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CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
22 July 2025 | Proudly locally owned and operated
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‘MOMENTUM’ IS Fire erupts at Oceans Resort NEEDED TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE HERE BY PAULINE STEWART
BY PAULINE STEWART
O
ur rates are unlikely to ever be enough, and the fees you pay for your basic services will probably just cover that - the basics. At the same time, funding from central government is not as plentiful as it used to be or as much as many hope and expect, and given the current deficit, that is unlikely to change any time soon, if ever. We all share in this, no matter the way you see the world or which leaders you support. This region we live in is topclass and unspoiled, but it needs development of the kind that will enable its natural resources to be highlighted and easily accessed, with the minimum of disturbance and the maximum of income generated along the way. I say ‘momentum’ is needed, and in some ways, I am referring to a combined energy and focus of people and government, local and national; but right now, and more immediately, I am referring to the Momentum Community Foundation.
With confidence, I believe the Momentum Community Foundation is needed here on the Coromandel Peninsula to build a better future. Over a year ago, Peter Farmer of Farmers Auto Village wrote in ‘Your Summer’ magazine about a philanthropic endowment fund he was working to establish on the Coromandel Peninsula which would provide a means for people to leave a legacy to, or invest in, needed projects and
WINTER SALE ON BEDS
activities in their community. Peter assisted in establishing a similar and very successful fund in Tauranga. Now he is living in Whitianga, Peter is focussing his energy and vision on setting up such a ‘Future Fund’ for each town on the Coromandel. There have been several progress reports here in The Informer and a presentation at Whitianga Business Association to a group of 70 members, plus many supportive discussions. Continued on page 3
The fire erupted in a top floor apartment of the Oceans Resort in the early hours of Monday morning, 2.31am, 21 July. Firefighting appliances from Whitianga, Kuaotunu and Cooks Beach responded with Whitianga providing three units. The fire was brought rapidly under control within 20-30 minutes. Roly Chaney, Fire Chief for Whitianga, reported that an inspection resulted in the fire being due to ‘undetermined cause’. The heat was so great that all evidence of what could have caused the fire had been incinerated. The tenants at the time, and
Roly Chaney and Darren Hartley back for an inspection of the fire.
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The fire soon after in broke out.
who were present when the fire started, were not hurt or injured. However, they have disappeared and are not locatable. One of the residents commented that there have been issues reported, concerning the tenant(s) who had been there several weeks. Impeccable references enabled the tenant(s) to stay. Another resident reported, “It was a pretty scary night.” Everyone was evacuated promptly as there was no certainty about how far or quickly the fire could travel. No one was hurt. Later Monday morning, the Fire Chief, Roly Chaney returned with Station Officer, Darren Hartley to check the situation and inform the fire inspectors who were on site.
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SPF Furniture Thames 513 Pollen Street, Thames 3500 07 2116954 SPF Bed Shop 543 Pollen Street, Thames 3500 07 2119307 SPF Furniture Whitianga 33 Albert Street, Whitianga 3510 07 2800367 www.superpricefurniture.co.nz
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The Coromandel Informer – 22 July 2025 | 1