CFM Local News 3-1-2024

A surprise visit to Cathedral Cove yesterday by the Minister for Conservation, Tama Potaka, gave him a chance to see the closed track and talk through potential solutions. Coromandel MP Scott Simpson deflected criticism that business representatives were not invited to the meeting because of the short time frame of the meeting.

He did assure the business community that he and Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt had pressed the issue of the importance of getting the track reopened.

He said Mayor Len Salt joined Scott along with senior Ngati Hei and DOC representatives. While there was no formal outcome Scott said he Minister was made aware of the importance of the Cove track to the wider region and the need to get it reopened.

As some holiday makers headed away from the region yesterday with statutory holidays coming to an end, a grim holiday road toll for the region. Coromandel Peninsula recorded its third road fatality since Christmas Eve after a car left the road near Kereta on the Thames Coast yesterday morning.

The accident happened around 3am – the highway being closed for nearly six hours. It is the second accident involving a vehicle leaving the road an ending up in water, the first on December 30 at Te Puru, also on the Thames Coast. A motor cyclist died on Christmas Eve near McBeths Road between Hikuai and Opotuere. There have been other serious accidents at Netherton and Thames.

After going missing in the Wentworth Valley with his owner nine weeks ago, Waihi man Jordan van Deursen’s dog Banjo, has walked out of the bush. While the 29 year old Jordan is still missing, Banjo was found on Wires Road near the Maratoto Track, a six hour walk from where the pair went missing.

The coffers of the Coromandel Area School will benefit from another successful Keltic Fair. Yesterday’s fair is being hailed as one of the best yet being well supported by stall holders and visitors. Today the Pauanui Market Day is being held at Kennedy Park, tomorrow it is the Cooks Beach Carnival.

For local news, events, happenings and information to stay holiday safe go to Facebook and Coromandel’s CFM.