Tuia - Encounters 250 is a nationwide commemoration of the 250^th anniversary of the first onshore encounters between Māori and Europeans. Through the commemoration, New Zealanders are encouraged to have conversations about our history. The Mercury 250 Trust (a trust established to coordinate the local commemoration activities), Ngāti Hei and the Mercury Bay community are together planning a series of formal and informal events - collectively known as “Te Pōwhiri” - in Whitianga, Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury Bay and throughout the Coromandel Peninsula to mark this significant anniversary.

Read more ...

Well-known Coromandel aquaculture industry businessman, Peter Bull, and Joe Davis, on behalf of Ngati Hei, lodged on 20 February last year a resource consent application with Waikato Regional Council to develop a mussel spat farm in Mercury Bay approximately 1.6km from the coast between Whauwhau Beach and Matapaua Bay.

Read more ...

The music performed at the Mercury Bay Community Choir’s “Autumn Tones” concert in the Whitianga Town Hall last Sunday was as varied as the weather on the day. The large audience was treated to a lovely afternoon of music with an eclectic mix of genres performed by the choir and augmented by some wonderful numbers by guest performers, Mercury Bay Area School students Sarah Morcom and Gemma Louden, and individual members of the choir.

Read more ...

The Mercury Bay Home Brew Cub is this year celebrating their 40^th anniversary. Among the club’s get-togethers are two annual competitions (one in autumn and one in spring).

Read more ...

Whitianga residents, John and Robyn Evans, are travelling this week to London to share in the induction of their son, Nick, a former All Black, in the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame. The induction will take place at Twickenham Stadium on Friday 31 May.

Read more ...

Peter Sheehan, patron and life member of the Mercury Bay Bowling & Sports Club (MBBSC), celebrated his 96^th birthday on Saturday last week with a bowling tournament he sponsors every year. Peter is a loved and respected member of the MBBSC. He joined the club in 1984, at a time it was still located on the corner of Albert Street and Hannan Road in Whitianga.

Read more ...

The New Zealand Retro Car & Caravan Club held its biggest ever rally last weekend at the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park with more than 40 vintage and retro caravans taking part.

Read more ...

Former banker and long-term Mercury Bay resident, David Langdon, has a passion for maritime history.  He has written a book on scows, “A History of New Zealand Scows and Their Trades,” and has helped the Mercury Bay Museum put together some of their maritime displays.   

Read more ...