O
rganiser Michelle Dobson reported that
this year’s event was a rip roaring success.
“Over 2,500 attended,” she said, “from as far
away as the UK!”
“The music was unreal,” she enthused, “with
X-Factor’s Jessie Matthews and her sister
Georgina setting the crowd on fire.” 12-year-old
Madeline Christopher and Ayla Jade, a young
performer from Tairua (shown right), also blew
the crowd away!
The kids enjoyed pony rides, bouncy castle,
facepainting, painting ceramics, and clowns.
A taste? Booth food included scallops, mussels,
chutneys, cheeses, crepes, gourmet pork
belly, wood fired pizza, Thai chicken, seafood
chowder, and more. Wineries and brewers
pleased the crowd with their local fare as well.
The festival highlight was Matarangi’s own
MasterChef-like competition, sponsored by
buyinglocal.co.nz. What fun! Each chef started
with a ‘mystery box’ (a point was awarded for
each item used), a visit to the ‘pantry’ and then a
timed competition to prepare the ‘best’.
Luke Reilly owner of Luke’s Kitchen in Kuaotunu
took home top prize. He managed to use all the
ingredients from his mystery box as well as
create a delicious meal.
The beneficiary of the charity event was the
Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust. They
were awarded a check for $10,000, “twice the
amount of last year!”
Taste of Matarangi
draws crowd of 2,500
Left, Luke Reilly from Luke’s Kitchen in
Kuaotunu drew a rapt crowd competing in the
buyinglocal.co.nz Cooking Competition. Luke
managed to use all the items in his mystery
box – polenta, prosciutto, plum powder,
chicken, seaweed and chilli – all from New
Zealand. And he won!
Above: Andy Corles of Castle Rock Café,
shown in the ‘pantry’ was a close competitor.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Sandra Scott
Dip. Landscape Design
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
GREAT GARDENS START WITH GREAT DESIGN
P:
07 866 2656
M:
021 030 6614
E:
Specialising in coastal and country garden design since 1999
Marie Osborn
Licensed Real Estate Consultant REAA 2008
m 0274 334 027
p 07 866 4981
71 Albert Street, Whitianga
MREINZ
LARSENREALTY LTD
advertising
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
LAUNDROMAT
OPEN
7 DAYS
Coin Operated Washers and Dryers
Self Service - Change Machine
Folding Tables
Comfy Seating - Childrens Area
LAUNDROMAT
021-893-908 or 07-864-9019
242 Main Road in Tairua (next to Tall)
ENGINEER
around and about the Coromandel
60
COROMANDEL LIFE LATE AUTUMN/WINTER
Crowd favorite, X-Factor’s Jessie Matthews and
her sister Georgina, get people groovin’!
KAURI
DIEBACK DISEASE
HITS THE
COROMANDEL
The Kauri Dieback Disease has now been
detected in some trees in the Whangapoua
Forest north of Whitianga.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith has
taken precaution of closing the 319-hectare
forest to help prevent the spread of the
fungal disease. It is thought that the
pathogen is spread by hikers via dirt, but
there are no tracks through the area.
Until the two infected Kauri were
discovered locally, the disease had only
been found in trees in Northland, the
Waitakere Ranges, and on Great Barrier
Island. There is currently no treatment nor
cure to fight the disease.
Boot washing stations have been installed
at some major trailheads to prevent the
spread of the disease by hikers.
See
d also visit
ADVERTISE WITH US,,,
For as little as
$35 per month
you can reach up to
30,000 readers
on the Coromandel
for 3+ months.
Ring 07 864 9908 or
Sandie Faiers
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson (REAA 2008)
M:
0276 227 717
OFFICE
(07) 864 7325
FAX
(07) 864 7988
E
MAIL
WEB
AJB Ltd t/a Bruce Spurdle First National
REAL ESTATE TAIRUA
