New Zealand-born artist Ross Paul Dunn has long explored the complex relationship between humans, animals and the environment through his creative work. His paintings often weave narratives that challenge viewers to reflect on the way people shape – and are shaped by – the natural world.By Coromind

Coromind Editorial - Issue 29, 2025By Coromind

Coromind Magazine Issue 29 Full Audio VersionBy Coromind

Born from a simple callout for sock donations, Children in Care – Te Manaaki Tamariki is a grassroots initiative supporting vulnerable tamariki (children) across the Thames/Coromandel District.By Coromind

In 2019, Carl committed and trained to do my bit to help change the trajectory of men’s health in New Zealand. Since then, Carl has worked in a private capacity with hundreds of Tāne from around Aotearoa who turn up to me in Tairua, with burnout, depression, trauma, addictions like alcohol/vaping, mental unease, relationship issues – an awareness t…

Using language is this cool inbuilt ability, when you think about it. It takes the basic sounds we make with our mouths, or the signs we write or make with our hands, and forms entire codes that we then use to communicate.By Coromind

If you’ve lived in New Zealand all your life, you should know by now that this season could bring some of the harshest weather conditions damaging to roofs: Strong winds, Heavy rainfall, Condensation and Moisture...By Coromind

Have you ever wondered about a plant, animal or insect you’ve seen in nature? Your observations can make a valuable contribution to scientific research and conservation.By Coromind

In 1975, after a three-week stay at a Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka, I made my way by ferry across the Palk Strait to Tamil Nadu in southern India and from there caught a train to Pondicherry, a city south of the state’s capital Chennai, which at the time was called Madras...By Coromind

Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world. In this edition, Johnny Greaves. Brought to you by Ron Morgan.By Coromind

When I first visited Kay Ogilvie’s studio, the diversity of her work immediately caught my attention. I loved the massive bats hanging upside down – as they would, of course – but what really stood out was how varied everything was. If you spread her pieces across a gallery floor without any labels, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were made by …

Gaming isn’t just for teenagers – it’s a cultural phenomenon for millions of people around the world, including a lot of adults. It’s more than just a way to pass the time; gaming lets people explore different identities, build skills and connect with others.By Coromind

In the last five issues of Coromind, I took you on a trip, sharing my insights into the great food and drinks you’ll find in our lovely Hauraki-Coromandel region. For this last article, I wrap up with a few special things which occasionally feature as a real indulgence in my diet.By Coromind

Eggsentric Café operators Sam Fowell and Rachel Saunders are showing that hospitality and sustainability go hand in hand.By Coromind

I clearly remember the purpose that brought me to Hot Water Beach sixty years ago – looking for a site for a family beach home with room for gardening. I was 15 years old. My parents came down and bought a beachfront section and a DIY beach home project was created.By Coromind

Kupe, the legendary Polynesian explorer, journeyed from the Pacific to Aotearoa on the Matawhaorua, a great double-hulled waka. According to tradition, Kupe was ‘chasing a wheke’ – a giant octopus – which metaphorically describes how he and his crew navigated the vast Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean) using the many different currents.…

While browsing through the museum collections, I was drawn to a photo of a gentleman in a uniform, with a number of medals pinned to his jacket. He appeared to have dressed carefully for the photo, with a sense of pride in his appearance and the uniform he was wearing.By Coromind

Possum hunting is the unlikely catalyst for a historical novel written by Hikuai man, Jonathan Peet. But this ex-farmer, musician and history lover says when hunting possums years ago he discovered evidence of old mining sites in the bush, sparking his love of history and the writing of his first book, Wairata.…

Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world. In this edition, Megan Carmichael. Brought to you by Ron Morgan.By Coromind

What is flotation therapy? It involves floating in lukewarm water saturated with Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom salts). The weightless, zero-gravity environment induces deep relaxation while the absence of external stimuli allows the brain to rest, escaping daily distractions.By Coromind

A long way from the Coromandel, in the middle of the Southern Alps somewhere, my two rock-climbing partners’ looks of concern terrified me! “Rachael, we have taken off your helmet and replaced it with mine and we have set off your emergency locator beacon!” I felt sorry for my partner at home, in Whitianga, my first emergency contact! He’d be recei…

The world’s languages are dying! Every single language on this earth is an intangible taonga, each containing an entire people’s identity, history, philosophy, culture, economic and technological knowledge, and more. And when a language dies, that intangible part of humanity dies with it.By Coromind

Pete Sephton was raised in Thames but left at 18, first to attend university and then to travel across Australia and South-east Asia. In 1972, he returned to university to qualify as a teacher, and by 1977, he was teaching art in Kawerau.By Coromind

Being married to Dianne, who generally prefers vegetarian food, has presented challenges for me as someone who is more naturally carnivorous. However my tastes have certainly flexed over the years and I am passionate about several plant and fruit items grown in NZ. I’m also involved in vegetable growing as a Director of a large-scale Hawkes Bay-bas…

Hi, Alisa Clapham here. Mother of two young children and the owner of BOD. Skincare & Massage in Whitianga. As an advocate for mental wellness, I often wonder – are people truly happy in their day-to-day lives? I can sympathise with your never-ending to-do list.By Coromind

From the moment Emma Lovell could move, she was dancing. As a child, her mother would watch her twirl on tiptoes before she could even walk, captivated by the rhythm and movement that seemed ingrained in her very being. That innate love for dance led her on a lifelong journey – one that has now brought her to Whitianga with a mission to share the j…

Thames Music and Drama (MAD) produce plays and smaller revue-type shows at their base at the Tararu Cultural Centre. Their upcoming production, School of Rock, gives rangatahi an opportunity to showcase their talents in acting, singing, and musicianship.By Coromind

Is your digital self deciding what you get to see and do in real life? Every time you scroll through TikTok, ask Siri to play a song, or search for a cool new recipe on your tablet, you’re adding to what’s called your ‘algorithmic identity’.By Coromind

Nature isn’t just a place to visit; it’s where we find balance, restore our energy, and reconnect with ourselves. With a passion for the natural world and a background in environmental and outdoor education, DOC Community Ranger, Maree Limpus, has witnessed the positive impact nature can have on people and their well-being.…

Kanani Cowell is originally from O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, and arrived in Aotearoa 40 years ago after spending time in Tahiti and Samoa. Kanani Cowell pursued art and art history, teaching in Aotearoa (including at Thames High) and completed a Master’s in Art in 2001.By Coromind

Coromind Editorial - Issue 28, 2025By Coromind

Coromind Magazine Issue 28 Full Audio VersionBy Coromind

Following up on Part 1 of the Barton Wood story: One day one of my housemates, Dave, decided to explore the several sheds on the property, which unfortunately weren’t locked. I say unfortunately because they contained some pretty interesting stuff which immediately caught Dave’s aesthetic eye...By Coromind

Did you spot Whitianga Waka Ama on the water this Waitangi Day? Our local club welcomed more than 40 new paddlers who took to the moana (ocean) for the first time as part of the Waitangi ki Whitianga celebration held at Buffalo Beach Reserve.By Coromind

Hazy and the Jays is a dynamic alternative pop/rock band based in Thames, New Zealand. The group features Izzy Fitzsimons on lead vocals, Harris Elliot-Hogg on guitar, Jacob Rush on bass, and Jacob ‘Sticky’ Wenhold on drums. Together, they craft a unique sound shaped by diverse musical influences.By Coromind

They say Coromandel is good for the soul and I reckon the lovely Rapaura Watergardens at Tapu are good for the soul and the heart. With 64 acres (about 26 hectares) of native bush, lush gardens and delightful waterfalls, it’s a welcoming haven for those needing rest or some space and time with nature.…

Most in the Coromandel will be familiar with the story of Driving Creek: established in the early 70s by polymath potter, train enthusiast and conservationist Barry Brickell, Driving Creek evolved organically over its more than fifty-year history. It became a significant...By Coromind

I have loved fishing for most of my 73 years. As a youngster, I went with my father and his mates game fishing in Bay of Islands waters. I was sometimes seasick and had to be dropped off at Deep Water Cove to while away the day while the fishermen scoured the ocean towing a dead kahawai along the surface.…

Each one of us carries the ability to communicate and understand the world around us through language. The languages that we use are not inanimate objects or meaningless tools that we use as a means to an end. They are an extension of culture, containing all the different ways to describe, categorise, and interpret the world.…

Wink is a one-eyed Conservation Dog from Invercargill with an important job: detecting pests and sniffing out Spartina grass. His well-tuned nose has brought him up all the way up to Hauraki and Coromandel...By Coromind

How comfortable do you feel being alone? Ideally, being alone, spending time in our own company, is based on liking who we are, otherwise it can be a nasty spiral downwards.By Coromind

There’s a big sparkly sign in the shape of a surfboard as you pass the Tairua home of Dessa Bluu. It’s done in mosaic with a Pacific design and is just one of this imaginative artist’s creations.By Coromind

The ocean floor suddenly comes to life – a grey winged creature unveils itself. It takes flight, gliding effortlessly along the sand. The stingray – or ‘whai’ in te reo – can be found in abundance on our coast during the summer months. Belonging to the same family as sharks, whai also have skeletons of cartilage. They bury themselves beneath the sa…

Continuing from my introductory story of my arrival at Te Puia (Hot Water Beach) in 1964, I will explore the reasons why I became so passionate about restoring the biodiversity of the enchanted Te Puia Pa site.By Coromind

If the locals love a place, you know it’s worth a visit. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Craft Haus Gastropub in Whangamatā – a warm, welcoming spot where great food, craft beer and community come together. Owned and operated by Phil and Natalie Keogh, along with their daughters Poppy and Isla, Craft Haus has quickly become a favourite for both …

Every time we throw food away, we're not just tossing scraps we're throwing away money, resources, and a chance to care for our environment...By Coromind

Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world. In this edition, Ronella Silbery. Brought to you by Ron Morgan.By Coromind

Growing and producing Olives for oil is an ancient process that dates well back into the BC years. The Mediterranean Region, which has an optimal climate for Olive production, was one of the first production areas to emerge all these years ago.By Coromind

Wendy is a professional mixed media artist with local and international clientele. Her genre is Mixed Media and she paints landscapes, still life, flora and fauna and is not shy of trying new subjects and resources. A qualified teacher, Wendy has conducted art workshops throughout the North Island, in her art school in Auckland and later in her stu…

Coromind Editorial - Issue 27, 2025By Coromind