Friends reunited but booster jabs will be needed now

Every summer is special, but this year took on extra significance as friends and families reunited after too long separated by regional boundaries. It was terrific to see towns, beaches and rural communities packed with locals and visitors enjoying a muchneeded break.

Unfortunately, when so many people are moving around the country we often see a spike in accident-related fatalities. Ōmokoroa and Western Bay of Plenty locals know this all too well. This summer we’ve had far too many people lose their lives.

With several busy months ahead, it’s a reminder that we all need to take extra precautions on the roads and out on the water.

While 2021 turned out to be a lot like 2020, I’m hopeful that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that 2022 will see a return to something resembling normality. But the Omicron Covid variant will, it seems, be with us sooner rather than later.

Already, there have been further restrictions placed on people who wanted to return home to New Zealand and that has caused both frustration and concern for those involved. So for now, the best thing is to get a booster vaccination jab as soon as you become eligible but as you do, please do spare a thought for the tens of thousands of New Zealanders currently locked out of the country.

I’m back at work and my office is open. Parliament resumes in early February and we should get an early indication of how far the Government will push its Three Waters asset-grab agenda. I’ve seen how passionate people around the Coromandel and the Western Bay are about retaining control over their water assets.

The National Party and I will continue to fight the Government on their plans which amount to nothing more than state-sanctioned theft of ratepayer assets. They need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a solution that will ensure the delivery of quality water for future generations.

Please never hesitate to be in touch. If you have any issue you wish to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to get in touch by either calling 0800 550 330 or emailing mpcoromandel@parliament.govt.nz

Ōmokoroa Athletics Club 4.15–5pm (3–6 years) and 5.15- 6.45pm (7–14 years) at Western Ave Sports Grounds.

Wrestling Katikati Primary age 5.30-6.30pm, College age/seniors 6.30pm-8pm. Bring a drink bottle. A&P Hall, Major Street. Text Ross 027 256 4470.

Twilight tennis at Te Puna Tennis Club. 6pm start. Contact Catherine tptennisclub@gmail.com or 021 506 855.

Te Puna Community Library in the School library 6.30-7.30pm.

Justice of the Peace clinic 6.30-7.30pm Te Puna School Library.

Yoga Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 7-8pm. Contact Sarah 021 022 19892.

Quiz Night Waihī Beach Hotel, 60 Wilson Road. 7-9.30pm.

Casual Soccer at 7.15pm at Western Ave Sports Grounds bottom ield. Over 12 years old. Call Hamish on 552 6427.

THURSDAYS

Katikati drop-in Community Breakfasts 7.30-8.30am. Baptist Church, 2 Wedgewood St, Katikati. Free entry. All welcome. Pick Up/Drop Off Service and shower facilities available. 549 0399.

Tai Chi 9.30-11.00am. Te Puna Memorial Hall. Contact David 027 222 2824.

Tai Chi 9.30-10.30am Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall. Call Trevor on 022 322 3410 or Anne 548 0763.

Katikati Embroidery Group 10am St Pius Church, Beach Road, Katikati. Call Jenny 549 2151.

Adult Colouring-in at Pātuki Manawa. 10am. Refreshments provided. Free.

Tai Chi for beginners Sports Pavillion, Western Ave, Ōmokoroa 10-11am. Call Sabine 021 1388770 or tetzlaffsabine@gmail.com. Preschool Storytime ‘Read Sing Move’ at 10am at Katikati Library. Caregivers, please stay with your children. Free to attend. Ōmokoroa Community Garden working bee. 10-noon. Hamurana Road, south entrance to

Ōmokoroa Point School. Weather permitting. Diabetes NZ Drop-in group 10-noon 177a Fraser Street, Tauranga. 571 3422 tauranga@diabetes.org.nz

Justice of the Peace clinic 10am-12pm at Ōmokoroa Library & Service Centre. Scrapbooking The Old Library Omokoroa 10am and 12.30pm fortnightly. $10.00. Contact Collette 027 460 9630 for more info and to book.

Western Bay Museum Guided Tour 11am. WBOP residents and ratepayers FREE. 32 Main Rd, Katikati. Ph 07 549 0651

Pilates Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall. 11.30am12.30pm. Contact Claudia 021 192 7706. Rummikub at Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd, Katikati. 1pm start, $3 per person.

Te Puna Quarry Park clearing, planting and weed control 1-4pm. Contact Shirley 552 2707. Scottish Country Dancing Bethlehem Hall, 1.15-3.15pm. Call Heather 021 185 5747.

Line Dancing Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall. Beginners 1-3pm. Call Joce 021 486 265. Brick Club Afterschool LEGO sessions in Ōmokoroa Library 2.45-4.45pm.

ITF Taekwon-do classes at Te Puna School Hall. 6-7.30pm. Self defence, self con idence,

itness. First 2 weeks free. George 022 437 4403.

Social Dancing Ballroom, Latin, Rock n Roll, Salsa. 7pm Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall. $5. Contact Angela 027 246 1624.

Ōmokoroa Songsters Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall during school terms from 7-8:30pm. Contact Jan Murray 548 2452, Alison Badger 548 1544. Katikati Concert Band 7-9pm, Katikati Bowling Club. We welcome all ages and experience. Contact Mick 021 217 1780. Bridge Club Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion in the evening. Call Lyn Chaston 022 165 0820 lynchaston@btinternet.com

Katikati Toastmasters Club Communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater selfcon idence and personal growth. 7.30pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays at the Community Centre, Beach Road. Contact 544 5989.

FRIDAYS

Social Tennis Waihī Beach Tennis Club 8.30/9 am start. All year. Casual & new players welcome. Call Kevin 027 273 5565.

Friends of the Blade direct message the Facebook: Friends of the Blade or email noelenetaylor57@gmail.com

Ladies Singles Tennis 9am at Ōmokoroa Tennis Club, Western Ave, Ōmokoroa. Enjoy some competitive but fun games.

Line Dancing Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall. General session 9am-noon. Call Shirley on 548 1633. Preschool Storytime ‘Read Sing Move’ at 10am at Ōmokoroa Library. Caregivers, please stay with your children. Free to attend.

Justice of the Peace clinic 10am-noon Bethlehem Community Church, 138 Moffat Road.

Justice of the Peace clinic 10am-noon Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road. Ōmokoroa Friendship Club Ōmokoroa Community Church Hall 10am-12.15pm for $4. Morning tea and lunch provided. Drop in or call Barbara Walls on 548 2899.

Ōmokoroa Singles over 60s meet for friendship, outings, etc. Coffee 11am at Ōmokoroa Boat Club or email Ōmokoroa.Senior.Singles@gmail.com

Waihī Beach Bowls at Memorial RSA Bowling Club. Roll-up, names in by 12.30 for 1 o’clock start. All welcome. Bowls and coaching available. Contact 021 0220 4040, 027 863 1349, waihibeachbowls@gmail.com

Bolivia Cards Ōmokoroa Bowling Club 12.45pm. Enquires to Janet on janetandwillie@kinect.co.nz or Linley on 218 7003.

Katikati Senior Citizens Indoor Bowls 12.45pm at Katikati Memorial Hall. Contact Heather 549 1008.

Cards 500 at Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd, Katikati. 1-4pm. $2 per person.

Katikati Plant & Produce Market A&P Showgrounds 3.30-5.30pm. Contact Pauline Van Rijen 549 2449.

SATURDAYS

Yoga at Ōmokoroa Pavilion 8-9am. $80 for 8 weeks. Contact Natasha on 021 735 327. www.natrainwellness.com

Junior Tennis Coaching at Ōmokoroa Tennis Club. Members and Non-members welcome. Visit omokoroatennis.com for information and to book.

Grow On Katikati 9.30-10.30 Pick up/drop off seeds and seedlings for community food resiliency. Next to Katikati Community Centre. growonkatikati@gmail.com

Ōmokoroa Toy Library 9.30-11am behind the Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall.

Te Puna Community Library in the School library 10am-noon.

Ōmokoroa Community Garden working bee. 10-noon. Hamurana Road, south entrance to Ōmokoroa Point School. Weather permitting. Western Bay Museum Guided Tour Noon. WBOP residents and ratepayers FREE. 32 Main Rd, Katikati. Ph 07 549 0651

Ōmokoroa Bowling Club 12.30 to 4pm. 30 Hamurana Road. Beginners and visitors welcome. $5. Ph 021 255 6415.

Homewood Park Tennis Club 1pm start. 30A Park Road, Katikati. New members welcome. Phone Michael 027 473 1540.

Katikati Bowling Club Combined Roll-up. 13pm. Names in by 12.45pm please. All welcome. Coaching available. 8 Park Rd, Katikati. Phone 549 0103.

Ōmokoroa Tennis Club 2-4pm. Contact Sharon Parker on 027 261 9517.

SUNDAYS

Ōmokoroa Cricket 20 overs from 1pm every second Sunday at Western Ave. BYO picnic. FB: @omokoroacricket

Jam session Waihī Beach Hotel, 60 Wilson Road. 4-7pm. Everyone welcome.