoyed in all
parts of the world and the fact that we
have seen such dramatic changes in New
Zealand is due in no small part to the work
that the Plunket Society has done with
families since it was formed.
Plunket provides a variety of support
services today, including home and
clinic visits, Plunketline – a toll free
parent helpline and parenting education
programmes.
The society got its name from an early
patron - Victoria Alexandrina Plunket
- herself a mother of eight and wife
of William Plunket, Governor of New
Zealand from 1904 - 1910.
The Warehouse Whitianga team when they reached the “finish line” of their
220km “Pedal for Plunket.” In the words of team member Ann Madden,
“We rode as far as the K2 and then on to the Coroglen Tavern...”
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Page 6
AUT scholarship for Rebecca Harris
AUT University is proud to announce
that Rebecca Harris from Whitianga is a
recipient of the 2015 Woolf Fisher Firstin-Family AUT Scholarship.
The scholarships are aimed to
help support and encourage young
people from families with no history
of successful university education to
complete a university degree.
Rebecca is the first in her immediate
family to enroll at university, something
she is extremely proud of. “I'm honoured
and excited to have been awarded the
Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT
Scholarship and I can’t wait to see what
other amazing opportunities I’m offered
Rebecca Harris
during my time at AUT,” she says.
A student in the Bachelor of Business
degree, Rebecca’s goal is to become an
entrepreneur in the hospitality industry.
“As someone who has been raised in a
small town dependent on seasonal trade,
I see the benefits in effective business
practice in our hospitality industry
and look forward to helping it become
as profitable as well as sustainable as
possible.”
Prior to studying at AUT, Rebecca
was a student at Mercury Bay Area
School where she studied eight subjects
at NCEA Level Three, achieving an
excellence endorsement.
As well as being committed to
her academic studies, Rebecca is
also dedicated to bettering her own
community through volunteer work.
Named as a New Zealand Local Hero
of the Year for 2015, she has raised
$30,000 in funds for the Westpac Rescue
Helicopter.
The Woolf Fisher Trust, established by
Sir Woolf Fisher, is one of New Zealand’s
largest privately endowed educational
trusts. Trust chairman Sir Noel Robinson
says they are thrilled to offer this Firstin-Family scholarship to Rebecca.
“We are proud to have awarded Rebecca
this scholarship and we are excited to see
where her academic study will take her
in the next few years.
AUT’s
vice-chancellor
Derek
McCormack says AUT is delighted to
have partnered with the Woolf Fisher
Trust to establish this scholarship scheme.
“Our goal is to encourage these young
New Zealanders to follow their dreams
by graduating with an AUT degree,
to enjoy career success in their
chosen field of study, and to provide
encouragement and support to others to
also aspire to university success.”
The Woolf Fisher Trust will invest
more than $2 million over the next
10 years in AUT First-in-Family
scholarships, which will support up to
40 scholarship holders per year by 2017.
Twelve scholarships will be offered in
2015, covering the direct costs of study
for the duration of scholarship recipients’
undergraduate degree with a nominal
value of around $20,000 per scholarship.
The scholarships are for undergraduate
degree study at any of the university’s
three campuses located in Auckland
City, North Shore and Manukau and
annual renewal of the scholarship will be
dependent on the satisfactory academic
progress of the scholarship recipient.
The Woolf Fisher Trust says they
consider AUT the ideal partner for this
endeavour with its commitment to access
and opportunity, academic quality and
the wide range of relevant contemporary
degrees on offer.
Page 7
Inter-faith play in
Whitianga this weekend
Whitianga will see a special dramatic production of a play entitled “Women Who Knew Christ”
this weekend. The inter-faith play was originally conceived and written by Sister Claudene
Gordon of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the
Mormon Church. Producing the play has been a collaboration between Claudene and Mary
Petersen, pastor of St Andrews by the Sea Community Church in Whitianga. Jan Wright has
taken on production duties with a team of locals, including Sharyn Morcom, Liz Nichols on
music and Karen Higgins.
The play is designed to appeal to a wide variety of Christian spiritual followings and has
involved the co-operation of most of the other churches in the local area. “We want this play to
be a lift into the Easter season and a gift to the community from all those involved. Entry is free
and light refreshments will be served,” says Claudene.
The play has been performed previously in a number of different locations, including California,
Utah and Arizona as well as Hamilton and a recent production in Fiji. “We have worked with the
cast to make sure the play is appropriate for a Kiwi audience rather than the original American
script. The changes are not major, just really fine tuning to ensure that our local audience gets
the most out of the production”, says Claudene.
There are a number of songs included in the play, including the opening piece, a Hebrew song
by Hamilton singer Nesca Bowlin.
The play will be performed Sunday 22nd March at 3:00pm in the Town Hall in Monk Street.
Pictured are some of the team invoved in the play. Back from left to right - Linda Stephensen,
Maria Dove, Tina Bartlett, Julie Burns-Nevin, Sharyn Morcom and Katie Bartlett. Middle from
left to right - Jan Wright, Claudene Gordon, Julie St George, Bess Kingi-Edmonds and Heather
Meikle. Front Charlotte Christensen and baby Emily.
Page 8
The Espy’s milkshake is number one!
On Thursday last week The Espy Cafe in Whitianga received the
phone call they’ve been waiting for. Their salted caramel and cashew
ice cream milkshake with homemade fudge, chocolate sauce and
cream has won the inaugural Anchor New Zealand’s Best Milkshake
Competition.
In the competition, New Zealand was divided into four regions. To get
to the final, The Espy’s milkshake, named “Aw Fudge I Crushed My
Nuts!” had to attract the most votes from the public in the Central
North Island Region. Once that hurdle was cleared, judge Deanna
Yang, entrepreneurial owner of iconic Auckland milk and cookies bar
Moustache had to decide if The Espy’s milkshake was better than the
entries of the three other finalists in Avondale (Auckland), Hastings
and Christchurch.
Judged by the speed with which Deanna declared The Espy as the
winner, it seems as if she didn’t have too much difficulty in making
her decision.
“We’re absolutely stoked,” says Duncan Wood, owner of the Espy
with his wife Bev. “The support of the community was overwhelming.
We would like to thank everyone who voted for us in the competition.”
Pictured are Duncan (front centre) and Bev (front on the left) with
Ayesha McQueen, Espy ice cream parlour manager (front on the right)
and the rest of The Espy team. From left to right - Olivia Christiansen,
Kylie Clayton, Sherryl Howe, Gaia Hendrikse-Strydom, Peter Searle,
Andie Willis, Chere Laker, Sassha Hoar, Rainbow-Sky Quintal,
Justine Quintal, Ashleigh Miller and Alice Veevers.
Win a milkshake - easy as
The Informer and The Espy are giving away 10 of The Espy’s award
winning milkshakes.
All you have to do to win is to engage in a bit of fun. Taylors Mistake (the public
reserve in Whitianga stretching from Albert Street to The Esplanade between the
buildings Mainly Casual Boutique and Feetstreat Shoes are in) has an odd name.
No two ways about that. Who was Taylor and what mistake did he (or she) make?
So, if you were given the opportunity to rename Taylors Mistake, what would you call
the reserve? Let us know.
If your answer is one of the ten we like most, an award winning milkshake is yours.
You can email us, post your answer to us, Facebook us, Twitter us, personally drop
your answer in to us or send us your answer via our website www.theinformer.co.nz,
whatever works best for you.
Your answer must be in writing and must have your name and phone
number included. The closing date is Friday 27 March. Please note that we
won’t be able to discuss our decision with anyone once the winners have
been chosen.
Page 9
“Dragons” to the rescue at Tairua
Information Centre
By Alison Smith
A call for community action to sustain the
Tairua Information Centre has sprouted a
multitude of ideas - all aimed at making
Tairua a destination rather than a drivethrough stop to seek directions for Hot
Water Beach and Cathedral Cove.
Rowena Brown took the helm as
Tairua Information Centre manager on
13 January this year and has been noholds-barred in her drive to secure the
future of the centre. First on the agenda
is to secure sufficient funding so the
centre can sign an extension of its lease
by another two years this June on a
prime position next to Pacific Harbour
Lodge on the main road of town.
Rowena put out a call to action for
“dragons” - based on the UK television
series The Dragon’s Den - to come
forward with innovative proposals
that would make the centre financially
sustainable.
“The response was massive,”
says Rowena of the call for ideas. “We
had people coming in sharing their
ideas and some even offering to make
a financial contribution, but what stood
out overall was that we don’t want
to be focusing on building bridges to
somewhere else, because Tairua has it
all right here.”
The community, she says, is adamant
that visitors should be given good local
knowledge about the unique qualities
that Tairua has to offer.
“I believe our point of difference is
our history. We have the oldest artefact
ever found in New Zealand [a pearl shell
fishing lure found around Paku Bay and
now housed in the Auckland Museum],
bones of six moa species, living fossils
with the tuatara offshore, a seven million
year old volcano [Paku], twin Kauri that
are several hundreds of years old and
remnants of the kauri logging heritage,
as well as our Maori history and the
gold mining history which are accessible
through walks in the Puketui Valley at
Hikuai.”
Thames Coromandel District Council
invests ratepayer dollars into the
Visitor Information Centre network,
which has sites at Whangamata,
Whitianga, Thames, Tairua, Coromandel
and Pauanui. For the past two years
it has been preparing centres for the
transition to a “locally funded activity,”
which means - as is proposed in the
draft new Long Term Plan of Council
- that from July this year, ratepayers
in Tairua and Pauanui will pay $11
toward their local centres, increasing
to $16 next year and $19 the year after.
They will also contribute $5 this year to
two major centres - located at Thames
and Whitianga - rising to $7.10 next year
and $8.30 the year after.
TCDC Area Manager for TairuaPauanui, Garry Towler, says the centres
in Whitianga and Thames will be geared
up to provide information about activities
across the whole Thames Coromandel
District, so staff will not only pitch
their local towns, but direct visitors to
other centres and activities around the
Coromandel Peninsula as well.
“This decision was made by the full
Council in 2013 and it is now coming
to fruition,” says Mr Towler. “The issue
was hotly debated.”
Rowena says a whopping 80-90 per
cent of walk-in enquiries at the Tairua
Information Centre are people on their
way to Hot Water Beach and Cathedral
Cove from outside of the district.
She supports Destination Coromandel’s
focus on getting international visitors to
the Coromandel to flow through to all
the information centres.
Rowena is gathering ideas for a
bigger vision for Tairua and says she
sees a sculptural installation of moa,
a depiction of the ancient pearl shell
lure that confirms Tairua as one of the
first places in New Zealand visited by
humans and a shuttle bus operated by
the information centre taking visitors
up Paku and telling them about the
incredible history of the area.
Rowena also encourages all businesses
and tourism operators in Tairua to list
with the centre and let them increase
Tairua Information Centre manager Rowena Brown with three books she believes
contain the answer to putting Tairua on the map - Tairua by Francis Bennett,
History of New Zealand by Michael King and Ka the Falcon by Bruce Gilberd.
custom for their business. “There are
operators that we don’t act as agent for
and we should. Everyone should be with
us, so come and talk to us about how we
can promote your business. We need to
source more products to sell and then
actively sell them.”
She says visitors appreciate being able
to speak to a trustworthy, local source of
information and believes many travellers
are growing suspicious of online forums
and guide books where the information
provided may have been purchased by
advertisers.
Those who already have enjoyed
the warm welcome of Tairua and the
suggestions made by Rowena and her
small team of volunteers have returned
with boxes of chocolates and even
champagne - and this is only Rowena’s
first two months in the job.
“We encourage all visitors to do the
Paku Summit walk to see the amazing
vista from the top,” Rownea says.
“We tell them if they go up they'll come
back to Tairua one day and that's what
we want. We don't want them racing off
to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
until they've experienced what we have
to offer.”
Rowena is happy to address all
groups who are interested in her vision
for Tairua and the Tairua Information
Centre. She’ll be speaking to the Tairua
Probus Club on 2 April.
Of course anyone is welcome to pop
into the centre anytime during weekdays
to share their thoughts and experience
the warm, professional welcome and
service that guests from outside the
district receive when they visit Tairua.
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Page 10
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
Youth awards nominations open
23 May is the beginning of Youth Week
2015. It’s also the date when finalists and
winners will be announced for the 2015
Coromandel Peninsula Youth Awards.
Nominations have opened and five
young people who have demonstrated
outstanding abilities or made a special
contribution to their community will be
chosen as the award recipients.
The five categories are Young Creative
Award for Artistic Expression, Helping
Hand Award for Community Service,
Green Thumb Award for Environmental
Care, Kia Kaha Award for Perseverance
and Legend Award for Excellence.
Louise West, health promoter with
the Waikato District Health Board
(“WDHB”) is involved in organising
the event, but she says the initiative and
many of the key elements of the awards
this year are coming from work that
youth groups around the Coromandel
themselves have done.
So are we seeing a shift away from
“top-down” recognition to a more
hands on approach by the people
directly involved? “There have been
Youth Awards for a number of years,”
Louise answered. “But this is the first
time that the Thames Youth Forum
and the Coromandel Peninsula Youth
Collective have led the awards process
from conception all the way through.
The support and the resources have been
provided by Thames Coromandel District
Council, WDHB’s Population Health
and the Ministry of Youth Development,
but it’s the youth groups themselves that
are driving the bus.”
There is no sports award, however.
Sport Waikato already hosts sports
awards in the area and given the scope
of the sports category it makes sense for
that to be treated as something totally
separate.
Louise says there is a specific focus on
harm prevention. “It’s a critical part of
the social environment, to create a place
where young people can develop the
skills they will need to make change for
themselves and to enable that perspective
to be included in their decision making
process.”
The call for nominations will close on
17 April. Nomination boxes are already
available at schools, youth space centres,
social services offices, Council offices,
libraries and other key locations around
the Peninsula.
In addition to the five award categories,
there is also a “People’s Choice Award
for Excellence,” chosen from all the
nominations.
For the people involved in these
awards, it is hoped that the work done
by the Thames-based youth groups
will inspire groups in other areas to be
more involved in the process in future.
There are initiatives already under way
by Jenny Wolf of Whitianga Social
Services and Stephan Lindner of the
Whitianga Youth Space to try and make
this happen. They are always looking
for exceptional young people with the
potential to become more involved in
leadership roles.
Nominees can enter more than one
category and they can be individuals or
groups, however they must have been
living, working or attending school in
the Coromandel Peninsula at the time the
activity they were nominated for took
place. They must be aged between 12 -
24 years to be eligible. You can nominate
someone you know or you can nominate
yourself. Two referees over the age of 18
are required as part of the process.
All entries must be received no
later than 5:00pm on 17 April 2015.
Winners will be announced at a special
ceremony at the Thames Civic Centre.
Nominations can be done via email at
thamesyouthcentre@xtra.co.nz
or
use one of the nomination boxes.
More information is available at
www.tcdc.govt.nz/youth-awards.
The Whitianga Youth Space on a weekday after school - possible breeding ground
for one or more Coromandel Peninsula Youth Awards winners.
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Page 11
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - Genetically engineered foods
I am writing in response to TB Burnham’s letter in The Informer of 4 March in relation
to “GMO foods,” more scientifically described as genetically engineered (“GE”) foods.
“GE plants” have existed for millennia - the only difference in the last 20 years or so
is that we now “genetically engineer” (ie select and breed) plants with more precision,
accuracy and speed than what we have done previously with traditional plant breeding.
All the plants we now eat look nothing like they did one or two thousand years ago.
Indeed, the original carrots that were cultivated 1,000 years ago in Persia were purple!
As an industrial chemist and microbiologist/biochemist with 35 years’ experience,
like 99 per cent of other scientists, I have no safety and health concerns with GE foods.
There have been over 2,000 peer-reviewed studies done on GE foods globally, including
over 600 on food safety per se (of which 130 were done by non-corporate scientists),
that categorically prove the safety of GE foods.
More importantly perhaps, in North America alone it is estimated that over a billion
farm animals have consumed GE plants and, world-wide, consumers have consumed
over 13 trillion meals containing GE-derived foods. Yet there has not been one single
validated health issue linked to GE technology. So much for the scaremongering.
So, the issue of GE food safety is a non-issue - even the small percentage of scientists
against GE plants agree - rather, they have concerns about environmental effects.
This is another topic, but suffice it to say that all changes in agricultural technology have
to be regulated, managed properly and evaluated to mitigate any possible detrimental
effects. This can be and is done and there are many ecologists that believe GE plants
are actually better for the global environment (ie better yields, so less of a footprint for
food production, less deforestation required for extra cropland and less pesticide and
herbicide applications).
The consensus of the scientific community and all the world’s leading national and
global regulatory and health authorities is that foods derived from GE plants are safe.
The anti-GE food activists always bring up the old chestnut about labelling of GE
foods with the usual, “If they are so safe, why not label them?” The reason is simple - GE
food is the same as non-GE food for safety and nutritional and chemical composition.
We don’t label foods with such irrelevant things as, “Made with canola oil that comes
from a 32nd cross-breeding plant selection process using varieties X and Y,” or
“Mixed using a Krups mixing machine,” so why label GE food that is simply food?
If labelling of GE foods is implemented, it will only increase the already widespread
misconceptions about GE foods (and then the same anti-GE activists looking for lablling
would gleefully proclaim, “Oh, look, it must be unsafe because they have to label it”). In
addition, it will lead to less consumer choice (as companies want to avoid labels on their
products that may decrease sales), increase food costs for the consumer, give farmers
and manufacturers additional administrative work and further stigmatize this beneficial
technology that has increased yields and profits for individual farmers. If people don’t
want to buy GE-derived food, they can buy organic food, so they do have a choice (even
if the science proves that expensive organic food is no different than conventional food).
In summary, GE foods are perfectly safe and bring a lot of advantages to global society,
such as reduced herbicide and pesticide use, increased yields, reduced topsoil erosion
(GE crops facilitate no-tillage farming), crops engineered to better withstand drought
and soil mineral deficiencies, crops designed to solve deficiency diseases (eg “golden
rice” contains beta-carotene biosynthesis genes that could prevent 670,000 vitamin
A-deficient children under five from dying in India every year if it was approved) and
crops designed to combat various pathogens that can do serious damage.
By the way, insulin used by diabetics used to be derived from the pancreas of pigs,
but now human insulin is produced using genetic engineering. This has resulted in a much
cheaper, quicker, more consistent supply of insulin that is identical to that produced in
the human pancreas - and no further suffering by pigs in this application.
People need to move on from the recent explosion of fear mongering and snobbery
associated with food. Indeed, people are stressing out so much over their food choices
that a new eating disorder has arisen, called orthorexia nervosa.
If you want to eat more healthily, stop blaming farmers, corporations, supermarkets,
etc and instead take responsibility for yourself. You know what you have to do forget worrying about GE food, organic food, etc. Instead eat smaller portions in general
and eat much less sugary and fatty foods. And don’t forget to exercise!
Let me leave you with this - you are a “GMO” yourself, a perfect example of a
"genetically modified organism” as your mother’s genes were combined with your
father’s genes at the moment of conception.
PS - If you have access to the internet, may I suggest you type these words
into YouTube - “Genetically modified food intelligence debates 2014” for an
excellent 1.45 hour debate on the topic. Another good site about GE plants
Thumbs
Up
Thumbs
Up
To Dino’s
Pizza & Pasta
in Whitianga
for providing pizza bases
and ingredients to the
Whitianga Youth Space
and for cooking them some
amazing creations.
To
Whitianga’s
John Mort
for organising a very
successful Stabicraft
Mercury Bay Game
Fishing Club Trailer
Boat Tournament.
Sore back at night? Need a better bed?
Page 12
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
and foods is gmoanswers.com, where you can ask questions that university scientists
will answer.
Terri Lipanovic
Whitianga
Dear Editor - Camping at the Purangi Reserve
What was Thames Coromandel District Council thinking approving the camping of selfcontained vehicles at the Purangi Boat Ramp Reserve?
As concerned ratepayers with property backing onto this reserve, we have had to deal
with up to seven motorhomes, caravans, buses, vans, cars, etc per night over the summer.
We have reported men urinating in full view, never a worry about who is around,
dogs doing their business in the bushes. Some stay for two nights, which is permitted,
but what about the fact there are four camping grounds in the area that are missing out
on business?
We hope this is just a short term brainwave of the TCDC and we may get our
privacy back.
Barry and Marilyn Robb
Cooks Beach
Dear Editor - The rating game and Long Term Plan submissions
Thank you for your editorial on the wastewater debate in The Informer of 18 February
and on the proposed new levy for holiday homes in Thames Coromandel District
Council’s draft new Long Term Plan last week.
Many prefer not to get involved in Council matters or may have short memories or like you, with all due respect - they may be relatively new to the area. I simply say
to all our rate-payers, beware - or at least, be aware - that things are not always what
they seem to be in print or as they are promised. There’s more than some truth in what
former councillor Dal Minogue wrote in his Letter to the Editor in The Informer of 18
February, since it can’t be denied that over the last 13 years we’ve seen a woeful lack of
transparency in Council and Community Board procedures, plus many blatant examples
of a conflict of interest.
Also there could be a few other ways to read Mayor Leach’s “extremely good news”
about our expected rates rises over the next ten years and/or Council’s assessment of it
as the best - or only - solution.
I feel, whether the level of ongoing rate rises is acceptable or not, that TCDC’s plan to
move the $46.6m debt from future development to current ratepayers is unethical and
irresponsible governance. We should not have to bear the brunt of any Council’s past
mistakes, nor its speculative overspending, especially when there’s been no calling to
account for it.
While the current Council continues to pursue expensive tourism projects such as
the Great Walks, it is asking ratepayers’ support in patching up old damage from the
poor decisions made. TCDC’s CEO David Hammond says there’s, “No choice but
to transfer the [wastewater] debt,” but perhaps it’s more that Council prefers to hand
developers and the related trade and business sectors an out, though again at the ordinary
ratepayer’s expense.
Recommendations for changes to the proposed District Plan are still in the hearing
stage. But do you know how closely they impact and inter-relate with the Annual Plan the Council’s actual budgetary tool - that then supports the overall direction of the Long
Term Plan?
Of the faint five “things that may affect your next rates bills” on p3 of TCDC’s recent
Our Coromandel brochure, we already saw headlined the new $200 fixed rate to rent
one’s home to short-term holiday guests. This itself is based on a new broad all-in-one
definition of “Visitor Accommodation” that in the soon-to-be-reality of the proposed
District Plan recommends a maximum of only six paying guests across all zones, except
for 10 in the High Density Zone and 12 in the Downtown Core and Commercial Zones.
Other things to consider are how stormwater will now be paid for and how our recent
property revaluations will also influence our rates.
One significant new change to the Long term Plan concerns granny flats and “second
dwellings” that are part of your existing house. If you live in an older-style building where
your District Plan-newly-defined “minor unit” has a separate kitchen and bathroom,
your rates will far exceed those of a much larger, modern million-dollar property where
the plentiful space for holiday guests isn’t self-contained.
You could be forgiven for feeling confused with all of this. But for the fainthearted
with such convoluted Council processes - please don’t give up and do try to have your
say before 9 April. We currently have no Rate Payers Association in Whitianga, so this
is your only chance!
Maggie Johnson
Whitianga
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Page 13
MBAS Year 7 and 8
leaders announced
Marine reserve outing
for Te Rerenga students
The last group of Mercury Bay Area School student leaders for 2015, the Year 7 and 8
house captains, were announced last week.
At their first meeting the leaders decided to introduce, in addition to all the activities
where students can compete for house points, a competition each term where more
points can be earned. A frontrunner for this term is an obstacle course and puzzle
building challenge.
And then there is, of course, among all the leaders the resolve that their house is
going to walk away with the coveted House Cup at the end of the year.
The leaders are, from left to right - Taine Mason (Mercury), Cara Bosman and Tiana
Tiro (Matahorua), Juliette Lidgard and Isabel Lunn (Buffalo) and Zoe Smith and
Te Paea Puha (Tainui). Hannah Murphy from Mercury is absent.
The week before last week the Room 4 class of Te Rerenga School visited Gemstone
Bay and Cathedral Cove as part of their term one aquatics education. The school
would like to say a huge thank you to Divezone Whitianga for make the trip such a
wonderful day for not only the students, but the parents and teachers too.
Cries of, “This is the best school day ever!” were heard as the students snorkeled,
kayaked and swam. One group saw an eagle ray while snorkeling and the other
group saw a shark while out kayaking.
Pictured is Teague McMiken having fun in the water.
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
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• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
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• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
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Page 14
Delicious Affordable Indian Food
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
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Ph 07 866 2666 Open
Lunch 11 - 2
Dinner 5 onwards
Lunch Special
1/2 Curry and 1/2 Rice & Pappadam $5.95*
Chicken or Vegetarian
Available Tues & Thurs *(Lamb, Beef and Prawn Extra)
Page 15
SeniorNet Update
• PLU
NG•
MBI
P LUS
with Mavis Hicks
The SeniorNet Whitianga AGM for
2015 will be held on Thursday 26 March
at 2:00pm at the SeniorNet Room at
Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive.
This year we will start the proceedings
with tea or coffee. It will be an opportunity
for members to meet the committee, tutors
and tutor helpers. Once the AGM has
formally started, the chairman will present
the year’s report, officers and committee
members will be elected and fees for
the 2016 year will be set. Only financial
members can vote. Last Friday the AGM
papers were posted to all members.
If you do not receive them, please phone
866 4215.
Of interest to members is the fact that
some of us are great travellers. There is an
app called Word Lens. It translates from
one language to another. Example, you can
show text in a foreign language on your
device and the app will translate the text to
English if you set it to do that.
There is a small plug-in device like
P 07 866 0377 M 027 227 7252
E whitiplumb@gmail.com
A 32 Campbell St, Whitianga
Ph 07 866 0937
a USB that will download photos from
a camera SD card to an iPad. Just plug
the device into the power slot and insert
the camera card. Make sure the device is
switched on, the switch is so tiny it can be
overlooked.
In preparation for the next terms class
schedule, a new handbook with updates
and new classes will be emailed to financial
members in time for registering for next
term. Please don’t be tempted to delete
the handbook before reading it, there are
changes.
Interested in joining SeniorNet?
Please phone 866 4215 for a copy of the
handbook and see what classes we offer.
If you are thinking of buying a laptop,
but not sure if you will enjoy using one,
join SeniorNet, come to a basic class and
see how you enjoy it. We can provide a
class laptop for use in the class. Or just
phone and arrange to sit in on a class.
I look forward to seeing you all at
the AGM.
Mob 021 063 8367
•
•
•
•
Whitianga Social Services, where the members of SeniorNet meet every week.
Call
Kevin 027 406 7440
Robert 027 446 7961
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Page 16
Conquering a fear of flying
Sue and David Ting live in Kuaotunu and
have three sons living overseas. They try
not to miss an opportunity to travel and
see their boys, but for Sue getting on
an aeroplane is something that fills her
with terror. She’ll spend weeks dreading
the moment she has to step on board the
plane. She’s not alone.
Psychologist Grant Amos says there
are a lot more people than we realise
who experience varying degrees of
anxiety before or during a flight.
“We estimate that between 10 and 25
percent of the passengers on any given
flight are not comfortable about being
there. Their levels of anxiety can range
from mild irritation to white-knuckled,
self-medicating terror.”
Grant has been running Fear of
Flying courses, aimed at helping people
overcome their issues, for more than
thirty years. Sue decided to take a course
after it was recommended to her by
Monett Johnston, owner of United Travel
in Whitianga.
For Sue, it was a valuable experience.
“The course is four evenings and I did
it in Auckland, so I had to stay over.
A lot of ground was covered, but for
me the whole thing was fascinating.
We spent some time going over what
causes people to be anxious on an
aeroplane in the first place, we had a
tour of the maintenance and engineering
facilities at Auckland Airport and we
were shown the flight simulator where
the pilots are trained and do refresher
courses. That was very impressive, to
Sue Ting
see the care and the training that goes
into looking after and operating these
commercial planes.”
Grant started his Fear of Flying courses
in the late 1970s when he was working
for Air New Zealand. At the time there
was nothing available to help people
with their fears about travelling by plane.
The numbers started snowballing when
other Air New Zealand staff saw what
he was doing and asked for his help.
He developed and refined the course
programme over the years.
He says there are some common
elements in many of the people who
have problems with flying. “Successful
people, high achievers, top level sports
and business people often have issues
with flying because they are used to
being in charge and making decisions.
Once they get on a plane, nothing that
happens is under their control, except
whether to have red or white wine with
lunch. They struggle with that concept.
Their fear of flying is often part of a
wider range of issues they have.”
Grant had participants admit that
overcoming their fear of flying triggered
a process which helped them face and
deal with other problems.
For some people conquering their
fear of flying can be life changing.
Seeing family - perhaps grandchildren
- for the first time, visiting places that
have always been on the bucket list.
Sue still has a degree of anxiety about
flying, but it’s definitely at a lower level
than it was. She says that understanding
how planes are constructed and what
happens during the various stages of a
flight - when parts of the aircraft move
and affect the motion of the plane was very helpful. “The course helped me
a lot and I would recommend it to other
people who are having the same trouble
with flying I had.”
Monett is keen for Grant to present
a Fear of Flying course in Whitianga.
To make it work, about 10 people need
to sign up for the four day course.
Anyone interested can contact her on
866 4397 for more information.
Page 17
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
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
Coromandel Woodcraft
Qualified craftsman. Trusted locally for more than 20 years.
Kitchens Bathrooms Wardrobes
All types of custom furniture
245 B South Highway, Whitianga
Phone Gary on 027 293 5947
coromandelwoodcraft@outlook.com
Specialised Building Services
From concept through to council consent- we handle it all for you
Mark Pennell
ph: 027- 418 2817 ah: 867 1707 e: markpennell@clear.net.nz
recladsrenovationsalterationsleaks
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
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 mjpetersen@xtra.co.nz 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.
Mercury Bay Creative Fibre Group
Spinning, weaving, dyeing, everything to do with fibre. Meet the first and third Wednesday of every month
from 10:00am - 2:00pm at the Whitianga Town Hall. Phone Betty on 867 1233 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 informationm.
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.
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Ladies Blue Tournament
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March. More information at www.gamebase.co.nz or phone 866 4121.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 21 March from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga.
Offshore Powerboat Racing
Saturday 21 March off Buffalo Beach, Whitianga. A two race format. The first race at 11:00am.
Waka Ama Family Open Day
Sunday 22 March at Brophy’s Beach, Whitianga. From 9:30am. All welcome. BYO towel, togs and picnic
lunch. Phone 866 44476 for more information.
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 info@c3whitianga.org.nz.
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 for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 18
Coastguard News
with Stuart Brown - Whitianga Coastguard President
Callouts numbered seven for March.
Two urgent callouts on consecutive
evenings. One for overdue paddle
boarders at New Chums Beach and
the other for reports of a sinking vessel
off Otama.
The remaining callouts were of a
general nature, however included
two tows from around Cuvier Island
which lasted five hours or more.
Our callout activity has been down
on previous years, which reflects
well on skippers and the maintenance
of vessels.
Our unit was in the top five for
ticket sales in the recent Coastguard
Summer Raffle. We sold 1,500 tickets
(the top unit sold 3,600 tickets).
This is the major annual fundraiser
for our unit. Thank you to those who
purchased tickets and the crews who
manned the stalls. We will be applying
the proceeds towards upgrading our
chart plotters/electronics on our larger
vessel Te Morehu.
A reminder to skippers that Channel
#86 is for ship to shore, trip reports
and calls for assistance, including
emergencies. As I have indicated in
the past, this channel is covered by
radio operators working from either
Whitianga, Mount Maunganui or
Auckland. This is one of the reasons
that a call sign is being asked for
as the operator may have multiple
vessels out with the same name.
Channel #61 is licensed to
Coastguard as a ship to ship (chat)
channel. As the licensee, we also
provide the local fishing clubs with
the use of this channel for fishing
tournaments and updating shore of
catches, etc. In some instances the
unit may need to step in “and close
the channel” for operational activities,
however this would be rare.
If you need a call sign or wish to
update the details of vessels, this can
be done online at www.cbes.org.nz.
A new call sign costs $45.00 and
will be provided instantly once you
complete the online application form.
Updating the vessel details is free.
If anyone is interested in joining our
crew (either wet crew or dry crew)
or becoming a radio operator please
give me a call on 07 866 4607 or
021 0222 5625.
Safe Boating
Stuart Brown
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
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
MERCURY BAY POOLS LTD
Concrete
Swimming Pool Builders
• 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
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 19
3
1 95
4
6 2 87
Sudoku
Fishing Report with Alan Proctor
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Puzzle 628
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.
With a major fishing competition on last
week and lots of anglers on the water,
it was a good opportunity to see just how
many fish were hanging around in our
area. Being a trailer boat tournament,
there were many boats that stayed nearer
the shore and most of these vessels were
pleased with the results.
There were reports from all over about
the abundance of small snapper that
needed to be returned and it is astonishing
that the minimum legal length for snapper
hasn’t yet been put back to its previous
length of 27cm. Many recreational fishers
already had a voluntary minimum of
30cm on their boats, even when the legal
minimum length was 27cm. Healthy fish
between these lengths were returned to
the water, but those that were gut-hooked
or bleeding badly were retained if they
were over 27cm. These fish now legally
need to be thrown back dead (or dying),
which doesn’t make sense to anyone as the
fisherman is then able to continue fishing
until a bigger one is caught.
With such a large number of fish around
at present in this size range, there is a fair
amount of unnecessary damage being
done that could and should be avoided.
Moving on is always an option, but at the
moment these voracious youngsters are all
over the show in shallower water where
dinghies, kayaks and shore fishers would
ordinarily fish and getting away from them
is not always as easy as you might think.
Fishers with larger vessels were able to
head out during the trailer boat tournament
to the smaller Mercury Islands where
larger fish prevailed, including a 12.45kg
snapper that Humpster landed to take out
the Furuno 2015 Snapper World Cup.
There were a large number of snapper
over the 5kg mark and of the 89 weighed
during the competition, the average
weight was a very respectable 3.82kg.
Most of these were caught at either Cuvier,
Red Merc, Korapuki or south of Hahei.
There was a generous smattering of
trevally landed from these same spots,
although there were some good trevally
inside the bay too.
Out wide there were two blue marlin
landed and quite a number dropped.
Several stripeys were caught and at least
two boats had triple strikes. There were
half a dozen mahimahi caught and the odd
small schools of albacore and skippies are
out there too.
Fishers chasing kingies tended to
hang around the Alderman pins and a
22kg fish wouldn’t have got you on the
podium come prize giving on the final
night. Interestingly, this same area was
where several of the marlin hook ups were
reported, proving once again you should
always fish your feet - you don’t need to
go too wide at the moment for a chance
to encounter one of
these beasts.
Tight lines,
Alan
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Frank Gosling
Site Safety Services
Workplace Drug & Alcohol Screening
On Site Medics & Event Medical Services
Phone Tracy 021 462 554
www.promed.ac.nz
tracy.harvey@promed.ac.nz
Page 20
Cyclone Pam’s ferocity in the waves
Cyclone Pam lost much of
its ferocity when it passed
the Coromandel last Sunday
evening, fortunately not
much wind and rain.
Monday afternoon at high
tide was a different story,
however, with massive
waves pounding Buffalo
Beach and Brophy’s Beach
in Whitianga.
Beach erosion was, not
surprisingly, a great concern
for many of the people lining
the foreshore, watching and
photographing the waves.
Resource consents for
both the extension of the
rock wall at Buffalo Beach
(past the Buffalo Memorial)
and the synthetic wall
at Brophy’s Beach have
been granted. Thames
Coromandel District Council
confirmed that the contract
for construction of the
Buffalo Beach wall has
been let and tenders for the
construction of the Brophy’s
Beach wall will close in the
next three weeks.
Pictured is a wave rushing
towards Buffalo Beach.
Photo by Len Salt.
New Homes
Alerations
Coastal
Construction
Whitianga Ltd
Additions
Insurance Work
Peter McGrath
027 609 7390
For all your building requirements.
A/H 07 866 0667 | Email: coastconstruct@xtra.co.nz
Bad night’s sleep? Need a better bed?
Page 21
Police Report
with Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 9 March to Monday 16 March 2015
GENERAL
Like a lot of other Police throughout the
country, we have been assisting with
enquiries in relation to 1080 and infant
formula threats.
These threats are definitely a situation
where the offender needs to have a good
look at themselves and consider the worry
and concern they are causing.
I would suggest this offender,
unless they are pretty dense, should realise
that the threat was stupid and that if they
have any remorse they should front at their
nearest Police Station to sort it out.
Remorse shown after we track you
down will be seen as too little too late in
my opinion, when seeing how your actions
have affected New Zealand and fronting
may show you have a conscience.
ARRESTS
10th - 1 x 25yr old local man for being Unlawfully in an Enclosed Yard.
11th - 1 x 17yr old Napier woman for Reckless Driving, Failing to Stop, Driving Whilst Suspended and Theft.
13th - 1 x 42yr old local man for Assault with Intent to Injure and Criminal Damage.
NZ
OCCURRENCES
One
domestic
incident
attended
this week.
On the 12th a couple at a South
Highway address were arguing about their
relationship and after the initial frustration
was taken out on the bathroom door,
common sense prevailed and they spent
the night apart to calm down.
On the 9th two car rear tyres were
slashed with a knife or similar at an Eyre
Street address.
Also that night at about 9:30pm an
offender entered a Heritage Close address
while the occupants were watching TV
and then ran off when confronted.
On the 10th a green Nissan Terrano utility
registration BZC461 was Unlawfully
Taken from a White Street address.
On the 13th, as per the arrest above,
a 42yr old local man was extremely
intoxicated when it is alleged he decided to
confront another man with a hockey stick.
The victim received a serious laceration
to the side of his head and numerous
windows were smashed at his address.
TRAFFIC
One drunk driver apprehended this week.
On the 14th a 47yr old local man was
apprehended and recorded a result of
400/250.
Peninsula Home Kills
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
SERVING THE WHOLE PENINSULA - 2011
Processing beef, sheep,
pigs & all game
Top quality
sausages, bacon,
ham & salami
g
Knife sharpenin
.
le
b
la
service avai
Phone Nick Burcombe
866 3970 or 021 2125 260
21 Rangihau Road, Coroglen
Got guests coming? Need an affordable bed?
Page 22
News from the i-Site
with Cara Jordan - manager of the Whitianga i-Site
February continued to be a busy
month with about 9,000 visitors to the
Whitianga i-SITE. We are seeing a
mix of international tourists and local
visitors, with Europe and Australia
featuring strongly.
Many accommodation providers have
been full over the last couple of weeks,
which is wonderful, but provides a
challenge for visitors seeking last minute
accommodation options. Easter is only
two weeks away (if you can believe that)
and The Coromandel has a wide range of
events coming up over the next month,
so start planning your outings.
Now in its 12th year, the ECHO
walking festival will take place from 21
March to 12 April. Included are walks and
events located throughout the Waikato
region. Walks are graded according to
difficulty and events include overnight
tramps, geo-teering, paddleboarding,
cycling as well as a huge variety of day
walks. This is a great opportunity for the
whole family to get out into the fresh air
and try something new. Programmes are
available at the i-SITE, so come in and
visit us.
The Thames Heritage Festival will take
place from 14 - 21 March with a variety
of activities planned to celebrate the
history of Thames and its surroundings.
Window displays and heritage costume
competitions will take you back in time,
along with many events to entertain you.
Also for those who love the 50s and
60s, the Whangamata Beach Hop is a
must-do weekend. This year’s festival
takes place from 25 - 29 March, with an
amazing range of music and classic cars
on display.
For a day of family fun, arts, crafts,
fine cuisine and live music, drop in at
A Taste of Matarangi on Saturday 11
April. This festival is a great day out for
the whole family. There is also a fancy
dress competition for those with a sense
of fancy and fun. Tickets are available
at the i-SITE, so we hope to see you
all soon.
Locals raising money for Cancer Society
An energetic team of 16 people participated in the annual Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society’s Relay
for Life (where teams had to keep a baton moving around a track for 22 hours) the weekend before last.
The purpose was to raise funds for the Cancer Society to provide supportive care for cancer patients, their
carers, family and friends, to undertake cancer research and to provide the public with information on
ways to reduce the risk of cancer through a smoke free, sun smart, healthy lifestyle.
Representing Whitianga in the team were Karen Corbett, Andrea Foster, Jenna Corbett, Linda Shoemark,
Charlotte Tucker, Alison Follows and Keera Follows. The other team members came from Morrinsville
and Hamilton.
The team would like to thank Gisella Colquhoun from Mercury Twin Cinemas for making their hats (which
caused them to win the “best hat dress-up lap”) and also Admiralty Lodge, Andreas B&B, Glass Bottom
Boat, Cave Cruzer, Sea Cave Adventures, The Lost Spring, The French Fig, Salt, New Wold Whitianga, Squids,
Stephensons Pharmacy and Countdown for their support. The team raised a total of $2,811 for the cause.
Pictured are the team members in their somewhat distinctive outfits.
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
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Covering The Whole Peninsula
Spilled Wine? – Blot up surface wine
with a clean towel. Rinse with plenty
of water and blot thoroughly. 9 times
out of 10 off the shelf products will
set the stain, so keep a damp white
cloth over the stain and give us a call!
07 866 5095
Page 23
US Style Crossword
Puzzle US 628
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.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
BY DAN FEYER / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
© The New York Times
ACROSS
1 Opportunity
9 So-called Baghdad by the Bay
15 “____ at the office”
20 Mayor’s title
21 Mr. Darcy’s creator
22 Circle
23 “You can never moor a boat here”?
24 Provide sufficient coverage from
risk?
26 Fashion portmanteau
27 Gets close to
29 “Have some!”
30 Feature of Hawaii’s Molokini Crater
32 Some miracle-drug pushers
35 Bothers
39 Atheistic Cuban leader?
43 Like Columbus
44 Low
45 Legendary weeper
46 Desk chairs?
48 Most common key of Chopin’s piano
pieces
51 Tour grp.
52 Side in the Peloponnesian War
53 Hit hard
54 Unsalvageable
56 Valentine and others: Abbr.
57 Pvt. Pyle’s outfit
59 Get on
60 Quechuan “hello”?
64 ____-Caps
65 Moved a shell
67 Removing a Band-Aid too early?
70 2:1, e.g., in the Bible
73 On
74 Covering first, second and third base?
78 “Hello, Hadrian!”
79 Tear down, in Tottenham
81 A year in Brazil
82 Aristocratic
83 Certain tide
85 Green deli stock
87 With 115-Down, 1983 Lionel Richie
hit
90 Subjects of some modern school bans
91 Add to the Video Clip Hall of Fame?
93 Is forbidden to, quaintly
95 Genre for Panic! at the Disco
96 Drink that might cause brain freeze
97 Diet?
101 Jack-in-the-box part
102 “Lucy” star, in tabloids
103 Bygone Chevrolet
104 Madonna’s “Into the Groove,”
originally
106 “Do ____!”
108 Cameron who directed “Jerry
Maguire”
112 Diapers?
117 Popular website whose name is a
hint to this puzzle’s theme
119 Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of
Errors,” e.g.
120 How to make money “the oldfashioned way”
121 Disrespectful, in a way
122 ____ Mountains
123 Heavy-lidded
124 Visitor to a fertility clinic
DOWN
1φφφ
2 Place for curlers
3 Home for King Harald
4 Shepherd formerly of “The View”
5 Stinko
6 Big picture: Abbr.
7 50-50 chance
8 It can be sappy
9 Parodist’s principle
10 Charges
11 There’s one every year for Person of
the Year: Abbr.
12 Political analyst Rothenberg
13 Roll by a cashier
14 Long, unbroken take, in film lingo
15 Certain ancient Greeks
16 Small caves
17 ____ Dhabi
18 Bookie’s charge
19 Ordinal ending
25 Something you might get two 20s for?
28 Mideast’s Gulf of ____
31 Morn’s counterpart
33 Bloods’ rivals
34 Coastal region of Hawaii
36 What the Spanish Armada fought
37 Shakespeare’s world?
38 Proven
39 Japanese porcelain
40 A drag
41 ____ acid (vitamin B9)
42 Interlocking piece
43 Became peeved
47 Oil-rich land ruled by a sultan
49 Writer Nin
50 Pair of fins
52 Bits of music
55 Atty. gen.’s employer
56 Word with get or smart
58 Some ski-resort rentals
61 Throb
62 City about 100 miles ENE of
Cleveland, O.
63 Paper featured in the documentary
“Page One,” for short
64 No. often between 15 and 50
66 Belligerent, in Britspeak
68 Three on a 6
69 Poorly
70 Go poof
71 Without variation
72 Get educated (on)
75 More outré
76 Memorable mission
77 Disinfecting Wipes brand
80 Like light that causes chemical change
81 “Gladiator” locale
84 Resistance
86 “Gladiator,” for one
87 Smirnoff of comedy
88 “____ Como Va” (Santana hit)
89 Cold
92 Country singer Kenny
93 Grandeur
94 “Mazel ____!”
98 Bottom sirloin cut of beef
99 Made out
100 One who takes the bull by the horns
102 Plant part
105 Turns a different shade, say
107 Alternatively
109 Sleipnir’s master, in myth
110 Drunk’s favorite radio station?
111 App creator, perhaps: Abbr.
112 Uncertainties
113 ’60s war zone
114 Back the other way
115 See 87-Across
116 Uptown dir. in N.Y.C.
118 –: Abbr.
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
First place for Murphy
Perkins in tunnel fun run
UK Style Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles
Puzzle UK 628
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
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.
Whitianga’s Murphy Perkins had a good day last Saturday. At 8:45 the 10-year-old
lined up with many other children and adults for the start of the challenging 5km
Collins Drive Loop Fun Run at Broken Hills south of Tairua. And 38 minutes later he
crossed the finish line as the overall winner.
The track took in the 500m long Collins Drive Tunnel, one of the longest abandoned
gold mining tunnels in New Zealand people can still walk through.
The fun run was held in conjunction with the Surf 2 Firth Bush Marathon and in
support of LandSAR, the national land search and rescue organisation.
Pictured is Murphy with the two certificates he received for his effort - one for being
the first boy home, the other for being the first male home (leaving all the men and everybody else - who participated in his wake).
ECO PLUMBING &
HEATING SOLUTIONS
Ph ROSS
027 444 7667
07 866 3374
ecoplumbing@hotmail.co.nz
ACROSS
1. Shake with fear
7. Library cabinet
8. Surpass
10. Desert gales
12. Marine creature’s
home
14. Sparrow or canary
16. Bring under control
17. Clearly expressed
20. Caving in
23. Light summer dish
24. Plain
25. Unmarried
B-ROW PROJECTS
P 020 404 31990
DOWN
1. Rations
2. Young goats
3. Narrow river crossing
4. Satirical routines
5. Wig
6. Halted
9. Solemn vows
11. Orange-rind spread
13. Lenient
15. Blueprints
16. Powerful businessman
18. Exchanged
19. Animals of a region
21. Type
22. Acquire
E browprojects@gmail.com
• Decks • Fences • Repairs
• Property maintenance
• Sleep out conversions • Minor alterations
Quick response time
Free quoting
All work considered
Call Bram 020 404 31990
Last week’s winner - Errol Free
Top of bed. Large selection.
Page 25
Sport Results (our thanks to the coaches, managers and administrators who provide us with the results)
MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB
Handicap Pairs Week 2 - Wednesday 11 March
North/South - 1 Val Lewis and Martin Lewis
57.87, 2 David Hayes and Diane Hayes 56.98,
3 Gerry Church and Giorgio Allemano 53.73.
East/West - 1 Kate Palmano and Gavin Hedwig
68.53, 2 Peter France and Maureen France 63.38,
3 Myra Hoogwerf and Maggie Urlich 61.42.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Betty Dunn Pairs - Tuesday 10 March
North/South - 1 Alva Gibson and Ngaire O’Brien
73.40, 2 Annette Cox and Peter France 60.00,
3 Laura Scaglia and Chris Death 53.75.
East-West - 1 Mary Masters and Sandra Medcalf
62.15, 2 Vivienne Leigh and Chris Ellett 56.25,
3 Anne Knowles and June Baird 54.51.
MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB
Business House - Tuesday 10 March
Ocean Leopard Tours def Havard Logging 9-7 3-9
4-3, Connolly Painters def New World 7-9 9-7 4-3,
Physio First def The Landing Cafe 7-9, 9-8, 4-3.
MERCURY BAY PONY CLUB
Twilight Show Jumping - Wednesday 11 March
Results 35-50cm 1 Rylee on Jimmy, 2 Isabel on
Revi, 3 Lea on Seanna, 4 Eden on Possum.
Results 35-50cm 1 Lea on Seanna, 2 Rylee on
Jimmy, 3 Grace on Lilly, 4 Isabel on Revi.
Results 50-65cm 1 Aimee on Bella, 2 Alex on Ava,
3 Isabel on Revi.
Results 65-75cm 1 Sarah on Tuhoi, 2 Aimee on
Bella, 3 Nakita on Henry, 4 Alex on Ava.
Results 75-85cm 1 Nakita on Henry, 2 Alex on
Ava, 3 Sarah on Tuhoi.
COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Wednesday 11 March
It was great to welcome new members to our club
night March following our “Have a Go” night the
week before.
25 players competed.
Winners - Buck Prendergast, Peggy Crosbie and
Peg Bassion.
Runners-Up - Phil Costello, Jan Prendergast and
Al O’Keefe and Selwyn Warren, June Littin and
Meryll Hawke.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Thursday 12 March
Winners - Peter Radich, Earl Inch, Glynne Jackson
and Allan Gardiner.
Runners-Up - Alan Henderson, Pat Fisher, Cheryl
Henderson and Anne Jeune.
Good Sports - Doreen Davies, Martin Lewis and
Colleen Inch.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 11 March
Best of three frames.
Winner - Brian Codyre with three wins. Two
wins to Barry Roach (runner -up) and Wayne
Bellingham. Highest break (equal) - Brian Codyre
and Barry Roach.
TAIRUA GOLF CLUB
Ladies Golf - Tuesday 10 March
The 18-holers played the first BOP and first
Prescott Plate round.
Stableford Results - Jenny Goodman 39, c/b Marine
Horan 39, Robyn Hunter 38, c/b Lisa Radford 38,
Gay Warrington 37, Liz Williamson 36.
The 9-holers played a stableford round in
handicap fours.
Results Division 1 - Sayde Muntz 20, Jill Shandley
19, Gwenda Flavell 17, Mike Trott 16, c/b Jenny
Chalmers 16, c/b Maxi Eder 16.
Results Division 2 - Betty Oudney 23, Bronwyn
Bovelander 22, Janet Taylor 19, Val McLaughlin
15, c/b Ross Weaver 15.
PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
9-Hole Net Competition - Thursday 12 March
Results - Mark Bell 30, Jim Brown 32, Jim Mitchell
32, Dick Watson 33, Glenys Free 34.
First Round 36-Hole Par Competition Saturday 14 March
Results - Jock Peacock +9, John Hughes +5,
Warwick Steel +4, Grant Webster +3.
Best Ball Pairs - Warwick Steel and Bob Walker
+13, Geoff Dalzell and John Hughes +12.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies Golf Summer Putting - Wednesday
11 March
Results Division 1 - Raewyn Hill 28, Alma
Kitchen 29, Sue Donovan 29, Pam Anderson 31,
Chris Watson 31, Judith Claque 32.
Results Division Two - Maria Duxfield 32, Chrissie
Smith 33, Ann Blair 34, Chris Wight 34.
Nearest the Pin on 4 (sponsored by Mainly Casual)
- Chrissy Smith, Nearest the Pin on 18 (sponsored
by Sheree Henderson) - Munin Tonsri, Twos R Hill (2), Chris Watson (2), Diane Eccles, Chrissie
Smith.
Men’s Golf - Wednesday 11 March
36 men competed in a modified (international)
stableford competition, which encourages more
aggressive golf as more points are scored for net
birdies and eagles.
Finishing first at 18 points with a fine round of
72 gross was Osman Emer. Bruce Massie finished
one behind for second place, with Ken George and
Aussie guest Wayne Ackers equal third on 16. Also
in the prizes were Paul Milbank (14 points) with
John Lister and Jack Skinner on 13 points.
Closest to the pin were Rick Swain and Jason
Yeeles and longest drives were belted by Rod
Stewart and Wayne McSorely.
Three twos were scored - Steve Albright, Bob
Haase and John Lister.
The net albatross pool was not struck and will be
carried over to this week.
A reminder to all that the annual Canada Cup
competition will be held on Wednesday 25 March.
Ladies’ 9-Hole Golf - Thursday 12 March
A field of 14 competed in a stableford competition.
Results Division 1 - 1 Ann Kerkhof 20 points,
2 Audrey Vickers.
Results Division 2 - 1 Shirley Bowick 22 points,
2 Pat Skinner.
There were five pars.
Saturday 14 March
The annual Whitianga New World Tournament
was a great success, with a full field playing for
a large prize table sponsored by Stacey and Sally
Rolton.
Also provided were drinks and food during and
after play and a new innovation, breakfast cooked
on the BBQ by Stacey.
The celebrity guest this year was Stephen
"Beaver" Donald of Rugby World Cup winning
fame, who smashed a long straight drive to win a
prize, just like his goal kicking.
The winner of the first division (0-17) was
Geoffrey Lowe with a net 63. He was followed
by Mark White on 64, David Fussell 65, Wayne
Kearney 66, Rod Stewart 67 and Keven Clark on
68. On 69 was Kelly Barson, Jonathan Stieller and
Lee Hall, followed by Gerald McCarthy (Napier)
on 70.
The second division (18-36) was won by club
president Colin Anderson with a 64, followed by
Dave Simmonds, Kelvin O'Leary and Ray Burgess,
all on 67. Next was John Bow on 68, followed by
Steve Albright, Ron Watson and Mervyn King
(Matamata) with 69. On 70 were Jeffrey Dixon,
Thomas Hogan and Jack Skinner.
The Ladies division was won by Kay Buckeridge
with 67, followed by Patrica Lilley on 69 and
Debbie Davidson on 73.
Two's were scored by Alan Barradale, Daniel
Berglund (Peninsula), Osman Emer, John Lister,
Jonathan Stieller and Mark White in the Men’s
Division and by Wendy Ann Albright and Kay
Buckeridge in the Ladies Division. Kay scored
three twos in a great display of accurate golf. Men's
Division Longest Drive (0-17) - David Fussell,
(18-36) - Stephen Donald, Nearest the Pin (0-17) Andrew Fleming, (18-36) - Alan Barradale. Ladies
Division Longest Drive - Wendy Ann Albright,
Nearest the Pin - Kay Buckeridge, Non-Affiliated
- Sally Rolton.
Lea Eisenbarth riding Seanna during the Mercury Bay Pony Club’s Twilight
Show Jumping Competition last week Wednesday. Photo by Tessa McQuoid.
Stacey Rolton - the owner of New World Whitianga - with the other members of
his four ball in last Saturday’s New World Tournament at the Mercury Bay Golf
Club. From left to right - Keith Lowen (ex-All Black), Stacey, Dave Simmonds
(owner of The Whitianga Hotel) and Stephen Donald (ex-All Black).
Pre purchase home inspections
Over 25 years experience
in the building trade
Sore back at night? Need a better bed?
Page 26
Race 7 of the Mercury Bay Boating Club
Steinlager Series
Race 7 of the Mercury Bay Boating
Club’s Steinlager Series looked again
to be a tactician’s nightmare last week
Wednesday evening as the boats jockeyed
for prime positions along the start line.
The light winds and smooth seas were
ideal for those with light, manoeuvrable
boats. Ten vessels crossed the start at
5:00pm and headed for the Windy Buoy
with no indiscretions to worry the protest
committee. It was great to see a new boat
in the fleet - Strait Shooter, a Beale 33
owned and crewed by the Ross family,
Max and Belinda.
It was an even reach to the Windy
Buoy mark with H2Go leading,
closely followed by the rest of the fleet.
The fleet parted on split tacks at the
mark, with most boats staying on port
trying to get advantage of the outgoing
tide. Plenty of tacking to find pressure
followed, the majority of the fleet staying
within the lay lines in the middle of
the course.
Contrast held her starboard beat to the
north and seemed to lose some ground,
however once on port tack she made huge
gains though the middle of the course to
the Doctors mark.
Blue Print’s endeavour into Cooks
Beach to look for wind was somewhat less
successful than Captain Cook’s endeavour
of 1769 and proved to be a bad move as
she lost pressure and ground.
H2Go and Solvieg had made a significant
break on the fleet and were already on their
downwind leg while the remainder were
still struggling to deal with the shadow of
the Doctor. Loose sailed strongly up the
middle of the course, closely followed by
Strait Shooter. Shadz, True Colors and
Vanadis remained in the same air for the
upwind, however it again became obvious
that the ‘fatties’ were going to struggle
around the mark.
The downwind slide produced an
apparent wind of less than 90 degrees,
so it was headsails only, unless you were
Blue Print who hoisted her gennaker and
made huge gains to the Simpsons mark.
Longshot was the only other boat flying
a genoa to make ground on the fleet and
she improved three places heading to
Simpsons.
At the final mark all boats deployed
their spinnakers for the run home.
H2Go and Solvieg were well clear with
Loose, Shadz and Strait Shooter all in the
running for third over the line.
The remainder of the fleet - Blue Print,
Longshot, Vanadis, True Colors and
Contrast - remained within a few hundred
meters of each other to the finish.
Line honours went to H2Go, followed
by Solvieg and Shadz. Handicap winner
was Shadz, with Loose second and
Solvieg third.
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
A spectacular photo by Matt “Multitasker” Algie - skipper of Blue Print of Longshot and some of the other yachts in the home stretch of last week
Wednesday’s Steinlager Series race of the Mercury Bay Boating Club.
Coas tal
Sig
ns
Whitianga
19 Campbell St
VEHICLE & BOAT GRAPHICS
T-SHIRT PRINTS
BANNERS
SHOP SIGNS
BUSINESS CARDS & MORE
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
www.coastalsigns.co.nz
Timber & Cork Floor
Installation
Polyurethane
coating & colouring
Call
chris mcKibbin
M: 021 046 7169
www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz
Page 27
Classifieds & Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICES
HOME HELP NEEDED
LIVE-IN COMPANY AND HOME HELP
Are you the right person to live in as full-time companion for
an independent older gentleman? Some care-giving required.
Idyllic Coromandel coast property.
Please send CV to ‘LIVE IN Help Wanted,’
P.O. Box 316, Whitianga or phone 021 049 9178.
PUBLIC NOTICES
MBAS SECONDARY SCHOOL TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Girls Singles/Boys Singles/Doubles
4pm on Friday 20th March at the Mercury Bay Tennis Club.
MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB U15 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Girls Singles/Boys Singles/Doubles
4pm on Friday 27th March at Mercury Bay Tennis Club.
Lots of prizes, followed by a sausage sizzle.
Call Lisl for more info on 021 148 6982.
MERCURY BAY DAY CAMP
Teen leaders and adult helpers needed.
To register, please go to www.daycamp.co.nz.
WHITIANGA ART, CRAFT & FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 21 March
Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga,
8:30am - 1:00pm.
Unique locally created art, craft & local produce.
Anne 866 5550 or Doreen 866 5237.
STALL HOLDERS WANTED
What - COOKS BEACH EASTER MARKET DAY
Where - Cooks Beach Community Hall.
When - Easter Sunday 5th April from 10am - 1pm.
Phone Lesley Morrison for details 866 5334 or 021 157 9979.
THE HOME BREW CLUB - 8 MARCH 2015
We would like to thank the following sponsors The Stunned Mullet, Battery Bill, Imaake Brewing, Black Bull Liquor,
Whitianga Hotel, Hauraki Brewing Co, Countdown, Mercury Bay Club,
Black Bull Liquor, The Espay, Mercury Bay Meats,
Mercury Bay Foodmarket, Tides, Snapper Jacks, The Warehouse.
Results Beer -
1st Vaughan Condon
-
2nd Boyd Rodgers
-
3rd Claudia Rodgers
Results Spirits -
1st Cathy Frow
Judges - John McQuillan, Jim Beaton and Neill Rose.
Pourer - Wayne Hill.
A good time had by all. Thanks everyone.
Page 28
WHITIANGA PIG HUNTING
CLUB AGM
Saturday 28 March 1:00pm. Coroglen Tavern
THANK YOU
Whitianga Social Services would like to thank the following people,
businesses and organisations for their support of the Youth Rock Concert
held on 7 March in Whitianga - Dave Simmons and The Whitianga Hotel,
Vegas Brown, the bands and performers who generously subsidised their costs,
ACC, New World Whitianga, Peninsula Scaffolding, Cooper Tyres,
Graham Christiansen, Subway, TCDC, Z Whitianga, The Informer,
Hauraki Herald, CFM, LFM, Ahmen Mahal (MC),
Bill Benjamin from Dynamic Electrical and the all helpers on the day.
2015 MERCURY BAY NETBALL CENTRE REGISTRATION DAY
Monday 23rd March - After school until 4:00pm,
gymnasium foyer at Mercury Bay Area School.
Registration forms for individuals can be downloaded at www.sportsground.co.nz/mercurybaynetball.
FEES MUST BE PAID AT REGISTRATION.
Club Teams First Muster/Grading at
Mercury Bay Multisport Park at Moewai Park
Year 9 - 13 Wednesday 1 April @ 3.30pm,
Year 4 - 8 Wednesday 22 April @ 4.30pm.
Senior A Trials will be run through the school.
All players are required to register on 23 March.
Way to go Humpster,
Julz and Cody!
SITUATIONS VACANT
PERCIVAL CONSTRUCTION LTD
Is looking for a good all round experienced carpenter to work on
all types of projects from renovations and alterations
to high-end architectural homes. Must be able to work as part of a team
or by themselves, have own tools and work to a high standard.
Please send your CV to damian@percivalconstruction.co.nz
or call 027 749 9011. Good pay rate to reflect experience.
BACHCARE IS RECRUITING IN TAIRUA!
Become a Bachcare Holiday Manager and join NZ’s leading holiday
home management company.
Receive excellent training / support.
If you enjoy meeting people, have great attention to detail
and are a cleaning extraordinaire,
contact gemma@bachcare.co.nz.
The uncertainty of the arrival date for Cyclone Pam put a few anglers off entering the Stabicraft
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Trailer Boat Tournament which was held last week Thursday
to Saturday. A fantastic effort by organiser John Mort nevertheless saw 288 anglers battling
it out for the more than $140,000 worth of of prizes given away over the three nights of the
competition.
You couldn’t plan a better final prize-giving night on Saturday with an electric atmosphere as
three locals took out major prizes. Cody Hamilton caught the heaviest marlin - a 209.8kg blue,
Julie Pearson (Julz) won the much coveted brand new 5m Stabicraft boat with 70hp Yamaha
engine and all the trimmings and Nathan “Humpster” Wilson (pictured with his children Daniel
and Taylor) will have his name engraved on the impressive Furuno Snapper World Cup Trophy
as the 2015 champion with his outstanding 12.45kg snapper.
The overall first place achievers were as follows (in the order of vessel, angler and
per kg weight) Kahawai - Whiti Cowboy Sam Astwood 3.070, Trevally - Aftica Mark Cosgrove 3.320,
Skipjack - Rusty Ram Murray Heaslip 6.730, Albacore - Tinacious Craig Devcich - 10.000,
Kingfish - Aftica Toby Kemp 25.420, Mahimahi - Freelance Craig Reynolds 5.160,
Blue Marlin - Gonzo Cody Hamilton 209.8, Snapper - Lured Nathan Wilson 12.45.
The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club would like to thank all sponsors for their generous
contribution to the success of the tournament and in particular Stabicraft Boats, Ocean Sports
Marine and Electronic Navigation Limited.
WHITIANGA HIRE
Requires a full time yard person.
The applicant must have mechanical and suitably small engine
repair experience and must also be computer literate.
A heavy truck and forklift licence would be an advantage.
Contact Keith on 07 866 2329 working hours
and 0274 946 025 after hours.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO JOIN THE
ROADING MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY.
Do you have a current driver’s license?
Then we need you.
For more info contact Bryan 07 863 9316.
CAFE NINA
Seeks experienced
barista/cafe assistant.
Full time/Part time.
Immediate start.
Phone Pete or Jules on
07 866 5440 or call in.
20 Victoria Street,
Whitianga.
BARISTA/
FRONT OF HOUSE
Wanted for Whitianga cafe.
Immediate start.
Part time.
Phone 866 0550 or
027 821 2156.
Whenuakite Country Kids - ECE Team supervisor
DEATH NOTICE
BOURNE, Mary Ellen (formerly of Birkenhead Auckland)
On the 9th March 2015 at Whitianga Continuing Care
(after a long illness), aged 85 years.
Dearly loved wife of the late Allan, beloved mother of Judy,
Douglas and Michael, mother-in-law of Helen and Cathy.
Nana to Sam, Mandy, Lisa and Mikayla, great-nana to
Benjamin, Oscar, Alexandra and a great-grandson yet to be born.
The family would like to thank with all their hearts the care and love that
Whitianga Continuing Care staff, care givers, doctors and
nurses have shown to Mary over the last four years.
A service for Mary has been held at Dil’s North Harbour Chapel,
Albany, on Friday 13th March, followed by interment at
North Shore Memorial Park Cemetery.
TWENTYMANS
We are looking for a vibrant, dynamic and passionate
person to lead our great team.
Minimum of a Diploma qualification in ECE or teaching degree.
Experience with ERO reporting and curriculum administration with
competent computer skills particularly with Word, Microsoft Office & publisher.
Knowledge of the ECE APT system would be an advantage.
We need somebody with proven experience, excellent communication skills,
a friendly and approachable manner that can model best
practice teaching on the floor.
Trademe reference #849029795.
Email info@wck.co.nz for a job description.
Wendy Kinzett - Phone 866-3360.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need more volunteers to work in our Coghill Street
Op Shop Wednesday, Thursday & Friday mornings - 8.45am to 1pm.
If you have some spare time and would like to join a great
team of ladies sorting and serving customers,
give Delle at Social Services a call on 8664476 for more information.
Page 29
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Come in for a browse.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
FIREWOOD
Tea Tree, Mac,
Pohutukawa, Etc.
For full list & prices go to
www.trickytrees.co.nz or
phone Chris on
021 240 9909.
FOR SALE
Dry ti-tree $120 per load
delivered.
Phone 866 3026
S.O.S!!!
(Save Our Staff) from stocktake!!
SALE on now.
Giftware & more.
Grapefruit Gully
Monk St, Whitianga
ACCOMMODATION WANTED
WANTED TO RENT
Working couple, 2 kids and 2 cats
(all house trained)
requires modern 4 bedroom
rental from 8 April.
Preferably long term.
Phone Kylie on 0273 818 403.
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 Whitianga Marine
Centre today on 867 1182 or come
in to 233 South Highway, Whitianga.
CHURCH SERVICES
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
1 OR 2 BDRM, Whitianga, mature
female relocating to area, excellent
tenant. Ph/txt: 021 058 3199
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
CATTERIES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
GARAGE SALE
ALL WELCOME
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
REAL ESTATE WANTED TO BUY
SAT 21 MARCH, Garage 12 Aqua
Soleil Villas, 1 Centennial Drive,
Whitianga, 8:00am. Household,
camping/caravaning items, bikes adult and child- and much more.
CLIENTS REQUIRE HOME
150m² plus,
with land for boutique orchard.
Phone Gary 027 956 9946.
Licensed REAA 2008
LOST
TOY LIBRARY
PRESCRIPTION GLASSES
IN A CLOTH CASE
On Wednesday 11 March in the Albert
Street and
Monk Street area of Whitianga.
Phone 027 338 12447.
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
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
Free removal,
cash paid
Peninsula wide
0800 227 3867
UNDER $50
TRIPOD, 30 inches extending to 60.
Used for telescope. Ph: Alison
07 866 0622 evenings
TO LET
12x12m² SHED, Coroglen, 3 phase power, $80 p/w. Ph: 027 667 5478
NEW 3 BDRM 2 BATHRM HOUSE, available end of March, responsible
tenants, references, $380 p/w plus lawns. Ph: 022 670 8910
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
robyn.turner@bayleys.co.nz
Licensed under the REAA2008
Call Krissie Brand
Bella Cattery
5 Golf Road
Whitianga
Hours 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm
Inspections Welcome
Phone 07 866 5631
Licensed Property Manager with 13 years local experience
Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 Understanding the Coromandel Since 1960
07 866 5824 or 027 273 4420
Long term & holiday. Free rental appraisals.
Landlords & Tenants, for all your rental requirements.
FOR HIRE
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.
WANTED !
Quality homes
for quality tenants.
HEALTH SERVICES
NATUROPATH
MEDICAL HERBALIST
Registered
ILLNESS can benefit from support
of plants and nutrition.
Leanne Halliwell 0274 588 626
or 07 866 5899
VEHICLES FOR SALE
WORK WANTED
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
Page 30
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
11 Nissan Navara D/Cab 91kms $31,500 02 Toyota Rav4 Ltd, 5dr, Auto, 125km $8,950
07 Mitsubishi Fuso 6 berth M/Home $74,900
02 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5 spd, 141km $5,900
05 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5spd, White $6,900 00 Nissan S/Cab ute, canopy, towbar $7,900
03 Toyota Hilux D/Cab 3.0D flat deck $10,900 98 Toyota Camry GL sedan, 5spd, $2,900
03 Nissan Pulsar H/B, 5spd $4,900
97 Mitsubishi Challenger 4x4 5dr, $5,650
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga www.coastalautos.co.nz
Talking about this year’s senior rugby season
By Stephan Bosman
The 2015 Thames Valley senior rugby
competitions are only a few weeks
away from kick-off. In Mercury Bay the
season is awaited with great excitement.
“It’s the first time in quite a few years
we expect to field an A and a B team,”
says Dwayne Mansell, new coach of
the A team. Dwayne is no stranger to
Mercury Bay rugby, having played for
the senior team from 2001 until last year.
He captained the team from 2011 to
2014. Under his watch the team clawed
its way back into the Thames Valley
Senior A Division after a few years in the
wilderness of the B Division.
“The reality is I’m not getting any
younger,” says Dwayne. “The game
became too fast for me. It was time
to hang up my boots. But I wanted to
remain involved and that’s why I offered
to coach the A team this year.
“The 10 teams in the A Division will,
like last year, be playing a single round
against each other, with the top six
teams battling it out in the Premiership
Division in the second half of the season.
Last year we made into the Premiership
Division and I can’t see any reason
why that won’t happen this year.
Once you’re in the Premiership Division,
you’re really only two wins away from
the semi-finals.
“We have a very motivated group of
players this year. In previous years only
five or six players would have kept their
fitness up during summer. This summer
there were at least 15. The summer touch
competition certainly helped and also the
Thames Valley Sevens Competition that
took place in November and December
last year.
“Our core is strong with five of our
players having been part of the Thames
Valley provincial training squad last
year. A few talented players have also
moved to the area the past six months or
so and a few younger players who were
part of the Peninsula First XV that won
the Coulter Cup last year, is available to
play for us this year.
“There definitely is more interest
in senior rugby in the area this year,
that’s why we think we’ll be able to
put a team in the B division as well.
Donutt Lafferty, who’s been around for
a long time, said he’ll coach the B team.
I think he’s going to do a great job.”
Helping Dwayne with the A team this
year is assistant coach Stacey Rolton
(the owner of New World Whitianga)
and manager Ted McVerry (the manager
of Carters Whitianga). “And we have
Wayne Smith who coached the Thames
Valley Development Team last year for a
bit of sideline advice too,” says Dwayne.
“We all have senior rugby experience
and I would like to think we’ll be able to
take the team to new heights.”
The A team’s first game in the Thames
Valley competition is against Paeroa
West in Paeroa on 28 March. It will also
be the first time a new challenge trophy
dedicated to the memory of Kevin Barry,
ex-All Black who played in his day for
both Mercury Bay and Paeroa West and
who passed away in August last year,
will be up for grabs.
Later in the season the team will
also play for the Paul Herbert Kane
Challenge Trophy against Waihou.
The trophy came into play for the first
time last year in memory of “Herbie”
Kane, in his day a legendary member of
both Mercury Bay and Waihou Rugby
Clubs.
“These challenge trophy games are
important to us,” says Dwayne. “It’s
not just about winning them, it’s also
about the motivation to get to the finals
this year.”
Dwayne Mansell
Chris 0274 761 828 or Fiona 021 299 5506
WOF/Services
Mechanical repairs
Classic cars repairs
On-vehicle disc skim
Boat trailers
All makes & models
Ph 07 866 2499
21 Campbell St, Whitianga
admin@pencars.co.nz
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 31

628 18 March 2015 Week 3.indd

Transcription

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