A ferryman's tale - Mercury Bay Informer
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Issue 832 - 13 February 2019 Phone 07 866 2090 (07) 867 15
Telephone the Coromandel
Circulation 7,200
pport
Proud to su Helicopter Trust
Rescue
A ferryman’s tale
By Meg Tatton-Brown
After 16 years and nine months of transporting passengers, bicycles, prams,
fresh produce, takeaways and a myriad of other things across the Whitianga River,
well-known and much-loved Whitianga Ferry driver, Eric Mair, retired on Monday
this week.
Having worked most of his life on the water, Eric approached Dave Pierrepont
(the previous ferry owner for many years) after a day trip to Whitianga in 2002 and
asked for a job. He and his family were living in Auckland at the time, where he was
working as an air conditioning technician. “I longed to get back behind the controls of
a boat, and fortunately Dave was all too happy to accommodate my request,” says Eric.
The Stella B and the larger Mercury Star were the two ferries in use when Eric
started working for Dave. “While I was used to driving boats, it was a new experience
getting familiar with navigating the Whitianga River,” says Eric. “One thing you learn
is that you don’t teach the river, the river teaches you. You never stop learning in a job
like this.”
Sometime later, Eric also began skippering the Glass Bottom Boat on a part-time
basis. “That was before scenic boat tours to Cathedral Cove became such a huge tourist
hit,” says Eric.
In 2015, the Diana-Rose, the ferry most regularly used these days, was put into
service. “A lot of thought went into the Diana-Rose,” says Eric. “She can transport
twice as many people as the Mercury Star, which is very helpful over the busy season.
She’s also level with the wharf, so it’s much easier to get bicycles and prams on and
off the ferry.”
Eric has accumulated some interesting memories throughout his years on the ferry.
He recalls how it was a regular occurrence for coffins to be transported across
the river on their way to the cemetery at Ferry Landing. “Very carefully, of course,
and always feet first,” says Eric. “I’ve also seen my fair share of hens’ parties and stag
dos over the years.”
When the Mercury Star was the primary ferry in use, Eric used to row out in an
aluminium dinghy to where she was moored. One morning, he lifted up the dinghy to
find some people asleep beneath it. “They had a few too many the night before and
missed the last trip across the river,” says Eric.
It also wasn’t unusual for impatient passengers to try to step off the ferry before it
had completely reached the wharf. Needless to say, some of those passengers were left
very cold and wet.
Eric says that he has seen a significant drop in intoxicated passengers trying to board
the ferry in recent years, especially during the summer holidays and on weekends when
big events were on in Whitianga. “People are behaving a lot better these days, which I
think might be due to a stronger police presence,” he says. “It’s really pleasing to see.”
Eric often gave younger children the opportunity to steer the ferry on their way
to school. “They would rush onto the boat to get to the wheelhouse first” says Eric.
“Some of those children ended up working as ticket clippers for us over the school
holidays and they became really good at helping to drive the ferry.
“I remember many of the children from when they were just starting out at school
and now they’re adults, some with boats of their own.”
Assuming Eric Mair (pictured), who retired from driving the Whitianga Ferry on Monday this week after 16 years and
Eric plans to spend his retirement travelling around New Zealand with his wife, nine months in the job, worked an average of 48 weeks a year and five days a week, he worked a total of 4,020 days as
Dellas, in their motorhome and to visit family and friends more regularly. They have the ferry driver. Further assuming Eric worked a seven-hour shift every day he was on duty, and crossed the Whitianga
grandchildren in Wellington and Whitianga. Eric also hopes to fit in some salmon and River between the Whitianga Wharf and the Ferry Landing Wharf (a distance of approximately 270m) 10 times every
trout fishing along the way. hour (five times either direction), then he travelled a total distance of 75,978km on the river during his career with the
“I’m very pleased Dave gave me a job all those years ago,” says Eric. “I’ve thoroughly Whitianga Ferry. That equates to almost twice around the world. These assumptions do not include the many trips
enjoyed my time on the Whitianga River. I’m left with wonderful memories and the Eric made between 1:00am and 3:00am to transport Corogold concertgoers from Whitianga to Ferry Landing in years
knowledge that Dellas and I will always be part of a very special community.” gone by.
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MBAS top academic students for
2018 announced
The top Mercury Bay Area School academic students for 2018 were announced at a whole The MBAS dux student for 2018 was Ella Tomkins. The proxime accessit (second highest
school assembly on Thursday last week. achievement) award was shared between Jessica Alexander and Michaela Duerre.
Last year, 11 MBAS students endorsed NCEA Level 1 with excellence and 24 students endorsed In the photo on the left are Jessica Alexander (left), Michaela Duerre (centre) and Ella Tomkins
with merit. In NCEA Level 2, 13 students endorsed with excellence and 18 students endorsed after the assembly on Thursday. Jessica is this year off to the University of Auckland to study
with merit. Five NCEA Level 3 students endorsed with excellence and six students endorsed a conjoint degree in commerce and science, Ella will embark on an Auckland University of
with merit. Technology degree in sport and recreation at the Tai-Ohomai Institute of Technology campus in
“The trends in our NCEA achievement across Levels 1, 2 and 3 continued to be strong in Tauranga and Michaela will be studying health science at the University of Otago in Dunedin.
2018, particularly in the levels of certificate endorsements - either at merit or excellence
levels,” says John Wright, MBAS principal. “This is a superb outcome for our young people In the photo on the right are the six new teachers who’ve joined MBAS this year. From the
and is representative of their hard work, the support from their whānau and the input and left - Ailsa McLean (middle years English), Andy Henley, (middle years and senior years
encouragement from their teachers. physical education), Hanna Sharps (middle years and senior years physical education,
health and English), Raewyn Eagar (Year 7 and Year 8), Kate Pretorius (Year 3 and Year 4) and
“Overall our ‘pass rate’ for NCEA is satisfactory, however for Level 1 last year, we’ve had
significantly fewer boys [55 per cent] successful than in the recent past [compared with girls Eric Pampalone (Year 7 and Year 8).
at 75 per cent] and we’re looking into the reasons for this.” The MBAS roll stood in excess of 1,000 students when the 2019 school year started last week.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of 13 February - 19 February - Venus continues its movement towards the Sun in the early morning eastern sky and even has a close
encounter with Saturn. The International Space Station (ISS) continues zipping around the Earth at 8km/second and can occasionally still be
visible in the evening sky looking like a slowly moving star.
Wednesday 13 February - The ISS is very bright tonight and visible from 7:03pm to 7:09pm after which it will once again disappear as it goes
into our shadow. It will start low in the NW and end in the SE evening sky. When highest overhead it will be almost 600km from us and over
twice that when it disappears lower down. Thursday 14 February - The ISS makes a slow pass very low in the west from 7:50pm to 7:53pm. Astronomy Tours and B&B
Friday 15 February - The ISS is very bright in the NW moving to the SE from 6:57pm - 7:02pm, but will probably be quite hard to see in the
Phone (07) 866 5343
reasonably bright early evening sky. Tuesday 19 February - Brilliant Venus lies very close to faint Saturn and makes a pretty pair with it in the
early dawn eastern sky, very low on the horizon. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
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4 Dakota Drive
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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019
“Ten Days of Art”
The Mercury Bay Art Escape Open Artists all the details.
Studios offers art lovers the opportunity to You will also have the opportunity to
explore the creative nature of the Coromandel, work alongside established local sculptor,
from Tairua to Opito Bay, to gain a unique Chris Charteris, at the Kuaotunu Town Hall
perspective, meet the participating artists, on Sunday 3 March. Chris, with help from the
admire their studios and understand public, will be creating a massive mandala-
something of the relationship each artist has like indoor sculpture out of 1,000s of ngā tipa
with the Peninsula’s beautiful coast. This year (scallop shells).
the Open Artists Studios will form part of a The mid-week programme from Monday
full “Ten Days of Art” during the first 10 days 4 March to Friday 8 March includes the
of March. Tuia 250 Street Art Festival in Whitianga.
In addition to enjoying a free self-drive art The festival will feature internationally
studios tour during the first two weekends recognised street artists Flox and TrustMe,
of March (Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 and Charles and Janine Williams, alongside
March, and Saturday 9 March and Sunday Mercury Bay artists Michael Smither,
10 March) from 10:00am to 4:00pm, you can Monique Rush, Anne Bowden, Peter
help make a giant sculpture and take part in Nicholson, Dave Fowell and popular street
a full range of art workshops. You can also artists from the Coromandel and Hamilton.
marvel at the Tuia 250 Street Art Festival. The festival will highlight the national Tuia -
The “Ten Days of Art” will be launched Encounters 250 commemorations.
at the official opening of the Open Artists Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Mercury Bay) has
Studios on Friday 1 March at 6:00pm at Hot great seafaring significance. It’s where the
Waves Café in Hot Water Beach. The evening great navigator Kupe visited many centuries
will feature guest speaker and renowned artist, ago and in 1769 it was one of four landing
Fatu Feu’u ONZM, and an exclusive preview sites for Captain Cook’s ship, HM Bark
of the Mercury Bay Art Escape’s Showcase Endeavour. This exciting and free event will
Exhibition (an exhibition containing an allow you to witness 12 new murals being
artwork by each of the Art Escape’s member painted on walls in the Whitianga CBD.
artists). A complimentary glass of Tohu A free guide detailing festival information
wine is included, as well as catered nibbles will be available from the Mercury Bay Art
by Hot Waves and live music by local band, Escape website and the Whitianga i-SITE.
Neighbouring Planets. Be quick to book A range of art workshops will take place
tickets online for this much-anticipated event. during the same time as the Tuia 250 Street
Thirty-six Art Escape member artists Art Festival (from Monday 4 March to Friday
(among them three new artists) and three art 8 March). These interactive workshops will
groups will participate in the Open Artists cater for all levels of skill and experience,
Studios. It’s an opportunity to encounter and include photography, flax weaving,
woodworking, pottery, sculpture, harakeke painting, mixed media and printmaking.
weaving, glasswork, mosaics, jewellery, You will be tutored by Mercury Bay Art
painting, photography and printmaking. Escape member artists and invited tutors.
You’re encouraged to check out the Mercury Ensure you make the most of the “Ten
Bay Art Escape’s free 2019 Art Guide and Days of Art” from Friday 1 March to Sunday
website (www.mercurybayartescape.com) for 10 March.
702 - 13
Issue 832 17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
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Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019
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702 - 13
Issue 832 17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Mercury Bay Big Band Coroglen School principal
rehearsals to kick off on the year ahead Coroglen School principal, Jean Saunders, and her staff are looking forward to a busy 2019,
including active involvement in the Tuia - Encounters 250 commemorations later in the year.
“Our staff remain the same as last year and our roll numbers are steady at 30 with some new
families replacing our 2018 leavers,” says Jean.
“I am happy to say we are in the final stages of planning a complete refurbishment of our
classroom learning spaces, which will enable us to make better and more flexible use of our
indoor and outdoor environment. We will be adding a deck and direct access to our outdoor
learning area, which will incorporate our sandpit, water-play, mud kitchen and garden spaces.
“With the support of the Coromandel Community of Learning and other participating schools,
we will be moving into the ‘Learning Through Play’ philosophy in our junior room.
“Another anticipated learning opportunity this term is the Experiencing Marine Reserves
programme with Mercury Bay local, Amber Boyd. Amber will be training our students in
snorkelling and the theory behind what she is teaching them. We will then visit Hahei to look
inside and beyond the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve to witness the impact the reserve
has on the marine environment. This will be exciting and powerful learning for our students
and incorporates our school vision and values regarding sustainability, utilising our local
The Mercury Bay Big Band will kick off their rehearsals for 2019 on Monday 25 February at environment and working with our community to develop lifelong learners.
C3 Church in Coghill Street, Whitianga at 5:00pm.
“The local Tuia - Encounters 250 programme, which will put Mercury Bay in the national
The band consists of a group of 16 musicians who enjoy playing a collection of big band jazz, spotlight later this year, will be an opportunity for our students to be involved in authentic
blues, Latin and funk. learning experiences they will no doubt retain as highlights from their school years. We are
The band performed several concerts last year, the highlight being two “tea dances” in looking forward to being actively involved and appreciate the time and commitment Joe Davis
conjunction with the Mercury Bay Community Choir in November. of Ngati Hei, John Wright of Mercury Bay Area School and Ministry of Education staff have put
A much-anticipated event this year is a workshop and concert that will be led by the maestro into creating learning resources and experiences related to the commemorations. This term we
of big band jazz in New Zealand, Rodger Fox. It will be Rodger’s third visit to Whitianga. will be focusing on voyaging as a theme, from the past through to the future.
His previous visits were inspiring. Rodger will visit Whitianga in August this year. “On top of all this, we will of course continue to do what we do well. Our usual calendar highlights
The band is also delighted to be part of the Tuia - Encounters 250 commemorations that will be remain - Pet Day in the third school term and the swimming, winter sports and athletics days
held later this year. that we share with Whenuakite and Te Rerenga Schools. This year too, we have been invited to
Helen Lee, the coordinator of the Mercury Bay Big Band, is pleased to welcome Mercury Bay share a Matariki celebration at Hikuai School.
Area School student, Floyd Ross, into the band. “Last year, we’ve had two international students “We are a small school and can offer a one to three teacher/student ratio. This enables us to
playing the flute and trombone with us for a few months,” says Helen. “We very much welcome build strong relationships with our students and their families. We have a dedicated board of
new members. We would love to have more brass players, especially those with experience on trustees and supportive whānau who work hard to fundraise for the extras we need and who
the trumpet and trombones.” help where they can in our classrooms and on outings.”
Any musicians interested in joining the band must please phone Helen on (021) 173 6490.
Squids Seafood
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Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019
“On the Road” comedy
show coming to Whitianga
Creative Mercury Bay and Arts on Tour New Zealand are proud to bring the “On the Road”
comedy show to the Coghill Theatre in Coghill Street, Whitianga on Thursday 28 February.
The stars of the show, Michele A’Court and Jeremy Elwood (pictured), have been showcasing
their comedy skills for more than 20 years. The insightful and outrageously funny duo have
performed at comedy festivals around the world, from Adelaide to Edinburgh, and are regulars
at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
Often appearing on Radio New Zealand’s “The Panel,” Michele and Jeremy also feature on TV
programmes such as “7 Days” and “The Project.”
Michele enjoyed huge success when she toured “Stuff I Forgot to Tell My Daughter” with Arts on
Tour New Zealand in 2016. This time around, it will be stuff Michele and Jeremy tell each other.
An evening of hilarious fun awaits, so make sure you don’t miss out.
The show will start at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at Paper Plus Whitianga and cost $25
for adults and $15 for students under 18.
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Another opportunity to obtain an
arboriculture qualification in Whitianga
Zach Wood is one of Mercury Bay’s most recent in Hamilton.
Wintec graduates, having last year completed Regional programme coordinator for Wintec’s
an NZQA Level 3 Certificate in Arboriculture horticulture courses, Fiona Taylor, talks highly
in Whitianga. of the landscape construction and arboriculture
Zach was in between jobs with no courses available in Whitianga, run in a much-
qualifications when he saw an advertisement appreciated partnership with Ngati Hei.
for the arboriculture course in The Informer and “What is wonderful about these courses is
thought it looked like something he could try. that they are government funded, so they are
Another Wintec arboriculture course is completely fees free and anyone can enrol,”
planned to start in Whitianga in the next few says Fiona.
weeks. An information session will be held at “Several years ago, Wintec acknowledged
19 Buffalo Beach Road (the old Mercury Bay that there are often many factors, including
Hospital) on Wednesday 20 February from family commitments or financial constraints,
11:00am to 12:00 noon. that prevent people from travelling to Hamilton
Wintec also offers a landscape construction to study. So after responding to community
course in Whitianga. demand, we were successful in setting up these
The Wintec arboriculture programme in programmes in Whitianga during 2017.”
Whitianga runs over a period of 20 weeks with The courses are introductory level and
classes taking place four days a week during participants can be any age over 15. They do not
school hours. need to hold any prior school or tertiary-level
“What I liked about the course is that every qualifications, just a willingness to learn.
day was different,” says Zach. “One day we Wintec believes that their outdoor-focused
would be working with chainsaws and the courses are perfect for a town like Whitianga,
next we would be climbing trees for the tree where the community has strong ties to a
care aspect of the programme. We were taught beautiful natural environment.
many skills, some of which included learning “The Mercury Bay community is extremely
correct planting and pruning techniques. On one environmentally conscious and with a strong
occasion we practiced on the hedges around the demand for qualified employees in the landscape
Mercury Bay Library.” construction and arboriculture industries,
The course also covers health and safety, these courses are a perfect fit for Whitianga,”
first aid, tree identification and chipper use. says Fiona.
Zach’s favourite part of the programme by Zach is one of many course graduates with
far was the tree climbing. “It was definitely a success story to tell, with no doubt many
a bit nerve-racking at first being so high up, more to come. “I am very happy that I chose
but once I got used to it, it was great fun,” he says. to pursue a career in arboriculture,” says Zach.
“We got to use the trees out at the Mercury Bay “I am lucky that I was able to establish a career
Golf Course for our training.” in an industry that I am passionate about.”
Zach is now working as a climbing arborist at If you cannot make the information session
Dynamic Tree Care in Coromandel Town, but is on 20 February, you can phone local Wintec
aiming to achieve an NZQA Level 4 Certificate tutor, Howard Saunders, on (027) 866 3277 for Whitianga resident, Zach Wood, a recent Wintec graduate,
in Horticultural Services at the Wintec campus more information. is very happy that he chose to pursue a career in arboriculture.
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New Zealand Media Council. Please contact us first if you
have concerns about any of the editorial content published
in The Informer. If we were unable to address your concerns ONLINE POLL FOR FEBRUARY 2019
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Letters to the Editor
See page 8 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The doling out of public money in the name of “conservation” Dear Editor - Catherine Delahunty’s column in last week’s Informer
In his Letter to the Editor in last week’s Informer, Ian Patrick urges a 1080 protestor to start a Congratulations to Ian Patrick and Alastair Sims for two very sensible and positive Letters to
conservation group to prove they “care about nature and the survival of our birds.” the Editor in last week’s Informer.
Starting or joining a conservation group is all too often a search for a paid occupation or a Unfortunately Catherine Delahunty’s column in the same issue was just the reverse, as usual.
means of attracting public funding. She laments the eminently sensible decision by West Coast Regional Council to reject the
In the 1970s and 1980s I was witness to a number of conservation projects on the Coromandel ridiculous sea level scaremongering being put forward by Local Government New Zealand
Peninsula, all funded privately and all very successful. It is largely due to these projects, and its activist head, David Cull. Hopefully Thames-Coromandel District Council will have
this care for a re-growing environment, that the Coromandel hills became once again desirable. the common sense to follow the West Coast Regional Council lead.
The preserving of one wetland area begun in the 1970s and was paid for by one landowner. Catherine needs to understand that “the consequences of our global oil dependency” are
I was privileged to be able to live on its edge for many years, surrounded by fern birds, actually overwhelmingly positive, both for the environment and us. It was the discovery
rail and bittern. and use of affordable fossil fuels that have been an environmental revolution for the better.
In 1991, DOC spread rat poison on a neighbouring property and the morepork disappeared, No longer do we need to hunt down cuddly penguins and whales to provide oil for light and
a poisoned pig lying in the stream. I have been against this poisoning ever since. lubrication. We no longer need to fell vast forests to heat our homes. Food production for an
There has since been a mountain of poison spread around the Peninsula with no proven ever-increasing population is made much more efficient with natural gas-sourced fertilisers
benefit that a bit of trapping and shooting could not have achieved the same result without any (Jacinda take note). This has meant a huge reduction in the land area required to feed the globe,
of the by-kill. compared with what would be necessary under an “eco-friendly” organic system.
Poison came as an adjunct to a government urge to take over control of our previously We no longer have to raise, feed and house millions of horses to provide transport and the
beautiful environment. Once public money began to pour into “saving” our environment, land required to feed them can now feed us instead. No longer do we need to dispose of the
conservation groups such as Ian Patrick's wetland project sprang up all over the place to mountains of manure and tons of methane they used to produce.
swallow up these funds. With synthetic materials from oil, we no longer have to slaughter millions of seals and
More and more public money is being doled out in the name of “conservation” and more animals for clothing and now petrochemicals give us countless pharmaceuticals, plastics and
and more people think they can make a living from it. The sad thing about some of these other products to provide the standard of living and good health that even the Greens have
enviro-groups is that much of their time and effort is spent on administration, meetings, come to accept.
self-promotion and raising funds and very little on saving birds. No doubt Ian Patrick's group Catherine and her fellow Greenpeace supporters should be thanking the petroleum industry
have a treasurer, a secretary, a chairman, a board of trustees and a specific member bent on and human ingenuity for saving the environment, not the reverse.
grabbing more public funds. No board of trustees, no funds. The extra leisure time that petroleum-fuelled machines have given us means that we all have
I did hear of an enthusiastic wetland group which planted out native bushes and then charged more time to enjoy our lives than ever before and Catherine can continue to have her “glass of
in and trapped all the predators only to be rewarded by a plague of rabbits which ate up all cider and watch the sunset while the tui sings.”
their bushes. Alastair Brickell
Enthusiasm is to be encouraged, but understanding only comes by being on the spot for a Kuaotunu
long time. Genuine help for the environment cannot be bought by public funds alone. Dear Editor - The other side of the story
John Veysey Catherine Delahunty wrote a thoughtful and thought-provoking column in last week’s
Coromandel Town Informer.
Thumbs
Up
To the staff
of Four
Square
Matarangi for going
out of their way to
assist a lady who
injured her wrist on
Waitangi Day.
No more
Plastic bags
No more Seagulls
No more Hassles
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019Letters to the Editor
See page 8 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
I would like to address some of her comments.
Catherine said that our recent hot weather wasn’t an anomaly, an exception to the usual,
implying that was how our summers were from now onwards going to be. No, the hot weather
in late January and early February was an unusual event and not a consequence of a change in
the climate. For it to be evidence of a change in the climate, it needed to consistently appear for
the past 15 years or longer, not just for a few days. Our recent hot weather didn’t even qualify
to be called a heatwave. A heatwave is where the temperature is 5°C above the average for a
minimum of five consecutive days. It didn’t happen. So, what we had was weather, not climate.
It’s also disturbing that Catherine incorrectly labelled West Coast Regional Council as
climate change deniers. I’m sure they recognise as much as everyone that the climate changes
over time. What they are saying is that they would be extremely foolish to turn their economy
upside down and put hundreds of workers in the coal mining and transport industries out of
work by shutting down West Coast coal mines without better evidence that the burning of coal
is affecting climate change in any meaningful way.
I’m not aware that it has scientifically been proven that CO2 has more than a miniscule
effect on the climate. So, West Coast Regional Council should be praised for taking a cautious
approach and not rushing in like most others and committing to spending billions of dollars for
no advantage whatsoever.
And was Catherine not a little hypocritical by wanting to send West Coast Regional Council
to Kiribati or Tuvalu while at the same time urging Thames-Coromandel District Council to
reduce fossil fuel emissions?
I do feel for those island residents who may be losing their homes to the ocean, but they
could be partially blamed themselves. Although the sea level has raised at a rate of 1.3mm in
the past 100 years, Kiribati and Tuvalu, and other similar islands are volcanic in origin and are
continuously settling under their own weight.
Back 100 years, dwellings on those islands were built well back from the ocean’s
edge. These days, construction is right up to the beach, so it’s no wonder that storms are
causing damage and erosion, which are exacerbated by the removal of coral for infrastructure
like roading.
With regard to the other things Catherine referred to in her column, she has my full support.
Stuart Dean
Whitianga
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Registrations for Whitianga
Town Garage Sale now open
Queen’s Birthday weekend this year (Saturday 1 June to Monday 3 June) will see a return of the
highly anticipated Whitianga Town Garage Sale.
This year is the 11th anniversary of the event and bargain hunters often travel from out of town
to enjoy a long weekend of treasure hunting.
Local residents can become involved by registering a garage sale for the weekend or by visiting
the garage sales and opening their wallets for an item or two they may or may not need.
If you need any encouragement to get involved, then consider this…
In 2011, a bargain hunter paid 40 pence each for three unusual drinking glasses she found at a
garage sale in Portsmouth. They turned out to be rare 18th century examples of work by revered
glassmaker, William Beilby. The glasses later sold at auction for 19,000 pounds.
And some years ago, a New York family bought a Chinese bowl, just five inches in diameter,
at a garage sale for USD3 and found out that it was actually a 1,000-year-old treasure worth
USD2.2 million.
The bowl was from the Northern Song Dynasty, which ruled China from 960 to 1127.
The only other known bowl of similar size and design has been in the collection of the
British Museum for more than 60 years.
To register your Queen’s Birthday Weekend garage sale at a cost of $15, please contact
The Informer by popping into our office at 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, by emailing us at
info@theinformer.co.nz or by phoning us on (07) 866 2090.
We will need to know the address of your garage sale, the day/s of Queen’s Birthday Weekend
you want to hold your sale, the hours you want to hold your sale and a short description of what
you will have on offer.
All registered garage sales will receive two posters to direct bargain hunters to their sale
and a map with the location of of all garage sales will be printed in The Informer that will be
published the Wednesday before Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
All registration proceeds will go to a local charity nominated by the Mercury Bay Area School
primary years student leaders.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17Whitianga Baptist Church youth
group up and running again
After a break of several years, the Whitianga Baptist Church youth group was resurrected on Friday
evening last week. The group is led by Whitianga residents Tony and Heather Enchmarch with the full
support of the Whitianga Baptist congregation and pastor Mike Walker.
“All young people between 13 and 18 years of age are welcome to attend our youth group,” says Heather.
“They don’t have to belong to any church. We meet every Friday evening at the Whitianga Baptist Church
on Cook Drive for an hour and a half of activities and uplifting fellowship. The activities are messy and
non-messy, may require a lot of energy or are somewhat more sedate. Food more often than not plays a
role. Whatever we do, it’s always great fun.
“Once a month we’ll be doing something bigger. During that week we won’t meet on a Friday evening.
Our first bigger event is on Saturday 23 February when we’ll be holding a back to school bash in the
afternoon from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. A lot of water will be involved and a ton of laughter is guaranteed.
“Towards the end of March, we’ll be handing out smoke alarm batteries to all the Whitianga Baptist
Church neighbours.
“We also hope a good group of local young people will attend the large Northern Baptist Region Easter
camp from Thursday 18 April to Monday 22 April at Mystery Creek outside Hamilton. It’s a massive
interdenominational weekend of more than 5,000 teenagers having fun.”
Mike Walker says he’s excited about Tony and Heather getting the Whitianga Baptist Church youth group
up and running again. “It’s a wonderful initiative from within our congregation,” he says. “I’m at Tony
and Heather’s beck and call. Whatever they want me to help them with, I’ll be there and support them.
The activities involving food are the ones I’m especially interested in...”
Pictured are Mike Walker (on the left) with Tony and Heather Enchmarch.
“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week)
“Kino kē koe” - You are awesome
Saying of the week supplied by Te Puna Reo o Whitianga - a playgroup with a focus on Māori tikanga and te reo Māori.
The group members meet every Tuesday at 9:30am at Crossroads Whitianga Church. All those with pēpi or young tamariki are welcome to join.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019New Mike Pero owners in Whitianga
for the long haul
When Robyn Beard won the Miss Whitianga real estate agency we were with and take our Orewa was before it became just another Pero. “In Whitianga we were looking at
beauty contest in 1981, she never thought that time to enjoy life while considering what we Auckland suburb. several businesses that were on the market
she would end up calling Whitianga home were going to do in the future. We were open “When we eventually got around to and we’ve also investigated the feasibility of
one day. to the idea of moving out of Auckland and thinking about the future, Whitianga was the developing a motel,” says Gary. “But we just
Robyn and her partner (in life and in putting down roots in a smaller place. Our frontrunner among the places we considered couldn’t get away from the idea that we both
business), Gary Davey, acquired the Mike travels eventually brought us to Whitianga as a possible new home. The town really has liked and were comfortable in the real estate
Pero real estate territory for the central and and for both of us all our pleasant summer everything.” industry. The Mike Pero brand and business
northern Coromandel towards the end of last holiday memories just came flooding back. Gary and Robyn have looked at a variety model appealed to us and fortunately Mike
year. They opened an office in Monk Street, The town has also reminded us of the way of options before they signed up with Mike Pero and his management team were keen to
Whitianga just over a month ago. talk to us.
Robyn and her family used to holiday in “As it turned out they had a few territories
Whitianga at the old campground in Eyre available, including the central and northern
Street. “Our summer holidays were always a Coromandel. It really was a no-brainer.”
highlight,” says Robyn. Robyn says her and Gary’s office in Monk
Gary is also no stranger to Whitianga. Street is a showcase of what Mike Pero is
“My grandmother bought a property up about. “Boutique, personal and professional,”
Centennial Heights when I was a teenager she says. “We’re under no illusion that
and I’ve spent many summers sleeping in a we first have to crawl before we can walk,
caravan on her property,” he says. but we promise to do our very best for our
Gary and Robyn have both been working clients right from the outset. If things are
at a large real estate agency in Orewa for the going according to plan, we most definitely
past 12 years. In 2012, they joined up as a will be looking at opening satellite offices in
team, a move that has seen them achieving other parts of our territory in time to come.”
spectacular success. “In our second year of In addition to establishing a business
working together, Robyn and I were among in Whitianga, Gary and Robyn have also
the top 20 real estate agents nationwide of the purchased a section in a subdivision in the
franchise group we were with,” says Gary. town and look forward to when they can
“In the wider Auckland region, we were start building. “Make no mistake, we’re in
number six. More than 2,000 agents Whitianga for the long haul,” says Robyn.
were working within the franchise group at “We just love it here. We go in the mornings
that time.” for walks along the beachfront and really
Gary and Robyn decided to take a break enjoy the live music scene in the cafés,
in 2017. “Initially we were going to travel restaurants and pubs.
around New Zealand for three months,” “And we’re already getting to know
says Robyn. “That turned out not to be long the locals, which is something that’s
enough. We decided to bid farewell to the Gary Davey and Robyn Beard in their new Mike Pero office in Monk Street in Whitianga. pretty special.”
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19What’s On The next few weeks
REGULAR EVENTS
Op-Shops
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm.
The Church Op-Shop - at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday
10:00am - 2:00pm.
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop
Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss (the old WW)
Meet every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. A support group
for women striving to be the “best versions of themselves” they can be. “Weighing in” at meetings is optional, but all
are motivated towards being more active and encourage each other to eat well. Phone 869 5648 for more information.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club)
Meet the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga.
Phone 866 5027 for more information.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc. Afternoon tea,
55 plus age group. Phone Adrian Telders (president) on 866 5377 for more information.
Matarangi Craft Group
Meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Matarangi Fire Station. Phone Lesley
on 866 0788 for more information.
Whenuakite Area Playgroup
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 12:30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Ages birth - six years. Visitors welcome. Tea and
coffee are provided.
Whitianga Playcentre
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Witianga. For children 0 - 6 years,
free entry. Visitors welcome.
Mercury Bay Quilters
Meet the first and third Monday and the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Whitianga
Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. New members welcome. Phone Delys on (07) 866 0265 for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Choir
Meet Mondays at 6:00pm at the Mercury Bay Area School music room, 20 South Highway, Whitianga. All welcome. To find
out more, phone Kate on (027) 270 9058 or Edie on (027) 272 5733.
Whitianga Tramping Group
Meet every second Sunday at 8:30am. Phone Wally on (021) 907 782 or Lesley on (021) 157 9979 for more information.
Mercury Bay Woolcraft Group
Meet every first and third Wednesday of the month in the Whitianga Town Hall in Monk Street, from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Phone Wendy Russell on (07) 866 3225 or Michelle McLuckie on (021) 104 1205 for more information.
Whitianga’s Death Café
Meet the third Sunday of every month at the Embassy of Friendship, 5 Coghill Street, Whitianga. “Challenging the taboos
around death.” All welcome. Email David at david@aikido.co.nz for more information.
Serenity Al-Anon Group
Meet every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Phone (07) 866 5104 or (021) 086 10955 for more information. For those affected by
someone else’s drinking.
Cooks Beach Garden Circle
Meet the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on (07) 866 3264
or Anne on (07) 67 1618 for more information.
Whitianga Art Group
Meet every Thursday and Friday from 10:00am - 4:00pm at the Art Centre and Gallery at the end of School Road,
Whitianga. Visitors welcome. Phone Phone Merle on (021) 024 19368 or Beverley on (07) 866 2345 for more information.
Dog Walking Group
Meet every Thursday at 2:00pm at Lovers Rock, Robinson Road, Whitianga. An opportunity to socialise your dog.
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club
Meet every Wednesday at 1:00pm at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Newcomers and visitors
welcome. Phone Bob on (07) 866 5831 for more information.
SPECIFIC EVENTS
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Tristram Marine Open
Saturday 16 February - Saturday 23 February. See www.mbgfc.co.nz for more information.
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Simrad/ITM Nationals
Saturday 16 February - Saturday 23 February. See www.mbgfc.co.nz for more information.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 16 February from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga.
Whitianga’s 2nd Annual Touch Tournament
Saturday 16 February at the Mercury Bay Multisport Park, Moewai Park Road, Whitianga. From early in the morning.
More than 18 teams from Auckland and the central North Island are expected to enter. Come support all the Mercury
Bay players.
Coromandel Music Society Presents Soul Sax Plus
Saturday 16 December in the Admirals Arms garden, Coromandel Town. Doors open at 6:00pm, show starts at
7:00pm. Tickets $15 each, available from the Coromandel Town Information Centre or at the door.
Coroglen Farmer’s Market
Sunday 17 February from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Coroglen Hall, State Highway 25, Coroglen.
SeniorNet Whitianga Open Day
Tuesday 19 February from 12 noon - 3:00pm at the Whitianga Social Services building, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga.
An opprtunity to dicover what SeniorNet can fo for you.
Regular Church Services
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church
Albert Street, Whitianga. Worship service and kids-friendly Bible session at 9:30am every Sunday.
St Peter the Fisherman Anglican Church
Dundas Street, Whitianga. Service at 9:30am every Sunday.
Crossroads Whitianga
Corner of Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Service at 10:00am every Sunday.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Campbell Street, Whitianga. Weekend Mass every Saturday at 5:30pm and every Sunday 8:30am.
Whitianga Baptist Church
112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel 393 0000. Service and children’s programme at 10:00am every Sunday.
C3 Whitianga
23 Coghill Street, Whitianga, email info@c3whitianga.org.nz. Service and children’s programme at 10:00am
every Sunday.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church or Mormons)
Meet at the Whitianga Social Services building, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga at 10:00am every Sunday. All welcome.
Phone (021) 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019The Coromandel’s most romantic beach
We were inundated with entries into our Smart Brokers in Whitianga. Congratulations If visitors come and we want to show off The next day would be Christmas and our
Valentine’s Day competition we published to Bob Brown and Jane Milbank, the lucky Otama Beach is the one they see. hosts invited us to their annual “Christmas
in last week’s Informer. Readers could enter winners of the voucher. They nominated If we want to reflect on 35 years of love and dinner for travellers.” They wanted all
by telling us which Coromandel beach is the beach at Opera Point in Whangapoua as romance travellers to feel at home and part of their
their favourite to enjoy in the company of their favourite. Otama Beach is the one for me. family over Christmas.
their loved one. In a nutshell, we asked our Many entries were accompanied by reasons And this what we received from Thom We woke Christmas morning to the most
readers to nominate the Peninsula’s most why a specific beach was a reader’s favourite. Dodd, who nominated Opoutere - spectacular dawn chorus of bird song
romantic beach. Two of the reasons stood out for us. My wife and I immigrated to New Zealand we have ever heard. Later that morning,
The prize was a $100 voucher to spend with This is what we received from Ella Powell, in 1996. Living in Hahei, our landlord we were all given our jobs. We harvested
one of our advertisers. We accepted entries as who nominated Otama Beach - moved us on in December to rent our (garden and sea), peeled, chopped and set
comments on our social media posts about the If I want to swim in a deep blue sea place out to holidaymakers. So, we took a tables on the lawn overlooking the estuary.
competition, via email and by hand-delivery Otama Beach is the one for me. tiki tour. They were long tables, where we could all
to our office. If my hubby who is a bit of a dish wants to First stop, the lovely YHA hostel at rub elbows.
The winner was drawn on Monday this catch a big fish Opoutere where we were welcomed with At about 7:00pm our hosts appeared,
week by Rohit and Sangita Ranchhod of Otama Beach is the one for him. buckets to gather pipis and cockles for tea. carrying bottles of bubbly and roast
turkeys. All the trimmings were there
and we ate until the late sunset. Then out
came the trifles, sticky date pudding and
ice cream.
We go back to Opoutere periodically
to relive this memory. Valentine’s Day
is always perfect for such a visit. Sadly,
the YHA hostel closed 10 years or so ago,
but in the decade after our first Christmas
there, we had several more Christmas
experiences at the hostel.
We’re happy to also offer Ella and Thom
a $50 voucher each to spend with one of
our advertisers.
Almost every beach along the east coast
of the Peninsula, and even Peachgrove Bay
on Great Mercury Island, was nominated
in the competition. Otama Beach was the
clear winner, however, with more than
twice the number of nominations than its
nearest rivals, Matarangi and Opito Bay.
Honourable mentions have to go to Lonely
Bay, Matapaua Bay and Buffalo Beach.
Rohit and Sangita Ranchhod of Smart Brokers busy drawing the winner of our Valentine’s Day competition on Monday this week. They have done well too.
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
• Roofing
• Water treatments systems
• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
• New Housing
• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
Issue 832
702 - 13
17February
August 2016
2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle 832
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Tel no: ________________________________________________________________
Win a $5.60 Wednesday Lotto ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
their prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which they were announced the winner.
ACROSS DOWN
1. Of plants 1. Cut in half
4. Hand digit 2. Find innocent
3. Large family
7. Mouse noises
4. Elephant ivory
8. Playing-card Jack 5. Revised Timber & Cork Floor
9. Duplicated 6. Nip Installation
12. Supervisor 10. Bridal endowment Polyurethane
11. Stringed instrument coating & colouring
15. Postponement
17. Not transparent 13. Reminisce Call
14. Avers chris mcKibbin
18. Beijing is there
16. Photographer’s tool M: 021 046 7169
21. Lightning streaks 18. Overfill
22. Mean person 19. A long way off
www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz
23. Drearier 20. Paint roughly
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Barbara Hargreaves
Page 22 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 832 - 13 February 2019You can also read
