Coromind

Welcome to the Full Audio Version of Coromind Magazine, Issue 43 - July, 2026.Visit www.coromind.nz for more.www.coromind.nz

Pamela Ferla reflects on the ups and downs of everyday life, from rising costs and global news to misplaced glasses and garden weeds. But a flick through Coromind Magazine shifts the mood, offering colour, inspiration, and a reminder of the richness in local stories, creativity, and community life across the Coromandel.www.coromind.nz

Amplify Aotearoa is an intergenerational music project bringing rangatahi together with some of Aotearoa’s most respected musicians in professional studios and live performance settings. Now reaching the Coromandel, this kaupapa gives young local artists the chance to record, perform, and share the stage with Kiwi music legends, capturing the experience on vinyl and placing their voices into a national creative story.www.coromind.nz

In this feature, Gaylene Lonergan shares her love of colour, storytelling, and silk painting. Working with dyes and gutta on silk, she creates vibrant, whimsical works inspired by coastal life at Opito Bay, travel, and everyday moments of joy. A celebration of creativity, imagination, and the simple pleasure of art that makes people smile.www.coromind.nz

The KAURI 2000 project had its humble beginnings, more than 25 years ago, with a scattering of kauri seedlings in the Kūaotunu garden of Cliff Heraud. As Cliff contemplated what to do with these baby kauri, the ‘seed’ of an idea came about.www.coromind.nz

Voting isn’t just for older generations. Gabriel Johnston encourages young New Zealanders to get informed, enrol, and have their say. A timely reminder that the decisions made in Parliament today help shape the future we all live in tomorrow.www.coromind.nz

In this thoughtful reflection from Wāhi Tukurua, a pile of donated clothing becomes the starting point for a bigger conversation about waste, abundance, and the choices we make. Inspired by the spirit of Matariki, this piece invites us to consider not just what we throw away, but what we choose to bring into our lives.www.coromind.nz

Cuppa Words is a space dedicated to expression. In this edition: KUPU by WORDsmith and Sir Barren Church by Paul Catewww.coromind.nz

Charlene Scott shares a personal reflection on clay, creativity, and connection to Papatūānuku. She speaks about her journey into ceramics, the influence of motherhood, myth, and the feminine form, and how working with earth-based materials has reshaped her practice. A quiet, grounded piece about art, land, and returning to creative purpose.www.coromind.nz

Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world. In this edition, Clinton Edward. Brought to you by Rob Holding.www.coromind.nz

In this reflective instalment of Ross’ Ramblings, Ross Liggins explores the blurred line between habit and addiction. From a lifelong “addiction” to surfing, to reflections on alcohol, relationships, and modern digital dependence, he asks what we really mean when we use the word addiction, and how context shapes its impact on our lives.Honest, personal, and at times confronting, this piece moves between humour and hard truth, offering a lived perspective on behaviour, consequence, and self-awareness.Written and narrated by Ross Liggins.www.coromind.nz

A heartfelt journey back to India, this story follows Niharika “Nira” Giri as she returns to her ancestral village in Bihar to celebrate her Dhadhi Ma’s 100th birthday. Blending memory, whakapapa, and family tradition, she reflects on migration, cultural rituals, and the meaning of whānau across generations. From Delhi to Gopalganj, and from shared meals to a gathering of thousands, this is a story of roots, love, and coming home.Written and Narrated by Niharika Giriwww.coromind.nz

Inspired by a school mural and a lifelong love of fairy art, Emma Evangeline reimagines Aotearoa’s medicinal plants as magical beings. This enchanting article explores the stories, healing properties, and cultural significance of native plants through the lens of rongoā Māori, inviting us to reconnect with the living world growing all around us.Written by Emma Evangeline. Narrated by Lana Garland.www.coromind.nz

What if every payment helped keep more money in the Coromandel? In this edition of Tech for Everyday People, local developer David Crompton explains how ShopLocal.nz uses open banking to cut payment fees, simplify fundraising, and help local businesses get found online. A practical look at technology built for everyday people, and designed to keep local dollars in local hands.Written by David Crompton. Narrated by Ross Liggins.www.coromind.nz

Why do so many of us hesitate to create? In this thoughtful article, Hannah Beasley explores the hidden barriers to creativity, why mistakes are an essential part of the process, and how giving ourselves permission to begin can change the way we see the world. A gentle reminder that creativity isn’t about perfection, it’s about starting.Written and narrated by Hannah Beasley.www.coromind.nz

Welcome to the Full Audio Version of Coromind Magazine, Issue 42 - June, 2026. Visit www.coromind.nz for more.www.coromind.nzwww.coromind.nz

A reflective guest editorial from Brandon Amoamo on what it means to be raising mokopuna in Aotearoa today. Blending humour, cultural commentary, and sharp observation, he looks toward the future with questions about environment, society, and legacy, while celebrating the spirit of Coromind and its “Corocreators” shaping a more hopeful path forward.www.coromind.nz

Make sure you mark 10 July in your calendar for the Matariki Festival happening in Kūaotunu. Te Toi o Matariki will provide an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate the Māori new year.www.coromind.nz

Tairua artist Tanya Finlayson loves doing things that take a long time! She loves the challenge. And the intricate art that she creates does demand patience, commitment and a lot of time. It also requires talent.www.coromind.nz

A Kiwi cult comedy with roots deeper than its Waikato setting, The Tavern carries the spirit of the Coromandel through its characters, stories, and soundtrack of local life. Writer and creator Matt Hicks reflects on over a decade spent in the region’s pubs, festivals, and back-room yarns that helped shape the film’s heart. From grassroots screenings to national success, this is a story of how a small-town film found its voice, and its audience.www.coromind.nz

What if your bank account worked for you instead of your bank? In this edition of Tech for Everyday People, David Crompton explores the rise of open banking in New Zealand and how it could make payments faster, reduce fees, improve financial tools, and give consumers more control over their money and data.www.coromind.nz

Milly Moon shares the story behind a solo show that grew from footsteps on remote trails into a heartfelt performance toured across Aotearoa and beyond. Blending music, storytelling, grief, love, and connection, this is a reflection on creativity, courage, and the unexpected ways art can touch people’s lives.www.coromind.nz

A steep ski run, a confident beginner, and an unforgettable lesson in gravity. In this light-hearted story, a family day on the slopes turns into a dramatic downhill slide when young Finn discovers that gravity never takes a break. A humorous reflection on falls, spills, and why sometimes the blame belongs to physics, not people.www.coromind.nz

When you talk to Peter Felix Muller, you get the sense that he’s never been in a rush. That’s not to say he hasn’t achieved a lot – he’s done plenty. But his approach to art, whether it’s behind a camera or at the jeweller’s bench, has always been more about flow than force.www.coromind.nz

Cuppa Words is a space dedicated to expression. In this edition: Riven with tears by Helen Oliver and I am falling into you by Yaning Ma Foremanwww.coromind.nz

Clementine and Valentine Nixon, aka Purple Pilgrims, are sisters who make music together. At times playful, ethereal or hauntingly enigmatic, their ever-evolving sound is hard to categorise but certainly falls into the alternative realm.www.coromind.nz

Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting  Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things in our community. In this edition, Liam Ryan. Supported by Rob Holding.www.coromind.nz

Walk through a healthy Coromandel forest and you’ll notice the understorey thriving, young seedlings emerging, ferns unfurling, and shrubs providing food and shelter for native wildlife. One of the biggest pressures on this vital layer of the forest comes from wild goats, which can strip vegetation and hinder regeneration. Learn more about goat control in the Coromandel here!www.coromind.nz

I joined the Mercury Bay Writers  when it was formed back in February. We meet once a month and are given a topic and/or genre to write a 500-word piece about. Our first assignment was to create ‘a dialogue’ and the second was to write ‘A descriptive mishap’. I would like to share my attempts with you, so here they are. www.coromind.nz

It’s been over 20 years since Whitianga started a local festival in celebration of the local seafood and coastal culture – and with the 21st event taking place on the Whitianga marina waterfront on 19 September, it’s time to reflect on why the Whitianga Oceans Festival is still one of New Zealand’s most loved regional food and lifestyle events!www.coromind.nz

Welcome to the Full-Audio version of Coromind Magazine,  Issue 41 - May, 2026. Visit www.coromind.nz for more.www.coromind.nz

When we clapped eyes on the first issue of Coromind, it was like “WOW”, such a beautiful, colourful and classy magazine in the cafe … free to take. www.coromind.nz

Surfing inspired my affinity with the ocean and my motivation to paint it. I first surfed in Whangamatā, and it has always been a special place for me, so its world-class waves are a pleasure to paint.www.coromind.nz

On a gloomy Thursday morning, as a heavy rain warning loomed over Hauraki, a group of whānau (people) gathered at the waharoa (entrance) of Kerepēhi Marae, awaiting the karanga (welcome call) that would welcome them in. www.coromind.nz

To date, I’ve spent $9,204 NZD on visas alone. I still have another $315 to go when I apply for Permanent Residency in 2027, and $560 more if I decide to go for NZ citizenship in 2032. I knew it would be expensive, but it ended up being about $4,000 more than I’d expected, thanks to both an extra, unexpected medical exam and Immigration nearly doubling its fees – with very little warning – in October 2024.www.coromind.nz

I was exhausted, but I couldn't fall asleep. I tried meditating, which usually does the trick, but not this time. The day's challenges and residual issues still pervaded me. I lay awake while the full moon and stars filled the room with surreal and magical light, sedating me somewhat...www.coromind.nz

Kauri forests like those found in Coromandel are extraordinary places. Kauri trees are an  awe-inspiring taonga species, but these giants are only part of a much bigger story …www.coromind.nz

My art studio is my happy place, full of light, colour and music. It’s where I feel most myself. Sometimes I enter with a vague plan, sometimes with no plan at all. Often it’s just the music that takes me on a journey as I paint. The fun is seeing what evolves … or sometimes what doesn’t.www.coromind.nz

Cuppa Words is a space dedicated to expression and creative writing. In this edition: 'Breath in the Forest' by WORDsmith and 'The Unknown' by Melissa Irelandwww.coromind.nz

Mary and Donald are old friends from Wellington who have been coming to Wharekaho on holiday for the last 40 years. They were always there for Christmas and after a few years we decided to give each other funny, unusual presents. I remember receiving a giant condom called Big Boy one Christmas. Unfortunately, it was way too big, even for me, so it now...www.coromind.nz

Behind every discarded item is a choice made weeks, months, or years earlier. A bargain that didn’t last. A quick purchase that became clutter. Multiply that across thousands of households, and the scale becomes overwhelming – for communities, for the environment, and for the people tasked with managing it all.www.coromind.nz

Proud to be Local is our CFM feature, highlighting inspiring characters from the Coromandel. In this edition, local artist Gary Nevin. Words by Ayana Piper-Healion.www.coromind.nz

In this Sure-Shot series, Coromind invites photographers to break down two of their favourite shots, sharing the stories, techniques and moments that make each image special. This month, Bella Muir takes us behind the scenes of her inspiring work.www.coromind.nz

The Coromind team had a chat with Ryan Laird, owner of KaiZen in Cooks Beach, about food, philosophy, and what keeps the restaurant thriving through the quieter months. At KaiZen, the idea is simple: share the table. Sharing food is a timeless way to bring people together...www.coromind.nz

Welcome to the Full-Audio version of Coromind Magazine, issue 40.April, 2026www.coromind.nzwww.coromind.nz

In recent years many magazines and community newspapers have folded their pages for the last time and closed the doors. Metro magazine, which existed since the 1980s, is one of the most recent to depart from a printed format and exist only in the digital world. And with all this in mind I believe the team behind Coromind must be applauded and admired.  They have changed the model and as a result they are making it possible to provide a quality magazine that not only looks great and provides a wealth of interesting articles, but is free of charge.www.coromind.nz

Saskia Riemersma's journey is a testament to the power of creativity and following one's passion. From a young age, Saskia knew she wanted to create, and her path has been a beautiful exploration of various art forms.www.coromind.nz

 I don’t know anyone who would willingly do what that rat did – take such foolish risks – but the irony wasn’t lost on me as I set off alone in the dark, on day two of a solo hike. I started at Broken Hills in the Coromandel and walked up to Hihi Trig Station, taking a small detour to an old dam along the way. The views were lovely, stretching across to the cliffs where I sometimes go rock climbing. Then the mud began...www.coromind.nz

It was the mid-1990s and we were steaming back from Aotea/Great Barrier. It was a beautiful hot summer day and the sea was flat and calm. Up ahead we spotted a pod of about 20 Terehu/Bottlenose dolphins. I noticed there was one dolphin that was not participating in playing and as I watched I saw she had a calf with her, a baby about a metre long. When I got closer, I saw that the baby had an old, frayed rope wrapped around its tail...www.coromind.nz

The following is a glimpse into the life of William Lewis Townson – a man who was dedicated to his botanical work, and had an expert knowledge of the native birds of New Zealand. www.coromind.nz