Issue 1212 2 June 2026

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Whitianga Run Fest 2026 – A huge and successful day out for all ages.

While Auckland based elite athlete Jacob Priddey was in a league of his own in winning the 21km main event at the G.

J. Gardner Homes Coromandel sponsored Run Fest last Sat urday morning, it was more about participation from a wide age group of enthu siastic entrants that made the day such a huge success.

Such was Priddey’s total dominance, he finished over 10 minutes in front of another Aucklander and professional sportsman, Leo Takahashi who is part of the New Zealand SailGP Team.

In total around 960 runners, joggers and walkers assem bled in near perfect conditions on Buffalo Beach Reserve to undertake one of three course distances on offer all of which were based around

Whitianga township and had the theme of being

and surrounded by water. Continued on page 2

Whitianga Run Fest 2026

Continued from front page

For some, the word ‘fast’ was also front of mind but for most, their efforts were based more around personal challenges and achievements along with being part of the positive community spirit that these events generate.

Thanks mainly to an ongoing initiative by Run Fest organiser Nick Reader and his team, one big standout this year was the number of school students taking part.

“For the past three years the generous G.J. Gardner Homes sponsorship has allowed us to work with schools around the Coromandel which led to around 84 students being given free entry to the event this year. While having school students taking part helps spread the overall age demographic, it also creates a much wider family involvement.

That can be by simply providing encouragement from the sidelines on the day itself, to creating an incentive for other family members to have a go themselves” says Nick.

All up, just shy of 230 students aged between 5 and 19 took part this year with some standout performances by some particularly over the 10km distance where Hunter Mahood won his 10-14 age category, but also finished 7th overall. He was followed by Cody Spyde and Sammy Yodan also competing in the same age group, who crossed the line 9th and 12th place overall respectively.

Runners in the same age group cleaned up in the Male and Female 5km run also.

After a few years of tweaking and changes, Nick says he has landed on the almost perfect course which will be largely used again next year. “No doubt the elite runners would like a com-

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

Tuesday, 2 June – We have a long bright ISS pass starting in the SW from 6:20am and moving just above Saturn. Wednesday, 3 June – We have a bright ISS pass from 5:35am high overhead as it pops out of the Earth’s shadow. Thursday, 4 June – The ISS pops out of the Earth’s shadow in the west from 6:21am. Friday, 5 June – Venus sits directly above fainter Jupiter at dusk in the west and there is a short ISS pass from 5:37am in the north. Saturday, 6 June –Venus has moved steadily closer to fainter Jupiter in the western dusk sky while from 6:24am we have a good Tiangong pass in the west. Monday, 8 June – The Moon, Saturn and Mars all lie equally spaced low in the eastern dawn sky with Saturn closest to the Moon. Tuesday, 9 June – The Moon

has moved down closer to Saturn with Mars lower at dawn while at dusk in the west Jupiter and Saturn are at their closest until 2028. Wednesday, 10 June – The Moon now sits just above and to the left of Saturn at dawn. We have four plants on view this week with the two brightest, Jupiter and Venus, putting on a lovely early evening show with both rising ever higher in the sky each night. Venus rises more quickly and is the brighter of the two and actually passes much more distant Jupiter on June 10, a lovely sight in binoculars. Meanwhile both Saturn and Mars are visible in the eastern dawn sky and the Moon and the ISS can help us find them both.

pletely flat course based solely on the hard seal but from feedback received they were pretty impressed with what we delivered this year. Having a circuit with water surroundings makes traffic management much easier and safer for participants, while adding in a grassed section for the longer distance courses only makes the event more unique and a little different from the norm. We have pretty much also locked in the same dates for next year as for many visitors, the event is a great way to kick start a long weekend in the Coromandel plus, it doesn’t eat up a lot of time for locals. We also believe the event and timing adds much needed and appreciated funds into the pockets of the local economy”.

Certainly, an event that has the ability to produce not only some post aches and pains, but loads of positive community feel for all ages.

RESULTS FOR RUN FEST 2026

Male 21km: 1st Jacob Priddey, 01:10:27; 2nd Leo Takahashi, 01:21:59; 3rd Dali Fan, 01:22:28. Female 21km: 1st Sam Watson, 1:29:47; 2nd Julia Anderson, 1:30:26; 3rd Hannah Martin, 1:31:11.

Male 10km: 1st Kalani Doole, 00:38:11; 2nd Ari Penberthy, 00:39:58; 3rd Jesse Holdsworth, 00:41:58. Female 10km: 1st Jade Northey, 00:46:45; 2nd Natasha Sutcliffe, 00:47:58; 3rd Grace Meredith, 00:49:45. Male 5km: 1st Rafael Vianna, 00:19:51; 2nd Dominic McKenzie, 00:20:12; 3rd Kahu Gemmell, 00:20:48. Female 5km: 1st Chloe Hamer, 00:21:48; 2nd Lauren Taupo, 00:22:37; 3rd Victoria Schaeffer, 00:23:08.

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

Advertising/advertorial in The Informer: Phone (07) 866 2090, Email sales@theinformer.co.nz Letters to the Editor: 200 words or less please. Name and town of residence required. Email info@theinformer.co.nz

Published weekly. Distributed throughout the Coromandel

Pauline’s Piece

Resolving together what concerns us

MORE ON BULLYING

Regarding the event involving bullying at Mercury Bay Area School, I made an edit last week – stating that one boy stomped on the victim and two were on guard, but I made a mistake. Two were involved in the assault and one was on watch. This was my mistake, not Richard Shelford-Woodcocks.

The repercussions of this event were and are traumatic. It has happened despite the school’s zero tolerance to bullying as a firm policy. So the issue facing the school is one that goes deeper than policies and rules. They are not on their own as a school. I notice with the Police Reports published in The Informer that Family Harm incidents are the longest segment. We are all connected, however indirectly, to this bullying and aggressive behaviour.

I have been assured that the Principal will bring some news for the wider community very soon on how things are going.

The following has been received from a parent who is close to the family of the boy whose leg was broken. This parent has the family’ permission to provide their understanding.

From a concerned parent: “I’d like this known. The first boy walked in to confirm that the intended victim was in the bathroom alone. He went outside and grabbed the other two boys. Three boys were in the bathroom with the victim making a total of four boys.

Two committed the assault resulting in two broken bones in the victim’s leg. The injured boy was left in the bathroom on his own. He crawled out where he was found by a teacher who was dealing with another issue so was told to wait.

At first only one of the students who committed the assault was suspended but after the family objected that the other boy who was involved in the assault was allowed to return to school, the school changed that decision and he was also suspended. The family are considering taking this further to determine categorically which one of the two caused the breaks to his leg or did they both cause it. Due to the placement of the breaks, he is going to have ongoing operations because of his growth plates. The decision to allow the second boy back to school was made before the injured boy was back from the hospital. The family is relieved that the school changed

their decision.

The family have no idea how long their boy will be in a cast from his hip. He is absolutely traumatised and doesn’t even like going to the bathroom. The physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for him are severe and ongoing.

No child should ever suffer injuries of this magnitude while under the supervision and care of their school. This boy could be anybody’s child. Every student deserves to feel safe at school.”

The family believe the assault is part of ongoing problems.

GEOFF ROBINSON AND THE MAYOR ON REFORM

The amount of material on local government matters could seem overwhelming – take your time.

The most important – the reform of boundaries and structures, our name and how we think about ourselves and operate as a community. Our current council will be no more by the end of 2028. To join with another region or others is the deal. There will be no elections like the last one. Read carefully Geoff Robinson’s article – he is explaining and suggesting a way forward, p16 and the Mayor’s piece, page 15, setting out

the work done so far. When there is a bigger council overarching a larger area, the role of community boards or their equivalent will be vital.

NEW REFERENCE DOCUMENT FOR COMMUNITY BOARDS

The rules by which our Community Boards operate have been changed. Now they have a Community Board Accord. There has been quite some controversy over this but in the end the council voted in favour. Please read the articles by Cr John Freer, John Grant – Deputy Mayor and Tony Fox Chair of Whitianga Ratepayers, plus Letters to the Editor. It has taken 7 months to put it together so they can get on with their job, so let’s support them with the Accord

No community is perfect but what I have experienced here on The Coromandel has been overall pretty terrific in terms of relationships, working with others, and encouragement. Openness has sometimes been in short supply but that is a two-way street. I hope we can sit with one another with the most opposite of opinions and understandings to commit to create one broad direction forward together.

The Hauraki Settlement: Apologising for the past while repeating it!

Tēnā koe Minister Goldsmith, We are pleased for those iwi who have finally received recognition and redress through the Hauraki settlement process. Every iwi deserves justice for historical breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

However, while some celebrated, Ngāti Huarere ki Whangapoua mourned.

We mourned because through the Hauraki settlement process the Crown has inflicted upon Ngāti Huarere many of the very injustices for which it now apologises to other iwi.

At the same time as Crown Ministers stood before the nation acknowledging the wrongs of the past, the Crown was forcing Ngāti Huarere’s Wai 475 claim into a settlement against the express wishes of the Ngāti Huarere. At the same time as the Crown spoke of honouring rangatiratanga, it denied Ngāti Huarere the right to determine who could negotiate its claim. At the same time as the Crown spoke of restoring mana, it trampled ours.

The irony is impossible to ignore.

Ngāti Huarere is now in a far worse position because of the settlement than it was before it.

Under your leadership, and that of your predecessors, the Crown has acted contrary to its own settlement policies, disregarded recommendations of the Waitangi Tribunal, failed to uphold principles of natural justice, and acted inconsistently with domestic and international human rights standards.

One of the most serious examples concerns mandate.

Crown settlement policy recognises that the authority to negotiate a settlement belongs to the claimant group itself. The Crown cannot confer a mandate. Despite our sustained and unequivocal opposition, the Crown effectively conferred the mandate to negotiate Wai 475 upon representatives of six other iwi.

This occurred despite the

Crown requiring rigorous mandating processes for other claimant groups and excluding Ngāti Huarere and other affected claimants from meaningful participation in those very processes.

Those six iwi have never sought authority from Ngāti Huarere.

They have never consulted us about the settlement of our claim. Yet they have been granted redress that includes Ngāti Huarere’s ancestral lands, wāhi tapu, urupā, commercial assets, and financial redress.

The Crown’s response has been that Ngāti Huarere members may access this redress through the “appropriate whakapapa”. That assertion is hollow when the claimant definitions of the recipient iwi do not recognise Ngāti Huarere as a whakapapa they represent.

The most offensive aspect of this process is that Ngāti Huarere

is expected to be grateful.

We are told that we may access our reparation through other iwi. We are told that we may register under whakapapa that is not our own. We are told that matters fundamental to our identity, history, and cultural inheritance have been adequately dealt with by people who neither sought nor received authority to represent us.

Ngāti Huarere are direct descendants of Tamatekapua, captain of the Te Arawa waka, and have maintained ahi kā in Hauraki since the arrival of Te Arawa. We do not cease to exist because Crown officials decide we are inconvenient to a settlement model.

No settlement that requires a people to abandon their identity in order to access their rightful redress can be regarded as just. There are many other examples

of Crown conduct that have compounded this injustice.

The Crown refused to be bound by orders of the Māori Land Court in proceedings brought under section 30 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, despite promoting section 30 as an appropriate mechanism for resolving representation and mandating disputes. The Crown’s refusal rendered those proceedings effectively non-justiciable and denied Ngāti Huarere an independent determination on representation.

The Crown also strongly opposed Ngāti Huarere’s application for recognition of its interests in the Whangapoua Forest under section 8A of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975. In doing so, the Crown acted in direct contravention of the agreement between the Crown and Māori that both parties would use their best endeavours to enable the Waitangi Tribunal to identify and process forestry claims and make recommendations within the shortest reasonable period.

Repeated requests from Ngāti Huarere that Wai 475 be removed from the Hauraki settlement have consistently been refused.

As a lawyer, Minister, you will appreciate the fundamental principle that parties cannot be compelled to enter contractual arrangements against their will. While Treaty settlements are ultimately implemented through legislation, they are founded upon

negotiated agreements. Ngāti Huarere neither authorised nor consented to the inclusion of Wai 475 within the Hauraki settlement framework.

The Crown nevertheless proceeded as though others possessed authority to negotiate and settle our claim. In our view, that strikes at the very heart of the settlement’s legitimacy.

As a consequence, Ngāti Huarere ki Whangapoua considers the Hauraki Deed of Settlement to be void ab initio insofar as it purports to settle Wai 475. The claim was included in the settlement without our authority, without our consent, and contrary to our clearly expressed wishes.

While other iwi celebrate the completion of their settlements, Ngāti Huarere grieves the loss of ancestral lands, wāhi tapu, urupā, forests, and other taonga that have been vested in others. We also grieve the damage caused to our identity, whakapapa, and mana through legislative assimilation into six other iwi of Hauraki.

The Crown often speaks about reconciliation. Reconciliation cannot be built upon coercion. It cannot be built upon the confiscation of a people’s negotiating mandate. It cannot be built upon the transfer of one tribe’s redress to another. And it cannot be built upon forcing claimants into a settlement they repeatedly and unequivocally rejected.

Ngāti Huarere considers the purported settlement of Wai 475 to be fundamentally defective. We did not authorise it. We did not consent to it. We repeatedly objected to it.

The Crown proceeded anyway.

That is why Ngāti Huarere continues to challenge these actions through its contemporary Treaty claim before the Waitangi Tribunal and will continue to oppose this injustice until it is remedied.

Heiō anō

Wanda Brljevich, Chair Ngāti Huarere ki Whangapoua Trust

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Fawcett &

NZ Navy - a surprise and welcome visit

BY PAULINE STEWART

The Royal New Zealand Navy Band this last week visited the Coromandel Peninsula as part of a regional tour. They performed a series of free, onehour – some outdoor – community and school concerts that featured traditional march tunes, generation-spanning pop songs and Maori music. Several solo instrumentalists were featured top level.

These schools were the fortunate venues – Waihi College, Whangamata, Mercury Bay and Coromandel Area Schools, Thames Highschool and Hauraki Plains College.

The band also presented two outdoor concerts which were free and open to the public. Whitianga’s concert was at the

Albert Street Centre Plaza and Thames’ concert was outside the War Memorial Civic Centre.

There were twenty very polished band musicians, three conductors who took turns conducting but also played an instrument, and also some excellent vocalists. This vari ety plus a drum kit rather than marching drums as well as a percussion section contributed some ter rific dimensions to the Royal New Zealand Navy Band’s music. They delighted every audience. One regret was that not enough of the pub lic knew about their visit. At the concert

The Informer attended, Priscila Scanlon was

the young conductor. She had recently been overseas and completed training at His Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music in their Higher Training Department doing a Bandmaster’s Course.

students at our colleges and that has to be good for New Zealand.

Store of the Year for Whitianga’s BedsRus Beach Hop fund raising for

“We’re incredibly proud to share that BedsRus Whitianga has been awarded Store of the Year at this year’s annual BedsRus Conference” says Mark Milmine, owner of Whitianga’s’ life style Centre’ into which BedsRus is incorporated as a distinct store.

There are over 50 BedsRus stores across New Zealand, so that is a big pool of stores all serving their communities. The key points upon which a store is evaluated are customer satisfaction in all areas and store aesthetics. Mark and his staff are to be congratulated.

Just walking into the store is an eye-pleasing experience. The enticing appearance of the variety of lifestyle furniture - indoor and outdoor, household items, utensils, soft furnishings, gifts for the home, and of course - BedsRus beds and beddingwould not be better presented or with the quality in any plush suburb in the big cities.

“This recognition celebrates the heart of what we do every day,” says Mark. “We are delivering outstanding service, creating a beautifully presented store and helping our community sleep better with expert advice and genuine care.

“Over the past year, our team has worked hard to maintain a store expe-

rience our customers can trust, and we’re so grateful to our local community for supporting us along the way. The award also recognises our sales performance during some of the worst trading conditions for big-ticket discretionary items in three decades.”

Whangamata Area School

BY JO MARTIN

This year's Beach Hop parking (back in March) at Whangamata Area School was once again organised and hosted by volunteers from the Hauraki-Coromandel area of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) and it was a huge success albeit wet and muddy! We are pleased to report that the rally raised over $14,500 for Whangamata Area School.

Editor’s Note: This is such a great effort by this group of volunteers over the four days of Beach Hop. They are all members of the Motor Caravan Association and some are not local but come to support and attend as volunteers to assist the Beach Hop and boost the funds of the Whangamata Area School. Jo Martin is Chair of Hauraki-Coromandel NZMCA.

Digital Decoder

By Agent EJ

Cut, Copy, Consequences

The age of gene editing has arrived

In February 2025, sevenmonth-old KJ Muldoon, born with a rare CPS1 deficiency causing toxic ammonia buildup, became the most important baby in medical history. He was the first child to receive personalised CRISPR gene editing therapy. This treatment, custom-designed in six months to correct his unique genetic mutation, reduced the 50% mortality rate, and he went home healthy.

CRISPR's potential for treating rare diseases, cancer, and inherited conditions is profound, but it also presents serious risks. A recent study by Microsoft researchers used AI to generate over 70,000 protein sequences based on controlled toxins like ricin, many of which slipped past existing safety nets, raising concerns about the potential for novel bioweapons.

Nature itself has also offered a timely warning about genetic overreach. A landmark 20-year Japanese study, cloned a single mouse across 58 generations (over 1,200 animals) only to find

the final generation died within days of accumulated genetic mutations, confirming that mammals cannot sustain themselves through cloning alone. Biology, it turns out, has safeguards that science is still learning to respect.

New Zealand's latest Gene Technology Bill aims to update the 1996 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, a regulation that many scientists argue has effectively banned gene editing research outside the lab for nearly three decades. National, ACT, and NZ First initially supported the bill; Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori oppose it, with critics fearing it could shift us from one of the world's most restrictive regimes to

one of the most liberal.

While parents should have access to life-saving treatments like KJ's, decisions about gene editing must consider parental rights, informed consent, best interests of the child, and religious freedom, similar to everyday parenting choices such as circumcision, vaccination, and dietary choices. Gene editing will soon join that list, and the stakes are categorically higher. A vaccine affects one person. A germline edit can be inherited across generations. That is not a medical decision. It is a civilisational one.

New Zealand's GE-free identity has long been both a regulatory stance and a brand. That era is ending. The question is not whether we engage with gene technology, but whether we do so within robust frameworks to protect human rights, organic producers, and future generations who cannot consent to the choices being made for them now.

We need to get this right. There is no 59th generation to course-correct.

Lots of music and a night of Legends

There were a large number of music events in the communities around the Coromandel Peninsula this Kings Birthday weekend plus several programs hosted by our local radio station, CFM highlighting and celebrating the music of New Zealand artists.

These venues were just some that provided excellent entertainment – Lukes Kitchen in Kuaotunu, Buffalo Beach Club, The Monkey House, Mercury Bay Club with The Legends event and the Duo Hanna Sharps and Phil Hunt performing at Smittys Bar and Grill, plus Saturday night’s mini concert from Phil Hart at Grace O’Malleys Irish Inn. Phil Hart who is a local chartered accountant when he is not singing and playing the guitar, has consistently sponsored local artists to have expo-

A LEGENDARY NIGHT

The Legends Night at Mercury Bay Club last Sunday evening was perhaps the biggest investment in providing a local music event. Well done to their organizing committee with Roger Simpson coordinating the event and to Chef Nee and his MB Club Restaurant for the fine meals enjoyed before and during the show. Over 120 people came to experience music tributes to Neil Diamond, Engelbert Humperdinck, Elvis Presley and Queen of Country music – Dolly Parton, Nancy Sinatra, Loretta Lyynn and more. Three professional performing artists did all of this in style – giving a great tribute show and had the crowd dancing and singing along late into the night – Trevor Needham, Jannine Douglas and Suzie Shrimpton. The Legends trio perform internationally with a lot of gigs in Australia as well as the major cities in New Zealand. Whitianga was fortunate to have them come.

A Legendary Night at Mercury Bay Club

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Inspiration Alley

By Ananda Laberge

What are we projecting or seeing?

Many philosophical and psychoanalytical texts talk to the power of projection. In its core definition, it is attributing something from one’s own mind to the world or to other people, rather than recognizing it as one’s own inner state. The great psychoanalyst Carl Jung called it “an unconscious transfer of subjective contents onto an external object, so that what is really ‘in here’ is experienced as ‘out there’.”

At its core, the world we see is a mirror of the thoughts we hold. We don’t perceive things as they are; we perceive them as we are. The meaning of any experience is always filtered through the hues of our own perspective.

Imagine you see a beautiful golden retriever on the beach. If you once owned a similar dog and he had passed away, you might look on him lovingly, and it might bring back sadness at his loss, as well as a reminder of all the love you had for him. Then imagine a person who has a keen dislike for dogs. They might be thinking, “What a nuisance – I hope he doesn’t run over here and jump on me!” The dog is still the dog, happily running up and down the beach, simply being a dog. But the

experience we attribute to the dog is vastly different between people, simply based on our own experiences with dogs. We are seeing the dog through the lens of our past. And I’ve noticed we do this all the time with situations as well. A lot of the anxiety I created surrounding an event or experience was shaped by my past and

how I have viewed similar situations. When I was younger and less experienced, I used to get extremely anxious in the business world when I knew I was going to be in front of a lot of people, giving a lecture or talk to people I had never met – something I had started doing weekly, so you can imagine how wound up I was! My

mind would race: “Will they like what I have to say? What if they don’t? Will I do what I did that one time when I lost track of where I was? I made a fool of myself that day.” The lecture hadn’t even happened, but here I was, future-tripping and imagining the worst possible scenario. I needed to look at it like a blank slate and reframe my thoughts with only positive ones. And it worked!

With people, many of us do the same thing. We are very good at creating a past inventory of what they did or didn’t do to us: why we don’t like them, why they are ‘dumb,’ etc. Or we might like these people and think fondly of them. When the interaction happens, the outcome is already set to play out the way we envisioned. If we can give people the benefit of the doubt more often, imagine how we could change our interactions! After all, don’t we all want more friends? What can we learn from people who have a different viewpoint on issues? It’s a much healthier perspective, and chances are we will walk away feeling a lot better than if we had let our negativity take over.

Sigmund Freud first gave this idea life before Jung expanded on it. In Freud’s psychoanalytic the-

ory, he stated: “It is the process of attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.” So, if what I hear and see coming from another person is frustration, it might be my own frustration coming out, not theirs. Simply put, it’s a defence mechanism – a creation of the mind to deflect what we do not like. Racism, homophobia, misogyny – the list goes on – have roots in this concept. It has been a tool used to drive the belief of “them vs. us.” Countless wars and conflicts have their basis in this simple but powerful trick of the mind; we see it all around us every day. It might be interesting to try to stop before we reacted and consciously became aware of what we were thinking about the other person and simply decided to tweak it. Ask ourselves: how would I act if I had never met this person before? You might surprise yourself and enjoy the interaction – and walk away with a friend rather than an adversary.

„ Feel like commenting or getting in touch? You can reach me at: ananda@seismicaudit.com. You can also find me online at: www.linkedin.com/in/ananda laberge.

Gaynor and Dick share Kuaotunu memories

BY DOROTHY PREECE

Gaynor and Dick Kerridge recently returned to their bach in Kuaotunu, to celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary. They were married at Old St Paul’s in Wellington on May 21st 1955. Dick and Gay are an alert, sprightly 92 and 91 respectively. Both still hold driver’s licenses.

While in the area, Gay was invited to share her memories of old Kuaotunu with the Mercury Bay Historical Society at The Lost Spring. With a phenomenal memory, Gay recalled the people, their houses and even the flowers they planted.

Gay’s father was Ross Simpson from Kuaotunu. Ross married Gay’s mother, Viti in Fiji and Gay was born on the island of Taveuni, where Ross managed a farm and later a copra plantation in Suva.

When Gay was 9 months old her mother brought her by ship to Kuaotunu, to meet her grandparents, Charles and Jane Simpson. Gay has fond memories of that house on the dunes at Kuaotunu, where she returned many times

over the years.

“I have always loved the sea, but Mother hated it,” Gay says. Her sister Rosalind was born at the Mercury Bay Hospital on

“She was born on Boxing Day, so grandma took turkey and plum pudding to the hospital.”

In 1941, with the war in the

Pacific, the Simpson children were evacuated with many others. Gay was 7, Rosalind, 6 and brother Daine, 5. They lived with their grandparents for three years and were taught at the Kuaotunu School where their Auntie Win was the teacher. The school was about a mile away on Waitaia Road.

“These were the days of kerosene lamps and having to empty the toilet,” Gay recalls.

“There was no general store in Kuaotunu, but there was a Post Office. It was near the bridge. The Postmistress was Mrs Ritchie. The scow Mercury Belle used to come in from Great Mercury for the Mizen family to collect mail, but they had to go into the Bay for provisions. Smith and Ross ran the grocery store in Whitianga, where Subway is now. That later became the IGA store.

“Boy Smith drove the cream truck over to the dairy factory in Whitianga, and he brought parcels back to Kuaotunu. He planted blue hydrangeas at the roadsides. You can still spot them when they’re flowering.

“Ali White drove the service car

from Whitianga to Thames and back every day – a better service than we have now! The road man, Tim Mayclair, lived at Ring’s Beach. He repaired the roads and cleaned out culverts up to the top of the Kuaotunu Hill, with only a shovel. He rode a bicycle with a pikau (sack) on his back.”

Gay still looks out for ‘the flag pole’, a kauri tree near the top of the Kuaotunu Hill, where the boys raised a flag when the war ended. “In the 1920’s uncle Henry Simpson planted roses in the hedges near the bridge at Simpson’s Beach. They’re still there.”

Gay completed her education to sixth form level in Suva, and in 1951 she came to work as a land girl for the Hinds family at Whenuakite. She met Dick at agricultural college, and the couple began their farming life in the King Country. They built their Kuaotunu bach in 1999 and many family reunions have been held there. Gay says many of the old homes are still there along the beach, reviving very happy memories of the people who lived there.

50 years – A brief history of the Mercury Bay Club Inc.

During early 1972 it became obvious to the Mercury Bay Returned Services Association. (R.S.A.)that it did not have the numbers or the finance to either build or support an application for a Club Charter.

As the 1972 population was then 980, consideration was then turned towards establishing a community club.

At a public meeting held on 18 October 1972, a Provisional Community Club was established, and the committee elected to carry on investigations. Those elected were Alan Clague – Chairman, Jack Maxwell, Secretary, Vic Crocombe, L. Hall, N Mitchell, Tony Boyce, Jack Thompson, Derek Boardman and Fred Young.

On 31 July in that year, the Inaugural Meeting of the Mercury Bay Club was held. Those eligible to attend and vote were all financial members of the Provisional Club as well as foundation members of the Mercury Bay Club. At this stage all the R.S.A. members were given the opportunity to become foundation members.

The Foundation and Establishment Committee elected were Alan Clague – President, Reg Newcombe - Vice President, Annette Newcombe - Treasurer, Jack Maxwell - Hon Secretary, Committee: Vic Crocombe, Graham Patchett, Cres Anderson, Heaton Balsam, Jack Thompson, Ash Cummings, Jack O'Sullivan, Cushla Willis and Max Leadley.

The Club was Incorporated in

November 1974. Jack Maxwell was appointed the Project Manager. The cost of the complex was $184,000. $45,000 had been subscribed by the way of members’ loans. Membership granted by the L.C.C. was 650 (272 were female members). The Mercury Bay Club opened on 22 June 1976

In order to preserve the relationship between the Mercury Bay Club Inc. and the Mercury Bay Returned Services Association, the following resolutions were passed and recorded accordingly.

RESOLUTION OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 24 NOVEMBER 1975

This General Meeting of Mem bers, coinciding in the time with the winding of preliminaries and the first steps being taken in the practical establishment of the Club, acknowledges the role of Mercury Bay R.S.A. in helping provide this facility for the peo ple of the Bay District, and rec ognises that but for the financial accommodation provided by the Mercury Bay R.S.A., he proj-

in confirmation: “This General Meeting of members reaffirms the sentiments expressed in the reso-

observed from the Purangi River mouth. Incorporated in the Crest is the Club's Motto, "Friendship and Fellowship."

John Bertrand Collectables Are Buying in the Coromandel Region Sunday and Monday

Once again, the gold and collectables buyers from Wellington company John Bertrand Collectables are in the Coromandel Region this Sunday and Monday. Mr Tony Grant from the company says, “If you are downsizing or wanting to dispose of things because they no longer serve any purpose to you or your family bring them in”. “This week will be a great opportunity to have any items you want to sell assessed by our buyers” said Mr Grant. Particularly wanted are Gold and Silver (in any of its forms) and Collectables such as Coins, Banknotes, War Medals, Old Wind-up Watches and other interesting Small Collectables.

“We are keen buyers, especially of the items in the list below” said Mr Grant. “Nothing is too small for our consideration. We are just as happy buying 1 item as we are buying 1,000 items” he said. The buyers will be in the Coromandel Region this Sunday and Monday. (see details below). As Tony Grant points out “If you are in doubt about any items you may wish to sell, bring them along for an instant appraisal.”

Gold & Silver At Very High Prices

Over the last couple of years, we have seen a sharp increase in the price of precious metals. The gold price in New Zealand is still at historically high levels. So, gather up all your unwanted items and make an appointment to see the buyers.

Tony Grant says “We can buy gold items in all forms, including Jewellery (Rings, Chains, Brooches etc.), Coins (Sovereigns and the like), Alluvial (River Gold), virtually anything, even Gold Teeth! We also need all Sterling Silver including Cups, Tea Services, Cutlery and Old Coins” he said.

EInteresting Small Collectables Wanted

The buyers from John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd, visiting the Coromandel Region this Sunday and Monday, are happy to look at any interesting items, for example vintage pocket and wristwatches such as Rolex, Men’s Omega, Breitling and gold watches etc. Also wanted, pre 1950’s picture postcards, Maori and Pacific artefacts, old fountain pens and other small antique or historical items.

“If you have something unusual which you would like to sell, please bring it into one of our venues, we would like the chance to at least have a look at it” said Tony Grant, buyer for the Company. “We will consider anything which may be of interest to a collector” he said.

Some Big Dollars in Early Banknotes

arly New Zealand Banknotes dated before 1932 are currently fetching big money! This is according to Mr Tony Grant, author of the John Bertrand New Zealand Coin & Banknote Catalogue. Mr Grant is in the Coromandel Region this Sunday and Monday on a buying trip for John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd and would be very keen to see any of these issues. “We will pay at least $300 for any undamaged Ten Shilling or One Pound

banknote from a New Zealand trading bank dated 1932 or before.

Denominations of five pounds and higher would be worth from $700. “Any banknote dated prior to 1900 would be worth at least $1000” said Mr Grant. Also purchased are any Reserve Bank of New Zealand pre-decimal issues, especially 50 Pound notes. All overseas banknotes are also wanted, especially early Pacific Island issues.

Collectors Need War Medals

Currently, throughout NZ and the world there is a big demand by collectors for war medals. These cover all wars right through from the New Zealand Land Wars and the Boer War, to the First and Second World Wars and the later Korea and Vietnam conflicts. New Zealand Servicemen and Women first served overseas in the Boer War in South Africa around 1900 and the war medals awarded for this service are needed by the buyers, as are any other Medals from early New Zealand and the New Zealand Wars. General service medals from both the First and Second World Wars will also be purchased, but as can be imagined these were awarded in fairly large numbers. “If a group of medals has any special award for bravery such as the Military Medal, Military or Flying Cross or other medals for Distinguished Conduct or Meritorious Service, these can add great value to a group” stated Mr Tony Grant, buyer for John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd. “Many families have old medals, some dating back to early Imperial days, that they are not sure what to do with. These are better off in the hands of collectors who will look after them. We will be happy to look at any war medals whatsoever, just bring them in to venues” he said.

Old Coins Can Toss Up a Rarity

D o you have a bunch of old coins sitting around in your drawers and cupboards? You just never know what rarities may be lurking there. The advice from Tony Grant from John Bertrand (Collectables) Limited is to “bring them in and let us have a look”. “No need to sort anything out just bring them in ‘as is’ and please don’t clean them! We can go through coin accumulations and collections fairly quickly” he said. The buyers are particularly keen to purchase pre-1946 New Zealand Silver Coins and World Silver Coins. “In any event we will buy All Coins,” said Mr Grant.

Local Government Matters FROM THE MAYOR

BY MAYOR PETER REVELL

Hearing the voice of our communities is important to this council. I was pleased last week to see that commitment actioned in a very practical way as we held the line on the promised low rates increase while at the same time taking on board the record levels of feedback, we had through our consultation process.

It is a balancing act, and I believe we’ve got the balance right.

We consulted on a number of possible changes to service levels and fees. The feedback we received was very clear and in response we have amended our original thinking but stayed on track for our goal of not more than 3.8% rate increase.

We proposed cutting the mowing programmes across our parks and reserves. The feedback told us that wasn’t acceptable, and so we’ve kept them as they are. We’d considered stopping the Onehunga weed spraying. After hearing strong feedback, we’ve decided to keep it going. Gardens will stay too, perhaps with an adjustment to some better value-for-money plant types. We looked at reducing the days our refuse transfer stations are

open. Communities told us they would prefer them being open seven days a week. We’ve done that and reduced the daily hours instead.

Beyond the items we formally consulted on, many of you added comments through the online submissions, or took the chance to talk things through with councillors and staff at our roadside and hall meetings.

We’ve taken those comments on board as well. They may not have changed items in this year’s annual plan, but they will carry weight as we develop the next long-term plan, work that is now underway.

For this Annual Plan, nearly $3 million has come out of overheads, works and consultant costs.

The final rate increase figure for next year is still to be finalised as there are a few things to factor in, such as the impact of storm damage. The low increase goal stays firmly in our sights, and we expect to confirm the final figure at the June council meeting.

Also last week, Council and Community Board chairs signed a new set of guildelines (the “Accord”) outlining how we will be working together. This is an important step given the signifi-

cant role our boards play across the district. I have asked the Deputy Mayor to explain this in this issue of The Informer.

Finally, there’s the big one, the Government’s plan to simplify local government – the most significant change for district councils since 1989.

Thames Coromandel District Councillors are currently working through this in order to have an initial submission ready to meet the government’s deadline of 9 August.

The government has made it very clear that regional councils won’t exist after 2028 and therefore district councils must reorganise themselves, working together to develop a way to

COSY COMFY WINTER SALE

deliver both local and regional outcomes.

Last week we as a council commenced the process to get to that point. I can assure everyone that the process will include engagement with all of council’s stakeholders – ratepayers, communities, iwi, everyone.

We have announced a working group of five councillors supported by staff to lead the effort.

This week we will let everyone know where they can find all the relevant information and how they can provide input to this submission.

It’s a substantial piece of work and a lot of the detail is still taking shape.

The government has called for all councils to develop high-level proposals to outline what this simplification could look like and taking into account the need to maintain local voice.

That is a process that we, your council, has begun. This is not a small body of work, but our first submission to the government needs to be completed by 9 August – just over 9 weeks away. It is a very ambitious time frame and there is a lot of detail that we are pulling together to ensure that we can meet that deadline. But here’s my commitment. Council will engage with our communities on this, and we’ll do it up front. I want everyone to have

the chance to contribute and to be on the journey with us. There are some key directives that we are needing to work within as we work on our submission:

• Submissions need to include at least one other council – a “going it alone” option will not meet the government’s expectation.

• Current council boundaries should not be a constraint.

• Improved efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed reorganisation is expected.

We are taking the government’s guidelines into account as we work on this. As Mayor, I am maintaining contact with virtually every other mayor in both the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty regions to understand how those other councils are thinking and progressing.

But the loudest message I want to give here is that although there is a lot of work involved, and although we have an extremely tight timeframe, the commitment of this council is to ensure that our communities will be engaged with the process. We will do it up front – not at the backend of the process – up front so that our communities are contributing to the initial proposal that we put to the government in August. I want everyone to have the chance to contribute and so be on the journey with us.

Local Government Matters

Can the Coromandel go truly local? Unitary council options on the table

BY GEOFFREY ROBINSON

It’s off to the races at TCDC toward a cascade of decisions that will fundamentally change the shape and function of Coromandel local government for decades to come.

At its ordinary meeting last Tuesday, Council approved a five-member Simplifying Local Government Working Group of elected members which, together with several outside consultants and senior staff, will narrow down options for re-organising as a unitary council by a government-mandated deadline of August 9.

LESS COUNCILS AND NEW BOUNDARIES

Ministers on 5 May announced their intention to end two-tier local government in New Zealand, effective with the 2028 local body elections. The announcement requested high-level amalgamation proposals for new local authorities that will combine the current functions of district or city councils and regional councils. Proposed council boundaries are to reflect basic geography, as well as natural economic, social and cultural “communities of interest”. The proposals will be evaluated by Government against various criteria, with successful plans being advanced later this year for further development, analysis, and public consultation.

For the next 10 weeks, TCDC councillors will be evaluating options ranging from “going it alone” to several potential groupings with all or parts of neighbouring Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, and Western Bay of Plenty districts. The idea of an amalgamated all-Waikato unitary “supercity” council trotted out by Waikato Regional Council (WRC) early last month appears to be

dead in the water. The status quo is not an option.

ARE ELECTED MEMBERS IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT?

As TCDC accelerates the process of identifying a preferred option, or options, for amalgamation, Coromandel communities will want clarity on the decision-making process and the criteria against which options will be assessed.

On Tuesday, five elected Council members were named by Mayor Peter Revell to a Simplifying Local Government Working Group – the Mayor (himself), Deputy Mayor John Grant, and Crs Flemming Rasmussen, John Freer, and Robyn Sinclair. They will be supported by senior council staff and an independent team of consultants.

STRATEGIC ADVISOR AND INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR APPOINTED

Discussion followed a 14-page report with soup-to-nuts decision recommendations for councillors on terms of reference,

schedule, and a decision tree authored, according to the original meeting agenda, by “Strategic Advisor” Vaughan Payne. Payne was onboarded as a contractor to TCDC in January as “Storm Recovery Lead” to liaise with government and advocate for longterm roading resilience funding. According to council CEO Aileen Lawrie, Payne’s remit has since been extended to supporting staff on simplifying local government. He is best known to Coromandel residents as CEO of WRC from late 2013 to 2020, including the period when WRC was actively opposing efforts by TCDC to form a unitary eastern Waikato council. Since March 2024, Payne has been managing director of Kāhu Manawa, a consultancy providing management services to local government and other statutory bodies.

Also named in the original strategy report as key Working Group support is Ohope and Tauranga-based local government consultant Ian Morton. Morton was Bay of Plenty Regional Coun-

cil manager of science and strategy from 2015 to 2018 before striking out as “M Consulting”. He is listed professionally as a programme manager working in various sectors including defense and telecommunications, and more recently local government. It is expected Morton will have a significant role as an “independent facilitator”. According to CEO Lawrie, the Working Group will also be assisted by contractor Elizabeth Hughes, a recent parttime communications hire with extensive background in local government messaging and public engagement.

Council’s consultants bring considerable Waikato and Bay of Plenty local government experience and industry connections to the TCDC Working Group table. But that experience and those connections raise the question of who will be steering the ship. Who will set the agenda and determine direction? Who will talk to whom when it comes to negotiations with neighbouring councils? Who will direct the discussion and determine priorities? And, ultimately, who will frame the decisions to be made on amalgamation options? When the dust settles, outside consultants will move on to their next assignments. Coromandel Peninsula councillors and communities will live with the outcome.

EXPANDING COUNCIL

BORDERS: A DEMOCRACY TRADEOFF?

As of last week, the Local Government Working Group has officially started exploring which neighbouring council areas might fit best when it comes to purported efficiency and local democracytwo objectives that are generally at odds.

The council already shares services with Hauraki District

notably in waste management and economic development, and hundreds of Hauraki residents commute daily to work in Thames and Kopu. The Coromandel Range spans from Moehau in the north to Te Aroha (Matamata-Piako District) in the south. The Waihou River (formerly the Thames River) runs past Te Aroha and Paeroa to the Firth near Thames. On the eastern seaboard, Waihi Beach (Western Bay of Plenty District) is a natural fit. Logical options for unitary council borders in the eastern Waikato clearly exist.

In the western Waikato SH1 corridor, similar choices are being faced, and in Hamilton as on the Coromandel, size matters. Hamilton City Council (HCC) is currently considering combining with Waikato District (and possibly one or two others) or alternatively; joining with Waikato and Waipa districts (and possibly one or two others). An HCC staff report summed it up well, noting that each option carries trade-offs between scale, local representation, and the ability to address diverse needs. The report noted a bigger grouping “may deliver greater economies of scale, simplified governance, and improved infrastructure coordination, but risks diluting local priorities.”

Back on the Coromandel, communities have been asking for years to bring back more local decision-making from Hamilton and give greater voice and control to local communities – from infrastructure investments to economic development spending, to public transport and harbour management. Their priorities so far have been clear. While efficiency needs to be increased and costs constantly contained, local control and local decision-making once gone are lost forever.

Councillor not prepared to go backwards on Community Boards

BY JOHN FREER, THAMES

COROMANDEL DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

Now that Council and Community Boards had agreed on a new Accord, boards could get on and do the job they were elected for. I was disappointed not to have the chance at this week's council meeting to put forward his reasons for supporting the new Accord and is now setting those reasons out for the residents of his Tairua-Pauanui and Whangamata Ward.

I owe it to the people who elected me to explain why I voted the way I did.

The statement comes after Mayor Peter Revell, using council meeting rules, stopped the debate which prevented some councillors from having their say on what had become a controversial agreement between Council and the Community Boards.

In the lead-up to the vote there was a strong campaign against the Accord, including from former Deputy Mayor Terry Walker, who was on Council for the entire

period the 2019 Terms of Reference were in place.

During those six years, frustration from Community Boards across the district grew, rather than eased. That is the record, and it weighed heavily on my thinking.

Therefore, I was not prepared to go backward to go forward with this.

Two things determined whether I would support the new Accord or stay with the old Terms of Reference put in place by a previous council.

Firstly, of the five Community Board chairs, four supported the Accord and one abstained. These are the people elected to lead our boards.

When that many of them say a document is good enough to proceed with, councillors should take that seriously.

Secondly, the 2019 Terms of Reference simply have not delivered what our communities need. That is not opinion – it is the lived experience of six years.

Local Government Matters

Councillor not prepared to go backwards on Community Boards

Continued from page 16

The Tairua-Pauanui and Whangamata boards had both been strong advocates for their communities and wanted to be stronger still.

Our boards have been vocal – on issues like the state of local council buildings, mowing of reserves, annual planning and flood protection. These are the things that matter to people on the ground, and our boards have too often felt

they were not being heard.

The Accord directly addresses that. It commits Council to early consultation with boards on decisions affecting their areas, reliable staff support, regular Mayor and Chairs meetings, clear timeframes when differences arise, and a dispute resolution path. The Terms of Reference document addressed none of this.

I received several emails and calls urging me to retain the exist-

ing Terms of Reference. Those views came from people who care about our communities, and I respect that. After weighing them carefully, I reached a different conclusion, and I wanted residents to hear my reasoning directly.

A COMMITMENT TO REVIEW

I recall having sat in the Thames Coromandel council chambers with representatives of residents and ratepayers’ groups from

around our district, meeting with councillors when the Terms of Reference were discussed as a mechanism to improve relations – but still, until the last elections, the lack of engagement between Council and Boards continued. Cr Freer said the Accord also came with a built-in commitment to review.

A full review is locked in at six months. That gives us the chance to test how it is working, hear from boards and communities,

and adjust where they are needed.

“his is not a document to be set in stone, it’s a living document that will evolve over time to meet the needs of our communities. You don't drive down the road by looking in the rear-view mirror. We have a chance now to build something that works for our communities - and that is why I support this change.

„ For more information, please contact John – 0274 839 426

Community Boards, the Accord, and loss of local empowerment

BY TONY FOX

Council’s adoption of the Accord was a substantial step backwards for local democracy – reducing Community Boards from instruments of local empowerment to little more than civic mailboxes: able to receive concerns, pass them upwards, and hope that someone elsewhere will act.

The Accord does not represent meaningful local representation.

The model adopted under the Leach-led Council was simple: All District/Core functions funded by the District – genuine non-core services managed locally by Community Boards were intended to give effect to local priorities, local accountability and local decision-making. It recognises that Whitianga, Thames, Coromandel, Tairua-

Pauanui-Whangamata, and the smaller settlements do not all have identical needs, pressures or aspirations.

It is a disappointment that only Tony Bryjlevich and Flemming Rasmussen actually understood the value of the Terms of Reference (TOR). The Accord moves in the opposite direction. It centralises authority, weakens the influence of locally elected members, and leaves communities with a weaker voice over the outcomes that most directly affect them.

The Accord language may be collaborative, but the effect is depowering. Once authority is transferred from the local level, it is rarely returned willingly.

DISAPPOINTMENTS FROM TUESDAY’S COUNCIL MEETING

One: Cr Freer was unable to articulate his community’s feedback because the Mayor was not familiar with TCDC Standing Orders. The Mayor put the motion before

all Councillors had contributed to the discussion/debate.

Two: The failure of the Mercury Bay Deputy (but Acting) Chair not reading out a prepared statement from the MBCB Chair,(was on sick leave but advised not to attend the Council meeting, but to submit his thoughts in writing and to be read to the meeting).

Congratulations to Tony B and Flemming R for their efforts to support what they and others at the 2025 Local Body Election stood for: empowered communities are not an optional extra; they are the democratic foundation of a geographically diverse district.

Our other MB elected member voted to weaken our voices.

Under the Terms of Reference (TOR), Whitianga was the envy of other TCDC Wards because a lot more was being done there. That

was not luck. It was the direct result of a community embracing the Community Empowerment Model implemented by the 2010 Leach Council, with staff capable of serving as Area Managers and an elected arm that understood the model and its value.

The lesson is simple. If we want Community Boards that matter, we need Community Board members who will insist on local empowerment, not merely attend meetings and process correspondence.

We will remember: The next generation of board members must be prepared to defend local decision-making, challenge centralisation, and restore practical authority to communities. Otherwise, Community Boards will remain what the Accord has made them: polite letterboxes with no real power.

Why the Community Board Accord matters for all Ratepayers

BY JOHN GRANT, DEPUTY MAYOR

The Community Board Accord passed at last Tuesday’s council meeting by seven votes to four, and it is fair to say it was not without controversy. In my own ward, two of the three councillors did not support it. I did, and I want to explain to ratepayers why I think this was one of the more important votes I have cast in four years on council.

SO WHAT IS THE ACCORD AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The Local Government Act is clear that the primary job of a community board is to represent and advocate on behalf of the ratepayers and residents within its area. That is not a minor function. It is the reason community

boards exist. For that advocacy to be effective, boards need to know exactly where they stand, what authority they have, what support they can expect, and

how their voice reaches the decision makers at council. For the seven years prior to last Tuesday, that clarity simply did not exist in any meaningful way.

The Accord changes that. It sets out for the first time in one document the mutual obligations between the council and its five community boards. It establishes a direct line of communication between all board chairs and the Mayor, meeting at least every four weeks. It puts clear obligations on council staff to support boards. It gives boards a real pathway when things are not working and it aligns the structure of our governance directly with what the Local Government Act says community boards are here to do.

WHY DID I SUPPORT IT?

I have sat on the Mercury Bay

Community Board for all four of my years on council. I have watched committed, capable board members work hard for this community while spending too much energy trying to navigate a system that was not set up to support them. The frustration has been real, and it has cost us. What settled it for me was this. All four elected members of the Mercury Bay Community Board supported the Accord unanimously. These are the people on the ground, closest to the communities of Whitianga, Coromandel Town and the wider Mercury Bay area. They know what has been missing, and they backed this document without reservation. That carried more weight with me than any legal argument put forward against it. Four of the five community

board chairs across the district also supported it. The vote at council was seven in favour including myself and the Mayor.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Accord will be reviewed in six months. If it needs strengthening, it will be strengthened. This is a beginning, not an endpoint. After seven years of community boards struggling to find their place, Mercury Bay ratepayers now have a board with a clear mandate, proper support, and the right connections to do the job the law says they should be doing. That is a good outcome, and I am glad we got there.

„ John Grant is Deputy Mayor of Thames-Coromandel District Council and a Mercury Bay Resident.

Letters to the Editor

KEEPING COMMUNITY BOARDS SUBSERVIENT

During my career as a Senior Safety Auditor with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia, I spent considerable time working on Delegated Authority frameworks. From that experience, I can say with some confidence that what has been presented to the community falls well short of that standard. It reads as a goodwill agreement to cooperate

– a “play nicely together” arrangement – rather than a structure that grants any real authority to make decisions. As it stands, the Community Board is not equipped to become a meaningful decision-making entity.

A CYNICAL REVIEW OF THE TCDC ACCORD

• The Accord is like being handed a steering wheel that isn’t connected to the car.

• It’s a ceremonial sword with no blade – impressive at parades, useless in battle. The Accord gives Community Boards the authority to strongly nod, thoughtfully comment, and forward emails upward.

• It’s governance by motivational poster: ‘Together we can achieve anything… subject to Council approval.’

• The document says Community Boards are ‘recognised leaders during emergencies,’ which is a bit like appointing someone as honorary firefighter but not letting them touch the hose.

• The Accord could be summarised as: ‘We deeply value your local knowledge and input, right up until a decision is required.’

• The genius of the Accord is that everyone can claim Community Boards are empowered, while ensuring nobody can quite locate the actual power.

David Yeomans, Pauanui

A VOTE THAT WEAKENS POWER FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

At last week’s TCDC full Council meeting, an important vote was taken.

I was utterly appalled to hear that three members of our Mercury Bay Community Board –

Kim Abrahamson, Rob Davis, and Peter McKenzie – declined to take up the position that our community all voted for – the empowerment of Community Boards to work closely with the communities they represent

It was a major part of last year’s local government election, and we all believed we had elected a top team that was enthusiastic and committed to what we believed in.

As word spreads across the community, the anger and disbelief grow. It seems Richard Shelford Woodcock, the Chair, is the only one prepared to stand up for our community fully. Unfortunately, he is on sick leave and, in the end, was not allowed to speak in a private capacity, even though he was willing to attend the meeting. Richard had no vote, and he was not represented by the person appointed to uphold his position while he was in recovery.

We are aware that, up to the day before the meeting, all MBCB members were of one mind: go with the option that gave more decision-making power. However, somehow, in the morning at Council Chambers, the three members of our Board voting chose the least desirable optionthe Accord.

The new Accord was prepared because the previous Council failed to apply the existing Terms of Reference at all during its term of office.

Their inaction has led them to criticise the Terms of Reference and replace them with this Accord that weakens Community Boards.

Mercury Bay Councillors Flemming Rasmussen and Tony Brjlevich spoke against and voted against the Accord. John Grant voted for the Accord.

Shame on those who stood for empowerment before they were elected, but who voted in a way that did not represent us.

Ady Cole-Ewen, Wharekaho

SHOUT OUT - AN OPEN LETTER TO TCDC

I would like to give a huge shout out and thanks, to all of your call centre staff and noise/animal control field officers.

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.

The last eight months has seen an upward trend of both nuisance dogs and incredibly unruly residents, into our little piece of paradise in Whitianga.

Your efforts to restore normality to the community are greatly appreciated. I quantity this statement with the ‘likes’ on my recent post on WhitiChitchat.

Alan Sutton, Whitianga BUILDINGS

AND LAND IN COUNCIL OWNERSHIP

I believe our district Council, TCDC, needs an audit on its assets and the effects of those assets on their communities.

How often do we here from Council, “We have no money available to complete the project,” and then we hear a follow up to that statement, “We have to put up the rates to achieve your request or complete the project.”

This is a cop-out as Council has millions of dollars invested in assets related to land and buildings. In my understanding, there is no current register on Council owned assets in the district and if there is – why don’t our ratepayers know?

I do not wish to be a constant critic on this issue but feel we need to know more on the subject. What is the strategic plan behind owning the land and buildings. How will the plan, if there is one, serve the advance of this district?

In the private enterprise world, if a business is not successful, it is liquidated, sold, or just closed down.

Council could always own the land but lease the business.

If we are serious about reducing rates in our area, we must look at this important branch of our economy – “Council ownership.”

In addition, this is a concept drawing of what is possible in entertainment terms there at Moewai Sports Park, Whitianga. Key Features in this design

• Stage shell positioned at the edge of the fields for good sightlines and sound projection.

• Natural amphitheatre slope using the existing terrain for the audience (mix of standing room, picnic blankets, and portable/ chair seating).

• Sports integration – fields right beside it so events can tie into match days, school sports, or festivals.

• Durable, weather-resistant materials suited to NZ conditions.

This kind of facility is far more budget-friendly than a large enclosed building. It can only add to the use of this wonderful space and increase the opportunities for outdoor entertainment events. Let‘s not forget this big project was never finished by the Council.

Noel Hewlett, Whitianga

BIG

IS NOT BETTER- IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

This Government has got the amalgamation of Council’s wrong! Their misguided attempt is to save money. It won’t! Warren Maher has helped ratepayers with his article in The Informer (19 May) clarifying reasons for the Government’s thinking. I’m not saying the government’s thinking is right.

Without a mandate, or prior consultation, this Government has foisted the “big is better” view onto Local Bodies. Their five criteria for this action are arguable i.e. incorrect.

Looking at the Auckland Unitary Authority where 17 Local Bodies were amalgamated, we see future generations will have to pay the costs of borrowing approximately 310 billion. The rates will have to encompass the interest payments for years. Economies of scale haven’t worked. Savings are made by thrifty humans and thrifty decisions.

“Small is beautiful” whereas amalgamation will put our elected L.B. representatives ‘out of touch’. Who does this action help?

My worry is that the Government will entrench this mistake before I can have my vote at the next election.

Peter H. Wood, Whitianga COMMUNITY BOARDS SWAPPED A FERRARI FOR A SKATEBOARD

Tuesday last week, Thames-Coromandel District Council voted 7-4 to replace our Community

Boards’ Terms of Reference with a new “Accord.” Councillors Rasmussen, Brljevich, Ashman and Smith opposed it, and rightly so.

The 2019 Terms of Reference, still in force, give Community Boards genuine decision-making authority over harbour facilities, parks and reserves, community halls, libraries, swimming pools, cemeteries, local roading, local economic development, community grants and local strategic planning. They have sat unimplemented for six years - by Council’s choice, not their failure.

The Accord replaces those powers with authority to approve street names, sign off training, and allocate small grants — within Council policy and budget. Everything else is reduced to “feedback,” “input” and “advice.” That is not delegation; it is what the Local Government Act already requires (s 52).

One councillor put it bluntly: “We have just swapped a Ferrari for a skateboard”. I agree. Cr Alison Smith voted against because “the closer a decision is made to the community it affects, the better the outcome.” That principle is the heart of local democracy, and the Accord abandons it.

The argument that the Terms of Reference “did not deliver” misses the point. A document cannot be delivered if it is never picked up. Six years of non-implementation indicts Councillors and staff, not the delegation.

Whangamatā’s discretionary budget is around $90,000. When I stood for Mayor last year, I campaigned for Boards to receive up to 5% of the district rate take - for our board, roughly $1.2 millionwith matching responsibility for local assets. That is genuine local empowerment.

The Accord is the opposite: it centralises control in Thames, channels every Board enquiry through Governance Services, and gives Boards “speaking rights” rather than decision-making rights.

Amalgamation is coming. The stronger our local representation now, the better placed we will be when boundaries are redrawn. We have just made ourselves weaker.

The Accord is up for review in six months. Want your voice back? Tell your Board chair, ward councillors and the Mayor - loudly, and in writing.

Patrick Kerr, Whangamatā

SUPPORTING OUR AREA SCHOOL

I read with interest and shock, Richard Shelford-Woodcock’s article on a recent attack of a student at Mercury Bay Area School and the on-going issues.

From my experience school leadership can make or break a school in terms of teacher and student morale, and when

Continued on page 19

to the Editor

Continued from page 18

that morale is low, there is a far greater risk of bullying and behavioural problems.

I’d like to use a couple of examples that I base my opinion on.

Our children attended a primary school, initially, where the principal appeared to be in a perpetual bad mood all the time. He remained in his office, refused to meet with parents who had concerns, often taking the hard line that students being bullied needed to toughen up. At least that is what he told me after my son was bullied and sustained injuries.

The general atmosphere at the school was quite negative and it felt like even the teachers were struggling.

We moved our children to another school, which incidentally had a much higher roll. Here the principal engaged with the students by playing sport with them at lunchtime, talking to them as she walked around the school, and she knew them by name, as she made a point of getting to know all new students

at her school.

Each Friday the school held an assembly where parents were encouraged to attend and students were presented awards for everything from good behaviour to achievements during that week, and the most productive class got a standing ovation. The morale at this school was very high in both students and teachers.

I have personally seen the same examples in secondary schools. To change you need to start with leadership. Being a principal or teacher today at a secondary school level isn’t an easy task. It’s actually pretty tough a lot of the time. From what I have been told, the Principal here is often involved with the students as well as supporting the teachers. So as a community, let’s start by supporting Mercury Bay Area School by endorsing respect and good behaviour in our homes, first. Then at least we will have made the task of teaching them, and avoiding bullying etc, a bit easier for the teaching staff.

Cynthia Daly, Cooks Beach

Police Report

Monday 25 May to Sunday 31 May

GENERAL:

Tuesday, 26 May a male made verbal threats while also exposing himself in the Cooks Beach area. He has been spoken to regarding his behaviour.

Wednesday, 27 May threats were made towards an elderly victim at a Wells Place address. The offending person has been spoken to by police. Also, 27th an assault occurred at a Matarangi address. The offending party will be spoken to by police regarding the incident.

Saturday, 30 May a female was stopped and spoken to regarding a historic petrol drive-off. Subsequent enquiries revealed the vehicle she was in during the stop was also stolen.

ARRESTS:

1x female arrested for Unlaw-

fully gets into motor vehicle, Theft ex Shop.

OCCURRENCES:

Saturday, 30 May a Family Harm incident occurred at a Moewai Park Road address. A verbal argument occurred with both parties given advice by police. Also 30th, an assault occurred at a Park Lane address. Enquiries are continuing regarding this incident.

Sunday, 31 May police attended a South Highway address on various occasions for Family Violence. Both parties were spoken to and will be followed up by other agencies to assist them moving forward.

TRAFFIC:

Saturday, 30 May a vehicle was stopped on Wharekaho Road for excessive speed. The driver was processed for drink driving and suspended from driving for 28 days.

Keep the tracks open

BY RAY VAN BEYNEN

In early 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island of New Zealand including the Coromandel Peninsula. As a result, the Mautohe Cathedral Cove (MCC) track was closed for almost two years.

Early consultation was poor and it was not until an intervention by the Minister of Conservation, The Hon. Tama Potaka, that work began in earnest and within a few months the MCC was reopened.

Both Rachel MacMillan and Tania Short from DoC are to be commended for their part in consulting widely and listening to their communities. The option of a phased approach with an initial focus on the main MCC track was the option universally favoured with phases 2 and 3, the repair and re opening Gemstone Bay and the Hahei Beach Track the next priority.

DoC then announced that the Hahei Beach track was going to be rerouted because of ‘extensive damage to the Hahei Beach Track.

This year we have suffered another 3 extreme weather events in the main very heavy rainfall. This included the impacts of Cyclone Vaianu. As result DoC are proposing the cancellation of the Hahei Beach track reroute, the decommissioning (closure) of the Hahei Beach Track and the closure of the Gemstone Bay Track. The reasons given were the extensive damage to both tracks and the costs of the repairs.

The reaction from local communities has been swift and pointed. There is widespread opposition to the DoC proposal. In September 2024 in a meeting with Minister Potaka, he referred to the local community as the kaitiaki of MCC.

The local community has deep historical, cultural and educational ties to both Gemstone Bay and the Hahei Beach track. The tracks would have been in operation since the arrival of Ngati Hei. It was in operation during the European settlement of the MCC surrounding area. During that period, it was in legitimate pri-

vate ownership and most importantly after it was gifted by the Harsant family to the Crown and the people of New Zealand.

The track provides stunning views back across the Hahei beach and valley. It is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. It has remained relatively unscathed since Cyclone Gabrielle and after Cyclone Vaianu only one major slip at the bottom of the old Hahei Beach was identified.

That slip is easily circumvented and since Cyclone Gabrielle thousands upon thousands have walked this track without incident. Sadly, with the track closures weeds are thriving and regular sights of possums, stoats and feral cats are being reported.

Some of you will recall the tragedy some two years ago where two young persons became stranded on the cliff face below the Hahei Beach Track. One fell to his death and the second was rescued by the Waikato Cliff Top Rescue from the Hahei Beach Track.

The financial costs argument needs closer examination. DoC currently has legislation before the House where they are seeking to charge for entry by foreign nationals onto their estates or should we say our public reserves. The argument is that tourists worldwide are charged for accessing places of great beauty or interest. DoC rightly needs funding to maintain our public reserves but there is a fair amount of devil in the detail.

Most tourists now pay $100 each as part of the International Visitor Levy (IVL) but this does not cover large sections of our incoming tourists including Australians, Singaporeans and our Pacifica cousins. That needs to change. This levy is an easy and

relatively painless way of collection and given the volume of tourists, the monies raised would cover a huge part of DoC funding.

The Doc funding proposal includes charging foreigners for access onto public reserves. There are huge difficulties in making this work. How will DoC determine who is a tourist given that our huge immigrant population often appear to be tourists rather than citizens or residents?

Will anyone accessing a public reserve be required to present identification proving the New Zealand citizenship or residency?

NZ at present does not require the carriage or production of an identity document other than in specific and very limited circumstances i.e. drivers’ licences or firearms licences.

Our reserves would have to be fenced off with gated and controlled entry points. There is a huge cost to this bot in set up and in operating costs.

A far more sensible approach is to include the current exempt nations in paying the IVL and increasing the amount to $150 per person. This would save considerable angst in charging visitors at each of our public reserves not to mention greatly upsetting locals.

On the subject of common-sense approach DoC should allow the locals to resume their planting, pest and weed control activities and go back completing phases 2 and 3. As local community kaitiaki we are more than willing and capable of looking after and maintaining the Hahei Beach Track and the Gemstone Bay access.

All readers should be rightly concerned by the latest DoC proposal, and they must voice their concerns by making a submission to email address cathedralcove@ doc.govt.nz.

„ Please sign Lis Harsant’s petition calling for these tracks to remain open. The petition in its first week has attracted close to 1000 signatures. It can be found on Whiti Chitchat, the Cooks Beach Community or Hello Hahei Face Book pages.

Games & Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle

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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.

ACROSS

1. Cuban capital (6)

5. Funny aside (4)

7. Indian Brahma worshipper (5)

8. 3-foot length (4)

9. Actor, ... Alda (4)

10. Shocked, taken ... (5)

11. Undeniably (6)

13. Eye membrane (4)

14. Small earphone (6)

18. Illegally fixed (race) (6)

21. Greenish-blue (4)

22. Prattle (6)

24. Florida resort city (5)

25. Bough (4)

Last weeks winner CONGRATULATIONS G. Jamieson

26. Meditation routine (4)

27. Clear-headed (5)

28. I was, you ... (4)

29. Yelped (6)

DOWN

1. Disordered (7)

2. Waltz virtuoso, ... Rieu (5)

3. In the lead (5)

4. Military occupier (7)

5. Trembling (7)

6. Dream (7)

12. ... de Cologne (3)

15. Obtain (7)

16. Blackberry bush (7)

17. Make depraved (7)

19. Rish group (1,1,1) (3)

20. Stubborn person (3-4) (7)

22. Woozy (5)

23. Purchase (entire stock) (3,2) (5)

Issue 1212 – Grid 180

Sudoku Puzzle

Sudoku instructions

Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of 9 boxes inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once.

Issue 1212 – Quiz 05

Peter’s quiz

1) What does the French phrase ‘Faux Pas’ translate into?

2) Which element has the label Na?

3) Where is the largest Museum in NZ?

4) What was the colour of the British Empire on early maps?

5) Can a star be drawn without raising the pencil? For solutions see page 26

AT MERCURY TWIN CINEMAS, WHITIANGA

Bonjour movie lovers!

We have had an amazing response to the start of our L’Oréal Groupe French Film Festival. With over 600 tickets bought before opening day, this year’s festival is shaping up to be our best ever!

Opening night was an absolute delight, with people catching up with fellow French movie lovers that they hadn’t seen since last year’s festival, and also having the opportunity to sample some wine from sponsor, Clos Henri.

THE MONEY MAKER

Based on an incredible true story, Jan Bojarski is a young Polish engineer taking refuge in France during World War II. Desperate to survive, he turns his talents to forging identity documents.

Once the war ends, Jan still finds himself struggling to make ends meet. He is unable to patent his many inventions. Jan’s engineering expertise seems to be wasted, until a gangster recognises his skills and presents a risky opportunity – to produce counterfeit banknotes... So begins a thrilling and nail-biting series of events, as Jan begins to lead a double life.

Drama, Thriller, M, 129 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Sun 7 June 12:00pm; Thurs 11 June 7:00pm.

THE MUSICIANS

This enchanting new comedy of manners stars Valérie Donzelli as a wealthy heiress whose plan to stage a landmark concert is derailed by the clashing egos of the virtuosos recruited for the performance.

Astrid Thompson is determined to honour her late industrialist father’s final wish: unite four priceless Stradivarius-stringed instruments for the premiere recital of a new composition by his favourite artist, to be live-streamed for music lovers globally.

Comedy Drama, PG, 102 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Thurs 4 June 7:15pm; Sun 7 June 7:30pm.

A NUN IN THE CITY

After twenty years of devotion to her convent, Sister Lucie’s quiet life is upended when she spots a familiar face on a TV: her teenage sweetheart, now accused of a high-profile murder. Convinced of his innocence, she makes the impulsive decision to try to help him.

Comedy, PG, 86 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Tuesday 9 June 3:00pm.

Our movie lovers have been very enthusiastic about all the movies they have seen so far, with a special mention going to Colours of Time and Once Upon My Mother.

Experience the breathtaking scenery of the Camino de Santiago in this life-affirming drama. Adam is a teenager who’s lost and heading in the wrong direction. After a run-in with the law, a judge hands over a surprising sentence: he must walk the 800 kilometre Camino de Santiago to think about his future.

Drama, M, 113 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Wed 3 June 11:00am; Tues 9 June 7:00pm; Tues 16 June 7:00pm.

THE SON OF

After a chaotic presidential election, France urgently needs a new Prime Minister. A hapless but ambitious young parliamentary assistant has a plan: convince his retired and highly erratic politician father to return from exile and seize the top job.

Comedy, M, 106 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Wed 10 June 3:00pm.

In this tense psychological thriller, Pierre Niney delivers a chilling performance.

Mathieu Vasseur is a popular life coach with a dedicated following, delivering electrifying seminars, promising empowerment and transformation to his loyal fanbase. But behind his carefully curated image lies a more sinister reality.

Thriller, R13, 124 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Wed 3 June 7:15pm; Thur 11 June 11:00am.

More than one person mentioned that Once Upon My Mother was even better than they had anticipated, and they felt that the blurb in the festival programme did not do it justice.

The lovely Kate Rodgers is this year’s ambassador, and we’re sharing her thoughts about the films on our Facebook page. With two more weeks of sessions ahead, you still have plenty of time to take in a couple! Pop into the cinema for a programme and schedule.

A DASH OF LOVE

Joining them as their burly chauffer is Lucas, one of Mélanie’s clients who has recently been released from prison. In exchange for her legal services, Mélanie ropes him into taking the wheel.

The unlikely trio embark on an unforgettable journey across stunning vistas that will lead them to understand more about themselves, and each other.

Starring: Julia Piaton, Grégory Gadebois, Quentin Dolmaire.

Comedy, Drama, M Offensive language and sexual references. 84 Mins. Languages: French; Subtitles: Yes.

Screenings: Friday 5 June 5:00pm; Sunday 14 June 11:30am.

AN EVENING WITH VICTOR HUGO

French acting legend Fabrice Luchini plays popular performer Robert Zucchini, who has built his career on a stage act that lauds the works of the famous writer Victor Hugo.

Robert finds himself not only at odds with a feminist theatre troupe, but with his adult daughter Lisbeth, who has recently reappeared in his life.

Comedy, Drama, M, 90 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Tues 2 June 3:00pm; Sat 6 June 7:15pm; Sat 13 June 6:00pm.

COLOURS OF TIME

Director Cedric Klapisch has crafted a genuine crowd pleasing story that blends the excitement, wonder and art of Belle Epoque France with present day themes around identity, legacy and connection.

In 1895, young Adele leaves Normandy for Paris, a city alive and buzzing with invention, photography and the rise of Impressionism. In the present day, her descendants inherit an unexpected legacy: a country side house in Normandy, abandoned for decades and suspended in time.

Screenings: Sat 6 June 4:40pm, Sat 13 June 1:00pm.

Anne-Maree, Mercury Twin Cinemas

CYCLE OF TIME

It’s 1958, Hélène and Michel live a simple but happy life with their two children. Michel works in a bank, while Hélène focuses her efforts on their home and family life. The couple find themselves catapulted into 2025. Everything they know has changed. They grapple with new technology, social rituals, and the frantic pace of modern life.

Comedy, M, 103 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Wed 3 June 3:00pm; Wed 10 June 7:15pm; Wed 17 June 7:00pm.

ONCE UPON MY MOTHER

Based on the bestselling autobiography by Roland Perez. this exuberant and heartrending film pays tribute to a mother’s love for her child.

In 1963, Roland is born to Esther, her sixth child in their close-knit Jewish immigrant family living in the Parisian suburbs. When Esther learns that Roland has been born with a club foot, she vows to ensure her son lives not just a normal life, but a fabulous one. She enlists the help of a determined specialist and the pop songs of Sylvie Vartan (who makes a cameo in the film) to help Roland defy all expectations and learn to walk.

Comedy, Drama, G, 103 minutes, French with English Subtitles

Screenings: Sat 13 June 8.00pm.

JUST AN ILLUSION

A heartwarming and brilliant comedy set in the suburbs of Paris in 1985.

Vincent is a boy standing on the precipice of his 13th birthday and his Bar Mitzvah. Vincent’s mother Sandrine tries to hold the family together with her job as a secretary, while his father Yves grapples with unemployment and a wounded ego.

Comedy, M, 119 minutes, French with English Subtitles.

Screenings: Sat 6 June 11:00am; Sun 14 June 4:15pm.

What’s On

OP SHOPS

Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust

Bookshop – Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. Open every Mon-Sat 10am-2pm.

Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre ReUse Store 239 South Highway, Whitianga Open Tues-Sat 9:30am-3:30pm

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. NEW HOURS - 9.30am-1pm Tue-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 12 and Monday 22 June, 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.

Hauraki U3A (University of the Third Age) has interesting speakers every 3rd Tuesday of the month. All are welcome. Paeroa Baptist Church, 2 Wood St, Paeroa. $10 at door. To book email event_registration@u3ahauraki.nz

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

If you have an activity or group or the existing information is incorrect, let The Coromandel Informer know. Call 07 866 2090, email info@theinformer.co.nz. Our What’s On page is not guaranteed to run every week as often space is restricted. Consider paying for a classified advert if you want to guarantee your activity runs every week.

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.

Badminton – Whitianga Badminton Club –Thurs 5-7pm, MBAS school gym. Four courts. 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.

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 – 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 Monday 5.45-7.15pm at the Mercury Bay Area School music room. Friendly non auditioned choir. All comers welcome. Phone Kate 0272709058 for details.

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 Club-Thursday & 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 – 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 - 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 - Whitianga - beginners, retirees, inflexibles welcome. Mon 2.30pm, Tues 5.15pm, Thurs 4.20pm, Fri 8.45am, Sat 8.15am. Gentle Simple. $25 for a 90 minute session. Text 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. 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

Grey Power Mercury Bay – our next gathering will be on Thursday 2nd July 10.30am start. (Doors will open at 10am). Guest speakers. Morning tea $5 per person. Further info please phone Grey Power Mercury Bay 07 8665516 or e: greypower.mercurybay@gmail.com. Come and join us for our next get together. 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.

MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE

Lessons from 5.00-6.30pm Thursdays or 11.00am-12.30pm Wednesdays. Only $25 for 10 lessons. At the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Starting Wednesday 20th May. Please register before 10th May. Contact Ischelle Stevenson 021 060 8869 or email ischelle_stevenson@hotmail.com

Trades & Services

Trades & Services

Classifieds

WANTED TO RENT

The Treasury is the History & Family Research Centre for the Hauraki and Thames Coromandel region. Housed in the historic Thames Carnegie Library and its adjacent purpose-built archive, Te Whare Pātaka. The Treasury gathers, restores and protects the history of people, organisations and businesses from the Coromandel Peninsula and the Hauraki region including the Hauraki Plains.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Volunteers

At an operational level, we are looking for more volunteers to join those who help with the work we do at The Treasury in Thames.

Site for caravan on semi-permanent basis. In Whitianga. One person. Ph Ray 027 493 0042

• People who can meet and greet visitors to The Treasury, help them navigate our library, guide them in researching the archives, talk to them about some of the region’s history, or help them choose books to buy from our catalogue.

Whitianga Total Storage, opposite

Summit Forests invites interested parties to attend a Community Liaison Meeting.

Wednesday June 17th 2026 at 5.30pm

To be held at the Kuaotunu Hall, Black Jack Road, Kuaotunu

Thames-Coromandel District Council Meetings – June 2026

Pursuant to Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, public notice is hereby given that the following meetings, at the time of publishing, will be held during June 2026

Council Meetings

Ordinary Council

Tuesday 23 June 2026 - 09.00am, Thames Council Chambers, 515 Mackay Street, Thames

Ordinary Council

Tuesday 30 June 2026 - 09.00am, Thames Council Chambers, 515 Mackay Street, Thames

Committee Meetings

Infrastructure and Finance Committee

Thursday 4 June 2026 - 09.00am, Thames Council Chambers, 515 Mackay Street, Thames

Community Board Meetings

Coromandel-Colville Community Board

Tuesday 2 June 2026 - 09:00 am, Coromandel Service Centre, 355 Kapanga Road, Coromandel.

Mercury Bay Community Board

Wednesday 3 June 2026 - 9.00am, Mercury Bay Service Centre, 10 Monk Street, Whitianga

Tairua-Pāuanui community Board

Monday 8 June 2026 – 10:00 am, St Francis house, 248 Main Road, Tairua.

Whangamata Community Board

Tuesday 9 June 2026 - 10:00am, Whangamatā Service Centre, 620 Port Road, Whangamatā

Thames Community Board

Wednesday 10 June 2026 - 10:00am, Thames Council Chambers, 515 Mackay Street, Thames

Please visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/meetings for copies of Agendas and Minutes.

A Lawrie

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Thames-Coromandel District Council

The Treasury is run and governed completely by volunteers. From our governance group of eight to our current 20+ operational volunteers, The Treasury is a vital part of the region’s heritage network.

Volunteers at The Treasury are crucial, helping to collect, preserve, catalogue, index and digitise historical records (photos, maps, documents) for the Coromandel and Hauraki region, greeting visitors and looking after our plant, buildings and grounds. Who are we looking for?

• Individuals keen to learn new skills in archiving and research.

• And, most of all, those who enjoy working as volunteers with like-minded people in a community setting.

Board Secretary

We are seeking someone with good administrative and typing skills ~4 hours a month to be Secretary to the Board of The Coromandel Heritage Trust, the governing body for The Treasury. We are keenly missing our secretary of many years who has stepped aside and are keen for someone to step into fulfilling this valuable service to the trust.

discuss your contribution as an operational volunteer contact Geraldine Dunwoodie,

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Three temporary fishery closures in the Hauraki Gulf Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaterā and Ngāti Pāoa have requested further temporary fishery closures in the Hauraki Gulf, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The requested closures are for two years, and would prohibit taking of the following species in the following areas:

Area Iwi Proposed prohibited species

Umupuia Beach Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Cockles

Te Mātā and Waipatukahu (Thames coast, Coromandel Peninsula)

Waiheke Island (Hauraki Gulf)

Ngāti Tamaterā Oysters, mussels, pipi, cockles

Ngāti Pāoa Mussels, rock lobster, pāua

A copy of the request, maps, and full descriptions of the proposed areas are available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website (www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations).

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions in response to the request from people who have an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned.

Further information about temporary closures is available on the MPI website (www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture)

Submissions can be made by 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026. You can email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

Please state in your submission which of the proposed areas your submission relates to.

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations

Fisheries Management

Fisheries New Zealand PO Box 2526

Wellington 6140

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on the MPI website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Classifieds

C3 Church Whitianga

Join Us – Expect Miracles! Sundays 10am 22 Coghill Street, Whitianga

St Andrew’s by the Sea Community Church 82 Albert St Whitianga (Opp Z) SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00AM Come, join the familyFind peace and friendship. Enquiries: ph 022 1322 061 www.standrewsbythesea.org.nz

Mercury Bay Golf Club’s Ladies Club Captain Chris Van Veen, right, presented the Rae Lalande Trophy to the winners Lynne Butler and Elcamino Wade. This is an annual mixed trophy where the ladies invite the men to join them in a game of Amercian Foursomes followed by a really nice afternoon tea supplied by the MBGC 18

TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB

Final round of the Paku Pairs

North/South: 1, Ron Baker & Rob Stewart 69.79; 2, Ngaire

O’Brien & Lee Hughes 55.90; 3, Jean Myles & Robyn Waters 50.35 East/West: 1, Jenny Hemmings & Sally Rumbold 59.92; 2, Sue Poland & Chris Death 57.94; 3, Donna Harvey & Sonia Botica

HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB

Week 4 Hahei Pairs

North/South: 1, Robyn Hogg and Sue Gill 58.00%; 2, Val Dwight and Peter Clark 55.50%; 3, Tia Ormsby and Don Barry 55.00%

East/West: 1, Gavin Hedwig and Peter Hogg 66.50%; 2, Maggie Beattie and Robyn Waters 60.50%; 3, Angela Butterworth and Chris Hilford 58.50%

MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB

Championship Pairs round 5

Fletcher Bale came out the victor with a great 90 checkout. Highest finish for the ladies was 118, scored by Rose Stables. Highest finish for the men was 93, scored by Beau Hamilton. One player scored a 180 this week and that was Malcolm Cryer.

MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER

Wednesday 27 May

At the completion of three rounds in section play, Ian Baumgren was the only player to score three wins to take out the top prize for the day. Rob Reilly was runner-up with two wins.

Saturday 30 May

9 hole Stableford

Thursday, 28 May

1, Rose Rundle 18; 2, Kaye van Lubeck 17, Dennis Rundle 17 & Jan Stanley 17.

MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB

9 hole women – Putting

Tuesday 26 May

Div 1: 1, Gaylene Imms & Jenny Leyton; 2, Christine Godden; 3, Raewyn Hill.

Div 2: 1, Rose Tegg; 2=, Judy Hindrup & Felicity Sanders.

9 hole Men - Stableford

1=, Eddie Lyle & Kelvin O’Leary 20; 3, Bob Holiday.

9 hole Men Stableford

Friday 29 May

1, Kelvin O’Leary 19; 2= Eddy Lyle & Gavin Green 18. Men’s scramble

Saturday 30 May

Gross Snr: Dominik Szparagowski 70; Junior: Graham Dun 92

Stableford: 1, Dominik Szparagowski; 2, Ronnie Campbell. Twos: Dominik Szparagowski & Daniel Kinney

THE DUNES GOLF CLUB

Ladies 9 hole Rainbow Day

Stableford

Tuesday 26 May

1, Ruth Fisken 21; 2, Leanne Evans 20; 3, Pip Perry 19 18 hole Men

Tony Cotton Net Medal

Wednesday 27 May

1, Barry Bowen 67; 2, Ross Titchmarsh 68 on count back; 3, Raymond Fanning 68. Best Gross: Wally Hayes 79 NTP on #18: Max Gaskell Two’s: Ross Titchmarsh, Glenn LeLievre on #5, Darryn Pritchard, Barry Bowen, Wally Hayes on #7; Russell Barnett on #14; Mike Friis on #18. 18 Hole Ladies Stableford

Thursday 28 May 1, Joanne Dartnall 37; 2, Polly Lambert 36; 3, Marie Dunn 35 9 hole Men

Every Sunday at 9.00am at St Peter the Fisherman 7 Dundas Street, Whitianga ALL WELCOME

Enquiries ph 021 781 081 Anglican Worship www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.org.nz

Trish’s Bible Gems

“If you shall confess with your mouth that Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Romans 10:9

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

Wednesday 27 May

North/South: 1= Giorgio Allemano & Robyn Hogg, Chris Hilford & Colin Day 60.4; 3, Gavin Hedwig & Kate Palmano 56.3 East/West: 1, Ischelle Stevenson & Jenny Layton 58.0; 2, Denise Knutson & Pat Doube 50.9; 3, Sue Swan & Bob Schibli 49.7 Whiti Championship Pairs round 1

Thursday, 28 May

1, Rose Tegg & Geoff Jervis 63.8; 2, Julie Rutledge & Angela Cook 62.3; 3, Ischelle Stevenson & Faith Stock 47.5

MERCURY BAY CLUB INDOOR BOWLS

Monday 25 May

1, Ray Rout, Doreen and Betty Simpson; 2, Ken Lack and Jan Harvey.

Good Sports: Maureen Lack, Stev and Pat Fisher.

MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS

22 players this week, so 501 singles were played. Four players went through unbeaten in all four sets, they were Selwyn Whatarangi, Beau Hamilton, Fletcher Bale and John Munro. Unfortunately, John Munro had to leave before the final was played due to having to catch the last ferry.

A good turn-out of players saw the field reduced to only one player with 3 wins. Bob Haase showed some excellent form with wins over Ian Baumgren, Rob Reilly and Greg Murphy respectively to take the day’s top honours. Peter Schultz, Ian Baumgren and Phil Jones had two wins each with Phil also scoring the highest break of the day with 22.

TAIRUA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

18 Stableford Net Medal –Pleasant Valley Cup R1

Saturday, 16 May

1, Nicholas Wedde 69; 2, Fletcher Koot 71; 3, Robyn Hayward 72; 4, Mark Cory-Wright 72.

9 hole Putting

Tuesday 19 May

1, Donna Hunt 14; 2, Brian Fellows 15; 3, Kaye van Lubeck 15; 4, Ros Rundle 15

18 hole Stableford Net Medal

Thursday 21 May

1, Terry Kingham 75; 2, Robyn Hayward 76; 3, Ray Russell 77; 4, Glen Farrell 77.

9 hole stableford

1, Dennis Rundle 23; 2, Carolyn Williams 16; 3, Jan Stanley 16; 4,Ros Rundle 16

18 hole Stableford Net Medal

– Pleasant Valley Cup R2

Saturday 23 May

1, Mark Cory-Wright 68; 2, Marie Jamieson 70; 3, Tony Anderson 73; & Johnny Grundling 73.

9 hole LGU Nett Shootout

Tuesday 26 May

1, Brian Fellows 33; 2, Ros Rundle 33; 3, Kim Kelly 35; 4, Susan McDonnell 35.

Yellow Tees Stableford 1, Harry Karl 19; 2, Lance Croawell 18; 3, Ray Bertling 16. Hole Mixed Haggle Nett

Saturday 30 May

1, Allison Drake-Wells 70; 2, Alistair Davidson 75 on count back; 3, Joanne Dartnall 75; 4, Tony Nicholson 76 NTP on #18: David Todd

Twos: Alistair Davidson on#7, Joanne Dartnall on #14, David Todd on #18

PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Nine-hole Stableford and Fairways

Tuesday 26 May

Stableford

1 John Hamilton, 2 Brian Keucke, 3= Mark Bell, Neil Robertson, Di Gilmour.

Fairways 1 =Sheree Webster, John Hamilton, Dave Gibson, Jock Peacock, Neil Robertson

Nine-hole Stableford

Thursday 28 May

1= Di Gilmour, Mark Bell, 3= Colin Campbell, Jason Godward Saturday 30 May 18 Hole Stableford

1 Kelly Phillips, 2 Phil Ander, 3 Brian Keucke, 4 Ryan Cochran. 4BBB Stableford Kelly Phillips and Danny

WOMENS RUGBY

MERCURY BAY MAKO V

COROMANDEL HORNETS 24 MAY

It was a tough battle against Coromandel at the Coromandel Rugby Club grounds for Mercury Bay Mako Womens Rugby team! Mercury Bay put up an incredible fight in the first half ending 7-0. Then Coro built momentum in the second Full time Score: 28-0 to the Hornets

From Mercury Bay: “A gruelling and incredibly tense game of rugby with our neighbours over the hill!! So proud of all our wāhine - they never gave up and the score really doesn’t represent how incredibly they all played. A massive shout out goes to those playing their very first game of rugby. Your whānau and community are proud!!”

From Coromandel: “It was a full 70-minute grind against a strong Mercury Bay Mako side. Proud of the effort, resilience, and heart shown right across the field today. It was a special moment pulling on our new kit and representing not only ourselves – but our sponsors, whānau, supporters, and wider Coromandel town community who continue to stand behind this team every step of the way.

To our logo sponsors – Ngāti Whanaunga, CoroGym, Ora Ake Ltd, Scenic Coast Bait and Star & Garter Hotel – and to all 23 of our jersey sponsors… thank you for being part of “The Team Behind the Team.”

MENS RUGBY

Mercury Bay Premiers played hard with Whangamata on Saturday. The full time result was Mercury Bay 21 and Whangamatā victorious with 24. After trailing 21–7 at halftime, the Mercury Bay boys dug deep and showed plenty of heart to fight their way back. They just needed a few more minutes to get three maybe five points.

Kings Birthday Snapper Tournament

The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club held its Snapper Tournament for Kings Birthday weekend. A big thanks to “The Stunned Mullet” and “Okuma” for their continued support of this competition. Over $1000 worth of The Stunned Mullet Vouchers were awarded with 1 – 10 placings. Prizegiving was 6.30pm in the clubrooms on Sunday, 31 May.

Accounting, Bookkeeping & Tax Solutions

Amy Balme (CA)

Geoff Balme (FCA)

Adele Scobie

office@accountingbydesign.co.nz

28 Lee Street, Whitianga 3510

07 866 5891

Trevor & Raewyn Hildreth

P. 07 866 5799

M. 027 677 4930

M. 027 487 1978

• New Builds • Modifications • Repairs Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques

| harkinnz@gmail.com Unit 1, 5 Abrahamson Drive, Whitianga 3510 www.harkinboatworks.com

9 Austin Drive Whitianga 3510 E. theframeplace@xtra.co.nz

Please phone us to arrange an appointment 

OUR LEGAL SERVICES INCLUDE: PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL - FAMILY COMMON LAW - PERSONAL - FINANCING TRUSTS - ASSET PROTECTION - NOTARY PUBLIC

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Long tradition of trusted performance and reliability

• Quality of service and practical advice

• Promptness and efficiency

• Reasonable fees and regular reporting

14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510 www.renniecox.co.nz

whitianga@renniecox.co.nz 0800RENNIECOX (0800 736 643)