OPTION THREE is the headstart proposal agreed at 28 July - Council meeting to be debated and voted on - Tuesday, 4 August.
Background: In response to the Central Government’s Simplifying Local Government reform edict to come up with a Headstart Option, the Thames-Coromandel District Council established a dedicated Working Group to develop up to three structural reform options by 9 August 2026.
Three shortlist options were identified and agreed at the council meeting on the 16 June 2026. It was agreed that these shortlist options undergo further investigation and public feedback to support councillor decision making, the options were:-
• Greater Waikato - OPTION ONE
• North Bay of Plenty - OPTION TWO
• East Waikato (Temporarily called Waihou-Piako-Coromandel) - OPTION THREE.
Public feedback was duly sought but it was hurried.
At a council workshop on 28 July, councillors carried out a further assessment of these three shortlist options and advised the Working Group and staff to focus on a Headstart Proposal for Option Three - Waihou-Piako-Coromandel.
“Staff and the Working Group to submit a Draft Waihou-Piako-Coromandel Headstart Proposal for Council’s consideration.”
Leading up to 28 July, other options were suggested, requested, written in the survey, researched and published by residents and
ratepayers – but to no avail. As stated clearly, the “public feedback (was) to support councillor decision making“ which was the prior choice of three options leading to Option Three.
It seems that the point of all the consulting with the public, “Which way should we go?” was to “get public feedback to support councillor decision making”.
There is no evidence for the public that another ‘Option’ other than the published ‘Three Options’ was seriously encountered or risked putting forward by our elected members or the Working Group or staff. The Council meeting, as this newspaper arrives in letterboxes and stands, will largely debate Option Three – that is the extent of the democratic process.
I am writing as if Option Three is already decided. It might not be. After all, 46% is not a majority.
Indeed, the total number of submissions/surveys was only a small proportion of our population.
If the Council agrees to submit a Headstart Proposal, the Working Group and staff will continue to work with partner councils (Hauraki District Council and Matamata-Piako District Council) to finalise their Headstart Proposal for submission by 9 August 2026.
No matter what the decision on Options, the people must insist on a voice and a vote commensurate with our value and our significant character and unique potential as a Peninsula.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been prepared and is proposed by TCDC for the other two district councils in Option Three. It holds some hope.
The purpose of the MoU is to
clearly identify what is important to Thames- Coromandel District Council. The very first point is, “Representation and local voice”. We would all agree that this is vital – equality and power to influence for Thames – Coromandel; but it needs to mean more in the future than it has in the recent processes. The Informer is including all levels of Government.
The Memorandum of Understanding will also be considered at (4 August) Tuesday’s meeting. A full copy, called attachment 2 can be found on the TCDC website. An extract of the key components of this Waihou-Piako-Coromandel MoU is set out here.
SHARED & AGREED PRINCIPLES
The Parties agree that the following principles inform the development and assessment of the Head Start East Waikato proposal:
3.1 Representation and Local Voice: Representation must acknowledge both resident populations and non-resident ratepayers, with a clear line of sight between communities and decision-making at both local and higher levels.
3.2 Affordability, Efficiency and Sustainability: Any proposed model should be capable of demonstrating improved affordability, efficiency, value for money and long-term financial sustainability.
3.3 Iwi and Hapū Partnerships: Existing and future obli-
gations to iwi and hapū will be recognised, valued and honoured, including commitments arising from Treaty of Waitangi Settlements, statutory obligations and established relationships.
3.4 Collaboration: The proposed arrangements must foster greater collaboration, Co-ordination and consistency across key functions where this improves outcomes for communities.
3.5 Evidence and Community Input: The proposal development will be based on robust evidence, analysis, community feedback and stakeholder engagement.
3.6 Strong Local Voice: Local identity, local representation and local influence over local priorities and services must be maintained and/or enhanced.
3.7 No Community is worse off from Legacy Decisions: Where reasonable and practicable, communities should not be disadvantaged by historical funding decisions made elsewhere. Legacy assets, reserves, liabilities and rating arrangements must be managed fairly and transparently throughout any transition.
It was agreed if the Waihou-Piako-Coromandel proposal was adopted by all three councils, this MoU would be signed by the three Mayors following agreement: Mayor of Hauraki District Council, Toby Adams, Mayor of Matamata-Piako District Council - Ash Tanner, Mayor of Thames – Coromandel District Council, Peter Revell.
Ravi Tiku has been managing the Gull Service Station for 15 years. Gull has been there in Monk Street for 20 years. Now, it is no more. “It is all a part of change”, says Ravi. “Change is inevitable. The Gull lease is completed. The supply agreement finishes when the lease is finished. It is time to make some changes. The company who owns the property will decide what happens on this piece of land.”
At 7.30am on Friday 31 August the Gull station looked as it always did – clean, well-lit and ready for cars, boats and trucks to re-fill. However, by 8.15am, Pro-Fuels engineer, Stuart Foster was onsite with his truck and staff removing all the fuel left in the pumps themselves. Elcon Electrical had two vehicle–engineers there to remove the pumps and electrical connections. Xtream Signs had started removing the branding, mostly all signs of GULL. A GULL representative had arrived and Peninsula Hi-Ab Towing came soon after to carry away the very tall pieces of signage.
In a very streamlined and co-operative manner, with four hours of teamwork, all pumps and signs were gone. The engineers and company representatives all knew each other. This kind of turnover is not unusual in most towns. There have been many brands of service station on this site.
Ravi’s shop will still be open
every day but there are no petrol pumps. Raman Deep Kaur will be there at the shop to greet you as she has for the last three years. We know that Waitomo owns the land, but we will have to watch to see what happens with the space. Monk Street has been a petrol pumping venue for over 70 years.
Winter hours for the shop and the service station site are still: 8.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday. 8.00am – 3.00pm Saturday and Sunday
I’m 93 and I love it, says Bette Marshall, the oldest member of Moorings who with Leigh Hopper and Andy Grey, cut the ribbon celebrating a very significant milestone for The Moorings Retirement Village in Whitianga last Wednesday, 29 July – the opening of The Moorings Clubhouse and connecting The Moorings to the Waterways canal. “We have finally got to the canal,” says Leigh Hopper. Moorings Retirement Village is truly a part of The Waterways as the canals are now beautifully connected up with a waterway all the way to the ocean.
“Stage One with 18 units and Stage two with 33 units are complete, which is the connection to the canal and still under construction.” says Andy Grey, CEO of Hopper Developments. This is a huge achievement at this time in what has been a challenging period for the economy.”
The event was attended by residents and members of the community. People were genuinely excited. The Informer talked to Judith at the opening of the canal and visited two residents, Jack and Glenda Biddle at their Moorings home, following the celebrations.
“It’s hard to put in words the support and friendship I have experienced,” says Judith. “I came up here not knowing anyone. I am treated like I have been here always. I love having neighbours who are glad I’m here.”
“I have searched and visited
many retirement villages looking for our home and this spacious, picturesque and very relaxed location just decided it for us, “says Glenda Biddle “We love living in Whitianga and we are a part of the whole town, not just The Moorings, but with the way the village is built, we have privacy which we also enjoy.” Jack and Glenda love riding their bikes and they appreciate that Whitianga is flat and there is so much beach coastline to ride along and enjoy. They also like kayaking and the Waterways canals are good for that in all weathers. Now, the Waterways is right at their back door.
Jack and Glenda Biddle are retired but active and involved in their community. Jack was with AA testing and analysing new brands and styles of cars for AA. Glenda has represented New Zealand at the Olympic games in swimming and their expectations of a quality of life are high but also relaxed.
The Moorings are a part of the life and vigour of Whitianga township. The Mercury Bay Medical Centre, right next door is an excellent facility which Hoppers Developments planned, and it is opportune that Woolworths and New World are such a short distance away.
Leigh Hopper is confident that, “The lifestyle village, the Moorings provides is a standard and quality that tops anything in New Zealand.”
Contact: Debbie Lee, Sales Manager, 021 972 591
BY PHIL HART
It is the fifth year in a row that Mercury Bay Boating Club has hosted the Elliott 5.9 Sailing Regatta. The boats come from all over the North Island and love our waters and our town. In fact, so much so, that they have asked to have their national championships in Mercury Bay, 2028. The national regatta was held
here 5 years ago and it's a rare honour that the national organisers have asked to come back again so soon.
Our small but enthusiastic club has not let the clubhouse issues drag us down and we have put on a great regatta for them, Getting six races away off Cooks Beach on Saturday and four off Buffalo Beach on Sunday despite at times light and shifty winds. Is a great
achievement.
Our next regatta is the annual Double Trouble Catamaran contest in November. In the meantime, our local keelboat fleet sails fortnightly and would welcome more boats to join us. It’s very relaxed and you don't have to be TeamNZ to be in the hunt for victory bragging rights. Our handicap system ensures that everyone has a chance. Email: philip@hartal.co.nz
Some time ago my son in law sent me a book to read. ‘Stop Reading the News: A manifesto for a Happier Calmer and Wiser Life’ by Rolf Dobelli.
For as long as I can remember I have been a follower of the news whether it be print, radio, TV and more recently the vast array of digital media now available. And of course, the ease where overseas publications can be accessed making available the very wide spectrum of news from around the world.
Mum and Dad favoured the morning Christchurch Press over the evening Christchurch Star and the trend of morning and largely middle of the road conservative newspapers has stayed with me.
Statistics show that both our main daily print and online media ‘The New Zealand Herald’ and the ‘Stuff’ website are reportedly losing 7% to 14% of their circulation on an annual basis.
Readers have now been voting with their feet for some years and the same is true of our Radio and TV channels. The shift to punters now preferring online content is marked and whilst both of the above print media have well-structured online platforms, they are not getting the attention they are after.
Whilst the media spin doctors invariably blame the move to digital media I believe the real reasons rest with the lack of a point of difference, editors choosing opinion pieces over
well researched balanced pieces and the total lack of relevance to our lives that is served up on a daily basis.
The desperate attempts to turn D grade celebs and so-called influencers into media stars not to mention the flagrant self-promotion and the constant negativity are all signalling the death knell of Mainstream Media (MSM).
Then we have the puerile click bait which is ‘breaking news’. In days past a sudden unexpected death of a leading political figure has now been replaced with … I recall watching the venerable Simon Dallow leading TV1 news with the sad story of a Kiwi lady killed by an elephant in Africa. Simon then left his news desk, approached the big screen and proceeded to solemnly advise the viewers what they should do should they encounter a charging African elephant. Spike Milligan couldn’t have done it better as a comedy skit. Since then, I cannot bear to watch New Zealand TV news.
Like many others I looked further afield and settled on the Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and the Independent for my news fix. The quality of their reporting makes our national papers look like third rate hacks.
Despite my son in laws best intentions, I have been unable to take his advice of ‘Stop Reading the News’. That said there is always next year’s New Year resolution.
2 & 3 Bedroom Villas and North Facing
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Thames Music Group’s August Sunday concert features youth-driven chorus, Manu Mātātahi.
Manu Mātātahi is passionate about revitalizing the barbershop style amongst young people in the Waikato. Singing together only since early 2022, they have been awarded bronze medals at the Barbershop Harmony New Zealand national competitions in both 2023 and 2024, and the Most Improved Trophy, the Audience Favourite Trophy, and gold overall in 2025, taking home the Chorus Champion Cup.
They are freshly returned from the USA where they represented Aotearoa on the International stage in June, showing the world their unique blend of Te Ao Māori and barbershop
harmony and placing 13th overall out of 38 competitors.
Manu Mātātahi always welcomes new members – you can find them in the Marian School Hall, Hamilton, on Thursdays from 7:15pm.
Don’t miss this concert at 2 pm, on Sunday 9 August. Come and experience Manu Mātātahi’s love for singing barbershop harmonies, with their distinctive Aotearoa flavour.
DETAILS: Thames Music Group’s Sunday Concert series presents Manu Mātātahi, Sunday 9 August at 2.00 pm, St George’s Church, Mackay Street, Thames.
Tickets: $20/Adult, $15/TMG Member, Free entry/Under 18 yrs old.
Contact: thamesmusicgroup@ yahoo.co.nz
Many homes in Coromandel Town and the surrounding area have Tony Calsaferri on their walls. After 24 years of painting Tony’s work has found its place, with his completing 100 paintings annually. His colourful, creative pieces are well liked and becoming to interior decoration strongly influenced by Central American style and flair. Tony’s artwork is all about bringing colour into people’s homes and wanting
to increase the energy vibration of the person who views his work. “The colours are the bright colours, the colours of the rainforest, the colours of the Mayan culture” says Tony. Living a bachelors dream, he travelled to Guatemala where he carved hardwood supporting a sustainable community eco-tourist venture on a Mayan ruin overlooking Lake Peten-Itza near Tikal. Tony started painting, creating a style based on Mayan
glyphs and symbols, which then became a lifestyle. His work is colour therapy and his studio, covered with his colourful works, seems to fit perfectly, a style and vibrancy that spells a certain rhythmic and qualitative education of the higher learning from the ancient civilisation. Gallery 6 hours are 10.00am – 2.00pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, or contact 027 777 1572 after hours.
A town favourite, the glamourous trio, The Madeleines, will be here in Whitianga on Saturday, 8 August, one last time at the Monkey House. Playing all the favourites from the 1940s, 50s, and a few modern hits too, their distinctive style brings jazz and swing to life!
Already selling incredibly fast, tickets are avail able from Eventfinda or the Whitianga isite.
BY EJ
Over one hundred line dancers and steppers enthusiastically responded to the grand night offer at the Mercury Bay Club, an event aptly named Sunset Steppers. The evening saw groups from Auckland and Tairua joining many locals, demonstrating a strong sense of community. While the focus was primarily on line dancing, the variety of music that filled the air was surprisingly diverse, proving to be an excellent fit for this popular dance style. Roger Simpson, the maestro of music, curated an impressive repertoire of dances, ensuring a captivating experience for all attendees.
Notable line dance leaders
graced the stage, not only demonstrating their moves but also offering instructions before each segment of music commenced.
This approach catered to both less confident dancers and groups who had come to enjoy the evening's entertainment.
It's worth noting that this event was open to everyone, this wasn’t just for women, there were dances many men could do. The well-planned program aimed to foster an inclusive environment for all line dance enthusiasts.
In addition to the dancers, there were many spectators who enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere created by the decor, courtesy of Kathleen Conaghan, the organiser and lead line dancing teacher, whose brilliant ideas and excep-
tional organisational skills made the night truly festive. The evening was scheduled from 5pm to 9pm, with a small plate of exquisite finger food provided as part of the prepaid ticket, supplied by Chef Nee and his team. This marked a departure from previous
entertainment evenings that typically featured bands for rock 'n' roll or ballroom dancing.
However, Sunset Steppers maintained variety, offering a unique experience that was specifically tailored to line dancing but still catering to diverse tastes.
The event was commendable and created a warm, convivial community atmosphere, even in the midst of winter.
On the very first day of August, this grand idea came to fruition, proving to be a resounding success.
BY PAULINE STEWART
n 7 March 2020, Dean Hart
O– who grew up in Whangamata – broke the New Zealand land speed record, hitting 363.463km/h in a jet car he built himself. That record still stands.
This coming week, on Sunday 9 August at 4.30pm, Mercury Twin Cinemas will screen the feature film telling the story of how Dean built that jet car and the journey that led him to the record. The film is Trash 2 Dash. Even better, the film’s director and creator, Wayne Johnson, now a Whitianga local, will be present at the screening. And Wayne has arranged something very special: Dean Hart himself will attend the Sunday 4.30pm screening for a personal visit.
Wayne has lived in Whitianga for nearly two years. Semi retired now, he spent decades as a senior cameraman for TVNZ, working on news and documentaries. Trash 2 Dash has never been shown in Whitianga before, and Wayne will host this special event. All screenings of the film will raise funds to help MBAS students attend their school camp.
HOW THE IDEA FOR THE LOCAL SCREENING BEGAN
“I saw a young lady walking dogs to raise funds for the school camp,” says Wayne. “After talking with her, I learned there were other young people also trying to
raise funds. I got to thinking, ‘Why don’t they sell tickets to movies?’ I have a movie – a very good movie. We can sell tickets and raise money.”
Wayne approached Anne Maree McDougall at Mercury Twin Cinemas and Paul Maskery at MBAS, and the plan came together quickly. Every screening will contribute to camp fundraising.
HOW THE MOVIE ITSELF BEGAN
“I met Dean Hart at RNZAF Whenuapai in 2015,” Wayne explains. “It was an unplanned meeting that led to this remarkable story. I was shooting another documentary at the time called Will It Fly? Dean came up to me and said, ‘I have something you might be interested in. Best you come and
have a look. I’m building a jet car.’”
Wayne recalls seeing the car for the first time: something huge sticking out of a garage door, sitting at an angle because it didn’t fit inside. A massive engine filled the frame. “I thought, ‘This guy is crazy.’ But the proof, engineering, and determination were there.”
He began filming Dean as he built the car, started it for the first time, drove it for the first time, and ultimately broke the New Zealand land speed record at Ohakea Air Base. Dean still holds that record.
“Everything in the car was basically second hand except the safety systems,” says Wayne. Dean adapted parts from all over the airbase. His track suit came from a retired race driver in England, and his fireproof underwear was bought from a Formula One team sale – previously worn by Yuki
the
The film was shot over five years, and Wayne assembled it during Covid. “When it came to releasing it, all media and advertising were ready — then on the Sunday night before the premiere, Jacinda put us back into lockdown. The plans were benched.” Dean’s story began long before the jet car. Growing up in Whangamata, he remembers standing in the school grounds watching RAF aircraft fly overhead and deciding he wanted to be up there. Trash 2 Dash runs for one hour and 47 minutes.
SCREENING TIMES
• 3.00pm – 6 August
• 1.30pm – 7 August
• 4.00pm – 8 August
• Special event with Wayne & Dean: 4.30pm – Sunday 9 August
• 7.00pm – Tuesday 11 August
• 3.30pm – Wednesday 12 August
“A
“We
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Mildura is often treated as the practical stop before Mungo National Park – a place for fuel, food, accommodation and road-condition check. However, Mildura deserves more than a quick supply run. This Murray River city is where River cruises, semi-arid gardens, wetlands, local produce, public art and day trips to Wentworth, Perry Sandhills and Murray-Sunset National Park make Mildura a gentle introduction to river country and the outback beyond. Mildura is a visible transport connection to Wentworth & Mungo National Park: A Slow Travel Guide to River Country and Ancient Outback Landscapes and it has its own interesting story to tell visitors. The Murray River shaped the town. Irrigation shaped the orchards. The dry climate shaped the gardens. Wetlands show how water can be reused and restored. Nearby sandhills and national parks show how quickly river country can shift toward outback country. Mildura is much more than the gateway to Mungo.
BEST
Summer can be very hot, especially if you plan to explore Murray-Sunset National Park, Perry Sandhills or Mungo National Park,
so autumn, winter and spring are the best seasons.
For outdoor exploring, aim for early morning or late afternoon, and always check road conditions before leaving Mildura or Wentworth.
MILDURA’S BEST
1. Australian Inland Botanic Gardens
The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens are one of the best introductions to the region.
This is where you begin to understand dry-country plants. The labels are excellent, and many are cared for by volunteers. Instead of seeing “scrub,” you start noticing leaf shapes, textures, survival strategies and the
quiet beauty of semi-arid plants.
2. A short Murray River cruise Being on the water changes how you see Mildura. From the river, the landscape is no longer just pretty scenery. It becomes a working system of irrigation, transport, settlement, communication and survival. The Murray River is not the background. It is the reason the town exists.
3. Walking the Murray River banks
Let the day slow down.
A river walk is a good first-evening activity after a long drive. It is a good recovery walk after visiting Mungo. Sitting under the shade trees is very restful.
4. Etiwanda Wetlands
Etiwanda Wetlands is where
regenerative travel meets local water management. The wetlands show how wastewater, habitat, public art and walking paths can become part of a community landscape.
5. Rose garden
The rose garden is a surprise –beautiful, formal and full of settlement history.
In this climate, a large rose garden is not just decorative. It is a reminder of irrigation, imported garden traditions and the way European settlers reshaped inland Australia around water. There are also many semi-arid plants.
6. Cafés, galleries and public art
Mildura rewards a slow wander – cafés, galleries, public art, local shops and small cultural stops are throughout the town.
7. Great local produce country
Mildura’s food story is tied to irrigation. Citrus, grapes, almonds, olives and other produce shape the surrounding landscape. Roadside stalls, local menus and markets help show how strongly the region depends on water. That makes the Murray River part of every meal.
8. A day trip to Wentworth Wentworth is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips
from Mildura.
It sits near the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, giving the town a quieter, more historic feel. It is a transition point between Mildura’s riverfront comfort and the outback landscapes beyond. A good Mildura-to-Wentworth day includes: Murray-Darling junction, historic buildings, Old Wentworth Gaol, river stories, local museums, Perry Sandhills
9. Murray-Sunset National Park
Murray-Sunset National Park is one of Victoria’s great semi-arid landscapes.
It is about 100 kilometres south-west of Mildura and is best known for the Pink Lakes, mallee country, saltbush, wide skies, sunsets and stargazing. This is not a quick city attraction. Carry water, allow time and avoid extreme heat. The Pink Lakes are the headline
10. Mildura your connection to Mungo National Park
Mildura is the most practical starting point for visiting Mungo National Park.
It’s the place to fill the fuel tank, buy water and food, download maps, confirm accommodation, and ask for local advice Best Bits Travel, hello@ nzjane.com
- will we lose forever, what we haven’t already got?
BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN
There has been a lot of discussion about the upcoming decisions on Local Body amalgamation that are due to be released. A number of different views are being expressed with a growing amount of support for doing virtually nothing. By this I mean for TCDC to stay as it is but take over the Waikato Regional Council tasks that apply to the Coromandel.
One advocate for this option is The Informer journalist, Geoffrey Robinson who, in issue 1220 of the Informer, wrote about the options presented by Council stating, “What each of the amalgamation options can guarantee is a dramatic and permanent loss of political self-determination and local control”.
I do not disagree with this comment, but it is incomplete in that it fails to mention we have this situation now. My view was supported by Johnathan Ayling in the NZ Herald of 30 July. He wrote about the “democratic void” in local governments stating, “Vot-
ers elect mayors and councillors assuming they possess the authority to implement the platforms on which they campaigned”. Most of us are coming to realise they do not, possibly the main reason for low turnouts of voters in local elections.
The current Thames Coromandel District Council has virtually removed political self-determination and local control from our communities. Most of our councillors stood for election with platforms that included empowering communities and providing transparency. Evidence would suggest our representatives do not possess the authority to implement the required changes. So why do a group of people feel we are better off staying with this
undemocratic mess?
The real battle we should focus on is regaining community control of community governance. The secondary battle is to lower costs, and therefore the financial burden on ratepayers. Both of these two points should be fought for now, regardless of any amalgamation option; but let’s look at them in a bit of detail.
A council basically consists of a number of communities and a centralised bureaucracy. The current situation is that our rates go to this bureaucracy which decides where the money will go and allocates some pocket money for community control. It should be the other way around; rates should go to the community who purchase required centralised services from the bureaucracy and allocates the bulk to community projects. Under such a model it does not really matter where that central bureaucracy resides, most decision making is carried out at community level so the bureaucracy
could be in Thames, Hamilton, Wellington or wherever else. The cost of centralised services should be lowered by having a larger entity deliver these services. As an example, let us consider IT. The IT department provides facilities that enable things such as the processing of rates, financial accounting etc. Such services could be provided from a centralised point; it does not need to be replicated at every council. You could think of the individual wards as being branches of NZ Local Government Inc. There are 224 wards (branches) in New Zealand Local Government Inc being serviced by almost 80 IT Systems and teams. As a comparison the ANZ bank has between 200 and 300 locations (branches) in New Zealand, and they are serviced by one centralised system. Easy to see why banks make more profit than councils.
There has already been indications that some centralised decision making is to be made for local authorities. One that I am particularly in favour of is a national standard for land zones. Currently
there are over 1100 unique planning zones in New Zealand which puts a massive overhead onto the building development process with differing rules between councils that development companies must adhere to. As a comparison, countries that use a national zoning system usually have between 10 and 20 zones which is much simpler and easier to work with. An organisation of local governance that has central decision making of a structural nature and regional centralisation of a pared down bureaucracy would seem to be more efficient but only if community power is restored to the communities.
Such changes should lead to improvement in local governance, but this won’t happen. I am pretty sure TCDC staff will have our council approve the model where we amalgamate with Hauraki, Matamata-Piako. The reason being that under this model TCDC will be the biggest fish which would imply better chances of job protection for TCDC staff. As they say, “turkeys do not vote for an early Christmas”.
Tell us what’s most important to you for the future of the Coromandel Peninsula by 5pm Wednesday 12 August. Your insights will help shape a big picture plan Thames-Coromandel District Council
Concerning local Government Reform, this opinion piece is adapted from a letter sent to all TCDC members and the Hon. Scott Simpson.
BY MAGGIE JOHNSON
You ask??? and I say,’ please NOT in the direction we’re currently going! I agree wholeheartedly with both articles, “Owning the Future” in the 14/7 Informer, which opposed the Coalition Government’s pressured push for amalgamation and argued for keeping the door open to retain TCDC as a distinct region: one whose cultural and economic identity is bound up with its coastal and natural environment. I have grouped Denis Tegg’s and Geoffrey Robinson’s points into four main concerns.
1. Unnecessary, fear-mongering urgency. A 90-day deadline from May is far too pressured a timeframe for what acting-Mayor Grant himself (at local meeting,13/7) called “a once in a generation” decision. TCDC’s response has been hedging and inadequate: review results begun on 7/6 were released on the eve of the Matariki long weekend, with a final deadline two days after submissions closed on the equally-momentous Conser-
vation Amendment Bill (CAB). Moreover, central government has no legitimate mandate for this ‘Head Start or die’ approach!
2. Representation reduced to ‘lip service’ consultation. The survey showed “keeping decision-making local” was the most popular response (30%), ahead of “ratepayer value” (25%) yet both these are reliant on TCDC providing “better planning” and “practical, achievable change” (only 10% each). Like all ‘surveys’ around wholly integrated issues such results are unreliable and far too much remains unresolved around both RMA reform and Te Tiriti relations.
Also troubling is Council’s SLG feedback summary that presented percentages as if for 100% of responses, when they only reflected the three TCDC options, despite assurances that alternatives (Option 4 or a backstop/ no-merger option) could be noted under “Other.” I know at least ten people like me, who chose that route, so why weren’t those responses recorded or shared publicly?
It highlights a broader shrinking of transparency and accountability: a politicisation of local, central and global government alike, most visible in increased lobbying and privileged access for self-interested parties. This is both divisive and damaging to our national identity and our future in general. Concern is compounded by the revelation via the Official Information Act, that 1500 petitioners supported a Unitary Coromandel Council back in 2012–13, and now by yet another rushed ‘public opinion’ exercise (“Imagining the Coromandel”) that references a 2009 Blueprint Vision. It all has a distinctly political flavour, leading us directly to the question of “Who Pays?”
3. The cost case for merging doesn’t hold up. Genuine community wellbeing and environmental concerns are being sidelined, as in the risk to Thames and Whitianga as local economic hubs, or the Coalition’s plan to replace the RMA with a Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, announced just a week after CAB submissions closed. Such undem-
ocratic law changes must factor into any TCDC decision.
Historically, infrastructure has not kept pace with commercial interests in town expansion, tourism, mining, forestry and fishing. Rate-payers are more and more carrying the burden for this ‘unplanned development’ and often in an inequitable way. Also, recent weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle, have added to maintenance costs, while governments, corporations and insurers alike step back from liability. TCDC needs to seriously weigh all such ‘hidden’ and transitional costs of amalgamation against our already large infrastructure backlog.
4. The moral and ethical stakes of the Treaty. Documents filed with the Waitangi Tribunal show a decades-long government approach that diminishes the Treaty’s effect as it has no legal force unless referenced in other legislation. Proposed changes would reduce government obligations to merely “taking into account” the Treaty across nine Acts; potentially even more dam-
aging than the Treaty Principles Bill. Amalgamation also threatens hard-won trust between government and local iwi. The Treaty’s constitutional principles must be treated as a bottom line before any further changes proceed.
In conclusion, no SLG proposal should be rushed through before the Nov. election and I ask TCDC to resist inclusion in any merger by the August 9 deadline. Learning from past research and continuing genuine consultation would serve Council and ratepayers’ pockets far better than an irreversible decision made under pressure. I’d fully support a Unitary Coromandel Council or, as a second option, one that includes Hauraki District given our shared Gulf and coastline. A different Option 4, like Dirk Sieling’s ideas, also merit discussion, but despite differences between east and west, the Peninsula is a strong, geographically and economically viable unit that can stand on its own. Please don’t place our Coromandel in the shadow of a bigger, more distant decision-making power. Thank you.
By Ananda Laberge
Ialways considered myself an over-achiever. At work, at raising my kids, at being a good wife, a good leader. What if I’m over being over-anything? Could it all have been a path to living a life-centred existence based on simply Being? That is the crossroads I stand at.
Busy-ness has been my mantra most of my life. But as I get older, I find my greatest joys now coming from doing only those things that bring me joy, without the added pressure or joy I used to get from crossing something off the list I used to write for myself every day. Those items on the list were necessary at the time, especially as related to work. I thought if I was unproductive that meant laziness. Now I see having the ability to do what I want now rather than what I was expected to do, brings a fulfilment of spirit. Like I am working one-on-one with the universe. To see what I am meant to see and experience without a schedule or a little voice in my head saying, “But what did you accomplish today?”
Merrian-Webster defines accomplishment as: something successfully completed or achieved after significant effort. It refers to a major milestone or a specific, hardwon skill attained through practice. But my goals and skills are
now more esoteric. I want peace, and all those things “I did” before still left me empty of lasting peace. Smelling a rose as I walk past my neighbour’s garden, hearing the giggles of happy children, feeling a warm hug from my husband, seeing the sunrises and sunsets, a walk in the forest, a
swim in the sea, receiving smiles – all those things have brought me peace. How funny that what I was searching for all along was right in front of me. How many times have I focused so much on “achieving that accomplishment” only to be busy right away creating a new goal. Missing the jour-
ney in the process.
I follow Robert Holden, a wellknown psychologist and spiritual teacher, and he did a TEDx talk back in 2018 titled, Destination Addiction. That was me. Listening to his talk put words to my feelings. This topic of not appreciating the journey to our goal has been many times written about. But we only hear what we are ready to listen to. I am listening now Robert so thank you for saying it in such a way that resonated for me.
I think of how hard I’ve worked my body on the way to all those goals. Swimming way too much to achieve gold medals and accolades, running way too hard to win that race, forcing my body to do such hard weight workouts that I could not walk for days. But that made me feel like I achieved… something. But that something never lasted, it only made me search for the next thing. To what end? I suppose to the end I have come upon now.
Lasting peace is built day be day and by doing that which makes our hearts big. It will be different for each of us. I have friends who “light up” when they speak of a weekend with their grandkids. That love transcends everything and so much more rewarding than accomplishing something. You can’t put that feeling into words, it just is. And that feeling keeps us alive and thriving. Thriving for the next thrill that love brings us. As I write these words, my heart grows. It comes from doing what I love – writing in this instance –rather than doing what I want to accomplish. Can we have love as a goal? Yes, but often it escapes if we don’t love ourselves first. How to get there can be tricky and yet simple all at the same time. I have found it by “not doing” anything. Simply connecting as the opportunity presents itself. That connecting can be through prayer, meditation, walks in nature, hugging a friend, a million different things. The important thing I now realize is that I make my goal to simply connect every day in any of these and countless other ways. I even make an effort to connect at the grocery store by choosing the aisle with an attendant rather than the self-checkout lane. The beauty of connection is it helps us, but we also don’t know the joy it might be bringing those we are connecting with. So, for me, accomplishment has lived its life and now I just want to be with nature and with loved ones, and with that, peace has arrived. Feel like connecting with me? Reach out at: ananda.laberge@ gmail.com
An opinion piece exploring the preferred option from TCDC as their Headstart proposal re Local Government Reform.
BY PATRICK KERR
Thames-Coromandel District Council meets in extraordinary session on Tuesday 4 August to ratify a Headstart Proposal under the Government's Simplifying Local Government reform – joining Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils to form a new "Waihou-Piako-Coromandel" unitary authority. If Cabinet agrees, it will replace our current council and the Waikato Regional Council with a single body covering all three districts, governed by a mayor, 12 to 15 councillors, and four to six local boards.
Of the three options TCDC tested, this is the one I would have picked too. It has genuine catchment logic – the Waihou and Piako rivers run from Matamata-Piako and Hauraki out through the Hauraki Plains to the Firth of Thames and the wider Gulf, so environmental and flood-management decisions do make sense joined up. It aligns well with the Pare Hauraki settlement geography and was the clear favourite with residents: 46 per cent first-choice support, against 29 per cent for a Bay of Plenty grouping and just 10 per
cent for a ten-council Greater Waikato super-authority.
Credit where it's due: Acting Mayor John Grant and Cr Flemming Rasmussen have driven this forward on a punishing timeline. Getting three councils to an agreed Memorandum of Understanding and a Cabinet-ready proposal inside ten weeks is no small feat.
However, having gone through the council reports line by line, I think residents deserve a clearer picture of what is – and isn't – settled before we get swept along by the momentum. Start with how the options were scored. The three shortlisted proposals were assessed against weighted criteria – local voice, economies of scale, simplified governance – by the very three councils putting forward their own preferred option. There was no independent scoring. Unsurprisingly, Waihou-Piako-Coromandel scored close to full marks on almost everything, including "deliverability," despite the same document listing things still unresolved. That is not evidence of a bad proposal, but it is not independent evidence, and it is being presented
to Cabinet as if it were.
Then there is the community engagement. Genuine credit to TCDC for running it – 1,322 responses is a decent sample for a district our size, and the council's own report is upfront that it isn't a scientific survey. What stands out is what wasn't on the ballot: 108 respondents – eight per cent – rejected all three options outright, and 33 of them, unprompted, wanted Thames-Coromandel to remain independent or become its own standalone unitary authority, pointing to Tasman, Nelson and Gisborne as examples. That is a real body of opinion that never got tested, scored, or costed alongside the other three.
The financial case is also more modest than the headline numbers suggest. The combined authority would have net assets of $3.7 billion and room to borrow – fine. But the independent financial review found the net benefit of merging is marginal: ratepayers would be worse off, on paper, until roughly 2037. That is a decade of integration costs before any efficiency gains, and the report is explicit these are not opening balance-sheet figures – the real due diligence, on debt, assets and rates har-
monisation, is scheduled for after we commit, not before. Representation is another loose thread. Around half of Thames-Coromandel's ratepayers don't live here permanently, and the proposal accepts a population-based voting model wouldn't reflect that – but fixing it may need national legislation that hasn't been confirmed. Even how our 12 to 15 councillors would be elected – by ward, at large, or some mix – is left open in the draft document.
Iwi engagement, while described in warm terms, is also not yet agreement. Pare Hauraki is twelve iwi at very different settlement stages; several have signed Deeds of Settlement but are still waiting on legislation, and one has not signed a deed at all. The proposed Catchment Authority that much of the environmental case rests on is itself "yet to be enacted." None of that means the proposal is wrong –the groundwork is not finished. None of this is a case for doing nothing. The Government's Backstop option – compulsory reform imposed after 2028, with no guarantee we get a seat at the table – is genuinely worse for local voice than shaping our own future now. But there is a differ-
ence between supporting the direction of travel and ratifying it as though the hard questions are answered. They aren't. Representation, rates harmonisation, the financial opening position and formal iwi agreement are all pushed into a "detailed design" phase after Cabinet sign-off, not before it.
I'd like to see TCDC keep residents genuinely informed as those details are worked through – not just at Tuesday's vote, but as each open question gets resolved. We got a say on which direction to head in. We should get a say on what we actually end up with.
Patrick Kerr is a Whangamatā resident, Chair of Whangamatā Business Association, and was a candidate for Mayor of Thames-Coromandel District Council in the 2025 elections. He can be contacted on 021 56 00 18 or patrick. kerr@capitala5.com.
Editor's note: this piece was drawn from reports and information published on the Thames-Coromandel District Council website ahead of Council's extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 7 August, at which the Headstart Proposal is to be ratified.
BY KATE COATSWORTH
The Thames School of Mines opened the doors of their new education space, (in the old generator room) these past school holidays, welcoming tamariki and their whānau to discover the magic of minerals, rocks, nature and Vintage games.
The healthy, competitive spirits came out in full force, as they challenged each other to vintage games such as knucklebones, tiddlywinks, pick-up sticks and quoits.
Unique creativity flourished as each child sketched a favourite aspect of nature, before collaging his/her artwork with natural materials.
We had a busy day in the middle of the holidays, coming together as a community to acknowledge and celebrate Matariki. We enjoyed a range of whānau activities in our education space, such as a collaborative natural collage, kite making, wishing on Hiwa-ite-rangi as well as facepainting and shared kai across the road in
the squash club.
The second week, the school holiday participants became rock detectives, exploring an interactive, hands – on mineral museum with magnifying glasses and handheld microscopes, before finishing the holidays by creating their own sparkling geodes to take home.
Ngā mihi nui to all the local families and visitors to our area who joined us to discover the magic of minerals, gems, crystals, and nature.
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Our next school holiday program will be running on Wednesday, 30 Sept, Thursday, 1 October, Wednesday, 7 October and Thursday, 8 October. Watch this space and keep an eye on our social media and website closer to the time.
The Thames School of Mines is open during term time, Wednesday – Saturday, 10.00am-4.00pm. We are located at 101 Cochrane Street. (Entry through the Mineral Museum, around the corner on Brown Street).
To arrange an educational visit, please contact Kate at: kcoatsworth@heritage.org.nz
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Helen Otto at ‘Made By Hand 2025.
BY DOROTHY PREECE
The annual ‘Made By Hand’ craft show at St Andrew’s Church will this year be held on Friday and Saturday, 18 and 19 September. The organisers are hoping to attract some of the more unusual, unique and quirky crafts that are being created in sheds and workshops all around Mercury Bay.
Annie Lynch and Dorothy Preece are pounding the pavements, giving out flyers and inviting budding craftspeople as well as professionals, to show their work and share their enthusiasms.
“Last year, the sock machine
was a revelation to many of us, and the spinners with their dyed yarns also captured attention,” Annie says. “We particularly want to encourage the menfolk and the children to reveal their creativity. The Made By Hand weekend is all about celebrating our communal creativity. There is no charge to book a display space, but a koha is always appreciated. We’re waiting to hear from you,” Annie says.
For further information please contact Annie 027 322 3332 - pallynch@xtra.co.nz or Dorothy 022 1322 061dorothypreece8@gmail.com
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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.
By Agent EJ
The Green Party wants a 1-year pause on consenting new AI data centres. It's a sensible call. These projects are currently decided behind closed doors, with no requirement to protect local water sources, or meaningful input from the public. But a pause on new builds, doesn't touch the risks already here. Security failures and job losses are happening now. We’re already behind.
Datagrid’s 280-megawatt hyperscale centre near Invercargill, is set to become our second-largest electricity user after the Tiwai Point smelter. We absolutely do need our own data hubs here to maintain our digital sovereignty, but no one confirmed whether our grid or water supply can actually absorb it. A moratorium
does nothing when we’ve already granted the resource consent. Australia's approach is worth copying. They’re creating legal obligations forcing hyperscale data centres to underwrite their own additional renewable generation. NZ could go further still,
tying future consents to genuine investments in reducing our reliance on imported fuel, rather than letting offshore-owned entities absorb electricity that Kiwi households and businesses are already struggling to afford.
Against all this, we’re seeing a
trend of mostly young people opting out of the AI race altogether.
They’re buying “dumb-phones”, looking up old iPods, CDs or cassette players on Trademe. The newest flex – owning a decadesold camera that doesn’t connect to the internet. Oh and your grandpa’s VHS player is cool again.
They are also building DIY "cyberdecks," a term for custom, hand-built portable computers, usually a Raspberry Pi or similar module, wired into old typewriters, or handheld consoles once made for Tetris or Pac-man. They can be screwed into anything from a vintage briefcase to an old Tamagotchi. No cloud, no algorithm, no data harvesting, just hardware you built yourself and fully understand. Companies like CircuitMess are riding the wave,
selling kits that let teens solder their own self-driving robot from scratch.
It's a small rebellion, but a telling one. People are realising AI is woven into nearly everything, whether they consented or not, and that realisation is exposing just how little most of us actually understand the systems running our lives.
Reviving old cameras or building your own transparent cyberdeck, is one of the few ways left to claw back control from corporations that would rather you didn't ask questions.
A moratorium buys us time. What we do with that time, and whether we use it to build real protections rather than just delaying the inevitable, is the part that actually matters.
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Passed away suddenly on 29 July 2026, aged 77 years.
Beloved Whitianga resident and dearly loved wife of Stacey. Cherished mother of Benjamin, Alycia, Melissa (deceased) and much-loved mother-in-law of Debbie. Adored Nana of Desmond, Rhiannon, Greta, and Hollis.
Suzanne will be remembered for her warmth, love, and devotion to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A celebration of Suzanne’s life will be held at Grace O’Malley’s, Whitianga, on Friday, 7 August 2026, at 2:00 pm. This will be an informal gathering and casual attire is welcome. We would love you to join us to share memories, stories, and friendship as we honour Sue’s life. All welcome.
Expressions of Interest are invited from craft groups and Individuals Men, Women and Children. Book your display space now! No charge – koha appreciated. Call Annie 027 322 3332 Or Dorothy 022 1322 061 Celebrate our Creativity in the Bay!
BY VERNA CARR
Twenty netball teams gathered at Moewai Park Sports Ground in Whitianga on Sunday, 2 August, a cracker Sunday weather wise to celebrate the end of the season with the Mercury Bay Netball Junior Festival.
The day had a dress-up theme built around fun, fair play and fantastic flair, with prizes awarded for the best-dressed team.
The festival was organised for Mercury Bay Netball Centre, by 3 mums Kelly Walker, Leigh Pearce and Lucy Pavitt (coincidentally all from Whenuakite).
The regular netball season runs May to August with Game nights taking place on a Wednesday. Junior players in Years 5 and 6 take the court from 4pm to 5pm, Years 7 and 8 follow from 5pm to 6pm, and seniors play from 6pm to 8pm. On Tuesday evenings, walking netball offers a slower-paced option – no running or jumping, and one foot must stay on the ground at all times –making it ideal for newcomers or anyone easing back into the game after injury or time away.
On Sunday all five courts at the Sports Park were in use, filled with colourful teams of young-
sters chasing the ball and shooting for goal. Boys are increasingly joining in alongside the girls, playing in mixed teams, with only two boys allowed on court at any one time.
"Netball is the now largest sporting code in Mercury Bay," Kelly said. "We've got enough teams now that we don't have to travel. As more boys get interested, there may soon be enough players to have boys only teams – and eventually leagues - of their own."
The courts were full of happy, smiling kids, cheered on from
MERCURY BAY BRIDGE CLUB
July Competition, Wed 22 July
North/South: 1, Jenny Layton/ Giorgio Allemano 71.25, 2, Bob
Shibli/Sue Gill 49.58, 3, Robyn Hogg/Pete Hogg 48.33.
East/West: 1, Augusta Canegallo/ Geoff Jervis 64.17, 2, Pat Doube / Rose Tegg 52.08, 3, Ischelle Stevenson/Terri Lipanovic 50.83. Cathedral Cove Pairs, Thursday 23 July
1 Geoff Jervis/Ischelle Stevenson 61.25, 2, Sue Gill/Augusta Canegallo 53.75 3, Faith Stock/Julie Rutledge 51.25.
July Competition Round 3 Wed, 29 July
North/South: 1 Sue Gill & Bob Schibli 61.4; Gavin Hedwig & Kate Palmano 56.4; Giorgio Allemano & Jenny Layton 54.6.
East/West: 1 Ischelle Stevenson & Terri Lipanovic 57.5; 2 Deidre Stevenson & Sue Swan 57.1; 3 Chris Hilford & Alison Tichbon 51.3.
Moewai Pairs Round One
Thurs, 30 July
1= Rose Tegg & Faith Stock, Tony Van Der Drift & Ischelle Stevenson 56.3; 3 Geoff Jervis & Steven Knowles 55.0.
TAIRUA BRIDGE CLUB
4th Round Shoe Pairs, Monday 27 July.
North/South: 1, Lee Hughes & Peter McNeil 57.62. 2, Sonia Botica & Suze MacLean 56.67. 3, Johanna Bonnar & Peter Clark 52.38.
East/West: 1 Jill Huston & Tony White 61.67. 2 Ray & Sharon Verrall 56.11. 3 Robyn Waters & Chris Death 51.67.
the sideline by proud parents. Kelly puts the sport's popularity down to its pace and the skills it builds. "It's a fast-moving game that develops eye, ball and hand coordination. It's a great way to build fitness and focus, and the most important factor is that kids get to have fun with their friends."
Older players from Years 7 and 8 umpire the games for the younger grades, a system that helps them sharpen their own understanding of the rules and their play, while giving the younger children a clear path to look forward to as they progress through the grades.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Week 4 of Mahurangi Pairs
28 July
North/South: 1, Robyn Waters and Alison Tichbon 61.07, 2, Maggie Urlich and Sue Gill 50.71, 3, Val Dwight and Anne Knowles 50.00. East/West: 1 Margaret Muir and Peter Hogg 59.58, 2 Robyn Hogg and Angela Butterworth 54.17, 3 Sally Rumbold and Jill Huston 53.75.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLS
Thurs 30 July
1 Ken Lack, Sandie Morris & Betty Russell. 2 Maureen Lack, Ian Mitchell & Pat Fisher.
Good Sports: Ray Rout, Judy Cullinane and Betty Simpson. Mercury Bay Indoor Bowls attended a tournament in Whangamata this weekend for pairs and fours. Congratulations goes out to Ray Routs team of Maureen Lack, Betty Russell and Sandie Morris who took out the 4’s title against some of the best teams in the north island. The full team included Ken Lack, Judy Cullinane, Wayne Fisher and Colleen Holmes.
The Mercury Bay Netball Centre is currently fundraising to send two teams – the Year 7/8 development team and the Under-14’s – to the Rotorua Netball Competition in September. The centre relies heavily on funding from Pub Charities, and Community and Gaming Trusts.
“WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT THEM”
That’s what Kelly says about their sponsors and supporters. “We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors, with special appreciation of New World as major
MERCURY BAY CLUB INDOOR BOWLS
Monday 27 July
1 Ray and Sandie. 2 Ian Mitchell and Betty Simpson. Good Sports: Doreen and Pat.
THE COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLS CLUB
Triples Bowls Comp. Tournament Wed 29 July. It was a great afternoon of fun and comradeship. Congratulations to one of our new members Vern Harris competing and in the winning team with Sumer Bartleet and Tom Riddle.
Runners up: Phil Costello, Coral Strong and Lynn Hammond
Good Sports: Frank Caulton, Jude Leabourn, Phillip Keall and Joan Phillips, Bill Bartleet, Tony Kelly. Winning Team: Vern Harris, Sumer Bartleet, Tom Riddle.
Pictured left to right: Vern Harris, Sumer Bartleet, Tom Riddle.
MERCURY BAY CLUB DARTS
Tuesday 28 July
There were 30 players this week, so 501 doubles were played. Two teams went through unbeaten
sponsor. This year Guthrie Bowron generously stepped in supporting our umpires, and Monrad Excavation supporting Junior Netball with new goals. The Netball Centre greatly appreciates all the sponsors and gaming trusts.” It was the perfect day for a netball festival, with plenty of active participants and even more enthusiastic parents on the sideline. Who knows - there may have been a future Silver Fern out on the courts today.
If your child would like to play netball, find out more at www.mercurybaynetball.co.nz
in all for sets, they were Steve Pointing & Budha Davis and Peter Reekers & Debbie Holmes. Steve Pointing and Budha Davis came away with a good win in a 1 game playoff final. Highest finishes this week were 75 for the ladies, scored by Debbie Holmes and 103 for the men, scored by Mike McGrath. No 180's scored this week.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 29 July
Sectional play produced two players with 3 wins each to set up a play-off final. Dave Colman was too good on the day to claim top honours with a comfortable victory over Rob Reilly. Greg Murphy achieved 2 wins and Ian Baumgren secured the day's highest break prize with a good clearance of the colours for a break of 27.
Saturday 1 August
Four rounds of matches were contested in section play with Ian Baumgren being the only player to come through undefeated with 4 wins to claim the day's top prize. Peter Schultz had 3 wins
and also scored the highest break of the day with 20.
MERCURY BAY GOLF CLUB
Tues 28 July Ladies 9 Hole
Winter putting – Winner: 1 Lee Rattray 2 Audrey Vickers, 3 Alison Goodlet.
9 Hole Men Stableford.
Winner: Gavin Brinkley, 2 Rodrick Bott, 3 equal Don Maguire, Jeff Dixon & Edwin Lyle – 14. Wed 29 July Mens 18 hole
Gross winners: Nathan Wilson & Mark Boe, both with 75 off the peg and Ed Gardien with 101 took out the junior division.
Stableford: Winner Mark Kilgour (39), 2 Tony Bartlett (37), 3 equal Ronnie Campbell & Richard Bennett with 37 points and rolling in with a creditable 36 points were Willie jones, Steve Collins and Ed Gardien.
Two’s: Richard Bennett, Steve Geach, Nathan Wilson, Dom Szparagowski & Neal Robinson. Friday 31 July 9 Hole Men
Stableford: Winner - Patrick Gonthier (21), 2 Campbell Elliot (20) 3 Graeme Heathcote (17). NTP: Patrick Gonthier on 3&6. Sat 1 August 18 Hole men
Gross: Winner Mark Boe (66) snr and Jeff Dixon (93) took out the juniors.
Stableford: Jeff Dixon (40), Mark Boe (38) and 3 on 37, Richard Steel, Paul Lupton & Chian Ho. Twos: Only 2 Mark Boe & Rob Baines collecting 3 balls each. Mark Boe shooting 66 on Saturday, couple that with his round of 65 on Friday is a whopping 11 under par and more importantly, bogey free over two rounds.
KBY DENISE HAZELTON
In Memory of Kyla Ngarimu
olbie Fraser is seventeen and until the beginning of 2025 she was in Cooks Beach preparing to go to Wellington for her post-MBAS college studies at the New Zealand School of Dance.
She is quietly proving that talent backed by grit goes far. Late last year almost at the end of her first year at the dance school, Kolbie earned the invitation to a fiveweek paid professional contract with Rising Ballet Company BIG Live, performing Nutcracker productions across Australia.
Under directors Joel Burke and Khalid Tarabay, part of one of the highest-selling ballet companies in the Southern Hemisphere, she completed 45 performances, dancing five ballet roles, some lasting nearly seven minutes, performing to around 80,000 people. She was also trusted with partner work, which was an honour and embraced wholeheartedly.
Kolbie could hardly believe the experience she was getting and being chosen to be part of the elite ballerinas in the country.
She knows her achievements to this point are not just about hours in the studio. There were
Once again what an epic weekend last weekend at the Coroglen Tavern for our Annual Take a Kid Hunting Competition. With a record staggering 171 entries of children ageing from 0-16year olds. Our biggest number of entries to date. There were four categories and two age groups 0-8 and 9-16yrs. The four categories were Pigs, Snapper, Possums and Rabbits. Which the children could enter. Also a record of 51 Pigs were weighed in and also some pretty good sized snapper as well as a huge amount of both possums and rabbits. They certainly made a dent in removing some unwanted animals out of our environment and a few tasty snapper as well. All Pigs and snapper were headed for the table, the possums were off to be plucked (and used for pet food as no poisons were allowed to be used in their deaths) and the rabbits were donated to the Project Kiwi Trust in Kuaotunu to be used in their traps for bait. So a great resource being utilised and a great lesson being taught to our children that feet on the ground is better than using toxic poisons in our Environment. A lucky young Hunter also walked away with a epic Spot prize of a Scenic
Helicopter flight for 2 donated by Dan Mulligan from Rotor Works Whitianga. A huge Thankyou to all our Sponsors with your support it helps make this event possible and keeps our hunting heritage alive for future generations.
Kolbie’s success is inspiring others back home. Eight-year-old Harlow Macaw from Tairua also joined the Adelaide and Sydney legs of BIG Live’s Nutcracker tour, a remarkable achievement for someone so young. Performing in the Party scene’ in front of thousands each day, Harlow thrived on stage and says she loved every minute of it. She has since returned home full of inspiration and will continue training under Sarah Fitzsimons at Thames Hauraki Dance Theatre where all the girls have come from, united by their love of dance.
The Coromandel Peninsula’s presence in national dance continues to grow, with Kolbie training in ballet and Liarah Anderson – 2nd year, Izzy Fitzsimons and Neka Woolf - now accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance, first year contemporary programs.
2nd – Evie and Chase Murphy –53.7kg
3rd – Ridge and Blair Coleman –51.5kg
Heaviest Possums
JUNIORS
1st – Stella Bradley – 4.325kg
nights walking 30 minutes uphill after training, soaked by Wellington rain and buffeted by wind, legs burning and body exhausted. Shared houses, different cul-
Thankyou to our Sponsors: Okuma, The Stunned Mullet, Hunting and Fishing Whitianga, BCA Building Contractors, Earth Prep – Gary Wharton, Rotor Works –Dan Mulligan, PC Electrical, Custom Towing, Combat Zone – Eric Gaskell, Whitianga Ice, Buffalo Beach Four Square, Terry Howard, Dive Zone, Farm Source RD1, Pin-
tures, and strict dancer nutrition became unexpected hurdles, and Kolbie made the tough call to move, prioritising her health and training.
kys, Banana Boat, Wheels Within Walls, Glasshouse Emporium, The Warehouse Whitianga, CFM Radio, Dutchy’s Fishing Store Tairua, Scott Barrington, The Coroglen Tavern, DOC and Environment Waikato. Thank you to all our Club Members and Volunteers who helped out on the day and a massive shout out to the Coroglen staff who didn't stop all day. A huge day for all involved.
WINNERS
COROMANDEL-COLVILLE
PURANGI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Tues 28 July 9 -Hole Stableford
Access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people in rural and remote areas and our government is committed to ensuring New Zealanders can get the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.
1 John Hamilton, 2 =Annelise LA Roche, Jason Godward, 4 Catherine Borlase. Thurs 30 July
1 Glenda Philpott – 17 STBFD
Wed 29 July – 18 Hole Men’s
Heaviest Boars – ALL AGES 1st – Leo Findlay and Charlotte Cross – 61kg
MP For Coromandel
– 2.065kg
(Possums and Rabbits)
2nd – Harper Monrad – 4.185kg
3rd – James Murray – 4.185kg
INTERMEDIATES
1st – Arlo Guildford – 4.340kg
That resilience and decision to change her situation, soon turned into opportunity as it was after that she earned the invitation to dance in Australia
Proudly carrying her Coromandel roots into every lesson, Kolbie’s journey is proof that big dreams are being built right here at home. Kolbie has just now begun her second year – carrying with her the lessons of life away from home and the experience of professional dancing for several weeks and there will be more to come!
2nd – Indi Hayward – 4.100kg
3rd – Kaia Maddox – 3.955kg
Heaviest Rabbits
JUNIORS 1st – Summer Maddox – 2.070kg 2nd – Tommy Hanning – 2.065kg
– 82.9kg Heaviest Snapper JUNIORS 1st – James Murray – 5.15kg 2nd – Cronin Brown – 4.05kg
Well done!
9 Hole Stableford Double Point on 4 and 9
1 John Hamilton, 2 Ryan Cochrane, 3 = Jock Peacock, Callum Murray. 18 Hole Nett Cooks Beach Building Supplies Monthly Medal
Sat 1 August
1 Ryan Cochrane Winner of Monthly Medal
Last year’s Budget invested $164 million to strengthen urgent and after-hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of New Zealanders will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home. One of the initiatives funded was a pilot programme to enhance urgent and after-hours healthcare in six rural communities, including Coromandel and Colville.
2 Grant Webster, 3 Jeff Bright. 4BBB NETT: Donna Dinsdale & Jo Geoghegan.
DUNES MATARANGI GOLF
NO junior haggle on the 26 July
Mon 27 July – 9 Hole Men’s 3 Club Day
1 Graham Kemp – 20 STBFD, 2 Lance Croawell – 20 STBFD, 3 Richard Cummings – 20 STBFD.
Tues 28 July - 9 Hole Ladies
I was thrilled to hear the announcement from Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey that these pilots have been rolled out and have shown the positive impact that locally led approaches can make, with faster care, better access to treatment, and stronger links between rural health services.
1 James Murray – 69 Net, 2Doug Smith – 70 Net,
3 Norman Gilbert – 71 Net, 4 Robert Smith – 71 Net,
5 Geoffrey Hill – 72 Net, 6 Mike Friis – 72 Net.
Best Gross = Allan Trow : 79
In terms of the Coromandel pilot programme, it began in mid2025 and is being delivered at the Coromandel Family Medical Centre and Colville Health Clinic practice. They’ve been benefiting from extra support, better access to information and working more closely with an Emergency Care Paramedic which can treat urgent care patients in the clinic, while also available to respond to local 111 calls.
Twos: Doug Smith (hole 7), Mike Friis (hole 7)
Nearest the pin: Mike Friis
Thurs 30 July – Mixed 9 Holes
1 Paul Anderson – 20 STBFD, 2
Glenda Philpott 20 STBFD, 3 Mark Rea 18 STBFD.
Twos: Rey Bertling (hole 5), Paul Anderson (hole 7)
Nearest the pin: Paul Anderson
I’m hoping that there will be even more support for similar projects around our region and the rest of the country in the coming year. People in rural areas can often travel long distances for care and rely on small teams supporting large regions, that’s why this investment is so important.
Thurs 30 July -18 Hole Ladies
“Major events are critical for our hospitality and tourism sectors, especially here in the Coro mandel. Accommodations fill up, restaurants and cafés thrive, and local businesses see more cus tomers, creating jobs and lifting incomes.”
directly contributes $17 billion to national GDP and just under 200,000 jobs. Tourism makes up almost 12% of Coromandel’s GDP. The economic ripple effect of major events is huge, supporting our local businesses and growing our economy.”
couple of weeks ago alongside the Associate Minister of Emergency Management and Recovery Chris Penk.
Addition to Scott’s column Excerpt from his Press release Wed 11 Feb.
1 Sandra Bowen - 75 Net, 2 Chrissie Smith – 78 Net.
1 August - Saturday Haggle (mixed 18 holes)
3 Kayleen Smith – 33 STBFD.
Marshall and Curtis Treherne who played key roles. Stingrays
GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR OCEANS FESTIVAL
1 David Gaskell – 34 STBFD, 2 Charlie Chilwell – 33 STBFD,
Nearest the pin: Tony Nicholson
In other news, our region is still recovering from January’s heavy weather event, but it’s encouraging to see communities rebound so quickly and contractors working to stabilise our roads. There are parts of the Peninsula which are still affected by storm damage, and I visited these areas a
We received a briefing from the Thames-Coromandel District Council, which outlined the impact of the storm and the work ahead. It was stressed throughout these visits that support is available, such as Civil Defence payments through the Ministry of Social Development.
MBAS Senior Boys football team travelled to Hamilton to play Fraser High School Senior Boys in the quarter final of the knockout cup competition. We ended up with a fantastic 8-0 win over a team that is doing very well in a division above us. The whole team was excellent, but special mention to some of our younger players, Charlie Bahr, Cale Field, Beau
The 'Rays travelled to Paeroa in cold winter conditions for their first meeting of the season. It proved to be an absolute nailbiter!
The second half called for serious grit. With no substitutes to rely on the 'Rays dug deep, kept their composure and showed incredible resilience.
“I’m excited that the Coromandel will once again host the Whitianga Oceans Festival in September 2026, attracting visitors from around New Zealand and overseas, as part of the national $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. “
In the end, a hard-fought draw was a fair result for an entertaining game of football.
Under 11 Orcas
“Events such as the Whitianga Oceans Festival don’t just bring visitors; they bring life and energy to our region and to our towns which helps to create vibrant communities and unforgettable experiences.”
“This funding is a significant boost to Whitianga and the wider Coromandel, and I’m looking forward to our region hosting another great event which encourages locals and visitors to celebrate all that we have offer.”
The team played Hauraki Lions at Ngatea on Saturday. An excellent game of football. Great passing and team work from both sides. Strong defence and exciting attacking. Players of the Day were Lars and Lawson both for their relentless defense and distribution of the ball up field.
BY LISA LAILEY
An amazing number of achievements and a lot of excellent hard work and team work sums up the recent season of Mercury Bay Pony Club. The club held weekly rallies for youth riders (under 25 years of age) and fortnightly rallies for older adult riders, our Horsemasters group. This was made possible with financial support from Pub Charity Ltd and Smitty’s Sports Bar and Grill. Our talented coaching team of Sally Brunton, Jess Brunton, Kate Small, Kalani Nicol and Lisa Lailey provided quality small-group support and instruction. We also held five events: Ribbon Day, a three-day Pony Club Camp at Waerenga, an Examination Day, Show Jumping Day, and Dressage Day.
SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP
-THANK YOU
Thank you to our event sponsors: Harvest Grains, Buildlink Cooks Beach, and Serenity Retreat. Summit Forests NZ Ltd have continued to provide the club with ten wonderful hectares of riding and grazing space. This year, we upgraded our cross-country course, with funding from The Aotearoa Gaming Trust and the Whitianga Hotel. Special thanks for work on this project goes to our president, Jody Bower, her husband, Mike Thackray, and Andrew and Victoria Jones.
Congratulations to the eight riders who passed their NZPCA certificates this season. Isla Walker, Cacey Ramage and Meredith Lee gained both their D and D+ Certificates. Ana Van Beynen and Paige Thackray passed their D+ Certificates, Lucy Thackray passed her C certificate, and Tahlia Osborne achieved her C+ Horse Management. Ella Simpson and Lexi Ford gained their full C+ Certificates in both Horse Management and Riding.
PRIZE GIVING 2025-2026
Highlights for our rider representatives:
• Boh Boyd, Tahlia Osborne, Lexi Ford and Eden Boyd represented Mercury Bay Pony Club at the 40th NZPCA North Island Show Jumping Champs at Kihikihi. Our
team achieved some great results: two 3rds, a 4th, and two 7ths.
• A full team of six riders went to the Ballyndene Teams Event at Hunua. Raewyn Wallace, Ana Van Beynen, Isla Walker, Paige Thackray, Lucy Thackray and Ella Simpson were the 6th placed Team overall, and the 2nd placed team in the Bending Race. Two riders were also placed as Individuals in their classes, a 4th for Ella and a 6th for Raewyn.
• Lexi Ford and Ella Simpson represented us at the Timberlands Event, one of the toughest cross-country courses in the North Island. Both riders gained valuable experience at this level.
• Our eventing team consisting of Paige Thackray, Lucy Thackray, Boh Boyd and Cacey Ramage placed 3rd at the Auckland Manu-
STAR and SPACE STATION GAZING IN 2026 – your guide to the night sky
Wednesday, 5 Aug – The dawn triangle remains with Matariki or the Pleiades to its left.
Thursday, 6 August – The Moon sits above and to the left of Matariki and Aldebaran at dawn. Friday, 7 August – The Moon now lies just to the left of the Pleiades or Matariki at dawn and half way between Saturn and Mars at dawn. Saturday, 8 August – The crescent Moon now sits below Matariki and above Mars at dawn. Sunday, 9 August – The crescent Moon now lies immediately to the left of Mars at dawn. Monday, 10 August –The Moon sits below Mars and above and to the left of Mars low on the horizon at dawn and from 6:49pm in the north there will be a short ISS pass. Tuesday, 11 August – The Moon is now just to the left of faint Mercury at dawn and from 7:48pm we will see the ISS pass right beside Venus before moving into
kau Pony Club Teams One Day Event at Clevedon, with Cacey achieving an Individual 4th place.
• Raewyn Wallace was selected for the national team to enter the Pony Club International Alliance Virtual Dressage Competition.
CLOSURE OF MERCURY BAY EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
A final thank you goes to our committee, our riders and their parents. Pony Club is more than just riding instruction; it is also about togetherness, empathy, learning, participating and contributing – building a community focused on horse welfare.
Partway through this season we saw the closure of the MB Equestrian Academy. We would like to acknowledge and thank Ron Cooke and his team for the many years that they provided successful events for all local riders to attend.
the Earth’s shadow. Wednesday, 12 August – We have a good ISS pass in the NW from 6:50pm beside Venus while Informer readers in the Northern Hemisphere will be treated to a Total Eclipse of the Sun today. Venus continues to dominate the northwestern dusk sky and rises slightly higher each night and appears as a lovely thin crescent in a small telescope or even strong binoculars. It will get brighter and higher this month. Faint Mars and Mercury are also visible low in the east at dawn. There will be a Total Eclipse of the Sun visible to travellers to the Northern Hemisphere on August 12. There will be several International Space Station (ISS) passes to view this week but, as usual, timings may change especially towards the end of the week if it has to be moved to avoid space junk. Mercury Bay – the sun, the moon and
Monday 20 July to Sunday 2 August
GENERAL
Several reports are being made regarding illegal hunting occurring within the wider Whitianga areas. Poaching is a crime and offenders could lose all hunting equipment upon conviction, including vehicles. It would be so much easier to speak with the landowner and gain permission to enter lawfully.
Wed, 22 July - Petrol drive-off occurred at a service station in Whitianga. The owner of the vehicle will be spoken to regarding the incident.
Sat, 25 July - Petrol drive-off occurred at a Whitianga business. The owner will be spoken to regarding the matter.
Sun, 26 July - A burglary was reported at a Miro Street address. Various items were taken from the location over a period.
Also, 26 July - A burglary was reported at a Cooks Beach address where a boat and trailer were taken. Enquiries are ongoing. Also a burglary was reported at a Joan Gaskell Drive. The offending party has been spoken to by police and could face further charges in court.
Mon, 27 July - An assault occurred at a Joan Gaskell Drive address. The
offending person is facing potential charges from this incident.
Also, 27 July -Threats were made from an agitated male while on Buffalo Beach. Parties have been spoken to regarding this incident.
Tues, 28 July - Burglary was reported as having occurred at a Buffalo Beach Road address.
Also, 28 July - Neighbour dispute escalated at a Joan Gaskell Drive address. All parties were spoken to regarding their respective behaviour.
Thurs, 30 July - Burglary was reported as occurring at a Cooks Lookout address. Police attended and apprehended the offender while walking from the address. A search of his vehicle located stolen items along with drugs and paraphernalia. He has since been remanded in custody for court.
Sat, 1 August - Burglary was reported as having occurred at a Whitby Ave address. A vehicle was vandalised at the property.
OCCURRENCES
Mon 27 July - Family Harm matter occurred at a Moewai Park Road address.
Thurs 30 July - A verbal argument occurred at a Kuaotunu address. Both
‘Worth Watching Online’
JUST KEY IN THE TITLE TO FIND THE VIDEO IN YOUTUBE
1) Rustic Cinema Programme 04: This Is NZ In celebration of World Day for Audiovisual, welcome to Archives New Zealand’s Rustic Cinema.
A time capsule of Aotearoa of 1970, it conveys who we were, what
we did, our passions and our past times.
2) The American Mall Was Perfect Until We Let This Happen. In the 1990s the mall which had been the center of everything, where teenagers found freedom and families spent weekends, suddenly ceased to have the same attraction. Could this also happen
parties had separated prior to police arrival.
Fri 31 July - A verbal argument occurred at a Bruce St address. Both parties were spoken to by police.
ARRESTS:
1x male arrested for Warrants
1x male arrested for Burglary, Possess Cannabis, Possess Utensils
TRAFFIC:
Tues 21 July - Vehicle collision occurred on Buffalo Beach Road. A vehicle has veered out of the lane and struck several parked cars.
Wed 22 July - A minor vehicle collision occurred at a parking space on Monk Street. The offending driver deciding to drive off without providing any contact details. They will be spoken to in due course.
Fri 24 July - A minor collision occurred at a local off-street carpark. The offending vehicle reversed into another parked vehicle before driving off. The owner will be spoken to regarding the matter.
Tues 28 July - A vehicle was observed doing ‘donuts’ on the Buffalo Beach Reserve. The owner of this vehicle will be spoken to regarding their actions and could face charges in court.
Women’s Rugby – Mercury Bay recently enjoyed a fun night celebrating thier successful foundation season with the promise of much to come. Special thanks to all their supporters, spon-
sors and friends including The Informer.
PRIZE-WINNERS
• Gabby – Rookie of Year
• Cherry – Player of Year
• Harmony – Team Spirit Award
• Mark Finnerty – Legacy Award (The Grace Nagataua Trophy)
• Trinity – Back of the Year
• Lily Honeycombe – Most Dedicated Player
in New Zealand?
3) Iran is running out of water| If you’re listening
An ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation News documentary dealing with decades of mismanagement of the country’s water system. In Iran water is drying up. Enjoy viewing, Mike
Amy Balme (CA)
Geoff Balme (FCA)
Adele Scobie
Accounting, Bookkeeping & Tax Solutions office@accountingbydesign.co.nz 07 866 5891
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M. 027 677 4930 M. 027 487 1978
Please phone us to arrange an appointment
