Recreation
By John Freer With global adventure racing having its spiritual home as the Coromandel Peninsula, now a book has captured the past 20 years of racing. Events include the peninsula’s K2 bike race and Kauri run. Over the period more than 32,000 people have competed – one of the three drivers is Andy Reid who […]
The Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club, a community cornerstone since 1949, celebrated the grand reopening of its refurbished building this weekend. A ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together lifeguards, locals, and supporters to mark the completion of a vital renovation, ensuring the club remains a hub for lifesaving and community spirit. The project, launched in 2020-2021 to […]
The Mercury Bay Boating Club has been granted a lease for land on Whitianga’s Dundas Street, but now a special general meeting will be held to determine what happens next. Club Commodore Phil Hart told us that while securing the site was positive, the lease conditions came with hefty costs. Rent, which was previously to […]
A record number of vehicles with record numbers of supporters and spectators – we are taking Repco Beach Hop 2025. With the 25th anniversary event being only a little over a week away, organiser Noddy Watts, is indicating a super special event and possibly the biggest on record. An indication of the support for this […]
A desperate last effort were the words used by Tairua marine scientist, Dr Riley Elliott, as he made a plea for people to support the petition calling for a halt to establishing marine protection areas around the Aldermen and Slipper Islands. Speaking to CFM’s Fabian Roberts, the renowned shark man, said he made the call […]
Have your say on a call made recently at a public meeting, to drop the plan to establish high protection no fishing (except customary) areas off the south-eastern Coromandel Peninsula coast. The meeting was attended by both recreational and commercial fishermen who maintained the zones would have little to no impact on restoring fish stocks […]
As they head into their busiest time of the year, St John has a couple of critical pieces of advice so people can enjoy their festive season. Two things to overcoming the evening going pear-shaped then the snowball effect kicks in – firstly make sure phones are fully charged before people head out. Next be […]
By John Freer It was the term localism which stood out at this week’s re-opening of the Whangamata Community Swimming Pool. Several speakers talked about the development of the pool since its origins back in the 1990s through until its latest six-month $430,000 refit. Every one of them referenced a similar theme – their town […]
By John Freer A renewed warning – stay away from the closed Cathedral Cove walking track or risk jeopardising an early December reopening. Department of Conservation staff are reiterating their numerous requests for people to stay off the track while reopening work continues. With good progress being made, DOC’s Regional Director, Tinaka Mearns, said staff […]
By John Freer Welcome news for the Coromandel Peninsula business community for the coming summer holiday season, the Department of Conservation has confirmed that this summer all off its campgrounds will be operating to full capacity. Last year significant reduced camping numbers were imposed due to what DOC then described as weather related impacts. But, […]
