Coromind

Sporadic road cone displays have always been a part of the package of visiting and travelling around the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. The breathtaking State Highway 25 and 25A take in both coastal shores and forest wonderlands, frequently peppered with segments of those delightful reflective beacons of joy – Road Cones.

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I have just returned from Japan after visiting my partner’s family. On arrival at Narita Airport at 9pm, we were met by Hiroshi, my partner’s brother, who said “We go to onsen (Japanese hot baths).” After flying for 12 hours, this was indeed a welcome treat and we basked in 40 degree pools of different depths, some shallow with stone pillows to gaze up at the planes taking off every few minutes from the airport a kilometre away, and some with pummelling jets of water that massaged away the aches from 12 cramped hours on Fiji Airlines. 

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My name is Zoe Winter, I’m 16 years old and I live in Tairua. I’m currently in year 12 at Hauraki Plains College and I am a lifeguard at Tairua Beach. My beach safety journey began when I joined our three-week summer junior surf program at around 10 years old, encouraged by my parents. The program challenged me physically and mentally, leading me to start rookie lifeguard training at 13. I then earned my lifeguard award in 2022, which has opened many new opportunities for me.

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When I first met Bernadette (Bernie) Ross while working at Creative Coromandel, I was immediately drawn to her deep passion for the arts, her friendly warmth and her sharp wit! It wasn’t until I visited her in Whangamatā in 2021, where she was exhibiting local artists’ work alongside her own, that I really started to understand the depths of her talent as a kairaranga – weaving artist. Three years later, we’re still connected, and long overdue for a kōrero about her raranga (weaving) journey!

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For me, Matariki 2024 is about living by the words that Kīng Pōtatau Te Wherowhero Tūheitia Paki spoke at a national hui, held at Tūrangawaewae Marae on January 20th this year. 

“Just be Māori … build kotahitanga (unity with others) … build our future … We are all in this together … the way forward needs to bring peace and unity for everybody. These issues (around the strategic erosion of Mana Tiriti by elements of our present government) are bigger than politics … it won’t be easy … there’s more mahi (work) to do.”

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Remember the days in Aotearoa when a coffee purchased away from home involved a ceramic cup, a saucer, a tablecloth and possibly a custard square on the side? 

When we enjoyed the whole ambience of a quaint coffee lounge, a friendly chat, the delicious smells and the people who seated us, served us and cleaned our dishes in a sink of hot water. (Well, if you are Gen Z or younger you may not remember – but I promise it was a thing)

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Her eyes light up as I walk in: I’ve always loved her eyes, an unusual uniform colour like a warm brown; circular pools of melted chocolate. Today, she’s alert and animated. “Stella! It's so good to see you.” Mum always speaks with emphasis. With meaning.

We live too far away. I call her most days, but technology is such a poor substitute for…

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Music has the ability to entertain, provide comfort, lessen anxiety and uplift the spirit. The importance of entertainment was very evident during the heady, gold rush days of the 1800s in New Zealand, none more so than in Thames. Speculators and large companies brought new prosperity to Thames, and a rush of prospectors were lured to the newly opened goldfields, hoping to make their fortune.

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Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world.

In this edition: Matt Bowden

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To say Noah loved music and his violin is an understatement. His passion for both had him skipping meals, losing sleep and wandering the fields and forests, fiddling away the hours in practice. A young teenager, he was enrolled at Waihi College where he joined the school orchestra. Unfortunately, his passion just wasn't enough. For all the time sacrificed and spent in practice, he just wasn't a very good violin player and so was given only a minor role at the back of the string section.

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