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Issue 861 - 4 September 2019 Phone (07) 866 2090 (07) 867 15
80 Circulation 7,200
Telephone the Coromandel
pport
Proud to su Helicopter Trust
Rescue
What we know about TCDC and
Smart Environmental
By Stephan Bosman
The entrance to Thames-Coromandel Distrct Council’s transfer station in Whitianga.
The Informer has been looking into allegations of Smart Environmental disposing of “commercial waste” at the TCDC-owned transfer stations on the
Coromandel Peninsula outside normal operating hours and at a significantly cheaper rate than other users of the transfer stations.
A recent spate of comments on our we were supplied with information indicating and skip bin waste (“commercial waste” for “We expected that all waste disposal
Facebook page necessitated the publication the possibility that Smart was not declaring purposes of this article). businesses would dump their commercial
of this article on what we know about the all the commercial waste they disposed of at Smart has several commercial waste waste within the transfer station hours and at
relationship between Thames-Coromandel the TCDC transfer stations. The information competitors across the Coromandel the rates set by TCDC, no different from any
District Council and Smart Environmental. also intimated that Smart was disposing Peninsula. The information supplied to us in Coromandel property owner cleaning out their
Smart holds the contract for the kerbside of commercial waste outside the transfer February came from Murray Bain, the owner garage over a weekend. It was a real worry
collection of household rubbish (blue rubbish stations’ normal operating hours and at a of Coastal Bins, one of the Smart commercial when we became aware that Smart may have
bags on the Coromandel) and recycling significantly cheaper rate than other users of waste competitors. “When my business a more beneficial arrangement than anyone
in the Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and the transfer stations. partner and I started trading as Coastal Bins in else. Being able to dump at a cheaper rate and
Matamata-Piako Districts. Smart is also In addition to its collection contract June last year, we were under the impression not being restricted by the transfer stations’
contracted by TCDC to operate their with TCDC, Smart is also collecting and that the playing field was even with regard operating hours, mean Smart would be able
(council’s) transfer stations. disposing of household waste in wheelie bins, to the disposal of commercial waste at to offer a better deal than their competitors
In the middle of February this year, waste generated by commercial businesses the TCDC transfer stations,” said Bain. to all the commercial waste customers on
(Continued on page 2)
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
What we know about TCDC and
Smart Environmental
(Continued from page 1)
the Coromandel.” come to an arrangement between themselves and Whitianga. a threat we, as a small business, had to
There is no love lost between Bain and and on 9 May this year, Ms Craig issued a cost Mr Cox confirmed to us that any competitive take seriously.
Smart. Bain is a former Smart employee and determination, ordering Smart to contribute advantage bestowed on Smart by TCDC may Since then, Bain put us in possession of an
the parties came up against each other in $8,871.56 to Bain’s legal costs. result in the lessening of competition and, if email Layne Sefton, Smart’s Central Region
the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) Smart initially appealed Ms Craig’s so, would be in breach of section 27 of the Manager, wrote to him (Bain) on 22 May,
in early November last year. Bain alleged determination of 20 February, but the appeal Commerce Act. confirming, “Any commercial rate that Smart
Smart did not pay him what he was due in has since been withdrawn. The replies we received from TCDC and pays for disposal [of commercial waste] is
terms of a settlement reached when his On 23 February, The Informer requested Smart were disappointing. “We’re currently a private and commercial arrangement with
employment with Smart ended and also that Council and therefore one that Coastal Bins
Grahame Christian, the former Smart CEO, [is] not able to use.”
breached the settlement agreement by making Bain raised his concerns not only with us,
disparaging comments about him (Bain). but also with some national media outlets
Smart, in return alleged that Bain breached and the Office of the Auditor-General
his restraint of trade by establishing Coastal (OAG). On 26 July, an OAG inquiries
Bins and that Bain made disparaging remarks specialist confirmed in an email to Bain that
against Christian. the relationship between TCDC and Smart
The parties had mixed success. In a warranted further investigation. However,
determination released on 20 February this the OAG understood that TCDC had “some
year, ERA member, Nicola Craig, found work in progress” regarding Bain’s concerns
that Smart paid Bain in full, that Christian and deemed it appropriate for TCDC to
made disparaging comments against Bain, “complete the work currently underway
that Bain did not make disparaging comments and consider the findings,” and to provide
about Christian and that Bain did not breach them (the OAG) with “a further update at an
his restraint of trade. agreed date.”
In determining Smart’s penalty for The week before last, we were presented
Christian’s disparaging comments against with video evidence indicating that Smart
Bain, Ms Craig said, “Recent cases regarding Photo left - Murray Bain, the owner of Coastal Bins. may still be accessing TCDC transfer stations
non-disparagement clauses provide a range of Photo right - Grahame Christian, the former CEO of Smart Environmental. outside normal operating hours. That, and
penalties from $250 to $8,500. I consider that Photos obtained from the Coastal Bins and Smart Environmental websites. the OAG’s email to Bain of 26 July, caused
there is a need for specific deterrence against TCDC to comment on the information Bain in legal negotiations with Smart around some us to inquire from TCDC again if Smart is
Smart as well as general deterrence. This is supplied us with. On 3 March, we requested contractual matters and won’t be making any disposing of commercial waste at the council-
a serious breach, which warrants a penalty Christian, who was still the Smart CEO at comment until this has been resolved,” Bruce owned transfer stations at a cheaper rate
towards the higher level. A penalty of $8,000 the time, to confirm to us whether Smart was Hinson, the TCDC Infrastructure Delivery than anyone else and if they are allowed to
is appropriate, which should be paid to indeed enjoying a competitive advantage from Group Manager, told us. Christian replied dispose of third party waste outside of the
Mr Bain.” TCDC. In addition, we obtained an opinion to us that there was no wrongdoing on the transfer stations’ normal operating hours.
Ms Craig also set a timetable for the form John Cox, litigation partner of Rennie part of Smart and he, unfortunately, also We made the same enquiry from Todd McLeay,
resolution of legal costs. The parties could not Cox, a law firm with offices in Auckland hinted at legal action against The Informer, the current Smart CEO.
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Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019
About TCDC and
Smart Environmental
TCDC replied to us that the contract between acceptable courses of action through the
TCDC and Smart is - still, six months on - Partnering Forum.” The partnering forum is
the subject of “commercial negotiations.” made up of representatives of all the parties
They also confirmed to us that a number of to the contract.
issues in relation to the contract are being We asked TCDC if the clause means that
investigated and they are unable to comment they can “collude” (for lack of a better word)
until the negotiations and investigations with Smart to put the likes of Coastal Bins out
have been completed. “Notwithstanding this, of business. Council responded saying that
we wish to take this opportunity to continue they are not required to give opinions under
to assure the public that we take our fiscal the Local Government Official Information
responsibilities and contract management and Meetings Act. That was another
extremely seriously and our utmost intention disappointing reply from TCDC. We did not
is to meet those commitments,” Laurna ask for an “opinion.” All we wanted to know
White, TCDC’s Economic Development was whether we are correctly interpreting
and Communications Group Manager, a clause in a contract the ratepayers of the
said. “We also want to emphasise that Coromandel are, in essence, a party to.
kerbside collections throughout the district “If I knew what I know now, that there’s
are not being affected and our contractual a possibility that Smart can do business with
relationships remain very professional in TCDC on better terms than anyone else
that regard.” and that there’s also possibly an avenue for
McLeay responded that he was happy Smart to have TCDC’s support to grow at
to talk to us, but was busy and asked if the the expense of their (Smart’s) competitors,
matter was something “we could pick up” my business partner and I would never have
a few days on. We requested from McLeay started our business,” said Bain. “Business
a suitable time to phone him, but are still, on the Coromandel is hard enough as it is.
more than a week later, waiting for him to get To play uphill makes it pretty much impossible
back to us. to survive.”
In an additional twist, last week we became This article covered a lot of ground.
aware of clause 25.2 of the kerbside collection If TCDC or Smart is concerned about the
contract between Smart, TCDC, Hauraki accuracy or portrayal of any of the information
District Council and Matamata-Piako District in this article, we will happily publish what
Council. The last part of the clause reads, they have to say. The fact that TCDC is still
“The parties agree that in the event that a third negotiating their kerbside collection contract
party is carrying out an aggressive campaign with Smart is not the only thing that has not
within the Councils’ territorial boundaries the changed during the course of the past six
purpose of which is to obtain refuse collection months. The Informer is still a small business
contracts, the parties shall discuss and agree and we are still afraid of legal action.
699 - 427September
Issue 861 July 2016 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
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“Dates to Remember” calendar released
The Lions Club of Whitianga released last
week a unique “Dates to Remember” calendar,
featuring photographs of Whitianga and the
Mercury Bay area.
“The calendar is timeless,” says Ernie
Pitchfork, the Whitianga Lions president.
“It makes a wonderful gift for people who
want to make sure they always remember
those important birthdays and anniversaries
in their lives.”
The calendar is selling for $15 per copy
and is available in Whitianga from Paper
Plus, the i-SITE and The Lost Spring. All the
sale proceeds will be invested back into
the community.
All copies of the calendar have been
assembled by the Whitianga Lions by hand.
Pictured are some of the Lions and their
friends putting the copies together. From left
to right - Dave McConachie, Ian Robbie, Gilly
Needham, Linda Stratford and Ernie Pitchfork.
Issue 861 - 4 September 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
The Whitianga Hotel celebrates 150 years An open invitation has been extended to the community to come along and celebrate the 150th anniversary of one of Whitianga’s most iconic landmarks. The Whitianga Hotel is hosting a family- friendly event on Saturday this week (7 September) and operations manager, Arron Bartrum, is hoping as many people as possible come along to share in an afternoon of celebration and nostalgia. “Almost anyone who has lived in Whitianga for any length of time will have memories about The Whitianga Hotel. This is a great opportunity to come along and share those stories. It’s also a chance for us to say thanks to the community for the support they have given the hotel over the years,” Arron says. The hotel has been owned by Tony and Lisa Dowse since July 2017, but has had a total of 19 publicans in its 150-year history. “It has burnt down twice, it’s reportedly haunted, but there are lots of stories that aren’t in the history books, couples who have met here, special family events - everyone has a story about The Whitianga Hotel,” says Arron. As well as complimentary nibbles, An earlier version of The Whitianga Hotel (in the background), before it was destroyed by fire. liquid refreshments and giveaways, immigrant, and originally had its own stone attracting groups of eager fishermen and later “We’re really looking forward to sharing our the hotel will host a number of guest wharf which had been built to accommodate the growing numbers of local visitors wanting celebration on Saturday with the community. speakers on Saturday, including well- logging ships and the local milling industry. to holiday in Mercury Bay. We’ll be open from around 12:00 noon, known Whitianga local, Peter Grant, As a licenced establishment, the hotel was a Now, 150 years after the hotel was so come along, bring the family and enjoy who will share some history about the hotel natural place of meeting and entertainment founded, as the summer season approaches, some great hospitality. We’ll also be officially and the role it has played in Whitianga through for those who worked in logging and milling. the hotel’s staff will grow from 25 full-time to opening our newly-renovated garden bar and the years. In the mid 1900s, as the logging and milling 80 full-time and part-time employees as this we’ll follow it all with the All-Blacks taking The Whitianga Hotel was first established industries were replaced by dairy farming, landmark destination once again becomes the on Tonga live at 2:30pm. It should be a great by Thomas Carina, an eastern European the hotel became more of a holiday destination place for locals and visitors alike to meet. day,” Arron says. Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019
“Swingers” promises to be another
Offbeat Theatre Company success
The comedy, “Swingers,” promises to be another successful production by Whitianga’s Offbeat
Theatre Company.
Featuring golf buddies Ralph, Archie and George and their “golf widows” Pam, Mabel and Flo, the play by
New Zealand playwright, April Phillips, covers the characters’ efforts to put some spice back into their
relationships and boring lives.
Will the characters take Pam’s outrageous advice? Can these old-timers get their marriages out of the
bunker? Is there sex after 65? This hilarious comedy, directed by Whitianga’s Christine Carter, offers a
chance to enjoy local theatre at its best.
Last year, Offbeat Theatre Company performed the thought-provoking play, “Blind Eye,” also written by
April Phillips and directed by Christine Carter.
Swingers will be performed at the Coghill Theatre in Coghill Street, Whitianga on Friday, 20 September
and Saturday, 21 September at 7:30pm, plus a matinee on Sunday, 22 September at 2:00pm. Additional
evening performances (7:30pm start) witll take place from Wednesday, 25 September to Saturday,
28 September. Tickets are $20 adults and $15 students and can be purchased at Paper Plus Whitianga.
Pictured are the Swingers cast. Top - Ken Adlam (left) and David Key. Centre, from the left -
Rachael Mayne, Kate Nielson and Pam Ferla. Front - Dave Fowell.
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Issue 861 - 4 September 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
Action continues against Community Service Medal to
new cell towers honour Paul Kelly’s legacy
Members of the Mercury Bay Community Board enjoyed some drinks and nibbles with Thames-
Coromandel District Council mayor, Sandra Goudie, and TCDC staff on Wednesday evening last
week to celebrate a three-year term in which several significant projects were completed in
Whitianga and the Mercury Bay area.
The community board met on Wednesday morning for the last time before the upcoming local
body elections.
Also present at the gathering was Chris Kelly, the wife of former community board chairman,
Paul Kelly, who sadly passed away in March this year. To honour Paul’s legacy, Mrs Goudie
presented Chris with a Community Service Medal. “Paul was a great man, who was instrumental
in getting the Whitianga town centre upgrade underway,” Mrs Goudie said when she handed the
medal to Chris. “And let’s not forget the new children’s playground on The Esplanade. Paul was
passionate about all the children living and in or visiting Whitianga having a state-of-the-art
Businesses in Tairua were set to close their doors on Tuesday this week as part of the latest playground to enjoy.”
protest action to prevent telecommunications company Spark locating a new cell tower in the Chris responded that Paul would indeed have been proud of the playground and added that
town centre. he would have been proud of the renovated toilets at Taylor’s Mistake in Whitianga as well.
“Tairua Down For 10” asked local business owners to bring in their street signs and close their doors “That’s the type of man Paul was,” Chris said. “The state of those toilets at Taylor’s Mistake
for 10 minutes at 2:00pm in a “visual protest” against the location of the tower on a site behind the were always bugging him and he wanted to make sure that even they were something the
Gull service station. Those opposed to the structure would also assemble on the main street and community would be proud of.”
stage a peaceful demonstration. Pictured are Chris (third from the right) and Mrs Goudie (second from the right) with the Mercury
This is the latest round of action after Spark wrote to the community revealing that the company Bay Community Board members who attended the gathering on Wednesday. From the left -
had decided to proceed with a tower at the Main Road location, despite raising hopes weeks earlier TCDC councillors Murray McLean and Tony Fox, Rekha Percival and Bill McLean (on the right).
that an alternative site might be found at the Tairua Country Club. Residents were agreeable to this
compromise which would have taken the tower more than 400m away from homes and businesses.
However, in their letter, Spark said engineers had determined the golf course option to be
“sub-optimal” as a tower there would only provide service to two thirds of the users that would be
catered for by the town centre site. Therefore, a second tower would be required somewhere within
the Paku-Hornsea-Ocean Beach Road area to capture users along the beachfront and towards the
general area of Pumpkin Hill.
Tensions escalated last week when protestors intervened to force Spark’s contractors to abandon
laying cables in the vicinity of the town centre site. Spark would not say if it was reviewing its
decision in the wake of the continued opposition. Corporate relations partner, Arwen Vant, reiterated
the company’s position that the site was needed in Tairua due to increasing demand. “At present,
we are monitoring the situation and working with our contractors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson, has asked Spark to halt any further work on the site
of its proposed new cell tower in Coromandel Town until after a meeting has been held with the
Coromandel-Colville Community Board later this week.
“I understand Spark will meet with the local community board this Wednesday and, given the level
of public concern, it makes sense to hold off doing any more work until then. I am hopeful Spark will
agree to my request to put a halt on work for at least a few days,” Mr Simpson said.
All Things Organic (pictured) is one of several businesses in Tairua which were set to close its doors
for 10 minutes on Tuesday.
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
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With the squad that was announced last week, do you believe
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the All Blacks have what it takes to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup?
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Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019
Issue 861
699 - 427September
July 2016 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
Tips for Business Owners
By Christine Petrie
It is common for leaders to neglect doing and whether this is an effective use
their wellbeing when juggling the many of your time. What do you enjoy doing?
responsibilities involved in managing an What is yielding the best results for you
organisation. While that might be a short- personally and for your organisation? Do you
term solution in times of peak workload, need to outsource or reallocate any work?
it should never become the norm. Poor mental Stimulate your mind by learning new
and physical health can rob you of enjoyment things. Grow your skillset by reading books
and, if ignored, lead to poor decision-making on business-related topics such as leadership,
and enforced absences. It can also lower customer service and quality control.
staff morale if it results in inattention, short- Watch webinars, read newsletters from
temperedness and unreasonable expectations. thought leaders and listen to podcasts.
Making space to regularly do what refreshes Engage a mentor or life coach to challenge
and revives you is a “necessity” rather than a your thinking.
“treat.” Make eating healthily and exercising Finally, if you feel you might need
regularly the norm. Prioritise sleep and help to restore your health and wellbeing,
regular medical check-ups. Spend at least one don’t delay in seeking help from your
day a week, preferably two, away from your medical professional.
place of work. Turn off the technology and Information included in this column is of
spend quality time with family and friends a general nature and is not a substitute
conversing and having fun. for tailored legal, accounting and other
Consider what you spend your workdays professional advice.
Christine Petrie, the author
of this column, is the owner
of Shifting Focus Business
Consulting. She can be
contacted on telephone
(021) 775 571 or email
christine@shiftingfocus.co.nz.
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019MBAS not only getting new wood and metal
technology block, but also four new classrooms
By Gillian O’Neill
Work on the reconstruction of the wood and classrooms to help cater for the school’s what we’ve needed to work through with the like and I feel sorry that that was the case for our
metal technology block at Mercury Bay Area growing roll. Ministry and I’m very happy that we’re there senior students. As educators, we always want
School (known as the Endeavour Block) Principal, John Wright, said he was very now,” he said to give our students the best possible experience
is underway. pleased that progress was being made, adding Mr Wright paid tribute to the staff and students and we know circumstances didn’t allow that to
By the time the block is ready for use at the the “journey to yes” had been a long and at who have had to operate within a temporary set happen this year. But what we’ve had is a real
start of the next school year, students and staff times challenging one. up which was less than ideal. lesson in resilience and everyone has done a
will have waited 14 months for a dedicated “Of course, I would have liked to see the “They’ve coped incredibly well. We converted great job,” he said.
wood and metal technology building after fire reconstruction of our wood and metal technology our hall into a makeshift wood and metal room, The school worked extremely quickly in the
destroyed the Endeavour Block in November block happen more quickly. However, changes which has served our Year 7s to Year 10s. aftermath of last year’s fire to remove and save
2018. The rebuild of the building got underway to the building code meant that we couldn’t Our Year 11 to Year 13 students have had to as much equipment as possible, which will
two weeks ago as more positive news was simply put back exactly what was there spend this year focusing on the theory elements be reinstalled in the new building. However,
delivered by the Ministry of Education, previously. There are new requirements we of their courses. They’ve been able to do some funding has also been provided for the purchase
who confirmed the school will get four new need to meet and that means more cost, so that’s practical experience, but not as much as I would of some new gear.
Welcoming the allocation of four new
classrooms, Mr Wright, said, if everything
went to plan, construction would get underway
early next year. “We have yet to have those
discussions in terms of where in the school they
will be or what they will look like, but we know
our site is well set up, all the infrastructure is
there. I’m optimistic we can get things moving
fairly quickly,” he said. He also said the
announcement made by Minister of Education,
Chris Hipkins, came after almost four years
of lobbying.
Looking ahead, Mr Wright said the school
was continuing to target areas for development
based broadly on their strategic plan developed
in 2004. The four new classrooms would just
cater for the 1,035 students currently on the roll,
but with the school growing by an average of
35 to 40 students a year, the Board of Trustees
would be continuing to seek investment from
the government to ensure all areas of the
Reconstruction of Mercury Bay Area School’s wood and metal technology block will be completed by school meet the needs of a growing Mercury
late this year/early next year, in time for the start of new school year. Bay community.
Issue 861 - 4 September 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11Letters to the Editor
See page 8 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust to point us in the right direction and give us structure. Anyone who reads about the “Akaroa
I am writing this letter as a ratepayer of the Thames-Coromandel District, as I wish to express Model of Care” cannot help to be impressed with and envious of what the Banks Peninsula
my thoughts which, I know, are similar to many others. community is earmarked to receive
Lack of communication would be one of the biggest failures of the Mercury Bay Medical Fortunately, this is the season of local body elections. My call as a ratepayer and
Facility Trust. Since the date seed funding of $250,000 was allocated to the trust, more than a committed member of the Mercury Bay community is to look at the list of candidates
two years ago, which was given to the trust to undertake a business case, almost nothing has wishing to continue improving Whitianga. We want candidates who can walk the talk.
been forthcoming as to where we are at. We want candidates who are receptive to the idea that the community is here to help them
In June 2017, it was stated in a public notice that a business case would include a detailed (as we have done on so many other occasions). We want candidates who have the will and
implementation plan, detailed design plans, cost estimates, resource consenting requirements, the ability to achieve what is best for us and our community as a whole.
strategies to secure funding and working with the local medical practitioners and health We have had enough of being kept in the dark and it simply “won’t do” from here on.
authorities to determine on-going operational and management structures. Jeanette Russell.
On 31 July this year, The Informer reported that a Memorandum of Understanding Whitianga
regarding the new Mercury Bay medical facility was signed with the owners of Mercury Bay Dear Editor - Green intelligence
Medical Centre (the White House in Whitianga). While that was good news, a Memorandum A friend recently suggested that placing the words intelligent and green together created an
of Understanding is not legally binding on anyone. oxymoron. That is a little bit unkind, I thought. So, having agreed a $10 wager, I have set out
We, as the community, understands the difficulties facing the Waikato District Health to disprove this theory.
Board at present, but one would hope that a representative of the DHB would be prepared to The first party to consider was of course the Green Party, surely they would help me be a
assist the trust on this journey - and sooner rather than later. winner. Unfortunately no, they voted against extended licence hours for the Rugby World
There has to be a focus on the benefits the medical facility will bring to the to the community, Cup on the basis of not wanting to encourage alcohol consumption, while at the same time
not only from the local medical practices, but also from other qualified professionals who urging the country to make it easy for people to get stoned out of their tree on marijuana.
conduct their businesses in the Mercury Bay Area and the people who work within Whitianga Not very bright really.
Social Services and who are responsible for making our community such a great place to Perhaps there may be signs of intellectual brilliance with Forest and Bird, I thought,
live in. but upon reading about the proposed Coromandel Marine Gateway, which would create a
We need to receive communication from the Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust on a practical way of travelling en-masse between the Coromandel and Auckland, and Forest
regular basis (every two to three months) on how they are spending our, the ratepayers’, and Bird fighting it as it may be “environmentally damaging,” I could not help but shake
money. We need to know what processes the trust is using to obtain the information they my head. To fight environmentally clean-ish transport for the masses, forcing them to start
need. How do we, as a community, converse with the Trust? Who are the people to contact? up their V8s and drive around the Firth of Thames seems to be at best self-defeating and at
Who is the trust’s secretary and treasurer? What are their phone numbers and email addresses? worst just plain dumb.
Another issue is that the trust is not registered as a charity. Anyone wishing to donate funds I do not have a lot of time for the current government, but thought I would give them
to the trust cannot claim a tax benefit. The trust does not have to file an annual financial report another chance. What a waste of time They have just announced that they will not
with the Department of Internal Affairs. How is that going to affect them when they are going permit a tunnel-based hydroelectric scheme in Hokitika as it may affect the environment.
to look for donations? So how are they going to power all of those EVs we are expected to buy. Coal? Nuclear?
I believe we need an example of a successful working health facility to study - an example Ugly Windmills? This lot just are not with it.
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Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019Letters to the Editor
See page 8 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Desperate for an avenue that would enable me to be $10 richer, I turned to journalism.
Glenn McConnell, a journalist for a national media outlet, drew my eye with a piece
lambasting a politician for not admitting he, that is the politician, had faith in anthropogenic
climate change. Upon reading the piece, it was the normal hysteria quoting almost no facts
while blaming the other party for not acknowledging his, that is Glenn’s, facts were true.
In fact, the only thing Glenn stated as a fact was, “That dairying emits greenhouse gases.”
He presumably referred to methane which has a short life in the atmosphere, almost none
if you hold a match behind the cow. So, Glenn, it appears the only thing you know is that
bovine flatulence exists. I feel you have let me and your profession down, not a lot of
wisdom there.
I have a couple of days to go, but quite frankly I feel that I better start saving up my
pension because it is looking more and more like my mate was right. Green intelligence,
an oxymoron indeed.
Trevor Ammundsen
Whitianga
Dear Editor - Dissembling
Talking about CO2 and global warming, Stuart Dean tells us in a Letter to the Editor in The
Informer of 21 August that “…action should have been taken decades ago. Nothing we are
going to do now is going to make much of a difference.” This might lead you to think that Mr
Dean believes in anthropogenic climate change. He does not. He has called it a “redundant
and outdated cause” before. If it was not for people like him, more action might have “been
taken decades ago.”
Mr Dean’s letter contained a number of unsubstantiated assertions introduced by saying
“it is my understanding that.” We should not accept Mr Dean’s “understandings” as facts.
He made other unsupported assertions such as “…and if the 50 per cent reduction was
achieved, the result would be a world in total economic meltdown.” Given his dissembling
about anthropogenic climate change, he should be asked to support his assertions with facts.
Mr Dean should be taken to task for trying to add to the problems facing humanity by
counselling against taking action to mitigate climate change. When it comes to climate
change, Mr Dean should rely on peer-reviewed science. We, too, should rely on facts, not on
Mr Dean’s “understandings” and unsupported assertions.
David Haynes
Hahei
Issue 861 - 4 September 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Lionesses Fun Forum “Environmental” Meet
to be held in Whitianga the Candidates meeting
A “Meet the Candidates” meeting focusing on the environment will be hosted by Greens Drinks Whitianga
on Friday 13 September.
A proposal to host the meeting was endorsed by people attending the monthly Green Drinks gathering
on Wednesday last week. “Environmental organisations in Mercury Bay are being invited to take part in
the meeting and invitations will be sent to all candidates standing in the upcoming local body elections,”
says Anna Horne, one of the Green Drinks Whitianga organisers.
The public meeting will be held at the Coghill Theatre, Coghill Street, Whitianga. The doors will open at
5:30pm for a 6:00pm start. Refreshment will be available.
“We are keen to find out what candidates think about the many important environmental issues in
Mercury Bay,” says Anna. “The issues include endangered birds on our beaches, the state of our harbour,
kauri dieback, coastal erosion, mining, weed control, climate change, rubbish, loss of biodiversity,
our reserves and so on.
“Many of these issues get talked about at Green Drinks and the conversations are always lively, with many
ideas and solutions discussed. Last month, we talked about the issue of green waste and composting and
what has happened to the composting plant in Moewai Road in Whitianga. We also shared more ideas
on plastics and how to live without it and also the real need for a Seagull Centre in Whitianga. One of
our youngest participants gave a presentation of their school speech entitled, ‘Why we should save our
native bush.’
“Green Drinks has featured on the Whitianga events calendar for the past three years. Each gathering
The Lioness Club of Mercury Bay will be hosting the annual Lionesses North Island Fun Forum on the last Wednesday of every month brings great people, and great ideas and experiences together.
in Whitianga this coming weekend (Friday, 6 September to Sunday, 8 September). These informal social evenings are a great way to tune in to what’s happening locally and especially good
for people who like to be hands-on, there are always projects they can get involved with.
“The Fun Forum is a weekend that provides Lionesses from around the North Island with the
“From a food forest, solar energy, boomerang bags, dotterels, Kiwi projects and Kauri 2000 to beach care
opportunity to catch up socially and enjoy each other’s company,” says Margaret Kilmister, groups, native plant propagation, a community garden and Kauri 2000, we may be able to help you connect
one of the organisers of the weekend. “We expect about 85 Lionesses in Whitianga for this with people and activities that interest you.
year’s Fun Forum, from as far as Greytown in the south and Auckland in the north.
“The date and venue of each Green Drinks meeting is every month published in The Informer. And do put
“We’re doing things slightly differently this year. Instead of having organised a formal outing on the Green Drinks’ Meet the Candidates meeting in your calendar. We would love to see you there.”
Saturday morning somewhere, we’re leaving the morning open for all the Lionesses to support
Another Meet the Candidates meeting, organised by Grey Power Mercury Bay, will be held in the Whitianga
our local businesses. We really want them to experience what our excellent retail shops and Town Hall on Sunday 8 September. The meeting will start at 4:00pm.
cafés have to offer. We’ll be going out of our way to encourage them to spend a bit of money
in Whitianga.” The Informer has sent a list of questions to all the candidates who would like to represent Mercury Bay
on the Mercury Bay Community Board, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Waikato Regional Council
Included in the weekend programme is a fun dinner on Friday evening, a formal dinner on and as TCDC mayor. We will publish the answers of the community board candidates in The Informer of
Saturday evening and a breakfast on Sunday morning. The theme of the weekend is “Movies.” 11 September. The answers of the council, WRC and TCDC mayoral candidates will be published in The
Pictured are the Mercury Bay Lionesses who are organising the weekend. From left to right - Informer of 18 September.
Carol Timmins, Helen Linehan, Shirley Dagger, Margaret Kilmister, Pat Lilley, Michelle McLuckie Delivery of postal voting documents will take place from Friday 20 September to Wednesday 25 September.
and Sylvia Beasley. Voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday 12 October.
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Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019Issue 861
699 - 427September
July 2016 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Tourism spending boosts
Museum Musings
Coromandel’s economy By Rebecca Cox - Mercury Bay Museum Manager
Tourism spending on the Coromandel Peninsula increased by almost 11 per cent during the past 12
Busy, busy is how we would describe the volunteer in the museum for just over two
months, helping to boost the Thames-Coromandel District’s economy by an additional $40 million.
Mercury Bay Museum at the moment - years. She is very involved with our collection
Tourism was a major factor in the district’s 2.1 per cent growth from July 2018 to June 2019, lots of children visiting us and our new and the processes for the care of the objects.
during which the number of guest nights on the Coromandel grew by 6.8 per cent, the Thames- “Twelve Days - 1769” exhibition is starting Both Sharon and Janet have a passion to
Coromandel District Quarterly Economic Monitor has revealed. The numbers far exceed the broader to take shape rather rapidly. keep our history alive for future generations.
Waikato region (2.8 per cent) and New Zealand as a whole (1.3 per cent) and are mainly due to We have also had additions to our Museum
strong growth in spending by domestic travellers. Total tourism expenditure was approximately They both say it is an exciting time to be
Trust Board. I would like to introduce Sharon involved with the museum and are looking
$404 million on the Coromandel, up from $364 million a year ago. Wright and Janet Mitchell who join us as forward to our upcoming projects
In terms of recorded data, visitors stayed a total of 831,279 nights on the Coromandel over the trustees. Sharon and Janet are both current
If you have a passion for history like our
12-month period, a significant rise on the 778,026 for 2017 - 2018. However, guest night statistics volunteers with us in the museum.
only reflect commercial accommodation such as motels and don’t include the Peninsula’s larger Sharon moved to Whitianga with her new board members and current volunteers,
private market of holiday home rentals, so the actual total figures may be significantly more. family approximately 12 years ago. then please come and see us. We are always
Infometrics, who compiles the data, also points to traffic volumes and increased consumer She has a particular interest in photography looking for new volunteers and, as we said,
spending as positive indicators of the health of the Thames-Coromandel District’s economy. and history. She has been involved in art this is an exciting time for us here at the
Senior economist, Brad Olsen, says the economic outlook is bright, with traffic volumes rising within the community, specifically running Museum.
3.5 per cent over the year, making the Coromandel the 10th-equal fastest growing area in New photography sessions for children. See you all soon,
Zealand by traffic flow. “Increased traffic flows are a leading indicator of an economy’s strength, Janet moved to Whitianga with her partner Becs Cox
with more movements on the roads indicating more economic activity,” he said. around three years ago. She has been a Manager Mercury Bay Museum
The Coromandel’s growing population is contributing to the boost in traffic, with local health
enrolments (a sign of a growing population) increasing 1.8 per cent annually, on-pace with the
national average.
Having more people on the Coromandel, combined with continued household confidence, is
behind the 9.1 per cent annual growth in consumer spending - higher than the national figure
of eight per cent, as measured by electronic card data from Marketview. The Peninsula’s
unemployment rate (3.1 per cent) showed a marginal increase of 0.3 per cent on June 2018,
but remains a full percentage point below the national average (4.1 per cent).
While house sales on the Coromandel were up 1.3 per cent over the 12-month period, there was a
drop of 11.1 per cent in residential building consents.
Moving forward, Mr Olsen said the economy was expected to slow over the next few years,
but districts like Thames-Coromandel have the potential to combat this with a greater level of
government investment.
Thames-Coromandel District Council said it was pursuing government investment through
supporting applications to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s Provincial
Growth Fund. The fund, established in 2018, has allocated three billion dollars over a three-year Sharon Wright (left) and Janet Mitchell, the two new
term to invest in regional economic development. Mercury Bay Museum Trust Board members.
Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019Issue 861
699 - 427September
July 2016 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17Coromandel MP hosting East Coast Bays colleague in Whitianga last week By Stephan Bosman National Party MP for the Coromandel, that’s being dumped in landfill. Scott Simpson, and fellow National Party MP, “People were also really keen to hear Erica Stanford of East Coast Bays from us on the abortion legislation currently (a North Shore, Auckland, electorate), visited working its way through Parliament.” Whitianga on Friday last week. Mr Simpson said converting waste to As opposition associate spokesperson energy is a National Party policy and they for the environment, Mrs Stanford works will continue to explore workable options. closely with Mr Simpson, the opposition “It’s an issue of critical mass,” he said. “Like spokesperson for the environment and climate everywhere else in the world, we produce change. Mrs Stanford has specific opposition too much waste in New Zealand, but we responsibility for urban water quality. may well not produce enough to operate On Friday morning, Mr Simpson and one or more plants converting waste into Mrs Stanford met with the trustees of local energy efficiently. At the end of the day we’re charity, Kauri 2000, after which they enjoyed looking for a solution that will benefit the lunch with several members of the Mercury environment, not cause more harm to it.” Bay business community. In the afternoon, Both Mr Simpson and Mrs Stanford voted they addressed a large audience of retirees in favour of the new abortion bill at its first and semi-retirees at the Mercury Bay reading a few weeks ago. The bill is treated Boating Club. as a conscience issue among MPs. At the conclusion of their formal Mrs Stanford said what people need to commitments for the day, the two MPs met understand is that the bill is not about allowing Coromandel MP, Scott Simpson, and East Coast Bays MP, Erica Stanford, with The Informer and discussed a wide or disallowing women to have an abortion in at the new playground on The Esplanade in Whitianga on Friday afternoon last week. variety of issues. Mrs Stanford said right at New Zealand, it is about removing the current When asked what the National Party’s first aspects of the bill, but are optimistic that the outset how impressed she was with Kauri abortion legislation from the Crimes Act and priority will be with regard to the environment common ground can be found.” 2000. “It’s almost unbelievable to think that a putting more streamlined abortion processes if they get back into power, Mr Simpson said Mrs Stanford is married and has two small community group can do so much for in place. “The new bill isn’t really a moral it would be to pass the Zero Carbon Bill children, aged 11 and seven. “The Prime the conservation of kauri trees,” she said. issue,” she said. “I voted for the bill to go the into legislation. The bill provides for the Minister isn’t the only MP with a young Mr Simpson referred to the questions they select committee stage in Parliament as I’m establishment of a framework which New child,” she said. “There are several dads in received from the audience at the Boating concerned that the processes a woman has to Zealand can use to develop clear and stable Parliament with young children as well. Club. “Interestingly enough people didn’t follow at the moment to obtain an abortion climate change policies in accordance with I have the full support of my husband and really want to talk to about climate change,” isn’t good for her overall wellbeing. People the Paris Agreement. “We provided bipartisan things are working well for us. It’s most he said. “But they’re clearly concerned about need to remember the decision as to whether support to get the bill to the select committee certainly possibly be to be a younger woman waste, what can be done to limit household to get an abortion or not, is the most difficult stage,” Mr Simpson said. “We have differing and hold public office. I love representing my rubbish and what’s happening to everything decision a woman will ever make in her life.” views from the current government on certain electorate as an MP. It’s a massive privilege.” Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 861 - 4 September 2019
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