"Stand at Dawn" to honour the fallen this ANZAC Day - The Mercury Bay Informer
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Issue 894 - 22 April 2020 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 6,200
“Stand at Dawn” to honour the
fallen this ANZAC Day
By Gillian O’Neill
In driveways and gardens, at letterboxes,
on balconies or just at the living room window,
people across Mercury Bay are invited to join
their fellow New Zealanders and “Stand at
Dawn” this ANZAC Day morning (Saturday,
25 April) as the country collectively remembers
those who served.
With traditional parades and services
cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions,
Mercury Bay RSA secretary, Linda Fraser,
says the nationwide initiative is a way
for people to come together while apart.
“We have been in touch with all our members
to let them know this is what we will be
doing,” she says. “Radio New Zealand will be
broadcasting a service at 6:00am on Saturday
morning. Before this we are encouraging
everyone to come outside if they can at
around 5:55am ready to stand with other New
Zealanders to remember our ANZACS.
Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals,
just as they would for a public gathering.”
As part of the preparations for this year’s
ANZAC Day, Linda has been conducting
extensive research into the names on
the cenotaph at Soldiers Memorial Park
in Whitianga, including searching for
photographs of the servicemen listed.
“Our intention was to have a presentation or a
The cenotaph at Soldiers Memorial Park in Whitianga.
display featuring these men and their stories,”
Linda says. We are still trying to find out his connection The findings may even help to finally correct a ANZAC Day will include The Last Post,
While the work was interrupted by with Mercury Bay. few historic errors. “We have found two errors the Ode of Remembrance in Te Reo and
Covid-19, some of the information already “Another interesting thing we found out on the cenotaph at Soldiers Memorial Park,” English, the national anthems of New Zealand
uncovered is fascinating. “One interesting was that TC Cannon, another of the men listed Linda says. “The initials of Private F Jackson and Australia and an address by Ron Mark,
name is Private W Moki, who was the son of on the cenotaph, went with his mate to enlist should be A Jackson and Private E Harsant the Minister of Defence.
the ruling chief of the Island of Niue,” Linda locally only to be told that, as he was the only should be F Harsant.” The Stand at Dawn initiative is being
says. “He was the fourth and last Niuean to be man on the farm, he couldn’t be accepted. The Mercury Bay RSA is also working organised jointly by the New Zealand RSA
buried at St Andrew’s Church in Hornchurch, Not to be deterred, he went home, packed his with Thames-Coromandel District Council and the New Zealand Defence Force and also
England. The entry in the church diary is of bag, moved to Auckland and joined from there. on the designation of Soldiers Memorial Park encourages people to embrace the ANZAC Day
special significance, ‘July 3 1916 - Burial of Sadly, he didn’t return home.” as a “Poppy Place.” This is a national project spirit this week by decorating their letterboxes
his Highness the Prince Rangitira (known as An article in The Informer in early March that identifies and marks significant places or creating their own ANZAC displays in their
Price Moki). Due to the shortage of space in helped locate more information and photos of remembrance. Alf Simpson Drive became windows or gardens.
the churchyard, he lies in a shared grave with a and Linda has also recently been working Whitianga’s first Poppy Place in March last In place of the traditional poppy, the New
Private Vasau.’ with the National Army Museum in Waiouru. year. Linda says an upgrade to the cenotaph Zealand RSA has created a “virtual poppy”
“During his time in active service, Private “Once we are out of the most severe is included in this plan and she hopes the for people to wear on their social media
Moki was awarded the British War Medal coronavirus restrictions, we will continue our corrections to the names can be done as part profiles in order to encourage both support and
and the Victory Medal, which were returned research and hopefully we can get the photos of that. donations. More information is available at
to his father Pokihega of Fatiau, Niue Island. we are missing,” she says. The nationally-broadcasted service on www.standatdawn.com.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
The 1918 lockdown of
Coromandel Town
It’s a big year for Coromandel Town. ago in the New Zealand Medical Journal,
Celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary Major Lovell Gregg described what happened
of the naming of the town were set to take in those fateful weeks. These were his words -
place next month. The colourful programme “When the influenza epidemic was at
of events, which would have coincided with its height in Auckland City, I consulted the
the Illume Festival of Lights, has now been chairman of the Coromandel Hospital Board
postponed for several months, with most of and it was decided to try and prevent the
the action happening on the weekend of 25 entrance of the epidemic to our little town
and 26 September. of 1,000 people. Coromandel [Town] lies
However, recent events have also called to due east from Auckland across the Hauraki
mind another memorable time in the town’s Gulf, a distance of 40 miles from the Queen
history when, in the face of the threat of a City. Steamers come over every other day.
global flu pandemic (commonly referred to We got wind that a number of people from
as the “Spanish flu”), the local authorities put the affected area were coming by the boat, so
the entire town into isolation. we got permission from Dr Frengley (acting
Despite the rampage of the illness Chief Health Officer) to control the traffic.
throughout New Zealand, there were few “As Health Officer for the Coromandel
restrictions on movement imposed by the Peninsula, I met the boat in the stream and,
government and with the virus starting to take accompanied by the constable, ordered the
a foothold in nearby towns, Health Officer, captain to drop anchor for the night and in the
Major J Lovell Gregg, with the support of early morning (5:00am) we took off all the
chairman of the Coromandel Hospital Board, passengers in a launch and quarantined them
Mr S James, took what was seen by many as on Jones Island for 24 hours. After that time,
drastic action. I medically examined these 14 passengers
Between October and December 1918, and passed them as quite free of influenza.
New Zealand lost about half as many We then brought them to the wharf at
people to influenza as it had in the whole Coromandel [Town] and put them through
of the First World War. With a death toll of a formalin inhalation chamber which was
9,000, including 2,500 Māori, no event has erected on the wharf. After that they were
killed so many New Zealanders in such a released.
short time. None of those deaths were in “The chambers were 6ft x 6ft, and half a
Coromandel Town. dozen saucers with cotton wool soaked in Notices issued by the chairman of the Coromandel Hospital Board about the
In an article published more than 100 years 40 per cent formalin were scattered round 1918 influenza pandemic, as published in the Thames Star newspaper.
What’s happening in the night sky?
Week of Wednesday, 22 April to Wednesday, 29 April - The early evening sky at dusk has the lovely sight of brilliant Venus unmistakeable low in the Night sky information
NW with the three brightest stars all visible at the same time as it slowly gets darker. Sirius is the brightest and virtually directly overhead, with the second provided and sponsored by
brightest, Canopus, a bit to the south, but still very high up. The third brightest, Alpha Centauri - which is actually the closest star to us apart from the
Sun, lies lower down as the brighter of the two pointers below the southern Cross in the southern sky. Northern hemisphere stargazers can only ever see
Sirius along with Venus in their sky, so we southerners are very priviledged indeed! Good binoculars or a small spotting telescope pointed at Venus will
easily show its crescent shape this week as it will be at its brightest for several months. Never point binoculars at the Sun as instant blindness will be the
result! Wednesday, 22 April - An extremely thin Moon lies just to the right of faint Mercury. Both will be very low in the pre-dawn sky. The International
Space Station (ISS) makes two passes tonight, starting at 6:26pm in the NW and then again after completing one orbit of the Earth at 8:05pm very low
in the SW, but for only about 30 seconds before disappearing into the Earth’s shadow. Thursday, 23 April - The ISS can be seen from 7:17pm low in Astronomy Tours and B&B
the west and south before passing into the Earth’s shadow at 7:20pm. Friday, 24 April - The ISS can once again be seen from 6:30pm very low in the Phone (07) 866 5343
west. Sunday, 26 April - The crescent Moon lies to the left of brilliant Venus with the red giant star, Aldebaran, just a bit further left. Monday, 27 April -
The crescent Moon now lies above Venus. Tuesday, 28 April - Venus will be at its brightest for several months tonight in the western twilight sky. 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 894 - 22 April 2020
Coromandel Town lockdown the room. The caretaker kept the passengers examined them (these having no certificates). in [for] five minutes. After this trip, We altogether had six inhalation chambers Dr Frengley notified the Northern Steamship going and I got the headmaster of the local Company that all passengers must have a high school to get the children to attend medical certificate before they could travel the chambers. In passing, I may state that I by boat to Coromandel [Town]. Although found the inhalation of formalin had a most they had certificates, we put them all through beneficial effect. Amongst the children the the formalin chamber on the wharf at ordinary coughs and catarrhs of the throat Coromandel [Town]. were cured, and mothers soon found that out. “We then turned our attention to the roads. “About 16 November, the epidemic broke On three sides we had affected areas to deal out in Manaia, eight miles from Coromandel with - on the north road Cabbage Bay, on the [Town]… I was called in and found eight east Mercury Bay and on the south Manaia different families, comprising 55 cases, down and Thames. All these places were affected. with it. I had these houses isolated… The ladies We called for volunteers to stop all traffic by of Coromandel [Town] [were canvassed] for erecting gates across the three different roads. invalid foods… They responded well and I These were barricaded by locks and bolts. was driven over to Manaia every other day A distance on each road of two miles from with a loaded conveyance. Coromandel [Town], formalin chambers “I spent seven hours every other day for five were erected and all incomers had to take weeks in these houses, feeding them, dosing five minutes of the formalin fumes. Day and them with medicines and generally treating night watchmen guarded these barriers and, them. I always managed to leave enough when just erected, the gatesman allowed two foodstuffs until my next visit. Since I took ‘commercials’ from Thames to get through to command of them, not a fresh case occurred see me. I examined them at my residence and in the rest of the neighbourhood. Ten of the found one with a temperature. They got no 55 died. There were 24 cases of pneumonia. further but were sent back to the place they I wore a mask of gauze soaked in carbolic came from. acid, and made a mask for the… undertaker. “We notified the Thames authorities that The drugs I mainly used were quinine, no one would be allowed past the barricade strychnine and iron, with a large supply of unless they produced a medical certificate. mustard leaves. Thus we kept Coromandel A large number of travellers was held up [Town] absolutely free from the epidemic and at these barriers until I was sent for and controlled the outbreak in Manaia.” Issue 894 - 22 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Is your bear on the map?
By Suzanne Hansen
Early during the Covid-19 lockdown, Bear Hunt on the Sunday before lockdown
while walking our dog, my husband, Mark, began. Based on her experience with the
and I started to notice the odd teddy bear Christchurch earthquake, she knew the
in the window, with each bear encounter anxiety that such a massive change in lifestyle
sparking a little joy in us. can have for children.
Not only had the people we passed (at a The idea came from a randomly shared
suitable distance) become a lot more cordial image of a teddy bear Deb came across on
and communicative in a short amount of time, Facebook. This morphed into a notion of
but the added joy of spotting teddies made us placing teddy bears in windows and logging
marvel at the love in our town of Whitianga. them onto a Facebook page using Google
We then put up “Darling,” Mark’s small Maps so families could track the bears.
teddy from his childhood who still had his own After sharing the Facebook page, called
custom-made cigar box bed, into our front “We're Not Scared - NZ Bear Hunt,” with
window. Darling, who is still greatly loved her local community groups, the initiative
by hubby, was greeted the next morning by a went viral.
lovely chalk drawing on our sidewalk from a What started as a project with national
young neighbour, with a warm message and
aspirations, has gone much further.
a heart wishing us a lovely day. It made me
Bears have started to appear in windows all
tear up a little.
over the world. There are also numerous
My interest tweaked, I started looking
localised bear hunt groups forming in New
into the whole movement of teddy bears in
the windows spawned by the lockdown and Zealand and globally - not bad for a Sunday
found that it is a New Zealand initiative, afternoon brainstorm.
born out of Christchurch, and now going While built as a child friendly initiative,
global. Talking to the founder, Deb Hoffman, the New Zealand Bear Hunt has also clearly
I learned more about what the idea is all about “Darling,” Mark Hansen’s teddy bear, in the window of Mark and his wife, spread joy to those who are more mature in
Suzanne’s home in Whitianga. years. One comment on Deb’s Facebook page
and that, although anecdotally Whitianga
is well-represented by teddies, we may not how our little ones might be managing in this To fully embrace the bear hunt experience, recently was from an adult who is facing the
be making our efforts known on the New uncertain time.” after putting a bear or toy in your window, isolation alone. “While they can’t fix the bad
Zealand bear hunt stage. The idea behind the New Zealand Bear you can then pin your bear’s address on the things going on in the world, even for adults
“Looking at the online New Zealand Bear Hunt is to encourage families to get out of map at bearhunt.co.nz. You can update their - and I’ll say especially for adults who are
Hunt map, there are a few clusters of bears, their houses and walk locally by providing mood and upload photos to a gallery on the alone for the duration - the daily bear hunt
but it seems the teddies representing the an online map they can follow, which points website. The website is totally child friendly is a bright spot,” the comment said. “Today’s
Coromandel haven’t realised they can be to all the bears in the windows of their and contains all sorts of ways that children of outing also led me to a conversation over
pinned to the map,” says Deb. “There is an community. Many households in Whitianga all ages can get involved with competitions, the fence (at a safe distance) with some bear
added feature where you can post how your have placed bears in their windows, but have exercise programs, give-aways and more. owners, the first real human interaction for
bear is feeling. Such a great tool to draw out not put their bears on the map - literally. Deb spawned the idea of the New Zealand over two weeks. Bears rule!”
Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 894 - 22 April 2020
Families rise to the
challenge as school
comes home
By Gillian O’Neill
Home offices, kitchen tables and even kids’ friends and enjoying that sense of connection,
bedrooms have become temporary classrooms I think that really does have a positive
for the Coromandel’s 4,000 students with impact,” he said. “I think the fact they can
Term 2 of the school year underway since see their classmates is awesome, it feels like
Wednesday last week. a little bit of normality.”
With children unable to attend school Mercury Bay Area School students,
from when New Zealand entered the Brielle and Xanthe Cottier-Hall, have also
Covid-19 lockdown on 26 March, school is embraced distance learning well, but have
now coming to them in the form of emails, different opinions on the online format.
Zoom meetings, Google Meets, Facebook, Students are following their normal class
good old fashioned printed materials and timetables with the relevant teacher available
even a specially commissioned TV channel. to them at that time. “I really like it, if I’m
Across the Peninsula the approach taken by finished, I can move on to the next thing
schools has varied, with some setting a daily straight away, I don’t have to wait for a
lesson plan and others providing access to particular class to end,” said Brielle, a Year
helpful resources, but no particular timetable. 11 student. Her Year 10 sister, Xanthe,
Unsurprisingly, families The Informer spoke on the other hand misses the interactions of
to last weekend said the demands on parents the physical classroom. “I really like working
really depend on the age of the children. things out with my friends and learning
“I’ve been able to do the work by myself, together, I find it more difficult working on
but being able to see my teacher and my my own,” she said.
friends at our Zoom meetings is really good,” Mum, Reina, receives the same emails as
said Zoe Winter, a Year 8 student at Tairua her daughters, so she knows what work they
School.“I’ve been trying to get my schoolwork need to do. “I’m obviously here if they need
finished in the morning so I’m free to do help and I just check in now and again, but
other things.” they are really good at self-managing,” she
Younger sister, Eva, said the thing she said. “I haven’t really needed to get involved.”
misses most about school is seeing her Reina commended MBAS for their efforts
friends. Being in Year 3, she also needs a in making the transition to online learning.
little more help from mum and dad with her “They were doing something that has never
learning. “We sit in on the morning meetings been done before,” she said. “From the very
so we understand what Eva needs to do for start, the communication was excellent,
the day, and we can help her and keep her on even when they didn’t have all the
track,” said dad, Gordon, a chiropractor. information themselves. If they didn’t know
The element of structure that school brings what was happening, they emailed to tell us
to the day has been helpful also. “It has been they didn’t know and then as information
good for me too as I am not used to having became available, they gave it to us. It has
so much time on my hands,” Gordon said, been awesome.”
admitting wife, Jill, was coping far better. Both Gordon and Reina said at this stage
In terms of overall wellbeing, Gordon they would not consider sending their
believes that the social interaction the school children back to school under Covid-19
has facilitated through the online meetings Alert Level 3. The Ministry of Education has
could be as important as the actual learning. indicated that students up to Year 10 will be
“Let’s face it, at this stage, none of our allowed to resume school if there is no other
children are on a pathway to a degree yet, childcare available, for example if parents
but when you see them engaging with their need to return to work.
Eva Winter, a Year 3 student at Tairua School, is one of 4,000 Coromandel
students adapting to learning at home.
Issue 894 - 22 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 894 - 22 April 2020
Issue 894
699 - 22
27 April
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 894 - 22 April 2020
Creative Mercury Bay launches “Bubble Bites”
creative online video series
Local performing arts organisation, best entertainers, including Let’s Go
Creative Mercury Bay is launching an Descarrego (Stewart Pedley and Leo Magri),
innovative online video series, called “Bubble three generations of the very talented Morcom
Bites”, to help Coromandel Peninsula family, Alan and Julia Rhodes, Crimson
performing artists and their audiences stay Coast (opening act for this year’s Whitianga
connected during the Covid-19 bubble Summer Concert) and many others.
restrictions. Art in all its forms is a powerful means
Bubble Bites is a weekly video series of of expression and can provide a welcome
30-minute pre-recorded shows, featuring distraction or help alleviate anxiety and worry,
three artists each performing 10-minute both for performers and their audiences.
“bites” of their creative practice. Each episode Part of Creative Mercury Bay’s purpose is
will be available to view on Creative Mercury to facilitate active participation in the arts
Bay’s YouTube Channel every Thursday at and foster creativity and Bubble Bites is the
5:30pm, commencing on 23 April. epitome of that.
“We understand what a difficult and “The Coromandel Peninsula is overflowing
uncertain time it is right now for all creatives with performing arts talent,” says Jan.
within the arts community, as well as everyone
“This is a unique chance to actively support
who would usually participate as audience
our creative sector and shine the spotlight
members at creative events,” says Jan Wright,
on local talent, both well-known and yet to
trustee of Creative Mercury Bay. “Our team
be discovered”.
has been brainstorming innovative ways
Initially a pilot series of three Bubble Bites
to support the local arts sector through this
tough time, so creatives can continue to work episodes will be screened, with a further
on their art practices and share their creations seven episoded to be produced once funding
with what we know is a tremendously warm has been received.
and appreciative audience.” The first episode will also include an
Creative Mercury Bay is inviting exclusive single release from Let’s Go
performing artists from all walks of life and Descarrego, a song composed specifically for
from all over the Coromandel Peninsula to the lockdown period.
participate in Bubble Bites. Performing artists interested in participating
Bubble Bites will draw audiences into in the Bubble Bites series should email
a performer’s “bubble,” whether it be a CMB administrator, Kerryn Wakelin, at
rehearsal space, jam room, the dining room admin@creativemercurybay.co.nz.
table or the couch. Creative Mercury Bay is to participation, so you don’t need any fancy them through to local sound engineer and Creative Mercury Bay would like to thank
encouraging artists to keep their performances recording or sound equipment to take part, music producer, Dave Rhodes, who will edit their sponsors and funders for making this
organic and unplugged in true Coromandel a phone or laptop video recording is perfect,” the performances into one episode. project possible.
style - wherever in their bubble they feel most says Jan. There has been a great response from Stay connected with Creative Mercury Bay
comfortable and creative. Participating artists will video record their performing artists so far, with Bubble Bites via Facebook and Instagram for the latest
“We don’t want technology to be a barrier performances in their bubble, and then send episodes to feature some of the Peninsula’s Bubble Bites updates.
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed throughout the
Coromandel Peninsula. What’s that Number?
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours .....................................................111
entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for publication when Police (Whitianga) ........................................................................................866 4000
accompanied by the author’s name and surname, telephone number and residential address.
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher. Police (Tairua) ..............................................................................................864 8888
Statement of scientific fact needs to be accompanied by evidence of the fact. Police (Coromandel Town) ...........................................................................866 1190
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers .................................0800 555 111
Published by Mercury Bay Media Limited
Dog and Noise Control ................................................................................868 0200
Editors - Stephan Bosman and Gillian O’Neill Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ................................................................869 5500
Contributors - Meghan Hawkes, Jack Biddle and Suzanne Hansen
Civil Defence ...............................................................................................868 0200
Advertiser Management - Petra Bosman and Alex Kennedy Mercury Bay Medical Centre (Whitianga) ....................................................866 5911
Administration - Diane Lodge Doctors Surgery (Whitianga) ........................................................................866 4621
Office 14 Monk Street, Whitianga 3510, Mail PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542 Medical Centre (Tairua).................................................................................864 8737
Telephone (07) 866 2090, Fax (07) 866 2092 Women’s Refuge Crisis Line .................................................................0800 733 843
Editorial email info@theinformer.co.nz, Advertising email sales@theinformer.co.nz Heybro (for men who feel they are on the edge) .........................................866 2883
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print), ISSN 2422-9091 (Online), © 2020 Mercury Bay Media Limited Whitianga Social Services ....................................................................0800 439 276
Whitianga Locksmith Services .............................................................027 446 6921
The Mercury Bay Informer is subject to the principles of the 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 to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with
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. restrictions 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.
Follow us on Twitter.
Check us out on Instagram. Have your say at www.theinformer.co.nz.
Issue 894
699 - 22
27 April
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle 894
Just for fun this week
See next week’s Informer for the solution
ACROSS DOWN
1. Supply & ... 1. Little tunes Thumbs
Up
5. Angry crowds
7. Unhitch 2. Die down
8. Brass instrument 3. Loses shine
9. Iconic whale, ... Dick 4. Desperate, in dire ... To all the
10. Hit the road 5. Relic
11. Drives forward essential
6. Childish & silly
13.
14.
Fingertip cover
Leafy side dishes 12. Young chap
workers who
18. Slow-moving mammals 15. Arithmetic mean are going above and
21. Tax
22. Portable
16. Anyone beyond for everyone
24. Car stopping device 17. Relieve itch in the wider Mercury
25. Tropical tuber 19. Zodiac sign
26. Burial chamber 20. Fizzy powder
Bay area during the
27.
28.
Risky
Seductive 22. Actress, ... Streep Covid-19 lockdown.
29. Spend (3,3) 23. Fragmented
Last week’s solution
“Kīwaha o te wiki” (saying of the week)
“Koia anō” - Is that so/exactly/that’s it
Saying of the week supplied by Te Puna Reo ō Whitianga - a playgroup with a focus on Māori tikanga and te reo Māori.
Please join the “Puna Reo ō Whitianga” Facebook page for exciting virtual sessions while the group does not meet physically because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 894 - 22 April 2020Ratepayers given more time to pay as TCDC
budgets for Covid-19 response
By Gillian O’Neill
How Thames-Coromandel District Council the reality under Level 3 was also discussed. A further amount of $120,000 is intended to the invoices will be payable within a month.
will balance their books in the wake of the While these forecasts were not made go towards a full refund of fees to anyone Council is furthermore proposing to waive
Covid-19 crisis dominated discussions at a available before the meeting, one of the who wants to cancel a building or resource any penalties for those who cannot pay by
special council meeting that took place on options on the table was an additional consent application. This will apply to the new deadlines if they enter an agreed
Tuesday this week via audio link. $5 million loan from the Local Government consents accepted and paid for prior to 24 payment plan. The same offer is being made
Councillors were being presented with two Funding Agency. March, regardless of how far they have to current debtors who collectively owe
new financial forecasts for TCDC’s current The re-vamped numbers include $385,000 progressed through the consent process. TCDC $693,000.
financial year. One forecast set out out the of funding for phase one of council’s TCDC has estimated up to 25 per cent of The new forecasts for the current financial
impact of a four-week lockdown and the other Covid-19 response package. This includes current building consents and up to 10 per year, including any borrowing decisions,
showed the implications should the lockdown $155,000 for the immediate emergency cent of resource consents may access this. will impact heavily on what happens in the
run for eight weeks. While it is understood response co-ordinated by the TCDC Crisis The balance of $110,000 consists of existing coming weeks as council attempts to adopt
the figures were based on Level 4 restrictions, Management Team. funds within the Economic Development their Annual Plan 2020/2021 against a
budgets which have been diverted from backdrop of huge uncertainty.
projects that can no longer be completed Just 233 submissions on the draft Annual
Lockdown through the eyes of a by the end of the current financial year.
This will fund post-lockdown business
Plan were received during the public
consultation period, which was overshadowed
“closet cartoonist” support, including promotion of local
businesses to the New Zealand domestic
by the emerging Covid-19 crisis. Of these,
54 have indicated they wish to submit in
Whitianga local, Peter Grant’s take on another week of the Covid-19 lockdown. market, financial support to assist businesses person during the hearings scheduled for 4
with council consenting/licencing fees and and 5 May, potentially continuing into 6 May
business cases to support applications for if required.
central government funding for “shovel “It is anticipated, based on the current
ready” infrastructure projects. guidance for Alert Levels 3 and 4,
While TCDC has yet to take the 9.98 per that hearings will be held via a video or
cent proposed rates increase for their next audio link, which will be made available
financial year (1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021) off to the public,” said TCDC’s Economic
the table, the hardship facing many ratepayers Development and Communications Group
has been acknowledge with a decision to Manager, Laurna White.
postpone the deadline for the latest rates As well as the controversial 9.98 per cent
instalment for a month. average rates hike, the draft Annual Plan
Ratepayers will now have until 15 June to contains a raft of other increases to fees
pay the instalment that would otherwise have and charges. However, with council now
been due on 15 May. Rates notices for the indicating a need to reprioritise spending
instalment have yet to be issued. in response to the ongoing economic
Water bills due to be sent out in the repercussions of Covid-19, councillors
coming weeks to those who pay for water will be expecting to see revised figures
usage will also be delayed, partly due to the and alternative options before they meet to
inability to read metres and print invoices adopt the plan and set rates for TCDC’s next
under lockdown restrictions. Once issued, financial year on 23 June.
Issue 894
699 - 22
27 April
July 2016
2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Sudoku Scott’s Thoughts
By Scott Simpson, National Party MP for Coromandel
We’re living in unusual times and The critical thing to help businesses remains
circumstances. We know more about Covid-19 getting out of lockdown as soon as we safely
Sudoku Puzzle 894 than we did even only a few weeks ago. can and starting to return to (something) like
By and large we’re doing what is being normal life. I’d like to see support for businesses
asked of us, which is to stay at home and to invest when we come out of lockdown.
stay within our “bubbles.” Of course there This could include substantially higher
have been a few examples of thoughtless and thresholds for expensing capital investment,
Sudoku Puzzle Instructions selfish behaviour by people not respecting the for example. When businesses invest, jobs are
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes rules and restrictions that have been imposed created and communities thrive.
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. upon us all. Those few who behave that way But for us as individuals, the very best thing
increase the odds of restrictions being in place we can do is to support local businesses by
Just for fun - See next week’s Informer for the solution longer for us all. buying local, spending local. These are the
While most people and families have been businesses that employ local people and create
coping well, some are not. I’ve been inundated jobs in our community. They need our support
with questions, concerns and stories of dire now more than ever before.
personal circumstances in the last few weeks A couple of final thoughts. First, I want to
by those who are struggling. There is plenty say a big thank you to our frontline essential
of support and help available if needed. workers - supermarket staff, nurses, doctors,
Please contact me if you wish as I’m truckies and volunteer emergency first
continuing to work from home (email responders. We all appreciate the work you are
mpcoromandel@parliament.govt.nz or phone doing. Thank you.
(07) 868 3529). Second is ANZAC Day 2020. It will
The collective challenge for us all is how be like no other ANZAC Day we’ve ever
we return to “normal” and what might the new commemorated before. The New Zealand RSA
normal look like in practical terms. has created a movement for those wanting to
Lives will have changed for some mark ANZAC Day this year while still staying
permanently. For those who have lost jobs or in their bubble. The idea is to stand at dawn
who are in business, the immediate future will (6:00am) on Saturday with your bubble in
be uncertain. your lounge, on your balcony or at the end of
I’m getting very mixed feedback on the your driveway by your mailbox and listen to
business support package announced last a special broadcasted ANZAC Day service
week. My sense is the changes announced on Radio New Zealand National. That’s
do little to actually help businesses at the what I’ll be doing and I invite you to do the
current time - some of the changes don’t take same. To get involved, please visit
effect for ages and provide no immediate www.standatdawn.com to “Stand At Dawn”
cashflow support. with New Zealand. Lest We Forget.
Last week’s solution
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 894 - 22 April 2020The government needs to do more for small businesses An opinion piece by Whitianga chartered accountant, Philip Hart I am getting frequent calls from people result in higher principal repayments over the hoops to access these loans. The discussions business owners and costed at something like asking what relief the government has made remaining term of the loan, while a freeze on I have had with banks is that they will not $3.2 billion, it fell dead flat. available towards small business to help them repayments will result in interest on interest allow clients to borrow outside prudent levels, The package basically says that if a small survive the Covid-19 pandemic. The reality compounding for the six months of the freeze. even with the government guarantee in business makes a loss, or is anticipated to is very little. Both options may result in short-term relief, place. For most small businesses it will make a loss, this current financial year, they The government’s first support package but longer term cashflow pressure. be very difficult to forecast their financial can spread the loss back to the last financial was the much-talked-about Wage Subsidy In my experience, the banks have set a performance over the next year or two, year and get some of the tax they paid in the Scheme, which has helped a large number very high bar for access to the government which makes it virtually impossible to obtain last financial year refunded to them. Now, the of businesses to retain staff, but that was all. guaranteed loans. While the government may these loans. business could have spread the loss forward The funds have to be used to pay staff in full be carrying 80 per cent of the risk, banks are The third package was announced last anyway, so this is only a timing change. (if their weekly pay is less than the subsidy) very cautious and make clients jump through week. While eagerly awaited by all small Rather than claiming the loss in a couple of or at least 80 per cent of their usual wages. years, it can be claimed in this financial year. Small business owners get the same Given that the government can borrow at amount ($7,029.60) for themselves as they very low rates, the net cost to the government do for their employees, but this gets eaten up of this package is actually next to nothing. by business overheads. It would be rare for a The package only has value if a small small business owner to take this money out business will be making a loss. When we of their business to pay for their own living can all go back to work, small business expenses before it is all gone. owners will try to avoid making a loss at all Other measures announced at the same costs. They will be paring costs to the bone, time involved some small tax changes, work huge hours and forego any holidays none of which provided any significant relief or time off, just to keep the doors open. other than timing. This relief would in any Most of them will be working for a fraction of event not be apparent until 2021. the minimum wage, if anything at all. The next support package that was The reality is after a while, some small announced included mortgage holidays and business owners will either run out of government guaranteed loans provided by money or decide it is not worth it and close the banks. their doors. That will affect not only them The mortgage holidays allow banks personally, but also their staff. to approve a six-month interest only The government needs to do more arrangement or a freeze on repayments. to determine the level of support small This relief is not what it seems and care should businesses really need and then move swiftly be taken with both options. Interest only may Chartered accountant, Philip Hart, in his home office in Whitianga. to provide that support. Issue 894 - 22 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13
Brain Teaser - Calkuro
© Lovatts Puzzles
Brain Teaser Puzzles 894
Just for fun - See next week’s Informer for the solution
Calkuro Instructions
1. Fill in the numbers without repeating a number in any row or column.
2. Only use the numbers 1 - 6.
4. The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must combine to equal
the number in the top corner using the arithmetic sign indicated.
5. Cages with just one square can be filled in straight away with the target number in the
top corner.
6. A number may be repeated in a cage, but not in a row or column.
Last week’s Brain Teaser solution - Mega Word Search
Mystery Answer - YOUR HOME IS YOUR CASTLE
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 894 - 22 April 2020Life in lockdown - local cyclists
beating the boredom Classifieds and Public Notices
Trying to beat the boredom, isolation and guidelines - a ride they would not normally
frustration created by the past month of the think about attempting. TO LET
Covid-19 lockdown has become a challenge for The basic rules were rides had to be undertaken
most. Those jobs and chores that were parked solo, departure and return were from home,
away for that “rainy day” would have, in many no rest breaks were allowed and riders had to
cases, been ticked off pretty early, leaving stay within the town’s inner boundaries. Or they
some left to scratch their heads and think about could do something from home non-stop.
what’s next. Some of the notable achievements include -
No doubt there were both enjoyable and • Corey Rix - riding ten times up and down
challenging moments for young families Centennial Drive.
cooped up inside together for long periods, • Robbie Stephenson, Ross Wallace,
and for others that freedom to socialise and Lance Cook and Jack Biddle - all riding
gather with friends was sorely missed. multiple laps around town and chalking up
The new normal was going solo or with those a minimum of 100 kilometres.
in your shared bubble. A wave or a few words • Grant McDonald - riding 192 kilometres
with friends keeping that social distance was the non-stop on his home trainer.
best we could do. • Patrick Flanagan - riding nine times up
An increase in regular exercise has been and down Centennial Drive, all within
a saving grace for many, with a noticeable one hour.
increase in people out walking and cycling. • Bryan Layton - averaging a shade over
Roads have never been safer to ride a bike on 40km/h over a 4km timed section of road.
and while the Coromandel is well known for its All of this was done to help keep the spirits up
big hills, towns like Whitianga offers lots of flat, in challenging times and to keep the competitive
paved roads and pathways to negotiate. juices flowing.
For the regular cyclists in town, it has been Here at The Informer, we would love to
business as usual, apart from the gathering for hear of other out-of-the-ordinary activities
coffee and a social chat after their ride. undertaken during the lockdown. It doesn’t
There is another group of cyclists in need to be physical exercise either. Have you STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
Whitianga, however, who have that slight read a record number of books, done multiple Container It Self Storage, 17 Moewai Road, Whitianga. Ph: 0274 817 258
competitive edge and while a regular ride word puzzles or baked a thousand cakes? STORAGE, Self storage/boat storage, Matarangi - Kuaotunu. Ph: 07 866 5693
around town was satisfying, it didn’t quite tick What is it that has kept you motivated and busy?
all the boxes. So they have been keen to find We would love to know and share it with
new challenges that fitted under the lockdown our readers.
for sale cattery
FIREWOOD
Poplar $90/m, Pine $130/m
www.goodwoodfirewood.co.nz
021 240 9909
DOG GROOMING
FIREWOOD
Pine, shed stored, $120 per cube
Phone (07) 867 1361 or (027) 495 8033
Free delivery locally
SITUATIONS VACANT
Lance Cook, once of the Whitianga cyclists who chalked up 100km or more riding
multiple laps around Whitianga during the Covid-19 lockdown.
OP Columbia invites applications for processing positions that will
be available once the site reopens.
As a food processing facility, we are an essential business
Classifieds and Public Notices and will reopen as soon as possible.
We specialise in processing Greenshell™ mussels and
are looking for motivated and reliable staff.
If you would like to register your interest,
WORK WANTED please apply online at www.opcolumbia.co.nz.
DEATH NOTICE
CHIMNEY SWEEP SERVICE
Commencing immediately Lowe, Evan Warwick
Unexpectedly, at his cousin’s property in Puhoi,
after lockdown. on Monday 30th March 2020, aged 54 years.
Taking bookings now from Dearly loved son of Warwick and Dot (deceased) and daddy of Tabitha (deceased),
Port Charles to Cooks Beach. much loved brother of Rod, uncle of Kane, Cody and Xander
25 years serving the and great-uncle of Jaxson, Tyler and Haze.
Rest in Peace Big Guy.
Coromandel. Communications to Kane & Cody Lowe, 131 Boat Harbour Road, RD1, Whitianga 3591.
Phone (021) 082 47928. A private cremation has taken place.
Due to Covid-19, a celebration of Evan's life will take place at a later date.
Issue 894 - 22 April 2020 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15You can also read
