The Mercury Bay Informer

Th
eBumps in
Mercury
Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
Bay

Phone 07 866 2090

LOCALS TA
RC ING
OO
SUPPL
LS

The adventures of ten Mercury Bay youngsters at the Cubs Summer Camp outside
Waihi last week

the night

By
Deli
Connell
Some
very
tired and tousled Mercury Bay
youngsters arrived home on Thursday last
week from their great adventure at the Cubs
Summer Camp at Waitawheta… located in a
small farming community outside the
Southern Coromandel town of Waihi, with
beautiful rolling hills, rivers and waterfalls.
Cubs are members of Scouts New Zealand
who are in school years four to six.
Whitianga Cubs leader (Akela) Garth Scott
says 184 Cubs from Rotorua through to
Whangaparaoa attended the camp, 10 of
those from Mercury Bay.
Arriving on the Sunday before last, the
Cubs’ first task was to set up camp and make
an entrance way to the camp with the theme
“Indiana Jones.” The entrance made by the
Whitianga Cubs won best camp entry.
Camp activities were organised into three
categories - home-based, water-based and
off-base.
Home-based activities included first aid and
crafts. The Cubs learned important skills
such as how to bandage a sprained ankle,
how to make a sling out of a cub scarf and
how to make a stretcher out of branches and
a blanket.
Off-base, the Burma trail was both popular
and challenging, with the trail winding its
way through slim tunnels, up ladders and
along ropes while wearing a blindfold, an
exercise which really tested the kids’
courage.
Other activities involved a
confidence course and a flying fox and the
use of a compass.
The water-based days saw the campers
searching the river for fish and water snails
with an aqua scope and kayaking. Some
children had never been in kayaks before
and were very nervous, but the adult leaders
managed to get them all in and paddling
around happily.
Phil Keoghan from “The Amazing Race”
could pick up some ideas for the next series

Circulation
6,500
Outstanding
performance by
Mercury Bay
archers at national
championships - see
Sport Results on page
28.

Cubs leader Garth Scott with Amy Bosman (in the centre) and
Zoe Simmonds, two of the Whitianga Cubs who attended
Summer Camp last week.
from these guys… challenges requiring speed “toots” they could get from passing cars.
get into their tent! Was it indeed a possum or
and logic and the ability to deduce the The final tally? 165! Not bad going all.
perhaps the famed Moehau Monster foraying
answers to tricky questions saw the Cubs Amy Bosman, aged 10, was one of the
a bit further south of his usual stomping
making and defending cardboard box forts happy but exhausted participants.
Her ground? Aside from this scary occurrence,
(nothing like a good battle with a slingshot tiredness was, perhaps, contributed to by
Amy and her friends loved the activities on
and tennis balls), trekking around the rim of some very strange “bumps in the night.”
offer and it sounds like all hands will be up
the Martha mine in Waihi and rowing to an “One night we woke up and heard rustlings
for the next camp too.
island in the middle of a lake to solve yet outside our tent,” says Amy, who shared the “What a jam-packed week full off adventure
another clue.
tent with fellow Whitianga Cub Zoe
skills and lots of fun,” says Garth “A great
Atalk from the local fire brigade culminated
Simmonds and four other girls. “We could
time was had by all and the kids got to do
with the hot and dusty campers being see shapes in the light outside as well and we things they had never done before. There was
squirted with the fire hoses... and a lot of were a bit freaked out!” Needless to say
a huge sense of achievement for them when
shrieking to boot. Do camp leaders get there wasn’t much sleep for the group of girls they had completed their tasks.”
issued with ear muffs I wonder?
under attack or for poor Garth.
Sounds awesome… they really should have
Another highlight was he train journey to In the morning there was evidence of
Cub camps for grown-ups too! Where do I
Waikino… the gorgeous views were
scratching. Something had been trying to
sign up?
supplemented with the kids seeing how many

Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to Colville www.theinformer.co.nz

“It possesses me,” says
Bowie’s “brother”

By Alison
Smith

The death of music legend David Bowie last
week has brought an outpouring of tributes from
the world’s most influential musicians, lamenting
the loss of a man they called a genius and a
“game changer.” Closer to home, few would be
more touched than James Malcolm, the Tairua
musician who starred in a movie with the icon
and to whom Bowie once wrote the words,
“Proud to have you as a brother.”
James, 45, co-starred with Bowie in the
1983 movie Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence,
which was filmed in Rarotonga and New Zealand
and cast Bowie as a New Zealand soldier in a
WW2 Prisoner of War camp. James, then aged
just 12, played the role of his younger brother.
In the movie, Bowie is tormented with guilt
over the neglect of his younger brother and there
are haunting scenes of Bowie and the angelic
looking young actor James as he sings to the
legendary musician.
“I’ve read about Bowie’s personal life and
his own brother was sick and I think maybe that’s
why he took a shine to me,” says James, who has
been inundated by media calls since news broke
of the rock star’s death. “That scene was the last
scene for Bowie and he left after shooting that
part of the movie and I remember thinking at the
time, ‘My goodness, I’m singing to David
Bowie.’”

Bowie made time for the young James whilst on
set and mentored him with his many lines.
“During the filming I had a certain allocated time
with Bowie in his caravan and didn’t want to
bother him too much because I was totally in awe
of the guy,” James recalls. “I was actually pretty
grown up when I was young.”
Bowie
would
later
tell
interviewers
that he thought his performance in Merry
Christmas Mr Lawrence was the most credible
performance he'd done in a film up to that point
in his career. His scenes alongside James have
won critical acclaim from Bowie fans, who said
the scenes with James held the movie together.
The bond that was formed between the
two during the film continued, with Bowie
inviting James the following year to join him on
stage during the Serious Moonlight Tour, which
was the biggest concert per population in the
world. It was a pivotal moment in James’s life
and one that inspired him to continue on in the
music industry as a singer/songwriter.
In later years James released a CD Bleed for
a Reason and he has performed around New
Zealand, solo and with bands. His time on stage
with Bowie provided him with the most amazing
memories of his life. “Bowie asked me to go on
stage with him and introduced me as his New
Zealand brother and we both

The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions
are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for
publication when accompanied by the author’s name and surname, telephone number
and residential address.
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or
publisher.
Owner - Mercury Bay Media Limited Publisher - Petra Roodt
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributors - Len Salt, Gillian O’Neill, Meghan Hawkes, Deli Connell, Cheyenne
Walmsley and Jack Biddle
Office - 14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510 Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Tel - (07) 866 2090, Fax - (07) 866 2092
Editorial - email [email protected], tel (07) 866 2090
Advertising - email [email protected], tel (07) 866 2094
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print)
ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
© 2016 Mercury Bay Media Limited

James Malcolm, the Tairua musician who appeared alongside
David Bowie in the movie Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, during his
performance at a friend’s birthday party last Saturday.

High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot
DAY/
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
Tide data
Water
DATE
AM Beach
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PM
PM
sponsored by
Wed 20

4:19

10:16

4:40

10:48

Thur 21

5:20

11:18

5:39

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12:17

Sat 23

7:15

0:44

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Tel 07 869 5990

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Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours
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The Mercury Bay Informer 5911
Issue 672 - 20 January
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2

www.theinformer.co.nz

2016

Bowie’s
“brother”

threw doves as a sign of peace. That feeling of
looking out at 80,000 people at Western Springs
was euphoric. It’s amazing how many people still
pull me up when I’m walking down the street and
say, ‘Hey, you are that guy that was on stage with
Bowie in 1983?’ It’s weird.” James kept in touch
with Bowie via the rock star’s personal assistant
and in 2004 he had the chance to catch up again
with his music idol during Bowie’s visit to
Auckland for the 2004 Reality Tour. James was
by then aged 34 and he met Bowie in the hotel’s
private conference room. “We had a yarn, I told
him I was a father and I gave him my CD and I
said that I was
hoping to get something back from the CD.”
Unfortunately the big break never came and
James had also decided by then that acting was
not a career he felt completely suited to. “There
are a lot of egos among actors,” though he never
says never to returning to
the profession.
Bowie’s death has been a time for reminiscing
and grieving the man that was influential not just
in James’s own life, but to the world of music,
fashion, art and culture.
But what of the Bowie that James knew? “He was
just an all-round nice guy, always willing to
have a yarn about
singing,
the character he was playing and the role and
story around it. The week before he died, I had
been thinking about him a lot, the whole thing
has been a major part of my life and the guy is
like a music god.
“It was the type of music that he did that really
distinguished him. No one has ever come close to
him, he has always gone with the eras, but done
his own take on things instead of going with
dance music. He has been true to himself. After
the Beatles we had the Seattle music scene and
there hasn’t really been anything since. David
Bowie influenced

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

people like Elton John and Madonna in a huge
way and he influenced the fashion with a lot of
bands.
“He’s written a lot of poetry as well and he’s been
an artist. His lyrics are a masterpiece. My
favourite is Heroes. It’s just an epic song.” James
began singing lessons after his mother heard him
singing in an operatic voice. She took him to a
singing teacher and said,
“Listen to this.”
“The teacher said, ‘No, that’s not how a six- yearold is supposed to sing, try it like this,’ and I
became a soprano,” says James.
From there James joined choirs and soon became
the top boy soprano in New Zealand for five
years, getting paid to sing. Opportunities opened
up in the theatre and he played roles at His
Majesty’s Theatre and lead roles at the Mercury
Theatre, which was Auckland’s most prestigious.
It was these experiences that led him to the part
with Bowie.
For the last year James has spent a lot of time
travelling and surfing and recently became a
grandfather. Music has taken a back seat for a
while, but the death of Bowie last week has
ignited the passion again.
Last Saturday James picked up the guitar to
perform at a musician friend’s 40th birthday party
on a private farm. There were several Bowie
songs in the set. “For the last year I lost the
passion for it, but this has given me the boost I
needed to get back into it. I’m absolutely wrecked
after a gig when I’m playing solo. It possesses
me, even if it’s somebody else’s song, I take on
the emotion and meaning in it.”
James is available for gigs and can be contacted
on [email protected] or you can find his CD
for sale at the Tairua Information Centre.

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
3

Valentines Day
Amazing Set
Menu Bookings
open soon
Open 7 Days
From 5pm

LUNCH

Dine In • Takeaway •
Delivery 13 / 1
Blacksmith Lane,
Whitianga

THIRSTY
THURSDAY
HAPPY
HOUR &
TRIVA
4 - 6pm
Lunch
12 noon 2pm DINNER
5.30 - 8.30pm

12 noon - 2pm
Dinner
5:30 - 8:30pm
SNOOKER
1:30pm
POOL 7:15pm
Tai Chi 9am

Enjoy some time
with friends &
family.
Join us for some
burgers on the
deck & watch
the world
fly by…

Closed
Tues &
Wed from
the 20th

Mon - Fri
12 noon late

Sat &
Sun
8am late

Lunch 12 noon - 2:30pm

Dinner from
5:30pm

7 Days

Opening
Hours:

Mon - Sat
10am 6pm

Fridays
Happy Hour
from 4pm to
6pm, with
selection of
French wines
for
$5 a glass and
amazing
nibbles

Dine In FREE
on your Birthday
One main, rice
& naan.
Minimum 2person
party.
Saturday
Members Draw
Raffles 5:30pm
Meat/Seafood
LUNCH 12
noon - 2pm
Dinner 5:30 8:30pm Tai Chi

Lunch
11am - 1pm

FREE POOL
TAB •
POKIES

DINNER 5:30 8:30pm

HALF PRICE
KIDS MENU

Morning
Raffles 11am

BIKE
DOWN
FOR A
COFFEE
& BIKKIE

Late night
Friday
8pm

Fresh
Pacific

Saturday
Happy
Hour 5 6

Burgers
Salads
Snacks
HARDS
HAKES
SPIKED
FLOATS

Beer
tastings
&
platters

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

[email protected]
.nz

Wide selection of
seafood,
vegetarian &
gluten-free.MEMBERS
BISTRO
Children’s menu
DRAW
CLOSED
Raffles 5:30pm
available.

TAB
FREE
POOL
POKIES

Meat/Hams

Lunch
12 noon - 2pm
Dinner 5:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
DARTS 7:30pm

Tai Chi 9am

Try our
KAMIKAZE
BURGER
Korean bbq
pork belly
& slaw

Sundays
• Prime scotch
Jazz Brunch fillet
11:30am
• Pork cutlets
Live Music • Fish of the
Day

Oyster
s Constantly changing
tapas menu
Dishes from $8
• Sushi
• Japanese
Cuisine Dine in
or Take away

Book a
table
07 866
0053
or

Authentic
North Indian
Cuisine

9am

Open all
summer 7
days a week

Page
4

Tuesday to
Sunday Dinner
6pm onwards

Set
menu
for
group
booking
s

….or our
epic
DOUBLE
CRUMBE
D ONION
RINGS

Woodfir
ed
Pizzas

For bookings
call 07 866
0952

New brown rice
69 Albert
sushi. New hot food
Street,
menu Whitianga
Japanese curry with
Ph 07 866
chicken katsu,
5858
vegetarian dishes.
Extra
spicy
available.
Come
check
out our new

“Beer -B-Que”
Fresh barbequed food marinated in our famous award winning
beers, ales & stouts.

Ph (07) 866 3830 www.hotwaterbrewingco.com

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Steak night
Bistro
Scotch Fillet
open daily
w fries,
12 noon salad &
2:30pm
choice of
5pm - 9pm
sauce!
Only $18
Open 6 days

Serving cold beer
& fresh fish
since 1869
DJ Mighty 9pm

Live
Band
DJ LEON
9pm

Chill out
in our
cruisy
garden bar

Steak night
The home of Scotch Fillet
summer fun w fries, salad
& choice of
in Whiti!
sauce!
Only $18
Full menu at
www.govino.co
.nz

19 Amazing KaiZen
(sharing plates) available on the
dinner menu

Breakfast/Lunch
9am - 2pm
Dinner from 6pm
Bookings advisable

Ph 07 867
1215

for bookings
11A Coghill Str,
Whitianga
Tel: 07 866 2200

El Español
pizza is
back!

Open 7 days
5pm - 10pm

Lunch
Fri / Sat / Sun from
12 noon
Follow us on facebook for
current locations and
specials - Serial Griller NZ
Lamb Burger
Fresh Fish
Burger
Chicken Wrap
Toasties
BREAKFAST
MENU
GLUTEN FREE
OPTIONS

Tavern Made
Mussel Fritters

CHICKEN
SALAD B.L.T
MAXI MIX
COME CHECK
OUT OUR
MENU

Happy

Check out
Birthday
our daily
Mum/Grand
food
ma
specials

Dip & Dine
packages
Only $55 per
person

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

We areClosed today

Greek wine &
beer

OPEN EVERY NIGHT
FROM 5PM

Cooks Beach

TAIRUA
next to
Tall 5 8pm

Middle Reserve,
Bank Street

11am - 8:30pm

250g SCOTCH
With your choice
of…

Egg, Onions +
Chips
Red Onion Gravy
+ Mash Prawns,

Scallops

Blackboard
specials
Crumbed
Camembert w/ Salad

Mini Mix
mini spring rolls
+ mini samosas

FULLY
LICENCED

Beefteki

Out Catering
Available

WHITIANGA
Outside
All Things Organic
1 Monk st

T20 Series
Blackcaps v
Pakistan
6:30pm 3rd test

TAB
POKI
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Last
bookings
8pm Fri &
Sat
evenings

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

KILLER
BURGERS!

4:30 - 8pm
Free live music in
the Garden Bar
Phil & Tilley
1pm
FAMILY
FRIENDLY
Yummy Lunch Menu

+

Wishing
tree
5
Chips All
come
7pm
with a salad
Vouchers to
be won

WHITIANGA

FREE
POOL
All
Day

Outside
All Things Organic
1 Monk Street

5 - 8pm
BREAKFAST?
LUNCH?
DINNER?
Hair of the
dog? Cheeky
Banter?
Early Morning
Lala Fix?
We got
it ALL

ODI
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LIVE
10:30am

“PUT YOUR FEET
UP LOVE, WE’LL DO
THE COOKING.”

Phone for your
TAKEAWAY DINNER

07 866 3809
www.coroglentavern.
co.nz

Happy
Hour
Every
weekday 4
- 6:30pm

Open for
breakfast from
9am every day.

Page
5

“Which way to the
New World?”

By Len
Salt

If you passed by Diane Ponzio in New World
Whitianga and didn’t know who she was, you
might mistake her for just another shopper. And
you’d be right, because one thing that she loves
to do is cook. What you might not realise is that
she is a highly respected singer-songwriter who
travels the globe, including Mercury Bay,
performing her music and demonstrating the
famous Martin range of guitars.
“I think that’s the main reason I’ve always got
someplace to stay when I visit,” Diane says
with a smile. “I like to cook dinner for my
friends.” Diane has close friends who live in
Mercury Bay and has been a regular visitor
over the years. I’ve met her before, in a
previous life working in the music industry. She
has always impressed me as someone who is
genuine, charming and generous with her time
and when I catch up with her this time she is in
town for just a few days before heading to
California for the NAMM show.
The National Association of Music Merchants
show is the big US and world trade event of the
year for the musical instrument business,
attended by the trade and artists from across the
globe.
Over the last 30 years Diane has recorded nine
albums of original music and performed
literally thousands of concerts around the
world. “Playing guitar and performing for an
audience is all I ever wanted to do,” she says.
Diane graduated from the famed High School
of Performing Arts and holds a BA in
Mathematics from Brooklyn College. The angst
of advanced calculus led her to songwriting and
inspired her friends to buy her a Martin guitar,
which began her lifetime

love affair with the instrument. She began to
perform in clubs coast to coast - East River to
Hudson River.
In 1985, having honed her skills as a performer,
guitarist, singer and songwriter, she wrote a letter
to CF Martin IV, which earned her an opportunity
to travel on behalf of the company, playing her
songs and helping to tell the Martin story. It was
the beginning of a long partnership with one of the
oldest musical instrument makers in the world.
The CF Martin Guitar Company still operates
today in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, run by the same
family descendants of the original CF Martin who
founded the company 180 years ago. They make a
range of signature instruments for some of the top
names in the business, including Diane, who has
two signature guitars in the Martin catalogue.
Another artist with a signature range guitar is Eric
Clapton, who played a vintage Martin on his
groundbreaking live Unplugged album.
Vintage Martin guitars are highly collectible and
can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. In
2004 Martin built their millionth guitar. Entirely
hand-crafted it features more than 40 inlaid rubies
and diamonds and is worth an estimated NZD1.5
million.
Diane’s job for Martin Guitars is interspersed with
her own writing, recording and performing. “I also
like to paint, swim, and play some tennis which
keeps my fitness up while I’m on the road,” she
says.
Diane believes that the template of success that we
use to measure ourselves today is askew - with
money, material success and numbers being the
criteria. It’s something that concerns her when she
does workshops with young people. “I’m often
asked to do school workshops and I always try to
fit them in to the schedule,” she says.

So what advice would Diane give to a young
performer writing their own songs? “It’s a
journey and along the way you will hit some
bumps in the road,” she answers. “I like to quote
[American artist] Georgia O’Keefe, who said ‘I
have already settled it for myself, so flattery and
criticism go down the same drain and I am quite
free.’ It’s a quote that resonates strongly with me.
If you do something fully, I believe your life will
be enriched.

“I personally see success as your ability to love
and be loved, not how much money you’ve made
or how many things you have.”
As we wind up the interview, Diane is thinking
about the shopping she needs to do to create
another delicious Italian dinner for her hosts in
Mercury Bay. “Which way to the New World?”
she asks.
Diane Ponzio will be performing at the Mercury
Bay Music Festival in June this year.

International singer-songwriter and regular Mercury Bay visitor
Diane Ponzio.

Health Improvement and
Maintenance Shiatsu Massage
and Jin Shin Jyutsu
Gentle Experienced Therapist
Phone 021 250 1278
or Phone 866 2313 Claudia
Pentner 14 Monk Street,
Whitianga House visits available

Espy
Cafe
Page 10 The Esplanade
07 866 0778
6

NZ’s Best Milkshake
Competition
Please vote at www.bestmilkshake.co.nz
The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

This
year’s
entry

Our
winner
last
year

Try
me
!

Woohoo
my
mango’s
got
pashinit!!

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Fake ad
competition
winner
MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’ and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy

Sanoma Munday of Whitianga was the lucky winner of the “Spot the Fake Ad”
competition in The Informer of 6 January. The fake ad was “Imagine Food” on
page 6 (the restaurant where you don’t eat, the restaurant where you think
about food…)
With a lot of holidaymakers in town and a $100 Whitianga Hotel bar tab up for
grabs, we expected many people to enter the competition, but the more than
600 entries submitted via email and Facebook and hand-delivered to our
offices, blew us away. Thank you to all who entered.
Pictured is Dave Simmonds, the owner of Whitianga Hotel, handing Sanoma
her prize.

Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care

Mercury Bay Medical Centre - Ph 866 5911

Raspberry &
Lychee Fa cial

85

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COASTAL SANCTUARY
HAIR, SKIN AND BODY THERAPY

Phone 866 2679 for appointments 14 Victoria Street
Whitianga

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
7

Two of
Claire
Elliot’s
works
published
Two of Otama Beach artist Claire Elliot’s paintings have been included in
publications that are now available to the general public.
Both paintings are of Otama Beach.
The first is a mixed media painting and forms part of a “13 Artists
Contemporary New Zealand Art” wall calendar. The second is an acrylic
painting on the cover of the book Stories of the Southern Sea. The book was
written by Lawrence Winkler, a friend of Claire’s and Otama Beach bach owner.
Lawrence will have an author’s reading of his book at the Mercury Bay Library
in Whitianga on Friday 12 February at 10:30am.
Pictured is Claire at Otama Beach with a copy of Lawrence’s book and her
painting that have been included in the wall calendar.

Page
8

Art Group sales
on track
to
equal last year

The Whitianga Art Group’s annual Summer Exhibition is shaping up to be another
successful event, with visitor numbers getting close to 70 per day. The exhibition
opened on 4 January.
“The number of patrons tends to vary a bit depending on the weather, but we’re very
happy with how it’s going so far,” says Marianne Sikking, president of the group.
“Sales of our members’ artworks have been steady and it looks like they might be on
track to equal last year’s numbers.
“Our guest artist this year is Mercury Bay Art Escape member Reina Cottier. Her
paintings have been attracting strong attention since opening night.”
Vice-President of the group Merle Ward says that the fundraising raffle they run in
conjunction with the exhibition is very popular due to the quality of the prize on
offer. “Local artist Frans van Hoppe has generously donated a painting for the
raffle.”
Their Summer Exhibition is the Art Group’s big event of the year, with a chance for all
the members to display their best work and offer it for sale to the public. It’s been 36
years since the group was formed and their regular Thursday and Friday open art
days have become an established feature for local artists.
The exhibition is open each day from 10:00am to 5:00pm in School Road, Whitianga.
The last day will be Monday 1 February.
Pictured are Marianne Sikking (left) and Merle Ward at the Frans van Hoppe painting
that can be won in the group’s raffle.

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
9

Opito Bay most
connected
hotspot during
holidays

Opito Bay (pictured) has topped Vodafone’s list of the most connected holiday
hotspots in New Zealand the past Christmas and New Year’s period. Data
usage between 22 December and 5 January increased with a massive 1,269
per cent compared to the first part of December.
In Whitianga data usage increased almost four fold from the first week to the
last week of December.
Other Coromandel hotspots included Cooks Beach, Matarangi, Tairua and
Pauanui.
Overall, judged on data usage, the Coromandel Peninsula was New Zealand’s
most popular holiday destination.

Ph 07 866
0937

Mob 021 063 8367
•
•
•
•

Page
10

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
11

Ian Hopper he will be
greatly
missed

Ian Hopper (pictured), one of the founders of Pauanui, passed away last week.
He was 86 years old.
Ian and his son Leigh developed Pauanui Waterways, the first canal housing
development in New Zealand. Leigh is in Whitianga known as the driving force
behind Whitianga Waterways.
Ian had a direct involvement in Mercury Bay with the development of Hardy
Martin Estate in Cooks Beach. “Ian also kept a distant eye on Whitianga
Waterways and was proud to see many
of the design principles he
implemented in Pauanui carried over into Whitianga,” says Peter Abrahamson,
the manager of Whitianga Waterways.
“When I was new to my position, Ian drove me around Pauanui in his old Land
Cruiser and showed me many of the design elements used in Pauanui
Waterways. It was a development that was ahead of its time with regard to
design and amenity value, much of that down to Ian’s hard work and foresight.
He will be greatly missed.”

Page
12

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 -20 January
2016

Car Talk With

A
question
Jack
Biddle for Jack? Just email us or drop
us a note.
The way of the future for some
There is definitely a greater awareness of
alternative fuelled vehicles in the wider
community now than ever before.
Driven mainly by growing concerns about
the effects on the environment and tougher
global government tail pipe emission
regulations, vehicle manufacturers have been
working hard to come up with both
“cleaner”
petrol- and diesel-powered
vehicles, as well

as finding alternatives that will take motoring
into the future.
Many see fully electric vehicles as one of the
long term options and already there are both
affordable and luxury vehicles fitted with
purely electric motors available on the
market. A “refill” or “top-up” is by way of
either a fast charge station at places such as
large shopping malls in the bigger cities

Gloria Humphries with her Toyota Prius c Hybrid,
nicknamed “Ruby.”

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

or a full overnight recharge courtesy of the
home mains supply. Benefits are zero tail
pipe emissions, low servicing costs and the
cheap cost of recharging the vehicle’s
battery pack. For many potential buyers,
however, range anxiety is a major concern
with fully electric cars. They are great when
the daily commute is fairly short and regular,
but when there is a need to travel far and
wide, those anxiety levels can quickly rise
for potential owners. Currently a mainstream
fully electric vehicle such as the Nissan Leaf
will travel comfortably is around 100km
depending on load and the way it is driven.
Nissan is, however, claiming up to 170km on
a full charge for the latest generation Leaf.
Regardless, owners do need to ensure trips
are within the vehicle’s capabilities before
venturing too far.
The driving experience of an electric vehicle
is a definite highlight and worth the effort if
the opportunity ever presents itself. The
silence and instant power uptake are sure to
impress.
Some manufacturers see the transition over
to alternatives such as fully electric vehicles
is by way of hybrid technology, where a
small fuel efficient petrol engine combines
with an electric motor to provide the best of
both worlds. That is extremely low overall
tail
pipe emissions and increased fuel
economy. No range anxiety issues for
owners either.
Toyota plan to sell 1.5 million hybrids
annually and 15 million cumulatively by
2020, which is a clear indication that the
world’s largest car maker is placing a lot of
faith in this technology as a stepping stone to
alternative fuels.
Recharging of the electric battery pack on

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

most mainstream hybrids currently is done
while the vehicle is on the move by way of
what is called regenerative braking and in
conditions such as when travelling downhill
or when decelerating.
At times, such as when driving at low
speeds, the vehicle will travel solely on its
electric motor while on the open road a
combination of both petrol and electric
power are used in harmony to produce the
energy to drive the vehicle.
One of the greatest advocates of the hybrid
technology on the Coromandel
is local identity Gloria Humphries,
who even has the nickname “Ruby” for her
red 5-door hatch Toyota Prius c Hybrid
which
has a manufacturer’s claimed
combined fuel
consumption of just
3.9l/100km.
“It’s absolutely brilliant, coming up three
years old and has never given me a moment
of bother. It costs around $55 to fill the petrol
tank, while I can drive to Auckland, do my
errands and return home for around $35.
When in Whitianga, Ruby is often on silent
electric mode, which means the total fuel bill
is around the cost of a cup of coffee,” says
Gloria.
There is also an ECO option on the Prius c
which, when activated, automatically adjusts
engine response and air conditioning to
reduce fuel usage even further. Other features
include an ECO Drive monitor, an ECO
savings record plus a past record and trip
summary mode.
While fully electric or hybrids are not for
everyone just yet, be assured they will start
to grow in larger numbers sooner rather than
later, including the greater Coromandel.
If you don’t believe me, just ask Gloria.

Page
13

To the
Editor

See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and
contributions

Dear Editor - The Coromandel
Property Owners Alliance

Whitianga

07 866
0070
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Spouting
Roofing
Water treatments systems
Septic tanks
Hot Water cylinders
New Housing
Alterations
General Maintenance
Solar water heating
All LPG gas installation

Thank you Dal Minogue for illuminating the very
effective, well-funded lobby group Coromandel
Property Owners Alliance (CPOA)
in The
Informer of 6 January 2016 and thank you CPOA
for your response in The Informer of 13 January.
I am not surprised at the CPOA's strong desire to
remain anonymous. I also would be quite
embarrassed were it known that I was a member
of such a self-serving and secretive so called
“alliance.” I once thought that indeed they were a
group with the public's interests paramount in
protecting the environment.
The CPOA is certainly an excellent example of a
powerful and tight group of landholders and
developers with a great deal of political savvy
who apply considerable skill and intelligence into
protecting their property investments,
subdivisions, privacy from the local community
and the greater public good. They even promote
themselves as community oriented, so garnering a
number of members and supporters who have not
thought to look under their very cleverly
camouflaged surface.
I love the CPOA’s summing up of Thames
Coromandel District Council’s efforts to protect
our rapidly diminishing coastal pohutukawa and
forests with the outrageous “...to remove the
ability to cut manuka for firewood to heat homes
and cook food...”
On almost a daily basis one sees more paper
roads privatized, more beautiful trees
disappearing, less access to coastal land and
beaches, including the iconic New Chums, much
of which happens to be facilitated by this lobby
with their powerful legal team.
So, the great fears of the CPOA include the
protection of “Coastal, Outstanding Natural
Landscape, Significant Natural Areas and Natural
Character.”
I would love to know what the CPOA’s vision for
the future of our Coromandel is. I am sure a
public coastal walkway and a ban on the cutting
of pohutukawa or significant trees are not
included.
John Macassey Whitianga
Dear
Editor
- Dal
Minogue’s
opinion piece
Coromandel political takeover
To me the joy of the Coromandel is its low
population, coupled with the recovering
conservation estate.
Our scenery attracts people escaping from
overpopulated areas who are prepared to buy
land and build palatial holiday homes. They want
a piece of what us locals have. This puts the
Thames Coromandel District Council Planning
Department in a difficult position.

Page
14

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Do they allow more and more subdivision until
we have suburbia everywhere and the wealthy on
private lifestyle blocks? Will we lose what we
came here for?
It’s a shame that we have the owners of
pristine coastal land prepared to sell off to
developers whose bottom line is profit, not
landscape protection.
I believe the opinion piece by Dal Minogue,
Coromandel political takeover (The Informer of
6 January), exposes the greed of some
landowners and we are lucky to have a person
interested enough in local government to put in
the unpaid effort on our behalf.
I also would like to thank the editor of The
Informer for printing Mr Minogue’s opinion
piece and giving the opportunity for rebuttal.
Peter H Wood Thames Coast
Dear Editor - The Coromandel Property
Owners Alliance
It is important to clear up a misconception by
Chris Vickerman (the president of the
Coromandel Property Owners Alliance) in her
response (in The Informer of 13 January) to my
opinion piece Coromandel political takeover (in
The Informer of 6 January).
Councils
do
not
undertake
a
Local
Government Act consultation process or develop
a cost benefit analysis for use in one until after a
Project Initiation Document has been approved
and important groundwork completed.
Also, that Sandra Goudie and Chris
Vickerman have secretly worked against Thames
Coromandel District Council on this issue is
made clear in emails between them dated 18 - 19
August 2015 (which I have obtained under the
Official Information Act), where Sandra provides
a summary of critical points about the heritage
concept for use in undermining Council - to
which Chris replies, “Can you confirm please that
the summary that you sent me has not been 'aired'
in any other forum? I ask you this to protect you
as the points can be used by us.” Chris then goes
on to say that TCDC Mayor Glenn Leach had
given a commitment to consult and meet with the
CPOA, to which Sandra's replies: “Anyone can
consult with anyone. Yardy yardy ya. It is
whether you... get to participate in a decision is
the key.”
So on Sandra's advice, the CPOA appear not
really interested in consultation - they want
participation in the decision-making process
instead. However, that is something legally
reserved for Councillors, so they can't have it.
But then secret politicking usually recognises no
bounds.
Dal Minogue Ferry Landing

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
15

Fire Brigade to
benefit from
Poker Run

Tile & Grout restoration work including
cleaning, repair work Grout clear/colour
sealing,
re-colouring silicone work
Shower glass/glass cleaning/treatment

Pftone/txt Jack 021 775 118

Rolla-Tilta-Sectional

Garages

Automatic

Houses

More than 50 motorcycle riders and classic car owners from around the North Island
met early afternoon last Saturday at the Whitianga Fire Station on Joan Gaskell Drive
for the annual Peninsula Rider Poker Run.
The run was started in 2003 as a means for like-minded people to enjoy the scenery
along the “Coromandel Loop” together and to raise money for a worthy cause at the
same time. Founder Dave McGaw passed away two years ago.
“Participants had to pay a $20 entry fee and we also had a few raffles going,” says this
year’s organiser Shane Butler. “Included in the entry fee was a poker hand, which
participants could play at the start of the run or at any of the stops at Coromandel
Town, Tapu and Kopu.
“Lots of local Mercury Bay businesses support the run, some of them from way back
when the run started. We genuinely appreciate their support.”
The Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade will be the recipient of all the funds raised this
year. A Whitianga fire truck led the riders through the Whitianga CBD and along Buffalo
Beach Road on Saturday before they headed off to Coromandel Town.
The run finished at The Coroglen Tavern with prize-giving.
Pictured is participant Rock Brooking (right) from Wellington with Whitianga Volunteer
Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Merv George just before the start of the run.

MERCURY BAY
POOLS LTD
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Ph 07 866 5544 or 027 493 2691
Drive, Whitianga

71a Cook

www.hoylandcontracting.co.nz

•Design and build new
pools
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pools
•Pool covers, auto or
manual
•Quality portable spa
pools

Contact Peter
Thomas M: 0274 806
288
A/h 07 866 4358
www.mercurybaypools.co.
nz

Page
16

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
17

No doubt that the MBAS
student body is in good
hands in 2016

The four new Mercury Bay Area School senior
student leaders are ready for what 2016 may
bring. Head girl Jonika Edgecombe, head boy
Daniel Vickers, deputy head girl Amelia Tomkins
and deputy head boy Cadyn Bennett have already
started kicking around ideas for how they can
make a positive contribution to the school. Each
has taken a different path to this point.
Daniel is a very accomplished saxophone player
and his focus is music, while Cadyn is a natural
sportsman. Both have been at MBAS from the
start of their school careers.

Jonika’s
family
came
to
Mercury
Bay from the small Hawkes Bay town of
Waipawa and Amelia’s family came originally
from the UK. “I first heard of New Zealand when
I was eight years old,” says Amelia. “I thought it
was an imaginary place.” Both girls came to
MBAS when they were 12 years old and in Year
7.
All four are surprisingly strong in their belief in
the benefits of the area school model. They are
certain that MBAS has provided an exceptional
environment for them all to grow as students,
young adults and leaders of the future and that
sharing their school with younger students from
Year 1 upwards is a critical part of that mix.
Jonika says she’d never heard of an area school
before coming to Mercury Bay. “It was a real
shock to see all these little kids running around.
Applying to a new school as I moved from
primary to intermediate and making new friends
was scary. At MBAS there is continuity all the
way through with the same people,

the same friends.”
Eighteen students applied last year for the 11
senior leadership positions available, the biggest
group of applicants that MBAS has ever had. “I
had a concept in my mind of what a leader should
be and I never imagined myself as a being one of
those people,” Amelia says. The senior student
leaders from last year, including head boy Luke
Cunningham and head girl Ainsley Harris, are
credited by the team with playing a significant
role in helping
with the decisions to put
themselves forward.
“As a group, we want to have a real presence in
the school,” says Jonika. “We’re all friends and I
think we’re all on the same page about how we
can contribute.”
Does modesty and humility play a part in how a
leader should present themselves? “As a Year 10
student I’d walk the corridors with my head
down, a little bit afraid of the Year 13 students,”
answers Daniel. That experience has made him
determined to help bridge the gap. “I want to
help younger students feel included
and
involved.”
Daniel says there’s a direct link between him
performing as a musician and his level of
confidence. “Mr Lee [Daniel’s music teacher
Paul Lee] would push me to perform in front of
audiences. It got easier as time went by and now
talking to large groups of people is something
I’m happy to do. However, I’m aware that there’s
a fine line between confidence and cockiness.”
Jonika says that it’s important to recognise and
acknowledge your own skills and be willing

to make a contribution.
All the members senior student leadership team
will be attending a leaders’ camp in Akaroa this
April. It’s something Cadyn is excitedly looking
forward to. “I’ve never been outside the North
Island and never been on a plane,” he says.
Looking forward, Daniel plans to explore the
field of robotics engineering next year, while
Cadyn will in all probability pursue a

qualification in sports science. Jonika plans to
study biochemistry at Otago University. Amelia
has had a taste of marketing and communications
through her part time job at Matarangi General
Store and it’s something she’s keen to pursue at
university.
The enthusiasm, abilities and energy of the four
senior student leaders leave no doubt that the
MBAS student body is in good hands in 2016.

The Mercury Bay Area School senior student leaders for 2016. From
left to right - Amelia Tomkins, Jonika Edgecombe, Daniel
Vickers and Cadyn Bennett.

P: 07 866
5787
F: 07 866
5780
M: 0274 521
298
mjfgg
@xt .
.

MERV GEORGE
Plumbing &
Drainage ’Ltdb
“D

Page
18

B x 74
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The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

N I
I
EN
ME N
WH R
H
H
.
–
E
.

N
EI
M
R
R
M

–
RR
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E

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I N

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SECURE YOUR LARGE 800M2+ SECTION TODAY – PRICING FROM $195,000!
Stage 1 works complete Christmas 2015 with titles due Q1 2016

GRAND OPENING 29 DEC 2015 FROM 11AM–2PM – ENTRANCE AT 60 CHARLES GREEN DRIVE
Come and check out the new subdivision, playground and showhome!
All sales enquiries are being managed by Richardsons Real Estate, Cooks Beach.
Phillip Dawson Mob. 027 477
3443
Bus. (07) 866 5826
[email protected]

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

Paulette Tainsh Mob. 027 241 2001
Bus. (07) 866 5826
[email protected]

LONGREACH.CO.N
Z

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
19

What’s On the next few weeks

Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867
1580

Op-Shops
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and
Coghill Street (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street,
Whitianga. Open Thursday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Opportunity Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday,
10:00am - 4:00pm. Phone 869 5416.
Justice of the Peace
Every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Phone 866 4476 for
more information.
Free Budget Advice
Confidential and no pressure. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meet every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information. Mountain biking meet every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every
Saturday at 7:30am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more
information.
Social Cycling Group
Meet every Sunday at 9:00am at Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Short 45 minute cycle and coffee. Phone
Bryan on 022 155 8944 for more information.
Waka Ama “Have a Go” days
First and third Sunday of every month and Thursday afternoons. See
Facebook.com/whitiangawakaama.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation (to
cover cost of room rent). We promote a slow, steady weight loss based on eating well, nourishing foods
and moving more - towards maintaining our our ideal weight and optimal health. New members always
welcome.
Whitianga Toy Library
Isabella Street (off Coghill St), Open Wednesday 2:30pm - 4:00pm and Friday 10:00am - 11:30am. New
members welcome.
Whitianga Art Group
Painting days have now stopped for the summer but will resume on Thursday 4 February 2016. The
group’s Summer Exhibition is now on until 1 February, 10:00am - 5:00pm at the Art Centre, School
Road, Whitianga.
Social Darts
Every Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Mercury Bay Club. Contact Pauline Curtain at [email protected]
for more information.
Mercury Bay Table Tennis
Every Tuesday 9:30am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Pat or Neville on 867
1447 for more information.
Mercury Bay Badminton
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 11:00am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Diane on 027 246
1915 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to
demistify their computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology.
Contact Lorna Russell on 866 4215 for more information or to join.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc.
Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Phone Lance Hayson (president) on 866 5817 for more information.
Operation Cover-Up
Meet the last Wednesday of every month at Whitianga Social Services from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. An
initiative knitting clothing for Missions without Borders in the Ukraine and Moldova. Phone Brenda on 866
5814 for more information.
Coroglen Farmers Market
Every Sunday, 9:30am - 1:00pm. Locally produced seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil, jams,
chutneys, home-baking, handmade soap, coffee, hot snacks, art and craft, quality vintage items and
much more. Phone Fiona on 866 3315 for more information.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 23 January from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga. Locally produced fruit
and vegetables and art and craft. Phone Anne on 866 5550 or Doreen on 866 5237 for more information.
The Beat Goes On...
Saturday 23 January at the Coromandel Mussel Kitchen, Tiki Road, Coromandel Town. Doors open at
5:00pm. A performance by the well-known Beatgirls. Tickets $25 each, concession tickets $20 each,
available from the Coromandel Information Centre, the Mussel Kitchen and www.eventfinder.co.nz.
Guided Walk Through Hall’s Arboretum in Thames
Saturday 30 January at 9:00am at the Currie Street entrance of Hall’s Arboretum. To be lead by Graeme
Platt and to cover the botanical work of William Hall and the current value of the arboretum to the
Coromandel.
Tsunami Open Days
Talks to experts about tsunami hazards and risks.
Saturday 30 January from 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Matarang Fire Station and Sunday 31 January from
10:00am - 3:00pm at the Whangapoua Fire Station.
Whitianga Summer Concert
Sunday 31 January at the Whitianga Waterways Arena. Gates open at 11:00am. Featuring Melissa
Etheridge at 1:00pm, REO Speedwagon at 3:00pm and Huey Lewis and the News at 5:00pm. Opening
act at 11:30am by Paul Foulds and The Blind Venetians. Tickets $89 plus booking fees at the Whitianga
i-Site and the Tairua and Pauanui Information Centres. Mercury Bay South Ratepayers Association
AGM
Sunday 31 January at 5:00pm at the Cooks Beach Community Hall.
Weekly Church Services
Mercury Bay Co-operating Parish
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, 9:30am every Sunday worship service and kids friendly Bible
sessions, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas Street, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am every Sunday, cnr Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Weekend Mass Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8.30am, Monday - Friday 9:00am (except Tuesday no
Mass, Wednesday 12:00 noon). Tairua Sunday 10:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, tel 866 2189.
Whitianga Baptist Church
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel 866 4027.
C3 Whitianga
10:30am every Sunday, children’s programme, 23 Coghill Street, Whitianga, email
[email protected].
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Social Services Building, 2 Cook Drive,
Whitianga. Children’s programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.

Page
20

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

MB South
Ratepayers
meeting to
address significant
issues
The Mercury Bay South Ratepayers Association Chairman Bob Nicholls says several
major issues are expected to be raised at the Annual General Meeting of the
association that is to be held on 31 January (Anniversary Weekend Sunday).
To the fore of these will be the erosion mitigation measures to be taken for the badly
eroded beach areas of Flaxmill Bay and eastern Cooks Beach.
Mercury Bay Community Board and Thames Coromandel District Council staff
members have been invited to address the meeting.
“Several matters have been raised over the years with TCDC that seem to have slipped
between the cracks at Council level,” says Mr Nicholls. “Among these are the reestablishment of a green waste disposal facility, the need for a pedestrian bridge at the
Flaxmill Stream, traffic calming controls on Purangi Road and improved safety
measures at one-way bridge approaches.”
Mr Nicholls also says the association is concerned about some of the complexities
surrounding the proposed TCDC “Great Walks” extension from the Purangi Estuary to
Ferry Landing. “We feel that better consultative measures with the residents and
property owners of our area need to be taken sooner rather than later.”
The meeting will also be updated on progress with the proposed use of the Supergold
Card on the Whitianga ferry.
Although only financial members will be eligible to vote, the meeting is open to all
residents and property owners of the area, who will be given an opportunity to become
members on the day.
The meeting will be held in the Cooks Beach Community Hall and will commence at
5:00pm.
Pictured is the result of a sand push-up that was done in September last year by TCDC
to curb beach erosion at Flaxmill Bay.

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

SeniorNet
With Mavis
Hicks
Update

The SeniorNet Christmas Social that was
held in November last year marked the end
of another learning year.
A very interesting and amusing talk on
writing her book The Lights in my Life was
given by Helen Drew, a local author.
Afternoon tea was arranged by Gael who
has looked after the SeniorNet catering for
a number of years. Gael has now moved
from Whitianga and we would love to hear
from any member who would like to take
over her position. We only need occasional
catering and it is not a requirement to
become a committee member.
SeniorNet classes will be starting again in
February. Enrolment for classes and
Membership Registration Day will be on
Tuesday 9 February. People wishing to
join SeniorNet can do so then.
If you want to find out more about
SeniorNet and information on classes,
phone Lorna on 866 4215 (during the day
please). In early February there will be a
newsletter and schedule circulated to
current members.
The last year has seen news of more and
more advances in technology. This is a
constant reminder that we must move with
the times. One of the latest TV advertising
slots featured “Nana” showing her latest
phone to her granddaughter
and the
speaker suggesting the girl should have
the latest phone to avoid

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

“Nana shame.” It seems as if advertisers
have now acknowledged that seniors are
using the latest devices.
There are further advances in “care
robots,” both in the home for people with
mobility needs and in rest homes. An
experiment, co-funded by the Korean and
New Zealand Governments, resulted in
four Gore residents trialling robots (called
iRobi) which check blood
pressure,
remind about medication and much more.
They have a touch screen, which allows
ordinary laptop use. If you search on
Google for “care robots Japan,” there are
several YouTube videos
showing the
development of robots for rest homes. It’s
most interesting that this
is being
developed in Japan to cope with their
projected increase in numbers of older
people requiring help.
These advances in the use of technology
into every aspect of everyone’s lives is a
reminder that we should keep up our
computer skills.
There will be many older people in
our community with new tech Christmas
gifts, so join us at SeniorNet. Bring along
your new techy toys and learn how to use
all the features.
Finally, from the SeniorNet committee
a very happy and safe New Year.
We look forward to seeing you all
in 2016.

Page
21

UK Style Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles

UK Puzzle 672
Name:

Tel no:

Win a $6 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry
to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
[email protected] to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must
please claim his/her prize from the New World check out manager directly before
the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which he/she was announced the
winner.

ACROSS

DOWN

Squeaky
Clean
Windows

1.
Bumps roughly
2.
Light timber
7.Lay oneself open to
3.
Drab
8.Window ledge
9.Inscribe
4.
Conspirator
10.Sparkle 5.
Moscow citadel
11.Madness
6.
Praise
13.Slope
12. Aggressive dog
14.Game park tour
15. Ill on plane
18. Change title of
16. Laborious
21.Criss-cross structure
17. Chilled cuppa (4,3)
22.Uneven (in quality)
24.Below
19. Argentina’s ... Peron
25.Territory, Puerto ...
20. Paris boulevard,
26.Swoop
Champs ...
27.Turn upside-down
28.Performs slalom
22. Priggish person
29.Tribal seniors
23. Kept us going, ... us over
1.
5.

Poked
Genghis ...

Summer is here.

Time for a
clean!
We promise
you a superior
job at a
competitive
price.
Phone Nick on
866 4724
021 522 041

Last week’s solution

HOUSE WASHING
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.

Last week’s winner - Athol Hansen

Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man Mobile: 0274
375 578 a/h 07 867 8493

Mobility equipment available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page
22

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

News from the ITE
With Andrea Foster - Whitianga i-SITE
team leader
i-S

There has been a large amount of visitors
through the door at the Whitianga i-SITE
for the month of December, up on the
previous year.
The weather since Christmas Day has
been all over the place and it has been
quite wet and windy. Visitors have been
wondering what to do with themselves in
the wet weather and the scenic boat tour
operators have cancelled quite a few of
their trips. The movies, video shop and
museum have all benefitted from the wet
weather.
When the weather is fine, it’s wonderful
to see so many people out enjoying our
beaches, activities and events.
Many
people enjoyed the many concerts and live
performances that were on offer over the
festive season. The popular hot spots were
Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, New
Chums Beach and the 309 Road.
I managed to get a few hours at the beach
a few days ago and visited New Chums
Beach, with its beautiful white sand and
the sea colour being a deep red from all
the pohutukawa flowers.
The water
temperature was really warm and it was
nice to see a lot of overseas visitors going
to this beach.
You may have seen the bright
yellow catamaran off Buffalo Beach.

Boom Sailing offers three hour cruises in
the mornings and afternoons and a two
hour sunset cruise. This is one of several
options to get out on the water this
summer. Or what about just sunbathing on
the beach?
The Whitianga Summer Concert
featuring
Melissa
Etheridge,
REO Speedwagon and Huey Lewis and
The News that will be held on Sunday 31
January is fast approaching. Pop into the iSITE to purchase your tickets.
The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club
Ladies Fishing Tournament will take place
on Saturday 30 January. Mercury Bay
Estate has been hosting live
music
performances in their
vineyard
throughout
the summer
holidays. The next one is on 23 January
from 3:00pm to 9:00pm with Soul Sax
Plus
performing.
Professional
photographer Ian Preece’s exhibition
Across the Pacific: Coromandel to the
Great West is on at Luke’s Gallery in
Kuaotunu until Saturday 23 January. The
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
is on from 8.30am on Saturday 23 January
and the Coroglen Farmers is on every
Sunday from 9:30am.
There is still a lot to do, so enjoy the
summer.

Police Report

With Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 11 January to Monday 18 January
2016
GENERAL

Enquiries are continuing this week in relation to a
male Caucasian in his late 30s or early 40s who
has been exposing himself to woman in Cooks
Beach on the 13th, Otama Beach on the 17th and
the Kuaotunu area on the 18th.
He is driving a blue people mover van and we
would like to put this man before the Court so
that he gets help to stop his offending against
women.
Anyone
with
information
concerning
this suspect is requested to contact Police
immediately.
ARRESTS
18th - a 20yr old Auckland man for two
outstanding Warrants to Arrest.
OCCURRENCES
Three domestic incidents attended this week.
On the 11th we attended an incident where a
father and son were arguing at a Catherine
Crescent address and sound advice was given,
while on the 14th the same man and his parents
were arguing at the same address and direct
advice was given. Support agencies have now

got involved and the family will hopefully now
work through their issues.
On the 16th we attended an incident at a
Jackman Avenue address where a drunk couple
who had been arguing about the care of their
child were separated to calm down and parenting
advice was given.
On the 16th wilful damage was caused to a door
at a Peebles Lane address, while on the 17th a
campervan satellite dish was stolen from a
vehicle parked on Matapaua Bay Road.
TRAFFIC
No drunk drivers apprehended this week.
Last week there were driving complaints
received on the 14th and 15th in relation to
dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
The video footage of one driver’s behaviour on
our roads should hopefully see him before the
Courts to explain why he was passing on blind
corners, without any concern for himself or other
road users.
If you are being followed by an impatient driver
please pull over and let them pass and if you see
anyone driving dangerously, please let us know.

Willis
Electrical
Paul Willis
Registered
Electrician

Electrical installations and
maintenance

Phone: 07 866 2413
DOMESTIC | COMMERCIAL
Mobile: 027| INDUSTRIAL
404
8941

E:
[email protected]
W:
www.williselectrical.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
23

3
5

Fishing Report

Sudo
ku

149
6 8
2

Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046

7 Sudoku Puzzle
672

Name:
Tel no:
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group
of nine boxes inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. Deliver
or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St,
Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or [email protected] to reach us by
6:00pm Monday each week. The weekly prize is one free DVD rental from Civic
Video, Whitianga. The winner must please claim his/her prize from Civic Video
directly.

With a few days of unsettled weather early
last week, the still conditions on Saturday in
particular had every man and his dog out on
the water, soaking up the environment and in
most cases, chasing fish.
We had all the boat trailer parking facilities
in the vicinity overflowing and there was also
a steady stream of the larger launches
leaving the river mouth. Many of these boats
headed wide in search of marlin or tuna and
by 10:00am we were receiving reports of
hook- ups on VHF channel 61. Quite a few
marlin were landed or tagged and released
with one trailer boat, Gotcha, tagging and
releasing three marlin during the day, two of
which were hooked at the same time.
We often end up with a fairly sizeable
crowd at the wharf when weighing marlin
and part of the reason for this is our texting
service which is available to everyone,
whether or not you are a member of our
club. Whilst our members are encouraged to
release 50 per cent of all striped marlin
caught (last year we exceeded 60 per cent
tagged and
released), when an angler
decides to keep the fish to eat, we like to see
as many locals and
visitors get the
opportunity to see one of these magnificent
fish that our township is famous for the
world over.
Come in and see us at the club or phone us
on 866 4121 to have your name and number
added to the free text service and we will
send texts out whenever we are advised that
fish are due to be weighed and have an ETA.
Our fishing grounds are once again living

up to their reputation for holding gamefish
and this is perfect timing with our major
tournaments underway now.
The Troy Wheeler Contracting Ladies
Tournament is to be fished on Saturday 30
January, leaving the following day free so
the ladies can attend the Whitianga Summer
Concert. Target species in this one day
tournament range from snapper and kahawai
through to tuna and marlin and other species
in between. We usually give away more than
$60,000 worth of prizes during the
tournament and the organisers are working
hard to ensure that this year the tournament is
a huge success again.
In recent weeks the fishers that are
targeting snapper and other bottom-dwelling
fish have been finding things a little tougher
than usual. There are a few theories about
this, but you can significantly increase your
chance of success by fishing at dawn or dusk.
Over in The Puddle, the snapper tend to drift
up off the bottom during daylight, so
keeping your baits five to 10m off the sea
floor will also help.
Snapper fishing in the river has slowed
somewhat, possibly due to the amount of
fresh water coming down the river last week.
There are sizeable schools of kahawai that
periodically come right
in close to Simpsons
Beach and some of the work-ups can last all
day. Tight lines,
Alan

Last week’s
solution

Last week’s winner - Stuart
Dean

Mercury Bay Service Station
5 Monk Street Whitianga Phone : 07 866 5485

Fuel, LPG Refill, Bait, Tackle, Ice, Lubricants, Auto Parts We also do Diesel delivery to
Wharf and Farms
Page
24

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

MB Boating Club New equestrian
academy for
offshore racing

Mercury Bay

Race report by Matt Algie - skipper of Blue Print

Race 3 of the Mercury Bay Boating Club Offshore Series that took place last
Sunday saw seven yachts head out of the Bay and down the coast to Castle
Rock and return.
A variable 10 - 12kt breeze oscillating out of every point of the compass
tested the mental strength of all skippers and crews.
Being a longer drag race, there wasn't the cut and thrust of close contact
racing usually experienced when racing around the Bay. Having said that,
there was only two minutes 34 seconds between JJ (Mike Phear) and H2GO
(Paul Dimmock), 22 seconds between Kahurangi (Stu Crockart) and Blue
Print (Matt Agie) and one minute 40 seconds between Vanadis (Barrie and
Treveene Goldsbury) and Contrast (John Wright).
After three and a half to four hours of very fluky racing, there was some epic
battles between same sized yachts.
As they finished - JJ 1st, H2GO 2nd, Pteradactyl 3rd, Kahurangi 4th, Blue
Print 5th, Vanadis 6th and Contrast 7th.
On handicap - Pteradactyl, JJ, Kahurangi, H2Go, Blue Print, Vanadis and
Contrast. Pictured is Blue Print under full sail in Sunday’s race.

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

A new equestrian academy has just opened in Mercury Bay, specifically for young
people, which will also offer the opportunity for handicapped children to ride and
handle ponies.
Former Olympic equestrian Ron Cooke has been keen to get the project started and
with the support of some volunteers and local businesses, he succeeded in putting a
team together to turn the idea into a reality.
“The Mercury Bay Equestrian Academy will teach show jumping, cross-country
jumping and dressage and will run competitions,” says Ron. “On these special days
we will invite the community to come and enjoy our kids compete against out-of-town
riders. Some of these competitions can have many competitors and the extra people
coming to the area will certainly be of benefit to the wider community.
“The academy will be run in a professional manner and the achievements of all riders
will reflect the spirit of their own hard work and belief in themselves.”
Ron brings a lifetime of experience to the new academy. He started working with
horses at the age of 14 and has competed at international level. He has been selected
twice for the New Zealand Olympic team and has also been a master farrier for many
years.
The academy is at the moment operating from temporary premises on Racecourse
Road in Whitianga, but Ron is on the lookout for three to four acres to set up properly.
Anyone who can help must please phone him on (027) 498 4447.
Pictured is Ron teaching Aimee Harnett, one of the academy’s first students.

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
25

Everyman Cryptic
Crossword
© The
Observer

Observer Puzzle 672
Name:

Tel no:

Go in the draw to win a package of Mercury Bay delights (including restaurant,
cafe and attraction vouchers). Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry
to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga or PO Box 426,
Whitianga or [email protected] to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week.
The winner will be drawn in July 2016 and will be notified by phone. No
correspondence will be entered into once the winner has been notified.
Conditions apply.

Across
1 Optional term otherwise relating to large
city (12)
9 Crush good part of orange (5)
10Attention occupied by work in
New York waterway (4,5)
11Delicate eastern article, not fake (8) 12
Hearts captured by artist with a
flower (6)
14 Exposes new troubles (5)
16 Maintain faltering debate, finally
lifeless (9)
18Source of popular fashion followed by
worker? (9)
19County’s southern dialect, not
northern (5)
20 Cowboy with a cough in a bad way (6)
22 Historic event set down by gospel writer
(8)
25Repose interrupted by coach in
control (9)
26Improve condition in mixture of dye (5)
27 Film from Billy Wilder’s collection with
skill seen by people time after time (3,9)

Dow
2 Singer showing heart of defiance in depth
n

if suffering (5,4)
3 Jockey relieved to be over hesitation (5)
4 Regarding hurt, appeal to stop friend before
tying the knot (10)
5 Go on at the end (4)
6 Small turtles, poor pair, grabbed by
seabirds (9)
7 Original verse during Christmas (5)
8 Doubtful about facility, brother? Get a
mechanic (6,6)
9 Envious, identifies growing ability (5,7)
13 Expert rates stamp poorly (4,6)
15 Cleaner in rush for additional
payment (9)
17 Disturbance produced by taint Iago
concocted (9)
21 Out of bed and ready fortrouble (5)
23 Democrat with drive filled with energy
and hope (5)
24 Drooping, walk unevenly (4)

Last week’s
solution

WAITAIA NURSERY
Native • Ornamental
Big Trees • Fruit
Trees Citrus •
Hedging Palms •
Hire plants and
more
Bagged Products
Bulk mulch
Open
Thurs - Sun 9am - 5pm
other days by phone
appointment
(07) 869 5910

Waitaia Road
Kuaotunu

Page
26

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Brain Teaser - Magic
Squares
© Lovatts
Puzzles

Brain Teaser Puzzle
672
Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Cafe in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or
scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga
or PO Box 426, Whitianga or [email protected] to reach us by 6:00pm
Monday each week. The winner must please claim his/her prize from Espy Cafe
directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which he/she was
announced the winner.

Name:
Tel no:

Magic Squares instructions - Complete this clever mini crossword by answering
the clues. If you have done so correctly, the words will read the same both across
and down the grid. British English spelling is used.

Last week’s solution Vaki

Last week’s winner - Ivy
Milne
NZ
NZ WIDE REMOVALS

Local & NZ Wide
furniture movers
•7 Day Service
•Weekly runs to
Auckland
•Free Quotes
•Friendly & Reliable
•Storage Available

Phone Josh
07 866 5589
027 256
6009

Timber & Cork Floor
Installation
Polyurethane coating &
colouring
Call

chris mcKibbin
M: 021 046 7169
www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz

www.nzmoveit.co.n
z

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
27

Sport Results
MERCURY BAY ARCHERY CLUB
New Zealand National Championships
held in Wellington - Saturday 2 January to
Friday 8 January
Members of the Mercury Bay Archery Club
had a very successful New Zealand National
Championships in Wellington.
The Field Championships were shot over two
days in wet weather.
Members’ Results - Dennis McLeod - Silver
Men's Longbow, Karen Moffatt-McLeod Gold Women's Longbow (and broke her own
New Zealand record), Steve Brown-Douglas
- Silver Men's Barebow and Tim BrownDouglas - Gold Intermediate Men's Barebow.
The conditions for the Clout Championships
were perfect.
Member’s Results - Dennis McLeod - Gold
(and broke the New Zealand record),
Karen Moffatt-McLeod
-Gold (and broke her own New Zealand
record), Steve Brown-Douglas - Silver and
Tim Brown- Douglas - Gold (and setting a
New Zealand record that
is awaiting
confirmation).
The Target Championships were shot over
two days in extreme heat and sun.
Dennis McLeod - Silver, Karen MoffattMcLeod - Gold (and setting New Zealand
records for a 1440 round and each of the
60m, 50m, 40m and 30m distances), Steve
Brown-Douglas - Silver and Tim BrownDouglas
-Gold (and New Zealand records for a 1440
round and each of the 40m, 35m, 30m and
25m distances).
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 13 January
Best of three frames
Peter Challis took home the meat with three
straight wins. Two wins for Barry Roach
(runner-up) and Brian Codyre.
Highest break - Brian Codyre 27.
We welcomed back Kevin from British
Columbia in
Canada
who spends his
summers in lovely Whitianga.

HOT WATER BEACH JUNIOR SURF
LIFESAVING
Coromandel Cup Surf Lifesaving 2016
held in
Whangamata - Saturday 16
January
Quinn McCleery - Sprint 1st, Flags 1st, RunWade-Run 8th, 1st Placing Overall U9 Boys
Age Group.
Mark Johnston - Board Race 3rd, Run-WadeRun 2nd, Sprints 3rd, Flags 4th.
Logan Humphris - Run-Wade-Run 10th,
Flags 6th. Dylan Fitzsimons - Sprints 4th,
Surf Swim 5th. Run-Swim-Run 4th, Board
Race 7th.
Tiana Tiro - Flags 3rd, Surf Race 10th, RunSwim-Run 7th, Diamond 6th.
Jasmine McCleery - Sprints 1st, Flags 2nd,
Board Race 3rd, Surf Race 7th, Run-SwimRun 3rd, Diamond 3rd. Luke Johnston Sprints 5th, Flags 2nd, Surf Race 7th. Conor
Fitzsimons - Sprints 6th, Surf Race 6th,
Board Race 8th.
Emma Hinds-Senior - Sprints 2nd, Flags 2nd,
Surf Race 4th, Run-Swim-Run 4th, Board
Race 6th, Diamond 7th. Holly McCleery Sprints 3rd, Flags 4th, Surf Race 5th, Board
Race 5th, Diamond 6th.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Business
House
Twilight
Golf
Wednesday 13 January
In near perfect conditions 64 players enjoyed
the sponsored ambrose team competition.
Results Tai Section - 1st Synergy, 2nd Pepe
Restaurant,
3rd Paku Vista B&B, 4th
Richardsons Tairua, 5th Tairua
Home
Hardware.
Rua Section - 1st Tairua Pharmacy, 2nd
Aarons Kitchen, 3rd Gull Service Station, 4th
Punters Bar & Grill, 5th Tairua Fire Brigade.
Nearest the Pin - R
Henderson and M
Towers.
MERCURY BAY GOLF
& COUNTRY
CLUB
Wednesday 13 January
Forty men and women signed up to play a
game of Russian Roulette on a beautiful
sunny day. Two person teams scored points
on each hole by multiplying their stableford
GARAGE SALES
results together.

Steve Tull and Ron Watson were the clear
winners on 75 points, followed by Bruce
Massie and Mike Borren on 73, Buce Muir
and Wayne Malcolm on 70 and Craig Hill
and Doug Bourne on 68.
Nearest the Pin on #14 for Senior Men was
Craig Hill. Hole # 18 proved difficult for the
Junior Men and Ladies as nobody held the
green.
The amount in the deuce jackpots doubled
as once again no twos were scored on the
designated hole.
A new jackpot for the "perfect round" was
initiated and no one was able to score two
points or better on all 18 holes.

Garage Sale

GARDEN MAKEOVERS
•All aspects of tree care
or complete disposal.
•Landscaping and
more.
Free quotes.
Phone Jeremy
Haszard (07) 866
0118
FOR
HIRE

Saturday 16 January
A good sized field, sprinkled with visitors,
contested a mixed scramble.
The winners were Carl Mitchell and Rod
Stewart, both with 43 points. Well played
guys! Next was Gordon
Kirkham (Te
Awamutu) with 41, followed by Rob Baines
with 38, Glen Clark 37 and Jack Skinner 36.
Tied on 35 points were John Lister, Ho
Chian (Te Aroha), Steve Tull,
Gordon
Davidson and Wayne Cosgrave.
The only two was scored by David Watson,
winning seven balls.

The Mercury Bay Archery Club members who did exceptionally well at the
New Zealand National Championships that were held in Wellington from
Saturday 2 January to Friday 8 January. From left to right - Dennis McLeod,
Karen Moffatt-McLeod,
Steve Brown-Douglas and Tim Brown-Douglas.

Classifieds and Public Notices
ANIMAL REHOMING

GARDEN SERVICES

Wed 20 Jan - Sun 24 Jan, 8:00am 9
Campbell Street, Whitianga Household
stuff
Furniture, tools, saw bench, bunk bed,
beds, bedding,
kitchen stuff & more.

ALL MUST GO!
ROMAN NEEDS A HOME
Roman is a neutered male, probably about
four years old and very friendly.
He would love to go home with you.
If you’d like Roman to become a part of
your family,
please phone the girls at Whitianga Vets
(07) 866 5314.

SAT 23 JANUARY, 13 Cobham Lane,
Whitianga, 7:30am. Relocation sale,
all sorts.

HUGE BOUNCY CASTLE,
$100 on site. FREE BBQ and
playground facilities. Ph: 866 0038,
www.combatzone.co.nz

TREE SERVICE
TREE SERVICE
Any tree work at all.
Free quotes.
Phone Jeremy on (07) 866 0118.

PORTABLE CABINS

SITUATIONS VACANT
Merchandiser
DELIVERY SUPERVISOR
We
seek
an
experienced merchandiser
WANTED
in
Whitianga
to work in the Grocery
For Circular Distribution
Industry
Business in the Whitianga
servicing our client’s products.
area. Must have own
Candidates will need to be dependable
vehicle, cell phone and
and have reliable transport.
internet access.
This is a permanent part time roll.
Please phone 027 220
Enquiries to
5516 or email CV to
[email protected].
courtney.clarke@reachme
dia.co.nz.

St John Opportunity Shop

TOY LIBRARY

NOW RECRUITING
Busy charity shop support centre has two positions available - customer
service and quality control.
These are voluntary roles.
Application packs available in-store at 2 Coghill Street, Whitianga.
Contact Jo on (07) 869 5416 for more information.
Page
28

WHITIANGA TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Wednesday 2:30pm - 4:00pm
and Friday 10:00am - 11:30am.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Issue 672 - 20 January
2016

Classifieds and Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICES

WORK WANTED

WHITIANGA ART, CRAFT & FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 23 January
Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga, 8:30am
- 1:00pm.
Unique locally created art, craft & local produce.
Phone Anne 866 5550 or
Doreen 866 5237.
DAVE’S DRAINAGE

Mercury Bay South Residents & Ratepayers Association
(Incorporated)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Drainlaying Public & Private
1.8 Ton Digger Hire 30 Years
Experience Free Quotes or
Advice
Call Dave 027 727 0348
[email protected]

Sunday 31 January 2016 At 5.00pm
Cooks Beach Hall
All Members are requested to attend as several matters which affect
the community at large will be disscussed.
Non-members are invited to attend.
A facility will be available for non-members who wish to join the
Association
Barney Bowen Secretary

HOUSE WASHING
Detergent Soft Wash,
Roof Clean/Treatment, Window Cleaning.
Phone Russell Short on 866 2097 or 0273 602
937.

MIKE’S MOWING
$25 empty sections, fortnightly or
monthly mowing.
Free edge spraying. Free quotes.
Phone Mike or Deb 866 4678 or
027 320 1703.

Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•

Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood

Call Chris

•
•
•
•

Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch

021 240 9909
PUBLIC NOTICES

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

Page
29

Classifieds and Public Notices
FOR SALE

HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Join our discount club.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy

**Quality Greenhouses**
Award Winning NZ Brand
Options in toughened safety
glass,
polycarbonate and shade mesh
See us at Outspace
Cnr Cook Drive and Lee Street,
Whitianga
07 869 5590

BOATS WANTED

FIREWO
OD

Pururi, Pine, Gum, etc.
Dry or green, bagged
or loose.
www.trickytrees.co.nz
or Phone
Chris
021
POLES,
Do you need
S.E.D H5
poles
for retaining
or house foundations?
240 9909.
Timber and poles all lengths available.
Oriental trellis made to order.
MB Timber & Fencing Supplies
225 South Highway. Ph: (07) 866 2457

CATTERIES

ACCOMODATION AVAILABLE
SHORT TERM RENTALS AVAILABLE

WE NEED YOUR BOAT
Character furnished one bedroom double
NOW!!!
story stand alone unit, $220 p/w, includes
Quality late model trailer
power and internet.
boats needed for sale on
behalf! We have buyers
Lovely furnished three bedroom home,
waiting!
newly repainted
Call the team at
and refurbished, $370 p/w.
Whitianga Marine
Both with lovely Bay views.
Centre today on 867
Enquiries phone 021 616 903.
1182
or come in to
233 South Highway,
TO LET
Whitianga.
2 BDRM FLAT, close to school, polished floors, wood burner, sleepout, covered
deck, double garage, partly fenced, $300 p/w. Ph: (07) 867 1513 BOAT JETTY,
close to entrance of Waterways. Preferably long term. Ph 027 231 6788
MOORING, close to hardstand, $30 per week. Preferably long term. Ph: (07)
866 3246.
STORAGE SHEDS available, various sizes, reasonable rates. Dry and secure.
Free furniture trailer available - conditions apply. Ph: 07 866 5147
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944
660

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & HOMES
FOR RENT

KRISTIN’S BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean, secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.

“Our expertise in property management will
ensure your investment property is well
looked after. You can just sit back and relax.
We also offer a selection of quality
rental homes for tenants.”
We welcome your enquiry at7 The Esplanade
(by the wharf). Robyn Turner 866 0098 or
027 550 0120 [email protected]

CHURCH SERVICES

ANGLICAN
SERVICES

Licensed under the REAA2008

St. Peter the Fisherman Dundas
Street, Whitianga Sunday
Service: 9:30am ALL

COURIER SERVICE

WELCOME
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz

HEALTH AND BEAUTY SERVICES
NATUROPATH MEDICAL HERBALIST
Registered
Take out the guess work, trust your
health professional Leanne Halliwell
0274 588 626 or 07 866 5899

ST ANDREWS BY THE
SEA

Presbyterian/Methodist
Community Church (opposite
the
Z Service Station, Whitianga)
Sunday Worship 9:30am
Come, join the
family of God!
www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz
Page
30

VEHICLES FOR SALE
DODGE NITRO 2010 SXT
3.7 auto, metallic black, tow bar, leather & heated seats, chrome trims
and petrol cap, tinted windows, air horn, alarm, 206,000 km. Carefully
looked after, woman owner. A great looker. $23,000.
Phone 021 024 19131

HAIR SHOP MONK STREET, WHITIANGA
Hair Shop wishes to advise that Lia will be
back from her
adventures soon and we are taking
bookings for her now.
She starts back on the 10th of February.
Phone 866 5178.

READINGS

06 Nissan Pulsar Q, H/B, 1.8, 5spd, t/bar, alloys $6,900 03 Navara S/Cab F/Deck, 2WD, 2.5 D/Turbo
$9,900 05 Toyota Corolla S/W, 1.8, auto, 43,000km $10,900

02 Toyota Rav 4 Ltd, auto, 2.0, ABS

TEA LEAF/CARD
$7,900
INTUITIVE READINGS
Massage, healing, spiritual.
04 Toyota Hilux D/C, 2WD, 3.0 D $8,900
98 Mazda Demio, Auto, 5 dr, silver,
Phone Catherine
$2,950 04 Toyota Corolla H/B, 1.8, 5spd, alloys $5,900 96 Toyota Corolla, 5 spd, air con
Gwendoline (021) 756
655.
19
Campbell Street, Whitianga www.coastalautos.co.nz
$2,900
The Mercury Bay Informer
Issue 672
- 20 January
04 Navara D/Cab, 2WD, 2.5 D/Turbo $10,900 96 Toyota Sprinter,
5 spd,
ex Sig
www.theinformer.co.nz Class $2,750
2016

Mercury Bay
Speedway fourth race
meeting of season
Peter Candy, president of the Mercury
Speedway Club, can be very proud of the
efforts he along with an enthusiastic team of
club volunteers have made in breathing new
life into the club, which is located alongside
the Mercury Bay Aero Club (access via
Dakota Drive).
“I’m extremely pleased with progress the
club has made to date in regards to both the

speedway track itself and the clean-up of the
general facilities as a whole. It has taken a
big effort to get this far and we still have a
way to go, but things are looking a lot more
positive for the club moving forward,” says
Peter.
To date around 80 hours of voluntary work
have gone into improving the club facilities,
which includes adding over 30 loads of
terracotta clay to the track surface.

Seven-year-old Lily Monrad was all dressed up and ready to show the crowd
what she was capable of in a Go Kart at last Sunday’s race meeting of the
Mercury Bay Speedway Club.

Issue 672 - 20 January 2016
2016

The clay was donated by Sieling Farms,
while Monrad Excavations and Matarangi
Drainage
provided
all
the
heavy
equipment and trucks to move the clay and
form the track.
The introduction of dirt track Go Karts to
the clubs race programme has also helped
raise a new awareness and interest from
locals as well as out of towners looking to go
racing on a limited budget.
Around eight karts were on show during
the club’s fourth race meeting of the season
last Sunday, with the promise of a lot more
to come. The 100cc low-to-the-ground
machines are fast growing in numbers around
the country, with near neighbours Te Aroha
reportedly hosting around 120 drivers and
crew on a regular basis during their regular
club days. If combined meetings could be
held between the two clubs, then the local
Whitianga track could see a big swell in
numbers and general interest. It’s also a very
affordable form of motor racing for families,
with start-up costs ranging from between
$800 and $2,000. There is even a restricted
class for young children.
Local Go Kart racer Tim Pitcher was the
standout performer last Sunday, winning two
races convincingly after recovering from a
DNF in his first outing, which was won in
impressive style by Tauranga based teenager
Ethan Mills.
While the dirt track Go Karts may have the
numbers, it’s hard not to be impressed when
the big V8 super saloons come out to play
on the clay surface, regardless of the size of
the field. They are often referred to

The Mercury Bay Informer www.theinformer.co.nz

as the race-bred “Monsters of Speedway”
with big V8 engines producing upwards of
700 horsepower. Two were on show last
Sunday, with Peter Candy taking out the first
race comfortably before suffering mechanical
issues in later outings. That left local
Anthony (Ants) Smith with the track to
himself to showcase his skills and his car’s
large
power output in front of an
appreciative group of fans.
Plans are well underway for the Mercury
Bay club to host the Circle Track Racing
Association of New Zealand North Island
Super Saloon National Championships on
Wednesday and Thursday 2 and 3 March.
This is shaping to be a huge event for the
club, with home town advantage hopefully
helping to crown a local champion.
Other classes racing at Sunday’s meeting
included youth Ministocks, which combined
with the sole standard production vehicle
present to help make the racing a little more
interesting. Young local Brendon Burnett
dominated winning all his races comfortably.
Two open wheelers also appeared on the
programme, with local Dave Docherty (Doc)
given the opportunity to get behind the wheel
of the less powerful of the two and going
head-to-head with long time club racer Rose
Sparrow. With the obvious power advantage,
Rose took out comfortable wins. Hopefully it
won’t be long before repairs are completed
and Doc is back behind the wheel of his own
and more familiar standard production car.
All up a successful day’s racing with lots to
look forward to for the club and spectators
alike.

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