Resolving Together What Concerns Us

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June 2, 2026

New information has come forward regarding the violent bullying incident at Mercury Bay Area School, clarifying that two boys carried out the assault while a third acted as lookout. The victim, who suffered two broken bones, faces a long recovery with significant physical and emotional trauma.

More on Bullying

Regarding the event involving bullying at Mercury Bay Area School, I made an edit last week – stating that one boy stomped on the victim and two were on guard, but I made a mistake. Two were involved in the assault and one was on watch. This was my mistake, not Richard Shelford-Woodcocks.

　The repercussions of this event were and are traumatic. It has happened despite the school’s zero tolerance to bullying as a firm policy. So the issue facing the school is one that goes deeper than policies and rules. They are not on their own as a school. I notice with the Police Reports published in The Informer that Family Harm incidents are the longest segment. We are all connected, however indirectly, to this bullying and aggressive behaviour.

　I have been assured that the Principal will bring some news for the wider community very soon on how things are going.

　The following has been received from a parent who is close to the family of the boy whose leg was broken. This parent has the family’ permission to provide their understanding.

　From a concerned parent: “I’d like this known. The first boy walked in to confirm that the intended victim was in the bathroom alone. He went outside and grabbed the other two boys. Three boys were in the bathroom with the victim making a total of four boys.

　Two committed the assault resulting in two broken bones in the victim’s leg. The injured boy was left in the bathroom on his own. He crawled out where he was found by a teacher who was dealing with another issue so was told to wait.

　At first only one of the students who committed the assault was suspended but after the family objected that the other boy who was involved in the assault was allowed to return to school, the school changed that decision and he was also suspended. The family are considering taking this further to determine categorically which one of the two caused the breaks to his leg or did they both cause it. Due to the placement of the breaks, he is going to have ongoing operations because of his growth plates. The decision to allow the second boy back to school was made before the injured boy was back from the hospital. The family is relieved that the school changed their decision.

　The family have no idea how long their boy will be in a cast from his hip. He is absolutely traumatised and doesn’t even like going to the bathroom. The physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for him are severe and ongoing.

　No child should ever suffer injuries of this magnitude while under the supervision and care of their school. This boy could be anybody’s child. Every student deserves to feel safe at school.”

　The family believe the assault is part of ongoing problems.

Geoff Robinson and the Mayor on reform

　The amount of material on local government matters could seem overwhelming – take your time.

　The most important – the reform of boundaries and structures, our name and how we think about ourselves and operate as a community. Our current council will be no more by the end of 2028. To join with another region or others is the deal. There will be no elections like the last one. Read carefully Geoff Robinson’s article – he is explaining and suggesting a way forward, p16 and the Mayor’s piece, page 15, setting out the work done so far. When there is a bigger council overarching a larger area, the role of community boards or their equivalent will be vital.

New reference document for Community Boards

　The rules by which our Community Boards operate have been changed. Now they have a Community Board Accord. There has been quite some controversy over this but in the end the council voted in favour. Please read the articles by Cr John Freer, John Grant – Deputy Mayor and Tony Fox Chair of Whitianga Ratepayers, plus Letters to the Editor.

　It has taken 7 months to put it together so they can get on with their job, so let’s support them with the Accord.

　No community is perfect but what I have experienced here on The Coromandel has been overall pretty terrific in terms of relationships, working with others, and encouragement. Openness has sometimes been in short supply but that is a two-way street. I hope we can sit with one another with the most opposite of opinions and understandings to commit to create one broad direction forward together.