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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
Hunt continues for Coromandel's Big Foot - the Moehau Man
Bay of Plenty Times

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

31 Jan 08:36 PM
Risky and closed but 'thousands' still walking to Cathedral Cove
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

'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.

Cathedral Cove alternatives provide coastal Coromandel experience
Bay of Plenty Times

Cathedral Cove alternatives provide coastal Coromandel experience

09 Jan 02:47 AM

Alternative visitor options have been created near Cathedral Cove.

Missing man's dog found 2 months after disappearance
Bay of Plenty Times

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

Key Coromandel route on track to reopen this week
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

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.

Missing man: Police suspend search
Bay of Plenty Times

Missing man: Police suspend search

20 Nov 02:18 AM

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

What these Coromandel kids found that's worth thousands
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

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.

Person rescued after being trapped in lift
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

Search continues near Whangamatā for missing man

06 Nov 09:57 PM

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

Buyers snapping up Tairua development
Bay of Plenty Times

Buyers snapping up Tairua development

31 Oct 11:00 PM

Thirty-five of the 52 available sections have been sold in the development.

National's Scott Simpson retains Coromandel seat in landslide
Bay of Plenty Times

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'
Bay of Plenty Times

Coromandel tourism 'NZ's worst performer'

12 Oct 04:00 PM

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

Adopted 'sweet little dog' seriously injured
Bay of Plenty Times

Adopted 'sweet little dog' seriously injured

08 Oct 11:50 PM

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

Looking for Heidi: Podcast host and team comb forest for tourist's remains
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

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
Bay of Plenty Times

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.

Buffalo Beach airshow to celebrate 75 years of Mercury Bay Aero Club
Bay of Plenty Times

Buffalo Beach airshow to celebrate 75 years of Mercury Bay Aero Club

11 Sep 03:16 AM

A spectacular airshow will dominate the skies above Mercury Bay over Labour Weekend.

Coromandel business owners hope for a summer resurgence
Bay of Plenty Times

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.

Whangamatā half marathon back on track after 3-year break
Bay of Plenty Times

Whangamatā half marathon back on track after 3-year break

29 Aug 08:27 PM

The September 23 event includes new courses and a seaside start/finish at Williamson Park.

SH25A piles driven in at bridge site
Bay of Plenty Times

SH25A piles driven in at bridge site

28 Aug 03:45 AM

Contractors are working over a 20-hour-a-day cycle on the project.

Female players to the fore in Whangamatā
Bay of Plenty Times

Female players to the fore in Whangamatā

28 Aug 02:00 AM

Highlighted by fielding their first-ever women’s team and the champion senior A side.

Tairua skatepark a reality after 30-year battle
Bay of Plenty Times

Tairua skatepark a reality after 30-year battle

22 Aug 02:57 AM

A long-awaited skatepark in the coastal community of Tairua is full steam ahead.

Transport Minister and contractor give Kopu-Hikuai Road update
Bay of Plenty Times

Transport Minister and contractor give Kopu-Hikuai Road update

18 Aug 06:24 AM

David Parker reaffirmed today the project was on track for a March 2024 completion

Tourism grant hopes to boost visitor numbers in Coromandel this summer
Bay of Plenty Times

Tourism grant hopes to boost visitor numbers in Coromandel this summer

22 Jul 09:24 AM

Hadley Dryden spoke about what the $200,000 cash injection will do for Coromandel tourism

Sepuloni visits Thames, announces recovery plan to future-proof weather-impacted regions
Bay of Plenty Times

Sepuloni visits Thames, announces recovery plan to future-proof weather-impacted regions

19 Jul 12:35 AM

Carmel Sepuloni announced the Government’s $30 million North Island Weather Response.

Whangamatā banking hub to open
Bay of Plenty Times

Whangamatā banking hub to open

17 Jul 01:17 AM

Whangamata residents will be able to visit their branch from July 31.

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

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.

Pothole pledge endorsed by National Road Carriers
Bay of Plenty Times

Pothole pledge endorsed by National Road Carriers

17 Jul 12:40 AM

Excessive rainfall has left roads pockmarked with potholes, causing delays and distress.

Life-saving flight for Whitianga woman
Bay of Plenty Times

Life-saving flight for Whitianga woman

11 Jul 02:13 AM

Kat Kelsall said she owes her life to paramedics from the Westpac Rescue chopper.

Coromandel Chocolate: French chocolatier to open in Whangamatā
Bay of Plenty Times

Coromandel Chocolate: French chocolatier to open in Whangamatā

10 Jul 05:00 PM

Customers line up for the sweet delights of the display cabinet.

Legacy foundation named in honour of American scientist
Bay of Plenty Times

Legacy foundation named in honour of American scientist

09 Jul 10:40 PM

American scientist Lauren Kimiyo Worrell fell to her death in August 2018 at Whitianga

Gouda day out: Kids enjoy Opoutere cheese factory visit
Bay of Plenty Times

Gouda day out: Kids enjoy Opoutere cheese factory visit

04 Jul 03:06 AM

Van Leeuwen said he prefers to make gouda in take-home size as opposed to bigger wheels.

‘Devastating blow to our community': MP wants SH25a reopened by Christmas
Bay of Plenty Times

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

27 Jun 07:45 PM

Coromandel faces yet another disrupted summer, says MP.

SH25A re-opening in late March as rebuild starts
Bay of Plenty Times

SH25A re-opening in late March as rebuild starts

26 Jun 09:57 PM

Physical works under way for the construction of a bridge reconnecting State Highway 25.

SH25 to remain closed overnight between Ruamahunga and Waiomu
Bay of Plenty Times

SH25 to remain closed overnight between Ruamahunga and Waiomu

26 Jun 05:57 AM

Geotech engineers advise it is not safe to re-open State Highway 25.

Hauraki Coromandel sports results
Bay of Plenty Times

Hauraki Coromandel sports results

26 Jun 05:39 AM

The Waihī Golf Club hosted Meat Pack Day.

Waihī miners' ties with WW1 French tunnellers commemorated in visit
Bay of Plenty Times

Waihī miners' ties with WW1 French tunnellers commemorated in visit

25 Jun 11:17 PM

A bond forged in WWI has been renewed in a visit by French dignitaries.

St John looking for volunteers
Bay of Plenty Times

St John looking for volunteers

25 Jun 09:44 PM

St John’s aim is to provide a fully crewed emergency ambulance in all of the Coromandel

Sports results
Bay of Plenty Times

Sports results

18 Jun 11:23 PM

One massive win and two nail-biting results featured in Thames Valley Club Rugby

New pump track proposed for Morgan Park
Bay of Plenty Times

New pump track proposed for Morgan Park

15 Jun 08:00 PM

A pump track is a smaller, tighter-looped version of a BMX track

Waihī grave vandalism will upset many servicepeople: Veterans Affairs
Bay of Plenty Times

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.

Wander Women adventure race coming to Hahei in November
Bay of Plenty Times

Wander Women adventure race coming to Hahei in November

12 Jun 10:28 PM

The fifth Wander Women Adventure Race will take place in Hahei on Saturday November 11.

Hauraki Coromandel Sports results
Bay of Plenty Times

Hauraki Coromandel Sports results

12 Jun 02:11 AM

Hauraki North worked hard to pip Te Aroha Cobras 27-24 at Waitakaruru.

Adrenaline-junkie Boyd cutting mullet for cancer charity
Bay of Plenty Times

Adrenaline-junkie Boyd cutting mullet for cancer charity

12 Jun 01:38 AM

Ten-year-old Boyd Ingle from Ngatea has been growing his Mullet for three years.

Tapu-Coroglen Road reopening expected by end of year says Council
Bay of Plenty Times

Tapu-Coroglen Road reopening expected by end of year says Council

01 Jun 03:13 AM

Thames Coromandel District Council has given an opening date for the Tapu-Coroglen Road

'Send it to Coromandel': MP wants unused cyclone funds redirected
Bay of Plenty Times

'Send it to Coromandel': MP wants unused cyclone funds redirected

31 May 05:57 AM

Scott Simpson says unspent cyclone relief funds should be reused.

Ngātea Library, service centre to be rebuilt as $4.8m community hub
Bay of Plenty Times

Ngātea Library, service centre to be rebuilt as $4.8m community hub

31 May 04:09 AM

The project budget for the rbuild of the Ngātea Service Centre has been reset.

Coromandel leaders upset over loss of concert
Bay of Plenty Times

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.

Lifeguards honoured for Tairua bar rescue
Bay of Plenty Times

Lifeguards honoured for Tairua bar rescue

28 May 11:25 PM

The Pāuanui Surf Lifesaving Club and Pāuanui and Tairua lifeguards were honoured.

Crosses from 19th century Coromandel shipwreck returned to Canada
Bay of Plenty Times

Crosses from 19th century Coromandel shipwreck returned to Canada

28 May 11:19 PM

Wooden crosses were made from timber washed up over time on to Buffalo Beach in Whitianga

Police allege vehicle driven towards pedestrians
Bay of Plenty Times

Police allege vehicle driven towards pedestrians

26 May 03:31 AM

Vehicle allegedly fled scene of crash.

Op-shop purse triggers series of amazing coincidences
Bay of Plenty Times

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?
Bay of Plenty Times

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

17 May 06:47 PM

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

Book review: The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker
Reviews

Book review: The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker

17 May 05:00 PM

The Lighthouse is Christopher Parker's self-published debut novel.

Bridge to replace SH25A the best option, says National Road Carriers Association
Bay of Plenty Times

Bridge to replace SH25A the best option, says National Road Carriers Association

15 May 05:00 PM

The NRC represents 1500 members who collectively operate 16,000 trucks throughout NZ.

Regional banking hub to open in Whangamatā
Bay of Plenty Times

Regional banking hub to open in Whangamatā

15 May 04:55 AM

The Regional Banking Hubs trial is expanding, and a new hub is opening in Whangamatā.

Special guest at Pāuanui Pink Ribbon breakfast
Bay of Plenty Times

Special guest at Pāuanui Pink Ribbon breakfast

15 May 03:17 AM

The Pink Ribbon breakfast will be held at the Pāuanui Club on May 24.

Whangamata surfer rides the wave of success
Bay of Plenty Times

Whangamata surfer rides the wave of success

10 May 05:00 PM

Pia Rogers will be winging her way to the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador.

Loss of a vital connection has caused immeasurable harm: Mayor
Bay of Plenty Times

Loss of a vital connection has caused immeasurable harm: Mayor

09 May 04:56 AM

Transport Minister Michael Wood reveals the Governments plans for SH25A in the Coromandel.

Hauraki-Coromandel sports results
Bay of Plenty Times

Hauraki-Coromandel sports results

08 May 06:26 AM

Hauraki North extended their lead on top in the Thames Valley club rugby standings.

Waihī psychologist’s practical new relationship book
Bay of Plenty Times

Waihī psychologist’s practical new relationship book

08 May 04:32 AM

Herald on Sunday columnist Nic Beets has put his years of experience into print.

Singer  to play Paeroa
Bay of Plenty Times

Singer to play Paeroa

08 May 02:17 AM

Denise Norton is a New Zealand-born singer who has extensively toured Europe and the US

Pōhutukawa  planted in Thames to mark coronation
Royals

Pōhutukawa planted in Thames to mark coronation

07 May 11:25 PM

Thames joined other towns across the nation in celebrating the coronation.

New culvert added to Piako River project
Bay of Plenty Times

New culvert added to Piako River project

04 May 08:00 PM

Site was once paddocks

Te Huia weekend experiment on hold despite passenger number increase
Bay of Plenty Times

Te Huia weekend experiment on hold despite passenger number increase

04 May 05:00 PM

The new day return services were due to start at the end of this month.

Three-month wait on SH25A decision ‘far too long’
Bay of Plenty Times

Three-month wait on SH25A decision ‘far too long’

01 May 06:49 AM

MP Scott Simpson has spoken out at what he sees as a lack of urgency from Waka Kotahi.

Skatepark final design adopted
Bay of Plenty Times

Skatepark final design adopted

01 May 03:37 AM

The design plans for Tairua Skatepark was approved by Council at a recent meeting of the T

Crosses from shipwreck blessed in memory of Canadian rebel
Bay of Plenty Times

Crosses from shipwreck blessed in memory of Canadian rebel

24 Apr 05:48 AM

Small group braves poor weather to gather at a shipwreck memorial at Whitianga.

Luxon and Nats hear Coromandel’s concerns
Bay of Plenty Times

Luxon and Nats hear Coromandel’s concerns

17 Apr 03:50 AM

About 70 people came to hear Christopher Luxon speak in Thames last week.

Coromandel attracting international tourists again
Bay of Plenty Times

Coromandel attracting international tourists again

17 Apr 02:15 AM

The Coromandel has bucked the trend with an autumnal revival of international visitors.

Hauraki Coromandel Sports results
Bay of Plenty Times

Hauraki Coromandel Sports results

11 Apr 12:53 AM

The second round of the Whangamata Golf Club Men’s stroke play championship was played on

Sporting veterans drop in for charity triathlon
Bay of Plenty Times

Sporting veterans drop in for charity triathlon

09 Apr 11:31 PM

The Due Drop Hope Challenge charity triathlon has an all-star lineup.

Supermarket pairs with refuge to support cyclone-affected
Bay of Plenty Times

Supermarket pairs with refuge to support cyclone-affected

03 Apr 05:55 AM

Pak’nSsave has announced plans to help communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle

Coromandel highway: Minister casts doubt on December re-opening
Bay of Plenty Times

Coromandel highway: Minister casts doubt on December re-opening

03 Apr 12:39 AM

Business leaders met last week in Thames with Transport Minister Michael Wood.

Beach Hop brings back the fun in the Coromandel
Bay of Plenty Times

Beach Hop brings back the fun in the Coromandel

27 Mar 02:17 AM

Repco Beach Hop 2023 brought much-needed economic energy back to the Coromandel.

Online marketplace steps up to help businesses
Bay of Plenty Times

Online marketplace steps up to help businesses

23 Mar 09:39 PM

GrabOne is calling for Kiwi businesses to get in touch for a free listing.

Beach Hop to provide cash-injection for Coromandel
Bay of Plenty Times

Beach Hop to provide cash-injection for Coromandel

20 Mar 10:16 PM

Repco Beach Hop is back for a 2023 edition.

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