Issue 1204 7 April 2026

Easter adventure at Coroglen Tavern

Hospitality businesses need

COMPLILED

BY

PAULINE STEWART

took a photo of the outdoor dining of one of the cafes in Albert Street, Whitianga on Easter Saturday. It was very busy and there was a line of customers to the door ready to order their menu item.

The day before on Good Friday when this café was one of the

few open in Albert Street. There were very few people in the main street. It felt dreadful but Saturday came and the world changed.

A few hours in the morning on Good Friday, The Informer was in Whangamata for a brief period 9.30am - 10.30am and there was a burgeoning crowd in ten cafes that I counted. That had me wondering

The following comments are

from talking with people very involved with hospitality; some of them in charge of their establishments. They are not my comments.

• There are many hospitality places in jeopardy – closure is very imminent for some of them. In this I am talking about Whitianga, Cooks Beach, Hahei. I’m not an alarmist but am aware of several factors

• Increased prices - the hospitality sector, like others is paying more to get their supplies delivered.

• Winter is coming – do we promote our winter and all-yearround attractions enough? Some places will not survive the winter if we don’t do something more than we are. If we close, then the result will devastating for employees but also for the town. Hospitality

keeps them here. This can be a very rewarding industry but we need more hep to be open all year round.

• Often the communications about roads are heavy on what is closed but not clear when roads are open. This is not a criticism but there is often confusion. We need to give travellers and visitors confidence in coming to our town and region.

Continued on page 5

Pauline’s Piece

Two new contributors

AGENT EJ

One morning , on a deadline day, my computer– its hard drive – just died. In desperation, I tried the iMac on a nearby desk. It had been switched off for a long time. It belonged to Stan and was used everyday by him. However, restarting it meant we had to update all applications as it had turned itself out of use totally. This was far too time consuming and maybe not possible. Our IT man was out of town. I rang a retired friend who had IT knowledge and experience. He came in ten minutes but not alone. “I have a young man here who lives in Queenstown but is on assignment here and I am sure he can help.” Well he did. EJ or Emir – carefully looked, ascer-

tained my hard drive needed replacing but that he could reorganise the iMac. He not only fixed it but brought it up to date and enlarged its capacity. A very much loved old iMac has a new lease of life and productive work.

EJ’S passion is understanding AI and using it for the good. He is a social media content specialist and I have asked him to prepare a column for you - our readers and me, to learn more about it and become confident in using it and recognising it.Read the first edition of Digital Decoder.

MIKE

Mike resides on The Coromandel. He is a very active retired businessman and prolific reader online and of books.

Mike’s Minutes

‘Worth Watching Online’

Mike wants to pass on to readers interesting subject matter from the Web and specifically YouTube videos. He is well equipped to do this having been in business internationally and now actively retired on The Coromandel.

CONTENT:

He will rotate categories so it doesn’t feel repetitive. With each video there will be a short description of “Why it’s worth watching.”

Each edition will cover:

Mike learns a great deal from short videos and spoke to The Informer about sharing some of the excellent material that he comes across, with The Informer readers.

Mike is very involved in his community and is a glass halffull person in every way. I went online to watch what he has suggested. They were excellent and immediately came on the screen once the title was typed in. Mike has put the exact titles in and if you type them into your browser or copy them, it will take you straight to the site . There is no need to try and copy links. This is a regular column and one we very enthusiastically endorse. Get people to help you find these if having difficulties – phone or TV or laptop.

• Occasionally “just fascinating” subjects.

THIS WEEK’S INITIAL SUGGESTIONS MIKE BELIEVES ARE ‘WORTH WATCHING ONLINE’

‘Worth Watching Online’

Digital Decoder Robots

and AI - Shaping our world now more than ever

Every minute, technology makes decisions that affect all of us — but most people never get the full story. This new weekly column in The Informer digs beneath the headlines, tracking the trends, exposing the patterns, and decoding the real societal impact of the digital world.

In this edition, we delve into the transformative impact of robots and artificial intelligence on our society. Contrary to popular belief, the robot revolution is no longer a distant future scenario, it’s happening right now, subtly infiltrating various sectors of our lives.

We spent decades imagining a science-fiction reckoning. Turns out, it arrived quietly - in your inbox, your law firm, your hospital, your office and your kitchen.

For most of the twentieth century, automation was something that happened to people in overalls. Factories. Assembly lines. The welding jobs. White-collar professionals, lawyers, accountants, analysts breathed easy. The machines, everyone agreed, could never do that.

As the NZ Herald has reported, AI isn't simply eliminating professions, it’s hollowing them out, compressing entry-level pipelines and quietly shrinking the career ladder a generation expected to climb.

• Current events and subjects of interest to local readers.

• New Zealand focused or Pacific content.

• Practical/how-to (gardening, fishing, etc.)

• History or explainer videos.

• 3-5 high quality YouTube documentaries and videos.

• Inspiring human stories.

Type in or copy to your browser the actual title as Mike has set it out.

1. Hawkes Bay Disaster (1931) Napier Earthquake (14min)

2. Entire History of Auckland (AI reconstruction) (10min)

3. Will fuel price blowouts push us toward electrification? (12 min)

They were wrong. And now so are we, if we keep telling ourselves the robot revolution is still on its way.

The robots we should fear don't look like robots. The dancing machine serving hotpot in a California restaurant is a sideshow. The real displacement lives in a browser. It reviews your contracts, writes your marketing copy, and answers your calls on a $20-a-month subscription. They work the night shift too.

Physical robots are closing in. Humanoid butlers are now genuinely purchasable, some models starting around the price of a decent second-hand car, with subscription options not far off a power bill. We are at the Model T moment of physical robotics, and the curve only goes one direction. But there is reason for hope. Last month, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in the design of their platforms, ruling they built them to be addictive and failed to protect children. Campaigners who fought for years, celebrated outside the court. The verdict may shape thousands of pending cases. It is proof that the legal system can catch up, that accountability is not a fantasy. The question for our moment isn't whether to resist automation. It's who the robots are working for, and whether we have the will to demand an answer.

STAR and SPACE STATION GAZING IN 2026 – your guide to the night sky

Tuesday, 7 April: Early risers will have two space stations to observe with the ISS appearing briefly from 4:59am low in the NW immediately followed by Tiangong from 5:02am in the north. Friday, 10 April: We have a good ISS pass in the NW from 7:13pm. Saturday, 11 April: There will be two ISS passes tonight with the first from 6:27pm in the north followed by another after it has completed one orbit of the Earth from 8:04pm in the NW before it disappears into the Earth’s shadow.

Sunday, 12 April: There will be a bright ISS pass in the NW from 7:16pm. Monday, 13 April: Very early risers will see a crescent Moon sitting high above three equally spaced planets. Quite faint Mercury lies above even fainter Mars and Saturn very low near the eastern horizon and there will be a bright ISS pass from 6:29pm in the NW. Tuesday, 14 April: The

predawn crescent Moon is getting thinner but closer to Mercury, Mars and Saturn very low on the eastern horizon and we have a low ISS pass from 7:18pm in the west. Wednesday, 15 April: A tiny crescent Moon now sits just above the planetary trio before dawn on the eastern horizon and from 6:30pm in the west we have a bright ISS pass starting just beside Venus. Bright Jupiter still remains high in the northern sky but becomes joined by three fainter planets and bright Venus this week. Faint Mercury and even fainter Saturn and slightly reddish Mars perform a lovely dance low in the eastern predawn sky. They change position every night and get very close together so will be a lovely sight to follow. Venus is now just becoming visible in the western dusk sky since it has completed its pass behind the Sun.

Editorial/News: Contact Pauline Stewart, Editor/owner ph 027 271 6182 info@theinformer.co.nz

Advertising/advertorial

Hospitality – individual and combined action required urgently

• The message of “Don’t come to the Coromandel” is often the most powerful message heard in times of storms. On 22 January, ‘Don’t come’ was emanated around Auckland and Waikato but actually the surface flooding had disappeared and hospitality places, accommodation and shops were ready for people. We really needed the business. there were many cancellations. We have become better at announcing disaster than preventing it. We don’t make as good announcements about how well we have recovered and are welcoming visitors.

• We are a tourist area and there has been an increase in the number of international tourists. They love to eat late and like to have a coffee and something to eat mid -afternoon. So do Kiwis but the only hospitality places open in Whitianga after 2.00pm are Grace O/Malleys (no coffee there but there’s everything else); and The Earth Store which has great coffee and healthy snacks, sweets and salads.is there a way for neighbouring cafes to stage opening earlier and or closing later.

• To have a rush of customers on one or two very busy days is not enough for a business to remain open. There has to be a base of

customers who are regular and consistent all year round. It makes sense for ordering resources and cooking and presenting food.

End of comments

WHAT INDIVIDUALS CAN DO

For immediate action, there is the need for those who live in Mercury Bay to at least once a week be a patron of one our cafes and restaurants. Ask someone to join you.

Hospitality owners and managers can never just think about themselves. It is their staff and paying them and giving them some job security that is central in their thinking. Every small town needs its hospitality services. Excellent tourism doesn’t happen without hospitality – people who provide delicious food and drink when we need it.

Editorial/News: Contact Pauline

Thank you to vital friends

BY PAULINE STEWART

On Thursday night 26 March, the Cooks Beach Community Centre filled with people – residents, family and friends, some travelling long distances, to say farewell and thank you to Alan and Alison Henry. The weather was atrocious, nonstop wind and rain ,but it did not deter the depth of appreciation and affection that the community wanted to show to this couple.

Alan and Alison Henry moved to Cooks Beach in 2002 and they have loved their time and experience ,not just in Cooks Beach but in the wider Mercury Bay. They are reluctant to move homes but it is time to leave with regular attention to some health matters requiring them to be closer to a hospital. They have moved to Hamilton.

Both Alan and Alison have contributed a great deal to the welfare of people and the environment in their years here.

Alan set up his legal practice in Whitianga and in that time facilitated a great deal of work for community organisations. They were a team when it came to environmental causes and setting them up to have some legal teeth and a force of energy at the coalface.

Growing up on a farm in Matamata, Alison understood the vital relationship between humans and the sustainability of the environment.

However, it wasn’t until she travelled to America as an AFS student that her passion in protection and restoration took hold. After returning on a family holiday to her host family who were active in the Audubon Society and committed to caring for birds. She took up a position at the Department of Conservation in Auckland, a long way from her eight years of working as a council coordinator at the family courts in Hamilton.

In Cooks Beach, Alison became known as Mrs Dotterel for the commitment to protecting the dotterel, an endangered species and replanting dunes to provide habitat for them as well as protection of the coastal edge. Up until Alan and Alison left for Hamilton, she spent time almost every day during breeding season checking the dotterel chicks.

Alison continued being an active environmental campaigner in her years here. Her knowledge of the biggest issues the Hauraki Gulf islands were facing became invaluable in 2017 when a panel of experts formed a working group calling for the revitalisation of The Hauraki Gulf. Alison was on the panel including commercial and recreational fishers, Maori and conservationists. They made ambitious recommendations to address the urgent issues through a Marine Spatial Plan called Sea Change.

To this present time, many of those recommendation, be it with many pauses and restarts, are being implemented.

In 2021 at 76, Alison was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for her service in conservation and community.

At the recent closing cere-

BRANDS

BIG DEALS

mony of the Kauri Trust 2000 (see page 16) Alison, as the Chair of the Trust, was presented with a beautiful kauri print by DOC Operations Manager Nick Kelly in recognition of her long service.

The Informer spoke to Paul Hopkins, Chair of Cooks Beach Residents and Ratepayers at the farewell ceremony and more recently.

“Alan was a huge help locally with community organisation requirements such as the Purangi Conservation Trust. Just recently he helped our association sort through the new set of rules for incorporated societies and handled the changes. He was a very generous man with his time and skills. He was one of the driving forces with Adele Smales in Dunecare and a good friend to many of us.”

Locals also told The Informer about how Alan was a keen fish-

erman and in retirement would go out three or four times a week to enjoy his favourite spot off Mercury Bay - advice he got from John Elwood. The Indoor Bowls Club at Cooks Beach will miss Alan. He was a keen bowler.

The community will miss both of them a great deal. They were central to the life and progress of Cooks Beach. However, their focus on community has gathered strength in recent years and there are some champions who have taken up the cause of the environment and are leading the way.

Others will carry the baton and new leaders and futures will emerge in their time. Connecting people meaningfully was important to them. Thank you Alan and Alison for all that you meant to Mercury Bay especially the community of Cooks Beach. Hamilton is not far away.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENTS

Mercury Bay Fishing Club Junior Tournament

It’s on now! Friday 3 April –Saturday, 18 April

It's not too late to enter. Just head into the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club on the Esplanade and sign up. There's plenty of amazing prizes to be won! It is $40 for angler entry.

Made possible by Hunting and Fishing Whitianga.

Gate Prize is $10,000 worth of gear

• Two age categories 0-12, 13-17 years (you must be under 18 on 18th April).

• There is a brand new Land Base section

• A T & R Billfish section

• And a mackerel section for children aged 0-5.

This tournament coincides with the New Zealand Sports Fishing Council Junior nationals and you can sign up at any local fishing club.

ELIGIBLE SPECIES

Marlin – all ages

Tuna – (0-12yrs) & (13-17yrs)

Kingfish – (0-12yrs) & (13-17yrs)

Snapper – (0-12yrs) & (13-17yrs)

Kahawai – (0-12yrs) & (13-17yrs)

Trevally –(0-12yrs) & (13-17yrs) Mackerel – (0-5yrs)

MINIMUM SIZES

Marlin – 90kg

Kingfish – 75cm

Snapper – 40cm

LANDBASED SECTION

1st place – Kingfish

1st place – Snapper 1st place – Kahawai

WEIGHSTATION

3-17 April available via appointment Saturday, 18 April 2pm-5pm

PRIZEGIVING

Sat 18 April at 6.00pm in the Blue Lagoon (at the back of the Fishing Club). Dinner for all our anglers will be provided!

KIDS DISCO

There is a Kids Disco at At The Monkey House, Whitianga in the school holidays. Thursday, 9 April 4:30pm-6:30pm. $10 and includes drink and GloStick, plus facepainting.

Day Camp needs teen leaders and adult helpers

301 children registered. Starts next Tuesday, 14 April.

This a fantastic three day outdoor, community-led activity programme based on Christian values. It is located on Morcom farm – at Cooks Beach with daily return ferry and bus for Whitianga and buses from Prescotts Garage at Hikuai pick up at Tairua and Whenuakite.

Adult helpers: We have all kinds of fun jobs that fit all skill sets during camp, or with setting up and packing down. We really hope the adults can come for the three days but one day is a big help. We’d love to hear from you! Register online: daycamp. co.nz/adult-volunteers

Teen Leaders: You get to come

to camp free. To start off you’ll have a mandatory training day – Monday 13 April to find out what you’ll personally be doing at camp.

Be quick and register at daycamp.co.nz/teen-leaders Website registration is under ‘Volunteers’. All information can be found on our website daycamp.co.nz „ Tina Bartlett is the Director of Day Camp. She is a grandmother and highly skilled organiser and great leader of our young people. The Day Camp is run under the umbrella of the Mercury Bay Community Support Trust and 2026 will be Day Camp’s 26th year.

Coromandel Rescue Missions

Coromandel statistics for the Auckland & Coromandel Westpac Rescue Helicopters 1–31 March 2026

01.03 Thames Assist with the interhospital transfer of an elderly male patient suffering a medical complaint. He was flown from Thames Hospital to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition.

06.03

07.03

07.03

07.03

10.03

10.03

11.03

11.03

Matarangi Assist a male patient suffering injuries from a motor vehicle accident. He was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

Pauanui Assist a female patient in her 50’s suffering injuries from a fall. She was extracted by winch and flown to Auckland City Hospital in a moderate condition.

Whangamata Assist a male patient in his 70s suffering injuries from a fall. He was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a moderate condition.

Whangamata Assist a male patient in his 50’s suffering injuries from a mountain bike accident. He was flown to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition.

Coroglen Assist an elderly female patient suffering a medical complaint. She was flown to Thames Hospital in a serious condition.

Coromandel Assist a patient involved in a water-related incident. The patient was flown to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition.

Coromandel Crew were stood down enroute and tasked to Mission 199.

Matarangi Assist an elderly male patient suffering a medical complaint. He was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

13.03 Great Mercury Island Crew tasked by the Rescue Coordination Centre to 15NE of Great Mercury Island. Crew were stood down enroute and returned to base.

15.03 Hot Water Beach Assist a patient in involved in a non-fatal drowning. The patient was flown to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.

27.03 Whitianga Assist a female patient in her 60’s suffering a medical complaint. She was flown to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.

27.03

Whitianga Assist a male patient in his 70’s suffering a medical complaint. He was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

29.03 Whitianga Crew tasked to Whitianga to assist a female patient in her 70’s suffering a medical complaint. She was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

29.03

Thames Crew tasked to assist with the interhospital transfer of an elderly female patient suffering injuries from a fall. She was flown from Thames Hospital to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition.

For Julie fishing is a family affair – a key to community

BY SANDRA RATCLIFFE

When the fishing season gets underway, Coro mandel calendars fill up and the ever-popular “Ladies Only” competitions are right at the top of the list. From Whitianga’s Girls in the Bay to Tairua’s Fish ‘n’ Chicks and Whangamatā’s Nauti Girls, these events continue to pull in keen anglers from across the region.

They’re not just about fishing; they’re about people.

Tairua’s Julie Elliot knows that well. A familiar face in local comps, she’s landed plenty of solid fish over the years, both off the rocks and from a boat. However, ask around and most will tell you it’s her love of fishing and the way she’s shared it that stands out.

Her son Frank grew up in it.

“My mum is a land-based weapon and my stepdad a stray-lining wizard. They taught me a lot. If I wasn’t out fishing, I was setting nets in the harbour or floundering the shallows.”

It’s that passing down of knowledge and time together that really keeps communities

strong.

A couple of years ago, Julie teamed up with Frank and daughter-in-law Jane for the Tairua Fish ‘n’ Chicks. With the sea too rough for their boat, they hit the rocks instead. Frank carried the gear and handled the burley while the women fished and it paid off, with Julie taking out the top spot.

It wasn’t a one-off. Years earlier, after finishing work late, she headed around Mt Paku and quietly landed the winning snapper in another comp.

These days, she’s just as likely to be found down at the

wharf, catching bait and enjoying the evening. Recently, a Morepork perched on her rod tip, one of those quiet moments you don’t forget. Morepork are said to guard sacred places, and to Julie with rod in hand, the wharf is such a place. And maybe that’s what fishing really is around here on the Coromandel; not just the catch, but the stories, the time together, and the connection to place.

Out on the water or off the rocks, it’s all part of what makes this community what it is.

Tairua raises funds for permanent Heritage home

BY PAM FERLA

Tairua Heritage Society’s Easter fundraising market has helped the society’s quest for a permanent home to display its collection of artifacts.

Deputy chairperson of the society, David Rushforth, says the society is very grateful to the community board and council for their support, which ensures it has the one third of funding needed to buy the building it currently leases. The society has raised about $80,000 so far.

“We can now apply with more confidence to other potential funders such as the Lotteries and Trust Waikato, who have that onethird requirement. It makes us much more hopeful of achieving our target by the end of November when our lease expires.

“We are also extremely grateful to the many other people and institutions who have generously made donations to our building fund and for their ongoing support.”

Local antiques dealer, Adam Archer, is a keen supporter of the society and donated many pieces of china to the Easter fundraising market.

He points out that if we don’t remember our history we may be doomed to repeat it.

“I am impressed with the number of heritage society members in this

small town. They’re a great bunch of people and it will be so good if they can have a permanent home for their displays. There current building is the perfect place for this and I’m keen to support them and their fundraising to reach their goal.”

The current site on Main Road works well for the society’s displays,

which include lots of fascinating old photographs. A recent addition is photographs relating to Tairua Surf Lifesaving Club. Books, local history panels and old maps are also among the displays. The society welcomes visitors to the centre. Winter opening hours are Friday – Sunday, 10am – 2pm.

Mussels raise the funds for Tairua

BY PAM FERLA

The aroma of Tairua Volunteer Fire Brigade’s legendary mussel fritters attracted crowds to the annual Firemen’s Market on Easter Saturday and kept brigade members busy dishing out fritters and sausages.

Stalls included jewels, games, toys, plants and antiques as well as the attraction of sitting in the fire engine.

Fire Chief, Chris New, said funds raised from the day will help run the brigade’s ute and van as well as equipment not funded by the national fire service. Members of the local St John Ambulance Service also supported the event.

Harpist this Sunday

Thames Music Group’s Sunday afternoon concert on 12 April will feature one of the leading harpists of her generation, Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell from Dublin, Ireland. An internationally acclaimed performer, Anne-Marie regularly appears at major festivals and conferences worldwide, including several World Harp Congresses. She is visiting New Zealand as a competition judge and guest presenter at Harp Fest NZ 2026, organised by Harps Aotearoa Foundation under artistic director and Thames local Anna Dunwoodie, with whom she has collaborated previously.

Anne-Marie is particularly renowned for expanding the harp repertoire and for her innovations on the lever harp. Her work was so influential that Salvi Harps, Italy, redesigned their lever harps as full concert instruments. She has premiered numerous works for pedal and lever harp, many written especially for her. Her orchestral appearances include performances with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and the National

Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, for whom she was soloist in her lever harp concerto *In Light Anew*.

A prolific recording artist, composer and scholar, her publications include critical editions of J.S. Bach, alongside multiple solo and collaborative recordings. She has also been commissioned to write major new works for harp and harp ensembles. Anne-Marie is Head of Harp at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and is a sought-after international

examiner and jury member. She will perform on both lever and pedal harp as well as accompany herself singing, for the Thames Music Group concert.

„ DETAILS: Thames Music Group’s Sunday Concert series presents Anne-Marie O’Farrell, Sunday 12 April at 2.00 pm, St George’s Church, Mackay Street, Thames.

Tickets: $20/Adult, $15/ TMG Member, Free entry/ Under 18 yrs old.

Contact: thamesmusicgroup@yahoo.co.nz

We have an exceptional reputation. Just look what our recent customers have to say!

“NZ Move It team were incredibly careful with my fragile items - the care was very evident! Nothing was too hard to assist with - I highly recommend their services”

P. McNeill, 2025 (repeat customer)

“The guys were both really nice. They arrived on time and the move went perfectly. They were efficient and worked hard. It could not have been a better experience (and I have moved house almost 50 times over the years!)”

R. Preston, 2025

“The boys were marvellous. Couldn’t fault them!”

T. and L. True, 2025

Events at The Monkey House, Whitianga

BEN CATLEY

Ben Catley at Monkey House Lounge & Cabaret on Friday, 10 April.

„ Tickets for Ben Cateley – $25 from Humantix.

SHAYNE P. CARTER

Shayne P. Carter, of Straitjacket Fits and Dimmer fame, playing Saturday, 11 April. The recent subject of an award-winning documentary; “Life in One Chord”, Shayne is ready to wow with a special, intimate performance.

„ Tickets from UndertheRadar (including Under 18s), or check out www.beatfairy.com for upcoming events and ticket details.

Toscars by Tairua Troubadours

THE TOSCARS

The Tairua Pepe Bridge construction gave us no choice but to bring the show forward to perform in April. This is not entirely ideal but the cast has said, ‘The show must go on!’ We will be the last event in the hall for quite some time. It will mean we can still raise much needed funds for our local community groups. Tickets are on sale now. Email: tairuatroubadours@ gmail.com. BYO snacks and drinks.

Travel with Sarah Jane

Is it worth going to Hobbiton?

A film set location: Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning trilogy.

Yes, it is worth going to Hobbiton, especially with the 2026 updates. You aren’t looking at facades anymore. The set features 44 Hobbit dwellings, each reflecting a specific trade (baker, gardener, etc.) and its pub and butcher. The 12-acre Hobbiton village is meticulously maintained and unlike previous years, all tours now include entry into the interiors of the Bagshot Row Hobbit Holes. You can finally see the intricate craftsmanship inside the hill.

WHAT DOES THE TOUR COVER?

1. The Village Walk: A 1.5-hour guided walk through the 12-acre set.

2. Interior Access: A guided journey through the fully themed interiors of Bagshot Row.

3. The Green Dragon Inn: A 20-minute stop to enjoy a complimentary beverage from the Southfarthing range (Ginger Beer, Cider, or Ale).

4. The Working Farm: A short bus ride across the Alexander farm, providing context on how Sir Peter Jackson discovered this “Middle-earth” landscape

CAN WE TAKE PHOTOS OF THE HOBBIT HOUSE INTERIOR?

Yes. With the new Bagshot Row interiors, you can now capture high-resolution photos inside the curated living spaces. However, for the exterior shots, remember the “Scale Variable”: some holes are 100% scale (to make humans look small) and others are 60% scale (to make Hobbits look right). Choose your backdrop based on your desired height-data output.

Mischa Evanson 0273246018

www.roomshomestaging.co.nz info@roomshomestaging.co.nz home staging

CAN YOU WALK AROUND HOBBITON BY YOURSELF?

No. The set is located on a private working farm and is accessible only via guided tour. Guides are professional and firm about keeping to the paths to protect the “Primary Source” environment. Duration of the tour experience is approximately two and a half to 3 hours (including the bus transfer from The Shire’s Rest).

There is a gift shop, and the café pricing is accordingly with the

47 years developing long term relationships with clients.

Specialising in Business Development, Taxation, Farm Accounting, Structuring, Accounting Systems. For an obligation-free discussion and appraisal of your business needs, call me.

Phone 021 960 494 or 07 866 2907

Whitianga Office (Mon-Wed) 26a Albert Street, Whitianga

nearby town of Matamata offering plenty of choice.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE MUST WE SECURE MY “BOOKING SLOT”?

Hobbiton is a primary international gateway attraction. During the peak summer cycle (Dec–Feb), the booking delta can be 4 to 6 weeks. I suggest you recalibrate your itinerary early to avoid a “Null Result” at the gate.

CAN WE VISIT LORD OF THE RINGS FILM LOCATIONS NEARBY HOBBITON?

Yes. While Hobbiton is the most “curated,” you can archive raw landscape data at Piopio (Hairy Feet Waitomo), roughly 1.5 hours south, where the Trollshaw Forest scenes were filmed. For a closer experience, the Kaimai Ranges served as the backdrop for several “wilderness” transition shots

HOW CAN I GET FROM MATAMATA TO HOBBITON?

If you aren’t using a personal transport, the most efficient route is the Shuttle from the Matamata i-SITE. Most tour bookings allow you to select “Matamata i-SITE”

as your departure point. It’s a 15-minute drive through picturesque rolling farmland that saves you the hassle of parking at The Shire’s Rest.

EXPENSE:

Adult (18+): $120 NZD (until March 31, 2026). There has been a small price increase to $130 NZD starting 1 April 1. As always, pricing can change; check beforehand for up-to-date ticket information.

WHAT TO DO NEARBY Matamata Township: Distance: 9km (15 mins). Don’t miss the i-SITE Visitor Centre on the main street; it is built like a Hobbit house. Firth Tower Museum: A 3.7km drive from town leads to this 1882 lookout tower and historical village. It’s a “Pioneering Archive” featuring 13 historic buildings, including a jail and a schoolhouse. Price: $10 Adult / $5 Child. Check beforehand to avoid disappointment. Don’t forget Wairere Falls.

The journey to become a full time sculptor – creating beauty

Margaret wrote three articles recently for The Informer – her story of the way she and her husband came to live in New Zealand and the impressions of their first New Zealand experience and consequently coming here to stay. I have mentioned before Margaret Lovall is a renowned sculptor and living locally. At the request of The Informer, this is the story of her becoming a sculptor.

BY MARGARET LOVALL

In my era at Infants School, there was no clay – 'play doh' not invented then! No exposure to art and craft products, simply water paint and brushes – but I really liked that!

Later on when I was 16, the teacher who took our class for art was so inspiring – to the extent I decided I wanted to go to art school. In my school art, I largely did water colour, glue work and collage. Papier Mache was the closest I came to 3D work... sculpture.

My parents said, ”Get a nice job in a bank or insurance office.” (In those days – after all.....it was just marking time until a girl got married!)

I could have got a job doing that too. I was given the typical options for a girl my age – ambition was not considered.

But there was a job in the advertising department of a local company that made boots and shoes. It was more or less painting boxes on which to display safety work boots! BUT it included one day a week training at Art College. I applied and got the job. It was like an apprenticeship, but the job was extremely limited. But having been introduced to Art College I started going to evening classes in addition to the one day a week while I was at the job. It was an hour’s travel on two buses each way, but worth every slow bus stop....I loved the art.

My parents saw that I was so keen and let me leave that job and actually go to Art College as a full-time student the following year. However, to do that – to get the qualification to make it possible to be able to get a scholarship grant for Art School, I had to go back to school and get the higher 'A' level in art.

To help me, my art teacher from

high school gave me private lessons prepared from the school syllabus, which made it possible for me to gain the scholarship on entry. Specializing in art subjects all day, every day was a dream come true! But we had to choose a particular subject as a craft too. I was keen to do fabric printing, because I liked things like cutting tomatoes in half and making patterns from the design inside, but I also 'fancied' stone carving. There was something very comfortable for me about the excitement of holding a hammer. Once I started carving a block of stone, I never looked back. I achieved the qualifications with stone carving and sculpture as my special subject as I finished at the West of England College of Art.

Most students at that point would take a teacher training course so that they could get a job in teaching.... I was not going to 'compromise’ – I was going to 'do sculpture'...whatever.

Fortunately, at that point, I was one of only two students selected

from the UK to take up places at The Slade. That is the art department at University College London. It is a postgraduate course – two years in addition to the four years at Art College. I did vacation jobs nannying to fund my life and went to as many galleries as I could. I loved going to the galleries and adsorbing anything 'art' I came across.

Upstairs from The Slade, was the Bartlett School of Architecture. So, here I was, sculpting on the basement floor and above there was painting. I remember someone would be playing Brahms Symphony. It would waft through the building. I discovered I loved classical music and would walk two tube stops and go to a record library which was a new phenomenon at that time.

Another discovery I made was about myself. I am not an open-studio kind of person....nor do I really think commercially ...others do that...I just like making sculpture!”

It was always my dream to go

to Greece. I never thought at this point about the commercial side of art. I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher. I would rather work in a foundry and have my own creations cast than teach in a classroom.

I was recommended to a visiting sculptor. I had made a ‘two box’ thing in plaster as part of my 'experimental flow'..... As a result, he asked, “Would you like to learn about casting your own work?”

Of course, I said yes. So, I was allowed to go and work at The Morris Singer world renowned foundry in London (at that time) and do every stage of my own casting. I did two pieces – one 'lost wax' and the other 'sand cast’ – what an experience! The visiting sculptor got the Arts Council of Great Britain to purchase one of the pieces, so it became one of their permanent collections which goes on tour both in UK

and internationally. By the way, I had to pay for the bronze I had used – it was £8 for the two sculptures then! I was paid £30 pounds for the sculpture the Arts Council bought....a lot of money then (= approx. NZ $61). (That piece is now worth $14,000+)!

When I left The Slade, I was fortunate to be awarded an Italian State scholarship to study in Italy for a year. I spent most of the time in Florence, but I also travelled around soaking up Renaissance sculpture as much as possible. Afterwards I was given a Greek Government scholarship which provided a year travelling in Greece, but I set up a studio in Athens so I could do my own work on a small scale.

Later on the Manager of the Foundry recommended me to a lady who had an Antique Glass Shop in Kings Road, Chelsea, London. She was keen to promote art using her shop basement for showing young people’s work. I became one of her progenies. It was there that I had my solo exhibitions and I was commissioned to do a 16 foot (almost 5 metres) bronze sculpture for a reservoir development scheme! At just 26 years old this was a marvellous opportunity – and I haven't had time to stop and look back since!

Whilst my work is shown in England mainly at Porthminster Gallery, St Ives; here in New Zealand, it is exhibited at Jonathan Grant Gallery, Parnell Hill, Auckland, though you may have to ask to see it in private area where it is always on show. Since moving to New Zealand, I have also enjoyed working on a smaller scale making medals, so my work for Medal Artists of New Zealand can be seen in the adjoining Artis Gallery in Parnell.

Open mic – a growing community drawcard

Open Mic every second Wednesday night at the Monkey House in Whitianga ais very different kind of evening. It needs to be sampled to understand it.

Local singers and musicians or poets or dancers who are just beginning presenting their long practised talents have a go at preforming on stage. There are also very experienced artists who also contribute to the evenings programme sometimes performing an original piece. There are bands and soloists and everyone is

received by the crowd with a positive cheer or clap. Sometimes there is a music artist who is new to the community who has been playing for gigs for years in other parts of the country and they come to sing or meet other musicians and performers.

Young people who are testing out their talents have a go. They are serious about developing their vices and their keyboard or guitar skills.

It is a safe place; no one is ridiculed. Kaspur and Molly, the Managers of Monkey House

Theatre and Bar ,support each act with sound and lighting and musical backing if needed. The evening’s programme lasts about two hours but people stay to talk and enjoy the atmosphere.

The Informer was at the most recent one and was astounded at the talent and the the variety as well as the joyfulness of some of the items. Kaspur Franke led the Open Mic programme with a dramatic and poignant recitation.

Try it – it’s on this Wednesday night from about 7.30pm.

Plastic eggs became chocolate eggs

There were no chocolate eggs nestled under the bushes for children to find. However, there were hollow plastic eggs of all different colours which, when found, could be exchanged for a chocolate prize. A golden egg resulted in receiving a large chocolate bunny. Luke and Ilana of Coroglen Tavern had worked out and prepared a very clever and very generous Easter Egg Hunt. Most of the children, armed with a decorated paper bag pro-

vided by their hosts, took seriously they were to find only one hollow plastic egg and leave the rest for others. When you are two and three years of age, that message escapes you entirely. However, there was a lot of sharing going on. Children who had located more than one egg were telling others where to find the plastic treasures. All ages lined up to have their face painted in theme by Eloise who is Matilda, the Time Travelling Fairy and synonymous with children’s events across The Coro-

mandel. She had prepared a list of animals and fantasy characters that she could do on this special Easter Saturday (see front page). Parents enjoyed the food and drink and catching up with other parents. At times, they were also required to cajole children who were having trouble finding an egg. This kind of event is such a bonus for families. Children rightfully assume their community is generous and it is. Thank you Coroglen tavern – Ilana and Luke.

Your

Coromandel Bach, Taken Care Of

Make the most of your bach with trusted local care and income between stays.

With MyStays, your holiday home is professionally cared for by our local team in the area, delivering trusted holiday home management from Matarangi and Whitianga to Pauanui and Tairua. Backed by a trusted New Zealand-owned brand, we combine genuine local knowledge with proven holiday home management expertise.

From bookings to property care, our local team takes care of every detail to help protect your investment, earn income between stays, and give you confidence in a trusted local partner.

“We are extremely happy with MyStays; their professionalism, systems,and staff are excellent. Thoroughly recommended!”

M.B - Coromandel Bach Owner

Talk to our friendly team about making the most of your bach

Find your perfect escape with 165+ North Island holiday homes.

All-inclusive rates, hotel-quality comfort, and 24/7 support — for an easy, relaxing getaway.

The KAURI 2000 Project comes to an end

BY DELI CONNELL

On 28 March, the Kauri 2000 Trust held a warm, emotional closing ceremony at Kūaotunu Hall, attended by past and present trustees, and some long standing volunteers. The event celebrated nearly 26 years of work that began modestly in founder Cliff Heraud’s garden in Kūaotunu. Cliff conceived a Millennium project to plant 2,000 kauri to mark the new century.

Dame Catherine Tizard graciously accepted the role of Patron and attended the inaugural planting in the Kaueranga Valley in August 1999. Event organiser and trustee Jill Kaeppeli read a heartfelt message from original trustee Vivienne McLean (now retired, living with her husband Percy in Whanganui), prompting laughter and a few tears. Vivienne summed it up wryly: “It’s amazing what people will do for a sausage.” Stories flowed of bush whacking, slips and falls (fortunately no serious injuries), and Percy’s legendary post work barbecues. Many volunteers were no longer “spring chickens,” and their perseverance earned particular admiration.

Local schools, rangatahi, and staff from the Bank of New Zealand also joined plantings - BNZ provided both volunteer days and strong financial support. To date,

more than 55,000 kauri have been planted - - far exceeding the original target. Most plantings were on public land managed by the Department of Conservation.

DOC Operations Manager ,Nick Kelly, thanked the Trust and presented chair Alison Henry with a beautiful kauri print in recognition of her long service.

The Trust extends deep thanks to all sponsoring businesses, donors, contractors and hardy volunteers. Remaining funds have been gifted to four recipients:

• The University of Auckland for kauri dieback research;

• The Rings Beach Wetland Group for conservation work in the

Bluff

• Enhancement of Pukenui Reserve (Wainuiototo/New Chum);

• The Kūaotunu Peninsula Trust for restoration of PukeumuBlack Jack Reserve at Kūaotunu following the damaging summer fires of 2025.

„ Founder Cliff Heraud was awarded a QSM in 2013 before his passing in 2015. Ninety-two kauri were planted in Cliff’s memory at Blackjack Hill Kūaotunu (one for each of his birthdays) on land cleared of wilding pines. His daughter Viv and granddaughter Storm both proudly attended this event.

But there is an opening coming...

Glenn Schase and his team have built the Menz Shed with the help of huge goodwill from the community – businesses and individuals. They want everyone to come to the opening on Saturday, 18 April at 11:00am. Full details – centre pages next issue of The Informer.

Right: Glen in the midst of a Thursday morning session at The Menz Shed.

bridge and box culvert

EXPERTS

A generous gift on closing their service

BY MATT ALGIE, CHAIRMAN

The Whitianga Community Bus Service has closed its operations driving people to and from hospital and medical appointments after 17 years of service.

This service was initiated and funds raised out of the very practical need to drive people needing to undergo medical treatment to their scheduled appointments when they could not drive themselves to the hospital and back. They were a priority service at the time and they would provide two drivers and adjust their schedule according to the times set down for the patient. Hate Hone St John began a similar service in later years as did Whitianga Community Social Services. The community Bus service continued its customised service but it became more difficult to fulfil all the new regulations required and too much

legal work and red tape was required to fulfil operational viability.

As a service, it was time to close and dispose of the assets.

Whitianga Community Services Trust, doing similar work, is very grateful for the good will of the Community Bus Service and the injection of the organisation’s bank balance which is around $17,000. This is in addition to their vehicle which is in very good condition and will be used well with the work of the Trust.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the huge number of people who have helped the Community Bus flourish in the 17 years of operation. Very sadly, the bureaucratic state of running voluntary organisations has made it untenable for us to continue, right at a time when we are needed more than ever.

Thank you for all your support.

„ (See official letter in Letters to the Editor p.18)

Environment Matters

Spill action and over-reaction

BY MALCOLM CAMPBELL

The Royal New Zealand Navy recently spilled 200 to 400 litres of oil into Akaroa Harbour. Reported, it was less than 400 litres, less than two well-known 44 gallon drums. The reaction was almost instant. Boats were out sweeping up the oil. Canterbury Regional Council officers were there and of course the television cameras and others, who had a view on oil pollution and the effects on the wildlife.

Quite clearly, nature or anything or anyone wants oil in or on the water.

However, Waikato Regional Council in accord with the Department of Conservation happily spreads poison, not including the deadly toxic 1080 and in quantity 50 metric tonnes of concentrate, around 170 times the quantity the Royal NZ Navy spilled and there are no television cameras, no wildlife monitoring, apparently no responsibility, year after year, all aided and abetted by the Environment Court.

In the last issue of a wellknown farming paper, ‘Farmers Weekly” the report covers the successful trapping of wild pigs

in Northland. Thirty-eight pigs had been trapped using three traps. The traps are portable and are self-setting enabling the capture of a number of pigs, successfully turning a pest into a food resource. However, the wild pork can only remain a food resource as long as the authorities do not start pouring 1080 poison into the bush, making the wild pig a poisoned or semi-poisoned ani-

mal and rendering the pork unfit for consumption – DOC taking potential food off the table. Changing the subject nitrogen has again hit the headlines detected as rising to dangerous levels in groundwater particularly in Southland and Canterbury. Well the boffins told the farmers to spread the nitrogen. If there is a short term shortage of cattle feed, bang on some nitrogen as

the quickest way to get growth.

Let us look at some figures. In 2019, NZ farmers spread 452,000 tonnes of nitrogen up from 59,000 tonnes in 1990. That is seven times as much.

Look at some more figures. On every hectare of the planet, there is 100,000 tonnes of atmosphere. It is hard to believe, but even more staggering is the fact that of that 100,000 tonnes, 78,000 tonnes is

nitrogen – just under four-fifths of the air mass. The nitrogen in the air is free; it is already spread. Farmers only have to get the soil to harvest free nitrogen by developing the soil biology. Clover goes some of the way, but not all the way. The biology of the soil is the key. On this farm and our previous farm, it was never ever necessary to spread nitrogen on pasture.

In 2026, nitrogen is retailing at or around $1000.00 a tonne. This comes to a staggering $452,000,000 being spent on fertiliser that nature is providing for free. However our Government is going to import liquid natural gas to facilitate the production of more nitrogen fertiliser, ignoring natural resources.

DOC is back in the ‘news’ again. The Informer Issue 1200 carries an advertisement notifying the public that feral deer have been observed in the Coromandel Forest Park. Does this indicate a change of heart with DOC now willing to liaise with the Peninsula residents, something DOC were unwilling to do when strong protest movements were organised against the use of poison in the park namely 1080?

Co-operation is desirable by all means, but it is a two way street.

This is your chance to secure one of the very best sections at Wharekaho.

Perched above the coast, these elevated, sun-soaked sites boast sweeping views over the Whitianga Harbour, Front Beach, Flaxmill Bay, Mercury Bay, and the golden sands of Wharekaho.

TheComeand“sea”foryourself! onethelocalsarebuying.

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY –SECURE ONE OF THE AREA’S FINEST SITES!

Letters to the Editor

RATES AND UNWANTED PROJECTS

I see we have rates up to end of June at 7.7 percent. Taking the proposed getting down rates 3.8%, the overall increase is still about $460 for the year.

I am interested in whether pet projects are put aside in the interest of keeping rates down and maintaining basic services. The Whitianga Esplanade seems to be such a project. There is nothing wrong with it. Leave it alone, if ever there was a pet project this is it.! Incoming council promised all sorts of cost savings, yet read the latest council minutes, every election promises are made, then, just a few weeks later they have completely dismissed what they promised.

At Simpsons Beach/Wharekaho, we do not want your water and wastewater scheme, I am very wary of what City Care Water, a Christchurch City Council identity may bring here, especially after the massive water rates increases that have just been announced on Wellington.

David Lang, Simpsons Beach

NEWS WE NEEDED TO HEAR Flemming Rasmussens’ “Elected Members’ Accountability” Opinion Piece (page 13, issue 1202, 24 March), was enlightening. If Flemming would be prepared to offer us all another slice of his time I would ask that this ‘column’ be repeated on a more regular basis. 3 monthly rather than 6 monthly would give us all not just a remarkable insight into how things are progressing behind the no longer “Closed Doors” at TCDC but also a whole new respect for our Elected Councillors – or the majority of them!

Ady Cole-Ewen Simpsons Beach.

RECEIVED AT THE INFORMER OFFICE FROM MERCURY BAY COMMUNITY BUS INC. SOCIETY

Re: Dissolution of the Mercury Bay Community Bus Inc. Society Dear Mercury Bay Community, Due to the Charities Commission new regulations and criteria, we find it untenable to operate as a registered charity and provide the medical transport service to the wider Mercury Bay area that we have for the past 15 years. With a heavy heart and much regret we will cease to operate as of 31 March 2026.

Thank you for your support and the hundreds of hours of chat that our drivers have enjoyed on the trips.

All the very best for the future, kind regards Matt Algie, Chairman

I DIFFER WITH MR BRICKELL Alastair Brickell misses Muldoon. The guy who got us to 18% inflation and nearly bankrupted the country. Not a solid foundation for an energy lecture. He says Kapuni’s problem is politics. Wrong – it’s geology. New Zealand’s gas fields have been rapidly declining for years. That is why the industry is struggling, not Labour policy.

The Chatham phosphate project has not been consented. He

Letters to the Editor enable members of the public to express an opinion, about an article or a topic of interest/concern. Please keep them to 200 words or less. They do not reflect the view of the Editor who reserves the right to edit and decide what is published.

thinks it’s ideology. The actual reason is a serious environmental risk to seabed ecosystems. “Just dig it up” isn’t a policy.

He thinks preferring renewables is a personal preference, like liking pineapple on pizza. It’s not. Global investment in renewables is already double that of fossil fuels. Over 150 leading NZ businesses contributing 45% of private sector GDP, and Transpower agree. But sure, Alastair Brickell knows better.

On the backup problem: when wind and solar run, hydro reservoirs fill up. That stored water is the backup. Not complicated. Embarrassing to have to explain.

Renewables are a financial masterclass, not a “green dream”. My decade of foresight in solar and EVs has paid for itself, and then some. My combined monthly power and transport bill, charging two EVs, sits in credit. How many hundreds are you bleeding monthly, shackled to fossil fuels that are eye-watering in price and may yet be rationed, Alastair?

Mr Brickell mocks electric sea gliders. The industry has a $15 billion order book. Lockheed Martin and Japan Airlines are in. A mass production facility is being designed right now. Calling it unproven isn’t “real-world” thinking. It’s being wrong in public.

Every false claim could be checked in thirty seconds on ChatGPT. The facts are not hidden. Mr Brickell simply chose not to look.

Denis Tegg, Thames

MISSION: NOT IMPOSSIBLE

Autumn’s here and time to reflect on a few events I attended during the Summer.

Firstly, I went to Th’ Dudes concert, a favourite band of mine from the 70’s, at The Coroglen Tavern.

An awesome concert, at a great venue with great staff, enhanced by the sticky sweet smell of Coromandel Cabbage wafting through the night air.

It rained most of the evening, but it didn’t matter – we were under the venue’s big roof.

We sang and danced like it was 1975.

Fast forward to mid-March and the Kubota Billfish Classic on the northern reclamation, beside the Marina.

Another awesome, well-run event. The only downside was not everybody could see or hear what was happening on the stage, as the set up was largely governed by marquee sizes.

Simple solution: Build a permanent large roof on the site, like The Coroglen Tavern. Boom! Sorted!

This could be more architecturally designed to fit into the landscape. Think of The Cloud, on Auckland’s waterfront. It could be used for Fishing Comps, Food Festivals, Markets, Night Markets, Concerts, Line Dancing Displays etc. The list is endless. A portable kitset stage could be added when necessary and marquees could be added for bigger events.

Okay now the serious stuff Firstly, the Marina Society has a long-term lease on the land. They would need to be onboard first. They seem to be a savvy, progressive bunch of characters that could see some business sense in having a covered venue, on an otherwise barren bit of land.

Secondly, we would have to deal with TCDC, Environment Waikato and any number of other Ministries of Bureaucratic Red Tape.

Right now, they’ll be hitting the speed dial on the list of consultants and experts asking for myriads of reasons why it can’t be done.

Thirdly – the cost. This could be privately funded, with naming rights, by an individual, a group, or a business. The Marina Society might want to be involved with funding, with the option of hiring it for events. No cost to the ratepayer.

You may see this as pie-in-thesky stuff, particularly in the current economic climate, but we want and need to attract more events to Whitianga as we all benefit from the influx.

C’mon Whitianga – let’s all sing and dance like it’s 1975!

Mike Skee, Whitianga, Raise The Roof Society

MOA STONES

Here’s some I found yesterday while spending 4+ hours doing my regular trapping run on the Rings Beach Wetland. I always try to rescue a few from being washed down to the sea where they will be lost forever. They’re not making any more of these... Alastair Brickell, Kuaotunu

WHAT HAPPENED TO TRUST AND USE LOCAL?

The Coromandel Rubbish Dump is soon going to operate on restricted hours. This is sad as the staff are probably not paid a lot, whereas in Thames there are dozens of staff earning over $100,000 annually.

I am sure that reducing this overpaid headcount even by one would cover the cost of our dump.

Also the TCDC in Thames seems to think it knows better about Coromandel than the local office, for example they employed a builder from Auckland to construct a ramp for the Theatre at Hauraki House. Recently, they dispatched two electricians from Thames to fail to fix an electrical problem when our new carpark was laid. When a local electrician, who had previously worked on Hauraki House, was employed through the local office, the matter was fixed immediately, without several hours travel!

I realize that the bureaucrats in Thames have to interfere as much as possible, so that it looks as though they are being productive, but the Coromandel TCDC office headed by Margaret Harrison is actually very competent and well run.

It would be nice and more efficient if the Thames office were to refer Coromandel problems and requests for service through our local office. It would also save a lot of money!

Neville Cameron, Coromandel

THE REFUGE CENTRE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME

I recently asked our District Council a simple question: where do I go in an emergency?

I expected an address. I received three pages.

The Council’s Civil Defence Controller explained, at length, that locations of Civil Defence Centres are deliberately not published. Publishing them, you see, might cause people to turn up at a centre that isn’t yet open. The solution to this – real-time communications confirming which centres are active, as used routinely in Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States – was not mentioned.

I was told I’d been using the wrong terminology. “Refuge Centre” is not an operational term. I

should not use it. No alternative navigable term was provided. I am now apparently forbidden from asking for the thing I cannot find using the name it does not have.

I raised my concerns with elected Councillors. The letter informed me this was pointless, as elected members have no remit over operational emergency management decisions and would simply refer me back to the Controller. The democratic door, it turns out, opens onto the same corridor.

I requested information under freedom-of-information law. I was told I had already received it. I proposed a solution. I was told it created a new problem.

Meanwhile, the Council has published detailed Standards describing exactly what a Civil Defence Centre must provide – staffing, equipment, welfare facilities – while declining to say where any of them are. This is the logical equivalent of publishing a menu with no restaurant address.

Franz Kafka wrote about systems that are technically functioning but practically impenetrable. He would have found Thames-Coromandel District Council’s emergency management communications policy entirely unsurprising – and probably quite publishable.

The ground moves here. We deserve to know where to go. David Yeomans, Pauanui

GOOD NEWS WITH TRAPS

The acceptance of these traps into the business of wild animal control is new. For thirty years the government-funded wild animal control (WAC) has centred on poison. Poison was dropped from the sky, poison was spread around in ‘bait-stations’, Waikato Regional Council (EW) gave away 10 kg bags of brodifacoum to anyone who walked into the Whitianga office and asked for it. “Hurry! It has to all be gone by this date or else the funds will dry up.”

Wild life control has been poison, poison, poison up until the emergence of George Campbell’s traps. With such a clear solution one has to ask, what was the power which kept the poisoning going for 30 years unchallenged?

John Veysey, Thames Coast

Musings from the Village Opinion

A sniff of a coup in the air – Changes may be coming

BY GORDON T

Icame home the other day to see the Gardener’s car parked outside, so, presuming he was hard at it, I wandered into the garden to see what he was up to. The sound of the secateurs in action caused me to look at the citrus trees and there I spotted him, immersed in the lemon tree and wearing a full camouflage outfit with a jaunty beret. No wonder he was hard to spot.

I wandered over, greeted him and asked what the purpose of the uniform was. He stood up, putting my secateurs in one of his many pockets and announced, “Its practice. I need to be comfortable with the uniform for when I launch the coup.” This deserved a beer and discussion I felt, so I indicated the beer fridge and the Gardner nodded eagerly. Shortly we were both comfortably ensconced with beer in hand and I asked “A coup? Who do you want to take over and why?”

My companion took a deep breath. “The why is because nothing happens around here. No beach protection; stormwater problems; ageing waste system; no footpath at Simpsons Beach and our rates are going up; and that’s just the start of the list.” “The rates shouldn’t be going up much,” I remarked. The Gardener’s nostrils started to flare, and he stood up to explain “If rates go up and services provided go down, then that is the same as big rates increase; yet

the Council acts like it is being clever. Let’s see them do the same amount of work more efficiently, lift council productivity and give ratepayers an increase in value!”

“Understand your point of view,” I

responded. “Productivity and efficiency gains would demand work at the staff level, and possibly an attitude change. I cannot see that happening quickly. I’ve been following various reports in The Informer. An example is that proposed bund at the Taputapuatea Reserve. The Councillors said it could go ahead last year but, one flood and four months later and still very little has been done. All delays seem to have come from the staff management level and there is no indication of how it is going. It was only a couple of days work, and a good operations manager would have had that done late last year. Now that is a level of productivity council staff need to aspire to if we are to get better value out of our rates spend.”

The Gardener enthusiastically announced, “That is why there must be a coup! We need to force change, so I am gathering a small guerrilla force and when we are ready, we will take over the Community Board! We will get some things happening”. I tried not to laugh as he did appear to be serious. I thought I should give him some more understanding, so I took a deep breath and explained. “Taking over the Community Board won’t do you much good as firstly you will need to have a meeting to agree on what you are going to do before announcing it to the people”. The Gardner nodded; “So?”

I carried on. “The staff only let you have

a meeting when they have trained you on their version of how things are done and feel that they have time for a meeting. This is likely to take some months. Then once you have had your first meeting you won’t be able to release a public report on it until the staff have read it, adjusted it and so on. It’s a slow process that gets you nowhere.”

The Gardner looked dismayed and said, “That takes you back to school days when we were run by some old spinster teachers with a mean streak. Must be some better way of achieving change. I was hoping to avoid driving to Thames but then, maybe we need to take over the Mayor’s office”. I didn’t want to dent his enthusiasm. “Think about Wellington’s new Council building where the staff have put the mayor’s office down at the basement level whereas the staff are up high with great views. Just think about this; visiting dignitaries can gaze at the graffitied walls of the car park when meeting with the mayor while Cheryl from accounts and her buddies gaze out at great views of the harbour. Who do you think really makes the decisions?”

The Gardner looked quite forlorn. “So, if I want real change, it looks like I need to take over the staff. But that sounds a little bit like getting a job and that was never the point of the coup”. He held out his bottle which I clinked with mine and said, “Cheers. It’s hard to get the perfect Council mate.”

Take part in a giving survey

omentum Waikato is supporting a national survey led by Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) to better understand how people give, and what makes giving easier or harder.

Whether you donate, volunteer, give koha or aroha, support whānau, or don’t currently give at all, your experience matters.

or go to www.communityfoundations.org.nz/survey

EDITOR’S NOTE: PICK UP A COPY

Complete the survey and go in the draw to gift $1,000 to a charity of your choice.

If you would like to do the survey but do not have access to the online survey, then you are welcome to pick up a copy from the Informer office, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga. Please return in an envelope to ensure confidentiality.

The survey explores:

• Why people choose to give

choose to enter a draw to direct a $1,000 donation to a charity of your choice. Entry is optional and separate from your survey responses.

Help us understand what it looks like in yours.

Short national survey. Anonymous. Open to anyone in Aotearoa.

• What encourages generosity

• What sometimes gets in the way

Scan the QR code and have your say.

Thank you for helping ensure this research reflects the diversity of our communities.

www.communityfoundations.org.nz/survey

• Views on longer-term giving, including gifts in Wills.

To build a true picture of giving in Aotearoa, we need to hear from a wide range of people and communities. Your response will help ensure voices from the Waikato are represented.

The survey:

• Takes around ten minutes

• Is anonymous and voluntary

• Is open to anyone living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

As a thank you, you can

To go to the survey scan the QR code on this page,

Child Abuse and the Peninsula

Some three years ago a young 9-year-old girl was sexually abused on at least 5 occasions by an older man who was a close family friend. The offending occurred in a small seaside village on the Coromandel Peninsula.

This immensely brave young girl reported these incidents to her parents and the Police. Subsequently a male in his late 70s was charged with 5 counts of sexual offences against a young child. At trial he was convicted of two of these charges and with discounts for his age and medical conditions was sentenced to a period of home detention. He was not placed on the sex offender register of New Zealand by the court.

The offender at no stage admitted or acknowledged his offending and after conviction showed no remorse for his actions.

As soon as his period of home detention was completed and without any further judicial oversight, he was free to return to the scene of his offending and with a strong likelihood that the young victim would and could be re traumatised due to his physical proximity.

The New Zealand Herald did a large piece on the incident and the offender was both named and identified by his photographs on his social media pages. The victim cannot be identified for legal reasons. The family support change in a number of areas and expressed their thanks to the community for their support and commended the Police Detective who dealt with their case.

Following the article in the NZ Herald a social media storm started on various local Face Book pages. The Herald story was repeated, the offender’s photographs widely shared and opinions ranging from running the offender out of town, to making threats of physical violence towards the offender were aired. Several locals were also heard to comment that this incident was ‘really not that serious’. FB administrators were criticised for doing their job by following the FB page rules.

Sadly, most of these posts were directed at the offender and there was precious little support for the victim or her family or indeed some calm logical and effective suggestions whereby we could keep our children safe.

The above incident raises serious questions around the conduct of the offender, the Law, the courts and the keyboard warriors on social media.

New Zealand can be rightly proud of how we as a nation are world leaders in a variety of pursuits, but two achievements are a

national disgrace and a cause of shame for our people. Statistics show that New Zealand is a world leader in both child abuse and domestic violence. Despite Royal Commissions of Enquiry, Acts of Parliament, actions by the police and the judiciary, education in schools and widespread condemnation this type of offending continues unabated.

It is not comfortable or fashionable to talk about child sexual abuse and secrecy only aids and abets sexual predators. The incident above is by no means an isolated one. Apart from shedding light on this incident, there are serious questions to be asked in respect of the offender’s conduct, the current Law, the way the Courts responded, the way sections of the community responded and importantly what steps should and could have been taken by all of us to protect our children.

By convention it is not acceptable to criticise the courts and the judiciary. That convention, whilst true for politicians, needs to be thrown out. The courts and the judiciary have a responsibility to keep our communities safe. They need to focus on the needs of the victims, they need to hold offenders accountable for their actions, they need to sentence offenders as Parliament dictates and they need to put in place stringent provisions where serious offenders are monitored long after their sentences have been completed.

In this case why was a young child required to spend 3 days in court with periods up to 6 hours in the witness box? Surely a young victim deserves better treatment

than that. Why was the offender not placed on the sex offenders register? This would have kept the victim safe and allowed the authorities to have a great deal of influence on where he lived, where he was allowed to travel and similar conditions. Why did the offender receive a sentence of 10 months home detention when the starting point under the Sentencing Act was 3 years? Despite what was in the Judges sentencing notes there can be no mitigating factors for any of these points. For far too long the rights of the

SPOKEN STATEMENT BY THE MOTHER OF THE VICTIM:

I want to acknowledge that this is not an easy topic. Sexual abuse can have deep and lasting impacts on children, their whānau, and the wider community. For some people here, this may feel very close to home. So, I want to speak with care, and with respect for those experiences.

I also want to acknowledge this community for being willing to lift the lid on something that can be hard to talk about. That takes courage, and it’s an important step in keeping our tamariki safe.

Our focus is really on working alongside people - whānau, individuals, and communities –to build confidence and understanding around what keeps children safe.

That looks like:

• helping adults feel more confident to notice concerns and

offender have been put ahead of the victims.

Is it any wonder that people in general have little trust and confidence in the judicial system?

Large amount of crime remain unreported, and Police are continuously frustrated that courts do not support their work and offenders are better than their victims.

Last weekend a private meeting was held in the village where this offending took place. Local leaders, representatives of the victim’s family, the Whitianga Social Services Trust, Child Sexual Abuse experts, the Police, our local MP Scott Simpson and Councillor Flemming Rasmussen attended. The aim of the meeting was to identify positive and constructive steps as to how a community can address child sexual abuse and develop strategies to keep our children safe. It also aimed to communicate to victims and their families how to keep themselves and identify what levels of support there were.

Suggestions included the formation of a Neighbourhood Support Group that could support victims and their families, keep the community safe and work closely with the authorities.

Many participants made it clear that there needs to be several changes in the law including the mandatory inclusion of all sex offenders on the Sex Offenders Register, better protection for young victims during a court process and much stronger and rele-

respond early.

• supporting strong, trusting relationships where children feel safe to speak up.

• creating safer spaces – at home, in organisations, and online.

We also make sure people know where to go for help. That includes support for those affected by harm, and for people who might be worried about their own thoughts or behaviours and want support to keep children safe.

In Aotearoa, about 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys may experience some form of sexual abuse; and in most cases – around 90% –the person responsible is someone known to the child or their family.

When we talk about sexual abuse, we’re talking about situations where someone older, stronger, or more powerful, involves a child in sexual activity for their own benefit.

I know those are hard things to hear – but they also remind

vant sentencing for offenders. It was also agreed that vigilante mentalities do not work and are not condoned.

Society must address these wider issues by better parenting, better education of how to keep safe and a firm message that child abuse and domestic violence will not be tolerated.

Child Sexual Abuse needs to be publicly aired. Offenders need to be held accountable and targeted compulsory treatment and rehabilitation made available. Only a holistic whole of community response will work.

For the victims and their families and those who need more support please find attached a list of social services.

For the brave young victim and her family, you have our support and we as a community will work to ensure that victims’ rights are upheld and offenders held to account.

„ Kathy Archibald works with CAPS Hauraki. Kathy is Project Lead for the Right2BSafe Project, which is all about prevention— helping stop harm before it happens.

„ CAPS Hauraki is a community-based organisation supporting people across Thames, Paeroa, Coromandel, and the wider Hauraki area.

„ Both organisations can be contacted through their websites. Offenders can be reported to Police on 111 or 105 and anonymous information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

us why prevention matters so much.

The good news is, there are practical things we can all do that make a real difference. These are simple things such as:

• making sure sleepovers are safe and well supervised

• encouraging children to trust their instincts.

• letting them know they should never keep harmful secrets.

• teaching body boundaries and using the correct names for body parts.

• knowing where our children are, who they’re with, and what they’re doing.

• staying involved in their online world.

These might seem like small steps, but together they help build a strong layer of protection around our children.

„ Statistics Source: Janet Fanslow is a Professor at the School of Population Health, University of Auckland

Games & Puzzles WIN!

Crossword Puzzle

Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver, mail, scan/photograph or email your entry to The Coromandel Informer, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, or info@ theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 12:00pm on Monday each week. The winner must please claim their prize from the New World checkout manager directly.

1. Display case (7)

4. Very annoyed (5)

7. Quaint village home (7)

8. Degrade (5)

9. Amusingly coarse (6)

12. Canines (8)

15. Re-emerge (8)

17. Came close to (6)

18. Radio control knobs (5)

21. Imposing building (7)

22. Skeleton parts (5)

23. Peppered (with holes) (7)

1. Fellow employee (2-6) (8)

2. Weather map line (6)

3. Durable timber (4)

4. Clueless, no ... (4) 5. Strikingly arranged (7)

Otherwise (4)

Postpone (5)

Gain knowledge (5) 13. Impeded (8) 14. Model of excellence (7) 16. Spoiled (of butter) (6)

Unable to speak (4)

Embroiders (4)

Layer (4)

Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Café in Whitianga. Hand deliver, mail, scan/ photograph or email your entry to The Coromandel Informer, 14

What’s On

OP SHOPS

Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop – Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Mon-Sat 10am-2pm.

St John Opportunity Shop – 29 Albert St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm and Sat 9.30am-2pm.

St Andrew’s Church Op-shop – Owen St, Whitianga. 9.30am-1pm Wed-Sat. Social Services Op-shop – 15 Coghill St, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-2pm. Donations welcome.

SPCA Op-shop – 2 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open Mon-Sun 9am-5pm.

MONTHLY

AA Driver Licensing – NEW LOCATION. Friday, 10 April, Tuesday, 28 April. Whitianga Community Service Trust Centre, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga.

American Muscle Street and Custom Club Whitianga – Club meetings first Sunday of the month, 11am at Buffalo Beach Reserve for cars and coffee. Phone Reg and Julie Smith on 027 493 5822.

Cooks Beach Garden Circle –Last Thurs of the month 11.15am-2.30pm. New members welcome. Ph Anne on 07 866 0268 for more information.

Craft Group – Meets first Saturday of the month 10am-3pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr, carpark end. Work on your own craft (stitching, colouring in, scrapbook, card making anything goes). Bring your lunch and enjoy mixing with other crafty people. Any queries ph Alison 021 0508 772 or Sally 027 3962 383. Kūaotunu Dune Care – Every third Wed of the month. To get involved, please email kuaotunudunecare@gmail.com.

Hei Mara Garden Club Hahei - We meet on the first Monday of each month at members’ homes, 11am - 2.30pm. New members from Hahei and surrounding areas are welcome. Phone Liz on 0210649232 for more information.

Hospice Waikato’s Bereavement Support Group – Lost a loved one? Join Hospice Waikato’s monthly bereavement support group. Connect over morning tea with others who understand. Held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. 10.30am to 12.00pm at Whitianga Social Services. Registration required. Contact Hospice Waikato to register at 07 859 1260. Mercury Bay Model Railway Club – Monthly meet. Contact. Damon 0273551650 Mercury Bay Shooting Federation – Muzzle loader, rimfire, centre fire, military, pistol. Email mbsfsecretary@gmail.com

Ohuka Garden Club meets 2nd Wednesday of the month. New members welcome. Contact Beverley Sheppard Ph 02109028855 or email beverley@annabells.co.nz

Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club) Fourth Monday of every month, 10am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Jo on 021 264 3753. Tairua Market takes place on the 1st Saturday of the month all year at Tairua Community Hall, 9am till 1pm. Food, fruit and veges, crafts, clothing, home decor, plants, furniture, books and much more.

FORTNIGHTLY

Greeting Card Making – The second and fourth Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. All materials provided. Contact Rev. Gillian Reid on 021 781 081 or just turn up.

Knit for a Purpose – First and third Fridays of the month, 10am-12pm at St Peter the Fisherman, 7 Dundas St. Ph Gillian Reid on 021 781081 for further details, or just turn up. Mercury Bay Creative Fibre – Spin, knit, weave, crochet. First and third Wednesday every month, 10am-1pm, supper room of Town Hall. Phone Sue 021 274 7899. Email suzyed@ outlook.com

Mercury Bay Quilters – 10am-4pm on the first and third Mondays and second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Contact Margaret on

021 140 4016.

Whitianga Tramping Group – Every second Sunday at 8.30am. Phone Wally 021 907 782 or Lesley 021 157 9979 for more information.

WEEKLY OR MORE

Alcoholics Anonymous – The Whitianga Big Book Group meets every Thursday at 6.30pm at St Peter the Fisherman Church, Dundas Street. Phone 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) for more information.

Al-Anon Serenity Group – For those affected by someone else’s drinking. Every Wednesday at 1.30pm. Phone Pauline on 021 086 10955 for more info.

Boys Brigade – An adventure, activity, and values based ministry for boys. For boys aged 5-13 years old. Tues 5.30-7pm For information contact Robyn 020 409 39674.

Chess Club – Mondays 6.30-9.30pm, MB Bowling Club. Players of all levels. Cost $2. Contact Brett Soanes 0272117195 or brettsoanes16@hotmail.com

Coffee and Korero – Every Wednesday from 10.30am-12.30pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. A place for over 50s to meet other people, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and have a chinwag.

Coroglen Farmers Market every Sunday until Easter at Coroglen Gumtown Hall (SH25), from 9am-1pm.

Coffee and Discussion Group – Every Sunday, 2-4pm, at The Lost Spring. Topics are open and respect shown. No charge. Convener Peter H. Wood.

Cooks Beach Care Group – Meet new friends, learn about coastal conservation and make a difference. Hands-on weeding and planting, Thursday mornings. Register at: www. cooksbeachcaregroup.org.nz; www.facebook. com/CooksBeachCareGroup

Cooks Beach Indoor Bowling Club –Wednesday at 1.45pm. Come and join us at the Community Centre (Hall). New members are most welcome, please contact Coral ph. 0212303944.

Cooks Beach Pickleball – tennis courts, cnr Purangi Rd and Rees Ave. Saturday mornings 9am. All welcome. First time free, then $5. Contact Kevin 021 396 062.

Coromandel ‘Growers & Artisans Market’ –Every Saturday from 9am - 1pm at The Anglican Church Hall, Coromandel Town.

Dog walking group – Every Thurs, 2pm, Lovers Rock, Robinson Road. All breeds and sizes welcome to a very sociable group. Ph Jenny on 021 186 5797.

Hahei Contract Bridge Club – Every Tuesday 12.30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Learners and casual welcome. Contact Don Barry 021 741 959 or Robyn Hogg 021543015.

Meditation Classes – Thursday evening. Spiritual, heart, soul development. Sacred energy, chakra activations, working with spiritual guides. Open forum conversation, Thursdays, 6.30pm at Flat 1, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga. Cost $10. Contact Verna 027 320 0079, vernajcarr@gmail.com.

Mercury Bay Badminton Club – Thurs 5-7pm, MBAS school gym. Now open to new members wanting to play competitive Badminton. Coaching provided for those wanting to improve their skills. Phone Steve for more details 027 211 3568.

Mercury Bay Badminton – Every Wednesday 9-11am, at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. Social badminton. Casual players and visitors are welcome. Players of all levels, ages 16+. Phone Carol 027 474 7493 for more information.

Mercury Bay Bowling and Sports Club – 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Social Bowls, Thursday & Sunday at 12.30pm, Contact Steve Williams 027 855 2772.

Mercury Bay Bridge Club – Every Wednesday at 1.00pm and every Thursday at 7.00pm at the MB Bowling and Sports Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. For more information contact Gavin 021 146 9203.

Mercury Bay Community Choir – Meets Mondays 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the music room

Mercury Bay Area School. Friendly inclusive non auditioned choir. All welcome. For enquiries phone Kate 027 2709058.

Mercury Bay Environmental Trust – Every Tues and Fri from 9-11am, location advised prior. For more information, phone 022 104 1701 please email mbenvironmentaltrust@ gmail.com or go to www.mbet.co.nz.

Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club. Every Thursday evening, Whitianga Town Hall 6.45pm. New members, beginners and visitors very welcome. Phone/txt Cheryl 027 452 7887 or Sandie 021 825 666 for more information

Mercury Bay Pickleball Club - At the Mercury Bay Area School Gymnasium, Tuesdays Members Only 5.30-7.30pm; Saturdays Social & New Players 9.30-11.30am; Sundays All Players 4-6pm. Contact Tony 021 426 150. Matarangi (Matai Pl Courts) Thurs 3-5pm (Winter) 5 -7pm (Summer) Saturday 9-11am Contact Grant 022 383 6351. Hahei Tennis & Pickleball ClubThursday & Sunday Contact Tim 027 843 2683 or refer their facebook page.

Mercury Bay Squash Club – New members/ enquiries to Dawn Thurgood mercbaysquash@ gmail.com

Mercury Bay Table Tennis – Every Tues, 9-11.30am at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street. All welcome. Ph Anne on 07 869 5162 or 027 565 5575 for more info.

Mercury Bay Tennis Club – Social tennis at Lyon Park on Thursdays at 5.30pm. All welcome. Ph Jason 022 186 7992 or Carl 027 680 5570.

Oneness Meditation Centre – The centre focuses on the meditative art of going deeper within. Learn how to meditate, breath, calm the mind, relieve stress, anxiety and be a calm, peaceful, courageous, dynamic human being. Every Monday, 9.30-11.00am. Further info. text Linda 027 650 4881 or email linda_c@orcon. net.nz

Self-defence classes – Town Hall, Tues/Wed 6-7.30pm. Ph Tony 027 333 5146.

Spiritual Conversation Mornings – Every Tues and Wed, 10.30am-12pm, 15 Mill Rd, Whitianga the Starlight Centre. Grab a coffee and join in some great conversation where we talk about topics and subjects that have meaning. $5 donation. Contact Verna 027 320 0079.

Tai Chi for all levels – Town Hall, Mondays 6-7pm. Gold coin donation. Ph Tony 027 333 5146 for more info.

Tairua Contract Bridge Club – Every Monday at 12.30pm at the Tairua Bowling Club, 44 Hornsea Rd. Contact Lynnette Flowers 021 252 4709 or Johanna Bonnar 027 466 3726. Whenuakite Area Playgroup – 9.30am12.30pm every Wednesday morning at the Hahei Community Centre. Ages newborn-5years. We invite all parents, carers, visitors and grandparents. Contact whenuakiteareaplaygroup@gmail.com

Whitianga Art Group – Every Thurs/Fri 10am-4pm, 23 School Road. Visitors and new members welcome. Phone Margaret on 027 635 1615 for more information.

Whitianga Menz Shed – NEW LOCATION - 18 Abrahamson Drive, Open Tues/Thurs, 9am-12 noon. Phone Glenn 0274-952-015. All welcome. Whitianga Playcentre – Every Tues/Fri 9am12 noon, 1F White St. Contact whitianga@ playcentre.org.nz or 027 880 3947. Whitianga Senior Citizens Club – Indoor bowls and card games. Mondays at the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk St, 1pm-4pm. Join us for a fun time and afternoon tea, 55+ age group. Phone Lionel Lawrence (president) on 027 274 6964 for more info.

Whiti Stitchers – Embroiderers meet every Tues 9am start. For more information phone Margaret on 027 7802 744. All levels welcome.

Whitianga Toy Library - NEW Tummy Time sessions for parents/caregivers and babies under 12m. Every Wednesday 9:30am at the toy library - Shop 4, Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Members and non-members welcome. Contact librarian@whititoylibrary. co.nz for more information

Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss

Whitianga – Wed 5-6pm, Room 10, Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Dr. Support to lose weight wisely. Check out our Facebook page or phone Cecily on 027 294 1750 for more information.

Yoga for Everyone - beginners/retirees/ inflexibles welcome. Tues 5.15pm, Thurs 4.20pm, Fri 8.45am, Sat 8.15am. Gentle Simple. $25/90 minute session. Txt Rosemary 0274 489326 for info.

DANCING

Argentine Tango Dance Class – Fridays, Town Hall, Whitianga, 5.30-7.30pm. No prior experience or partner necessary. Text Sergio for questions 027 410 2454

Belly Dancing – Contact Catherine Corcoran, 021 210 2438 or smile@catherinecorcoran. com. Weekend classes twice a month at 4pm. Mercury Bay Line Dancing Club – Held in the Whitianga Town Hall. Tuesdays beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, Seniors 12.45-2.30pm; Thursdays Seniors 10.15-11.15am, Absolute Beginners 11.30am-12.30pm, Improvers 12.45-1.45pm. Night class held at Whitianga Town Hall for Absolute Beginners 5.25-6.25pm. Contact Margaret 027 463 8850, Glynis 021 1099 155, Kathleen 022 154 1702. Silver Swans Adult Ballet Class – Tuesday’s weekly 10am to 11.10am $20, Whitianga Town Hall supper room. All ages welcome. Marilyn Swan, experienced professional teacher of Dance.M: 0273365263 E; swanebbs@gmail.com

Whitianga Line Dancing Club Classes – Town Hall, Monk St, $7 per session. New Beginners, Wed 2.30-3.30pm, Beginner/Improver classes Monday 10.30-11.45am, Intermediate classes Wed, 12-1.30pm; . Contact Kathy 027 4321 353 or Cecily 027 294 1750

Zumba – Wednesdays at 5.30pm at gym for Zumba and Step Zumba on Mondays at 4.45pm at the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk St. GROUP INFO

Mercury Bay Athletics – For info contact mercurybayathletics@gmail.com

Mercury Bay Lions Club – New members are welcome. Email mercurybaylions@gmail.com. Phone Cecily 027 253 3088 or Chrissy 021 177 4226.

SeniorNet Whitianga, Inc. – Learn, update your skills using smart phones, etc. in a friendly setting. Call Carol Wood on 021 022 62504 or email Carol on seniornet.whitianga.admin@ gmail.com.

Whitianga Bike Park – 144 Moewai Rd, Whitianga. Open 24/7. Many bike tracks available, picnic areas, BBQs and walking trails. Donations welcome on entry. If you wish to volunteer or for programme enquiries, contact John 027 366 4606.

Whitianga Gun Club – For information, phone Mike Deverell 0274 959 477 or Neville Crawford 021 276 2169.

Whitianga Community Patrol – Monitors the township and neighbourhood. If interested in volunteering, ph Gary 027 391 3043.

GREAT FOR KIDS

Whitianga Bike Park

144 Moewai Rd, Whitianga. Open 24/7. Many bike tracks available, picnic areas, BBQs and walking trails. Donations welcome on entry. Contact John 027 366 4606. Day Camp

Three days outdoors on a farm. Needs leaders and adult helpers. See page 7.

Kids Disco Thursday, 9 April 4:30pm-6:30pm. $10 and includes drink and GloStick, plus facepainting. At The Monkey House, Whitianga.

Trades & Services

Trades & Services

David:

Tracey: 027 4907988

Classifieds

SITUATIONS VACANT

CLUB MANAGER

The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club is one of New Zealand’s premier game fishing clubs, with a proud history of tournament fishing, strong membership participation, and a deep passion for the sport.

We are seeking a Club Manager who genuinely loves fishing and understands the culture of a fishing club. This is not just a hospitality role – it is about supporting the fishing program, engaging with members, and helping maintain the club’s reputation as one of the leading game fishing clubs in the country.

Working closely with the Committee, the Club Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the club while helping drive participation in fishing activities, tournaments, and club events.

The Role

The Club Manager is responsible for the daily operation of the club while supporting the fishing activities that are at the heart of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.

This includes working with tournament convenors, supporting weigh-ins, engaging with members about their fishing, and helping promote the club’s fishing culture and achievements.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the club facilities and services

• Support and promote the club’s fishing activities, tournaments, and competitions

• Assist with weigh-ins and ensure accurate recording of catches and club records

• Engage with members and visiting anglers to promote participation in club fishing

• Manage club staff including rostering, coordination, and support

• Assist tournament convenors to ensure events run smoothly and professionally

• Maintain fishing records, displays, and club recognition of catches

• Manage membership systems and member communications

• Ensure the club facilities, systems, and equipment are well maintained

• Ensure compliance with licensing, health & safety, and club policies About You

• A strong personal interest in fishing

• Knowledge of recreational or game fishing (highly advantageous)

• Experience in hospitality, events, club operations, or similar roles

• Strong organisational and communication skills

• Experience coordinating staff or volunteers

• Confidence working with committees and club members

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work at one of New Zealand’s leading game fishing clubs

• A role at the centre of a passionate fishing community

• A varied position working across fishing activities, events, and club operations

• Competitive remuneration based on experience

Mercury Bay Athletes shine

The Whitianga Athletics prize-giving last week brought over 60 children plus their parents and volunteers together. It was a very simple event held outdoors at the Moewai Sports Park. Adults sat on the rails around the grassed area and children were happy with their outdoor setting. The team of volunteers which included organisers, coaches, sausage sizzlers and general helpers are a tribute to this club. Felicia Goloboski as the Secretary, brought everyone together for this annual awards presentation.

Notable was the presence of one young coach, an MBAS student, Caleb Mahoney, 14 years, who was volunteering under the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme which is available through the Mercury Bay Area School. This work was for his bronze medal yearand there was another young coach involved who could not be present at the awards.

Felicia gave a special tribute to the volunteers and their sponsors for making the Clubs work with

the children possible.

“Without all the following amazing people, we would not be able to function,” said Felicia.

THANK YOU Volunteers: Freya Marra - Presi-

dent, Jaimee Morgan – Treasurer, Felicia Golaboski - Secretary, Committee Members - Howard Baker, Maria Johnson, Alana Baker, Sausage Sizzlers - Geoff Mumby and Karen Ash. Coaches: Shannon Molloy, Gabri-

elle West, Laila Ramos, Nicola Mahoney, Caleb Mahoney, Riley Flynn, Christine McCahill, Lindsay Ash plus ring-in coaches -Tom McKenzie, Nick Jensen and Martina Odermat. General Helping Hand: Reuben Davis

Sponsors: Placemakers Whitianga, Woolworths Whitianga, Peninsula Concrete Laying and Hireworx Whitianga.

TROPHY WINNERS AND HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS

Senior Girls – Winner: Olivia McGregor.

Highly Commended: Hannah Kersten.

Senior Boys – Winner: Flynt Hendrikson.

Highly Commended: Mitchell Goble.

Junior Girls – Winner: Pippa Anderson.

Highly Commended: Lu Wainwright, Luca West, Miranda Mumby, Isla Darby, Naia Collier. Junior Boys – Winner: Louie Meyer.

Highly Commended: Oscar Saydan, Fin Collier, Callum McKenzie, Quincey Sunn.

Rookie of the Year – Winner: Julius Tukaki-Smith.

Highly Commended: Kataraina Newbold, Miranda Mumby, Thomas McGillivray.

BIG Bike Film Night across Coromandel

BY BRETT COTTER

The Big Bike Film Night 2026

will be shown in Whangamatā on Tuesday 14 April, 7.00pm at Edisons; Whitianga – Wednesday 15 April, 6.30pm at the Mercury Twin Cinemas; Thames – Friday 17 April, 7.00pm at the Thames Civic Centre. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz

The Big Bike Film Night

Curated by: Brett Cotter

Running time: 2.5 hours

Number of films: Nine – ranging from 2 to 29 minutes

Rating: Exempt

Each year, I set out with just one goal: to find the best short cycling films from around the world for our audiences, celebrating the fun, adventure, and inspiration that cycling enables.

With its globetrotting array of short cycling films, The Big Bike Film Night's inspiring 2026

collection is sure to spark the imagination of both local cycling enthusiasts and film lovers. Stories are at the heart of everything, and our dazzling 2026 collection features nine mesmerizing films; each as are as dynamic and diverse as you could hope for.!

Audiences will be transported from backyard adventures in New Zealand to the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, to the lush for-

ests of the Canadian West Coast, and we’ll crown things off on the slopes of the punishing Mont Ventoux, in Southern France.”

A highlight of this year’s programme is the world premiere of Queen of the Mountain- which is set in the stunning surrounds of Queenstown. This documentary follows Annie Ford, an adventure activist, as she attempts to break the 24-hour Guinness World

Record in downhill mountain biking- all to raise funds for reforesting the foothills in the Queenstown basin.

THE TREASURE CHEST OF FILMS

• a dazzling mountain bike ride exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, embracing the magic of the midnight sun

• a life-changing experience for two adventurous women as they embark to cycle to all the ski-fields in New Zealand in one gigantic attempt

• an inspiring film that captures the most brutalist, most heinous, wettest, coldest, riding conditions imaginable

• a compelling story about perseverance, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of navigating daily life following a life-altering injury, and how adaptive design has transformed and enriched the journey forward

• a heart-warming father-andson journey, joining them as they take on one of life’s most meaningful milestones- riding a bike together as a family

• and we all love an underdog tale! The audience is transported back to the nostalgic 1990s, to the slopes of the punishing Mont Ventoux, in Southern France, to witness the drama of a battle between two giants.

Sports

MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

Thursday 2 April

Winners: Ian Pudney and Maureen Lack; Runners Up: Alan Henderson and Judy Cullinane

Good Sports: Merle Ward, Lionel Lawrence and Christine Mitchell

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Round Five March Pairs

Monday 30 March

North/South: 1, Celia Young & Judy

McKenzie 59.92; 2, Christine Meinhold & Jim Buffett 57.94; 3, Tony White & Peter McNeil 55.56.

East/West: 1, Chris Death & Jocelyn Taylor 65.87; 2, Robyn Waters & Sue Poland 57.54; 3, David Wilkinson & Diny Naus 53.97.

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Week 5 Betty Dunn Pairs

Tuesday 31 March

North/South: 1, Dave Dylla and Robyn Waters 58.85; 2, Robyn and Peter Hogg 54.17; 3, Lee Hughes and Alison Tichbon 52.60.

East/West: 1, Don Barry and Jenny Hemmings 66.88; 2, Sheryll Roberts and Ann Scott 56.88; 3, David Wilkinson and Johanna Bonnar 55.63.

MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB

April Competition Round One

Wednesday 1 April

North/South: 1, Bob Schibli & Kate Palmano 59.5; 2, Gavin Hedwig & Pete Hogg 58.0; 3, Robyn Hogg & Ischelle Stevenson 54.8.

East/West: 1, Giorgio Allemano & Don Barry 64.9; 2, Augusta Canegallo & Sue Gill 60.1; 3, Rose Tegg & Alison Tichbon 58.6

Harbour Pairs Round Two

Thursday 2 April

1, Ischelle Stevenson & Alan Drew 59.7; 2 = Faith Stock & Julie Rutledge, Angela Cook & Rose Tegg 52.8.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday 1 April

A very good turn-out was reduced to just two players for a play-off final. Ian Baumgren was too strong on the day, winning the final comfortably over Peter Challis. Ian also took out the High Break prize-money with a break of 24 to cap off a very successful day.

Saturday 4th April

A strong field Rob Reilly and Bob Haase being the only two players who came through section play with three wins each. A closely contested play-off final saw Rob take out the top prize. Those with 2 wins each were Doug Pascoe, Ian Baumgren and

THE NIXON TROPHY:

At the Mercury Bay Golf Club the Nixon Trophy is a hotly contested trophy played in the Women’s section. The competition is 3-ball-best-ball stableford.

Kevin Taylor. Kevin is a regular visitor from Canada every summer and in his last game, a black ball win over the evergreen Peter Schultz should make his trip home that much sweeter. Bon voyage Kevin.

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

26 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. Only one team went through all four sets unbeaten to be outright winners and they were Steve Pointing & Buddha Campbell. Highest finish for the men was 76, scored by John McGregor. No finishes over 50 for the ladies this week. One player scored a 180 this week and that was John McGregor.

TAIRUA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

18-hole Net

Saturday 28 March

1, Glenn Farrell 64; 2, Aaron McFarland 68; 3, Jenny Tawa 71; 4, Tony Anderson 72. 9-hole Putting

Tuesday 31 March

Div 1: 1, Gabrielle Tucker 14; 2, Jim Crozier 16; 3, Lionel Warrington 16.

Div 2: 1, Jan Stanley 14; 2, Anna McGuire 14; 3, Jil Shanley 14 18 Hole Stableford

Thursday 2 April

1, John Fraser 42; 2, Gabrielle Tucker 36; 3, Terry Kingham 35; 4, Warrick Rogers 35.

THE DUNES GOLF CLUB

9 Hole Men’s Shootout Qualifying Stableford

Monday 30 March

1, Graham Kemp 21; 2, Paul Dixon 19; 3,

Rey Bertling 18

9 Hole Ladies Hidden Partners Gross

Tuesday 31 March

1, Glenda Philpott 48; 2, Glenys Wilson 60

1, Christine Threadgold and Glenda Philpott 36; 2, Glenys Wilson and Ruth Fisken 34

Twos: Glenda Philpott on 5 18 Hole Men’s Monthly Net Medal

Wednesday 1 April

1, Tony De Coek 68; 2, Nick Lambert 69 ( on count back); 3, Tim Bartlett (Purangi) 69

Gross:

Nick Lambert 76; Tim Bartlett 78; Allan Trow 79

Nearest The Pin on 18: Nick Lambert

Twos: Ross Johnson on 7, David Gaskell, Murray James, Brian Tomlinson, Paul Broom, Ross Adams, Robert Fisken on 13, Nick Lambert on 18

Saturday Mixed 18 Hole Haggle

Stableford

Saturday 4 April

1, Trevor Martin 41; 2, Marie Dunn 38; 3, Jack Bancroft 37

Nearest The Pin on 18: Raymond Fanning

Twos: Nicole Dunn on 5 and 7, Paul Broom on 7 and 18, Kayleen Smith on 7, Raymond Fanning on 18.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

Ladies 9 hole putting

Tuesday 31 March

1, Jenny Layton; 2, Gaylene Imms; 3, Alison Goodlet.

Men 9 hole Stableford

1, Phil Drane 19; 2, Graeme Heathcote 18; 3, Edwin Lyle, Graham Dun & Paul Bradley 17

NTP: Graham Dun.

Ladies 18 hole 3 ball best ball Nixon

Trophy

Wednesday 1 April

Winners: Anita Ellmers, Chris Van Veen & Janine Hayde.

Runners up: Debbie Holmes, Betty Tocker & Kim Allan.

NTP: Kim Allan

Closest in 2 on 18th: Pam Price

Longest putt: Diane Andrew. Mens 18 hole Nett Medal: 1, Wayne Kearney 68; 2, John MacNicol 71; 3, Steve Collins 72

Twos: Ron Campbell 18, Sam Murphy 18 & Mark Boe 4 & 18 Mens 9 hole stableford:

Friday 3 April

1, Peter Chaffin 22; 2, Campbell Elliot 21; 3, Phil Drane 20

Twos: Peter Chaffin

NTP: Peter Chaffin on 4, & Gary Freshwater on 2

Stableford

Saturday 4 April

1, Jeff Dixon 40; 2, Alan Henderson 39; 3, Ron Campbell 38; 5 players tied 4th Willie Jones, Nathan Wilson, Ken George, Richard Bennett & Todd Mitchell all on 37, with an honourable mention of Sam Murphy on 36.

Gross: Nathan Wilson (snr) 67 and Graeme Butler (jnr) 91.

Twos: Nathan Wilson, Joel Sitt, Kevin Smith, Mark Kilgour, Richard Steel and Ron Campbell.

A great movie for families

THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE

The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.

At Mercury Twin Cinemas, Whitianga Wednesday 8 April - 10.00am, Thursday 9 April - 2.15pm, Friday 10 April - 4.00pm, Saturday 11 April - 10.45am, Sunday 12 April2.00pm, Monday 13 April - 2.00pm, Tuesday 14 April - 1.00pm.

Amy Balme (CA)

Geoff Balme (FCA)

Adele

5891 28 Lee Street, Whitianga 3510

Whitianga Boat Repairs

We specialise in woodwork repairs & maintenance, including teak decks & platforms, insurance and rot repairs, plus we fit new transducers, anchor winches, bow thrusters and more.

Mitch has over 40 years experience with an Advanced Trade Cert Wooden Boat Building qualification to back it up!

Phone or email for info E: info@whitiangaboatrepairs.co.nz

Mitch 027 4852046

Phyll 027 4852036

Trevor & Raewyn Hildreth

P. 07 866 5799

Please

Whitianga Boat

Chandlery

We stock International & Altex antifoul & marine paints, Propspeed, anodes, resin, fibreglass, TruDesign plumbing fittings and so much more!

Phone or email for info: info@whitiangaboatchandlery.co.nz

Phyll 027 4852036

Mitch 027 4852046