Issue 614 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 614 - 10 December 2014
Phone 07 866 2090
G
UPPORTIN
S
S
L
A
C
O
L
LOCALS
The decile doesn’t make
the school
Circulation 6,000
The Mercury Bay
X-Ray machine to be
officially opened see page 19.
An overview of the decile rating changes of schools in the central and northern Coromandel
By Alison Smith
Most of the schools in the central
and northern parts of the Coromandel
Peninsula will see a change in the funding
they receive from the government due to
a review of decile ratings.
The recalculation of decile ratings
follows the New Zealand Census every
five years and is designed to move
more funding to areas considered to be
financially disadvantaged.
Decile ratings range from 1 in the most
socio-economically disadvantaged areas
of the country to 10 in the most affluent
and are further graded alphabetically.
Mercury Bay Area School’s decile
rating is dropping from a low 6 to a
high rating of 5, which will equate to a
$24,189 funding increase in its overall
operating budget of $1.5 million for
2015.
Principal John Wright says the increase
is relatively insignificant overall, but if
decisions were to be made about where
additional funding should be spent,
the priority in his view was in staffing.
“It may sound like a lot, but it’s not a
significant bite for us in the size of the
budget. Seven years ago we went from
a 4B to a 6N and lost $55,000 out of $1
million at the time, which was 5 per cent
of our operational grant and was really
significant.
“Our biggest investment that we have
here is people, our staffing. We want
kids to be known by the educator, to be
nurtured and to have the best opportunity
Mercury Bay Area School Year 3 students at one of the school’s primary student playgrounds. MBAS may well have a new
decile rating of 5, but it doesn’t impact in any way on the quality of education these students receive now and will receive
in the future. The primary student playgrounds are due for an upgrade, with funds to be raised at the upcoming Mercury
Bay Seaside Carnival. Read more about the carnival in next week’s Informer.
to achieve at the very best level. We’re
doing that now and it won’t change. If
we had any kind of additional budget,
I would be putting it into staffing
and making sure the kids have the
programmes they need.”
Mr Wright says parents need to be
cautious when judging a school based on
deciles as it was not a reflection of the
quality of education, but the affluence
of the community that a school drew its
students from.
“How does a parent know what is a
good school? How do they know if one
year group of students is struggling?
All that decile ratings are is a big fat broad
brush that really has no significance on
the quality of learning, the support of the
parents and the quality of the kids.
“What we do know is that there is a
difference in the youngies who come to
a decile 1, 2 and 3 school because they
are socio-economically more needy than
4 to 10 schools, but I also know there are
(Continued on page 3)
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Building a big business in Mercury Bay
Yes, it’s possible to grow a big business in
Mercury Bay. Point in case is Tango’s Shoes.
On 10 December they’ll be celebrating ten
years since the opening of their first shop in
Whitianga.
It all started with owner and Whitianga
local Melanie Dowling’s husband, Gary,
seriously hurting his back early December
2003 while working as chief engineer on
board a cruise ship off the coast of Ushuaia,
Argentina - the southernmost city on the
South American continent. Medical care
in Ushuaia wasn’t exactly the best and the
emergency surgery Gary received caused
serious infection, threatening his life. He was
airlifted to Buenos Aires and admitted to a
private hospital.
Melanie flew to Argentina just before
Christmas, leaving her (then) three small
children with family and spending the next
three months helping Gary recover enough to
fly home.
“After a short period of time, I realised that
I could sneak out for a little retail therapy
without being missed too much. This was
when I discovered that Argentina have
the most gorgeous shoes and handbags,”
said Melanie.
“When Gary was able to travel, albeit on
a stretcher, it was a huge relief that he didn’t
have any luggage, as I had eighteen new pairs
of shoes and at least six new handbags!
“When we got back to Whitianga, I said to
Gary, ‘I want something good to come out of
our time in Argentina. I want to open a shoe
shop and call it Tango’s,’ after Argentina’s
national dance. So, that’s what we did.
“It soon became obvious to me that we
weren’t going to survive carrying our ranges
of stock without exposing it to a wider
market. So we opened a store in Whangamata
in August 2005, in Blenheim in 2007,
in Milford in 2009, in Tauranga City Centre
in 2011, in Mt Maunganui in 2012 and in
Dunedin in July this year. In February next
year we’ll be opening a new South Island
store in in Richmond.”
Asked why the locations, Melanie said,
“We have a lot of customers in Whitianga and
Whangamata who live on the North Shore
and also Tauranga. With our stores in those
locations, they can continue to shop with us
through the winter. That of course helps us to
support our ranges throughout the whole of
the year. Blenheim, Dunedin and Richmond?
Well, South Islanders wear shoes all year
round!”
Melanie had to face some tough time since
the opening of their first Tango’s Shoes.
“On a personal basis, I wasn’t exactly
expecting to give birth to our adorable,
sometimes (she laughed), daughter Scarlett,
17 days after opening our first store here
in Whitianga - that took a lot of juggling,”
she said.
“The hardest thing I have ever had to
deal with was when our son Vincent was
diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour
ten months after opening here - that put
everything into perspective for us. It’s been a
long road for him, but he’s 12 years old now
and an absolute pleasure. That’s now when
he’s not fighting with his sisters.”
Melanie is fast to credit her husband,
children and staff with Tango’s’ success.
“Gary and my children have been
absolutely amazing over the years,” she said.
“The kids have grown up packing boxes,
stacking shelves, loading vans and all on the
promise of an ice cream. I’m finding that one
a little hard to get away with now as they get
older. Gary is still a ship engineer, but works
harder when he’s on leave than when he’s
away at sea. I often tell him when he’s due to
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 10
10:41
4:12
10:57
4:41
Thu 11
11:23
4:54
11:40
5:25
5:35
12:05
6:08
Fri 12
Sat 13
0:22
6:17
12:48
6:51
Sun 14
1:06
7:00
1:31
7:36
Mon 15
1:53
7:46
2:16
8:22
Tue 16
2:42
8:36
3:03
9:10
Tide data sponsored by
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome.
Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of the Editor.
Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by
the author’s name and surname, telephone number and residential address.
All reasonable steps are taken to ensure accuracy. Opinions expressed are
not necessarily those of the owner or publisher.
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ISSN 2230-2719 © 2014 Mercury Bay Media Limited
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Page 2
www.tangosshoes.co.nz
Enquiries at 07 866 5947
Shoes & Accessories
GUYS
Soles Stereo
LETS MAKE
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The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Tuesdays and circulated
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Published by: Mercury Bay Media Limited
Publisher: Petra Roodt
Editor: Stephan Bosman
Contributing Editors: Rowena Brown, Bryan Layton,
Hayden Smith, Len Salt, Alison Smith and
Meghan Hawkes
Motoring Columnist: Jack Biddle
go back to sea to make sure he rests up as he’s she constantly criticizes her kids over...
got a full itinerary when he gets home.
She also hopes they’ll be able to manage a
“I’m extremely grateful to the girls who family holiday that doesn’t involve setting up
work for Tango’s. We are an unusually a new shop before the kids leave home.
wonderful team. There’s been, and there
And she’s looking forward to this year’s
will be, trying times but we’ve got through. summer. “I hope all business owners her in
We all work really hard to keep Tango’s on Whitianga have an awesome season,” she
track and focused.
said. “I also hope town will grow to support
“I need to mention Ingrid Dawson, more jobs, but will stay the beautiful place all
my friend, but also my rock. She’s been with of us ‘Whitiangaits’ are lucky to live in.
Tango’s for five and half years and in that
“To celebrate Tango’s 10th birthday,
time has grown from being a part time shop we’re having drinks and nibbles in our
assistant in Whitianga to someone who just Whitianga store on Wednesday 10 December
about runs everything on a daily basis. She from 4:30pm onwards. Everyone, and I really
helps me with new ranges of stock, sources new mean everyone, is welcome.”
labels, keeps
all the girls
in the other
stores in the
loop and even
tells me off
occasionally.
I do need that
every
now
and again! I
am eternally
grateful
for
the care and
commitment
she gives us.
Thank
you
Ingrid!”
Talking
about
the
f u t u r e ,
Melanie said
it’s time for
consolidation
and
coming
Tango’s Shoes’ owner Melanie Dowling (in the middle back) with her son
to grips with
Vincent (in the middle front) and her Whitianga-based staff.
social media,
Back - Rochelle Barclay (on the left) and Leisa McCleery.
something
Front - Ingrid Dawson (on the left) and Claire Dawson.
Sizes 36- 42
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School decile ratings
(Continued from page 1)
fabulous schools achieving in deciles 2
to 3 and poor outcomes for those at the
top end.
“Parents need to be quite cautious
about it. Often parents perceive the
quality of the schools on deciles,
but it’s based on census data that’s about
the number of bedrooms in a house,
the number of toilets in a house and the
income of the parents. That’s an indicator
of affluence.”
Mercury Bay Area School at decile
five will educate five students next year
from Great Barrier Island, who are zoned
to attend the highly-sought after schools
of Epsom Girls’ Grammar and Auckland
Grammar in Auckland.
“I think our culture of the school suits
the Barrier kids really well. They are
zoned to go to these Auckland schools,
but culturally that doesn’t work for
them,” says Mr Wright.
Tairua School has no change at a
decile rating of 7 and will see no change
in funding. Whenuakite School has
dropped from 8 to 7, Coroglen School
will drop from 6 to 5 while Hikuai
School drops from 9 to 8.
For the smaller schools in Coromandel
Town and Manaia, the decile rating
changes are going to have a relatively
big impact. Manaia School, which has
a role of 110 students, will experience
a $21,699 drop in Government funding
from $77,114 to $55,415 next year
despite its rating remaining at 2.
Coromandel Area School will get
an increase of $22,691 in Government
funding from $52,113 this year to
$74,804 next year. Its decile rating
remains at 3.
This is because schools are classified
within each decile, so for example a
school with a “Step A” classification at
decile 1 gets $905.81 per pupil whereas
a school with “Step C” classification at
the same decile gets $731.30.
Te Rerenga School is the only school
in the Mercury Bay, Tairua and Pauanui
areas that experienced a rise in it’s
decile rating, from 5 to 7. Whilst this
means the school will lose $3,206 in
funding, Principal Anna Yates says the
school is fortunate to have a supportive
school community and an influx of bach
owners that make up for shortfalls with
fundraising opportunities over summer
time and public holidays.
“It doesn’t have huge implications
for us because we will continue to do
what we do every year. We haven’t
decided yet whether we’re going to have
fundraising or just adjust our budget
accordingly. For us as a small rural
school, we’re fortunate because of our
excellent community support. If we
decide to go down the fundraising route,
it’s not difficult for us to achieve.”
The school has a role of 65 which has
grown in recent years. It draws students
from Whitianga and Coromandel.
“I see this as positive, healthy community
growth and it shows there are families
in the area having children that reach
school age,” says Mrs Yates.
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Page 3
Sunair’s first scheduled Whiti-Akl
flight took to the skies last week
As they indicated they would do, Sunair started scheduled air service between
Whitianga and Auckland and Whitianga and Tauranga and Great Barrier Island last
week.
The first passenger to make use of the new service to Auckland was Martin
Corkery, an Australian living in Brisbane, but with a holiday home in Whangapoua.
“A great new service,” he said. “The price is really affordable and it’ll certainly
beat driving to Auckland.”
Pictured is Martin (left) with Sunair pilot Ryan Bergman at the Whitianga aerodrome.
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Santa and fairy at MB Health
Support Group Christmas lunch
On Thursday last week 62 members of the Mercury Bay Health Support Group
attended a Christmas lunch provided by the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.
It was an afternoon with lots of fun, the highlight undoubtedly the appearance
of Santa Claus accompanied by a fairy (also known as Matt Algie - the fairy and
Alastair MacKenzie - Santa).
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also explore the aftermath of Rose MacClare’s broken engagement with Jack Ross. Downton also has some
new visitors, including Simon Bricker (Richard E Grant), Lady Anstruther (Anna Chancellor) and Prince Kuragin
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her cain at. A Must See Series. Reviewed By Cara.
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Page 5
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Mercury Bay Meats
You wouldn’t buy Fish from a Chemist,
Or Tripe from a Bazaar.
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Or go to a Hotel for a Hat.
So why buy your MEAT from a Grocer?
P/F: 07 866 5614 M: 027 302 7880
75 Albert st, Whitianga
First woman president at
Mercury Bay Club stepping down
The Mercury Bay Club can continue
connecting people in a fun and safe social
environment, but will need fresh ideas
from young members to really thrive,
says outgoing club president Ann Madden.
Ann spent eight years as president of
the club on the corner of Cook Drive
and Campbell Street in Whitianga and
was its first woman president. The club
was established in 1976 with the aim of
promoting friendship, entertainment and
sports opportunities for members.
It has a current membership of some
1,500 people.
Ann and husband Barry moved to
Whitianga in 2004 and soon went to work
getting to know the local community
by developing a social life at the club.
“We moved here and a year later I went
onto the committee and I think that’s where
I made a lot of my friends. It’s like a family
to me. It has been my life for a long time
so, it’s like the end of an era to step back
from the role,” says Ann.
After a year on the committee Ann
was voted as vice-president and then in
2007 she became president. For three of
the eight years that Ann was president,
she also worked voluntarily as manager.
It was the pressure of juggling full-time
work with a voluntary role as manager and
club president that led her to step down.
“It has been hard for the past 18 months.
I was either at the club or at work and I was
honest and said I don’t know if I can do
this anymore. A few months later in June
I said I wasn’t going to.”
A new manager has been appointed in a
paid role since August and the club is in
the capable hands of David Stoddart as
manager and Jim Hill as president, who
was acting vice-president previously.
Ann says the staff members have been
wonderful and she wanted to thank them
for their support and she wishes Jim and
David well for the future of the club.
Ann says she will still be a regular visitor
and will miss the role. “As president you
are there to welcome people and make sure
everyone is happy. That’s lovely.”
The majority of current members are
older couples who enjoy the sporting and
social atmosphere, but Ann says there
are also women who use the facility for
its relaxing and safe social environment.
She believed it was key for the club to
attract a younger crowd to ensure its
success in the future.
“I think we do have to move a bit more
with the times, so hopefully if the young
ones realise they can come and enjoy our
activities like eight ball for free and pay a
junior membership for just $15 and with
the sports activities they can go away
all over New Zealand if they wanted to.
It’s a friendly place, it would be nice
if some young people could start to
come along and bring their fresh ideas.
We want to know what we can do to make
them welcome. We have to be more than
somewhere for people to have a drink.”
Ann says people may not realise that
they can come and enjoy a few visits
before deciding if the club is right for them.
Everyone is welcomed with a friendly
smile. “It’s a good place to meet people.
I absolutely love the place.”
2 X TARAKIHI, 2 X HOT DOGS,
5 X CHICKEN NUGGETS,
$2.50 CHIPS - $15
2 X HOKI, 5 X MUSSELS,
$2 CHIPS - $11
CHICKEN BURGER, $1.50 CHIPS,
$2 DRINK - $9.50
Ann Madden
68D Albert Street
ALL DAY
EVERY DAY
07 866 0140
Fabulous food, outstanding espresso...
Come join us for breakfast or lunch at
The Espy Cafe
10 The Esplanade
07 866 0778
the.espy.whiti@gmail.com
Free coffee & muffin
winner
Rewards card no 10288
Valid until 24th Dec
Bad night’s sleep? Need a better bed?
See your sleeping specialists - Bedpost Whitianga
Lee Street, Whitianga P: 07 866 2448
Page 6
THAMES - TAIRUA - WHITIANGA
Offer valid Thurs 11 Dec - Sun 21 Dec 2014
2 for
$10
Lindauer Classic Range 750 mls
Talisker 10 yr old 700 mls
Dalwhinnie 15 yr old 700 mls
Glenkinchie 12yr old 700 mls
Cardhu 700 mls
$59.99ea
$8.99ea
$29.99ea
Rekorderlig Orange & Ginger
500 mls 15pk
Eye spy Chardonnay
2 for
$10
$27.99ea
After Dark 4pk cans/
Park Lane 4pk btls
Waikato 24 pk btls, Lion red 24 pk btls, Speights 24 pk btls,
Tui 24 pk btls
Heineken 15pk btls
Steinlager Classic18pk btls
$24.99ea
$19.99ea
$39.99
Blackheart 5% 12pk btls
Somersby 4.5% 12pk btls
Corona 2*12pk btls
GRAB A
BARGAIN
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or 2 for
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Smirnoff 1 ltr
Gordon’s 1 ltr
Malibu 1 ltr
Kahlua 1 ltr
Blackheart 1 ltr
Grants 1ltr
Teacher’s 1ltr
$21.99ea
Baileys Cream 700mls,
Cafe Boheme 750 mls
Tairua
Shop 5 /237 Main road,
Tairua (07) 864 7281
$32.99ea
Jim Beam 1.125mls
Canadian Club 1 ltr
Bacardi White
Jagermeister 700 mls
Jack Daniels Honey 700 mls
St Remy 1 ltr
Whitianga
1A Blacksmith Lane,
Whitianga (07) 866 2067
$34.99ea
Cointreau 1 ltr
Jim Beam 1.75
$52.99ea
Thames
202 Sealey St,
Thames (07) 868 9997
Page 7
Shop local at Whitianga’s indoor market this Friday evening
Shop local this Christmas is the catchcry
of Whitianga's new indoor market,
Marketplace in Coghill Street.
To
encourage
that
sentiment,
Marketplace is hosting a festive market
this Friday evening 12 December from
5:00pm to 8:00pm.
Paula from Jandals Café will be there
with mulled wine and Christmas mince
pies. She'll also be taking orders for later
in the month. Her children Toby and
Skye will also be there with their famous
fudge - a great sweet treat.
Award-winning butcher Nigel from
Mercury Bay Meats and Clare and Meg
from new bakers The Good Loaf have
got together to make bacon rolls for the
occasion - a chance to try their wares.
It's time to get into the spirit of
Christmas says Soap Plus owner
Lisa Peehikuru - one of he founder
stallholders of Marketplace, which
opened three and a half months ago.
Her handmade soaps are reasonably
priced and make excellent gifts.
To make it even easier, Lisa has put
together some great gift baskets and
themed gift bags.
Brigitte Abraham from 20Eleven
Sports has organic skincare and balms,
including sunscreen and foot creams.
Her lovely body mists make a great
little gift and she's also put together gift
baskets.
Original art makes a thoughtful present
and local painters and Marketplace
regulars Mepara, Wendy Algie and
Justine Williams have lovely work
for sale from $15 and up. There are
also art-mounted photographs of local
landscapes from $70.
Alison Morris from Alison's Artful
Animals has been hard at work with
her needles and crochet hooks and there
are some great new hand-crafted furry
friends just waiting for new owners.
Katarina Lee has her fascinating zen
mobiles for sale, along with worm juice
and organic fertiliser, a practical present
for a keen gardener.
Sewing expert Jenny Coleman has
produced a range of very cool and very
fashionable Frozen t-shirts for little girls
and she'll have more of her gorgeous
handiwork for sale.
Local doll-maker, 97-year-old Gwen
Hamilton will be along with her Husha-Bye dolls. Copies of her recently
published autobiography The Book
of Gwenifer will also be available an excellent gift for those interested in
the way things were.
It's always good to find something
different for those difficult-to-buy-forfolk. Mrs Mearns' Takeaway Gardens wine glasses and tea cups planted with
succulents - are just the thing. They look
great as a dining table centrepiece or
lined up on a window sill.
When you're stuck for a gift idea,
MUST SEE -
Series
-
there's always chocolate and it's always
welcome. Leanne Petersen from
Chocolates R Us will be there with
her locally-produced goodies. A good
Christmas stocking needs chocolate!
Local
conservation
groups
Project Kiwi and Kauri 2000 will
be at the market on Friday evening.
Paula Williams from Project Kiwi has
some great t-shirts and for $20 Kauri
2000 will plant a tree and send the
recipient a certificate. A commemorative
inscription costs a little more.
Marketplace's focus is local with
a preference for goods made on the
Coromandel Peninsula. It's open Monday
to Saturday from 10am and will open
seven days a week from 21 December.
97-year-old Gwen Hamilton will have her Hush-a-Bye dolls for sale at
Marketplace’s indoor market this Friday evening.
EVENING MARKET
MULLED WINE
CHRISTMAS
MINCE PIES
Frid
day 12 December, 5 to 8pm
Soap Plus 20Eleven Sports
Mepara Wendy Algie Justine Williams
Mrs Mearn’s Takeaway Gardens
Alison’s Artful Animals Jenny Coleman
Gwen Hamilton’s Hush-A-Bye Dolls
Jandals Cafe Mercury Bay Meats & The Good Loaf
Toby & Skye Mackenzie Chocolates R Us
Project Kiwi Kauri 2000 Katarina & Jorma Lee
BACON ROLLS
FUDGE
CHOCOLATE
GREAT GIFTS
FOR ALL
POCKETS
MA R K E T P L A C E
18 Coghill St, Whitianga Open Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm
Hahei Community Library Fundraiser
OpENING NIGHT BONUS
“fATHER’S LOVE LETTER”
WHATS GOING ON? WHERE ARE WE HEADED? IS ANYONE IN CONTROL?
BEYOND THE SEARCH
HAHEI MARKET DAY
Monday 5th January 2015, 9am – 2pm
A huge variety of stalls. Fun entertainment for the kids
Music for all to enjoy
…and don’t miss the Library’s
Big Library Book Sale
WITH pRESENTER - GEOff YOULDEN
THURSDAY 4 December, 11 December & 18 December 7pm
SUNDAY 7 December 3pm GOLD COIN/SUppER
MONKEY HOUSE CINEMA - COGHILL STREET - WHITIANGA
Saturday 3rd January, 10am - 1pm
At the Hahei Community Centre, Hahei
Fantastic books to suit all tastes
• near new • popular authors • classics
• kids collection • coffee table selections
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 8
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The Mercury Bay Players’ Absolutely Fabulous Show
I’m surprised by the letter from Janine Turbitt in The Informer of 3 December 2014.
The Mercury Bay Player work hard to provide a “free” show (which costs thousands
of dollars to produce). Adult themes are a part of life and we need to laugh more and
“lighten up.”
Perhaps it’s the parents’ fault. Kids should be in bed before 10:30pm, or be watching
violent TV and video games instead of a live show.
I heard the children thought the skits were hilarious and enjoyed being with family
and friends.
I think the Mercury Bay Players had a fantastic show and well done to all the
people who were involved.
Robyn Danford
Whitianga
Dear Editor - The Mercury Bay Players’ Absolutely Fabulous Show
Please forgive us community.
There was a lot of nervousness in regards to having Patsy and Eddy compere
the show. If your've ever actually watched The Absolutely Fabulous Show on TV,
you would have noticed our comperes were kind of tame, nevertheless we did expect
some come back in regards to the children watching the show. Over the years many
children usually go home after the first bracket and so we thought this might be the
case as Patsy and Eddy did act more extreme as the night went on.
The deck skit which was a play with words was also a big concern, hence why it
was at the end of the show, but I've got to say it was the kids who laughed the loudest.
The Mercury Bay Players Show always seems to create issues on so many levels
with so many people, yet, it also seems to touch so many people’s hearts... Good old
live entertainment.
Once again please forgive us for the many upsets the show created and also thank
you to all those people whose hearts we touched.
The Mercury Bay Players
Mercury Bay
Dear Editor – The New Zealand Flag
A new flag for New Zealand is long overdue. This is my opinion on how a new flag
should look.
The Kiwi emblem is proudly painted on all New Zealand military equipment and
should be part of our flag. As we are surrounded by sea, a blue circumference is
obvious. Our clean green image is shown by a green background and a true Southern
Cross (five stars) is a must.
We are a member of the Commonwealth, therefore the British flag has to be in the
top left corner.
John Coates
Whitianga
Editor’s Note - The Informer’s online poll for November asked the question,
“Should New Zealand get a new flag?” A very good response was received,
with 41per cent of those who voted saying yes and 59 per cent saying no.
WHITIANGA
A
RC Race Boat
from $79
RC Helicopter
from $39
Page 9
Sports Injuries
Manipulation
Neck/Back Pain
Massage Therapy
Dry Needling
Work Injuries
Womens Health
21 Coghill Street
Whitianga
CLAIRE WILLS
BHSc Physiotherapy MPNZ
JOEL VAN DOORN
869 5244
BHSc Physio, PGC (Chin Acup) MPNZ
FREE
YOURSELF
Injury & Sport Massage
Naturopath
Massage
Herbalist
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Leanne Halliwell
hers
Gift Voluacble
avai
A Cook and Kupe statue for
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Ph 866 5899 for
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Ph 0274 588 626
leanne@liveitup.net.nz
European Standard in the art
of luxurious relaxation massage
Relaxation Massage 1 hr $65
Hot Stone Massage 1 ½ hr $75
Full Facial, Foot Pamper and
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Full Body Scrub, Hot Compresses and Moisturising $65
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Free pick-up service from and to the ferry
Contact Maria 866 4987 or 021 404 923
14 Parkland Place, Whitianga
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07 - 866 4751
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WHITIANGA
Christchurch has a statue of the explorer Captain James Cook and so has Gisborne.
And according to Mercury Bay Museum curator Ron Morgan, it’s no good that Mercury Bay,
where Cook spend the longest time during his visit to New Zealand in 1769 and where his
expedition correctly plotted New Zealand on the world map, doesn’t have one. But, Ron says,
Mercury Bay is also significant with regard to the Polynesian explorer Kupe and if we are going
to talk statues, we maybe should be thinking of one of both Cook and Kupe.
Ron would like to start to lay the groundwork for possible funding applications to a variety of
organisations for a statue and would like to know what the members of the local community
think. To have your say is easy. Simply vote in The Informer’s online poll for December
(at www.theinformer.co.nz), “Should Whitianga get a statue of Cook and Kupe?” And if
you would like to leave a comment, please do so asks Ron. We’ll also be gauging opinion
via Facebook. We may run this poll until February to give as many people as possible the
opportunity to vote.
Other news on the Cook and Kupe front is that the museum has a few additions in their displays
on the two explorers. There’s a large new interactive board showing with moving lights Cook’s
journeys around the world and also a high-tech projector showing on a specially prepared
piece of flooring images related to Cook and Kupe.
The museum is grateful towards locals Dick Wilson, Lou Sikking and Charlie Lodge from Master
Carpet Care for their work with the additions and also the Lion Foundation for the funds they
provided.
Pictured the Mercury Bay Museum’s copy of the famous “First Sighting of New Zealand” statue
of Kupe standing at Taranaki Street Wharf in Wellington.
Continuing Care’s Community Comment
I am pleased to announce that we have
had a large amount of funding approved
from our parent company Oceania
Healthcare to upgrade the Whitianga
Continuing Care facility. While this may
cause some disruption in the coming
months, it will enable us to give the
place a much needed facelift in the
communal areas, with new carpeting,
painting and some room refurbishments
being planned.
As always, our preferred option is to
keep the work local, having met with
three local trades so far. We will also be
approaching other local businesses over
the next couple of weeks to gain quotes
for the planned works.
Unfortunately due to unforeseen
circumstances we have had to postpone
the planned children’s Christmas party,
but will let families know when this can
go ahead.
A big thank you for the recent
donation of the piano and also to the
gentleman who picked up the old one for
use elsewhere. The new piano has now
been tuned, just in time for the Golden
Girls who no doubt will be entertaining
the residents as usual with their fantastic
STOCKING FILLERS
Unipad 7” Dual Core
Tablet Black
selection of old time hits.
Activity-wise the residents enjoyed
a traditional fry-up on the morning of
Armistice Day on 11 November as we
commemorated the centenary of the end
of the First World War. Donnamarie
and the ladies have been very busy
making Christmas decorations in
addition to their usual rounds of baking,
flower arranging and other crafts.
In addition to the major investment
in the facility as mentioned above, we
are always exploring ways in which we
can provide a more beneficial service to
our residents and the wider community.
To this end I am currently in negotiations
with some of our staff members so
that we may provide a much needed
community service in the New Year more to be announced soon.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Craig Scaman - Business and Care
Manager and the Team at Whitianga
Continuing
Care
Samsung Galaxy
Tab 3 7” LITE Wi-Fi
8GB White
Page 10
To the Editor
Dear Editor - What I Want for Our Daughters
Let me begin by saying that I am out of my comfort zone writing this, but I feel it is,
without a doubt, a necessary message for our community to hear.
I am an ordinary person who is sick of seeing the women and girls in my life
treated so differently than the men and boys. I am a pretty mellow person, but I was
raised by a strong women, I have a strong partner and my daughter is also strong.
I would like to think their influence has rubbed off on me to make me strong as well.
I know that sexism is alive and well in the Mercury Bay area, in New Zealand and
around the globe. No point in denying we are in a sexist society until we see women
not only “tolerated” or “accepted,” but actually respected and valued.
Equality comes when the big ticket items, such as sexual and domestic violence
and child abuse, go away. You may think those things don’t matter and you don’t
perpetrate violence, but you probably are. Every time you have a double standard for
what it means to be a man versus a women, you are being sexist. The genders do not
have to be the same to both be treated fairly. For example, when women are assertive
they are seen as bad while men, with the same behaviour, are respected.
I don’t know about you, but I see assertive women as a gift. They have to be so
much braver than men to speak their minds and they risk so much more - including
social and personal criticism. We use all sorts of nasty words for assertive women.
What do we call assertive men? Boss? Women and girls who do speak up are
also often representing the voice of many others (often women, children or other
oppressed voices).
I want my daughter to be assertive. I want her to speak her mind and to be able to
dialogue with others and the world around her. She should not have to apologise or
be delicate when being assertive - we would never expect that from men. I want her
to live in a world that not only “tolerates” girls and women, but a world that seeks out
their voices in positions of leadership and honours the opinions they have.
What I want for my daughter, what I want for all of our daughters, is to live in a
world where they are as free as men from the threat of violence, where they are heard
and honoured in the same way and where assertiveness is valued as a tool to not only
level the playing field, but in making our world a better place. What I have to say to
the women of the world is to keep being strong - what you have to say matters and
we will all (eventually) listen. I am listening.
Dave Martin
Mercury Bay
Dear Editor – Fish Heads and Skeletons Dumped at Wharekaho Beach
Last Sunday afternoon I walked on Wharekaho Beach after 4:00pm.
I was surprised to see black back gulls congregating, as they've not been there in
significant numbers during the breeding season. It turned out they were feeding on
over 60 fish heads, mainly, if not all, kahawai (and quite small ones at that).
I suspect these were caught in a net, given the number and small size. The fish were
probably head-and-gutted on shore and then the discarded heads and some skeletons
dumped at low tide. But of course the mess was all washing in with the incoming tide
(not far from the Leah Street steps).
It was not very pleasant for those wanting to swim and there was definitely a smell
downwind, even quite a bit further along the beach ...
Helen Oliver
Mercury Bay
Significant donations for
Scout boat
Last week Thursday was a proud moment for the Whitianga Sea Scouts when Koanui,
their Scout boat they have been diligently restoring for most of the year, was loaded onto its
brand new trailer and they could all pose for a photo showing off their handiwork.
Koanui wasn’t used for many years and was very much neglected when the decision was
taken to restore her. Enter Andy Taylder, Scout leader, and Craig Comstock from Blue Water
Marine in Whitianga. Under their guidance and hard work the Scouts did an exceptional job
in getting the boat into the state she’s in today. More painting remains to be done, but Andy
and Craig are both positive that she’ll be sailing early the next school term.
The restoration project has experienced exceptional goodwill from a variety of sources.
Earlier in the year the paint needed for the project was donated and a few weeks ago Voyager
Trailers in Hamilton donated the boat’s new trailer to the Scouts. That was accompanied by
The Rigging Shop in Auckland supplying rigging for the boat for free and Wayne Wilson
from SubLab Whitianga issuing the new trailer with a warrant of fitness also free of charge.
Koanui and her new trailer was the Scouts’ float in the Santa Parade held in Whitianga last
week Saturday.
Pictured are Craig (back left) and Andy (back right) with all the Scouts who helped in the
restoration project.
Sore back at night? Need a better bed?
Page 11
To the Editor
Dear Editor - Dangerous Mill Creek Corner Needs Urgent Action by NZTA
Four-year-old Mereana Winter is undergoing lengthy rehabilitation in Auckland after
being an innocent victim of the serious accident at the intersection of SH25 and Mill
Creek Road, south of Whitianga, on 16 October. I wish her a speedy recovery.
I have been told the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) are looking into
“an appropriate sign” to help prevent more cases where cars waiting to turn right into
Mill Creek Rd are struck from behind - in this case forced into oncoming traffic and
hit again.
My Honda CRV was rear-ended by a truck and written off in the same situation in
February last year, but I was lucky to escape with only whiplash.
The corner is awkwardly placed just over the Mill Creek Bridge, where drivers
seem to be distracted and fail to see cars waiting to turn until it’s too late and they
crash, or have a narrow miss.
Everyone I have spoken to who knows the intersection agrees it is dangerous and
several have supported my call for NZTA to look into other measures as well as a
sign, such as • Making
the
approaches
to the corner, from both
directions,
yellow-lined
“no passing” areas.
• Shortening the barrier on one
side of the bridge so the road
can be widened at that point
to allow through-traffic more
room and perhaps allow for
a turning lane (this should
not be too expensive as the
barrier is unnecessarily long).
• Trimming the trees that
obscure the corner.
David Lynch’s vehicle after his accident at
May I suggest readers who share
the Mill Creek Road intersection.
my desire to prevent more serious accidents also write directly to Mark Lilley,
NZTA’s traffic and safety engineer, whose email address is Mark.Lilley@NZTA.
govt.nz, with any suggestions they may have, or just to add their names to the request
for action.
The more people who write to him the better.
David Lynch
Mill Creek Road Resident
Dear Editor - Thanks Whitianga Bike Park
I was one of the Lions who attended the Whitianga Bike Park on Sunday 30 November.
I must say the park looked a treat and it was nice to see so many young ones with
mums and dads enjoying the surroundings.
Thanks Ray and Noel Hewlett for the wonderful asset you are providing for the
people of Mercury Bay and Whitianga.
Erwin Penwarden
Whitianga
Dear Editor - Forestry Trucks Through Kuaotunu
What kind of country allows a Malaysian multinational logging company to use
public roads through residential areas beginning at 3 am every morning? For the
residents of the Kuaotunu Peninsula it would seem to be with the blessing of the New
Zealand government.
The loss of native forest and the eroded dirt of what is left after the clear cuts is one
thing. The nocturnal thrum of engine brakes and logging trucks on roads they are not
fit for, posing an additional danger for residents, is shameful.
If we want to allow voracious and rapacious exploitation of this kind, perhaps the
perpetrators should be forced to take their booty out to sea, so the rest of us, the ones
that pay for them to run us over, can at least sleep at night.
Lawrence Winkler
Kuaotunu
Christmas
TThe perfect present...
Whitianga
Gift Vouchers
available now
Open until 2pm
Friday 19 December
Re-opening 9am
Monday 12 January
Louis, Sue, Lynne
and Gay would
like to wish you all a
Very Merry Christmas
and a prosperous
New Year
Phone
07 866 4195
Cnr Blacksmith Lane
& Albert St,
Whitianga
Ph 07 866 4195
105 Kapanga Rd,
Coromandel
Ph 07 866 8275
Email:
gay@pbservices.net.nz
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
Page 12
Delicious Affordable Indian Food
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
(Westpac Arcade)
Ph 07 866 2666 Open
Lunch 11 - 2
Dinner 5 onwards
COASTAL SANCTUARY
COAST
HAIR, SKIN AND BODY THERAPY
Phone 866 2679 for appointments 14 Victoria Street Whitianga
MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy
Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care
Mercury Bay Medical Centre - Ph 866 5911
House Combo
1/2 Curry and 1/2 Rice & Naan $9.95*
Chicken or Vegetarian
Available anytime *(Lamb, Beef and Prawn Extra)
Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner
Kindergarten celebrations
Sunday before last saw well over 100 past and present parents and their children, teaching
staff, community members and old and new trustees all gathering to celebrate the 23 year
journey of the Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten.
The day started with the enchanting sounds of Mercury Bay local Phil Neilsen’s bagpipes,
setting the scene for a most enjoyable celebration. During the day there was entertainment by
the kindergarten children and the Irish Band “Gentle Annie.”
____________________________________
Opportunity now available to
support Graham Murrell in his
journey to Bluff
• PLU
NG•
MBI
P LUS
Friday 28th November saw Whitianga’s Graham Murrell a little bit closer to making his dream of
driving “Miss Ferguson” (his Fergie 28 tractor) from Whitianga to Bluff, in support of Whitianga’s
Social Services older persons’ services, a reality.
On invitation from PlaceMakers Whitianga’s Joe Reece and Tarah Spyve, Graham attended the
monthly PlaceMakers “tradies breakfast.” It was a great opportunity for local businesses to get
behind Graham with their support.
Joe, along with Graham Tucker of Whitecliff Developments, used the event to donate wet
weather gear to Graham for the arduous 1,703km journey. Graham was over the moon as he and
Miss Ferguson had recently completed the Coromandel loop (Whitianga, Thames, Coromandel,
Whitianga), which took him ten hours, as a trial run in dicey weather conditions with only black
rubbish bags as waterproof leg coverings.
Whitianga’s Z service station’s retail cluster manager Andrew McLean made available to
Graham at the breakfast the use of an Eftpos machine for donation purposes.
Graham’s journey can be supported in a number of ways - by sponsoring him per kilometre
of his journey (one cent per kilometre is a $17 sponsorship), by taking an advertisement on
Miss Ferguson or simply by donating cash. And that’s exactly what happened at the breakfast.
Those who attended donated a total of $94.20 and also pledged sponsorship per kilometre.
Some took information packs containing the details of advertising on Miss Ferguson.
Pledge forms for sponsorship per kilometre of Graham’s journey are now available around
Whitianga at the following businesses and organisations - Betta Electrical in Albert Street,
Gull Service Station in Monk Street, PlaceMakers in Joan Gaskell Drive, The Stunned Mullet in
Cook Drive, Social Services Centre in Cook Drive, The Informer in Monk Street, Mercury Twin
Cinemas in Lee Street and Z Service Station in Albert Street.
Please contact Jenny Wolf, Whitianga Social Services manager on telephone 866 4476 for an
information pack containing the details of advertising on Miss Ferguson.
Pictured is Graham in his new wet weather gear with Joe Reece (on the left) and Graham Tucker
(in the middle).
WHITIANGA
P 07 866 0377 M 027 227 7252
E whitiplumb@gmail.com
A 32 Campbell St, Whitianga
Mobile
bile
e phones
from $19
19each
Breville Inissa Nespresso
Machine Red
75CASH BACK!
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Page 13
The St John Siren
Sponsored by Mercury Bay Pharmacy Tel 866 4532
Okay folks, it’s time we talked about
something close to our heart, or more
correctly, your heart.
Each year over 1,000 people in New
Zealand will suffer a cardiac arrest
outside of hospital. Many of these people
have no warning as it is a sudden event
whilst others will get some warning with
some signs and symptoms, classically
cardiac type chest pain that is best
described as crushing, tightness or a dull
uncomfortable feeling.
Cardiac arrest is caused by a
malfunction of the heart known as
ventricular fibrillation. Fewer than five
to eight per cent of these people survive.
These people need urgent medical
attention, so what should you do?
Dial 111 and start CPR. However,
there may be something else that you
can do to increase the patient’s chances
of survival by up to 40 per cent. In these
situations the only means of reversing
this life threatening cardiac rhythm is to
defibrillate the patient’s heart. CPR buys
you some time, CPR keeps blood moving
through the heart and brain, but what the
patient really needs is a defibrillator.
So start CPR until the ambulance arrives
or someone arrives with a defibrillator.
Did you know that there are ten
defibrillators at various locations around
Whitianga? These are called Automated
External Defibrillators (AED) and are
very simple to operate. They are fully
portable, lightweight and versatile.
Each defibrillator has very simple
instructions on how to use it and
generally all you have to do is apply the
pads to the patient’s chest and turn the
defibrillator on. The defibrillator will do
all the rest. The defibrillators also have
voice prompts to tell you when to stop
and start CPR
So where are all these defibrillators?
You can find their locations by going
to the website www.aedlocations.co.nz,
it may even be a good idea to have this
address in your smartphone.
Call
Kevin 027 406 7440
Robert 027 446 7961
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CASTLE
BUILD YOUR PRIVATE SANCTUARY.
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Willis Electrical
P: 07 866 5787
F: 07 866 5780
M: 0274 521 298
mjfgeorge@xtra.co.nz
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& Drainage Ltd
“Do it by George and you’ll be right”
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
PO Box 74 Whitianga
WHITIANGA
Most of the defibrillators should also
be able to be located by a sign on the
outside of the building they’re in.
The standard international sign is this
one in green .
It is important
to
recognise
that
these
defibrillators
located around
town are not
available
24
hours a day
seven
days
a week, but
are
available
during the hours that the business or
public facility is open.
St John has helped to provide some of
these defibrillators and other have been
fundraised for within the community,
whilst others have been purchased by
various businesses.
Maybe it is time for St John to get
together with an organisation like the
Lions to look at the most appropriate
places to locate any further defibrillators
within the community and also to look at
providing appropriate signage.
St John will be offering free instruction
to teach CPR to anyone who wishes to
learn and will also have several AED
models on display at the Emergency
Services Summer Festival at Taylors
Mistake on 30 December.
Summer is upon us, and as is usual
with summer, alcohol intake skyrockets.
My one wish for Christmas is that we
look after each other with regards to
alcohol intake. Alcohol overdose is not
pretty and can and has resulted in death.
As always, St John is here 24/7, DIAL
111 and ask for AMBULANCE.
Mike Burrows
St John Whitianga
Ambulance
Station Manager
Breadmaker
HP Notebook
Breville Juice
Fountain
Page 14
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Page 15
Murder mystery at MBAS - who killed Miss Svargo?
By Len Salt
The magnifying glasses and fingerprint
powder are working overtime at
Mercury Bay Area School as the Year
9 students try to work out who “killed”
maths teacher Miss Svargo. The annual
CSI “whodunit” is an essential part
of the curriculum under the tutelage
of science teacher Heather Duerre.
Originally introduced into the MBAS
program by Jan Murgatroyd, the basic
elements of the forensic unit part of the
science course were already available.
What was missing was an actual crime
scene, so Miss Duerre set out to create
one that could be used by the students to
solve the crime.
Now in its fifth year, the “victim” of
the crime arranged by Miss Duerre and
all of the staff and helpers participating
are all volunteers. They help to set
the crime scene and put in place
everything that is needed. The scene
itself is a jumble of bloodied footprints,
fingerprints, spilled liquids and potential
murder weapons. Sometimes it is a lack
of evidence at the crime scene that is the
most incriminating for the perpetrator.
Last year there were a multitude of
fingerprints everywhere belonging to
everyone except Svargo, and yet she was
seen at the spot where the victims' body
was found. It turned out that she was the
murderer (yes, it’s a reversal of roles this
year), and had tried to cover her tracks.
This was successfully deduced by the
students involved after careful analysis
of all the available evidence.
The students are challenged to use
their skills in Science, Maths, English
and Social Studies as well as their
ability to access documents and research
information on the internet.
By measuring the distance between
footprints, for example, students can
calculate the height of a suspect and
use this information to either eliminate
people from their enquiries or add them to
a list of potential “killers.” Students have
to research the chemical characteristics
of blood samples, powders and liquids
found at the crime scene. If a spilled cup
of tea is found, does it have sugar in it?
Does the victim take sugar in her tea and
if not, whose cup was it? “The students
are encouraged to think beyond what
they see and hear,” said Mis Duerre.
“Those teachers still alive get into the
spirit of the exercise by spreading gossip
and false information through emails
and word of mouth. If the students are
distracted by that instead of following
the evidence, it’s a good example of
what could happen in a real forensic
investigation.” In the meantime Miss
Svargo still has classes to teach and
has been seen around the school in her
“zombie - living dead” persona.
Miss Duerre is encouraged by the fact
that some students are inspired to find
out more information about Forensics
WHITIANGA
as a possible career option. “They soon
realise that it’s actually harder than it
looks and a lot more work than what is
portrayed on TV crime shows. It doesn’t
put them off necessarily, but it can get
them a bit more focused on the elements
that go into solving these problems.”
These elements come back to the
basic skill sets that are necessary for so
many career paths. The core subjects are
essential, but the MBAS Crime Scene
Investigation week is a fun example of
how those core subjects can lead into a
fascinating line of work.
The final student presentations are
due before the panel of learned “judges”
this week and the students will find
out if their science, maths and detailed
detective work was good enough to pin
down the real “murderer.”
Mercury Bay Area School Year 9 students looking at the “crime scene” at the
school where Miss Svargo was “killed.”
Popcorn Maker
RC Car from $39
Page 16
St John Whitianga 2014 awards
winners
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
The St John Whitianga Ambulance Station held their annual awards night last week
Tuesday. Two of the most sought after awards are Volunteer of the Year and Clinician
of the Year. The 2014 Clinician of the Year Award went to Cara Jordan (pictured left)
and the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award went to Yvonne Budliger (pictured right).
Thumbs
Up
Ph 07 866 0937
Mob 021 063 8367
•
•
•
•
To Troy from
Mercury Bay
Marine who
stopped and helped
some extremely grateful
people after they were
involved in an accident
last week.
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
• Roofing
• Water treatments systems
• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
• New Housing
• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
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7 Dakota Drive, Whitianga
0800 966 3526 / 027 837 2141
andrew@coromandelkitchens.co.nz
www.coromandelkitchens.co.nz
Page 17
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
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WHITIANGA
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whitianga Tramping Group
Tramps every second Sunday. All welcome. Phone Bev on 869 5457 or Deidre on (021) 101 2388 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 Probus Club
Meet on the fourth Monday of every month at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga
at 10:00am. Friendly club for seniors. Visitors welcome. Phone Arnold or Vivienne Leigh on (07) 869
5995 for more information.
Whitianga Toy Library
Isabella Street (off Coghill St), Whitianga. Open Tuesday 4pm - 6:30pm and Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
Waka Ama Open Day
Sunday 14 December at Brophy’s Beach, Whitianga, 9:30am - 1:30pm. BYO refreshments, sunblock and
appropriate water wear. All welcome. Phone Jenny at Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more
information.
Opening of the Mercury Bay X-Ray Facility
Sunday 14 December at the Mercury Bay X-Ray facility in Coghill street, Whitianga. Starts at 2:30pm.
Free sausage sizzle available.
Whitianga Playcentre Christmas Party
Sunday 14 December at 1D White Street, Whitianga. Starts at 10:30am, Santa arrives at 11:00am.
Shared lunch. Pony rides at 1:00pm. Bring a $5 present with name for Santa sack. All welcome.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 20 December from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga.
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 in the Mercury Bay Community
Boardroom (at the back of TCDC’s offices at 10 Monk Street,
Whitianga). Children’s programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more
information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more
information.
Ice Cream Maker
Smoothie Maker
Page 18
Accomplished Evolution Dance
performance last weekend
Mercury Bay X-Ray machine to
be formally opened
The Mercury Bay X-Ray machine and the facility housing the machine (pictured) will
formally be opened this Sunday 14 December at 2:30pm. The western side of Coghill Street
in Whitianga, where the facility is located, will be closed off for the event. A free sausage
sizzle courtesy of the Whitianga Lions will be available.
The hip-hop and American Jazz students at Evolution Dance in Whitianga proudly
showed off how their skills developed the past year with a very accomplished
performance at Mercury Bay Area School last week Saturday.
Dance studio owner and teacher Emma Andrew decided to do away with elaborate
costumes and for the first time the courtyard outside the MBAS dance room became
an open-air theatre. It was a balmy early evening and with each dance class wearing
different colour t-shirts, it was a show to remember.
With music like Stupid Cupid, Party Started, Jitterbug and Going to Ibiza,
the performance was high energy and looking at the smiles on the faces of the
dancers, they enjoyed it as much as the audience did.
Pictured are all the Evolution dance students who participated in the performance in
their different colour t-shirts.
The facility will be opened by Glenn Leach, Thames Coromandel District Council mayor.
The formalities wouldn’t take long and the Whitianga Lions, who spearheaded the
campaign to raise funds for an X-Ray machine, and the Mercury Bay Community
Radiology and Health Trust, the community organisation that owns the machine,
urge the entire community to attend the opening.
“If it wasn’t for the overwhelming support from the local community, we wouldn’t
have seen a brand new X-Ray machine coming to Mercury Bay so soon,” said Chris
Rendle, chairman of the Radiology Trust. “The opening is a special event and we hope
many members of the community, especially those who donated to the machine,
will be able to share it with us.”
Prior to the opening a plaque containing the names of all businesses, individuals
and community groups who contributed to the machine in one way or another
will be affixed to an inside wall of the X-Ray facility. The plaque is sponsored by
The Informer.
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
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WHITIANGA
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RC Helicopter
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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 614
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.
Many of you will by now have heard of
a project underway called “Seachange.”
This initiative by the Hauraki Gulf
Forum is tasked with the job of creating
a spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf
Marine Park - an area that extends past
our local waters down to Waihi and also
the catchment areas of all the rivers and
streams flowing into the Hauraki Gulf.
Successive reports and continuous
monitoring have shown the health of the
Gulf to be in decline and with significant
population growth forecast, the pressure
on the Hauraki Gulf will only increase
if changes are not made as to how this
important area is managed and utilised.
Right from the beginning the process
has been somewhat unconventional
with the stakeholders working group
(the group that is actually responsible for
writing the plan) being selected by peers
at several public meetings rather than
appointed by the groups they represent.
With such a large emphasis on
collaboration and consensus in the
creation of the spatial plan, the members
of the stakeholders working group
(SWG) were selected for their ability
to be able to commit their time until
the completion of the project and their
ability to work collaboratively with other
interest groups to achieve a plan that all
stakeholders can live with, but that will
actually make a difference.
Because of the large body of work that
needed to be done in such a short time
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Peter Austin
frame (the spatial plan is to be completed
by June 2015), the SWG set up round
table groups for several different topics,
which also accommodated many more
interested parties. Each of these round
table groups has sat through dozens of
presentations from scientists and experts
and read many reports so that they
are in a position to confidently make
recommendations to the SWG about
things they want addressed in the spatial
plan. Copies of presentations, reports and
meeting notes are all available at www.
seachange.org.nz. It has been made very
clear from the start that the content of the
final spatial plan must have been agreed
to by all stakeholders and while this is
critical for the implementation of the plan,
this required level of collaboration
always had the potential to “water down”
any proposed changes.
There are many people earning a
living doing things on and around
the Gulf, but using practices that are
somewhat detrimental to the overall
health of the Hauraki Gulf. Blocking
tactics or lack of engagement from
some of these industries could easily
have derailed the project. With six of
the round table groups submitting their
reports to the SWG in the next few
weeks, it is very pleasing to see that the
level of engagement from all sectors has
been outstanding. Several industries that
are often used as easy targets by mostly
uninformed individuals looking to place
blame on others, are keen to play their
part in improving the health of the
Hauraki Gulf and most individuals will
be prepared to make concessions if the
environment, and their enjoyment of it,
will be improved.
This accumulation of science and
knowledge and the high level of
engagement and collaboration are
certain to allow the SWG to create a
spatial plan that will make a difference
(more fish in the sea!) and will be able to
be implemented.
Next week some of the issues
and how they
relate to fishing.
Tight lines
Alan
It’s digital.
Call for all your
installation and
maintenance needs.
Contact us, your
dedicated LOCAL
Mercury Bay installer.
Bad night’s sleep? Need a better bed?
Page 20
Alice in Wonderland rocks the Whitianga Town Hall
By Len Salt
Three minutes before the opening of
her annual dance spectacular at the
Whitianga Town Hall last Sunday,
Lisa Gifford was anxious that it would
all go according to plan and that the
audience would enjoy the show. She had
nothing to worry about. It rocked!
In past years I had been involved with
other events and seen the queues lined
up outside the door for Lisa’s show,
but never had the chance to attend.
I wondered what all the fuss was about.
Now I know. Every single thing
about this show was spectacular,
from the costumes to the music,
to the choreography and especially the
dancing. The Alice in Wonderland theme
drew on all the characters and events in
this timeless favourite.
Michaela Duerre as Alice kept it all
flowing, alongside sister Erika as White
Rabbit in a red and white costume
with a giant clock and Cheshire Cat
(three dancers) in flouro colours and with
clever use of black light on a darkened
stage. Jonika Edgecombe made a
great Queen of Hearts, whilst Stevie
Macfarlane as Tweedledum and Ayana
Piper-Healion as Tweedledee went out in
style on their final dance before leaving
the group.
Tiny little dancers popped up
everywhere on stage, melting hearts in
all corners. Even the big strong dads
who should have been out fishing and
doing bloke things were in the audience
with big grins on their faces watching
their kids become hedgehogs, cupcakes,
cards or bluebells.
Joseph (Mad Hatter) and Sarah
(March Hare) Morcom just get better
every time you see them. Performing
must be in their blood, but hats off to
Lisa for extracting the best from her
students. With her huge team of more
than 100 performers and helpers it
could easily have been chaotic, but they
managed to pull everything together so
that it was entertaining and captivating
beginning to end.
Community Patrol Report
with Laurie Johnston - chair of the Mercury Bay Community Patrol
Alice in Wonderland by Lisa Gifford Dancing back stage (top photo) and on stage (bottom photo - by Vaughan Grigsby).
Squeaky Clean
Windows
Summer is here.
Time for a
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866 4724
021 522 041
Pre purchase home inspections
Although there have been a few events
on this last month, it has been relatively
quiet for us. However, we are now fast
approaching the busy season and we
have been planning our patrols.
On the South side we are out a lot
more, due in part to our Hahei-based
patrollers who are now fully on stream.
The school holidays are about to start
and this always brings a few problems.
There will be the usual influx of extra
police in the area. That will allow us
to concentrate on other areas and this
year the town side patrol will again be
covering Matarangi and Kuaotunu with
two different patrols a day.
One activity of note last month was
the assistance to a couple who had
been involved in an accident at around
11:00pm whilst travelling to Whitianga
towing a caravan. We met up with
the Tairua police and brought them to
Whitianga. They were most appreciative
of our help.
Carpet
Cleaning
Thumbs
Up
To the TCDC
employees
working at
the Whitianga Transfer
Station. They’re always
extra friendly and the
facility is always super
clean.
We are expecting the usual complaints
concerning dogs on beaches during the
Christmas period. I have some sympathy
with the owners because the TCDC signs
are just too inadequate being so small
and situated on a small pole, but we will
do our best to assist.
We are overwhelmed with the support
from businesses in this area regarding
the construction of our new base. We
shall be publishing a full report shortly.
In the meantime though, we must
thank Hiway Stabilizers for helping to
keep our South patrol vehicle on the
road for another year. Where would we
be without this help? At the other end of
the scale, we have visitors from overseas
donating raffle prizes to our organisation.
Isn’t that wonderful?
I hope you all enjoy the Festive Season
and as most of us like a bit of Christmas
cheer, make sure there is a safe driver to
get you home especially with the new
limits.
Charlie Lodge
& Restoration
Residential Commercial Industrial
Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Marine Carpet & Upholstery
Upholstery Cleaning - Stain Removal - Rug Cleaning
Vinyl Floor Restoration - Spot Dyeing - Odour Control
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
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And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
Whitianga a Pacific Island paradise?
………With all these features in or nearby, You Bet!
# The amazing “Lost Spring” Thermal Pools and Health Spa.
# 17 Incredible white sandy beaches within 30 minutes drive.
# 8 Golf courses (2 world class) within 40 minutes drive.
# 33 Cafés, bars, restaurants and other food outlets.
# 4 Supermarkets and a modern CBD shopping centre.
PAUL KINGTON
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Page 21
US Style Crossword
Puzzle US 614
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.
HOLDUP MAN
BY JEFF CHEN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
WHITIANGA
© The New York Times
ACROSS
1 Mariner’s array
5 Bubs
9 “Take ___” (exec’s request)
14 Get cracking on
19 “Superfood” used in smoothies
21 Devilfish
22 Like some college halls
23 *One who’s not leading
25 Broad valleys
26 Group of jerks
27 Excoriates
28 Goes like hotcakes
29 *“I have some bad news …”
33 Fish on many a sashimi platter
35 Bryn ___
39 Yankees teammate of Captain Clutch
40 Compos mentis
41 Relieved (of)
42 Bread at a restaurant, typically
44 ID provider
47 Conk out
49 Unrefined material
50 Muttered commentary
51 Get a cut of
55 Transplants
57 Jubilance
58 Middle line of many an address: Abbr.
59 Google statistic
60 Part of OTOH
62 Java holder
63 Two will get you turned around
65 Cereal box abbr.
68 Paws
69 *Very durable
71 Bartiromo of Fox Business
72 Charmin competitor
73 City in which “One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest” is set
74 Bald-spot coverer
75 Have a loan from
76 Charges
78 Content that’s hard for a search engine
to access
80 All-___
81 Standard of measurement
83 F.D.R. purchased the first one of these
bonds
84 Sci-fi shooter
87 Result of a firing
88 Not pay attention at all
90 Was idle
91 Paid at the end, say
92 Big pitcher
93 U.S. city that becomes another U.S. city
if you move the last letter to the front
96 An eternity
98 Mother of Eos and Helios
99 Animal’s mouth
100 *What a massage may relieve
105 Ones with muses
107 Breather?
108 Big Three conference site
113 Create, as a canyon
114 *Not shirk a difficult task
117 Warren who wrote “The War of the
Roses”
118 One with dreads
119 Engineers’ competition set in a ring
120 Director Almodóvar
121 Arches in Gothic architecture
122 Be a busy beaver?
123 Written paeans
STOCKING FILLERS
Unipad 7” Dual Core
Tablet Black
DOWN
1 Force ÷ acceleration
2 Small bra specification
3 Smurf in red
4 Nurses
5 French sea
6 It’s often left hanging
7 It’s been shortening since 1911
8 Matched up
9 Operatic baritone Pasquale
10 ___ Picchu (Peruvian high spot)
11 Crosses a threshold
12 Greek high spot
13 Sculling implement
14 Like some TVs, informally
15 Track, often
16 *Comfort provider during difficult
times
17 Concert souvenir
18 Has way too much, briefly
20 Flame out
24 Jocund
28 Christmas gift holder
30 Rear
31 Is for two?
32 Armageddon
34 Day to beware
35 Juilliard deg.
36 MGM motto opener
37 *Crushing burden
38 Having special significance
43 Something handled in a bar
44 Dollop
45 *Arnold Schwarzenegger, once
46 Perturbed
48 She played Joanie on “Joanie Loves
Chachi”
51 Goes viral, say
52 Puff the Magic Dragon’s land
53 Imbues, as with flavor
54 Option in “Hamlet”
56 Corroded
60 Mantra sounds
61 Idiosyncrasy
62 Sounds edited out of some audio
64 Barrett of Pink Floyd
66 Native ___
67 Chinese “way”
70 Zigs or zags
77 April foolers, e.g.
79 Like some bars and blankets
80 “The Godfather” enforcer who “sleeps
with the fishes”
81 The “m” of “yes’m”
82 Deed of derring-do
85 Mideast inits.
86 Org. with the Larry O’Brien Trophy
89 Vim
91 It contains uracil
94 “The Little Mermaid” villainess, for
one
95 Melodious
96 “La Dolce Vita” actress
97 Coordinated gene cluster
100 Gestating, after “in”
101 Nasty sort
102 Mythological figure hinted at by the
answers to the eight starred clues as
well as this puzzle’s design
103 Something to chew on
104 Da’s opposite
106 Eternally
109 “Not to mention …”
110 Forte
111 Break
112 Kerfuffles
113 Ceiling
114 Sign of success?
115 Scheduling
placeholder
116 “And ___!”
Samsung Galaxy
Tab 3 7” LITE Wi-Fi
8GB White
Page 22
Scott’s Thoughts
UK Style Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles
Scott Simpson - National Party MP for Coromandel
Good progress in 2014
With the festive season almost upon us,
I know some will be looking forward to
a good break. For others, the summer
peak season in Mercury Bay and the
Coromandel is absolutely the busiest
time of year. No matter which group you
are in, as 2014 draws to a close, we have
much to look positively forward to in
2015.
Our little country has come out of the
world global financial crisis in better
shape than almost all other developed
nations. The careful and prudent
leadership of John Key and Bill English
has stood us in good stead and we can
collectively look forward to a growing
economy, with reduced debt and better
public services in the years to come.
Our primary industries and tourism
sectors provide the backbone to that
continued growth locally and I salute
the hard work and achievement of all
involved in that success.
For me it’s been a busy and fulfilling
year. The dust is well settled after this
year’s general election and I’m looking
forward to furthering my work for and
on behalf of all Coromandel people.
It’s been especially heartening to see
policies that were months or even years
in the making being implemented and
getting results. Next year we will focus
on further much needed reform of the
Resource Management Act.
The prospect of Whitianga being
included in the roll out of Ultra-Fast
Broadband is an opportunity too good
to ignore and I know our local business
community, the Council and individuals
will be as keen as I am to see that our
town is included.
Parliament will be in recess for the
summer break, so I will be out and about
in the beautiful Coromandel electorate
and Mercury Bay visiting as many
people as I can.
Supporting our wonderful local events
is something I always enjoy and never
more so than over the summer. I will
have the opportunity to meet many local
people from Whitianga along with some
of our visitors to whom I extend a warm
welcome to our glorious part of the
world.
My sincere best wishes and thanks
to those who will be working hard
to keep us safe during the holidays.
Please everyone take care out there on
our roads, in the bush and on the water.
Finally for 2014, I would like to wish
you and your families a safe and joyful
Christmas and all the very best for the
year ahead.
Puzzle UK 614
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.
ECO PLUMBING &
HEATING SOLUTIONS
ACROSS
1. Christmas season
5. Hornet home
7. Not any
8. Medieval farm workers
9. Of the soil
12. Joyful
15. Peppered (with holes)
19. Flower syrup
21. Offensiveness
22. Roman robe
23. On the summit of
24. Vacations
Ph ROSS
027 444 7667
07 866 3374
ecoplumbing@hotmail.co.nz
DOWN
1. Pulled sharply
2. Incident
3. Suggest
4. Tooth coating
5. Subtle difference
6. Tuft of threads
10. Orange skin
11. Cure
12. Deity
13. Outside limit
14. Rapid
15. Hat-weaving leaves
16. Lump of food
17. Embroil
18. Thick lotions
19. Of the nose
20. Mentioned as example
Ph 866 2499
21 Campbell St, Whitianga
admin@pencars.co.nz
Chris 0274 761 828 or Fiona 021 299 5506
WHITIANGA
Last week’s winner - Yvonne E Thompson
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Page 23
Andreas Oswald - having the best of the best
Ten years ago Andreas Oswald,
landscaper, keen hunter and fisherman
and now owner of Kuaotunu Chalets and
Charters, locked his home in Germany,
jumped on a plane, disembarked in
Auckland, rented a campervan and
travelled 35,000km across the width
and the breadth of New Zealand.
An experience like that will inevitably
leave lasting impressions with anyone,
but in Andreas’s case, it became all
consuming. He simply had to come back.
So, two years later, in 2006, Andreas
closed his business in Germany,
sold his house, loaded all his things in
a shipping container, again jumped on a
plane, again disembarked in Auckland,
bought a car and caravan and hit the
road to Whitianga. “I just had to come
to the Coromandel,” he said. “It’s the
fishing. When I toured New Zealand
two years earlier, I went on a fishing
charter out of Mercury Bay and it was
unlike anything I’ve ever experienced
Andreas Oswald at the bench next to the waterfall on his Kuaotunu property.
WHITIANGA
before. That was when I decided if I
ever can have it my way and live in New
Zealand permanently, it will be on the
Coromandel.”
Four the next four and a half months
Andreas improved on his English skills
at Coromandel Outdoor Language
Centre and used all his spare time to
explore the beaches - Otama, Opito,
New Chums, all of them.
But then it was time to get back into the
real world and he reluctantly accepted a
job as landscaper in Auckland. His heart,
however, remained in Mercury Bay.
Less than a year after he moved to
Auckland, Andreas saw 30 acres in the
hills above Kuaotunu West was for sale.
He had a look, saw the potential, took the
plunge and signed the sale and purchase
agreement.
And then the hard work started.
And when it comes to work, Andreas
isn’t shy. “First I built the road into the
property, then I developed an extra few
building platforms and then, with the
help of a Swiss carpenter, I restored the
two cottages on the property,” Andreas
said.
And he’s visibly pleased with the
outcome. “The two cottages are the
perfect getaway,” he said. And with
WiFi, fish cleaning stations, BBQ’s,
outdoor furniture on the decks allowing
guests to comfortably appreciate the
expansive vistas to Cuvier Island in the
distance and an amazing bush setting,
Breadmaker
HP Notebook
it’s clear for everyone to see Andreas
isn’t exaggerating.
The setting of the cottages is
especially memorable. Not far from both
is a waterfall with eels in the pool below
and a bench Andreas built next to it.
“Many of my guests say the waterfall
is their favourite spot on the whole
property. It’s my favourite spot too.
Whenever I want to take a bit of
time out, the waterfall is where I go.
And that’s where I realise, time and time
again, I’m really, like everyone else, j
ust a guest here. Not just on my property,
everywhere I go on the Coromandel.”
The work is continuing. Almost
complete now is an outdoor entertainment
area with an undercover kitchen which
Andreas hopes will attract weddings and
parties. “Yes, I have many more ideas for
the property,” he added.
But his property isn’t all that’s keeping
Andreas busy. There is, after all, his love
for fishing. “I realised there wasn’t a
charter boat departing from Kuaotunu,”
he said. “So I decided to do something
about that.” The result - a 6.5m launch
called Fish Whisperer with a skipper
knowing when to go where. “I just love
it when I take people out on the boat
and they catch something they’re happy
with. It really feels like I caught it too.
“It doesn’t matter what way I look at
it, I have the best of the best. The bush,
the sea and making a living in a way I
love. I’m happy, I cannot ask for more.”
Breville Juice
Fountain
Page 24
KSAR COLUMN
AutoCare Whitianga Limited Trading As
with Steve Hart
Two call-outs in November again raised
questions about preparation and the
importance of communicating intentions
when venturing into the outdoor
environment.
We were called to search for a lost
pest control volunteer who took a wrong
turn while checking possum lines at
Whangapoua. The police had tried to
guide him out by cell phone, but the
confusing terrain had him preparing to
spend the night in the bush. What started
out as a relatively simple check of bait
stations soon turned into what may have
been a chilly autumn night under the
stars. Lucky for the man a Whangapoua
local with good local knowledge of the
area located him just as KSAR volunteers
were preparing for the search. A great
result and a few discussion points for the
pest project group.
In the second call-out we were notified
by the police that a 21-year-old British
backpacker had failed to make contact
as agreed after an intended day walk
from the Pinnacles Hut to the Rangihau
Road end of the Rangihau Valley.
The hut warden at the Pinnacles Hut
had instructed the man to call into the
Coroglen hotel and inform them that he
was safely out of the Rangihau.
When he failed to arrive at the hotel as
promised, the warden became concerned
for his whereabouts and contacted the
Police. We received a “stand-by” call
as the Rangihau Valley is well known
as a high hazard area where a British
backpacker died in 2007 after becoming
confused and lost.
While the police did their inquires,
two KSAR members phoned several
backpacker lodges in Whitianga and
within half an hour had confirmation
that the man had stayed overnight in
Whitianga and left the next day to
Cathedral Cove. The failure of the man
to make contact as agreed could have
easily of resulted in a significant land
search in the Rangihau Valley wasting
Police and volunteer resources.
We had a great turnout of members
for our last training for 2014. A series
of team challenges were set up which
incorporated various search skills.
These included working with compass
bearings based on magnetic and true,
establishing information on various
footprints, locating a stretcher within
a defined area, carrying the stretcher
blindfolded up a hill, carrying a stretcher
with eggs (non blindfolded) back down
the hill (the eggs survived the experience)
and lastly a fun rope challenge.
Some “friendly” rivalry quickly
developed between the teams who were
chosen to undertake the tasks.
It was great to see new leaders
stepping up and taking effective charge
of their teams with good results.
All team leaders set up smaller teams
for some tasks, putting experienced
people with newer members and not
only achieving completion of the tasks,
but also ensuring some good training for
the new recruits.
Whilst we kept this particular training
as a fun challenge, the objective was
to learn and practice various skills that
are often needed in “real-life” search
situations.
With the summer season upon us
and more people taking advantage of
our Coromandel Peninsula outdoors,
the chance of a search operation
increases and we are confident that we
will continue to provide well-trained
effective volunteers for any search callout.
A big thank you to Hot Water Beach
Surf Lifesaving for the loan of their
spare stretcher for the night.
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KSAR members participating in the rope challenge during the group’s training last
month. From left to right - David Hotham (on the ground), Dave McCassey-Pickard
(looking away in the yellow vest), Claire Elliot, Sarah Ford, Jo Mendonca,
Darrell Adshead and Luke Wood-Carter (team leader for this challenge).
Page 25
Race five of the MB Boating Club’s
(renamed) Flaxmill Bay World Series
By the Anonymous Skipper of Blue Print
Carnage on the high seas as 11 yachts lined
up for race five in the Mercury Bay Boating
Club’s Flaxmill Bay World Series last
Wednesday evening.
Harmony (Arnie Leigh) hit the line at
speed with slightly cracked sheets to smoke
along the foreshore. A well executed jibe on
Windy Buoy had Harmony in good shape.
The remaining ten yachts stalked each
other in the pre-start maneuvers, waiting
with baited breath for the reverberation of
the starters gun and the beautiful smell of
cordite.
Blue Print (Matt Algie), Twentysomething
(Tim Johnson) and H2Go (Paul Dimmock in
his near futuristic carbon fiber speed machine)
catapulted themselves across the start line
with seven other yachts in hot pursuit.
A cruel blow had our fearless headmaster
John Wright at the helm of Contrast getting
squeezed out on the inner distance mark and
she had to go around.
A small hanky would have covered the
fleet at Windy Buoy as all the yachts went
into power jibes and prepared to hoist their
shoots. A symphony of screaming sheets and
halyards filled the air, followed by a majestic
prism of brightly colored spinnakers dancing
atop the waves.
Twentysomething
was
first
to
succumb to the immense pressure, as her
rudder parted company with the boat.
This sent her spiraling out of control.
As those of us on Blue Print sailed past,
we heard Chris Johnson (riding foredeck) ask
his brother Timothy if he should be wrapping
his yacht up so tight in the spinnaker. Timothy
replied, “It’s my boat little brother, I'll wrap it
as tight as I like.”
At this point, Blue Print, under her
stunning blue gennaker, scorched off out of
the Bay in hot pursuit of H2Go and Harmony.
The rest of the fleet, fully powered up by the
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Coas tal
Sig
ns
Whitianga
building breeze was a sight to behold for the
crowds of spectators craning their necks on
the foreshore for a better view of the yachts.
Harmony had done a horizon on us,
she was going round Doctors as H2Go and
Blue Print were going round Simpsons Buoy.
Blueprint played a masterstroke by flying
her gennaker very shy across to Doctors
(Cook Beach), which kept her in touch with
the speed machine H2Go. The rest of the
fleet had made good time to Doctors, so the
last two windward legs in a 12 to 17 knot
oscillating breeze was going to be anyone's
game.
H2Go and Blue Print squeezed past
Harmony on the first windward leg, but that’s
where it ended for Blue Print. The skipper of
H2Go changed into top gear and blasted off
to the finish line with his young gun sons plus
friend for a well deserved line honors in their
first race.
Solvieg (Al Joslin) sailed a blinder leg to
be 20 feet in front of Blue Print on the Windy
Buoy jibe. The Blue Print skipper (the author
of this report) played a master card on the
reach to the finish and threw three of his crew
overboard to lighten the boat and went on to
beat Solvieg by 12 seconds.
It's never over till the lady of ample
proportions sings, so true, as there were some
amazing positional changes in the last slide
along the beach front to the finish.
Placings as they finished - H2Go
(Paul Dimmock), Blue Print (Matt Algie),
Solvieg (Al Joslin), Contrast (John Wright),
Sound Reason (Bob Holliday), Shadz
(Bruce Haynes), Bedouin 2 (Graham and
Stu), Longshot (John Jackman), Loose
(Belinda Wallace), Harmony (Arnie Leigh),
Twentysomething (Tim Johnson) DNF.
PS - Blue Print is looking for crew. Must
have own lifejacket or be a good swimmer.
19 Campbell St
VEHICLE & BOAT GRAPHICS
T-SHIRT PRINTS
BANNERS
SHOP SIGNS
BUSINESS CARDS & MORE
www.coastalsigns.co.nz
H2Go in action last week Wednesday.
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
Fuel delivered to your boat farm or business
Suppliers of • Stainless • Zinc • Galvanised
• nuts & bolts • screws
• fasteners
• nails
sealants and a range of oils.
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
1 Abrahamson Drive, Whitianga
Ph 07 866 2689 027 297 4299
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
Page 26
Delicious Affordable Indian Food
(Westpac Arcade)
Ph 07 866 2666 Open
Lunch 11 - 2
Dinner 5 onwards
House Combo
1/2 Curry and 1/2 Rice & Naan $9.95*
Chicken or Vegetarian
Available anytime *(Lamb, Beef and Prawn Extra)
The Whitianga Santa Parade
Police Report
with Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 24 November to Monday 1 December 2014
Last Saturday saw once again a very entertaining Santa Parade making its way
through the Whitianga central business district, with many locals turning up to
watch the floats. A variety of community groups and organisations had, as is usual,
floats in the parade, giving many children the opportunity to participate in the event.
It was heartening to see a few local businesses also entering floats in the parade.
After the parade had made its way through Albert Street and along The Esplanade,
the Combined Churches was announced the winner of the best float at Taylor’s
Mistake. The event was aptly finished off with a lolly scramble for the children.
Pictured is the crowd along Albert Street watching the parade. More photos can be
seen on The Informer’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheInformerMB.
GENERAL
It was good to see no drunk drivers
were apprehended this week and that
the checks we did showed people were
either not drinking alcohol or they had
a sober driver.
The White Ribbon Pledge, “I
promise never to commit, condone or
remain silent about violence towards
women,” in a civilised society is
something that should be routine for all,
but unfortunately in our day to day
business we come across men who
assault their partners.
If you're in a relationship where your
partner is abusing you, let us know so
we can get you out, it is never OK to
stay in a violent relationship.
In the last few weeks we have seen a
couple of dogs left in vehicles on days
that were far too hot for the dogs to
be left unattended. With fine weather
approaching, please consider the safety
of your dogs when coming into town as
it only takes a short time for them to
become over-heated.
From the SPCA NZ website, “On a
hot day, the temperature inside your
car can reach 39°C in 10 minutes. Even
in the shade with the windows down,
the temperature can rise to a deadly
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• Window cleaning inside & out • Meet & greet holiday homes
• Specialist cleaning for:
• Meeting quests for instructions
CLEANS
Spring
Builders
Moving in or out
Office & Commercial
Sanitary bins
& rules
• Exit cleans & reports to owners
•
for bond release
Key service for maintenance
entry
Whitianga Property Services
On your …
Car
Motorcycle
Trailer
Truck
Why drive around?
Come to the One Stop Shop!
For all your needs - engine oil,
Fork oil and chain lube, we are now the
Suppliers of
Motul Motorbike Oil for the Coromandel
Peninsula.
Phone Malcolm on
07 866 2120
8a Dakota Drive, Whitianga
Call Larry on 07 869 5998 or 021 172 0767
WHITIANGA
49°C in 30 minutes. Your dog’s natural
cooling process is ineffective in these
conditions.
ARRESTS
No arrests this week.
OCCURRENCES
One domestic incident attended last
week.
On the 28th a young couple requested
assistance to separate prior to the
situation getting out of hand.
Also on the 28th a vehicle in Corokia
Place Matarangi was broken into and a
Garmin GPS unit was stolen.
On the 24th a residential home in
Poplar Street was burgled and the
offender searched property stored at the
address. Our enquiries are continuing.
On the 29th a residential address in
Robinson Road was burgled and it is
believed the offenders were disturbed
and exited the address when the owner
returned home.
TRAFFIC
No crashes reported this week.
A lot of people enjoyed the Thunder
Beach event over the weekend and it
was pleasing to see riders were abiding
by the rules and had come to Whitianga
to enjoy themselves.
Popcorn Maker
RC Car from $39
Page 27
Classifieds & Public Notices
Successful Lions Movember
campaign concluded
REGISTRATION OF INTEREST
REGISTRATION OF INTEREST
Whitianga Waterways invites builders to submit a
registration of interest to build 3 units in the Marlin Waters
Development.
Registrations could include • Company Profile
• Nominated subcontractors
• Outline of what your company could bring to the
development.
From these registration a company/ies
will be invited to tender for the build.
For further information please email
peter@hoppers.co.nz.
Registration close 17th December 2014 at 5pm.
Please forward to Marlin Waters
c/- Whitianga Waterways
PO Box 78
Whitianga
REAL ESTATE
BEST SECTION IN WHITIANGA
• 1.8ha native bush.
• Beautiful unobstructed views over
Whitianga Town and Mercury Bay.
• Established large elevated building platform.
• Tsunami safe.
Phone 07 866 5429 or 027 298 1224.
PUBLIC NOTICES
REWARD
Offered for the return of, or information leading
to the return of, our beloved pet
BENJI.
A white toy poodle missing from the
Pacific Estate area since
Tuesday afternoon 2 December.
He is not clipped like a poodle, but has a short
curly coat with tinges of very light brown.
Please phone (07) 866 0291
or (021) 063 2600.
PUBLIC NOTICES
WHITIANGA PLAYCENTRE
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sunday 14 December.
Starts at 10:30am. Santa arrives at 11:00am.
Shared lunch. Pony rides at 1:00pm.
Bring a $5 present with name for Santa sack.
All welcome.
1D White Street, Whitianga.
ANIMAL
REHOMING FUND
Bart (temporary name)
is looking for a home.
If you can help out,
please phone Peninsula Vets
on (07) 866 5314.
MERCURY BAY JUNIOR
BASKETBALL CLUB
2014 AWARDS NIGHT
All players, friends and family are
invited to attend our annual
awards night for the
following teams Senior Boys, Senior Girls,
Junior Boys, Junior Girls and
Year 7 & 8 Boys & Girls teams.
When - Friday 12th December 2014
Where - Campbell’s Steak and Ale,
Whitianga
Time - 5:30pm - 7:30pm Presentation of awards
will begin at 6:00pm.
Any enquires to Diane Vetter - 021 856 108.
Page 28
The Whitianga Lions concluded a very successful Movember campaign with more
than $4,000 raised for men’s health research and awareness.
Organiser of the campaign, Erwin Penwarden, was overwhelmed with the support
from the community, saying, “Mercury Bay, you’ve done it again. It makes one proud
to live in such a giving community.”
In addition to donating cash, many businesses put up prizes for those men who
supported the campaign by growing moustaches during November.
The results were Most money raised - Charlie Cunningham (winner of a Stephensons Unichem
Pharmacy gift pack).
Best mo - Derryck Tomalin (winner of a PlaceMakers gift pack).
Thickest mo - Erwin Penwarden (winner of a Campbells Steak ‘n Ale gift voucher).
Worst mo - Charlie Cunningham (winner of a WOF voucher).
Best suited mo - Ernie Pitchfork (winner of a Stunned Mullet gift voucher).
Least suited mo - Thunder Dunn (winner of lure boxes supplied by Whitianga Sports).
Best ladies fake mo - Pauline Brown (winner of an Espy Café gift voucher).
The local business that won a free quarter page advertisement in The Informer for
supporting the campaign most enthusiastically is 100% Whitianga. Their entire male
staff compliment (all three of them) grew moustaches during November.
Pictured is Charlie Cunningham with his wife Trish showing off his least suited mo
that somehow helped him to raise the most money among the Mercury Bay residents
who supported the Lion’s Movember campaign.
MERCURY BAY RUGBY
PRE-SEASON MUSTER
Seniors Thursday 11 December 6:00pm.
Rugby Club, Lyon Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
2015 coach Dwayne Mansell, assistant coach Stacey Rolton.
REMEMBERED AT CHRISTMAS
St. Peter's Anglican Church, Dundas Street, Whitianga
Wednesday 10 December at 7.30pm.
This is a quiet reflective service which acknowledges that,
for some people, Christmas can be a painful time when a
recent or distant event has caused their lives to fall apart.
This is for the whole community.
ALL WELCOME
For further information please phone 866 2151 or 869 5577.
WATER SAFETY AND FUN AT BUFFALO BEACH
WITH THE HOT WATER BEACH LIFEGUARDS
Monday 15 December until Friday 19 December
11-13 year olds 9am-10:30am - $5 each session
7-10 year olds 10:30am-12 noon - $5 each session
4-6 year olds 12:30pm-1:30pm - $3 each session
Boogie boarding, swimming, beach activities.
For more information text or call
Chelsea on 027 781 8008 or Chloe on 022 199 8327.
Sport Results (our thanks to the coaches, managers and administrators who provide us with the results)
MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB
Business House - Tuesday 2 December
Havard Logging def Coastal Sanctuary 9-5 9-2,
New World def Mercury Bay Area School 8-9 9-4
4-1, Physio First def The Cut Hut 9-0, 8-9, 4-1.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Wednesday 3 December
The New World-sponsored midweek tournament
was well attended and enjoyed by everyone.
Thanks to Stacey and Sally Rolton of New World.
The winner was Muzz Bennett, our Club Captain,
who continues to play great golf over a sustained
period. He had 42 points and was followed by
Craig Hill, Jack Skinner and Bill McLean with
39. Next were Shane Hardy and Derryck Tomalin
with 38, followed by Kevan Miles, Mike Franklin
and Wayne Malcolm on 37 points. Finishing up
the prize-list were Keven Clark, Alan Henderson,
Bruce Massie and Tracey Mulligan (Pio Pio),
all on 36. Two's were scored by Mike Franklin,
Wayne Malcolm, Bill McLean and Carl Mitchell.
Saturday 6 December
It was the women and men's combined closing
day and was very well attended. Many hams and
turkeys were won by the following prize winners
- Men Senior Division (0-18) - Paul David
(Clarks Beach) 42,Tom Hogan and Jonny Stieller
40, Lee Hall, Andrew Fleming and Craig Hill 39,
Wayne Kearney and Gavin Donald (Ngaruawahia)
38, Keven Clark, Carl Mitchell, Wayne Malcolm,
Shane Pullin, Steve Tull and Bob Haase 37. Juniors
(19-36) - Paul Lupton 41, Gordon Davidson 40,
Tom Coysh and Mike Franklin 39 and Kevan
Miles 38.
Two’s were scored by Kelly Barson, Gavin
Donald, Andrew Fleming, Bob Haase, Paul
Lupton and Steve Tull. Nearest the Pin Seniors
- Andrew Fleming, Juniors - Neil Tombs (The
Dunes). Longest Drive Seniors - Alan Henderson,
Juniors - Bruce Beveridge.
Women - Raewyn Whitt 45, Pat Lilley 39, Alma
Kitchen, Carol Wyborn and Glenice Ebsworth 37,
Robyn Evans 35, Raewyn Hill 34. Nearest the Pin
- Carol Wyborn, Longest Drive - Pam Anderson.
9- Holers - Norm Ball 19, John Bowick 18.
PURANGI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
End of Year Club Day Competition - Thursday
4 December
A 9-hole Stableford Competition - First equal
Meryll Hawke, Ash Strachan and Phil Costello
with 21 points, Norma Loomes 20, Jim Mitchell,
Jim Brown, Buck Prendergast and Bill Cummings
all with 19 points.
End of Year Club Day Competition - Saturday
6 December
The 18-hole Stableford Competition - First Buck
Predergast 43 points, Brian Keucke 42, Jim Medd
and Gary Randell 41, Bob Walker, Barry Scott and
Lauchie Phillips 40 points, Norma Loomes, Tim
Bartlett, Jock Peacock, Warwick Steele and Ash
Strachan all with 39 points.
The 9-hole Stableford Competition - Phil Costello
23 points, Bill Cummings 20 and Anne Costello 19
points.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Thursday 4 December
Net Division 1 Men - B Crawford 65, C Collier 68,
P Smith 71, K Giles 71.
Net Division 2 Men - B McCabe 71, S Norton 73,
E Bartlett 75.
Net Ladies - V Bradley 64, M McCabe 69.
Hidden Holes - B McCabe, B Crawford, C Collier,
Two’s - K Giles, P Smith, Nearest the Pin - P Smith.
Stableford - Saturday 6 December
Results - J Dey 44, G McClelland 44, J Bassett 42,
A Stevenson 42, B Crawford 42, A Bennett 38, J
Donaldson 37.
Hidden Holes - J Bassett, Two’s - A Stevenson, G
McClelland.
MERCURY BAY NETBALL
Mixed Summer League - Thursday 4 December
Game 1 - Weapons 6 v Hottie Lot 8, New World 10
v Warriors 20, Whiti Ferns 7 v CC 8.
Game 2 - New World 13 v Hottie Lot 11, Whiti
Ferns 20 v Coasters 7, Warriors 10 v CC 16.
Game 3 - Weapons 14 v New World 6, CC 12 v
Hottie Lot 8, Warriors 17 v Coasters 10.
League Ladder Points - Warriors 15, CC 15, Whiti
Ferns 9, Weapons 6, Hottie Lot 6, New World 3,
Coasters 0.
MERCURY BAY FAMILY TAG FOOTY
Junior Competition - Monday 1 December
Generators 3 v Young Guns 10, Kylies Crew 3 v
Cheetahs 7, Young Guns 2 7 v Golden Rockets 3.
Senior Competition - Monday 1 December
Adventure Plus 5 v Kaos 8, Whiti Force 10 v
Llamas 10, Mismatch 3 v Darksiders 8.
Open Competition - Tuesday 2 December
Green Machine 2 v Rippem 10, Weapons 5 v #8 9,
T’s Terrors 10 v Evakona 3, Kaos 7 v Buffalo Boys
9, Cooper Tyres 4 v OPC 11.
MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB
Wednesday 3 December
North/South - 1 Gerry Church and David Dylla
58.33, 2 Annette Cox and Robyn Hogg 55.95, 3
Laura Scaglia and Giorgio Allemano 53.57.
East/West - 1 Sandra Medcalf and Val Dwight
61.90, 2 Maureen and Peter France 61.51, Maritza
Kocsis and Elizabeth Reid 49.21.
MERCURY BAY BASKETBALL
Business House - Sunday 7 December
Sunday night saw the end of round two of business
house basketball. Eight teams battled it out on a
weekly basis with lots of humour, new skills and
old tricks and with the court being full-size that
also took some getting used to in terms of fitness.
The Havard Logging crew battled it out for top
place with the Whiti Ballaz (albeit their skipper
Anaru Jackman AWOL) and thanks to the MBAS
students filling in the gaps, this was a great game
to watch. Whiti Ballaz were able to take the top
place with the team they had on the court, however
first place should probably go to Havard Logging,
led by Craig Balsom, for starting and almost
finishing with their original team and no ring-ins.
Evakona, captained by Daichi had a tough game
against New World, with New World achieving a
win complete with Olivia Turnock being fouled
off the court and then in true business house spirit
being allowed back on.
The last game of the night was AmazeBalls
(with only Mike Greig and Michelle Carter part
of the original team) playing Peninsula Roofing &
Scaffolding led by Tyce Korewha to take out the
win.
Due to many other acitivites happening, the two
school teams didn’t play, however those students
that did turn up were slotted in and definitely
helped fill the gaps for the other teams.
MERCURY BAY BOATING CLUB
Tower Twins Coastal Series - Saturday 6
December 2014
A mark foy start (slow boats off first, fast boats
off last) presented the fleet with some incredibly
mixed fortunes in last Saturdays yachting regatta.
Harmony(Arnie Leigh) was the first yacht away
at 10.17, but he spent the next half hour getting
to Windy Buoy. Once round Windy, the wirily old
seadog sniffed out a zephyr of breeze and carried
it all the way to the Tower Rock. Unfortunately for
the remaining ten yachts, they were left languishing
with no wind until their start time.
Next away was Contrast (John Wright) at
12.05, then a procession of yachts over the next
half hour. Longshot (John Jackman), Loose
(Belinda Wallace), Sound Reason (Bob Holliday),
True Colours (Lee Boswell) Blue Print
(Matt Algie) and Solveig (Al Joslin).
Contrast and Longshot spent half an hour getting
to Windy, but then picked a nice following breeze
which gave them a good march on the following
six boats.
Back in the starting blocks, JJ (Mike
Phear) in his floating Hilton Hotel and H2Go
(Paul Dimmock) which weighs as much as Blue
Print’s binoculars, waited with vexed anticipation
for their near 1:00pm start time.
Up front, the fleet was round Tower and making
reasonable progress to Twins with Harmony still
leading the charge.
There was inconsolable despair amongst the
skippers when it came over the RT that JJ was
withdrawing from the race because of lack of water
for her to cross the start line.
H2Go made very short work of the first leg to
Tower and caught most of the fleet on route to The
Twins.
A few minor wind shifts from E, NE, N, NW, W,
had all the skippers paying attention and some big
gains and even bigger losses trying to get around
The Twins. Blue Print suffered the latter and after
three goes and two good uppercuts to her skipper’s
jaw, they made it.
Once again, Harmony was sailing up a storm,
she and H2Go were approaching Simpsons as the
rest of the fleet rounded Twins.
Blue Print was the second to last boat round
Twins, but once clear and deploying her big
blue gennaker, it was up on the foils and away
as she reeled in Sound Reason, True Colours,
Long Shot and Solveig. The ever elusive Contrast,
with uncanny seamanship and a jolly stern talking
to his crew, held out Blue Print by 11 seconds.
At the front of the fleet, H2Go, by the narrowest
of margins, managed to run down Harmony to give
H2GO the daily double.
All was not lost for Harmony, Arnie got a
second coat of Lusteroid Pearl Low Sheen on the
whole of his saloon and heads before the finish.
Arnie likes to paint while sailing.
As they finished - H2GO (Paul Dimmock),
Harmony (Arnie Leigh), Contrast (John Wright),
Blue Print (Matt Algie), Solvieg (Al Joslin),
Longshot (John Jackman), Sound Reason
(Bob Holliday), TrueColours( Lee Boswell) and
Loose (Belinda Wallace).
SITUATIONS VACANT
Mercury Bay Area School
- Foods Room Technician
3 hours (total) on Friday from 3pm
onwards/Saturday/Sunday.
End of week washing and drying of aprons
and other washing; restocking of containers in
the room and pantry; cleaning all the stainless
steel surfaces; other duties as specified on the
job description.
FASHION STORE
ROLES AVAILABLE
Chances are looking for bright
energetic people with proven
sales experience to work in our
Whitianga fashion Store.
Senior and casual roles available.
Please call Wilma on
021 915 475
SALES ASSISTANT REQUIRED FOR PAPER PLUS WHITIANGA
We require a person who has a keen interest in and knowledge
of books (especially adult fiction) who can be primarily
responsible for our book department.
The role would also involve customer service (both Paper Plus & Lotto).
The position is full time to commence work early/mid January 2015.
Applicants should send a letter of application and
their CV to the shop at 71 Albert Street, Whitianga or
by email to whitianga@paperplus.co.nz.
PAPER RUN AVAILABLE
The Informer will soon have a paper run available in Whitianga.
We pay above average rates.
If you are interested, please phone us on (07) 866 2090 or
email us at sales@theinformer.co.nz or
pop into our office at 14 Monk Street, Whitianga.
CIRCULAR DELIVERY
Reliable people needed to deliver mailers into household letterboxes.
All areas of Whitianga available.
Call/text Peter on (021) 664 132.
Hauler Driver
Wanted for a Logging Operation
Hauler Driver position would suit an experienced Heavy Machine
operator as we can provide full training on the job.
We are a high production Logging operation based at Whitianga.
Pre employment drug test required.
Regular on site random drug tests also.
Phone Adrian 0274 475 063.
LOOKING FOR A WEEKEND WARRIOR
PlaceMakers Whitianga has a vacancy for a showroom salesperson with
a “Can Do” attitude and a willingness to learn the PlaceMakers way.
Duties include providing friendly customer service in our showroom,
handling phone enquiries and restocking shelves.
This is a part-time position, covering Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays
and some weekdays as required, this could also be a future step up to a
fulltime position, if days and hours suit the right applicant.
A requirement of PlaceMakers’ Health and Safety policy is that the
successful applicant must undergo a full health medical
and a drug and alcohol test.
Please forward your Curriculum Vitae by the
18th December 2014 to be considered for this position to Tarah Spyve
PlaceMakers
PO Box 442
Whitianga
Or email to - Tarah.Spyve@placemakers.co.nz.
Page 29
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Beer. Cider. Wine. Spirits.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
FOR SALE
Ti-Tree $120 per load
Phone 866 3026
GARAGE SALES
MEN Stress Free Xmas Shopping!
Free gift wrapping and expert help
from our LOVELY LADIES
at Mercury Bay Pharmacy
XMAS TREES
Select your own now (all sizes).
Pick-up anytime prior
to Xmas Eve.
Price to suit size, $25 - $45.
Phone 866 2899.
FUN ZONE XMAS VOUCHERS
From $15.
Phone 866 0038 or visit us at
108 Kaimarama Road, Whitianga.
www.funzonewhitianga.co.nz.
SINGLE BED,
nice headboard - $40.
SMALL CHEST
OF DRAWERS - $40.
Birdwood Springs Mini Putt
10% Discount on Xmas Vouchers.
Great for the
Kids Christmas Stocking
Available until 24/12/14.
ACCOMMODATION WANTED
CHURCH SERVICE
Phone 866 4048.
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
HOUSE WANTED,
Christmas period, approximately
Dec 23 - Jan 7, careful family group.
Ph: 09 278 2088 or 021 350 599
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.
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER,
24A Albert Street, Whitianga,
from 8:00am.
GARAGE SALE
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
ALL WELCOME
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
Massive book sale every Saturday
and Sunday from 9:30am - 2:00pm.
Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga
(opposite the Library).
All proceeds to the
Mercury Bay
Cancer Support Group.
WANTED
WHITIANGA TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Tuesday 4pm - 6:30pm and
Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER,
89 Robinson Road, Whitianga,
8:00am.
WANTED
HEALTH SERVICES
OLD VCR, G12 or 10 for parts only.
Please phone John on 866 5230.
CLASSIC THAI MASSAGE
@ Rose Cottage,
721 Pollen Street THAMES
*Head *Shoulders *Back
*Foot Massage *Aromatherapy
Bookings 0273 412 357
Daily 9am to 6pm.
HOUSE FOR
REMOVAL
WANTED
Please phone
(021) 027 45654
TO LET
SMALL OFFICE, Whitianga, upstairs, low rent. Ph: 021 255 2821
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
CATTERY
Call Krissie Brand
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
07 866 5824 or 027 273 4420
Licensed Property Manager with 13 years local experience
Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 Understanding the Coromandel Since 1960
Long term & holiday. Free rental appraisals.
Landlords & Tenants, for all your rental requirements.
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
WANTED !
WORK WANTED
WINDOW CLEANING
High window specialist.
Very competitive rates.
Phone Mike on 866 5778 or
(021) 395 778.
Sharyn Clark
Registered member
PTTG of NZ
For Piano
Tuning, Repairs and Appraisals
Phone 867 5129 or 0274 485 089
Quality homes
for quality tenants.
FOR HIRE
HUGE BOUNCY CASTLE,
from $130. Ph: 866 0038,
www.combatzone.co.nz
URGENT! HOMES WANTED!
Long term & short term needed NOW!
Good tenants waiting for good homes.
Ask for an appraisal on your property.
Phone Beth on 021 153 8593.
WORK WANTED
FARRIER
Working Whangapoua
to Hahei
Horse Shoeing & Trims
Minis & Donkeys
Quick Prompt Service
BETH EVANS
A.R.EI.N.Z Property Manager
VEHICLES FOR SALE
Ph Colin 027 505 2155
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
Page 30
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
09 Toyota Hilux D/Cab, Canopy $29,900
98 Kea Equipment Trailer $1,950
04 Toyota Corolla Runx, Auto, Blue $6,900
97 Toyota Corolla GLXi HB $3,900
04 Toyota Corolla GL H/B, 5 spd $6,900 97 Nissan Pulsar, low kms, alloys $5,600
03 Toyota Landcruiser VX, Auto $29,900 96 Suzuki Cultus 3 dr H/B, 5spd $2,950
94 Toyota RAV 3 dr $4,900
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga www.coastalautos.co.nz
First MB Bowling Club 2014/15
champions crowned
The first of the Mercury Bay Bowling Club 2014/15 club championships were held on 29 and 30
November when both the ladies and men’s Championship Fours were decided.
The winning ladies’ team was, top photo pictured from left to right - Lyn Clifford,
Jillian Cresswell, Brenda Wilson and Gail Knight.
The winning men’s team was, bottom photo pictured from left to right - Shane O’Hara,
Dave Wallace, Johnny Johnstone and Wayne Edmonds.
Mercury Bay Rugby Club
president honoured
President of the Mercury Bay Rugby & Sports Club, Maurice Muir, was recognised
for 35 years of service to the club at the Sport Waikato District Sports Awards held
in Thames last week.
Maurice joined the Mercury Bay Rugby & Sports Club three days after he arrived in
Whitianga in 1979. It wasn’t long before he was elected onto the club committee,
where he was happy to get stuck into it, irrespective if the task at hand was big
or small. A few of the things Maurice did include helping to build the clubrooms at
Lyon Park in Whitianga, mowing the playing field and painting the lines for years,
helping to organise a ten-a-side tournament for many years and taking on bar duty
when no one else was happy to do it.
Maurice also refused to retire from playing first division rugby until he could play
at least once with his son Sean in the same team.
Maurice was captain of the club and is a life member.
Pictured is Maurice with Sarah Ulmer, cycling Olympic gold medallist, who was
guest of honour at the awards.
Mercury Bay was well-represented at the awards with contenders in the Team of
the Year, Coach of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the
Year, Referee of the Year and Sportsman of the Year categories.
GOING TO AUCKLAND AIRPORT?
GOING TO AUCKLAND CITY?
Catch your locally owned & operated Go Kiwi shuttle!
We are local, we are friendly and we will go the extra
mile for you 
Departs daily from the iSite or even from your house!
SPRING SPECIALS! (conditions apply)
$40 either way between
Whitianga iSite & Quay St Auckland
$45 either way between
Hot Water/Hahei & Quay St Auckland
Specials are not available on Airport services
Bookings essential
Ph 0800 44 65 49 or 07 866 0336
info@go-kiwi.co.nz
book online: www.go- kiwi.co.nz
-
We sell just about everything…
all at lower prices
All Thomas the Tank Engine wooden
now 30% off
ALBERT ST, WHITIANGA
07 867 1117
Page 31
W E toH57 AV
E MOVED
Albert Street, Whitianga
Your urban
HEALTH RETREAT
Detox Programmes - Natural Medicine - Herbal Products
ACPUNCTURE • BOWEN • CUPPING • DEEP TISSUE
Massage that heals $70 - 1 hr
Xmas Vouchers Available
$40 - 1/2 hr | $90 - 1.5 hrs
More than a massage. A holistic approach to boosting
health. With the knowledge of traditional Chinese Medicine
& 20 yrs experience
SPECIAL Introductory offer
Treat yourself & destress
$50
1hr relaxation massage
with Ruby.
Our new relaxation therapist
(Offer ends 21st Dec)
Ph Libby 07 866 21 55 or 0220 760129
57 Albert Street, Whitianga Opp i-site
0800 CAR DUMP
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
cash
paid
Pickup
Peninsula
wide
0800 227 3867
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make Short Work
of it!
•
Second Hand Tyres, Mags, Lights, Radio’s
& parts FOR SALE
A local looking after locals
for more than 20 years!
 Building Repairs and Maintenance
 All Painting  Airless applications
 Waterblasting - paths, driveways & fences
 Window Cleaning  Pre-paint clean
 Drain unblocking  Total house wash
with enviro friendly detergent
 Insect spraying
 Roof Clean / Treatment Best by reputation
- guaranteed
 Commercial  Residential
Phone Russell Short: 07 866 2097 or 027 360 2937
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Boat Repairs
Timber & fibreglass Repairs
Trailer Boat Repairs
Cleaning & Polishing
Hot Water Washing
Propspeed application
Specialist Marine Coating
and Antifouling
General Boatbuilding
Stockists for
Jabsco Impellers and pumps
Rule Pumps
Altex & International paint
DLM & Martyr Anodes
Meguiars & NanoShield products
SALT FREE & Tallon Products
Marine hardware & chandlery
McMurdo PLB’s & EPIRBS
Kiwiprop
Mitch Pascoe 0274 852 046 Phyll Foster 0274 852 036
A/H: 07 866 5866 Fax: 09 353 1994
Dundas St. Whitianga or Whitianga Marina Hardstand
info@hmpascoe.co.nz / www.pascoeboatrepairs.co.nz

Issue 614 - The Mercury Bay Informer

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