Issue 620 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 620 - 21 January 2015
Ph 07 866 2090
PORTING
P
U
S
S
L
A
LOC
LOCALS
In the middle of a bumper
game fishing season
Circulation 6,000
Go to the
Whitianga Summer
Concert and win big see page 9.
By Stephan Bosman
Not much needs to be said, the numbers speak for themselves Mercury Bay is in the middle of a bumper game fishing season.
From the start of the season towards the end of last year to 18 January
(last Sunday), the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club has weighed or
its members have tagged and released eight blue marlin, 18 striped
marlin, four big eye tuna, 13 yellow fin tuna, nine shortbill spearfish
and 11 mahimahi. The same time last season three striped marlin were
caught or tagged and released, one blue marlin, one big eye tuna,
two shortbill spearfish and five mahimahi. The season before that only
two striped marlin were caught and nothing else.
“We can easily add to this season’s numbers 10 to 15 marlin caught in
Mercury Bay and the surrounding waters that were weighed somewhere
else,” says Alan Proctor, manager of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing
Club. “We are by a long shot the most successful club in New Zealand
at the moment and boats come from far and wide to fish in our waters.”
The past weekend alone saw 10 marlin weighed in Whitianga,
including a blue marlin that pulled the Game Fishing Club’s heavy duty
scales at an impressive 281.6kg. Unconfirmed reports indicate that this
is the second heaviest marlin caught in New Zealand this season to date,
behind a 300kg plus blue marlin caught by ex-Member of Parliament
Shane Jones in the Bay of Islands.
“A statistic we’re really proud of is that about half of the marlin our
members catch are tagged and released,” Alan says. “That’s where we
like to see the percentage. Obviously if it’s a member’s first marlin
and it’s above 90kg, they would like to keep it. But for many of our
members a fish has to be exceptional or is likely to die in any event for
them not to let it go again.
“We encourage the anglers in our competitions to tag and release.
If you let a marlin go in any of our competitions, you win a prize,
no questions asked.”
Talking about competitions, from 5 to 7 February (Waitangi
Weekend) Bonze Lures will be hosting Australasia’s richest game
fishing tournament at the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club. Up for
grabs is not only a “lucky draw” brand new Ford Ranger, but also a
cash prize of $250,000 for the heaviest marlin overall weighing more
than 350kg.
“Bonze Lures are expecting more than 400 anglers from all over
New Zealand in the competition,” Alan says. “It’s been a while since a
marlin close to 350kg has been caught in our waters, but with that many
anglers and the way the game fish seem to prefer us at the moment, a bit
of history may well be made on Waitangi weekend.”
The proud crew of the vessel Chances R responsible for last weekend’s 281.6kg blue marlin
weighed by the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, from left to right - Shane Pullen,
Kevin Coughey and angler Pete McGrath. It was a first marlin for the vessel
and also for all three crew members (who are all Whitianga locals).
33 Albert St Whitianga
Ph 07 866 2546
Sleep Station +
free mattress
Was $1599 Now $899
Bed & Bedroom
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(on selected items only)
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Was $1,499 now $999
Covering Whangapoua to Pauanui, including Whitianga, Hot Water Beach and Tairua - www.theinformer.co.nz
Whitiangler - the tale of Facebook and fishing
You grew up in the far north of the
Coromandel, yes we’re talking Sandy
Bay just outside Port Charles, where
school really interfered with your fishing.
You later-on lived in Sweden and realised
Facebook was by far the best means to
stay in touch with your mates back home.
Back on the Coromandel, this time in
Whitianga, your passion for rod and reel
was reinvigorated. Inevitably then you’re
going to start a Facebook page singing the
praises of the Mercury Bay and northern
Coromandel fishing grounds. Pleased to
meet you, Gene Denton - Whitianga local
since August last year, family man and
mad keen fisherman.
“I remember when I was 11 years old
my folks gave me this little boat with a
2hp engine,” Gene said. “I had to wear
a lifejacket and wasn’t allowed to go
outside Sandy Bay. I absolutely loved it.
And when I wasn’t fishing from the boat,
I was surfcasting or snorkelling. The water
and the world underneath the surface was
my entire life.
“After school I went on an OE that
lasted about six years longer than planned.
The average January temperature in
Stockholm is 1°C. At some point I couldn’t
stand it anymore. I came back to New
Zealand, started a new career, met my
partner and fortunately things worked out
that we could settle with our 10-year-old
daughter Aaria and six-year-old son Reef
in Whitianga.”
Upon arriving in Mercury Bay,
Gene’s first order of business was to join
the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.
“Of course,” he said. “The Game Fishing
Club is an awesome community. Everyone
has a common interest and the experience
of the members is really unbelievable.
If you’re serious about catching a good
feed every now and again or that elusive
big one, you cannot afford to not be part
of the club.
“After only a few months of fishing in
the Mercury Bay waters and a bit further
afield, I thought this is too good not to
share with the world. I became quite social
media literate while overseas and thought
a Facebook page with regular updates and
photos and videos may get a bit of traction.
I spoke to a few of the longstanding
members of the local fishing community.
They thought it was a good idea and in
October last year I created the Whitiangler
Facebook page. And people seem to like
it.”
And that’s an understatement. As at
last Sunday, the page had 2,217 likes,
quite possibly making it the fastest growing
Facebook page in the central and northern
Coromandel. More remarkable is that the
growth of the page, in social media speak,
is all organic. “I don’t pay Facebook to
promote the page,” Gene said. “The people
who are following it either heard about it
or had some of the content shared into their
own Facebook pages by their friends.”
The page has followers from all over
the world, including the USA, Europe and
Asia. Even Captain Dave Marciano from
National Geographic’s “Wicked Tuna” is
a follower.
Gene puts a lot of effort into the page.
“I make sure I stay up to date with good
catches in the area and every now and
again I’ll post a video I shot
on the water. A few weeks
ago Reef took me fishing
for kingfish. It was a great
outing. The two of us
videoed the whole thing on
my smartphone and GoPro
sports camera. Back home
we edited the video and
posted it on Whitiangler.
More than 4,900 people
have looked at the video
to date. That’s pretty
awesome.”
Although
Gene
is
very proud of the page’s
popularity, he’s quick to
point out that he wouldn’t
have been able to do it
without help. He mentioned
his great friend and local
accountant Louis Wright
for his moral support and
local knowledge, local
businessman Cam Walls
(importer of Avet reels
and Pelagic clothing),
NZ Fishing Magazine, Tony Lotua-Marsters
from PowerVamp Racing NZ and also his
partner Rata Drum for sharing him with
the computer and his phone and camera in
addition to his Bluefin 4.9m boat, which he
inherited from his dad and which he and
Louis have recently rigged to catch a worldrecord-breaking black marlin.
Looking forward, Gene said he would
like Whitiangler to continue to be a reliable
source of Mercury Bay and northern
Coromandel fishing information. He also
Gene Denton
looks forward to filming and uploading
more of his own fishing adventures.
And he’ll be happy to talk to businesses
who would like to become part of the
Whitiangler family. “There’s definitely
an opportunity for gear to be reviewed
and products to be promoted,” he said.
He also would like to get a bigger boat
one day, although he’s quite adamant that
the black marlin is reserved for his 4.9m
Bluefin with Louis and Reef videoing
the whole thing on a smartphone and a
GoPro sports camera.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 21
8:24
1:52
8:45
2:22
Thu 22
9:16
2:44
9:38
3:15
Fri 23
10:07
3:36
10:30
4:07
Sat 24
10:58
4:27
11:22
4:59
Sun 25
11:50
5:19
Mon 26
0:15
6:11
12:42
6:44
Tue 27
1:09
7:06
1:35
7:39
5:51
Tide data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednedsays and
circulated throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome.
Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of the editor.
Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by
the author’s name and 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.
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
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Mail: PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Tel: (07) 866 2090 Fax: (07) 866 2092
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ISSN 2230-2719 © 2014 Mercury Bay Media Limited
Should Whitianga
get a statue of Cook and Kupe?
Have your say - at www.theinformer.co.nz.
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Page 2
What’s that Number?
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police)............................................................111
Police (Whitianga) ...............................................................................866 4000
Police (Tairua) .....................................................................................864 8888
Police (Coromandel) ...........................................................................866 1190
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers .................. .......0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control .................................................. .....................868 0200
Poison Centre ................................................................ ..............0800 764 766
Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) .......................................................869 5500
Civil Defence ......................................................................................868 0200
Medical Centre (Mercury Bay) ............................................................866 5911
Doctors Surgery (Mercury Bay) ..........................................................866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua) ........................................................................864 8737
Harbour Master (Whitianga) .........................................................027 493 1379
Harbour Master (Tairua) ................................................................027 476 2651
Coastguard Radio Operators .............................................................866 2883
Social Services Whitianga ............................................. .....................866 4476
Do you want the local community to celebrate your new baby’s arrival with you?
Please phone or email us, it will be our pleasure to publish
your baby’s photo and details in The Informer.
Think there’s a local resident who need some recognition?
Let us know and that person may just be our LOCAL OF THE MONTH.
At The Informer LOCAL IS WHAT WE DO!
The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
New World “add a dollar”
donation to Hot Water Beach
Surf Lifesaving
HOT
DEAL
The past week, coinciding with their “sandpit” activities, New World Whitianga ran an
“add a dollar campaign” for the benefit of Hot Water Beach Surf Lifesaving (HWBSL).
In addition to adding a dollar to their purchases every time they shopped at New
World, shoppers could also make a donation to HWBSL in return for a sausage at the
sandpit.
The campaign raised an amount of $4,862.50. That’s on top of $5,000 New World owner
Stacey Rolton has already donated to HWBSL the beginning of this surf lifesaving
season to cover operating expenses.
Pictured this past Monday 19 January accepting a cheque for the amount raised from
Stacey (on the left) are HWBSL chairman Gary Hinds and member Olivia Turnock.
Stay sun safe
all Daylong
SPF 50+
Gives you up to 8 hours protection
from harmful UV
Water resistant for up to 4 hours
HOT DEAL $29.99
Usually $36.99
Mercury Bay Pharmacy Loyalty Club
Proud
sponsor of
the
MB Game
Fishing Club
Women’s
Fishing
Tournament
Spend $120 and receive a $10 voucher
FREE TYRE
Buy three Firestone branded car, van or 4x4
tyres and get the fourth absolutely FREE.
Offer en
nds 30 Januaryy 2015. Terms & conditions apply.
pp y See in store or online for details
www.bridgestonetyrecentre.co.nz
Whitianga Tyre & Alignment.
83 Albert St, Whitianga. Ph 866 5540.
Page 3
Museum Musings
with Richard Gates
In researching the history of Polynesia,
in particular the ability of these intrepid
island peoples to voyage across the
Pacific from the heart of the Polynesian
triangle, an area which encompasses the
Society, Marquesas and Cook Islands,
then the 1981 Oxford History of New
Zealand published by Clarendon Press in
Oxford UK is an excellent first reference
point.
It was from the Polynesian triangle in
the eastern Pacific - these islands long
supposed to be the traditional Hawaiki
- that the more isolated parts of the
Pacific such as New Zealand (Aotearoa),
Hawaii and Easter Island were settled.
The nature of and reasons for such
voyages has long been a subject of fierce
debate amongst both Maori and Pakeha
academics. Many credit the Polynesians
with the ability to make two-way
voyages between the most far-flung parts
of the Pacific, others have attributed
almost all Polynesian colonization to
the accidental voyages of parties blown
off shore. Whatever the case may be,
there can be little doubt that time
and again Polynesians set out into
the unknown to find new land,
only thus could the plants and animals
on which they depended have been
transported throughout Polynesia.
Oral traditions offer one explanation
for such expeditions - the desire of the
vanquished and oppressed to find a
better way of life.
The Polynesians’ arrival in a vast and
varied country extending some 1,500
km from north to south would have been
a daunting prospect for the weary and
emaciated travellers - the date of their
arrival being a subject of conjecture
amongst academics, both archaeologists
and anthropologists, to this day.
Those courageous people would
have been expecting to make landfall
at another island similar to tropical
Rarotonga, Tahiti, or Hiva Oa and would
have faced many problems establishing
themselves in their new land with its
Open 9am - 2pm
Brunch/Lunch
Come in for the Biggest
Dinner from
6pm
Bookings
required
Big Breakfast in Mercury Bay
Did you know…
PROCAFFINATING
$1 from EVERY
The tendency to not start
cake, muffin or
anything until you’ve had a
cup of coffee…
slice sold here gets
donated to
COROGLEN SCHOOL
Chocolate-Blueberry-Caramel
Open 7 Days
From 5pm
Dine In • Takeaway • Delivery
13 / 1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga
Lunch/Dinner
Band tonight!
The House Warmers
Featuring Ted Clarke
World Class
Right here on our
deck from 6pm
DV
D
Buy One Main
and enter into
the draw to win
Dinner for Two!
Lunch/Dinner
Sea Views
Crispy
Chicken Wrap
Crispy
Chicken
Salad
Crispy
Chicken Burger
LEGAL TENDER
Live and Dangerous
from 7pm
Koha
in settlements as far south as Palliser
Bay and in the central North Island,
silcrete and nephrite (greenstone) from
Central Otago and the West Coast of the
South Island.
In our own neck of the woods,
Mercury Bay (Te Whanganui O Hei)
was highly regarded for its abundance
of seafood - from fish to lobsters to
shellfish. Hence the ancestors of our
local iwi, Ngati Hei, being subjected to
many aggressive attacks by tribes from
other areas who were not quite so well
off in natural resources.
The Mercury Bay Museum in
Whitianga has an award winning
display on fishing, one of the highlights
being the representational models of
Maori traditional fishing methods and
elaborate hooks, implements and traps
used by the ancestors of our local iwi,
Ngati Hei. Also on display is a large
collection of traditional obsidian adzes
and implements used for cultivation of
crops.
The best Pizza
Full Menu at
takeaway
Closed today.
30 different beers
in Cooks Beach www.govino.co.nz
Ph. 867 1215
80 different wines and
Also
available
for
for bookings
20 stunning Kaizen plates
Hair of the dog?
Cheeky Banter?
Early Morning Lala Fix?
You are getting very
hungry…
Come check out our
delicious menu!!
FREE POOL ALL
DAY!
Gotta LOVE
SUNDAYS
Dine In FREE
on your Birthday
One main, rice & naan.
Minimum 2-person party.
Lunch/Dinner
Band
Live music
most fine evenings
on the deck!
2 B sure!
temperate climate.
For example the climate in much of
the South Island prevented them from
growing any of their traditional crops.
Everywhere, however, they found an
abundance of birds, particularly large
flightless birds previously undisturbed
by predators - the exception being
birds of prey such as the now extinct
eagle. Seafood was also in abundance.
Interestingly Polynesians were the first
to introduce mammals to Aotearoa,
namely dogs and rats.
Notwithstanding
the
challenges
they faced, the early Maori settlers of
New Zealand proved to be adaptable,
resourceful and hardworking.
Over time the range of contacts and
trade they had with iwi and tribes in
other parts of New Zealand is evidenced
by the variety of raw materials used
for tools found in far flung settlements
which originated elsewhere in the
country. Examples being obsidian from
the Coromandel Peninsula being found
Lunch/Dinner
Thames Tinkers
From 6pm
on the deck
A show not to be
missed!
SURF ‘n’ TURF
STEAK EGG ‘n’
CHIPS
STEAK BURGER
P 866 3809
Authentic North
Indian Cuisine
Wide selection of seafood,
vegetarian & gluten-free.
Children’s menu available.
Closed today
Dinner only
Lunch / Dinner
sorry
Open at 5pm
Free Wi Fi
Friend us on FB Island style atmosphere
Bookings for large
See FB
Best sea views in
groups or functions
for Menu
town with
Text 027 486 6744 and Gig Guide
Live Music most
or ph 07 866 2275 www.onfirecafe.co.nz
nights
Check out our new Fish Curries - Open Every Day
Delicious and Affordable Indian Food.
Enjoy restaurant quality food in the comfort of your own home.
Food made with freshly ground spices. Enjoy real curry pies.
What’s New REVIEW
•
Sean brings his dance crew known as The Mob to Los Angeles to try and make it. But they haven’t had •
much luck and eventually The Mob decides it’s time to go back to Miami. Sean decides to stay, however. •
He learns of a dance competition in Las Vegas where the winner will get a three year contract. Sean •
Step Up: All In (PG) (Out Now)
needs a new crew to take on the Vortex. This is another fun installment of the Step Up franchise. It brings
together all your fave charcters from the previous four films. Well worth a watch. Reviewed by Cara.
•
Page 4
Put your feet up and let
us do the cooking
FULL TAKEAWAY
SERVICE
TOP MOVIES
Fury
Maze Runner
Boxtrolls
Cowgirls ‘n
Angels 2
Wolfcop
Enjoy
our
Sunny
Garden
Bar
Jameoke
D.J. Mighty LIVE BAND
9pm
Splinta
9pm
WIN A BAR
9pm
TAB!!
Ali’s Restaurant Ali’s Restaurant
Meat/Seafood
$10 ROAST
Dinner & Bar
Raffles
DINNER 5pm
Snacks Open
5:30pm
Play Bar Trivia
5:30pm
MEMBERS DRAW
From 4pm
Lunch 11am
Open for
breakfast
every day
from 10am
Open 7 days
From 11:30am
until late
Lunch Menu
TAB
POKIES
Wishing Tree
from 5-7pm
Karaoke
from 8pm
Complimentary
Ladies
tastings
Fishing
every night
- with drinks Comp - Drink
Specials
ordered
5 - 7pm
Meat/Seafood
RAFFLES 11am
LUNCH
11am - 2pm
Sports Bar
Bistro Open
The Home 12-2:30pm
of
Summer Concert
5-9pm
After Party!! Summer Fun 7 days
Official
Club Opens
11am
Sports Bar
TAB Pod
Free Pool Tables
LIVE
SPORT
FREE
POOL
Piano plays
Thursday to
Sunday
from 6pm
until late
Live pianist
all day long
Drink
Specials
Meat/Seafood
Enjoy Club
Raffles
Hospitality Garden
5:30pm
Bar Games Room
MEMBERS
Free Pool Tables
DRAW
Happy Hour
Every Week
Day
4-6:30pm
QUIZ
NIGHT
7:30pm
Piano plays
Our Specialty Thursday to
Home Grown
Sunday
Pacific Oysters from 6pm
$22 per dozen
until late
Valentines Show them how much you care with something a little special
Dinner at No 8 two course $50 - three course $75
Day View menu on Facebook No 8 Bar and Grill or allaboutwhitianga.co.nz
CONCERT IN THE VINES
Open 7 days from 9am
Come and enjoy a gourmet
breakfast with coffee, or lunch
with a glass of wine!
Saturday 24 January
Get your tickets from us or at any
Westpac Branch on the Peninsula
or from the iSITES in Whitianga,
Tairua or Pauanui or online at
www. concertinthevines.org.nz
Brewery Award Lunch
winning
&
&
beers Dinner
Bar
11A Coghill Str, Whitianga
Tel: 07 866 2200
Mon - Thur 4pm - 10pm
Fri - Sat 4pm - 10:30pm
Sunday 4pm - 9:30pm
www.alcaminos.co.nz
Large
Sunny
Patio
Try one of our tasting flights to
sample an assortment
of different wines.
$8-00 for 2 wines & $14-00 for
4 wines (60ml pour)
Open
11am
every day
CHILLI
and
PRAWN PIZZA
$10 Coffee &
Chef’s
Freshly Baked
Treat
(muffin or quiche)
from 9am daily
Cheers
All
from
summer Tim
&
long
Crew
NEW
Fresh Seasonal
FRUIT PLATTERS
Available
SUMMERTIME ONLY
Come in and try our new
Cocktails with a view
available - all day!
Interested in a wine tasting?
We are
now
FULLY
LICENCED
No surcharge
on public holidays
07 866 0456 www.thelostspring.co.nz
Page 5
OPEN
Seven Days
from
11:30am
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The Hot Water Beach Ratepayers Association Meeting
I note that both the Simpsons Beach and Mercury Bay South ratepayers are having
their annual general meetings this coming weekend. I hope they are more successful
in getting attendance from Mercury Bay Community Board members than we were
at Hot Water Beach earlier this month. This was the second consecutive year we have
had no representative from either the Community Board or Thames Coromandel
District Council attend our annual general meeting.
Hot Water Beach probably has more absentee ratepayers than any other Mercury
Bay area and our AGM is the one opportunity for them to meet Community Board
members or join in discussion with them over various issues they may have.
Those at the meeting were disappointed as the previous Community Board always
had one or two of their members attend and speak to our ratepayers.
We do have issues at Hottie, mostly safety related and mainly caused by the huge
influx of people attracted to the beach through the summer period. I know that
Community Board members visited the area a few months ago, but feel it is important
that they come at the peak time at low tide and arrange to meet with representative/s
of our association to see first-hand the issues that the huge number of visiting people
and vehicles create, problems that are not necessarily obvious at other times.
Trevor Knight
Chairman of the Hot Water Beach Ratepayers Association
Editor’s Note - We’ve passed Mr Knights letter on to the Mercury Bay Community
Board and was advised that the letter will be tabled at the next Community Board
meeting, after which a formal reply will follow.
2 X TARAKIHI, 2 X HOT DOGS,
5 X CHICKEN NUGGETS,
$2.50 CHIPS - $15
Dear Editor - The Whitianga Pontoon Boat Ramp
I recently witnessed an event while using our new pontoon boat ramp by Whitianga
Wharf.
A charter fishing boat from outside the Mercury Bay area was motorpowering onto a trailer under full power (as witnessed by many others as well).
The skipper then left the outboard running while he got out of the boat and proceeded
to secure the boat to his trailer, then climbed back into the boat and turned off the
engine.
Right in front of him was a sign that says no powering of boats onto trailers.
We are very proud of our boat launching facilities now and waited a long time to
get it and to see these charter boats from out of town abusing the laws related to the
boat ramp and wrecking the boat ramp is hard to accept.
Please take notes, photograph and report these culprits to the harbour master and
get this practice stopped.
Mike Stanley
Whitianga
2 X HOKI, 5 X MUSSELS,
$2 CHIPS - $11
CHICKEN BURGER, $1.50 CHIPS,
$2 DRINK - $9.50
The pontoon at the Whitianga boat ramp.
The Espy Cafe
Great food, great coffee
Pat’s Pantry pies
10 The Esplanade
07 866 0778
the.espy.whiti@gmail.com
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
Page 6
Free coffee & muffin
winner
Rewards card no 10248
Delicious Affordable Indian Food
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
(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)
News from Thames-Coromandel District Council
N
2 0 J A N U A R Y, 2 0 1 5
“Someone has to pick up the mounting unpaid bill
and that now amounts to a 3.5% rate rise in itself
to deal with this one issue. It should have been
addressed in 2008/2009,” says Mr Hammond.
rates increase with a final figure available early
next year.
at Council offices, i-Sites
and District Libraries.
However our base position has been helped by a
reduction of rates, which hit a remarkable – 6%
decrease in 2012/2013 from what was charged in
2010/2011. This has allowed Council to have a lower
starting base to cope with future pressures and
shocks, including dealing with the present debt on
the Sewerage plants.
Cumulative Average District Rates
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Annual Rate
Movement
N/A
-0.92% -5.39% 1.33% 2.21%
Cumulative Average District Rate
Increase from 2010/11 Rates
2%
-0%
FIRE BAN
We will also be monitoring our Daily Fire
Indices around the Coromandel.
www.tcdc.govt.nz/fire
AZI
NE
2014-2015
Make the Move
Walks, trails
and cycleways
We show you how easy
it is to move to the
Coromandel for a better
work-life balance.
Find out about our short
and long walks,
mountain bike tracks and
cycleways.
Boating and
Fishing news
What you need to know
about fishing and
boating around the Coromandel.
+ events
0 000238 214187
Festivals, fairs, fun days
and everything
in between. A guide of
what’s on from
November through until
Easter.
Dog control
Summer restrictions are in place for exercising
your dog on beaches and Council reserves. To get
the list of all the areas and restrictions go to
www.tcdc.govt.nz/dogs
Cumulative
0.00% -0.92% -6.27% -5.01% -2.92%
Rate Movement
We’re now looking at ways to lessen the projected
From Monday 20 October 2014 fire permits
will be issued with a maximum duration
of 14 days (2 weeks). A Total Fire Ban starts
on 20 December 2014 through to 8 February
2015. This means no permits will be issued
during this time – and this period could be
extended depending on weather.
Or read online at
tcdc.govt.nz/summertimes
SUMMER
MAG
l District Council
“It was the belief of council in the early 2000s
that future developers would pay at least 66%
of that cost, and that growth would take off in
the Coromandel at a fast rate,” says ThamesCoromandel Chief Executive David Hammond. “The
developers didn’t come and instead we were all hit
by the recession”.
Out now
Thames-Coromande
W
e’re looking at a possible average district
rate rise of 5.5%, as we deal with a $31m debt
relating to the Eastern Seaboard Sewerage Schemes
which were completed in 2009. As we prepare to
put out our Draft Long Term Plan (2015 – 2025) early
next year, this projected 5.5% average district rates
increase is a proposed first cut as we deal with debt
from the sewerage schemes and peripheral works.
These plants in Whangamata, Tairua-Pauanui and
Whitianga, cost in excess of $93M.
COROMANDEL SUMM
E RT I M E S 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5
Possible 5.5% rate rise next year
OUR COROMANDEL
-3%
-5%
-7%
2010/11
2011/12
2010/11
2010/11
2010/11
Tra
ransfield
sfie Tri
Cooks Beach
Cooks Beach, Sunday 1st February
Distances for all the family to enjoy.
Enter online at
www.sportwaikato.org.nz or go to
www.tcdc.govt.nz/mbsportpark
for more details.
“Council and staff have done so much work over
the last four years to bring out-of-control debt and
rates back under strong management,” says Mayor
Leach. “We’ve had a reduction in rates. Without the
sewerage plant issue, we would have been on target
to deliver a rise of less than 2% again,” says Mayor
Glenn Leach.
MERCURY BAY SOUTH
Monday
Blue Bags and Green Crate
To find out more go to: www.tcdc.govt.nz/ltp
Thursday
Saturday
Bin
Kerbside collections
Starting 27 December – 31 January (weekly)
MERCURY BAY NORTH
AND WHITIANGA
Starting 26 December – 31 January (weekly)
Summer Shuttle Bus
Wanting to visit Cathedral Cove without the hassle of
driving and parking?
Take the Summer Shuttle Bus – Whitanga to Hahei.
For timetable and fare details go to
Purchase your essential Coromandel
camping pack from our Council offices,
information centres and i-Sites.
www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping
www.tcdc.govt.nz/summershuttle
TCDC/0549
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/ourcoromandel
www.facebook.com/
ThamesCoromandelDistrictCouncil
Tuesday
Blue Bags, Bin and Green Crate
Friday
Summer Refuse Transfer Station
Hours Whitianga
From Monday 23 December 2014 to
end of summer
Monday to Friday
8.00am to 5:00pm
Saturday
10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday
10:30am to 7:30pm
www.coromandel.govt.nz
customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz
Private Bag, 515 Mackay St, Thames
Phone: 07 868 0200
www.tcdc.govt.nz/kerbside
Page 7
Talking to the owner of Whitianga’s newest daycare centre
Peanuts, Whitianga’s newest daycare
centre, opened its doors a week and a half
ago. The centre is situated at Aotearoa
Lodge in Racecourse Road, where the
Rudolph Steiner Kindergarten used to be.
We caught up with Julie PennettCoughey, owner of the centre and
immediately it was obvious that Peanuts
isn't just another business, it’s a reflection
of Julie’s passion for early childhood
education - a passion that has developed
over 26 years of utter dedication to the
development and learning of the children
in her care.
“I consider myself extremely lucky to
have a career in something I absolutely
love,” Julie said. “I cherish every day,
I feel very privileged to be a part of the
daily life of the children I look after and to
share with them the wonder of learning.”
In Auckland, where Julie and her
husband Kevin (the owner of Endeavour
Print in Whitianga) came from, Julie
worked with preschoolers of all ages and
in a variety of settings. “I really enjoy a
small group setting and a high teacher
ratio,” Julie said. “I feel with a smaller
group you can develop good quality
relationships with both the children and
their families. Parents’ input is highly
valued and I want the Peanuts families to
feel comfortable to share their views with
us so we can provide the absolute best for
the children we teach. A child’s parents
are their first and most important teachers
in life. This is something I take to heart.”
Peanuts is licensed for 21 children,
two to five year old, and Julie said she will
have two professional staff working with
her once they are at full capacity. Already
by her side is Sue Skipper, another
very experienced, dedicated and skilled
early childhood teacher. Sue moved to
Whitianga four years ago and has worked
with Julie for the past two years.
Julie has dreamed of owning her own
daycare centre for many years and when
she and Kevin moved to Whitianga in
2009 after they’ve purchased Endeavour
Print, she didn't think the opportunity
would ever arise. “But Peanuts certainly
isn’t just about my dreams,” Julie pointed
out. “It’s about providing a calm and
nurturing environment to enhance all
learning opportunities for the children in
my care. And yes, no denying, my dream
is now a reality.”
Peanuts has a massive outdoor area
and a roomy indoor facility with plenty
of space for exploring and learning.
The children are enjoying planting their
own new vegetable gardens so that they
can gather and eat their own produce
throughout the year. “Just like I did when
I was a child,” Julie said. “The vegetable
gardens and all the outdoor space are a
special place full of science and nature.
We can cook soups and stews and yes,
we can make mud pies too.”
And where does the name Peanuts come
from? “That’s easy,” answered Julie.
“Peanut was my nickname at school.
I wanted a name for my centre that can be
fun for the children in my care, after all
this is their place, and I really didn’t have
to look further than myself.”
Julie admitted that she simply can’t
stop talking about the centre. “Kevin now
constantly tells me to remember to come
home,” she said. “And he has a point.
I absolutely love being here. If I’m not
careful, I just won't leave.”
Julie Pennett-Coughey at the jacaranda tree that has pride of place in the outdoor
space of the new Peanuts daycare centre in Whitianga.
See us on
The Espy Cafe
Ice-cream Parlour
Opposite the playground Bring the kids out!
• Real fruit smoothies
• Real fruit juices
• 21 ice-cream flavours
• We stock Movenpick
• Try our competition entry
milkshake (Oh Fudge I crushed my n_ tz)
and get $1-00 off any other shake
10 The Esplanade
07 866 0778
the.espy.whiti@gmail.com
Page 8
Come see
out!
w
s ab
i
s
s
u
f
e
h
hat t
Q & A with Danny Hutton,
founding member of Three
Dog Night
Go to the Whitianga Summer
Concert and win big
This Sunday’s Whitianga Summer Concert featuring international bands Heart, Foreigner and
Three Dog Night at the Whitianga Waterways Arena isn’t just an opportunity to experience
rock and roll that stood the test of time, it’s also an opportunity to win an exclusive Mercury
Bay winter weekend breakaway.
To go into the draw is easy - all you have to do is to go to the Summer Concert and let us
have proof no later than 13 February that you were there. You can drop your ticket (with
your name and phone number) in the bin that will be provided inside the Waterways Arena
(at the gates), you can drop your ticket with your contact details off at our offices, you can
mail your ticket to us (once again, don’t forget your contact details) or you can email us a
photo of you at the concert, whatever you find easiest. Some conditions apply.
And this is what you can win - two nights’ accommodation for two at Waterfront Apartments
in Whitianga, two day passes (and two cocktails) to The Lost Spring in Whitianga, a scenic tour
for two on Whitianga’s Glass Bottom Boat, a $50 voucher from The Espy Café in Whitianga,
a $50 voucher from Hot Water Brewing Co Bar and Restaurant in Whenuakite and a $100
voucher from No 8 Bar & Brasserie in Whitianga. Even if you live in Whitianga, this prize is
too good to ignore.
But remember, if you don’t go to the concert, you can’t win. So, make sure you get your
tickets now.
Preparations for the concert are in full swing, the stage is going up (pictured) and the rest of
the Waterways Arena is a hive of activity. Yes, Sunday is going to be a big day!
With the Whitianga Summer Concert this Sunday 25 January, we had a quick question and
answer session with Danny Hutton (pictured), founding member of Three Dog Night. This is
what he had to say Q - You’ve been to New Zealand before, what’s the best memory you have from your time here?
A - We had a great time touring with The Guess Who.
Q - With a few free days in between gigs you may get time to go exploring while you’re here is there anywhere around New Zealand that you’re keen to visit?
A - My wife and I are driving to Marlborough after the Whitianga Waterways show to stay with
our friends, Joanne & Bruce Kerner, who have a vineyard called Kerner Estates. They grow
award winning white wine. Then we're driving to Queenstown.
Q - We hear a lot about New Zealand music doing well overseas - are there any Kiwi musicians
that you listen to?
A - I like Split Enz and Crowded House.
Q - Ever been to Whitianga before? If yes, any memories or experiences to share? If not,
what do you know about our part of the world?
A - I haven't been to Whitianga before but I hear the seafood is wonderful.
Alone
PRESENTS
Barracuda
These Dreams
Magic Man
What About Love
Crazy On You
Heartless
I Want To Know What Love Is
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Feels Like The First Time
Hot Blooded
Urgent
Cold As Ice
Mama Told Me (Not To Come)
Black And White
An Old Fashioned Love Song
Joy To The World
Shambala
One
WHITIANGA SUMMER CONCERT
SUN 25 JAN
ONLY
$99*
www.ticketek.co.nz
FROM
STRICTLY LIMITED LOCAL TICKETS $89* AVAILABLE AT: i-SITE WHITIANGA, i-SITE THAMES,
i-SITE TE AROHA, TAIRUA INFO CENTRE, PAUANUI INFO CENTRE AND INFO PLUS WHANGAMATA
* Plus booking fee.
www.greenstoneentertainment.co.nz
Page 9
Charlotte’s mural is coming along
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
Revitalize with
Eve’s Eden
Massage & Beauty
Full Hr Massage $60
1/2 Hr Massage + Facial
$99
027 777 6644
Whitianga Chiropractic & Massage
109 Albert Street
Whitianga
It’s about a week since Mercury Bay artist Charlotte Giblin has started her mural at
the premises of Blue Water Marine Services Limited in Bryce Street in Whitianga and
it’s already looking impressive. “If the weather holds, I should be finished in the next
week or so, but let’s say the end of January to be safe,” Charlotte said.
Charlotte also said the support of the community is overwhelming, people just
stopping by for a quick chat or a word of encouragement. “Everyone agrees that the
mural is going to be a great new asset to the town,” she said.
Picture is Charlotte (right) in front of the mural with Verena Tagmann, a fellow artist
who owns Blue Water Marine Services with her partner Craig Comstock.
Reflexology
Thumbs
Up
Nick Reynolds
To the kind
gentleman
who brought ice blocks
to the volunteers at
the Whitianga Social
Services Op Shop in
Coghill Street last week.
Sleep better
Less Pain
More Energy
i
nternati
onal i
nsti
tute of reflexology
goodnikservices@gmail.com
0274 799 763
7 Punga Place
HOW OUR DISTRICT NURSES
CAN HELP YOU
The MERCURY BAY
HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP
invites you to our first meeting for the year.
THURSDAY 22nd JANUARY at 1:25pm,
Social Services Building, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga.
$2 charge, afternoon tea provided.
For further information
phone Mary-Anne 869 5952.
Health Improvement
and Maintenance
Shiatsu Massage
and Jin Shin Jyutsu
Gentle Experienced Therapist
Phone 021 250 1278
or Phone 866 2313
Claudia Pentner 14 Monk Street,
Whitianga
House visits available
jandy's
For Fashionable
Women & Menn
11 Monk Street, Whitianga P (07) 866 4411
SUMMER SALE
30% off
selected Summer Stock
Your One Stop Shop To Look Good & Feel Great
Got guests coming? Need an affordable bed?
See your sleeping specialists - Bedpost Whitianga
Lee Street, Whitianga P: 07 866 2448
Page 10
Realignment of Tairua Hill on a road to nowhere
By Alison Smith
A concerned Cooks Beach resident has
called for follow up action on realigning
SH25 on the Tairua Hill, which was the
subject of a major consultation exercise
almost two decades ago, but appears to
be firmly on the backburner now.
Jan Riddle says it would have taken
a large sum of money back in 1996 to
undertake consultation over roading
realignment options for the area north of
Tairua.
The area was acknowledged by
Transit New Zealand at the time to
be poorly aligned, with the result of
low traffic speeds and limited sight
distances. There were also no suitable
passing opportunities and high annual
maintenance costs for sub-standard
pavement (road) width and depth.
There are three one way bridges on
the roads either within or approaching
Tairua. Mrs Riddle says no efforts to
widen these to two-lane and the lack of
action on the realignment of Tairua Hill
appeared to be another unacceptable
outcome for the Coromandel.
Despite the consultation in 1996,
and public displays that were held with
numerous consultants taking part to
propose three options, it looks likely that
the realignment project is on a road to
nowhere.
New Zealand Transport Agency
Waikato Expressway and Highways
Projects spokesman Simon Brandon
says projects come and go and this one
at Tairua Hill was not included on the
last two regional transport programmes
or plans, which indicates it is not high in
current regional priorities.
“The Transport Agency often
investigates projects but, they don’t
necessarily move to design - let alone
construction.
“Our priorities currently are completion
of the Waikato Expressway (and other
Roads of National Significance projects
nationally) and big safety-focused
projects - like roundabouts at key state
highway intersections and Safe System
works proposed on State Highway 2.
“Things that can trigger an elevation
up the priority list include increased
volumes of traffic (capacity issues or
trips being unreliable for key freight
routes), crash rates (safety issues)
or resilience (the ability to deal with
disruptions like earthquakes).
Mr Brandon says the Transport Agency
- which builds, maintains and operates
state highways - faces a number of
challenges regarding rural Coromandel
Peninsula highways. “Resilience is a
key one and keeping roads open in all
weathers is a priority. So maintenance
work has a higher priority than, say,
replacing one-lane bridges. And while
capacity issues arise in summer peaks,
they are not such an issue year-round.
Safety will always be a high priority and
works are done as needed.
“But sections of road-straightening
and road-widening on the network,
such as the Tairua Hill realignment,
while nice to have, won’t be proceeded
with in the foreseeable future.”
Mrs Riddle says despite accidents
involving tourists and the Coromandel
continuing to get busier with visitor
numbers, it is disappointing to see the
project has slipped off the radar.
“With the amount of traffic it’s high
time something was done with the Tairua
Hill,” she says.
“We promote tourism to the Coromandel,
but are not putting the infrastructure in.
I don’t know what it would have cost
for all the consultation on this project
years ago, but it seems to have been
put on the backburner and it’s
time we all started to put a bit of
pressure on.”
SH25 on the Tairua Hill - not an easy stretch of road.
Page 11
Page 12
Family tree classes proving very popular
By Len Salt
One of the fastest growing hobbies
in the world today is genealogy.
With the growth of the internet and
access to literally millions of records
online, researching your family history
has become easier and more accessible
to people who may not have ready access
to libraries and the archives where those
records might be kept.
Whitianga residents Elder Richard
Gordon and his wife Claudene are
missionaries from the Church of
Latter Day Saints, or Mormons as
they are more commonly known.
The LDS church, based in Utah, has for
some years been a leader in the field
of family research. Their genealogy
website, www.familysearch.org, now
gets 7 million hits a day and provides a
platform from which people can enter
their family information and begin to
build the framework of their own family
tree. Access is free and you don’t need to
be a church member to use it.
This process can be a bit daunting for
some people, however Richard explained
to me that, because family is seen as
important to the Mormon Church, part
Some of the people who attended the first series of genealogy classes presented
by Elder Richard Gordan and his wife Claudene last year in Whitianga.
of their mission is to help people to
find and connect with their own family
histories. “We made contact last year
with the local genealogy group here in
Whitianga and as a result of that meeting,
last November we started the first of a
series of classes aimed at helping people
to set up their own family histories
using the familysearch.org website.
The software is now in its third generation
and has become quite extensive in what
tools it has for people to use.”
I got a firsthand demonstration and
the results were impressive. By starting
with the names of yourself and your
immediate family, you get the basic
framework underway. “Some people
already have a substantial amount
of information about their relatives,
both living and deceased. Other people
don’t and sadly many people don’t know
the names of their own grandparents,”
Richard told me.
“The more information you have the
better the result, however the interesting
thing is that, once you reach a certain
point in the names that you have
entered, the software starts picking up
the connections that already exist in the
various databases.”
Claudene described making a family
connection of her own, “Suddenly
information was being filled in and
we’re all the way back to 1711. It was
very exciting.”
It’s been described as a “Eureka moment”
when empty spaces on your tree start
being filled in by the programme and
people suddenly see connections to
ancestors, relatives, cousins that they
may not have known about. “It’s an
emotional experience when that happens
and people can end up in tears from
suddenly discovering all these unknown
family connections,” Richard said.
There are restrictions and privacy
firewalls in place around the software
that’s used so that information on
living relatives that you enter is kept
confidential.
Richard and Claudene have been
conducting classes throughout the
Coromandel/Waikato area and will be
doing another series of four classes in
Whitianga towards the end of February.
“Classes are held in the Mercury Bay
Area School computer rooms and school
computer tech Patrick Pfister has been
very helpful in setting up and assisting
us to get things running. We are limited
to 28 places due to access to computers,
so it’s important that people book a
place if they are keen to come along,”
said Richard.
People who would like to attend
can contact Richard on email
elderrichardgordon@gmail.com
or phone (027) 560 2469 for more
information or to reserve a place.
Sunair Aviation (2006) Ltd
Whitianga to:
Ardmore Airport
Great Barrier
Tauranga
Sunair Aviation is excited about the amount of locals and tourists alike who are taking advantage of
our new operation.
With our
15 minute flights to Auckland and Great Barrier
Free Parking at both Ardmore Airport in Auckland and Whitianga Airport on the
Coromandel,
And our customer-focussed staff,
Let alone the really affordable shuttle which meets all our flights at Ardmore Airport, we encourage
more customers to try our new service! Look out for our aircraft with “Sunair” on the tail, four times
a day into Whitianga.
Cut here for timetable
Sunair Aviation (2006) Ltd
Bookings
W: www.sunair.co.nz
(book online)
E: info@sunair.co.nz
P: 0800 SUNAR (0800 786247)
P: (07) 575 7799
Back to School
Netbook • Memory stick • Computer headset
Need a Netbook?
See 100% Whitianga
49 Albert Street, Whitianga P: 07 866 5726
Page 13
AutoCare Whitianga Limited Trading As
Free cooking class for
Whitianga local
Subaru Authorised Parts & Service Centre
We Will Service & Repair Any Make & Model
WoF Electronic Diagnostics
On Car Brake Lathe
New & Used Vehicle Sales # Tyres~Fitted & Balanced
Test Drive the exciting new 2014 Subaru XV Today!
Call Wayne Wilson & the Team
6 Abrahamson Drive
E: sublab.whitianga@outlook.co.nz
#
07 866 4134
Vehicles sold in conjunction with Bay Subaru
Whitianga’s Cathy Brown received last week the good news that she’s the winner of a
cooking class for two at the Auckland Seafood School. Included in her prize are petrol
vouchers to cover her costs to get to Auckland and back (it would have been airfares
had she lived further afield), one night’s accommodation in Auckland and a cookbook.
All Cathy had to do to go in the nationwide draw to win was to purchase a Sunbeam
Café Series product from 100% Whitianga. In her case a blender did the trick.
Asking Cathy who she’s going to take with her to the cooking class, she answered,
“That’s up for discussion.”
Pictured is Cathy with Ian Hogg, the owner of 100% Whitianga.
Let us
take care
of it
for you!
• 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
Call Larry on 07 869 5998 or 021 172 0767
HIP, HOPS & VINES Summer Tour With Go Kiwi
Need transport to Auckland?
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!
HIP, HOPS & VINES SUMMER TOUR
Stopping at the hip COROGLEN TAVERN ....
the POUR HOUSE BREWERY for your hops ....
and MERCURY BAY ESTATE WINERY for the vines!
We supply the sober driver and free tasty nibbles
and free ferry transfers.
Departs Whitianga 7.30am every day
Arrives Auckland Airport 10.30am, Auckland City 11.00am
Departs Auckland City 1.30pm, Auckland Airport 2.00pm
Arrives Whitianga 5.00pm every day
Bookings are essential on all services:
book online www.go-kiwi.co.nz
AVO: departs Whitianga 12 noon, finishes Ferry Landing 5pm
EVE: departs Ferry Landing 3:30pm, finishes Whitianga 8:30pm $34 pp
FreePhone 0800 44 65 49 to book.
Page 14
freephone 0800 44 65 49
local 07 866 0336
email info@go-kiwi.co.nz
CT
A
F
!
PROPERTY
INFORMER
Here are great reasons to choose Harcourts
1. Harcourts is New Zealand's most trusted Real Estate Brand 2013/2014.
2. We give back to our local community through the Harcourts Foundation.
3. Harcourts is ranked No. 1 online by Nielsen Online Rankings.
Call our duty agent on 07 866 4981 today!
NEW LIST
NEW LIST
63B Catherine Crescent
$280,000
2 bdrm plus garage. Ideal for couple or retirees
Ann Hamilton 027 488 6675
$215,000
285 Cook Drive
Holiday special - Utility with water and power
Marie Osborn 027 433 4027
16 Kupe Drive
$615,000
5 bdrm, 2 bthrm, 2 living areas. Dble garage.
Fully fenced
Peter MacGregor 027 224 7332
51 Cholmondeley Crescent
B&B ready plus 2 separate self contained units
rented out as office space
Noelene Bellingham 027 2808 477
173 Buffalo Beach Road
$715,000
Big 4 bdrm home with awesome views.
Down the drive to the beach
Helen Larsen 027 263 2344
16 Kelly Place
$1,230,000
Big home with canal frontage and pontoon
Peter MacGregor
027 224 7332
Katrina Carlyon
021 724 200
11 Ohuka Place
$949,000
Exclusive B & B for sale as going concern
Bronee Stanfield
027 292 9742
7 Punga Place
$429,000
Great Views! 3 bdrm home, garage
Peter MacGregor
027 224 7332
NEW LIST
Unit 28/1 Centennial Drive
2 bdrm apartment in Aqua Soleil
Rob Ball 021 0238 9767
NEW LIST
NEW LIST
464 Rangihau Road $820,000 Plus GST (If any)
Enchanting 4 bdrm, 4 bthrm home
on over 6.5 ha of flat land.
7 paddocks, stock yards,
lush grazing.
Beth Evans AREINZ
Property Manager
021 153 8593
Bronee Stanfield 027 292 9742
Marie Osborn
027 433 4027
Testimonials
available.
Top service,
top team
464 Rangihau Road $820,000 Plus GST (If any)
HARCOURTS - WE’RE WHERE YOU ARE WE’RE YOUR LOCALS!
71 Albert Street, Whitianga
Page 15
SeniorNet Update
with Mavis Hicks
Carpet
Cleaning
Charlie Lodge
& Restoration
Another year underway and your
committee members have been busy
getting prepared for another year of
classes and workshops.
The first newsletter of the year will
have important dates for registration day
and a schedule of classes. There is also
a new handbook which will be included
with the email as a PDF
Some members will have acquired
new tech devices during the break.
There is a MEMBERS ONLY Questionand-Answer workshop scheduled for
Wednesday 18 February. The time is
11:45am to 1:45pm. Bring your new
device/s with you if it’s practical.
Until then if you are having problems
connecting or managing new devices,
there are some excellent tutorials on
YouTube that may help. Google the
device and model and look for tutorial
videos.
At the Q&A Peter Bethall will
talk about Chromecast, a device to
assist your TV to become a smart TV.
Readers joining SeniorNet will be
able to take part in this workshop.
Watch for an advertisement in The
Informer for registration day details.
There seems to be a new scam going
around - a caller pretending to be from
Spark, asking for the details of your bank
or credit card and asking you to access
a website that is not the Spark one.
Again the usual warning - BEWARE
and don’t forget virus protection on new
devices if they need it.
Your committee and tutors are looking
forward seeing you all during the new
term.
Mavis Hicks
Residential Commercial Industrial
Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Marine Carpet & Upholstery
Upholstery Cleaning - Stain Removal - Rug Cleaning
Vinyl Floor Restoration - Spot Dyeing - Odour Control
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
Whitianga Social Services where the members of SeniorNet meet every week.
Need a decent pillow? Large selection in store.
Page 16
“Dark side” helicopter pilot in the business of saving lives
By Len Salt
The television news the week before
last played footage of an accident in the
Karangahake Gorge. A cyclist had ended
up in trouble down a tunnel and had to be
dragged up the side of a fairly decent cliff
which dropped down towards the water
below. The film showed a group volunteers
gathered up from motorists and passersby,
all pitching in to physically drag the injured
victim up the hill with ropes. Parked on the
road at the top, waiting to take the patient
to the nearest hospital was the Westpac
Rescue Helicopter. The footage was taken
on a cellphone by the pilot, 44 year old
Paul Robinson, who skippers one of crews
based in Whitianga during the summer
months. I interrupted Paul having a well
earned holiday with his family in between
missions to ask him a few questions about
a typical day in the Mercury Bay area as a
rescue helicopter pilot.
“There is no typical day,” Paul told
me. “Each day or night can bring a whole
new challenge, so we never know what
to expect.” Paul said that they work four
days on - and their duty is 24 hours, so a
call can come in at any time. They work
closely with the Mercury Bay St John
Ambulance crews and the time they spend
in Whitianga has been getting gradually
longer each season. They now have a crew
based full time in Whitianga from Boxing
Day until sometime in March, depending
on how busy things are.
“Some of what we do is about taking
the pressure off the ambulance crews
so that that they remain available for
local emergencies,” Paul said. “If a crew
are attending an accident in Hahei, for
example, and then transporting that patient
to Waikato Hospital, an ambulance and
officers are tied up for the best part of
seven hours by the time they get back.
That means the ambulance is unavailable
for other patients for all of that time.
We can be in Hahei in five minutes,
Waikato Hospital 30 minutes later and
back in Whitianga or available for another
call within two hours.”
Paul told me that it’s not uncommon
for them to do back to back jobs, getting
a patient to hospital and then straight on to
the next one. “Sport and outdoor activities
have become more extreme and there are
of course the old problems of people not
wearing lifejackets on boats and others
mixing alcohol and driving which continue
to cause needless tragedy.”
I was curious about the chopper crew.
“We have a team of three, myself as pilot,
a crew member who is medically trained
to ambulance officer standard and an
advanced paramedic who is trained for
higher level interventions if the need is
there,” Paul said. “The advanced paramedic
also has a higher level of medical authority
- they can administer certain medications
and procedures if that’s what’s required for
the patient.” Examples could be anything
from intubation for breathing, to an induced
coma, particularly for head injuries.
Paul flew commercially for a while on
fixed wing planes before going over to
the “dark side” - pilot speak for flying
helicopters. He was on the police Eagle
chopper for a stint before moving to EMS
(emergency medical service) flying.
I’ve never met a pilot who regards what
they do as a job. Paul is no exception.
Talking to him you get the feeling that
he’s doing what he loves. But it’s not all
“flying ace” fun. There’s a high level of
responsibility that goes along with the job,
particularly when it comes to managing
crew safety. “We have strict rules regarding
hours that the crew can fly and schedules
for chopper maintenance and checks,” Paul
said. “If we hit the limit of those hours, I
stand my crew down, and we are no longer
available.” What happens if there is an
emergency and his crew is unavailable?
The Westpac service is a two chopper
system, so there’s a second chopper that
can come down from Auckland.
Paul thinks there will come a time
when we have a rescue helicopter based
in Whitianga full time. Until then, we are
lucky to have the services of a great team
to look after us if the need is there.
Concert in the Vines, a major
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Fundraiser,
will take place this Saturday 24 January
at Mercury Bay Estate and Lonely
Bay Vineyard outside Cooks Beach.
On stage will be a number of New Zealand
music heavyweights, including Anna
Hawkins, Joseph & Maia and favourite
Bee Gees tribute band The Gee Bees.
The fun will kick off at 3:00pm. Tickets
cost $30 each ($40 on the day). Children
under 12 can enter free. Tickets are
available from the Whitianga, Tairua and
Pauanui information centres, all Westpac
branches on the Coromandel Peninsula
and at the Mercury Bay Estate cellar
door. For more information see
www.concertinthevines.org.nz.
Cellphone images taken by pilot Paul Robinson of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in the Karangahake Gorge the week before last.
YOUR DREAM COASTAL
LIFESTYLE IN SUNNY
COOKS BEACH
E!
L
A
S
D
N
E
K
E
E
W
Y
R
A
S
R
E
ANNIV
The Cooks Beach area offers beautiful beaches, superb
fishing and boating, and a mix of parks, reserves, tennis
courts, boat launching and a selection of local shops and
eateries.
D
N
A
L
AUCK
• SALES OFFICE & SITE ENTRANCE:
Sales office & site entrance located at 60 Charles Green
Drive and will be open throughout summer. Please
feel free to visit the site yourself or phone one of the
Richardsons’ team for a personal tour.
LONGREACH SALES
OPEN DAY
Come and join us onsite for this one off special
developer sale.
M
2.30P
O
T
M
0.30A
ROM 1
NF
TH JA
5
2
Y
DA
Lot size and layout subject to survey and TCDC approval.
E SUN
Contours, dimensions, availability, pricing and timing subject to change without notice.
T
I
S
N
O
Phillip Dawson
Paulette Tainsh
Mob. 027 477 3443
Bus. (07) 866 5826
phild@cooksbeach.richardsons.co.nz
Mob. 027 241 2001
Bus. (07) 866 5826
paulettet@cooksbeach.richardsons.co.nz
Richardsons and a representative of the Longreach
development team will be onsite ready to help with
any enquiries you might have.
On the first five section sales on this Anniversary
weekend only the developer will sell for $25,000
less than list price!
Get in quick for a bargain in this idyllic development!
LONGREACH.CO.NZ
Page 17
Police Report
Coastguard News
with Sergeant Andrew Morrison
with Stuart Brown - Whitianga Coastguard President
Welcome to 2015. Hopefully, given
the weather, everyone has enjoyed
being able to get out on the water.
December Whitianga Coastguard
had 12 callouts with one emergency
callout where both our vessels were
dispatched to look for three overdue
children travelling the coastline
between Otama and Kuaotunu.
While wet and cold, they were
located by our vessel Endeavour and
transferred to a Kuaotunu Search and
Rescue crew at the Kuaotunu boat
ramp.
The balance of callouts were
for general assists with the most
memorable one a trip up to Channel
Island at 2:00am for a tow back to
Whitianga. Flat seas and a beautiful
sunrise were the features of that trip.
Given the number of boats on the
water over the Christmas break,
the relatively low number of callouts
we had is a testament to the skippers
who set their boats up well and
were well prepared for the season.
Congratulations to all.
Our unit manages under licence
four radio channels - #23 for Weather,
#61, #78 and #86. Channel 86 is the
channel for trip reports and is the
only channel monitored (as a Search
and Rescue channel) 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Thank you to those vessels giving
their call sign or membership number.
This certainly speeds up the trip
report and provides Coastguard with
the beginnings of a search profile if
required.
To our members, if you have changed
your boat or had other details change,
please ensure that you let us know so
that we can update our register. You
can do this either online by logging
on at www.whitangacoastguard.
co.nz or by sending an email to
info@ whitiangacoastguard.co.nz.
Earlier this month, Coastguard New
Zealand in conjunction with Burnsco
and Hutchwilco were in Mercury
Bay with their Old4New lifejacket
upgrade. I understand that this was
well received by all. The old life
jackets will be tested and sent over to
the Pacific Islands to be given away.
Happy New Year and Safe Boating.
Stuart Brown
Whitianga Coastguard
Monday 5 January to Monday 12 January 2014
GENERAL
That time of year again when we need
to remind a few people who are lucky
enough to still be on holiday that most
people are now back at work, so keeping
noise levels reasonable and turning stereos
off at a reasonable hour will go a long way
to keeping the neighbours happy.
We have had another theft from a bag
while the owner has been swimming,
this time from Cathedral Cove on the
9th. While most of the people sun
bathing around your stuff can be trusted,
unfortunately it only takes one thief to
spoil your day.
Leave valuables at home or lock them
in your car out of sight and let us know
if you see anyone acting suspiciously
around other people's property.
ARRESTS
12th - 1 x 23yr old local woman for Theft
Ex-Shop.
OCCURRENCES
Three domestic incidents attended last
week.
On the 10th a drunk ex-partner was
removed from an Annette Place address
as he was not welcome there, while on the
11th two sisters were arguing at a Cook
Drive address with alcohol a major factor.
Both were given sound advice.
Then on the 11th a couple arguing over
custody issues at a Grange Road address
were advised to read their agreement and
stick to it.
On the 8th a car was damaged outside
a Kenwood Drive address when the
offender climbed on the vehicle denting
the roof and bonnet.
A group of youths banging on the
windows of a Cordyline Crescent address
and running off on the 10th need to
grow up and start thinking about others,
while also that night a yellow mountain
bike was stolen from a Hannan Road
address and a letterbox was damaged at a
Springbok Ave address.
We have had another theft from a
produce stall at a Hodge Road address
on the 11th and again excellent security
footage has been obtained to help identify
the offender.
A car was unlawfully converted when
an ex-partner failed to return a borrowed
car as agreed and our enquiries are
continuing to locate her.
TRAFFIC
No drunk drivers were apprehended this
week.
A couple of crashes this week with a
truck full of molasses rolling on SH25
near Whenuakite being the standout.
Minor injuries resulted.
on Garages, Carports,
Sleepouts and Cottages,
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Page 18
71A Cook Drive, Whitianga
07 866 5544
Brand new ambulance for
St John Whitianga
St John Whitianga received a brand new ambulance last week. The vehicle cost
$240,000 and is painted in the new yellow colour St John is rolling out across their
entire fleet.
“Like all organisation and businesses, St John needs to keep their image fresh and
functional,” said Mike Burrows, St John Whitianga station manager. “That’s why the
new ambulances aren’t white anymore. That’s also the reason why our uniforms have
recently changed.”
St John had an additional crew on duty during the holiday period in Whitianga.
“The cost of that was in excess of $15,000, but it was worth it,” Mike said. “It’s always
reassuring to know that we’ll be able to respond to a call in good time because we
have sufficient staff on duty.”
Pictured is Mike (on the left) with fellow St John officers Ron Carter (centre) and
Danny Kake at the new Whitianga ambulance.
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
Display home now open.
4 Roseberry Place
Whitianga Waterways
Friday to Monday from 11am - 1pm
or by appointment.
Auckland anniversary weekend
Saturday 10am - 2pm.
Sore back at night? Need a better bed?
Page 19
P: 07 866 5787
F: 07 866 5780
M: 0274 521 298
mjfgeorge@xtra.co.nz
MERV GEORGE Plumbing
& Drainage Ltd
“Do it by George and you’ll be right”
PO Box 74 Whitianga
Tile & Grout restoration work
including cleaning, repair work
Grout clear/colour sealing,
re-colouring silicone work
Shower glass/glass cleaning/treatment
Phone/txt Jack 021 775 118
Willis Electrical
Electrical installations and
maintenance
DOMESTIC | COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL
Paul Willis
Registered Electrician
Phone: 07 866 2413
Mobile: 027 404 8941
E: paul@williselectrical.co.nz
W: www.williselectrical.co.nz
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
Op-Shops and JP
Social Services Op Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and
Coghill Street (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm. Also JP at
Social Services, every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon. Phone (07) 866 4476 for more information.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga.
Open Thursday to Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Op-Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday,
10:00am - 4:00pm. Phone 869 5416. Every first Saturday of the month a special promotion.
Free Community Meals
At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Albert Street, Whitianga. Phone St Andrews on 867 1102
or email mjpetersen@xtra.co.nz for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation
(to cover cost of room rent). We promote a slow, steady weight loss based on eating well, nourishing foods
and moving more - towards maintaining our our ideal weight and optimal health. New members always
welcome.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc.
Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Contact Pam Phillips (president) 866 5908 for more information.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meet every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information. Mountain biking meet every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every Saturday
at 7:30am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to
demistify their computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology.
Contact Lorna Russell on 866 4215 for more information or to join.
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 Social Services Youth Space
Will re-open on Wednesday 4 February. Local (Whitianga) youth will be contacted regarding dates for
outdoor activities. For more information see the Youth Space’s Facebook page.
Whitianga Toy Library
Isabella Street (off Coghill St), Whitianga. Open Tuesday 4pm - 6:30pm and Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
Coroglen Farmers Market
Every Sunday from 9:30am - 1:00pm at the Coroglen Hall, SH25, Coroglen.
Pauanui Summer Series
Sunday 28 December - Sunday 25 January. A variety of events. Coming up - KAT Race
(Saturday 24 January) and Summer Market (Sunday 25 January). For more information see
www.pauanuisummerseries.co.nz or The Mercury Bay Informer Summer Guide 2014-2015.
Whitianga Art Group’s Annual Exhibition of New Work
Sunday 4 January - Saturday 31 January, 10:00am - 5:00pm every day. At the Whitianga Art Centre,
School Road, Whitianga. All welcome.
Lions Fish Auction
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January at approximately 4:30pm at Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Fish caught
in the New Zealand National Spearfishing Championships to be auctioned. All proceeds to the Whitianga
Lions’ general fund.
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Ladies Tournament
One day only - Saturday 24 January. Great prizes (including lucky draw prizes) up for grabs. Entry forms
available at the MBGFC or at www.gamebase.co.nz.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 24 January from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga.
Concert in the Vines
Saturday 24 January at Mercury Bay Estate and Lonely Bay Vineyard, Cooks Beach from 3:00pm
to 9:00pm. See www.concertinthevines.org.nz for more information.
Whitianga Summer Concert
Sunday 25 January at the Whitianga Waterways Arena in Whitianga. Featuring Heart, Foreigner and Three
Dog Night. Venue gates open 11:00am. See www.greenstoneentertainment.co.nz for more information.
Transfield Tri
Triathlon at Cooks Beach on Sunday 1 February. Starts at 10:00am. Enter online at
www.sportwaikato.org.nz.
Leadfoot Festival
Friday 6 February - Sunday 8 February at Leadfoot Ranch, Hahei. Gates open at 7:00am. For more
information see www.leadfootfestival.com.
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.
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 20
Giant bromeliad flowering after
20 years
• PLU
NG•
MBI
P LUS
P 07 866 0377 M 027 227 7252
E whitiplumb@gmail.com
A 32 Campbell St, Whitianga
When Whitianga’s Dennis Barnes bought a giant bromeliad 20 years ago for the eye
watering amount of $150, he knew he was going to wait a long time for it to flower.
But it was worth it. A few weeks ago the plant, which was planted in Dennis and
wife Sue’s backyard, started to flower. “It’s astonishing,” Dennis said. “It grows taller
virtually every day. I have no idea what the end result is going to be. I suspect the
plant will flower for two months or so and the main part of it will then die. In the
meantime, we are certainly enjoying this very rare sight.”
Pictured is Dennis next to his flowering giant bromeliad.
MERCURY BAY POOLS LTD
Concrete
Swimming Pool Builders
Ph 07 866 0937
Mob 021 063 8367
•
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•
• Design and build new pools
• Renovations of existing pools
• Pool covers, auto or manual
• Quality portable spa pools
Contact Peter Thomas
M: 0274 806 288
A/h 07 866 4358
www.mercurybaypools.co.nz
INCLUDING REPAIRS
& MAINTENANCE
101 PEEBLES LANE KUAOTUNU
RD 2 WHITIANGA
• 021 130 8745 • 07 - 866 2175
platinumhomes.co.nz
07 869 5149
Rob Duxfield 027 4467 961
Page 21
3
1 95
4
6 2 87
Sudoku
Fishing Report with Alan Proctor
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Puzzle 620
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.
The fine weather continues and hand
in hand with that is the fine fishing
out wide. We’ve had a sensational
start to the game fishing season and
it continues unabated with marlin,
large tuna, shortbill spearfish and
mahimahi almost becoming a regular
catch.
Our area is fishing so well that it is
drawing boats from as far away as The
Bay of Islands in the north and from
Tauranga down south. Less than half the
marlin that were caught in our area over
the weekend just gone were weighed by
our club, such is the attraction here at the
moment for members from other clubs.
Already at least three fish that have been
landed have been too big and heavy for
the crew to drag onto their own boats
and they have needed to gain assistance
from other vessels or in one case, tow the
fish to the weigh station.
At this early stage the wind forecast for
the weekend is very good which bodes
well for our one day Ladies Tournament
taking place this Saturday. There will be
prizes and giveaways worth well over
$50,000 and these ladies sure know
how to have a good time on the water
during the day and at the prize-giving
celebrations later on.
For those fishing closer in, we have a
bit of the same old story with snapper.
Several accounts that there may be
less of this species hanging around the
puddle than in recent weeks, but there
are still plenty there. Night fishing or
early dawn/late dusk is providing the
best results, although the odd soft bait is
managing to snag one at other times a
fair bit off the bottom.
Fishers with a favourite tarakihi or
gurnard spot should try that now as it
is likely to result in more success than
targeting snapper. South of Devils Point,
around the Bay and up the river snapper
are more difficult to come by, but several
crews have picked up a few kingies and
flounder are present in their well-known
spots too. There are also some fairly
good size trevally loitering in most areas
and these soft-mouthed fish will give
you a good run for your money if you
can keep attached to them.
All in all it has been an exciting
couple of weeks for our club with all
the game fish being caught and we are
looking very positively at the remainder
of our tournament season through to late
March.
We have several people, including
our radio operator doing a great job,
keeping our Facebook page up to date
and if you want to see all the action as it
happens, including action shots of some
great fish, search for Mercury Bay Game
Fishing Club
on Facebook
and “like” our
page.
Tight lines,
Alan
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Barbara McCook
Site Safety Services
Local assistance with subdivisions,
site surveys and boundary pegging
Workplace Drug & Alcohol Screening
On Site Medics & Event Medical Services
19 Monk Street, Whitianga
Tel 0800 268 632
www.surveyingservices.co.nz
Phone Tracy 021 462 554
www.promed.ac.nz
tracy.harvey@promed.ac.nz
Page 22
Fifty plus Formula 5000 line-up for Hampton Downs
By Jack Biddle
An unprecedented turnout of Formula
5000 cars looks set to secure the 2015
Gulf Oil Howden Ganley Formula 5000
Festival of Speed's place in motorsport
history as one of the largest ever
gatherings of the iconic race cars.
This coming weekend (23-25 January),
the Hampton Downs motor racing
circuit in the North Waikato will host
the second round of the 2015 Festival
of Speed extravaganza. It will be a good
place for all Mercury Bay motorsport
enthusiasts to hang out if they’re not
into the concerts and water-based events
that will be on offer on home soil the
weekend.
The Festival of Speed is a celebration
of the Formula 5000 type of racing car
and to rekindle fond memories of former
driver Howden Ganley. Unheralded
Kiwi Ganley's story is a fascinating one
that took the former team mechanic to
sports cars, F5000 and the dizzy heights
of Formula One.
Heading the entries for cars that will
be racing is Kiwi legend Kenny Smith well into his seventies now and still the
man to beat in his Lola T332. The car
is not only one of the fastest in Kenny's
hands, but is arguably the best presented
Formula 5000 car in the world today,
having been rebuilt with fastidious
attention to detail and quality.
If all cars that have been entered for
the racing and those set to be part of a
Formula 5000 and Formula One display
turn up, then organisers are confident
fans will see 50 plus of the V8, V10 and
V12 powered machines. These iconic
machines will cover all years of the
Formula 5000’s life and most, if not all,
of the manufacturers who built cars for
the series, which ran in various guises
in the USA, Europe and Australasia
between 1968 and 1982.
The festival also marks the first
“Formula 5000 World Series” the champion of which will be crowned
after the last race of the weekend.
Organizers are hopeful that at least
one full grid of Formula 5000s will race
during the festival and that could mean
as many as 35 of the earth-shaking single
seaters roaring around the Hampton
Downs track almost five seconds a
lap quicker than the best tin-top V8 is
capable of.
Along with the cars actually racing,
there will also be a number doing
demonstration runs and another
significant number on static display
throughout the weekend in the Hampton
Downs conferencing facility.
“Quite simply, there is nowhere else in
the world where you will be able to see
such a fine collection of Formula 5000
The unstoppable Kenny Smith will go for go for glory in the “Formula 5000 World
Series” this coming weekend at Hampton Downs in his pristine Lola T332.
and F1 cars running and on display,”
says festival chairman Jim Barclay.
Along with the Formula 5000 content,
the demonstration sessions will also see
as many as six Formula One cars on
track and there is a huge Historic Muscle
Car entry with eight cars heading to New
Zealand from the historic Australian
TransAm series.
A packed programme for the weekend
will also include a spectacular NZ
Warbirds display on Sunday 25 January
featuring World War II fighter aircraft.
For further information, check out
www.nzfmr.co.nz.
OPPORTUNITY FOR 16 -17 YEAR OLDS!
COROGLEN
FARMERS MARKET
& CRAFT BY THE RIVER
A truly unique rural market with quality
products from ‘local’ growers &
crafts people.
Every Sunday 9.30-1pm
Enq: 07 866 3315
@ Gumtown Hall,
State Highway 25,
Coroglen
Every Sunday
A chance to get qualifications.
Available FREE to 16 &17 year olds not
currently working or in school.
Dedicated support and guidance in a safe and fun environment.
Contact Sharon TODAY!
Transport available
p 027 496 2684 (phone or text)
e tfwtutor@vetel.co.nz
It’s digital.
Call for all your
installation and
maintenance needs.
Contact us, your
dedicated LOCAL
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Top of bed. Large selection.
Page 23
US Style Crossword
Puzzle US 620
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.
CHANGELINGS
BY JOE KROZEL / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
© The New York Times
ACROSS
1 Hirer/firer
5 Iron setting
10 Food processor setting
14 One with accounts, for short
19 Darn, e.g.
20 Jets or chargers starter
21 Doozy
22 Revolutionary patriot Silas
23 Asian cuisine
24 Put in the minimum stake
25 Actress Lena
26 Willing to do
27 Gigantic sled hauls firewood quite a
bit
31 1970s-’80s TV sheriff
32 Tell a story
33 Grub
34 Domestic worker claimed shifting
beach engulfed basin
43 Hong Kong, e.g.: Abbr.
44 No-no on gym floors
45 Voting no
46 Band news
48 Put an end to
51 Catastrophic start or end?
52 Word after camper or before Camp’s
53 Fused
54 It may go from sea to shining sea
55 Word in many California city names
56 Blue
59 “You wish!”
60 Friends who have never been to the
beach don’t walk by the girl so often
64 Characteristic times
65 Driver’s assignment: Abbr.
66 Arrangement of hosing?
67 Children show their affection for
model Kate above all others
76 Comics canine
77 Energetic sort
78 “That’s ___-brainer”
79 Stuffing ingredient
81 “Waking ___ Devine” (1998 movie)
82 Hubbub
83 Solution for some housework
84 Villain
85 [I am shocked!]
87 ___ Romeo
89 Generic
91 Lines around Chicago
92 Boisterous oaf confused the previous
set of actors
97 Outdoor party
98 Info for a limo driver
99 “Ta-ta”
100Mr. Chamberlain intends to top off
his gas tank
109Capital where snail noodle soup is
popular
110 Pew, for one
111 Coquette
112 Sly
113 When prompted
114 Sleeveless item, for short
115 Like some brewing containers
116 Mosque leader
117 Bog accumulations
118 Head of a Tatar group
119 Comics canine
120Early 1900s gold rush locale
DOWN
1 This and that
2 Home of Hanauma Bay
3 Solo, in a way
4 BP logo shape until 2000
5 QB who led the Cowboys to victories
in Super Bowls VI and XII
6 Varnish ingredient
7 Art Deco artist
8 First person to die in the Bible
9 Adjust, as pitch
10 Shut
11 Oceanic body
12 This and that
13 Strong and sharp
14 Majority group
15 Silt, e.g.
16 Whole bunch
17 Nephew of 8-Down
18 As stated in
28 “Was ist ___?”
29 Bombay and Boodles
30 H. H. Munro pseudonym
34 This and that: Abbr.
35 Music grp.
36 Actress Massey
37 Model add-on
38 Composer Camille Saint-___
39 Cars once advertised with the slogan
“Find your own road”
40 Record of the year
41 “Necktie”
42 Mila of “That ’70s Show”
47 Court V.I.P.’s
49 Literature’s Nan or Gay
50 Supply room worker
52 Metaphors for serious headaches
55 Flip
56 “Midnight Cowboy” role
57 Loop around the West?
58 Mil. decorations
59 “Sometimes you feel like a nut” nut
61 Not free
62 Super
63 Pago Pago locale
67 “King ___”
68 Toy company that made Betsy Wetsy
69 Playground comeback
70 Bungle
71 Upset with
72 Quaint contraction
73 “Love Story” co-star
74 The Beach Boys’ “Surfer Girl” vis-àvis “Little Deuce Coupe”
75 Works
80 Egg holder
83 California city where the first Apple
computer was built
84 “Hush!”
86 Retreat
87 “There oughta be ___”
88 Comedian who said “Every day starts,
my eyes open and I reload the program
of misery”
89 Cry of innocence
90 Non-PC person
93 Border payments
94 Kept
95 1960s chess champion Mikhail
96 Halloween prop
100 Die down
101 Early cultivator of potatoes
102 Mrs. Rabin of Israel
103 “Rama ___ Ding Dong” (1961 hit)
104 Show bias
105 Like some lashes and tans
106 Fendi ___ (men’s cologne)
107 Activity at a doctor’s office
108 Tick-borne affliction
109 Leapfrog
Bad night’s sleep? Need a better bed?
Page 24
UK Style Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles
Puzzle UK 620
Ph 866 2499
21 Campbell St, Whitianga
admin@pencars.co.nz
Chris 0274 761 828 or Fiona 021 299 5506
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.
Peninsula Home Kills
SERVING THE WHOLE PENINSULA - 2011
Processing beef, sheep,
pigs & all game
Top quality sausages,
bacon, ham & salami
same day
Now offering a
g service
knife sharpenin
Phone Nick Burcombe
866 3970 or 021 2125 260
21 Rangihau Road, Coroglen
ECO PLUMBING &
HEATING SOLUTIONS
Ph ROSS
027 444 7667
07 866 3374
WATER
Phone or text
0275118178
or phone
866 5745
ecoplumbing@hotmail.co.nz
ACROSS
1. Scenic outlooks
7. Unconnected
8. Step (on)
10. Inclinations
12. Ocean voyager
14. Transmit
16. Smooth
17. Overly precise
20. Wartime confinement
23. Tired sighs
24. Dried grapes
25. Horse
DOWN
1. Refuses
2. Which?
3. Nourish
4. Farm buildings
5. Political declaration
6. Taunted
9. Postponement
11. Huge spider
13. Poet’s word for before
15. Female goat
16. Insubstantial
18. Shut
19. Baked dough
21. Complain
22. Diplomacy
Last week’s winner - Maureen Kerr
Back to School
Netbook • Memory stick • Computer headset
Need a Netbook?
See 100% Whitianga
49 Albert Street, Whitianga P: 07 866 5726
Page 25
Junior tennis open at Multisport
Park last weekend
Pre purchase home inspections
The Mercury Bay Multisport Park hosted the second Whitianga Junior Tennis Open last Saturday.
The weather was ideal and the tournament attracted some high quality tennis players from
outside of the wider Mercury Bay area.
Some ranked players from predominantly Auckland clubs were mixed with
local talent.
Five players returned from last year’s tournament - twins Charlotte and Amelia Brown,
brother and sister Gary and Sheree Fitzpatrick and local talent Trinity Holmes. Spectators
enjoyed some high quality tennis with some close matches. Players were split into two pools,
games were first to five, with each player playing seven games in a round robin format.
The winners were U 12 Boys Ren Tsumura, U 12 Girls Charlotte Brown, U 14 Boys Ethan Brown, U 16 Girls Louise
Cairns and U 18 Boys Daichi Ito.
The tournament is an annual event. The Mercury Bay Multisport Park would like to congratulate
all who participated and would also like thank the the following tournament sponsors the Mercury Bay Community Board, Computer Geeks, Blackjack Surf and Subway.
Over 25 years experience
in the building trade
Pictured are twins Charlotte (left) and Amelia after their game against each other.
Squeaky Clean
Windows
PENINSULA
Summer is here.
Time for a
clean!
We promise
you a superior
job at a
competitive
price.
Phone Nick on
866 4724
021 522 041
NAIL GUN
SERVICING
Ph Ian Sloane
866 4235
027 7263 797
Fuel delivered to your boat farm or business
Suppliers of • Stainless • Zinc • Galvanised
• nuts & bolts • screws
• fasteners
• nails
sealants and a range of oils.
1 Abrahamson Drive, Whitianga
Ph 07 866 2689 027 297 4299
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
The Expert with the time tested and guaranteed method of removing
mould, lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a
clean, Drew can deal to with a harmless but totally effective wash. And
remember a pre-paint wash will extend the life of your paint job and
make painting easier.
Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Covering The Whole Peninsula
Spilled Wine? – Blot up surface wine
with a clean towel. Rinse with plenty
of water and blot thoroughly. 9 times
out of 10 off the shelf products will
set the stain, so keep a damp white
cloth over the stain and give us a call!
07 866 5095
Mercury Bay Service Station
5 Monk Street Whitianga
Phone : 07 866 5485
Fuel, LPG Refill, Bait, Tackle, Ice, Lubricants, Auto Parts
We also do Diesel delivery to Wharf and Farms
Page 26
Sport Results (our thanks to the coaches, managers and administrators who provide us with the results)
MERCURY BAY TENNIS CLUB
Business House - Tuesday 13 January
Ocean Leopard Tours def Connolly
Painters 9-8, 9-0, The Landing Café def
Pen Vet Services 9-5, 9-7, Whitianga Hotel
def NYM 9-8, 7-9, 4-3.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Men’s Golf - Wednesday 14 January
A good field of 40 players looked for shade
during fifth round of the Wednesday Golf
Summer Series.
Winning the international stableford
competition was Stuart King with
a very good score of 19 points.
He was followed by Bruce Massie (16),
Ron Watson (15), Lindsay Muller (12),
John Lister and Gordon Kirkham (10).
The senior deuce pot was shared
by Keven Clark, Alan Henderson and
Jack Coldicutt. Stuart King continued
his prize haul by winning the junior
deuce pot and the closest to the pin.
Osman Emer won senior closest to the
pin, with Gordon Kirkham and Craig
Meacheam winning the longest drives.
The net albatross pool is jack-potted to
next week.
Mixed
Scramble
Saturday
17 January
A big field was headed by the wily
midweek veteran Tom Coysh, who shot 44
points with one no scoring hole.
He just pipped Lindsay Muller, a high
handicap burglar, who had 43, followed
by Kay Buckeridge with 42 points.
Next on 41 were John Lister and Jack
Skinner, followed by Bob Haase,
Pam Anderson, who shot 79 gross,
and John Twemlow, all scoring 40.
The rest were headed by David
Gaskell (Te Akau) on 39 points.
Two's were scored by Jack Coldicutt, Bob
Haase, John Twemlow, and Ken George
who had two twos.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Round 2 of the Business House Ambrose
Competition - Wednesday 14 January
Results Tai Course - Coconut Galley
30, Wart Hogs 30.5, The Old Mill Café
30.5, The Pepe Restuarant 43.5, Tairua
Pharmacy 32.5.
Results Rua Course - Tairua Shores Motel
28.5, Out of the Blue Café 29, FeastNZ 29,
Tall Cafeé 29, Pacific Lodge Motel 29.5,
The Local Advertiser 29.5.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 14 January
Best of three frames.
Winner - Peter Challis (three wins),
runner-up - Barry Roach (two wins).
Also with two wins - Carl Carpenter
and Trevor Rashleigh. Highest break Carl Carpenter (19).
MERCURY BAY BOATING CLUB
Final Race of the Spring Series Wednesday 14 January
With the final race of the Spring Series
rescheduled to establish the overall winner,
there was plenty of interest in personal and
overall results.
Seven yachts lined up for a chance to
take out the final race and to be in the count
for overall Spring Series honours.
Harmony (Arnie Leigh) was off to a
good start (early as usual) and had the
best of the outgoing tide to support his
quest. Solvieg (Al Joslin) and Blueprint
(Matt Algie) made the best of the first
leg reaching towards the Windy Buoy.
Once round it was hard on the wind to
Simpson's Beach Buoy.
Solvieg managed to keep higher than
the chasing fleet and was the first to
run down Harmony in the middle of
Simpson's Beach. Blueprint showed
superior speed by sailing deeper,
which gave the impression of taking the
lead, however when her crew was forced
to tack over it proved to be quite costly.
Solvieg rounded first, followed closely by
Scalded Cat (Chris Johnston).
The fleet split left and right with
Shadz (Bruce Haynes), Scalded Cat
and Blueprint taking the starboard side
of the course. Solvieg, True Colors
(Carol Boswell), Harmony and Longshot
(John Jackman) took the port side of the
downwind run.
The starboard side proved to be the
better option and Blueprint took the lead
around Doctor's. Scalded Cat jibed too
early and ended up on the port side of
the course and lost any advantage she
had gained. Solvieg rounded second,
followed closely by Scalded Cat, both in
very light winds. Next round was Shadz,
who made the most of the right hand
side of the course in very light wind.
True Colors some distance back rounded
last as both Harmony and Longshot failed
to get any momentum on the left and
ultimately retired from the race.
Blueprint carried her gennaker most of
the way to Front Beach, whereas Solvieg
and Scalded Cat pointed higher in an
attempt to generate apparent wind and
therefore generate more power.
As the chasers got more in the middle
of the Bay, the wind developed and some
level of surfing was achieved. Scalded Cat
made the better of the surfing and managed
to reduce an eight minute lead to just 45
seconds behind Blueprint.
Initial handicap and line honours went to
Blueprint who, as a result, also took out the
overall title.
HOT WATER BEACH JUNIOR SURF
LIFESAVING
Papamoa
Invitational
Surf
Competition - Sunday 18 January
Seven Hot Water Beach members
participated
in
the
competition.
The placegetters achieved as follows Dylan Fitzsimons - 10th Flag, 11th Surf
Race, Tiana Tiro - 6th Flags, 14th Surf
Race, 4th Board Race, 7th Diamond,
Jasmine McCleery - 3rd Flags, 5th Sprint,
9th Surf Race, 6th Diamond, Taine Mason 6th Flags, 4th Sprint, Emma Hinds-Senior
- 6th Flags, 14th Surf Race, 8th Board
Race, Zeke Tiro - 6th Flags, 14th Board
Race.
NZ
NZ WIDE REMOVALS
Local & NZ Wide
furniture movers
Timber & Cork Floor
Installation
Polyurethane
coating & colouring
Call
chris mcKibbin
M: 021 046 7169
www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz
• 7 Day Service
• Weekly runs to
Auckland
• Free Quotes
• Friendly & Reliable
• Storage Available
Phone Josh
07 866 5589
027
256 6009
www.nzmoveit.co.nz
Coas tal
Sig
ns
Whitianga
19 Campbell St
VEHICLE & BOAT GRAPHICS
T-SHIRT PRINTS
BANNERS
SHOP SIGNS
BUSINESS CARDS & MORE
www.coastalsigns.co.nz
Got guests coming? Need an affordable bed?
Page 27
Classifieds & Public Notices
SITUATIONS VACANT
BACHCARE IS RECRUITING IN WHITIANGA
AND WHANGAPOUA!
Become a Bachcare Holiday Manager and join NZ’s leading
holiday home management company.
Receive excellent training / support.
Enjoy meeting people, have great attention to detail
and a cleaning extraordinaire?
Contact gemma@bachcare.co.nz.
WANTED - THERAPISTS
Experienced & qualified
• Massage therapist
• Beauty therapist
Contact Maureen at 866 2155
or (027) 246 6104.
MOTEL CLEANER
Part time/casual, mornings only.
Mature cleaner wanted to join
top team at quality motel.
High standards required.
Experience preferred.
Energy and Reliability essential.
Must be available weekends
and school holidays.
Phone Kate at
Beachfront Resort
(07) 866 5637.
Live-in Motel Manager position
available at Whitianga motel.
Please contact Ben on
021 721 775 to discuss.
MERCURY BAY CLUB
INCORPORATED
Part Time Duty Managers
Evening and weekend
work essential.
General Manager’s /
Club Manager’s
Certificate necessary.
Phone David on
(07) 866 5576 or
(027) 268 9370.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE TEAM AT
UNITED TRAVEL WHITIANGA
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated consultant
with a passion for travel and a desire to contribute to the continued
success of our agency’s award winning team.
Previous agency experience is preferred.
Email CV and cover letter to monett@xtra.co.nz.
EXPERIENCED CLEANER/RELIEF MANAGER
We are looking for an experienced cleaner who has worked in the
hospitality industry and or commercial area of cleaning.
Must have experience in cleaning modern furnished homes and
motel rooms to a high standard and able to be in charge of other cleaners.
Hours vary between 20 to 30 hours a week with occasions when it
may be more in the peak areas, but this is not a seasonal job and we are
looking for somebody long term who is fit and willing to work hard.
Weekend hours do apply.
Good rates of pay to the right person with bonuses.
There is also the opportunity to learn the day to day running of a
small motel to become our relief manager throughout the year.
Full training will be given but you must have computer skills
and be customer focused.
Own cell phone and full driver’s licence essential.
You can contact us on cell 021 186 6750 for an interview.
Or email your CV to peewee.raewyn@gmail.com.
FAGANS FLOORING & TILE WAREHOUSE
68 ALBERT STREET WHITIANGA
FLOORING SALES / FRONT OF HOUSE
Full Time Position
New Year - New Opportunity
A great opportunity has come up to join our busy team in WHITIANGA.
Qualities that we will be looking for are *Exceptional customer service skills.
*Enjoy meeting people and a strong communicator.
*Pleasant, honest & reliable.
*Knowledge on flooring, tiles, drapery & paint aspects would be an advantage.
*Or are willing to learn about our products and passionate about what you do.
*Able to work in a team environment.
*Able to work alternative weekends.
*Experience preferred but not essential.
All interested persons please send CV to dave@fagans.co.nz.
Page 28
National Spearfishing
Championships this week in
Mercury Bay
PUBLIC NOTICES
Mercury Bay is hosting the New Zealand National Spearfishing Championships this
week with the open competition taking place on Saturday and Sunday 24 and 25
January. Fish caught during the open competition will be weighed on both Saturday
and Sunday at approximately 4:30pm at Taylor’s Mistake in Whitianga and then
auctioned off by the Whitianga Lions. All proceeds of the auctions will go to the Lions’
general fund.
Pictured are three local spearfishers who will be in action during the national
championships, from left to right - Todd Herbert, Callum Relph and Connor Cawley.
HEALTH SERVICES
NATUROPATH
MEDICAL HERBALIST
Registered
ILLNESS can benefit from support of plants and nutrition.
Leanne Halliwell 0274 588 626 or
07 866 5899
HOMESTAY FAMILIES WANTED
WHITIANGA ART, CRAFT & FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 24 January
Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga,
8:30am - 1:00pm.
Unique locally created art, craft & local produce.
Anne 866 5550 or Doreen 866 5237.
COROMANDEL OUTDOOR LANGUAGE CENTRE
Requires families to host short term (up to 1 week) tour group students.
Two students of the same nationality are placed with each family,
sharing a bedroom.
Students are usually under 18 years of age,
so families must consent to be police vetted.
If your family would like to share a mutually enriching experience
hosting international students,
please call into our office, 21 Robinson Road,
for a host family information pack and an application form.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
FREE BEGINNERS LESSONS
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Come along and enjoy some lively Scottish folk dances.
Improve your mental and physical fitness to stirring music,
friendly company and having fun.
All ages welcome.
No partner required.
Whitianga Town Hall - Monk Street.
Mondays, beginning February 2nd, 7:00pm - 8:30pm.
Feel like a challenge?
Contach Anthea on 866 4516 or Kathy on 866 4808.
PUBLIC NOTICES
WHITIANGA
TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Tuesday 4pm - 6:30pm
and Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
SIMPSONS BEACH
RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
AGM
Saturday 24 January at 4:00pm at
Peter Simpson’s woolshed.
Page 29
FOR SALE
BOATS WANTED
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Come in for a browse.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
WE NEED YOUR BOAT NOW!!!
TRAILER, light, 1,350 x 2.2 inside.
Ph: (07) 866 0022
FOR SALE
Ti-Tree $120 per load
Delivered
Phone 866 3026
Quality late model trailer boats
needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at Whitianga Marine
Centre today on 867 1182 or come
in to 233 South Highway, Whitianga.
CHURCH SERVICES
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
3 SEATER LOUNGE SUITE,
4 cushions, charcoal fabric,
excellent condition, $400 ono.
Ph: 866 5841 (evenings)
CONCRETE SHUTTERS, various
sizes, tanalised, ply and frames, 10
units. Offers
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
CATTERY
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
ALL WELCOME
ART EXHIBITION
ART EXHIBITION BY
COROMANDEL ART GROUP
Hauraki House, Coromandel Town
23 January - 7 February.
Open daily 10:00am - 4:00pm.
BOOK SALE
TUITION
MERCURY BAY CANCER
SUPPORT BOOK ROOM
Open 10:00am - 2:00pm,
every Friday and Saturday.
5 Blacksmith Lane,
Whitianga.
ANNE LEWIS
Registered music teacher of
piano, theory and recorders.
Accepting students for 2015.
Phone (07) 867 1618 or
(07) 855 6937.
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
TO LET
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
FOR HIRE
HUGE BOUNCY CASTLE,
from $130. Ph: 866 0038,
www.combatzone.co.nz
HELP, HELP, HELP
WANTED TO BUY
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
GARAGE SALES
FRI 23 & SAT 24 JANUARY,
8 Simpson Place (just off Kenneth
Avenue), Whitianga, 9:00am 5:00pm, housewares and tools.
SAT 24 JANUARY, 8 Rabbit Way,
Whitianga, 9:00am, household
goodies, something for all.
SAT 24 JANUARY, 10 White Street,
Whitianga, 9:00am - 12:00 noon, a
surprise for all, mahogany chairs,
old bike.
SAT 24 JANUARY, 171 Centennial
Drive, Whitianga, not before
8:30am, electricals, furniture,
household, etc
SAT 24 JANUARY, 4B Halligan
Road, Whitianga, 8:00am, house lot,
all sorts.
HOUSE FOR
REMOVAL
WANTED
Please phone
(021) 027 45654
Call Krissie Brand
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.
WANTED !
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
Free removal,
cash paid
Peninsula wide
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.
BETH EVANS
A.R.EI.N.Z Property Manager
WORK WANTED
WORK WANTED
MOTORHOME HIRE
MOTORHOME HIRE
Time for a
summer road trip
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
Page 30
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
Quality homes
for quality tenants.
URGENT! HOMES WANTED!
0800 227 3867
HOUSE WASHING
Detergent Soft Wash,
Roof Clean/Treatment,
Window Cleaning.
Phone Russell Short on
866 2097 or 0273 602 937.
07 866 5824 or 027 273 4420
Limited availability… book now
Drive on car licence.
Coastal Campers
22 Lee Street, Whitianga
Ph 07 866 0509
www.coastalcampers.co.nz
Race 3 (the Castle Rock Race) of the Mercury Bay Boating
Club Offshore Series
By Chris Johnston
Race 3 of the Offshore Series of the
Mercury Bay Boating Club held last
Sunday (18 January) had the yachts
scheduled to head down Buffalo Beach to
the Windy Buoy, then out to Castle Rock
and then home, a total of approximately
20 nautical miles.
Sojourn (Ian Hogg) and Harmony
(Arnie Leigh, aka Andy Cap) set off 30
minutes early and set a cracking pace.
The remainder of the fleet set off at
11:00am with the exclusion of JJ (Mike
Sojourn (left) and Solvieg in last Sunday’s Castle Rock Race
of the Mercury Bay Boating Club. Photo by Matt Algie.
Phear) who did not have enough water
to sail the first leg. Her instructions were
to join the fleet behind the last yacht to
round the Windy Buoy.
With a light offshore breeze, all yachts
hoisted spinnakers or gennakers and
made their way majestically out of the
Bay. Gibes aplenty saw the fleet swap
positions and tactics all the way out to
Tower Rock.
H2Go got a jump on the fleet and
was experiencing good pressure as she
passed Centre Island. Blueprint (Matt
Algie), Solvieg (Al Joslin) and Longshot
(John Jackman) followed a coastal route
out of the Bay and were well place going
past Sunk Rock.
Once out of the bay, H2Go continued
to extend her lead. Pterodactyl (Carl
Rainsfield) had moved into second place,
followed closely by JJ and Blueprint.
As the yachts started to run down to
Castle Rock, the wind shifted onto the
nose, allowing JJ to move into second
place. Blueprint, Solvieg and Shadz
(Bruce Haynes) were locked in a titanic
battle as they made their way into the
building wind and sea. Longshot not to
be left out also had a battle with Black
Watch, a new boat to the Bay.
As H2Go closed in on Castle Rock,
the fleet was starting to spread out and
it appeared more of a procession than a
race.
Once the fleet rounded Castle Rock,
the gennakers again made an appearance.
H2Go sailed high to keep apparent wind
and boat speed up, however sailed a
greater distance as a result. Pterodactyl
slowly closed up on JJ and Solvieg and
Blueprint appeared to be in an epic battle
and there was some talk of a two turn
penalty turn for an earlier infringement
surrounding Blueprint.
As the yachts entered the Bay,
the fleet continued to close up as the
chasing yachts brought stronger pressure
with them. Going past Centre Island,
Pterodactyl managed to get abeam of JJ.
Looking forward we could all see H2Go
getting into trouble with her gennaker,
which we later discovered was another
wind shift onto the nose. H2Go went on
to take the line honours title.
With only 200m of separation between
JJ and Pterodactyl, it was a real battle
between the two yachts, a wind shift
filling in on JJ allowing her to sail on to
take second on line, while Pterodactyl
wallowed awaiting the chasing fleet
and only just beating Blueprint home,
finishing 28 minutes behind JJ.
Black Watch, Longshot and Harmony
were all struggling for pressure,
ultimately retiring from the race.
However Sojourn persevered to finish
eight and a half hours after setting off.
It was not all plain sailing for Sojourn
though. In an attempt to catch dinner, she
hooked a reasonable shark which took
over half an hour to get under control.
Handicap honours went to Shadz with
H2Go second and Blueprint in third
place.
Page 31

Issue 620 - The Mercury Bay Informer

Transcription

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