Having to stay at home has brought about cool lockdown hacks – using apps to connect, work out and learn from home.
Houseparty, for example is the face-to-face social network that some Mercury Bay Area School students are using to connect with their friends while still at home in their family bubble. The app makes connecting face to face easy, alerting you when your friends are “in the house” and ready to chat so you can jump right into the conversation. Your friends will know you’re in the app and ready to chat, so they can join you for the next best thing to hanging out in person. The app has games built in that you can play with up to eight people.
Government have put a $4 million regional support package in place for SMEs in response to COVID-19 which is being delivered using the Regional Business Partners Network.
As part of this package Te Waka’s Business Growth Team are contracted by Government to deliver free support to local businesses in the Coromandel and the wider Waikato area and use local business experts to do this. Business owners in the Whitianga area can get free advice from business advisors, join online workshops and have access to resources.
From April 2nd, the criteria for testing of Covid-19 coronavirus has been expanded nationwide. Anyone with respiratory symptoms consistent with Covid-19 coronavirus will be considered for testing regardless of travel history or contact with a confirmed case.
Not sure what you can and can't do during the Covid 19 coronavirus lockdown period?
New Zealand is currently at Alert Level 4. Some of the Governments key messages to the public are to stay at home and keep a physical distance when you are outside of your home. So how do we apply this to how we go about everyday lockdown lives? Below is a summary of Government guidelines to some of those frequently asked questions covering the topics of staying home, stopping movement, exercising, public spaces, self isolation and using your car.
From 1st April 2020 the Mercury Bay Medical Centre will become a Covid-19 coronavirus testing site for the community of Whitianga and surrounds including Matarangi, Tairua and Pauanui. Criteria for testing and prior authorisation for testing will be required.
The Thames Coromandel District Council have made some changes to how some of their services are operating during the Covid 9 coronavirus Level 4 lockdown.
This applies to kerbside rubbish and recycling, council meetings and governance, excercising dogs, public toilets, building inspections and consents, playgrounds, parks and reserves, road works and water restrictions.
Kat from the All About Whitianga team is a Chelsea Winter fan. She even attended Chelsea's masterclass at Mercury Bay Area School a few years ago (but that's another story), so when Chelsea posted 'Lockdown Bread' on her social media 'story' in the weekend Kat was in the kitchen in a flash.
The 2020 Poppy Day appeal has been postponed until later in the year due to Covid 19 coronavirus.
The annual Poppy Appeal raises funds for the RSA's support services to war veterans and the ex-service community. Poppy Appeal collectors will be in Albert Street and Monk Street all day and would appreciate any donation you are able to give!
Starting from next week, Monday 30 March, your Kerbside refuse collection will need to be placed in your recycling wheelie bin and will be collected fortnightly.
Because we’re in a National State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Alert Level 4, TCDC is now following directives from central government and Civil Defence that radically change the way they deliver services to Mercury Bay residents.
Do you need to understand which businesses are considered an essential service during the COVID-19 Level 4 shutdown?
The New Zealand Government has stated that only businesses that are essential to the provision of the necessities of life may remain open during the Level 4 Alert period. The New Zealand Government has provided a list of essential businesses that can operate over this period.
Greenstone Entertainment has hit a milestone, it's 10 years old! To celebrate this anniversary in style they have announced they are bringing 5 massive acts to Whitianga as part of the Whitianga Summer Concert on Sunday 26th January 2020.
With music spanning the decades, from the late 60s through to early 2000’s, the 2020 line up at Whitianga Summer Concert will star BILLY IDOL, GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS, ANASTACIA, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED and SMASH MOUTH. All of the artists will be bringing their unmistakable hits as part of their Whitianga concert!
It’s only just over a week away until Whitianga will come alive to the sounds of the annual Whitianga Summer Concert on Sunday 27th January (Auckland Anniversary Weekend). Get your friends and family ready for a great day out!
The international acts headlining the tour have started arriving in Queenstown for the Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert on Saturday the 19th, the first of three shows to be held across the country. The tour then heads north for the sold out Taupo Summer Concert on Saturday 26 January, followed by the Whitianga Summer Concert on Sunday 27 January (Auckland anniversary weekend)
A Taste of Matarangi food, wine and music festival has been a favourite event for friends and family, young and old to attend each year on the Coromandel Peninsula. This years programme of musicians, demonstrations, food and beverage stall holders are guaranteed to offer a special day out on the Matarangi Village Green! Foodies and music lovers get your tickets quick and get ready as we are on countdown to A Taste of Matarangi on the 7th April!
The date for the annual A Taste of Matarangi festival on Saturday 7th April 2018 is set - and tickets are now on sale!
The festival has all of the favourite elements that makes this a standout event to attend on the Coromandel Peninsula. Located in the picturesque seaside village of Matarangi at the Village Green A Taste of Matarangi offers a day for friends and family to enjoy delicious seafood, local produce, fine wines, craft beers and crowd pleasing entertainment. On top of all that the event has to offer it is also a major local fundraising event to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service and Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue.
Greenstone Entertainment Ltd. has announced its exciting artist line-up for the annual Whitianga Summer Concert Tour for Sunday 28th January 2018.
The concerts will feature George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Alanis Morissette and Colin Hay of Men At Work fame. All of the artists will be bringing all their unmistakable hits as part of their Whitianga concert!
At the Whitianga concert you will be able to enjoy the hard driving powerful rock and blues of George Thorogood & The Destroyers, the multi-talented and one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians in contemporary music- Alanis Morissette, along with the unmistakable voice and lead singer of one of the most successful Australian Bands - Colin Hay of Men At Work.
Mercury Bay Area School have started the school year with a brand new cutting edge website that will cater more effectively for the needs of its growing online audience.
You probably know someone who volunteers, or you are a volunteer yourself. Saturday 5th December marks International Volunteer Day. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the many volunteers in our Coromandel communities and to say, “cheers volunteers”.
It’s Conservation Week and the Department of Conservation theme for this year is “Healthy Nature Healthy People”. The week aims to get New Zealanders into the natural environment and to be more aware of the link between a healthy natural environment and their own health and wellbeing.
Halloween is getting ready to knock on your door this Saturday 31st October. There will be ghouls, ghosts, goblins, pumpkin people and scary fairies preparing to take to the streets for some fun, laughter and the promise of some prized sugar-laden treats.
There was certainly a sense of excitement when NZ Rally announced that round five of the 2015 New Zealand Rally Championships was coming back to Whitianga and the Mercury Bay for the second consecutive year.
Our family love this recipe because it is a great winter warmer. There is a touch of spice to gently warm you up on a cold winter day. Fresh corriander on the top of this soup really makes it vibrant and fresh to taste. We also like to add warm bacon on the top as an added bonus. Hope you enjoy. Cheers, Andy
The Mercury Bay Community Radiology Trust, situated at 18 Coghill Street, Whitianga, have announced a temporary closure as at 25th March 2020. The closure is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will mean there will be no 'walk in' access to their rooms.
Restrictions have eased to help with the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown period. Please continue to conserve water and only use what is necessary e.g. vegetable gardens, personal household sanitary, drinking and cooking needs.
Do you think your Whitianga business will suffer financially due to COVID-19? If you are a small business in Whitianga, then you may be eligible for assistance through the recently announced New Zealand Government economic response package.
Foodies and music lovers purchase your online tickets quick and get ready as we are on the countdown to A Taste of Matarangi on the 6th April! This years music programme offers a fantastic line up of four popular New Zealand music acts including The Monroes, Lock & Load, Loou'ana Whitney and Crimson Coast.
Festival organisers recommend that you come to the festival ready to groove. Also bring an empty stomach so you can sample everything from the fabulous food stalls! The festival programme runs from 10am until 4.30pm and includes live performances from the talented bands who will get you up and dancing on the Village Green.
Greenstone Entertainment Ltd. has announced the artist line-up for the annual Whitianga Summer Concert Tour for Sunday 27th January 2019.
Another sizzling hot summer of music will be hitting Whitianga in January with Greenstone Entertainment announcing its line-up of four international acts for the annual Summer Concert Tour. The concerts will feature Supertramp's Roger Hodgson - James Reyne and Mark Seymour formerly Australian Crawl and Hunters and Collectors - and Toni Childs. All of the artists will be bringing their unmistakable hits as part of their Whitianga concert!
Due to a serious family illness George Thorogood & The Destroyers will no longer be able to perform at next year's Summer Concert Tour. Greenstone Entertainment, promoters of the upcoming sold out Summer Concert Tour, have today confirmed two new artists as part of the annual Whitianga Summer Concert Tour for Sunday 28th January 2018.
In a statement from George Thorogood & The Destroyers management, “Due to a family illness, George Thorogood and The Destroyers will be unable to perform at the upcoming Summer Concert Tour. The Summer Concert Tour will proceed as planned. We sincerely appreciate the support of our loyal fans during this difficult time.”
Greenstone Entertainment are pleased to announce that taking the place of George Thorogood & The Destroyers will be The Orchestra starring former members of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
The date for the annual A Taste of Matarangi festival on Saturday 4th April 2020 is set - and tickets are now on sale!
A Taste of Matarangi food and wine festival is held in the picturesque seaside village of Matarangi at the local Village Green. It's a great relaxed day out to enjoy with friends and family. Listen to fantastic local live music, feast on delicious food and sip fine wine and the best craft beers in the region. Don't be slow, festival tickets sell out fast so get in quick!
Beach Hop has captured the imagination of the young and old for many years on the Coromandel Peninsula– and this year is lining up to be no exception. Car enthusiasts and rock and roll lovers get ready as the Beach Hop Repco Beach Party returns to Whitianga on the 23rd March!
Children’s Day has been running since early 2000, and this Sunday 6 March is national Children’s Day. The purpose of the day is to provide a specific date in the calendar to encourage us all to take some time out as families, carers and friends to celebrate the children in our lives.
Mediterranean Fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) is an invasive species that poses an imminent threat to the waterways of Whitianga and the wider Mercury Bay. Currently the Fanworm is prolific in Auckland and has also taken hold in a number of other North Island regions.
On November 3 in 1769 Lieutenant James Cook arrived in His Majesty's Bark Endeavour in the Mercury Bay and observed the transit of the planet Mercury. Fast forward into the future and November 2019 will mark 250 years since he stepped ashore. Across New Zealand and Mercury Bay planning is underway to commemorate this sestercentennial. There will be a range of events in Whitianga and the wider Mercury Bay to celebrate Captain Cook's visit to the area.
We are mighty pleased that our talented Chef Dylon brought this recipe back from Melbourne with him. This is just simply the perfect dish to try as we approach the scallop festival. The only way that I can describe this dish is that it is a fiesta in your mouth! There is a full blend of flavours and textures that compliment each other. You just need to try it to believe it. Cheers, Andy
