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Jim Birchall
Former editor - HC Post
Whangamatā

Jim Birchill is the former Editor of the Hauraki-Coromandel Post.

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Jim’s latest content
New life for old art deco cinema as wedding venue
New Zealand

New life for old art deco cinema as wedding venue

09 Feb 06:30 PM
Waikato eels given safe path to sea thanks to innovative pump
New Zealand

Waikato eels given safe path to sea thanks to innovative pump

02 Feb 01:34 AM

The prototype pump had a successful trial at the Huntly golf course pump station.

Thornton Bay stabilisation project to receive $1.3m in funding
New Zealand

Thornton Bay stabilisation project to receive $1.3m in funding

01 Feb 09:54 PM

The funding is a significant contribution towards project's design and construction.

Hunt continues for Coromandel's Big Foot - the Moehau Man
New Zealand

Hunt continues for Coromandel's Big Foot - the Moehau Man

31 Jan 08:36 PM

'I’ve been followed, had stuff thrown at me, and come across large footprints.'

Sunken and salvaged: Ariana celebrates 100 years
New Zealand

Sunken and salvaged: Ariana celebrates 100 years

30 Jan 02:55 AM

She was a total wreck, salvaged from the mangroves but had a good pedigree.

DoC wants a track to Cathedral Cove but no guarantees
New Zealand

DoC wants a track to Cathedral Cove but no guarantees

24 Jan 03:52 AM

A solution that is not resilient to climate change is not an option, DoC says.

Risky and closed but 'thousands' still walking to Cathedral Cove
New Zealand

Risky and closed but 'thousands' still walking to Cathedral Cove

22 Jan 04:39 AM

DoC has removed staff from the site because of public abuse.

Vandals destroy prized elephant outside Thames restaurant
New Zealand

Vandals destroy prized elephant outside Thames restaurant

17 Jan 01:14 AM

Vandals smashed the intricate elephant sculpture into pieces.

'Go f*** yourself': Mayor's salty email reply
New Zealand

'Go f*** yourself': Mayor's salty email reply

16 Jan 02:40 AM

Fiery language was in response to increased aggression directed at council staff.

Broken water main forces Thames total water ban
New Zealand

Broken water main forces Thames total water ban

11 Jan 02:36 AM

Thames and Thames Valley are under level 5 watering bans after two incidents.

Cathedral Cove alternatives provide coastal Coromandel experience
New Zealand

Cathedral Cove alternatives provide coastal Coromandel experience

09 Jan 02:47 AM

Alternative visitor options have been created near Cathedral Cove.

Ram raid in Whangamatā overnight
New Zealand

Ram raid in Whangamatā overnight

04 Jan 12:15 AM

Police say two people were arrested after calls of concern from the public.

Missing man's dog found 2 months after disappearance
New Zealand

Missing man's dog found 2 months after disappearance

02 Jan 05:42 PM

Jordan van Deursen, 29, has not been seen after failing to return from a planned trip

Keen eye kept on Coromandel’s water quality over summer
New Zealand

Keen eye kept on Coromandel’s water quality over summer

27 Dec 11:44 PM

Waikato Regional Council also says don't swim in murky water or after recent rain.

'Absolutely critical': How SH25a bridge was built so quickly
New Zealand

'Absolutely critical': How SH25a bridge was built so quickly

17 Dec 02:21 AM

Present were interests from local business groups, retailers and tourist operators.

From trolley duty to management and now community hero
New Zealand

From trolley duty to management and now community hero

17 Dec 12:59 AM

After becoming pregnant, Sibley managed to complete high school while also working.

Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr looking forward to NZ tour
New Zealand

Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr looking forward to NZ tour

08 Dec 04:30 AM

Kerr is aware touring is finite but says he still loves hitting the road.

Social supermarket to provide low cost food
New Zealand

Social supermarket to provide low cost food

08 Dec 04:16 AM

Food and grocery products will be offered at low or no cost, using a points system.

Key Coromandel route on track to reopen this week
New Zealand

Key Coromandel route on track to reopen this week

03 Dec 08:38 PM

Delays caused by Cyclone Lola and site vandalism initially delayed the project.

Researchers prove that being in the Coromandel reduces stress and anxiety
New Zealand

Researchers prove that being in the Coromandel reduces stress and anxiety

30 Nov 09:48 PM

The region has always claimed to be good for your soul - now it's backed by science.

Jo's hidden food forest flourishing in Coromandel subdivision
New Zealand

Jo's hidden food forest flourishing in Coromandel subdivision

30 Nov 01:13 AM

'I have always strived to be as self-sustaining as possible.'

'Game-changer': Major Coromandel project nears completion
New Zealand

'Game-changer': Major Coromandel project nears completion

23 Nov 06:00 PM

The $15.3 million project includes building a new commercial wharf and slipway.

Bridge not too far off: SH25a project steams ahead
New Zealand

Bridge not too far off: SH25a project steams ahead

20 Nov 09:15 PM

The bridge is being constructed to plug a 124-metre-wide expanse.

Missing man: Police suspend search
New Zealand

Missing man: Police suspend search

20 Nov 02:18 AM

Van Deursen, 29, has not been seen after failing to return from a trip.

New public housing on the way in Thames
New Zealand

New public housing on the way in Thames

20 Nov 01:00 AM

New state houses for Thames will be ready early next year.

Whangamata resident celebrates 106th birthday
New Zealand

Whangamata resident celebrates 106th birthday

17 Nov 04:58 AM

Hilda Simmons, one of NZ's oldest people, was born in Morrinsville on November 15, 1917.

Axe to fall on reserve's poisoned pines
New Zealand

Axe to fall on reserve's poisoned pines

16 Nov 09:27 PM

Work is to begin on cleaning up after a mysterious spate of tree poisoning.

What these Coromandel kids found that's worth thousands
New Zealand

What these Coromandel kids found that's worth thousands

14 Nov 09:00 PM

The children’s father was surprised to find the huge lump sitting on the kitchen bench.

Coromandel's SH25A to open before Christmas - three months early
New Zealand

Coromandel's SH25A to open before Christmas - three months early

12 Nov 11:58 PM

The reopening of the road brings a welcome economic boost to the Coromandel Peninsula.

Finding Heidi podcaster offers $10k reward for Swedish tourist info
New Zealand

Finding Heidi podcaster offers $10k reward for Swedish tourist info

10 Nov 04:05 AM

Wolf has put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the Swedish woman's body.

Person rescued after being trapped in lift
New Zealand

Person rescued after being trapped in lift

07 Nov 03:58 AM

Emergency staff were called to the rescue of a person who was trapped in an elevator.

Search continues near Whangamatā for missing man
New Zealand

Search continues near Whangamatā for missing man

06 Nov 09:57 PM

LandSAR personnel are concentrating their search in an area from Wentworth Valley.

National's Scott Simpson retains Coromandel seat in landslide
New Zealand

National's Scott Simpson retains Coromandel seat in landslide

15 Oct 05:26 AM

National MP Scott Simpson remains the MP for Coromandel.

Coromandel tourism 'NZ's worst performer'
New Zealand

Coromandel tourism 'NZ's worst performer'

12 Oct 04:00 PM

Hauraki-Coromandel visitor revenue, including cash and online spending, is down $90m.

Car ends up on railway lines after gorge crash
New Zealand

Car ends up on railway lines after gorge crash

09 Oct 08:04 PM

Tourists, who had been in the country for less than two days, had a lucky escape

Midwives anxious over closure of Waihī  birthing centre
New Zealand

Midwives anxious over closure of Waihī birthing centre

09 Oct 12:24 AM

Pregnant women are already concerned at the extra travel and are changing birth plans.

Adopted 'sweet little dog' seriously injured
New Zealand

Adopted 'sweet little dog' seriously injured

08 Oct 11:50 PM

A "beautiful sweet little dog” was injured, returned to vet days after adoption.

New life for facility after birthing centre closes
New Zealand

New life for facility after birthing centre closes

06 Oct 02:30 AM

Waihī Lifecare Birthing Centre has shut after 80 years.

Repair work starts on key Coromandel route
New Zealand

Repair work starts on key Coromandel route

06 Oct 02:20 AM

A company based in Coromandel township is set to complete the repair.

Waste contractor issues public apology to Hauraki residents
New Zealand

Waste contractor issues public apology to Hauraki residents

28 Sep 02:53 AM

A waste contractor has apologised after a contract began before new trucks arrived.

Looking for Heidi: Podcast host and team comb forest for tourist's remains
New Zealand|crime

Looking for Heidi: Podcast host and team comb forest for tourist's remains

20 Sep 02:30 AM

Volunteers scoured an area of forest near Whangamatā for the remains of Heidi Paakkonen.

Big Read: 'Blown up from the inside out' - the 1969 Ngātea crop circle
New Zealand

Big Read: 'Blown up from the inside out' - the 1969 Ngātea crop circle

15 Sep 01:11 AM

Many people will be unaware of mysterious markings in a Hauraki Plains paddock.

Cathedral Cove rāhui: Facebook post told how to access beach
New Zealand

Cathedral Cove rāhui: Facebook post told how to access beach

13 Sep 08:02 PM

The post described using a damaged track at the site.

Coromandel business owners hope for a summer resurgence
New Zealand

Coromandel business owners hope for a summer resurgence

04 Sep 10:44 PM

Coromandel recorded the dubious honour of the biggest drop in retail spending nationwide.

Have you seen Bodhi? Dog missing for weeks after strangers put it in their car
New Zealand

Have you seen Bodhi? Dog missing for weeks after strangers put it in their car

17 Jul 01:00 AM

Bodhi was seen by two separate people getting into a red car.

‘Devastating blow to our community': MP wants SH25a reopened by Christmas
New Zealand

‘Devastating blow to our community': MP wants SH25a reopened by Christmas

27 Jun 07:45 PM

Coromandel faces yet another disrupted summer, says MP.

Waihī grave vandalism will upset many servicepeople: Veterans Affairs
New Zealand

Waihī grave vandalism will upset many servicepeople: Veterans Affairs

13 Jun 11:21 PM

A section of the Waihī Cemetery where war veterans are buried has been desecrated.

Coromandel leaders upset over loss of concert
New Zealand

Coromandel leaders upset over loss of concert

29 May 06:00 PM

Cancelled Whitianga Summer Concert is another blow to the region's visitor industry.

Op-shop purse triggers series of amazing coincidences
New Zealand

Op-shop purse triggers series of amazing coincidences

22 May 12:46 AM

A local woman was reunited with photo of her American mum after a chance discovery.

What's happening to Paeroa's famous L&P bottle?
New Zealand

What's happening to Paeroa's famous L&P bottle?

17 May 06:47 PM

'It’s done Paeroa proud over the years.'

Is this the most majestic way to see New Zealand?
Travel

Is this the most majestic way to see New Zealand?

29 Mar 11:00 PM

Cruise ships have bounced back offering competitive pricing and an easy way to see NZ.

Eleven homes evacuated in Coromandel debris dam
New Zealand

Eleven homes evacuated in Coromandel debris dam

06 Feb 11:12 PM

Mayor Len Salt says he’s 'confident the [central] Government will step in to help'.

Stolen artworks believed to be in Whangamatā
New Zealand

Stolen artworks believed to be in Whangamatā

17 Oct 03:14 AM

The art has been on-sold illegally to a person or persons in Whangamatā.

Shark expert aims to upskill public on apex predator
New Zealand

Shark expert aims to upskill public on apex predator

17 Oct 02:07 AM

The odds of a water user bumping into a shark on their boogie board remain low.

Man airlifted to hospital in serious condition after car goes over bank
New Zealand

Man airlifted to hospital in serious condition after car goes over bank

15 Sep 04:04 AM

A vehicle has slid off State Highway 25 this afternoon near Whangamatā .

Māori Language Week a chance to learn te reo
Kahu

Māori Language Week a chance to learn te reo

13 Sep 10:51 PM

The week is part of a greater movement to recognise and promote the use of te reo.

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