Proper send-off planned for local legend - The Mercury Bay Informer
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Issue 893 - 15 April 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 6,200
Proper send-off planned for
local legend
By Gillian O’Neill
Relatives and friends are vowing to give father, Roger, passed away from tuberculosis.
Whitianga icon, Dennis “Thunder” Dunn, “Thunder left school at around 13 when his
the send-off he deserves when the community father died in order to help with his brother
can once again gather together. and sister,” Brian said. “When he was 15,
Thunder passed away peacefully at he became an apprentice jockey, he saw it as
his home in Coghill Street on Sunday, a good way of getting to Australia, having
5 April and was laid to rest in the Ferry to look after horses going over on the boat.
Landing Cemetery. Covid-19 restrictions But he broke his back and had to come
dictated that just two mourners and staff back to Auckland to the spinal unit at Otara.
from Twentymans Funeral Directors could When he came out, he became a chicken
be present. delivery man for Tegel.
Thunder’s nephew, Brian Tout, who lives in “He used to take me pig hunting.
Hawera, said he was absolutely gutted not to I remember one time we went during the
be able to come to Whitianga to farewell the school holidays and he fell and broke his
uncle he idolised as a boy and loved dearly. thumb, but he told the doctor it happened
“We had talked about it. I’d promised him at work.
when the time came we’d bring him straight “I loved spending time with him, he was a
from the house, past the Whitianga Hotel very good uncle to me.”
and on to the cemetery, but unfortunately According to Brian, it was at the Blacksmith
we couldn’t do that. Still, at least we were Bar, now the Whitianga Hotel, that Thunder
allowed to bury him and he is where he first earned the nickname that was to become
wanted to be, at rest beside his mother whom the only moniker by which many in the town
he loved more than anything in the world.” knew him. “I think he met up with a group
Last week, members of the Whitianga who had been pig hunting and someone went
community took to social media in order to to buy a round of drinks and asked what to
pay tribute to the good-humoured 78-year- call him. Someone else said ‘Thunder Jaw’
old, renowned for his cherry tobacco pipe and because he never shut up. They decided
described as a local legend. that didn’t quite work so they went with
“Everyone in Whitianga knew Thunder Thunder instead.”
and he loved the community,” Brian said. Despite never marrying or having children,
“There were four things in particular that Brian said his uncle never felt alone in
were important to him. One was St Patrick’s Whitianga. “He really enjoyed life in the
Day and then there was the anniversary of his community, spending time at the Mercury
mother’s death. He always took flowers up to Bay Club in particular where he had lots
her grave. If he went back and saw someone of friends. And as everyone will know,
had taken them, he would be raging and he’d if Thunder had something to say, he’d say
go searching around the cemetery to find it. But he was a great person, a great uncle,
them and take them back again. His mother’s generous and kind and his passing is a sad
birthday and of course his own birthday were loss for Whitianga.”
the other days that he never went without Brian said a celebration of Thunder’s life
celebrating.” will be held later in the year, when his grave
Originally from the Papakura area of is officially marked. “I know Whitianga will
Auckland, Thunder moved to Whitianga Whitianga icon, Dennis “Thunder” Dunn, passed away on want to give him the send off he deserves,
with his mum, Beryl, a few years after his Sunday, 5 April at his home in Coghill Street. so we’ll certainly look forward to doing that.”
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
A clear message to the government and the
people of Mercury Bay
By Stephan Bosman
How do local businessowners feel about the encourage domestic travel once possible. and difficult recovery will be an opportunity but many will still have money to spend,”
Covid-19 lockdown, what are their thoughts Almost all businesses see cashflow as their for marginal businesses to close their doors,” yet another businessowner said. “They please
on life in Mercury Bay after the lockdown has major concern in the recovery period following another businessowner said. need to come out and spend with our local
ended and what can be done to ensure that we, the lockdown. It’s expected that a significant Some businessowners have already laid off businesses. Their support is what’s going
as a community, recover from the pandemic part of the local population will have less to staff. Several expect that they won’t have to to get us through in the short term. Local
with as little economic damage as possible? spend or be inclined to hold more tightly onto let anyone go while others say the length of businessowners and their staff also need to
Thank you to all the businessowners who were their money in what is going to be an extended the lockdown and the pace of the recovery will make an effort to support each other. Please stay
happy to share their thoughts with us during the period of economic uncertainty. In the words of determine how long they can hold onto the staff away from buying things online.”
course of the past week or so. one businessowner, “The bank account will go they currently employ. It’s expected that domestic tourism will play
All businessowners agree that the lockdown a large part in the longer-term recovery of the
was necessary. They also agree with the Mercury Bay economy. The effective marketing
government’s alert level system, but some would of the area as a highly desirable destination
prefer a longer complete lockdown at Alert Level to the large population centres of Auckland,
4, followed by restrictions immediately easing Hamilton and Tauranga will be critical.
down to Alert Level 2. There is consensus that The businessowners who shared their
Alert Level 3 restrictions, when implemented, thoughts with us don’t share the same views
need to be clearly defined for businesses to with each other in all instances. Given that they
know exactly what they are and aren’t allowed operate in a variety of industries, that’s to be
to do. expected. However, they all have the same clear
The views on whether the government message - the government needs to do more
understands the concerns of small businesses to help and more than ever, we, the people of
are mixed. The retail, tourism and hospitality Mercury Bay, will have to help. “Buy local”
sectors are concerned that the difficulties they will no longer be a catchcry, it will be a cry that
will be facing once the lockdown has ended says, “We have to get through this together and
aren’t fully appreciated. There is nevertheless we need you, we really need you.”
consensus that although the government’s The government indicated at Easter Monday’s
wage subsidy scheme is of great help, it isn’t An empty Albert Street in Whitianga on Easter Monday. Covid-19 press conference that this week will
enough to ensure that all businesses that were in down and the overdraft will go up.” Everyone sees a changed Mercury Bay see more specific guidance on what will be
relatively good shape heading into the lockdown, It’s generally expected that not all local business environment after the lockdown. allowed during Alert Level 3 as well as an
will survive the impact of the Covid-19 businesses will survive the Covid-19 pandemic. International tourists will be absent for some announcement about further assistance for New
pandemic. Almost all businessowners who employ staff time and some businesses will be doing things Zealand businesses.
Several forms of additional government and operate from leased premises are bleeding differently. There’s agreement that the local The Informer will be launching a major
support were proposed, including cash money. Access to sufficient working capital community has a major part to play in the way “Buy Local” initiative as soon as the
injections, tax relief, tariffs on overseas goods in the form of savings, or overdraft and loan the Mercury Bay economy recovers. “Many current Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have
being purchased online, and campaigns to facilities are critical to survival. “The lockdown people will be holding onto their money, been eased.
What’s happening in the night sky?
Week of Wednesday, 15 April to Wednesday, 22 April - This will be a good week to spot the International Space Station (ISS) in the evening sky Night sky information
and on some nights it could even be visible twice as it orbits the Earth every 90 minutes. It has just had some new crew members come onboard - provided and sponsored by
two Russians and one American. All had to undergo a one month quarantine before launch in Russia to keep Covid-19 out of space. Jupiter, Saturn and
Mars are a great sight all lined up in the late night and early morning sky again this week. Jupiter is the brightest and Saturn the faintest of the three.
Wednesday, 15 April - The Moon sits directly above Jupiter in the dawn sky, with Saturn and Mars below. Mars has moved more quickly in its orbit
than the others and the spacing between these three is no longer even. Friday, 17 April - The Moon has moved to be just below slightly reddish Mars in
the dawn sky, with Saturn and bright Jupiter above. Sunday, 19 April - The ISS will be quite bright tonight as it starts at 7:10pm in the NW and passes
high overhead before moving into the Earth’s shadow. Monday, 20 April - The ISS makes two passes tonight. The first starts at 6:23pm in the NW,
while the second one starts at 8:01pm low on the western horizon, but only lasts a couple of minutes before the Earth’s shadow gobbles it up. Tuesday, Astronomy Tours and B&B
21 April - The International Space Station (ISS) passes brightly overhead at 7:13pm starting low in the NW sky. Wednesday, 22 April - The ISS makes Phone (07) 866 5343
two passes again tonight with the first being quite bright starting at 8:25pm in the NW moving high overhead towards the Southern Cross. It is visible
very briefly again after completing one orbit of the Earth at 8:04pm very low in the west before disappearing as it passes quickly into the Earth’s shadow. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides
Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020
New heights for Art Escape’s Festival of Art While the greatest achievement of the Mercury Bay Art Escape’s Festival of Art this year may well have been its timing - finishing on 15 March just as the first Covid-19 restrictions were announced - there were also several other significant reasons for celebration. The organisers have described 2020 as one of the best in the eight years the event has been running in its current format, with significant increases in reach, visitors and revenue. Over 8,700 individual visits across all individual events and Open Studios were recorded, an 11 per cent rise on 2019. Around half of those visits were from Coromandel locals, with 40 per cent coming from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, and the remainder from the rest of New Zealand and overseas. According to the Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust, feedback from the visiting public was consistently good, reflecting the quality of the art on offer and the diversity of the event, with many people indicating they would return next year. Collectively, the artists who participated in the two weekends of Open Studios reported a 30 per cent increase in sales compared to 2019, making this the best year on record. Trust chair, Ian Preece, acknowledged the support of all the sponsors who had contributed to the success of the Festival of Art 2020. He said the sponsors had benefited from an improved marketing strategy as well as an expansion of the festival programme to include multiple events during the week between the two Open Studios weekends. He also confirmed that the festival would return in 2021 with plans to be announced in due course. Pictured is a work by Tairua artist, Michael Harrison, which was sold during this year’s Open Studios. Michael was one of six new artists making their festival debut in 2020. Issue 893 - 15 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Lockdown archive to form
part of Mercury Bay’s history Peninsula Past - 1882
A collection of interesting pieces of history Constable Joyce brought to Auckland by
uncovered by Informer contributor, Meghan the cutter Lizzie a man named John Hunt,
Hawkes, when reading through newspapers who he had arrested under peculiar
that circulated on the Coromandel and in circumstances. Hunt was found lying
Mercury Bay in 1882. unconscious at the booms, about six miles
In Mercury Bay, a lady kept her children away from Tairua. He seemed out of his mind and
required medical aid. He was lying among
from school because the teacher had told them
some fern, naked except for a shirt and in a
they were animals.
filthy condition. He was so paralysed, he could
A ghost ship was discovered drifting off
scarcely stand. Hunt had left Thames in a
Mercury Bay in an echo of the Mary Celeste.
drunken state and since then had slept rough in
The schooner, Makarau, was found with
a half starving condition, having neither food
all sails set and the appearance of being
nor shelter.
quite abandoned. The Makarau was owned by Communication was on the mind of Mr
a seed merchant of Queen Street, Auckland Cadman, Coromandel MP. He told Parliament
and had left for Whangapoua with the captain the telephone was required between
and four crew. They had left Whangapoua Coromandel and Whangapoua, and Mercury
laden with sawn timber and then nothing more Bay and Tairua. He also pushed for the
Maybe you didn’t realise it, but what we are currently doing here in Mercury Bay will be was heard. The schooner, which was lying telegraph to be extended to those areas. About
something historians will study and analyse many years in the future. How communities across on her beam ends, was upended and towed 38 miles of country needed to be traversed, the
many nations combined to fight a global pandemic that essentially brought life to a standstill to Auckland. Sometime later it emerged that country was rugged and the expense would be
will be the subject of papers, books and probably even movies. rough weather had seen the Makarau take great. Permanent wire would cost about £3,500,
As custodians of our local history, the Mercury Bay Museum (pictured) is aiming to create a on a considerable quantity of water and after but a temporary line might be constructed much
lasting record of what happened here during these unprecedented weeks. “We want to collate labouring heavily in an unmanageable state for more cheaply. The industrious Mr Cadman
all of our stories, poems, journals, photos and videos from this time. This will then become several hours, she suddenly capsized. There also asked the government if they would
available for that time in 50 years when a researcher will ask, ‘What happened in Mercury Bay was no hope of saving the vessel. The crew have a main line of road laid in the district of
during the global Covid-19 pandemic of 2020,’” says museum manager, Rebecca Cox. got clear in the dingy, but unfortunately the Whitianga, where residents were compelled to
rowlocks were missing and a substitute was use a river bed for ordinary traffic.
The museum is hoping to capture the experiences of all sectors of the community so the
crafted from pieces of rope. The frail vessel Mercury Bay’s Mr Meikle gave a party
Covid-19 lockdown can be understood through the eyes of all our residents - young and old,
was steered for Great Mercury Island, which attended by about 20 couples. Parlour games
those working on the frontline, children, teachers, parents, business owners, and even those
was reached after several hours. The crew were and dancing formed the staple amusements and
who may have been directly impacted by the virus.
eventually picked up by a cutter. a generous supper was supplied. The music
“We need the help of the people of Mercury Bay. This is your opportunity to play your part in A monster kauri tree was cut on the Tairua was provided by the genial hosts’ daughter
preserving our history. So please send us your records and we will start collating it for our land of the Auckland Sash and Door Co. and Miss Annie Brown, both accomplished
lockdown archive,” Rebecca says. It measured 42ft in girth and 70ft from the pianists. The party was kept up to a late hour,
Material can be emailed to info@mercurybaymuseum.co.nz. Let Rebecca know if you have ground to the first branch. It contained 40,000ft after which the guests went home by moonlight
large files you want to send and this can be organised via Dropbox or WeTransfer. of timber. in boats.
Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020
Issue 893 - 15 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Temporary cell tower keeps Upset over delays in virus
Coromandel Town connected test results
A temporary cell tower on wheels was rolled
into Coromandel Town last week to help the The Ministry of Health says it is working The DHB does not provide any figures for
community stay connected as mobile and to improve systems so Covid-19 test results designated testing sites, such as Mercury
broadband demand soars during the Covid-19 get to patients sooner. Some patients Bay Medical Centre or GPs, making it
lockdown. reported delays of up to a week in receiving extremely difficult to get a complete picture
their results. of the volume of testing happening across
Spark delivered the makeshift solution with
the support of Thames-Coromandel District
One essential worker in Whitianga the Peninsula.
Council and the Coromandel-Colville Community said, despite her test returning negative, In relation to the long wait for test results,
Board. According to council, prior to the the five-day wait between being swabbed and the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley
Covid-19 lockdown, Spark’s existing cell site receiving her result was extremely stressful. Bloomfield, said the delays did not relate
in Coromandel Town had reached capacity and Her main concern was for any vulnerable to processing at the laboratories but in
could not provide the increased service needed or at-risk people she may have been in communicating negative results to patients.
with the entire community working and learning contact with through her work, despite all “If a test result is positive, the person is
from home. the additional precautions being taken. contacted immediately… and the appropriate
“Data and mobile network use have shot By the time she was informed she did not action is taken,” he told a media conference
up during the lockdown period so far and is have Covid-19, she had been experiencing on Wednesday last week. “It has been taking,
expected to increase further once schools go flu-like symptoms for seven days. it sounds like in some instances, too long for a
back to their learning from home service this Mercury Bay Medical Centre informed negative result to get back, but what I can do
week,” said Peter Pritchard, the Coromandel- patients that the delays were down to a is assure both practitioners and people waiting
Colville Community Board chair. “It is important backlog at laboratories because of the for results that if a test result is positive,
that students in Coromandel Town have essential increased volume of testing being carried out. they will be notified immediately.”
connectivity through this evolving circumstance Figures released on Tuesday, 7 April show Dr Bloomfield said the goal was to have
to continue learning with as little disruption numbers visiting the Coromandel Peninsula’s all swabs processed within a 24-hour period
as possible.” Community Based Testing Centres increased and results communicated to patients within
The new tower is a 4G mobile trailer designed to significantly during previous 10-day period. a further 24 hours. He understood people
be wheeled in and then wheeled out. It is located However, the lack of accurate information would be anxious while they waited.
at the TCDC service centre in Pound Street. The persists, with Waikato District Health Board Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the
tower does not provide 5G services. this week unable to provide The Informer problem arose as information hadn’t been
“Looking to the future, we’ve already said that with the actual test numbers for the Thames- passed on “through the chain” to a patient’s
another permanent cell site will be needed Coromandel District. GP. “That’s something that obviously we’re
in Coromandel Town,” said Spark community According to a media release issued by the acutely aware of and [we are] now working
engagement manager, Graeme McCarrison. DHB, a total of 410 assessments had been to make sure that that information reaches
“We anticipate that this conversation will carried out at the Community Based Testing people,” she said.
happen over the next couple of years and will Centre in Thames since it opened on Monday, Waikato DHB has already said no
involve the community. But for now, we’ve put 16 March, while the newly-established drive information on the number of confirmed
in this temporary cell site so the residents of through facility in Whangamata had assessed or probable Covid-19 cases will be made
Coromandel Town can get the connectivity they 115 people in just two days since opening on available for the Coromandel unless there is
need during the Covid-19 lockdown.” Monday, 6 April. However, when questioned a cluster - a group of 10 or more linked cases.
Questions about the temporary cell site can be further, the DHB could not confirm how many To date, no clusters have been identified
emailed to Spark at sparkinform@spark.co.nz. of those people were actually swabbed as the on the Peninsula. As of Monday, 13 April,
Pictured is the temporary cell tower. numbers they released also included those there were 177 Covid-19 cases in the Waikato
Photo courtesy of TCDC. who were deemed as not requiring a test. DHB area.
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020
Issue 893
699 - 15
27 April
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Photographic Club members
embrace rule-of-thirds
challenge
During March, the Whitianga Photographic Club members participated in a rule-of-thirds
challenge, which is composition related. The basic premise is to imagine the shot divided into
three equal sections, both horizontally and vertically. The theory is that if you place points of
interest in the intersections or along the lines, that your photo becomes more balanced and will
enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally.
Many great entries were received. The overall winner was Hakan Nedjat’s astro photo
(pictured top). The winner of the Photo of the Month for March was Karen Moffatt-McLeod with
“The Dive” (pictured bottom).
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020
Letters to the Editor
See the bottom of this page for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The “Bay the Getaway” measles, polio and various influenza bugs. ownership, but I do have to grant them an A Plus who would not want this. I yearn for the
I’m not quite sure whether Thames-Coromandel I found these memories rather reassuring. for their handling of this worldwide disaster. opportunity to lay this greedy world behind me
District Council asking the community to give Maybe I am living in a fool’s paradise, The leaders of Italy, England, the USA and as I go fishing daily, hunting nature’s bounty
feedback on a “business as usual” Annual Plan but if convincing myself that I am a survivor Spain have all proven to be to be too polite, as I look to keep my family well fed. But I
for 2020/2021 is the right approach given the stops me from falling into a state of depression, too indecisive, weak, inept and too late in don’t do rowing, so will still need some fossil
environment each of us will face every day as I will stick with it. taking any action. fuels to get the boat out to the fishing grounds.
we walk the road of recovery. Cheers to all and stay well. Once again our prime minister, Jacinda And I guess there needs to be a distribution
One thing is for sure, when we emerge from Patricia Briant Ardern, has stepped up and done a wonderful network for the fuel.
the Covid-19 lockdown, few of us will face Whitianga job on so many levels. I wouldn’t be surprised Like Pete, I stay fascinated by our prime
“business as usual” in our family, personal if she appears on the cover of Time magazine a minister, Jacinda Ardern, and what Pete refers
and working lives. Households will have less Dear Editor - Helen Rapana third time - or would it be the fourth? to as her advice and guidance. But one area I
money for a long, long time to come. My husband and I avidly read The Informer I feel very blessed to be living here on our must disagree with Pete is his comparison of
An alternative approach is to clean sheet the online to keep in touch with our dear Whitianga. now well-protected island, my one pressing Ms Ardern with Jeanette Fitzsimons. I’m sorry
Annual Plan based on our future collective It was really great to read about volunteer driver, concern being keeping birds such as peacocks Pete, but they are not the same. Advice and
ability to fund council - prioritising necessities, Helen Rapana, in your issue of 11 March. off the salad patch. But hey, it’s only a matter of guidance you may believe Ms Ardern espouses,
not niceties. We knew Helen more in her capacity some bird netting. but many unkind people might point out the
What about running up debt? Not if we value within the Coastguard as well as members And not once have I heard of anyone of our inefficiency of her management. I would not be
our children and grandchildren’s future in our of the Mercury Bay Club. We used to live at local community physically assaulting anyone so unkind.
precious community. Central government- 2 Endeavour Close, Whitianga from 1995 over so much as a roll of toilet paper in either of Keep the faith, Pete. I am with you, but I
imposed expenditure that draws on our wallets? to 2011. the supermarkets in Whitianga. Yeah! think we need a plan that is a bit more solid
Push back, lobby , negotiate. Every council Helen is a truly inspirational woman. John Macassey than a general desire for anarchy.
from Kaitaia to Bluff will be in the same boat, She has that unique ability to liaise with Kuaotunu Trevor Ammundsen
so expect central government to open their ears everyone and foster a spirit of cooperation. Whitianga
She is so humble, she may not realise this. Dear Editor - Need for a plan more solid than a
and listen.
She is offering so much. general desire for anarchy Dear Editor - Idiots lighting a fire on the beach
Yet we have a huge silver lining -
Thank you for your excellent article about As a Values Party voter of the 70s who strayed I was woken at 1:13am on Friday, 10 April by
with grounded planes let’s make “the Bay the
Helen and your user-friendly website. into supporting more mainstream parties, flashing lights from the fire engine at the Leah
Getaway and visitors to “Toast the Coast” as
From the many of us who lived there, such as McGillicuddy Serious, I often wonder Road access to Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach.
the place to visit, relax and recharge.
but now live here! what happened to the dreams and aspirations of From the charred remains on the beach the
Don Barry
Kathleen Robertson an early Values Party supporter. It was therefore following morning, there was obviously a
Cooks Beach
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia with delight that I read Pete Mullins’s Letter to substantial fire lit by idiots. Not only is there a
Dear Editor - Reassuring memories the Editor in The Informer of 7 April. fire ban, we are also in lockdown. Those idiots
It seems as if there is a bit of a nasty bug doing Dear Editor - Our nation the best by far Pete wrote eloquently about the opportunity recklessly put us and our properties in danger.
the rounds. I had just returned from my daily hunter presented by the coronavirus, an opportunity to More importantly they involved our essential
My husband and I are “Golden Oldies,” gatherer foray in the great outdoors when go back to a peaceful village life living in our services, people who do not deserve to be called
as are many of our friends, and it is sobering, on checking the world and local news, I was huts in a natural simple world. I empathise with out for stupidity in the middle of the night.
to say the least, to be told on a daily basis astounded to find that our nation has done the him, I think we should all live in such a manner, A big thank you to our fire service, the Police
that it is our group that is most vulnerable to best by far worldwide in halting the spread although I do want my hut to have a wall that and the others who attended. We apologise for
the coronavirus. of the coronavirus. That is apart from China, will support the 80-inch TV and perhaps we the absolute idiots who seem to be a small part
Then I got thinking back to my childhood in where using more draconian methods they have can have an extension to cover the spa pool. of every community. They need to be punished
an era where most of today’s vaccines were not apparently also defeated it. Actually, a connection to an electricity supply to the fullest extent possible.
available. I recalled having survived whooping Our government may only have achieved might prove handy as well. Adrienne Cole
cough epidemics, chicken pox, mumps, a C Minus in providing a climate for home Pete spoke about being fed and warm and Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach
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ONLINE POLL FOR APRIL 2020
the New Zealand Media Council, PO Box 10 879, Wellington 6143 or Should Thames-Coromandel District Council take the Covid-19
www.presscouncil.org.nz. lockdown into account when making a decision on a
See page 2 for what’s happening Like us on Facebook. possible rates rise in 2020/2021?
in the night sky and the Whitianga and
Hot Water Beach tides.
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Check us out on Instagram. Have your say at www.theinformer.co.nz.
Issue 893
699 - 15
27 April
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Latest 2018 census statistics
Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
for the Coromandel
While many of us are adapting to working (6.9 per cent) followed by Asia (2.4 per
from home due to the impact of the cent), Europe (2.3 per cent) and Australia
coronavirus restrictions, newly-released (2.1 per cent).
Crossword Puzzle 893 data from the 2018 census shows that this For the first time, more than half the
was already a popular choice for many on Coromandel’s population (54 per cent)
the Coromandel Peninsula. followed no religion, up from 46.2 per cent in
Just for fun this week According to the latest Statistics New 2013. Christianity remained the largest faith
Zealand numbers, almost 20 percent of with 33 per cent, down from 45.1 per cent
See next week’s Informer for the solution people in the Thames-Coromandel District compared to five years earlier. One percent
were working from home in 2018, compared or less were recorded for all other categories
to just 12 per cent for the whole of New of faith, although eight per cent objected
Zealand. For those who did travel to work, to answering.
a private car remained the primary mode of The Peninsula’s GPs will be pleased to
transport at almost 52.6 per cent, a further hear smoking rates continued to fall from
13.4 per cent drove a company vehicle, 7.4 22.2 per cent in 2006 to 16.3 per cent in
per cent walked or jogged, and two per cent 2013 and 14.4 percent in 2018. Of those
used a bicycle. who smoked, around 15 per cent were in the
The numbers also show there were 15-29 years old age bracket with 67.8 per
just under 30,000 people living on the cent aged 30-64.
Coromandel in 2018, with a median age Just 2.5 per cent of residents on the
of 53.6 years. The increase to 29,895 from Coromandel were unemployed at the time
25,938 in 2006 and 26,178 in 2013 shows of the census, 37 per cent worked full-time
the Peninsula’s population was growing and 17.2 per cent part-time. The age of the
faster than before. The largest group of population was reflected in the 43.3 percent
residents were 65-69 year-olds, who made who were not in the workforce.
up 10.5 per cent of the population, with The median income at the time of the
a total of 30 per cent aged 65 and over. census was $24,900.
Just over 31 per cent of residents immigrated Over 90 per cent of the population on the
from overseas in the 20 years preceding the Coromandel had access to a cell phone in
census, of those 11.5 per cent came to the 2018, with nearly 80 per cent able to access
Coromandel between 2008 and 2018. the internet, although it is expected that
Of the 16.7 per cent Thames-Coromandel these numbers are already out-of-date due
District residents born overseas, most were to a significant increase in connection rates
from the United Kingdom and Ireland in the past two years.
ACROSS DOWN
1.
4.
More delicious
Gaze fixedly
1.
2.
Alpine singer
Cleaned (floor) Managing stress is vital for
7.
8.
Authorise
Tired
3.
4.
Chamber
Distort (direction of) staying well during lockdown
9. Map key 5. Dalliances A contribution by registered medical herbalist, Leanne Halliwell
12. Attracted 6. Effortless How we manage stress has a massive impact on our health and wellbeing. It is all the more
important that we have good coping mechanisms in place as we go through the current
(penalty) 10. Ate meal Covid-19 crisis.
15. Most distant 11. Mary, Queen of ... High stress results in an inability of the body to cope on every level. Less stress means better recovery
17. Wireless crackle 13. Give outline of from trauma or infection.
There are specific measures you can take to reduce the impact of stress in each area of your wellbeing.
18. Workforce 14. Pierced with lance
Mental health - be honest with yourself and those around you. Seek action if stuck.
21. Citrus crop 16. Actress, ... Anderson Spiritual health - discipline, kindness, environmental connection, increase attentiveness
22. Unhappily 18. Maths problems and listening.
Physical health - nutrition, plant medicines, physical activity and cleanliness.
23. Addictive 19. Crafty Balance in all these dimensions strengthens your immunity and your ability to cope.
narcotic 20. Toiletry powder Your immunity needs help and even the smallest of changes can be beneficial. We can all do things to
reduce the stress our bodies are encountering, so that if we do in the future come into contact with
illness or experience trauma - such as many are at the moment - we are much more likely to recover
Last week’s solution
quickly. To do this, we need to try to replace worry and procrastination with action.
The most effective way to feel better is to choose change for yourself. Any small changes you make
will help reduce your body’s stress levels and help you, and possibly others, in the post lockdown
struggle.
Think about what your inner voice is saying about you and your situation. Are you being kind to
yourself? Are you overly investing in the fear created by media reporting? Do you buy into the
conspiracy theories circulating? Can you do anything about any of it? Ask, “Does this serve me as an
individual?” And, “Is this something I have control of?”
If the answer is no, choose to recognise that this chatter is not helping and start a new train of
thought that does serve you. This may be writing a plan, calling a house meeting, asking to talk to
someone or actioning something you have been putting off.
It may be to stop ruminating - in other words going around and around inside your head with no
positive end. To prevent this, try to override the non-constructive thinking with a new positive thought.
It might feel ridiculous to start, but if you persist and repeat, it will help break that negative train of
thought that is contributing to your stress. Choose just one, for example, “I love and approve of myself
and trust the process of life. I am safe.”
Remember the brain is neoplastic, meaning it will strengthen a path we repeat. If you repeat a thought
of negativity, the whole body is listening, different hormones that control our mind and body are
released. If you change your thoughts, it is now proven that new neurons develop, old pathways die
off and your body functions better.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020APRIL 2020 UPDATE
These are certainly interesting and challenging times for all. It’s very heartening
(at the time of writing) to see the Covid-19 numbers continue to decline in New Zealand,
giving some cautious optimism that the lockdown may end after four weeks. In the
meantime, the instructions to stay at home and stay safe are the order of the day.
When the return to work comes, our plans will be to get straight back into the
development on the northern side of Joan Gaskell Drive. The earthworks are nearing
completion, the only area left is close to the old Whitianga Waterways sales office.
At the same time, the civil team will be getting on site preparing for the roading and
drainage. The rock wall around the new canal has been completed and once the final
beach trimming has been done, the the area will be allowed to fill. The removal of the
dam near the Joan Gaskell Drive bridge is programmed for the middle of the year.
There are a large number of people taking the opportunity for some time out of their
homes and hitting the pavements for some fresh air. Please be mindful that many
areas of the Waterways subdivision are construction sites that have not been attended
to for some weeks, so please keep out.
On the new island we are waiting for the weather to at least deliver some moisture
so we can complete planting in some of the road medians. It has been quite a battle
keeping what we already planted alive with watercarts working double time.
Our new show home has had many visitors and received very positive feedback.
With many new homes underway and some about to commence, this area will be a
busy area for some time into the future.
The sound of swinging hammers will also be a welcome return to Marlin Waters
as Cove Construction is set to build another set of units. Like the new island,
some plantings and landscape works have just had to be put on hold during the
big dry.
As with most businesses, Whitianga Waterways staff are working from home during
the Covid-19 restrictions and we are available to answer any queries.
As they say, stay safe, be kind and of course, “Go the Bay!” Building activity on the new Whitianga Waterways island.
Our sales office closed during the Covid-19 lockdown.
For information, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team on (07) 866 0164.
Email - whitiangawaterways@xtra.co.nz Website - www.whitiangawaterways.co.nz
Issue 893
699 - 15
27 April
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Sudoku
Sudoku Puzzle 893
Sudoku Puzzle Instructions
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once.
Just for fun - See next week’s Informer for the solution
Last week’s Last week’s brain teaser solution -
sudoku solution Hexoku
See this week’s brain teaser
on page 14
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020Kuaotunu bach named Home of the Year
A Kuaotunu bach has recently won HOME Otama was named Home of the Year in 2003 mining the sunshine and starlight, extending he says. “They raised some discussion during
magazine’s of Home of the Year Award and Home of the Decade in 2010. into the sky as opposed to the earth,” the build from locals, visitors and those
for 2020. According to the architect, the house’s Ken says. involved in the construction process.”
Designed by architect, Ken Crosson, strong sculptural forms were inspired by the For builder, Damian Percival of The rustic exterior, which contrasts
for owners, Bob and Chris de Leeuw, history of Kuaotunu and, in particular, an old Whitianga’s Percival Construction, these strongly with the modern clean lines inside,
“Light Mine” is quite the local landmark with drawing of some of the many mine shafts that eye-catching features represented one of was achieved through the use of reclaimed
its three distinctive turrets and beachfront dominated the landscape in the gold-mining the more complex aspects of the build. totara from a swamp which Ken says will
location. boom of the 1800s. “The light shafts were totally unique - weather over time to complement the sand
Described as “a humble yet dramatic family The three turret structures have windows to construct them provided some challenges and beach vegetation. But even that required
bach,” the house represents a second title for at the top, allowing light to flood the rooms as each shaft was different in size and shape some significant problem solving.
Ken, whose own holiday home at nearby below. “Here, the shafts are inverted, with none of the sides equal to the other,” “The totara exterior timber also provided
some challenges as it was required to be fixed
in place by hidden fixings,” says Damian.
“It took a bit of research and trialling until
we found something that would work.
The amount of fixings required far exceeded
what was in the country and had to be sourced
from overseas.”
A key design goal was to create the ability
for the bach to accommodate three generations
of the de Leeuw family, providing both
shared and individual spaces across three
separate pods.
Among the judges was HOME editor,
Simon Farrell-Green, who commented,
“[The home] is distinctive, but recessive.
You see the dance between the horizontal and
vertical, a play between wide and tall. It’s an
extremely clever play - it’s just delightful.”
Damien says another unique aspect of the
18-month build was having the client and
homeowner, Bob, a semi-retired builder,
involved as much as possible. “Bob became
part of the team and fitted in really well,
passing on a bit of knowledge to the younger
boys while seeing the challenges that
architecturally designed houses now pose for
“Light Mine,” HOME magazine’s Home of the Year for 2020. Photo by Crosson Architects. builders 40 years down the track,” he says.
Issue 893 - 15 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Brain Teaser - Mega Word Search
© Lovatts Puzzles
Brain Teaser Puzzles 893
Just for fun - See next week’s Informer for the solution
Word Search Instructions -
Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally. The leftover letters will reveal the mystery answer.
Theme - HOUSE HUNTING
ACCESS, APARTMENTS, BALCONY, BASEMENT, BATHROOM, BUILDING, BUNGALOW, BUYING, CUPBOARDS, CURTAINS, DINING ROOM, DRIVEWAY, EN SUITE, GATE,
GUEST ROOM, HALLWAY, LANDSCAPING, MORTGAGE, NOISE, OFFER, PLAYROOM, POWER POINTS, REMOVALS, ROOMS, RURAL, STAIRS, SUBURB, SUNROOM, TITLE, VERANDA,
VILLA, WALLS, WARDROBES, WASHING MACHINE
Mystery Answer - ___________________________________________________________________________________________
See page 12 for last week’s brain teaser solution
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 893 - 15 April 2020Lockdown through the eyes
of a “closet cartoonist” Classifieds and Public Notices
Whitianga local, Peter Grant’s take on another week of the Covid-19 lockdown.
TO LET
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
Container It Self Storage, 17 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Ph: 0274 817 258
Catherine’s Column
By Catherine Delahunty - Coromandel Peninsula resident
STORAGE, Self storage/boat storage, Matarangi - Kuaotunu. Ph: 07 866 5693
and former Green Party MP
Sitting here in limbo
Is there such a thing as too much time to right now.
think? In the middle of the deepening silence The internet is also allowing us fantastic
at 3:00am in this strange new world of Zoom conversations, Facetime with children
staying at home, it can feel like there is too we love, messenger groups, exercise classes,
much time. webinars and Netflix. I am a great believer in
My mind roams between lists of loved escapism into trivial distraction. My current
ones at risk, lists of symptoms I might have, distraction includes watching a reality series for sale DOG GROOMING
repeated stories of loss and the panic of about child ballroom dancers. It’s relaxing
uncertainty. How do you wash a virus from a and it stops me thinking for a while, it’s
supermarket silverbeet? What exactly are two utterly trivial and why not? FIREWOOD
metres? When will I see my grandchildren for There is useful work to do as well. Poplar $90/m, Pine $130/m
real again? Underlying this is the knowledge We’ve set up a community support network www.goodwoodfirewood.co.nz
that other people are struggling with far in our valley, we are planting the winter 021 240 9909
more desperate problems like no money, garden, and my sister, my niece, my daughter HEALTH AND NUTRITION
no job, no house, huge health complexities, and myself have an online weekly writing
being utterly alone or being stuck with people challenge. I have learned how to roast FIREWOOD BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
who cannot negotiate peace in the house. radishes and they actually taste amazing. Pine, shed stored, $120 per cube WITH THE BEST NUTRITION
At 3:00am every inequality and collective As for the politics, the government is not Phone (07) 867 1361 or (027) 495 8033 Stay healthy.
failure of a system based on greed and perfect and they need far more focus on Phone 027 947 8311 or email
Free delivery locally
competition haunts my rest. But the mind is a people in poverty right now, but they are joyrosoman@gmail.com
powerful instrument for the positive as well. doing better than so many other countries.
Literally counting blessings balances the It would be good if everyone listened PUBLIC NOTICES
darkness. We are not trapped in tiny apartment and stayed home! It would save lives and
buildings, we are here on the Coromandel, it’s our best shot. The economy can be As from 1 April, the two medical centres in Whitianga have
in the quiet, the green hills. We need rain, rebuilt and hopefully to a human-centered, merged and Mercury Bay Medical Centre has taken over
but most of us on tanks are managing our earth-centered, justice-based one, but people the management of both practices
water, not taking it for granted. It makes me and their health must come first. All staff from the Whitianga Doctors’ Surgery are working from 87 Albert Street and you are
think of all the things I have taken for granted And if things get tougher, we have to still able to make an appointment to see your usual doctor by phoning (07) 866 5911.
like paid work, travel, being with others, practice ethical decision-making, which Be reassured we are still here and working hard to take care of you.
relative health, access to endless material did not happen in this country last time Kia Kaha,
Drs Jeanie Hemmes and Thierry Adam
goods - all the things now we know are not there was a pandemic. I totally support
inevitable. Some people always knew that! tangata whenua who are blocking roads to
Social media is the tool and the curse of the outsiders entering their rohe. Remote areas SITUATIONS VACANT
now. It’s really depressing to get caught in the have no health services, few Police and lots
paranoid conspiracy theory zone of people of vulnerable people. I support the health
with no medical expertise and no background system abandoning its long-term bias against
in pandemic dynamics, but endless opinions people with disabilities, and tangata whenua
that none of this is real. I just want to scream and Pasifika people.
“Italy, Spain, New York” at them. So under a remarkably blue clear sky, I am
OP Columbia invites applications for processing positions that will
Then there are the people who aren’t missing everyone and noting why the sky is
be available once the site reopens.
used to watching any kind of news who are so blue, why the birds sing so cheerfully in
As a food processing facility, we are an essential business
wandering blissfully from bubble to bubble the cleaner air.
and will reopen as soon as possible.
and to the beach because. “It’s my right to My biggest fear is not that we cannot find
do what I want and no government is going a way to beat the virus, but that we will We specialise in processing Greenshell™ mussels and
to stop me.” I feel for their family members perpetuate inequality and greed as soon as we are looking for motivated and reliable staff.
and I feel for all of us who may have to stay can, from a lack of imagination and a lack of If you would like to register your interest,
home longer because of their focus on what love for what really matters, and then it will please apply online at www.opcolumbia.co.nz.
they want, not what we as communities need happen again.
Issue 893 - 15 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15You can also read
