Author: John Freer
By John Freer It is a story which will continue to be retold – how a solo-fisherman was flicked off his launch by a marlin, then spent 23 ½ hours in the sea off Coromandel Peninsula’s east coast, before being rescued by three guys out for a troll. Will Fransen keeps the love of his […]
By John Freer Significant increases to rates and major issues being faced by the Thames Coromandel District Council do not appear to have inspired residents to have their say on the draft 10-year long-term plan. Numbers released last week revealed that only 282 submissions were received on the 2024-2034 draft plan, over 1300 fewer than […]
In a parliamentary debate on local issues Coromandel Member, Scott Simpson, lined up, took aim, and then fired a broadside at the Department of Conservation over the closed Cathedral Cove walking track. Simpson used the opportunity to ensure the department’s meets a request from its Minister, Tama Potaka. Simpson did not hold back linking the […]
By John Freer Providing the story of Coromandel’s Driving Creek creator Barry Brickell in digital form will come to fruition in November. This is 51 years after Barry established his pottery which is now one of the leading tourist attractions on the Coromandel Peninsula. From his steam driven kiln, his pottery and art works to […]
Thirty four days have passed since the Conservation Minister, Tama Potaka, raised the hopes of Coromandel Peninsula locals with an announcement when he said he wanted to see the track reopen by next summer. Up to that time Department of Conservation staff had been lowering expectations of an opening. Since then, local MP Scott Simpson […]
By John Freer It has been five months since the blue rubbish bags disappeared from outside homes around Thames Coromandel, in their place a new wheelie bin and a second bin for food waste. As expected the introduction of the new kerbside refuge and recycling collection service under a new contractor in Waste Management, in […]
After increasing their numbers to cater for the large Beach Hop crowds at Whangamata, Police having given the event a pass mark being overall pleased with the behaviour of the thousands of spectators. Overseeing the operation, Inspector Mike Henwood, said there were a few who attempted to disrupt the festival. “As usual the event was […]
By John Freer Beach Hop returns for the 24th time in the coming week and the man behind it remains just as enthusiastic as ever. For the more than 200 volunteers who put on the five-day festival, organiser Noddy Watts said it was these people who ensure the event runs well and meets the expectation […]
By John Freer Five key points have been included in the promotional sheet which encourages residents and ratepayers of the Thames Coromandel District, to have their say on the 10-year long-term plan. The obvious one is managing rates, followed by investing more in future planning, investing in connected communities, increasing fees and charges to keep […]
By John Freer In simple terms the Mercury Bay Business Association has been banging away for months endeavouring to get action on the reopening of land access to Cathedral Cove. So, when Conservation Minister, Hon Tama Potaka, announced on Friday that the track and cove would be open for next summer, people like Ray van […]
