CFM Week In News Review 31-12-2023

Congratulations and appreciation have been extended to former Whangamata Medical Centre owner Dr Michael Miller, who in the New Year’s Honours list has been awarded a QSM for services to rural health. After arriving in the town, in 1995 Dr Miller developed Whangamata’s first purpose-built medical facility. He also founded the Whangamata Community Health Charitable Trust in 2005.

Police working across the region want everyone to have an enjoyable new year and for it to be memorable for the right reasons. Waikato Eastern Area Commander Inspector Mike Henwood told CFM that additional resources are in place to make sure everybody is safe during the celebrations.  His message to everyone, no matter where they are in our district, is please take care of yourselves and your friends, be sensible and make sure everyone gets home safely.

Holidaymakers have made a welcome return to the Coromandel Peninsula. Jeni Ashman of Coromandel Town told us that the town was pumping, and it was the busiest she had seen it which appeared to be the norm for the region.

Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt has got into the swing of things in his new year’s message. He was another to describe the situation as pumping saying it was uplifting to see the region ending a challenging year with some real optimism.

Earlier in the week we learned Thames had the biggest turn-out in its 13 years of the Christmas Place at the Table lunch. Paeroa turned on Christmas dinner at the Racecourse and 115 families were provided with meals in Waihi thanks to the Salvation Army and the local New World.

High traffic flow across the region, unfortunately a second fatal car crash for the Peninsula last night being near Te Puru on the Thames Coast. The opening of SH25A has been the game changer providing access to the eastern holiday destinations.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was involved in last night’s crash it been visible in the skies undertaking a number of operations around the peninsula. The local Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust has a new chairman in John Stephenson. The trust also now has a support vehicle supplied by Farmer Auto Village, Whitianga.

With Fire and Emergency NZ declaring a Restricted Fire Season for the Coromandel Peninsula through until early February, warnings have been issued as the region dries out. FENZ has banned the use of private fireworks within Thames-Coromandel District during this period – it excludes already planned and approved public fireworks displays.

A new beach bus service is operating with Go Kiwi Shuttles teaming up with the Mercury Bay Business Association. The beach bus provides the chance to explore Mercury Bay South for what organisers label a slice of beach, brunch and lunch.

A mobile blackspot on SH25A is no longer with a tower having been installed at the top of the highway. It provide 2.5km of cell phone coverage, with access to the emergency 111 network.

Water restrictions are now in place for Hahei and Onemana due to the pressure on bore supplies. Coromandel Town and Whitianga are on restrictions due to high sediment in the supplies.

For more local news, holiday events and traffic information go to Facebook and Coromandel’s CFM.