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March Newsletter 2020

March 20, 2020 Share

Health Information & Advice: The most accurate and up to date health information on COVID-19 is available here, on the Ministry of Health’s website : https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

More general information on the virus can be found here: https://covid19.govt.nz/. If these sites do not provide answers to the questions you have please contact me.

 

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Beach Hop 2020 Postponed Until November 2020

March 18, 2020 Share

Repco Beach Hop 2020 has been postponed until November and the decision is getting the tick of approval from Coromandel MP Scott Simpson.

“Everyone will understand the reason why and also how difficult the decision has been for organisers. But it’s the right thing to do and I support the decision to postpone.

“Although there will be many people who now have their Beach Hop plans frustrated I look forward to seeing the festival back in action on the new dates of 25th-29th November.

Passing of Jeanette Fitzsimons A Great Loss to the Coromandel Community

March 06, 2020 Share

“I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Jeanette Fitzsimons. She was a staunch advocate for Coromandel people and the Coromandel electorate during her time as the local MP.

“She was a very active, vocal and visible member of our community. Never short of a practical, thoughtful contribution to any conversation, Jeanette was much respected and admired locally, nationally and internationally.

“Always a passionate, energetic and articulate advocate for the environment, she lived by her principles and held them dear. I’ll miss seeing her around Thames and the Coromandel community.

“My condolences go to her husband Harry, her children and her extended family. She will be very dearly missed.

Loss of Coromandel rescue helicopter a cruel blow

January 21, 2020 Share

For the first time in many years there will be no emergency rescue helicopter stationed in Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula this summer, Coromandel’s MP Scott Simpson says.

“This is a huge slap in the face for locals and the hundreds of thousands of visitors here over the summer peak.

“We’ve been completely let down by the Labour Government who promised there would be no reduction to rescue helicopter services for the Coromandel Peninsula, but here we are this summer without a much needed machine and crew based in Whitianga.

“Local people are feeling angry and vulnerable at what is their busiest time of year.

“Health Minister David Clark gave assurances last year services would not be reduced, but now the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust’s community funded and purpose built hanger in Whitianga is empty.

“Lives are at risk. Instead of having a fully trained flight crew with paramedics and a rescue helicopter here over the summer peak, we’re being told machines from as far away as Tauranga, Hamilton or Auckland may be deployed if there is a need.

“That’s very cold comfort to car accident victims, heart attack patients or others on the Coromandel Peninsula who may need urgent and quick access to a rescue helicopter.

“The people of Coromandel have always given generously in fundraising efforts to support a locally based service over the summer. To have it ripped away by a heartless, uncaring Government is insulting and potentially life threatening.

“David Clark needs to take a break from his holiday and issue an instruction to have a helicopter re-located back to Whitianga this week.”